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

The two gray-clad guards simultaneously placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

The one on the left had its mouth open, "Who goes there—"

But I stopped halfway through my sentence.

His gaze fell on the token at Yi Yang's waist.

The eagle emblem representing the Zhenfu Division reflected a cool tone in the morning light, and the three small characters on it were clearly visible.

Commander.

The guard on the left jerked his hand off the hilt of his sword, as if he had been burned.

He glanced at his companion, and within a breath, the wariness on their faces vanished.

"Sir...sir."

The guard on the left bowed low, his voice trembling as he said, "I didn't know it was the Commander. Please forgive my rudeness."

Yi Yang didn't say anything, just stood there waiting.

The one on the right reacted faster, tossing a message towards the courtyard behind him: "Go report to the Alliance Leader!"

A disciple in gray robes jogged and disappeared behind the screen wall.

The guards who remained at the door stepped aside to make way, gesturing with their arms and bowing even deeper in respect, saying, "Please come in, sir."

Seeing that the other party invited him to come in, Yi Yang stepped into the courtyard.

But his spiritual power was released the moment he crossed the threshold.

The powerful spiritual energy covered an area that allowed them to see the entire three-courtyard complex completely.

There were six people in the front hall, fourteen in the middle courtyard, nine in the back courtyard, and three hidden sentries in the corners.

There are more than thirty disciples in this courtyard, whose auras range from the third level of Qi and Blood to the second level of Inner Qi.

The strongest aura was in the study in the backyard, where the True Qi was at its peak and the body was nearing completion of the Hundred Forging Technique.

It was Shen Kongming, the owner of this place.

Yi Yang memorized the locations of the hidden sentries, the small door leading from the backyard to the outer wall, and the narrow alley next to the training ground in the middle courtyard.

Out of habit, no matter which door you enter, you first find out the way out.

Just then, footsteps came from the direction of the backyard, accompanied by a gentle breeze.

A tall, slender figure emerged from the end of the corridor.

He was a man in his early forties, with a thin face and a neatly trimmed three-inch beard.

He was dressed in a gray-blue long robe, his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, his steps neither hurried nor slow.

Shen Kongming walked to the steps of the front hall and stood still.

His gaze first fell on the token at Yi Yang's waist, and paused for a moment.

Then they moved to Xuan Yuan, who was wrapped in burlap, behind Yi Yang, and paused for a moment.

Finally, the image fell on Yi Yang's face—a full head of black hair and an aged appearance, the two looking very incongruous together.

Shen Kongming descended the steps, cupped his hands, and said in a proper posture:

"I have long admired your esteemed reputation, Commander. I was captivated by yesterday's battle at the training ground, and your presence today is truly an honor to our humble abode."

He spoke eloquently, with a perfectly controlled tone, neither humble nor arrogant.

Yi Yang returned the half-bow with his hands clasped and casually said, "Just passing by, come in and sit for a while."

Seeing Yi Yang's attitude, Shen Kongming's eyelids twitched; he couldn't figure out what the other party meant.

But Shen Kongming did not ask any further questions. He gestured for Yi Yang to enter and led him into the main hall.

The main hall is quite large, with two rows of mahogany chairs on the left and right.

Three old swords hung on the wall, their blades narrow and straight, and the patterns on their hilts were exactly the same as the one Xu Yu had yesterday.

A half-open chess manual lay on the table, and incense burned in the incense burner beside it.

Yi Yang glanced at it.

They care about appearances, face, and dignity.

Knowing Shen Kongming's general personality, it's clear that what this type of person fears most isn't threats, but losing face.

Shen Kongming personally led Yi Yang to the most honored seat for guests and instructed towards the door, "Serve this year's new tea."

He turned around and sat down opposite him, the two of them about 10 feet apart.

A disciple brought in a tea tray and placed two celadon teacups on the table. Shen Kongming gestured for Yi Yang to drink first.

Yi Yang picked up his teacup but didn't drink it right away.

Seeing that Yi Yang wasn't in a hurry to drink, Shen Kongming had no choice but to speak first:

"Yesterday, the lord won consecutive victories against Kong Wu and Xu Yu in the arena, and the whole Sui Ning Prefecture is talking about it."

He spoke slowly, with a touch of emotion, "Especially the battle where we defeated Junior Brother Xu, the entire Xuanjian Pavilion was talking about it."

Junior Brother Xu.

This title indicates that Shen Kongming is close to the main sect of Xuanjian Pavilion.

"My lord, come to the Sword Alliance today..."

Shen Kongming, holding his teacup, looked up at him with a hint of inquiry and asked, "Do you have something to say to the Xuanjian Pavilion?"

The test has begun.

Yi Yang took a sip of tea, nodded, and did not answer the other person's question.

"The tea is good."

Shen Kongming: "..."

Yi Yang put the teacup back on the table and leaned back in his chair.

"Alliance Leader Shen is overthinking it. I just took over the Zhenfu Guard and there are countless things to do in the camp. I came out this morning to get some fresh air and familiarize myself with the streets of the East City."

He pointed to the door.

"When I got to the alley entrance, I saw the words 'Sword Transformation Alliance' and remembered that I had met the people from Xuanjian Pavilion in White Fish City before, so I came in and sat down."

His tone was very relaxed, just like when he was visiting a neighbor.

Shen Kongming's expression changed twice.

How much truth is there in that statement?

A man who had just taken up the position of commander was not staying in the camp early in the morning, but instead went to "take a walk" in front of a force in the East City that was associated with the Xuanjian Pavilion.

Don't believe him for a second.

But Shen Kongming didn't show it on his face, and smiled as he continued, "I've heard a little about what happened in White Fish City, sir. To single-handedly quell the chaos in a city, that kind of courage is something ordinary people can't do."

Yi Yang waved his hand. "I was forced into it. Those people just kept walking into my trap. I'm too old to fight back if I can avoid it."

Shen Kongming's lips twitched.

As I get older, I try to avoid using my hands as much as possible.

Yesterday, you sent Kong Wu flying fifteen zhang away with a single strike on the arena. That's what you call not fighting if you can avoid it.

He didn't say it aloud, but continued to probe:

"Currently, all the forces in the prefectural city are paying close attention to you, sir. With you taking over the Zhenfu Guard, the landscape of the prefectural city is likely to change."

Yi Yang understood the implication—what are you planning to do with our forces?

"Alliance Leader Shen is overthinking it."

Yi Yang rested his right hand on his knee, tapping his fingers unconsciously twice, and said, "The Zhenfu Guard is in charge of internal affairs of the Sky Patrol Bureau, which has nothing to do with your business."

Shen Kongming's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he steered the conversation elsewhere: "By the way, I heard there was a beast rampage in Donglai County?"

Yi Yang was not surprised that the other party knew the news. This matter could not be kept secret. The Sky Patrol Division had just found out about the situation before them.

He nodded, his expression turning worried, and said, "It started in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range. It's said to be quite large-scale. Lord Ji of the Evil-Slaying Division has already led his men there."

Yi Yang remained expressionless, but his mental focus was fixed on Shen Kongming's left hand.

When he mentioned the words "Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range", Shen Kongming gently twitched his index finger, which was resting on the hilt of his sword.

The movements were so fast that most people wouldn't even notice them.

Yi Yang made a mental note.

"Lord Ji is a reliable official; things should be calmed down soon."

Yi Yang didn't elaborate, instead changing the subject: "What does Alliance Leader Shen think of Xu Yu's sword strike yesterday?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Kongming raised an eyebrow, not expecting the topic to shift to this point.

"Junior Brother Xu's sword?"

"Yes, that sword strike was incredibly powerful; I only won by sheer luck."

Yi Yang picked up his teacup and took another sip: "I wonder what the difference is between the swordsmanship of the Transformation Sword Alliance and that of the main sect of the Profound Sword Pavilion?"

The topic was safe, and Shen Kongming's tense back relaxed, and he became more animated in the conversation.

"Our sect teaches 'One sword breaks all techniques,' emphasizing ultimate sharpness. From its inception, the Sword Transformation Alliance established the principle of 'Simplifying the Complex,' meaning we don't seek many sword moves, but each one must be honed to perfection..."

Yi Yang nodded at appropriate times, occasionally asking a follow-up question.

Shen Kongming talked on and on.

Half an hour passed.

Yi Yang placed the teacup on the table, a gesture that carries significance among seasoned martial arts practitioners—it signifies that he is about to leave.

Shen Kongming noticed this, and he relaxed his posture, moving his left hand away from the sword hilt and placing it on his knee.

Yi Yang leaned back in his chair, speaking casually as if discussing the weather, but suddenly asked:

"The Huajian Alliance has done a good job in several businesses in the East City."

When Commander Ding of the Zhenfu Guard was alive, he seemed to frequently patrol this area of ​​the eastern city.

This is just a casual remark.

But it made Shen Kongming tighten his grip on his knees, his five fingers clenching the fabric.

Yi Yang's mental energy was constantly observing the other party, and he found that after he finished speaking, Shen Kongming's heartbeat increased significantly.

Unaware that Yi Yang had noticed his subtle actions, Shen Kongming calmly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and explained:

"Commander Ding did indeed come to the East City frequently back then."

"The Sword Transformation Alliance and the Sky Patrol Division have always been on good terms. Commander Ding occasionally passes by and will come in for a cup of tea."

Shen Kongming's tone was calm and impeccable; he didn't say much or evade the issue.

A standard Tai Chi response.

Yi Yang did not ask any further questions.

"I heard that Commander Ding was a capable man, but unfortunately he died young."

He sighed and changed the subject: "By the way, Alliance Leader Shen, which restaurant in the prefectural city serves good food? The food at the Zhenfuwei camp is inedible."

Shen Kongming's tense shoulders relaxed again.

He smiled and recommended two restaurants, his tone returning to its previous ease.

But Yi Yang doesn't need any more.

The unusually rapid heartbeat when Ding Xiang was mentioned indicated that the other party knew something.

But if Yi Yang asked the other party directly, they definitely wouldn't dare to say.

After chatting for a while longer, Yi Yang got up to say goodbye.

Shen Kongming personally escorted him to the door, showing great courtesy.

As the two stood at the threshold, Shen Kongming spoke up: "If Commander has some free time, the Sword Transformation Alliance holds an internal sword competition on the sixth of each month. No one is required to attend, and you are welcome to come and offer your guidance."

Yi Yang smiled and said casually:

"Let's talk about it later, I'm busy lately."

I neither said I would go nor that I wouldn't go.

Shen Kongming bowed and watched them leave.

Yi Yang turned and walked into the alley, his figure disappearing around the corner of the bluestone road.

Shen Kongming stood at the door without moving.