A Martial Saint in Chaotic Times: Starting with Grinding Proficiency

As Wu Lianyue finished speaking, Zhou Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

Proposing marriage.

Zhu Mengran is indeed of marriageable age.

With her looks and the fact that Zhu Xiaowen, a master of the Marrow Cleansing Realm, is behind her, there must be a constant stream of people coming to propose marriage to her.

As for Wu Xingtong, Zhou Yuan had some impression of him.

One of the Three Heroes of Luochuan, his cultivation has reached the peak of Yi Jin Jing and he may break through at any time.

Zhou Yuan pondered for only a moment before regaining his composure. These matters were none of his concern. He only wanted to end things quickly so he could completely eliminate Wang Tengfei.

He arrived late, and he was afraid that someone would come to report that Wang Tengfei had once again risen from the ashes.

Zhou Yuan's thoughts raced, but the others in the hall were not surprised, clearly having already heard about the Wu family's marriage proposal.

Zhu Xiaowen, who sat at the head of the table, did not answer immediately. He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"I've heard that the Wu family has some connection with the six major sects of Qingzhou?"

Wu Lianyue seemed to have anticipated this question, and her smile remained unchanged.

"The sect leader is well-informed. Xing Tong's aunt is now an inner sect elder of the Qingyuan Sword Sect, one of the six major sects."

"Xing Tong joining the Qingyuan Sword Sect is a foregone conclusion. If Meng Ran marries into the Wu family, she will naturally have a chance in the future as well."

Upon hearing this, Han Ming, Jiang Qian, and the others all tensed up.

The Six Major Sects of Qingzhou!

That was a behemoth entrenched in Qingzhou, practically a kingdom in its own right, with immense power, even capable of rivaling the state and the imperial court. Countless martial artists desperately wanted to join, but their pleas were met with no response.

The Wu family has such a connection!

Zhou Yuan's heart also stirred slightly.

Qingyuan Sword Sect.

Previously, I had only heard that Lü Chong was valued by the Boundless Buddhist Sect, which was also one of the six major sects, but I never expected that there would be someone in Luochuan County who had such a deep connection with the six major sects.

With such a sect as his backer, Wu Xingtong's strength is probably even greater than rumored.

In future martial arts tournaments, this person will definitely be a formidable opponent.

"Hahaha, great!"

Zhu Xiaowen seemed to have received a satisfactory answer, and he stroked his goatee and laughed heartily.

"Now that Mengran has found such a fine son-in-law as Xing Tong, I, as her father, am at ease."

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Wu Lianyue was overjoyed.

"In that case, let's choose an auspicious day to finalize this matter."

Zhu Xiaowen nodded with a smile, indicating his agreement.

After the matter was settled, Wu Lianyue exchanged a few more pleasantries and then took her leave. Zhu Xiaowen, along with a group of core disciples, personally escorted her out of the martial arts school.

Watching Wu Lianyue's luxurious carriage drive away, Zhu Xiaowen was clearly in a very good mood.

With his daughter's marriage settled, and the other party being from one of the five great families, with the backing of the six major sects of Qingzhou, he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

He strolled slowly back to the backyard with his hands behind his back.

"Our junior sister is destined for great things," Han Ming said, shaking his head slightly, his tone tinged with envy.

Jiang Qian remained silent, lost in thought.

Zhou Yuan had no interest in paying attention to any of this.

The Six Major Sects and the Wu Family are all too distant.

The most urgent task is to get rid of Wang Tengfei.

Without further hesitation, he turned to leave.

But just then, a figure blocked his way.

Shen He.

"Junior Brother Zhou, you seem to be in a hurry. Where are you headed?" Shen He still had that kind smile on his face.

"The Inspection Division has some official business to attend to," Zhou Yuan replied calmly.

"What guidance does Senior Brother have?"

Shen He seemed oblivious to the distance in his words and remained earnest.

"Junior brother should know that besides being a disciple of the martial arts school, I also have another identity: a ghostwriter for the county government."

"We recently received intelligence that a gang of ruthless bandits is entrenched in Yanling Fort outside the city, frequently robbing passing caravans. Their leader is a master of the Yi Jin realm. Our colleagues are of limited strength and we are afraid we are no match for them. We would like to ask our junior brother for help to rid the people of this scourge."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan frowned slightly.

Why are they looking for me when they're supposed to be clearing out bandits? Isn't there a patrol battalion?

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother. The Inspection Division has an urgent matter and I can't get away. You'd better find someone else." Zhou Yuan refused directly.

Shen He sighed slightly, seemingly somewhat disappointed.

"With your current strength, Junior Brother, killing a mere Yi Jin bandit is a piece of cake. Can you really bear to watch the people outside the city live in the shadow of bandits every day?"

He seemed about to recount more of the bandits' brutality, but Zhou Yuan raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Then let's go find the patrol battalion."

After saying that, Zhou Yuan ignored him and strode out.

Watching Zhou Yuan's departing figure, Shen He's smile faltered slightly, clearly not expecting the other party to refuse so decisively.

This seems to be different from what I expected.

……

Zhou Yuan left the Qingyang Martial Arts School and headed straight for Qingyu Alley.

Why did Shen He specifically choose to approach me?

Judging from his behavior just now, he was clearly prepared in advance, and his words were all aimed at me.

Just as Zhou Yuan was pondering to himself, a figure suddenly appeared at the alleyway ahead.

Lü Chong.

"Yuanzi! I've finally found you!" When Lü Chong saw Zhou Yuan, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he ran over in three steps.

"The Chief Inspector has ordered us to proceed immediately to the Inspectorate Headquarters; there is important business to discuss!"

"Do we have to go now?" Zhou Yuan felt a sense of helplessness.

Lü Chong nodded heavily, his expression more serious than ever before.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Yuan's heart sank.

Why did killing Wang Tengfei take so many twists and turns?

Judging from Lü Chong's attitude, this matter probably cannot be delayed.

Fine, let Wang Tengfei live a few more days.

Zhou Yuan murmured to himself and followed Lü Chong, walking quickly toward the direction of the Inspector General.

About half an hour later, the patrol chief came into view in the distance.

Unlike usual, the gate of the General Headquarters was lined with armored soldiers, hundreds of patrolmen stood in front of the government office with long guns, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Zhou Yuan frowned.

Judging from this situation, today's events are probably not simple.

He and Lü Chong stepped inside and found the hall already filled with people.

The lowest level of cultivation among the officers of the patrol and the centurions of the patrol battalion is the Bone Forging Realm.

Among them were familiar faces, including Xue Min and Xue Renjie, the centurion.

Two people sat at the head of the hall.

One of them is Chief Inspector Xie Hongwu.

The other person was dressed in the armor of a thousand-man commander of the patrol battalion, with gray hair and a deep, imposing aura. His cultivation level was actually at the Marrow Cleansing Realm.

Zhou Yuan guessed that this person should be one of the thousand-household commanders of the patrol battalion.

Just then, Xie Hongwu spoke up.

"Has Xu Yan, the West City Inspector, arrived yet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a patrol officer stepped forward quickly.

"We have reported back to the Chief Inspector, and have searched both the West City Inspectorate and Inspector Xu's home, but he is nowhere to be found. His family says that Inspector Xu has not returned home for several days."

Haven't returned for many days?

Xie Hongwu frowned.

After a moment, he seemed to want to wait no longer. He exchanged a glance with the patrol battalion commander beside him and then slowly stood up.

"I have summoned you all here today on the orders of the county magistrate."

"Thoroughly investigate all Blood Spirit Pills within Luochuan County!"

......