My father is a Confucian sage, but the system forces me to be a crude warrior

Chapter 414 Breakthrough from Rank 3 to Rank 2, Breakthrough from Rank 2 to Rank 1

As soon as these words came out.

Zeng Anmin's face showed a look of astonishment:
"Xuanzhen Division?"

"So, the traitor within our disaster relief team... is from the Xuanzhen Division?"

"Yes." Liu Shishi's brows furrowed tightly.
"But among the Xuanzhen Division disciples who came to provide disaster relief this time, only Junior Sister Sai and I..."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Anmin seemed to have thought of something and replied without hesitation:
"Could it be that senior brother Shen Nian who defected?"

Liu Shishi scoffed and pouted, "Where is this?"

“Xiliu.” Zeng Anmin blinked.

"As long as it's within the territory of our Holy Dynasty, there's no way my master wouldn't discover Shen Nian," Liu Shishi said proudly, raising her head.
“Master has been searching for him for over three hundred years. He even specially set up an array in the palace to find him. As long as he appears in the Holy Dynasty’s territory, Master can appear in front of him and kill him in the next instant.”

"Could it be because of some special technique that allows him to conceal himself..." Zeng Anmin felt that Liu Shishi was still too blindly confident.

"Impossible!" Liu Shishi scoffed.
“My master possesses the destiny of the Holy Kingdom. Within the Great Holy Dynasty, he is no different from the Heavenly Dao. Nothing can escape his discerning eyes.”

“Besides…” Liu Shishi stroked her chin, then whispered to Zeng Anmin, “Back then, Master placed a spell on him.”

"The array spell is similar to the Heart Gu of the Eastern Cult. It is a unique array spell that is directly connected to the soul and belongs to the master. If he dares to appear in the territory of the Great Holy Dynasty, the array spell will definitely be able to sense it. Moreover, due to its special nature, nothing can block the array spell."

Why does the Xuanzhen Division still have this thing?

Zeng Anmin was startled; he felt it was just like the insidious Talisman Sect of Taoism...

"The Xuanzhen Division's methods are profound and impressive; I admire them." Zeng Anmin glanced at Liu Shishi earnestly.

"Regretting it now? Wouldn't it have been so much better to join my Xuanzhen Division back then? Why did you have to study Confucianism and Taoism?"

Liu Shishi's lips curled up slightly.

"So what?" Zeng Anmin glanced at Liu Shishi. "Then there's no way to explain it."

"There are only two of you, the direct disciples of the Xuanzhen Division, who came to provide disaster relief this time. The one who concealed the secrets of the Heart-Questioning Array is either her or you."

He shrugged and said, "So, Sister Liu, admit it, the spy among us is you."

"roll."

Liu Shishi rolled her eyes in annoyance: "If it were me, I'd save Sima Nan from his ass."

Zeng Anmin choked.

Liu Shishi's words, though crude, are not without merit.

"Alright, I'm not going to waste any more time talking to you. I'm going to take Junior Sister Sai to bed now."

As soon as Liu Shishi finished speaking, she reached out to take Sai Chuxue's hand.

"Ok?"

"Junior Sister Sai?"

Liu Shishi's lips twitched. She saw Sai Chuxue with her hands supporting her chin, her elbows on her legs, her eyes fixed on Zeng Anmin.

Like autumn water, I am captivated by it.

"He has something painted on his face?" Liu Shishi waved her hand in front of Sai Chuxue's eyes and asked in an annoyed tone.

"No." Sai Chuxue came back to her senses, blushed, shook her head, and whispered, "I just wanted to look around more."

"I was thinking that after setting up the Heaven-Asking Array, I lost thirty years of my lifespan. If I don't take a good look now, I won't be able to see it later."

……

Let alone Liu Shishi's silence.

Zeng Anmin also fell silent.

He felt as if his heart had been struck by a heavy hammer.

“Junior Sister Sai.” Zeng Anmin gripped Sai Chuxue’s hand tightly, his gaze fixed on her.
"Don't worry, I will definitely make up for the thirty years of life you lost."

"I swear."

His voice was firm.

"Come on, there's no such thing as a treasure that can prolong life..." Liu Shishi only got halfway through her sentence.

Sai Chuxue blushed and gave a shy smile: "I believe you."

Liu Shishi: ...

Zeng Anmin gently reached out and smoothed Sai Chuxue's hair, which had been ruffled by the evening breeze, and whispered:

"Go back and get a good night's sleep."

"Mmm." Sai Chuxue reluctantly said goodbye to Zeng Anmin, turning back every few steps.

Watching Liu Shishi and Sai Chuxue's retreating figures.

Zeng Anmin sighed softly.

My guilt towards the little girl intensified.

…………

By this time, the sky was gradually becoming brighter.

Before I knew it, a night had passed.

Zeng Anmin sighed, "This is truly a turbulent time."

After saying that, he walked forward, intending to see if Sima Nan had gotten any results from the interrogation.

As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard, I saw an old figure in the distance.

"Lord Sun?"

Zeng Anmin was stunned for a moment.

Sun Chuanfang was washing up in the courtyard when she heard Zeng Anmin's words. She looked up and revealed an extremely haggard face.

"Didn't Lord Sun sleep all night?"

Zeng Anmin noticed that Sun Chuanfang's slightly aged eyes were bloodshot, and he was puzzled.

"I can't sleep." Sun Chuanfang shook his head with a wry smile: "As long as the disaster in Xiliu is not resolved, I feel like I have a heavy burden on my heart."

Zeng Anmin smiled and stepped forward, gently patting Sun Chuanfang's shoulder to comfort him:
"Sima Nan has already transported a lot of grain."

"The food crisis has been temporarily resolved."

Sun Chuanfang shook his head: "It's only 300,000 shi of grain, which will last at most half a month."

"A drop in the bucket!"

He sighed deeply, then gave a self-deprecating laugh: "Before entering the court, I was a famine victim. If it weren't for Lord Zeng's help, I would probably have starved to death."

Zeng Anmin sighed softly to himself.

The reason he maintained a harmonious relationship with Sun Chuanfang throughout the journey was partly due to Sun Chuanfang's reputation for integrity, and partly because he was promoted by his father and could be considered a half-"Zeng faction" in the court.

"I've been hungry before, I know what it's like to be hungry."

Sun Chuanfang's face was filled with mixed emotions as he looked out of the courtyard:
“If we officials cannot solve the life and death problems of the people, then we deserve to die ten thousand times.”

“Oh, you’re exaggerating a bit…” Zeng Anmin waved his hand and said, “The grain that Dongfang Sheng purchased will soon be entering Xiliu.”

"Once he enters the Western River, I will have Sima Nan continue..."

Sun Chuanfang frowned, and he looked at Zeng Anmin with a somewhat stern gaze:
“Young Master Zeng, you must not say such things again. This matter concerns the people, regardless of their status, and there is no exaggeration.”

"I hope you will keep this in mind in the future."

"Salaries are not bestowed by heaven; every grain of rice is the people's hard-earned money. There are no trivial matters in being an official; the well-being of the people is as important as the fate of the nation."

Sun Chuanfang's aged voice sounded like a sudden, sharp rebuke.

Zeng Anmin felt a slight tremor in his heart upon hearing these words.

He looked at Sun Chuanfang with a complicated expression, then slowly bowed to him:
“Your teachings should always be kept in mind, sir.”

"Hehe." Seeing Zeng Anmin's expression, Sun Chuanfang smiled with satisfaction and gently patted Zeng Anmin's shoulder.

"There's no need for that, it's just that I've been talking too much."

“Not much.” Zeng Anmin shook his head and said, “Without Lord Sun’s guidance, the Assistant Minister might become complacent in the future.”

"Lord Sun's words were like a wake-up call; I am truly ashamed."

His gaze fell upon the patched lining of Sun Chuanfang's worn-out official robe.

"The matter of transporting grain to Dongfang Sheng is of paramount importance and cannot be allowed to fail," Sun Chuanfang said to Zeng Anmin with a smile.
"I intend to take Liu Shishi from the Xuanzhen Division with me to meet them and ensure that this grain enters Xiliu smoothly."

Zeng Anmin smiled and nodded, saying, "That's exactly what I was thinking too. Liu Shishi has a rather impatient temperament, and it would be perfect if you could be there to guide her."

"You sly fox," Sun Chuanfang said with a laugh, "You want me to finish all the work so you can have some free time."

"Haha!" Zeng An laughed heartily, then winked: "Isn't it only right to be considerate of subordinates?"

Sun Chuanfang was taken aback, then burst into laughter:
"You're more suited to officialdom than Lord Zeng!"

…………

Watching Sun Chuanfang and Liu Shishi ride away into the distance.

Zeng Anmin breathed a sigh of relief.

Sima Nan's grain supplies have greatly relieved the pressure on the Governor's Office.

Now all we need to do is wait for the grain from Dongfang Sheng's side to enter the city.

Once the grain from that area reaches the city, the pressure regarding the disaster in Xiliu will be greatly reduced.

"The rest is up to you, Venerable Hongji." Zeng Anmin turned around and looked at Abbot Hongji standing beside him.

"Don't worry, Benefactor Zeng." Abbot Hongji's smile remained kind: "The method of praying for rain and summoning clouds is not difficult, it just consumes a lot of Buddhist power. You can recover in half a year to a year."

"On behalf of these disaster victims, I thank Master Hongji."

Zeng Anmin bowed to Abbot Hongji.

"No need for thanks. The more calamity I suffer, the less calamity the world will suffer," Hong Jici said with a smile, waving his hand.

"Ah."

……

yard.

"wave~"

As Zeng Anmin's chest slowly swelled.

Zeng Anmin clenched his fist tightly.

Tanzhong point!

"I'm just one acupoint away from reaching the third-grade combat strength!"

He was overjoyed.

very good!

In other words, he could break through in a day at most.

This is fantastic news!

"Buzzing."

A tremor came from within the sea of ​​consciousness.

Zeng Anmin was slightly taken aback.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

Then, using his mind, he entered the space of his consciousness.

[Nan: What's wrong?]

Oh, it's not the Heavenly Alliance, it's a greeting from my wife.

The image of Empress Gu Xiangnan appeared in Zeng Anmin's mind, and he felt a little itchy when he hadn't seen her for a long time.

[North: It's still the same. There's a food shortage in Xiliu, but my men have solved it, and Master Hongji has begun casting spells to pray for rain. After that, life should slowly recover.]

[Nan: You've worked hard.]

[North: It's not tiring, it's just that I haven't seen you for a while, and I miss you a bit.]

[Nan: Hehe, I've already led my troops to Qinghai Bay, and I'll be able to see your father soon.]

Oh?
Zeng Anmin was taken aback. So fast?

Father personally led his troops to conquer the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, joining forces with Nanjiang...

He immediately felt relieved; calculating the days, it was indeed almost time.

[North: Just to correct you, that's our dad.]

Nan remained silent for a while.

Zeng Anmin chuckled mischievously and stroked his chin.

Nan: Hmm.

Haha.

Upon seeing this reply, Zeng Anmin could even imagine the shyness that would appear on Gu Xiangnan's dignified yet beautiful face.
[North: By the way, I have a question for you.]

[Nan: Go ahead and say it.]

[North: How do I break through to the third rank?]

……

Jiang State, Pingxiang Commandery.

Gu Xiangnan was dressed in military uniform and riding a horse.

Her stunningly beautiful face was already filled with astonishment.

He stared blankly at the chat history displayed on the Phoenix Chart in front of him.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" An official standing nearby looked at the Empress's blank expression with a puzzled look on his face.

"It's nothing." Gu Xiangnan took a deep breath, regained his composure, and waved his hand dismissively: "Go down."

"Yes."

…………

After the official left, Gu Xiangnan swallowed hard.

"Third...third rank??!"

"Zeng Lang is now... ah?"

How long has it been?
Her heart skipped a beat.

She took a deep breath and extended her fair finger to write on the Phoenix Strategy Picture:
[Nan: Third Rank? Are you sure you've reached the stage where you can break through to the third rank?]

…………

Zeng Anmin grinned.

Hey.

You woman, you're even questioning your man now.

[Bei: Let me put it this way, I'm only one step away from reaching the third rank of combat strength, and I'll be able to break through completely tomorrow.]

However, because of his [high-end martial arts], he was able to break through from the fourth rank to the third rank and have the combat power of the second rank.

However, even his father didn't know this secret.

He was destined not to tell the Empress now.

……

Gu Xiangnan's heart pounded wildly, and she lost her balance, lurching slightly on the horse...

"Your Majesty!! Be careful!" The guards who saw this scene were stunned and wanted to rush over to support her.

"No need!" Gu Xiangnan suppressed the shock in her heart, her beautiful eyes regaining their composure.

"I am circulating my martial arts energy, and it is slightly off-center, but it's alright."

"This..." The guard hesitated.

"Get down!" Gu Xiangnan's eyes turned cold, and her voice became extremely sharp!

"Yes." The guard dared not say another word and quickly and respectfully withdrew.

…………

Gu Xiangnan's hands trembled slightly as she held the Phoenix Strategy Map.

Just three years.

He broke through from the ninth rank to the third rank.

What kind of monster is this?!

God.

Is my man a human or a ghost?

[South: The breakthrough from fourth rank to third rank is a process of continuous compression and refinement of the "domain".]

What's needed is to gradually condense the external "domain" into the body through battle. Once the "domain" is completely integrated with the body and nurtured for a sufficient number of days, it can be released to achieve a "domain" length of one hundred feet.

[Upon reaching the third rank, one becomes a Grandmaster of the Earth Realm, capable of basic flight, and experiencing a significant improvement in all aspects of their body, especially their recovery ability.]

Zeng Anmin nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He stroked his chin, then thought for a moment and wrote on the Heavenly Dao Diagram:
[North: You might as well just tell me how to go from Rank 3 to Rank 2, and from Rank 2 to Rank 1, so I don't have to ask you every time I break through.]

……

The Empress pursed her lips upon hearing this.

Her heart was pounding.

She had a feeling.

This year, I will tell Zeng Anmin the methods for breaking through all levels of martial arts.

He might break through to the first rank without anyone noticing...

One product!
"Whoo~"

She exhaled, her expression turning serious.

[Nan: You want to know now?]

[Bei: Of course, I just think it's too much trouble to ask every time.]

The Empress remained silent for a long time, and then wrote:
[Good. Breaking through from the third rank to the second rank, and from the second rank to the first rank, happens to be recorded in the Jiang Kingdom's royal family. I will tell you about it now.]

(End of this chapter)