I Grind to Martial Saint

On the left were three people: two men and a woman.

The men were handsome, and the woman was beautiful.

They also wore matching attire, so they were likely Sect Disciples from the same group.

On the other side were five men, disheveled and boorish, with a wild and brutish air about them. They looked more like ruffians from the Martial World.

Both groups fell silent when they saw Han Yuan and Ding Zihu walk in.

Seeing this, Ding Zihu had no intention of leaving. He simply went to a corner, started a campfire of his own, and began roasting some dried meat and fish.

He even took out two jars of wine and started drinking with Han Yuan.

The Orange Cat, meanwhile, was nibbling on its own little dried fish.

They paid the others no mind at all.

Seeing this, the two groups didn’t say anything either. A strange atmosphere settled over the temple.

After all, when you’re out on the road, you naturally have to be extra cautious.

Especially in a place like Nanwu Province.

After midnight, Ding Zihu was leaning against the wall, fast asleep and even snoring.

The Orange Cat was also sprawled on the ground, sleeping soundly.

Han Yuan, on the other hand, was sitting cross-legged in meditation, seemingly deep in his Cultivation.

This kind of behavior was undoubtedly extremely dangerous.

The ruffians from the Martial World on the right saw this, and a glint appeared in their eyes.

One of them, a big man with a dark face, made a throat-slitting gesture.

The other men all nodded lightly.

They waited for a long time. Convinced that the pair were truly as vulnerable as they seemed, they grabbed their weapons and quietly approached Han Yuan and Ding Zihu in the corner.

This was mainly because Ding Zihu looked too frail and didn’t seem like a threat.

And while Han Yuan showed signs of martial training, he was so young that his Cultivation couldn’t be that profound. With their numbers, they were confident they could handle him.

Meanwhile, Han Yuan and Ding Zihu—one cultivating, the other sleeping—were completely unaware that someone bore them ill will.

There was also an Orange Cat, sleeping even more soundly and even drooling a little.

Just as these villains were about to hack Han Yuan and Ding Zihu to a bloody pulp...

A cold, stern voice rang out. ”What do you think you’re doing?”

From the group of two men and one woman resting on the left...

...a man with sharp, sword-like eyebrows and bright, star-like eyes stood up.

”Kid, don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong!” the dark-faced brute growled.

He hadn’t expected this person to ruin his plans.

’After all, when you’re on the road, you’re supposed to mind your own business and not get involved.’

”The world would be better off without people like you!”

The handsome man shook his head.

The next moment.

He drew his sword!

His draw was simply too fast. The villains saw only a flash of cold light before they lost consciousness forever.

THUD~~

Heads tumbled to the ground.

The villains’ headless bodies quickly collapsed, blood pouring out.

At that moment.

Ding Zihu was finally startled awake. He looked at the corpses and shook his head slightly.

Han Yuan opened his eyes as well.

Before they could speak, the handsome man said coolly, ”When you’re out and about, remember to be more vigilant. You won’t be this lucky every time.”

With that, he sheathed his sword, turned, and left the dilapidated temple.

The man and woman with him also left without a word.

”Han Yuan, you just got lectured.”

Ding Zihu found the scene so hilarious he couldn’t stop smiling.

”...”

Han Yuan was speechless for a moment.

’The main thing is, the guy really did just help me. Even though, from my perspective, his help was completely unnecessary. But I can’t exactly blame him for stepping up to right a wrong, can I?’

”Meow~”

”What happened?”

The Orange Cat woke up, still groggy.

It was the only one there who had no idea what had happened.

Ding Zihu quickly whispered a few words in its ear.

”Hahahaha!!!”

”This is killing meow!”

”So, you have days like this too, Han Yuan!”

The Orange Cat burst out laughing.

Han Yuan shook his head helplessly and stood up. ”Let’s go... The sun is up anyway.”

They didn’t think much of the little episode, simply leaving the ruined temple and continuing toward the Ten Thousand Mountains.

「Ten days later.」

They finally arrived at a town called Ping’an Town.

Reaching this town meant they were very close to the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Another thirty-odd li and they would officially enter the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Han Yuan and Ding Zihu planned to rest up in Ping’an Town before heading into the mountains.

As soon as they entered Ping’an Town, they found the streets thronging with people.

The people walking on the main street were either Martial World Wanderers, Sect Disciples, or various Daoists and Monks...

There were also some people in very strange attire.

They looked like tribal Priests or something similar.

Besides them, there were also some burly men with brutish clothes and fierce expressions.

These were usually bandits from the mountains.

As the only town in the vicinity, Ping’an Town was a gathering place for all the shady characters of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

To avoid some trouble, Han Yuan was naturally wearing a mask.

Ding Zihu was as well.

He had even put on a loose-fitting robe.

That way, others couldn’t make out his figure.

The only one who didn’t need a disguise, of course, was the Orange Cat.

”This Ping’an Town is even livelier than I imagined,” Ding Zihu muttered.

”I didn’t expect so many people to be here either,” Han Yuan nodded.

The two walked around Ping’an Town for a good while before finally finding a tavern.

They hadn’t even gone inside when they heard a series of CRASHES and BANGS.

”Holy shit.”

”A show to watch!”

Hearing the commotion, Ding Zihu eagerly rushed forward to watch the spectacle.

Inside the tavern’s main hall...

...a Blade Master was fighting three opponents at once, his long saber flashing.

After a dozen or so exchanges.

The Blade Master took one of his opponents’ lives, but then let out a wretched scream as his own neck was sliced open.

The two survivors collected their companion’s body and, before leaving, looted the corpse of the Blade Master.

This was a daily occurrence in Ping’an Town.

Everyone present was used to it.

The Shopkeeper could only curse his bad luck, order someone to move the Blade Master’s body, and then continue with his business.

Han Yuan and Ding Zihu paid it no mind either.

For them, forget about seeing dead people...

...they had lost count of how many Evil Spirits they had seen.

”Shopkeeper, do you have any rooms available?” Ding Zihu asked directly.

”Sirs, there’s not a single room left,” the Shopkeeper said, shaking his head.

”Not a single one?” Ding Zihu asked with a frown.

He hadn’t expected the rooms here to be in such short supply.

”Sirs, really, not one. You must know about the recent situation. Strange phenomena have been appearing on the horizon, so many people are rushing here, making rooms extremely scarce,” the Shopkeeper said helplessly.

”The other inns and taverns are probably the same,” Han Yuan asked.

”Yes... they’re all in the same situation,” the Shopkeeper nodded.

”Well, we’re screwed.”

”Looks like we’ll have to sleep in another ruined temple,” Ding Zihu shook his head in resignation.

”That won’t be necessary,” the Shopkeeper said with a smile. ”You two could rent a courtyard. The rent is a bit steep, but it’s better than sleeping out in the open.”

”Oh, there’s that option? How much is it per day?” Ding Zihu asked.

”That depends on how many days you gentlemen plan to stay,” the Shopkeeper said, his eyes narrowing.

”Three days,” Han Yuan thought for a moment and said softly.

”Three days... ten taels of silver,” the Shopkeeper quoted a price.

Although the price was a bit steep, considering the current situation in Ping’an Town, it wasn’t unacceptable.

”No problem. Set it up for us,” Han Yuan said, taking out ten taels of silver.

”Right away. Fugui, take these two guests to the courtyard on Sanli Street.”

The Shopkeeper pocketed the silver and called for an attendant to lead Han Yuan.

They walked for a long time through Ping’an Town, eventually turning into a relatively remote alley.

The courtyard wasn’t very large, but it had two rooms, which was just right for Han Yuan and Ding Zihu.

After a quick glance, the two couldn’t be bothered to fuss over it and sent the attendant back.

Afterwards, Ding Zihu went out to buy some food, and upon returning, he and Han Yuan began discussing their next steps.

”For these three days, let’s first try to find out where exactly in town that Purple Mist has been appearing. Otherwise, who knows how long it’ll take us to find it in the Ten Thousand Mountains,” Ding Zihu said softly, munching on peanuts.