A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

Chapter 151 The Second Prince, Ji Gaoxu

The three characters "Wu Xing Tong" on the booklet made Ji Gaoxu's fingertips pause slightly.

This was not the first group of martial artists to come from Luochuan City to seek refuge.

He remembered that a few days ago, a martial artist named Du Chong, who had reached the Marrow Cleansing Realm, had also come through a similar ordeal. Although his cultivation level was not high, his loyalty to the people was evident.

This Wu Xingtong was also only at the Marrow Cleansing Realm, but the power behind him caught Ji Gaoxu's attention.

The Azure Origin Sword Sect, Zhenyu Mountain.

These are two of the six major sects in Qingzhou.

Like the Six Desires Demon Sect in Youzhou, the six sects of Qingzhou are the true local tyrants, a force that should not be underestimated.

Their attitude is now ambiguous; they have neither fully supported the Qingzhou army nor openly sided with their father.

If the Yan army wants to take Qingzhou, these six factions are an insurmountable obstacle.

And this Wu Xing Tong might just be a decent bridge.

"It's a pity that Luochuan County's plan failed so completely."

Five Blood Exchange Realm experts, plus Xuan Sha, an Inner Strength master—this lineup couldn't even take down a small county town.

Ji Gaoxu quickly understood.

Yasushi.

Moreover, even the commanders at the Dragon Transformation Realm personally participated.

The other party was so knowledgeable about military strategy that they quickly realized my covetousness for Luochuan.

Luochuan is bound to face a fierce battle.

Ji Gaoxu murmured, the arrival of a Dragon Transformation Realm expert has made the balance of power unpredictable once again.

Just as he was pondering this, a guard dressed in blue strode into the tent.

"Your Highness, someone outside the tent requests an audience. He claims to have come from Luochuan City and has an extremely urgent matter to attend to." The guard knelt on one knee and reported in a deep voice.

Another one from Luochuan?

It's really lively.

"Could it be that they've come seeking refuge again?" Ji Gaoxu casually replied. "What are the cultivation levels of these two?"

"Your Highness, they are two brothers, both at the Marrow Cleansing Realm."

"Then they'll be gone," Ji Gaoxu replied indifferently. "They can be assigned to serve in the camp as they see fit."

In his eyes, a mere Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivator was not worthy of a personal audience with him, the second son of the Prince of Yan.

However, upon hearing the order, the blue-clad guard did not immediately retreat; instead, he hesitated for a moment. He took out a wax-sealed letter from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"Your Highness, those two men looked anxious, which seemed genuine, and they insisted that I deliver this letter to you no matter what."

The guard held the letter above his head, but lowered his head even further.

The prince had already given the order to send him away, but he still insisted on relaying the message, which was already overstepping his bounds.

But to rise above others, risk and opportunity always go hand in hand. If these two truly have urgent business, and this letter carries immense weight, then he will have made a name for himself before the prince, a great achievement. But if the letter's contents are mediocre, his fate is predictable.

The guard secretly glanced at Ji Gaoxu's reaction out of the corner of his eye, and his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Ji Gaoxu frowned, but still took the letter. His gaze swept over it, and his originally indifferent expression suddenly became serious.

Where are those two?

"The two have been settled in a side tent and soldiers have been assigned to guard them," the guard replied loudly, overjoyed.

"Well done." Ji Gaoxu's tone even carried a hint of appreciation. "What's your name?"

"My name is Duan Hu!"

"Good, I'll credit you for this. Bring those two to me immediately."

"Yes!" Duan Hu was overjoyed. After accepting the order, he quickly retreated.

A moment later, Duan Hu led two figures to the central command tent.

The two men were quite thin and had somewhat similar faces. They were none other than the Wang brothers, Wang Xuangan and Wang Xuanzhao, who had fled from Luochuan City under the cover of night.

"We pay our respects to Your Highness!"

The two dared not raise their heads. As soon as they entered the tent, they knelt down on both knees, banging their foreheads heavily on the ground, not daring to breathe.

They were influential figures in Luochuan County, but when they actually met these nobles, they realized that their own family background was ridiculously insignificant.

"Get up and answer." Ji Gaoxu's voice was unreadable. "Do you know the contents of the letter?"

"We would never dare to spy on you without permission!" Wang Xuangan and Wang Xuanzhao quickly replied.

"How many people are there in the Jingye Division in Luochuan?" Ji Gaoxu narrowed his eyes, carefully examining these two humble "allies" who were as insignificant as dust.

Stared at by that gaze, the Wang brothers felt their hair stand on end.

Wang Xuanzhao composed himself and spoke first: "Your Highness, there are three people in total. The one with the highest cultivation is Shen Xuantong, a commander at the Dragon Transformation Realm. Next is Dong Mo, at the third level of Blood Exchange. And the last one is—Zhou Yuan, at the Tendon Changing Realm."

"Zhou Yuan? Yi Jin Realm?"

Upon hearing this name and level of attainment, Ji Gaoxu's face revealed undisguised surprise and contempt for the first time.

Now even those at the Yi Jin realm can join the Jingye Division? It seems the Great Zhou court's henchmen are truly declining, accepting just any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

Seeing this, Wang Xuanzhao quickly continued, "Our merchant alliance had already pledged allegiance to Mr. Yi, intending to kill the county magistrate and hand over Luochuan City. However, Shen Xuantong interfered. We know that a small act of impatience could ruin a great plan, so we chose to preserve our lives and wait for a chance to rise again!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xuanzhao knelt down again, touching his head to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Wang Xuangan, who was standing nearby, also hurriedly apologized.

On the day of the martial arts competition, the Wang family's defection at the last minute was tantamount to open betrayal. They wondered if the young prince before them would use this as an excuse to cause trouble.

"Am I, Ji Gaoxu, the kind of person who holds grudges?"

A fierce glint flashed in Ji Gaoxu's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and even stepped forward to help the two of them up.

"You two are both very righteous, what crime have you committed? In the future, when we conquer Luochuan, we will still need your strong support."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuangan and Wang Xuanzhao exchanged a glance, both seeing ecstasy in each other's eyes.

That letter really worked!

The second son of the Prince of Yan was tempted!

As long as they can leverage the power of the Prince of Yan, their return to Luochuan for revenge will be imminent. Zhou Yuan and Dong Mo—these two men who uprooted the Wang family's century-old legacy—must die!

"You two have traveled a long way, please go and rest first."

"Yes, we will take our leave!"

After the two left, Ji Gaoxu gave Duan Hu a wink, and the latter immediately understood and quietly followed them out.

Only Ji Gaoxu remained inside the tent.

He took out a jade pendant that was entirely dark green from his pocket, and with a flick of his finger, a drop of blood fell onto it.

hum!

The jade plaque gleamed with a vibrant green light.

"To deal with a Dragon Transformation Realm cultivator, only a Dragon Transformation Realm cultivator can personally take action," Ji Gaoxu muttered to himself.

His father naturally arranged for protectors for his journey south, the most powerful of whom was at the Dragon Transformation Realm. However, beings of this level were already beyond the mundane world, and he had no right to command them unless it was a matter of life and death.

But today, the contents of that letter were enough to make him make an exception.

After a few breaths.

A ripple suddenly appeared in the space behind Ji Gaoxu.

An elderly figure dressed in a gray Taoist robe appeared without warning.

The man was over sixty years old, with gray hair. Most peculiarly, his eyes were covered by a black cloth, and he held a whisk in his arms.

"Gao Xu greets Daoist Qingxu."

Upon seeing this person arrive, Ji Gaoxu abandoned all airs of being the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan and immediately bowed respectfully.

"Why has the young master summoned this old Taoist priest?"

Qingxu's voice was flat and calm, yet it carried a hint of displeasure.

As a master of the Dragon Transformation Realm, he had his own dignity. If it weren't for a prior agreement with the Prince of Yan, he would never have condescended to be a mere youth.

A protector of the young. Judging from the current situation, Ji Gaoxu's life is not in danger.

Ji Gaoxu also sensed the other party's displeasure and quickly explained, "Please don't be offended, Daoist Master. I have invited you here because there is a very important matter that I need to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"Does the Daoist master know that a divine power seed was stolen from the Kun Palace of the Jingye Division in Qingzhou sixty years ago?"

"The original species of supernatural powers?"

Upon hearing this, Qingxu's previously calm demeanor finally began to waver slightly.

"That's right." Ji Gaoxu lowered his voice and said, word by word, "The one who stole the original seed back then was none other than the Thousand Illusions Demon Lord. And this person is now—in Luochuan City!"