Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

Upon hearing the name "Zhao Hu" mentioned by Yi Yang, Yan Wuyuan paused in her writing.

The pen tip hovered above the file, the drop of ink not falling, held up by an unseen force.

Having reported everything with a mix of truth and falsehood, Yi Yang stood before the desk, his back straight, his respectful expression unchanged, awaiting Yan Wuyuan's decision.

Two breaths later, Yan Wuyuan, who was reviewing a report, put her pen back on the shelf and leaned back in her chair.

Those eyes, as deep and cold as a still pool, lifted and fell on Yi Yang, a hint of something in them as they spoke:

"Six bandits were killed."

She uttered four words, her tone flat and monotone, as if it were a simple introduction.

Upon hearing his superior's words, Yi Yang feigned ignorance, furrowed his brow, and asked in confusion:

"My lord, this is..."

Yan Wuyuan ignored his question, her fingertips tapping unconsciously twice on the table, seemingly considering whether she should tell Yi Yang. Her cool voice continued to explain:

"They are a raiding gang that has been entrenched around Suining Prefecture for seven years. There are six of them, each with their own unique skills, and they specialize in targeting the properties of government agencies and sects."

She spoke slowly, but every word was concise and to the point, without any unnecessary words.

"The Zhao Hu you killed was the member of the six bandits responsible for infiltration and inside work. His disguise skills were first-rate, but his strength was the weakest among the six, although he was still at the first level of internal energy cultivation."

Upon hearing Yan Wuyuan's words, Yi Yang mentally compared this information with what Han Yan had said before, and the two were almost identical, proving that Han Yan had not lied at the time.

He feigned sudden realization, nodding as if he understood, and said, "So that's how it is. No wonder my full-force sneak attack didn't kill him."

Yan Wuyuan didn't care at all about Yi Yang killing someone at the first level of Inner Qi. To someone of her caliber, the Inner Qi realm was insignificant. She simply brought up an incident as if recalling the past:

"The leader of the Six Bandits, codenamed 'Killing Spree'."

She paused and continued, "Back when I was promoted to deputy chief inspector, I personally dealt with him."

Yi Yang's pupils contracted slightly, but this was hidden by his drooping eyelids. He hadn't expected there to be such a thing.

He still couldn't figure out Yan Wuyuan's strength. Even though he had sensed the aura of her previous killing intent from afar, it might be because she didn't hide it, but it could also be said that Yi Yang's senses were very sharp. However, he was completely unaware of the woman in front of him.

For her to personally take action against someone, the two of them must have been at least on the same level back then, but now Yan Wuyuan is probably stronger.

"That guy is incredibly fast."

I couldn't catch up.

A barely perceptible hint of displeasure crept into Yan Wuyuan's voice, and a displeased smile curved her lips. Although she had just entered the True Qi Realm at that time, she had tasted the bitterness of defeat, a rare experience.

Hearing these two sentences reminded Yi Yang of the aura he had sensed in the mountains.

They made no attempt to conceal their true intentions, acting with complete unbridled arrogance, as if telling everyone what was going on.

Lao Tzu is here.

The owner of that aura is very likely the one who killed Zong Sha.

Thinking of this, Yi Yang felt a chill run down his spine.

Fortunately, I ran fast and managed to escape from such a person.

Yan Wuyuan stopped there, not intending to elaborate. She picked up her pen again, the tip falling on the file on the desk with composure, as if her words had been just a casual remark during a chat.

"I understand the situation."

Without raising her head, she spoke in her usual aloof and detached voice:

"The Youquan Division will conduct an internal investigation into the matter, and will verify the accuracy of your statements regarding the relevant details."

"Go back and recover. I'll let you know if anything happens."

After receiving permission from his boss, Yi Yang clasped his hands in a fist salute, bowed, took three steps back, turned around, and left the hall. He really needed to rest for a while.

As he stepped over the threshold, his back finally relaxed a little. The palace doors closed behind him, and the night breeze from the long corridor outside brushed against his cheeks, cool and carrying the bitter scent of locust leaves.

Yi Yang exhaled a breath of stale air.

The first mission is now complete.

Next, he just had to wait for the investigation results. He wasn't worried about Han Yan's case. The body was buried deep enough, and the red boar's mane covered the traces of soil being turned over. Even if the people from Youquan Division went to investigate, they would only see a red boar and a piece of animal bone remains.

As for Zhu Wei and Zhao Qin, the last thing they saw was that Han Yan was still alive, Yi Yang had left first, and Han Yan was left behind to face the Pig King.

It's perfectly reasonable for him to die under the hooves of the Pig King.

Yi Yang walked through the courtyard of Youquan Division, exited through the narrow black lacquered door, and merged into the alleyways of the prefectural city in the dead of night.

His pace was neither hurried nor slow, just as it had been when he arrived.

……

On the same night.

Southeast of the prefectural city lies the Han residence.

The main hall of the three-courtyard house was brightly lit, but the atmosphere it conveyed was colder than the darkness outside.

None of the Han family's servants dare to approach the master's mansion now, because two servants have already been dragged out and beaten to death today.

It's because the patriarch of the Han family is in a bad mood.

The current head of the Han family, Han Yuhua, sat in the main seat of the main hall. He was fifty-three years old, with graying temples, and the crimson brocade robe he wore made his face look even more ashen.

He gripped the chair armrests tightly, his ten fingers turning white, his heart pounding with extreme unease, because he had vaguely heard about something concerning the Han family.

Standing before Han Yuhua was a manager, a middle-aged man in his forties, now bent over so hunched he was almost broken in two, his forehead covered in sweat, and he said in a trembling voice:

"Master, news from the Exorcism Division... the young lady has not returned since she went on a mission in the Beast Ridge Mountains."

The steward's throat was dry, and every word he uttered was tinged with unease. As an elder of the Han family, he knew all too well the temperament of the Han family patriarch, but he had no choice but to continue:

"It is understood that Deputy Director Zhu Wei and Deputy Director Zhao Qin, who accompanied the young lady, have also not returned, but those who are still alive say that the young lady's fate is unknown."

Upon hearing the news, Han Yuhua's Adam's apple bobbed twice, but he remained silent.

The steward swallowed hard and uttered his last words:

"The Exorcism Division said that they encountered a strange beast, the Red Boar King, in the mountains. It was at the third level of internal energy. The young lady lost an arm, and the last time she was seen was when she was still fighting with the Boar King... After that, there was no news."

The main hall was quiet for five breaths.

The silence was so profound that even the sound of candles being blown askew by the night wind was amplified many times over.

Then Han Yuhua slumped back in his chair as if his spine had been removed.

His face was ashen, almost like a dead person's.

Han Yan.

The only martial artist in the Han family of this generation to reach the second level of internal energy.

The Han family is a pillar of the Sky Patrol Division.

His most prized daughter.

Without her, the ties between the Han family and the major powers in the prefecture city were severed, and their relationship with the Sky Patrol Division was also gone.

In less than three years, the Han family will slide from a third-rate family to an insignificant one. In another five years, they may not even be able to keep their mansion.

Overwhelmed with grief after her daughter's death, Han Yuhua closed her eyes with difficulty, tears streaming down her face.

But he was, after all, a cunning old fox who had been navigating the city for thirty years. After a dozen or so breaths of grief churning in his chest, he forced it down.

He opened his eyes, his gaze sharper than before, and asked:

"Who was the last person to return alive?"

The steward lowered his head and replied, "According to the people from the Evil-Slaying Division, there was also a field agent from the Nether Spring Division in the mountains at that time, named Yi Yang, the deputy patrol supervisor, with the first level of inner energy... and sixty years old."

Upon hearing this, Han Yuhua's pupils contracted sharply.

The internal energy is at its highest level.

Sixty years old.

The weakest one came back alive, but my daughter didn't?

Is this reasonable?

The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. His temples throbbed, and he slammed his hand on the armrest, shouting angrily:

"Bring this Yi Yang here! I want to ask him myself how my daughter died!"

Upon hearing the master's request, the steward said with a bitter face, "Master, the other party is from the Sky Patrol Division, and they have the token from the Netherworld Division..."

"I don't care what company it is!"

Han Yuhua's voice rose several decibels, his lips trembling as he said, "An old geezer at the first level of internal energy returned unharmed, while my daughter, at the second level of internal energy, is dead? Isn't there something fishy going on here?"

Seeing that the butler was no use, he stood up, supporting himself on the armrest, and with hurried steps, almost tripping over the threshold, he gave the order:

"Get the car ready, let's go to Xingshan Martial Arts School. I'm going to find my good son-in-law to settle things!!"

The steward opened his mouth to try and persuade him, but seeing his master's bloodshot eyes, he swallowed back the words he was about to say and could only obey orders to go and arrange the carriage.

……

In a large house belonging to the Xingshan Martial Arts School on West Street of Fucheng.

In the backyard pavilion, a celadon teapot sits on a stone table, steam rising gently.

Ye Jin leaned against the stone railing, her slender fingers holding the rim of the cup, and slowly brought it to her lips for a sip.

This son-in-law of the Han family was thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a handsome face and a gentle, scholarly air about him.

He was dressed in a well-tailored white outfit, with a jade sword at his waist. The sword was emerald green, and the tassel hung down to his knees, swaying gently in the wind.

He concealed his third-level internal energy cultivation within his body, keeping it hidden from view. In public, he would appear to be a refined and elegant young master from a prominent family.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from the direction of the courtyard gate.

Knowing that guests had arrived, Ye Jin put down her teacup and got up to wait.

Han Yuhua practically ran in, her hair disheveled and the hem of her brocade robe stained with mud. It was clear she had jumped off the carriage and come straight here without stopping.

"Father-in-law."

Upon seeing Han Yuhua, Ye Jin went to greet him, took his arms with both hands, and asked with a perfectly appropriate look of concern between her brows:

"What's gotten into this rush?"

Han Yuhua gripped his wrist tightly, her nails digging almost into his flesh, and cried out in a hoarse voice:

"My good son-in-law, my Yan'er... is gone."

Upon hearing the other person's words, Ye Jin's expression changed, but she still waited quietly for the other person to finish speaking.

"Beast Ridge Mountains...Red Pig King..."

Han Yuhua quickly recounted the manager's report, becoming increasingly anxious as he spoke, until he was practically gritting his teeth as he spoke. He could only rely on Ye Jin for help now.

"There's a man from the Youquan Division in those mountains named Yi Yang, a sixty-year-old man with first-level inner energy. He came back alive! He's the only one!"

Han Yuhua stared into Ye Jin's eyes and said in a voice filled with hatred:

"Jin'er, of the three who disappeared, only he survived, and he was the weakest of them all. This doesn't make sense!"

He gripped Ye Jin's arm tightly, his old eyes red.

"Bring this Yi Yang here. I want to ask him face-to-face if he killed my daughter!"

Ye Jin remained silent for three breaths, as if receiving this shocking news.

After thinking for a moment, he gently patted Han Yuhua's hand, gesturing for the old man to sit down on the stone bench. He then sat down himself and said:

"Father-in-law."

His tone was gentle, like a spring breeze over water.

"I understand your feelings, but even if Yi Yang has no background, he is now a member of the Sky Patrol Division. The token of the Netherworld Division is not just for show."

Upon hearing Ye Jin's words, Han Yuhua opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

Ye Jin ignored him and continued speaking at a measured pace:

"If a family like ours were to take action against members of the Sky Patrol Bureau without authorization, regardless of whether it was justified or not, it would be an open provocation against the authority of the Sky Patrol Bureau. In that case, forget about investigating the truth, the Han family and the martial arts school would also be implicated."

After calming down, cold sweat beaded on Han Yuhua's forehead.

He remembered what the Sky Patrol Division meant in the prefectural city.

I thought of those families who tried to go head-to-head with the Sky Patrol Bureau; now their graves are overgrown with weeds.

"Then... what should we do?"

The anger in Han Yuhua's voice subsided, replaced by a sense of powerlessness.

Ye Jin held his hand and said gently, "We'll take the proper route, formally requesting assistance from the Youquan Division through the Exorcism Division, retrieving Yi Yang's mission report, and comparing the evidence at the scene."

He paused, then said earnestly:

"If there is a real problem, the Sky Patrol Division will handle it itself."

Han Yuhua gritted her teeth and reluctantly accepted the decision, finally nodding after a long while.

He leaned on the stone table to stand up, took two steps, then turned back, tears streaming down his face, and grabbed Ye Jin's hand, saying:

"Jin'er... help me find out the truth."

His voice was broken beyond recognition.

"Yan'er is your fiancée..."

A look of grief appeared on Ye Jin's face. She placed her other hand on Han Yuhua's hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Don't worry, father-in-law."

His voice was deep and solemn as he made the promise:

"I will definitely help Yan'er find out the truth."

Han Yuhua glanced at him a couple more times, then finally turned and left. Her steps were heavy, her back hunched, a stark contrast to when she arrived.

……

The courtyard gate was closed.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

The only sound in the pavilion was the wind blowing across the stone table.

The owner of this place, Ye Jin, remained seated.

The smile that had greeted Han Yuhua on his gentle, jade-like face faded, replaced by calm. But his calm expression shattered like ice breaking on a river in winter.

When Han Yuhua's footsteps completely disappeared outside the courtyard wall.

Snapped.

The celadon teacup shattered in his palm.

Tea mixed with porcelain shards splashed all over the table, and a few drops landed on the cuffs of the white outfit, leaving dark watermarks.

But he, who always valued himself, didn't pay attention.

"Yiyang".

The two words were squeezed out from between Ye Jin's teeth, carrying a chill that made the temperature in the pavilion drop.

Ye Jin's face looked unfamiliar at this moment.

The gentle, scholarly air between his brows vanished, revealing what lay beneath: a sinister, chilling, and violent nature, as if someone had ruined his game.