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

The morning after his breakthrough to the fifth level of Qi and Blood, Yi Yang practiced the Yi Wood Longevity Posture several times as usual.

The circulation of Qi and blood in the Refining Realm is on a completely different level than before.

All five internal organs felt hot, and that warmth seeped out from the walls of the organs, flowing through the meridians into the limbs and bones. The whole person felt like an old soup being simmered over a low flame, churning inside while remaining calm on the outside.

As he finished practicing, Yi Yang clenched his fist.

He didn't exert any force, but the feeling of fullness between his bones and muscles eased his brows slightly.

Fivefold.

enough.

At least within Yunwen Town, apart from Fang Yue, the patrol chief, no one can make him suffer a direct loss.

He changed into his official robes, went out, and locked the courtyard.

Upon arriving at the gates of the Sky Patrol Office, the atmosphere was different from usual.

A large crowd had gathered around the training ground, their laughter, applause, and compliments creating a chaotic cacophony. In the very center of the crowd stood Tang Hao, his hands behind his back, dressed in new clothes with a subtle embroidered pattern on the collar, looking far more energetic than usual.

"Brother Tang, you've reached the triple rank! This time, your promotion to acting patrol chief is a sure thing!"

"It's more than just a candidate; with Brother Tang's connections, he might even become the Palace Master! Wasn't Du Qinghe of the Contribution Hall appointed based on his third-level Qi and Blood cultivation?"

"That's the Hall Master, in charge of all the comings and goings of the Contribution Hall. The profits... cough, his status is much higher than our patrol captain's."

Tang Hao wore a humble smile and said, "Not at all," while standing as straight as a flagpole.

Yi Yang walked past the crowd without stopping or joining in the fun.

His gaze swept over the group of fawning faces, he made a few new ones down, and then looked away.

He'd seen this kind of scene countless times. Back in Sanmu Village, when Yang Dafa was in power, Yang Er had been flattered in the same way, and the thugs squatting at the village entrance had the same obsequious faces. They'd changed skin, but were exactly the same at heart.

……

At 3:45 AM, assemble at the drill ground.

Fang Yue stood on the stage, his face expressionless, holding a scroll of documents in his hand.

Those who made contributions in the crackdown on the nine cults will be rewarded accordingly.

He read out a list of names, each followed by the amount of silver and pills to be awarded. When the guards below heard their names, their faces lit up with undisguised joy, just like children receiving lucky money during the Lunar New Year.

Fang Yue paused for two breaths before finishing his reading.

"Tang Hao".

The drill ground fell silent.

"For his meritorious service in slaying enemies on the battlefield, his Qi and Blood have broken through to the third level. With the approval of the Deputy Inspector General, he is promoted to Acting Inspector General."

Fang Yue closed the document and added in a nonchalant tone, "His official position is yet to be determined. For now, he will continue to act as the patrol chief. However, his ranking will be moved to first place among the patrol chiefs."

Tang Hao stepped forward from the front row, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a loud voice, "Your subordinate obeys!"

The applause from below was sparse. Some applauded enthusiastically, while others gave it a perfunctory response, each with their own thoughts.

Yi Yang stood at the very end of the line and clapped his hands twice. The force was lighter than swatting a mosquito.

Candidate patrol commander.

It sounds good, but the word "reserve" is just a label; the position is still vacant until it's actually taken.

……

After the meeting, Yi Yang returned to the Xunzang Hall and went up to the second floor.

Huang Yushu was organizing files in front of the shelf. When he saw him come in, he put down the booklet in his hand and turned around.

The kid doesn't look too good.

"My lord," Huang Yushu said in a low voice, taking two steps closer. "There's something I'd like to tell you."

Yi Yang sat down, picked up the cold tea on the table, and took a sip. "Speak."

"During this operation, Tang Hao subtly obstructed my subordinates." Huang Yushu's hands gripped his sleeves, his knuckles slightly clenched. "But I don't believe I've offended him in any way, and our positions are not commensurate, so he's very likely targeting you. I hope you'll be careful; Tang Hao has been promoted to patrol captain and should not be underestimated."

"Okay." Yi Yang put down his teacup. "I know. Do your own thing and don't get involved."

Huang Yu opened his mouth as if to say something, but finally nodded and stepped back to the shelf.

Yi Yang opened the file in front of him, the sound of the pages turning echoing in the empty second floor.

against?

Go ahead and target me.

……

evening.

The news spread throughout the entire Sky Patrol Bureau—Tang Hao hosted a banquet at Fu Man Lou, the largest restaurant in Yunwen Town, to celebrate his promotion.

Invitations were sent to all the patrol captains.

Zhao Gang received the invitation, but without even looking at it, he folded it twice and stuffed it into the stove to start a fire.

Yi Yang's post was delivered by Li Tong.

"Are you going, sir?" Li Tong asked.

Yi Yang flipped through the post.

go with.

Why not go?

Why would someone with a Qi and Blood Level of Five be afraid of being invited to dinner by someone with a Qi and Blood Level of Three? That's as absurd as a tiger being afraid of a rabbit being invited to eat radishes.

Moreover, he wanted to see what Tang Hao was up to.

As night falls, Fu Man Lou (福满楼) comes alive.

The private rooms on the third floor were brightly lit, and the aroma of wine and meat wafted across half the street.

Yi Yang arrived at a moderate time and found a corner seat. The table was already laden with dishes, with fine wines and meats being served in a continuous stream.

More than twenty patrol leaders arrived, including people from various palaces and pavilions. Even the deputy patrol chief, Qian Hu, made an appearance, sitting at the main table and drinking three cups before leaving.

Tang Hao moved among them with ease. He offered toasts, exchanged pleasantries, and patted people on the shoulder, taking care of everyone.

Throughout the banquet, Yi Yang sat quietly in a corner, eating his food in silence. He ate two pieces of braised pork hock, picked out half a steamed sea bass, and drank three bowls of wine.

No one bothered him. No one came over to talk to him either.

An old man ranked last is like a vase on the corner of a table in this kind of situation—he takes up space, doesn't get in the way, and nobody cares.

Yi Yang was happy to have some peace and quiet.

Free food and drinks without any social obligations—such a good thing is rare.

……

The banquet ended after 9 PM.

The guests walked downstairs in twos and threes, their steps unsteady, and the air thick with the smell of alcohol.

Yi Yang put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and was about to get up.

"Old man, wait a moment."

Tang Hao walked around from the other end of the main table.

His face still showed signs of alcohol, but his eyes were clear and bright, showing no signs of drunkenness at all. He walked to Yi Yang's table, pulled out a chair opposite him as if they were old friends, and poured himself a glass of the remaining wine.

"Thank you for gracing me with your presence tonight, sir."

Yi Yang stood for a moment, then sat back down. "You're too kind. How could I not attend a banquet hosted by Steward Tang?"

"Don't call me 'Manager,' we're not officially together yet," Tang Hao waved his hand, laughing heartily. "Just call me Old Tang."

He picked up his glass, tapped it against the edge of the table, and downed it in one gulp. When he put the glass down, his tone changed, becoming more sincere.

"Old man, I was wrong about what happened before."

Yi Yang's brows twitched slightly.

Tang Hao sighed, feigning remorse, and said, "Sending Master Mu to your place last time was indeed a poor decision on my part. Investigating a case is one thing, but using those methods against one's own people is wrong. I've kept this in mind and wanted to find an opportunity to apologize."

He paused, his gaze falling on the table, his voice lowering slightly.

"And that kid Fang Yu... What a pity, such a fine person, his life was taken by the remnants of the Nine Evils Sect."

When Yi Yang heard the words "remnants of the Nine Evil Cults," a chord deep within him was struck.

But his face showed a sigh. "Yes, what a pity."

Tang Hao slapped his thigh, regaining his spirits. "Old man, it's the same building tomorrow night, the top-tier private room on the third floor. I'll personally apologize to you, have a couple of drinks, and let's put the past grievances behind us."

He stared into Yi Yang's eyes, his smile ingratiating. "Would you do me this favor, sir?"

Yi Yang looked at him, a strange thought flashing in her eyes, but she still answered with an "oh":

"Alright, I must thank Lord Tang for the treat."

Tang Hao's smile deepened, and he stood up, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture. "Then it's settled. See you tomorrow night at 5 PM."

Yi Yang nodded, stood up to say goodbye, and slowly walked downstairs with a bent back.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Tang Hao was the only one left in the private room.

The smile on his face vanished the moment Yi Yang turned away, leaving only indifference and calculation.

Was Fang Yu killed by remnants of the Nine Evils Cult?

Tang Hao forced out a half-sneer from his nose.

Where would any remnants of the Nine Evil Cults come from in this town? Given the way the army was mobilized earlier, the cult members would have been too busy running away to even think about killing people in the territory of the Sky Patrol Division.

Fang Yu died in a dark alley, his neck broken, the attack clean and swift. That kind of killing method requires absolute brute force and experience in close-quarters ambush.

Who in town has the ability and the motive?

Tang Hao tapped his fingers on the table at a steady, unhurried pace.

To his surprise—even after all that, the old man still dared to agree to meet him the following night.

Is he really getting senile?

Or... do you have the confidence?

Tang Hao stood up and smashed the remaining wine in his cup on the ground.

"Whether you're confused or stubborn doesn't matter."

He walked to the window, pushed it open halfway, and the night wind blew in, making the candlelight flicker wildly.

"After tomorrow night, there will be no more."