Chapter 197: Chapter 197: The Sixth Meridian Unlocking Realm Expert in Xirong County! An Uninvited Villain Arrives!

"Are you saying the Medicine Maniac was secretly protecting Chu Ming and went to Jingyan County?" asked the Blood Servant.

"Lord Blood Servant, the events of that night were too coincidental. Black Pockmarks attacked in the night, and by the next day when I returned, Black Wind Stronghold was already destroyed...."

"Enough," the Blood Servant seemed somewhat impatient, walking to the door of the darkroom as several figures entered from outside.

"Governor An, I’m giving you two days to resolve the issue of Jingyan County completely!"

"These three are at your disposal."

Blood Slaughter Guards!

Three Blood Slaughter Guards!

A flash of brilliance crossed An Hengying’s eyes.

All three Blood Slaughter Guards are at the Refining Organ Realm, only one step away from Refining Organ Realm Perfection.

But even so, this certainly isn’t enough to surprise An Hengying, a Meridian Unlocking Realm master.

The true strength of the Blood Slaughter Guard lies in their insensitivity to pain, lack of emotion, only executing orders.

The three Blood Slaughter Guards, armored, can jointly form a Blood Evil Array, enough to injure even him.

"Thank you, Lord Blood Servant, I will have Jingyan’s operations restored in two days."

"..."

...

Jingyan County, salt mine.

Despite it being late at night, due to the collapse, the mine is still brightly lit, with patrol guards everywhere.

Mining Tunnel No.1, in an unseen dark corner.

This place is filled with broken stones, salt crystals glimmering under the moonlight.

The clouds brushed past the bow moon, and suddenly, a figure appeared amidst the stones.

The person was dressed in a dark green robe, with silver hair and wrinkled skin, but eyes deep like the shining stars in the dark sky.

He first looked up at the sky, where there seemed to be seven stars connected.

"Too early, the Seven-Star Divine Flower needs more than half a day to mature..."

"Eh, when did a little mole appear?"

Moments later, a smile suddenly broke on his aged face.

"I see, thanks for guarding the Seven-Star Divine Flower for me, little one. When it matures, I’ll reward you with an elixir for a smooth journey."

After softly murmuring, a hint of killing intent passed between the old man’s brows.

"Almost wrecked my Seven-Star Divine Flower; I must demand an explanation."

"With so many people here, which poison should I use?"

"..."

...

At the crack of dawn.

Chu Ming returned to Jingyan County, changed his clothes, hid the blood-stained cloth safely, and then lay down on his bed.

"The last internal organ is nearly completed..."

He focused his mind, observing his five internal organs.

The last organ was completely enveloped by the vaporized Qi and Blood Power, absorbing and nurturing...

At a certain moment, Chu Ming sensed a change in his body.

A feeling of unblocking suddenly flowed through his flesh, bones, and even his five internal organs.

Refining Organ Perfection!

Immune to Hundred Poisons, resistant to gold and iron, significantly enhanced absorption and conversion of food and elixirs.

Simultaneously, Qi Blood in his veins surged, impacting a point in his chest.

This was precisely the location where the first meridian of the Twelve Major Meridians resides.

In his Sea of Consciousness, clouds surrounded the Cultivation Technique Lake, with two small islands representing the first two of the Twelve Major Meridians faintly visible, while the other ten were merely shadows.

Suddenly, a beam of light descended from the sky, directly hitting one of the islands.

On the panel.

[Mountain and Sea Tiger and Python Cold Refining Scripture: Meridian Passage (Meridian Passage)]

[Progress: 1/100]

"Meridian Unlocking Realm!"

...

Morning squeezed over the horizon, outside was the sound of Shen Yu practicing martial arts.

Squeak—

The door opened, Chu Ming stretched lazily.

"Brother Shen, up so early?"

"Of course, Old Meng said one mustn’t slack in martial practice, and at this pace, I might condense Qi and Blood Power during these days in Jingyan County!"

"Then, I might finally be regarded as a Martial Artist, right, Old Meng?"

"Hmm, this cultivation technique is quite profound, and with your diligence, condensing Qi and Blood Power is only a matter of time." Meng Zhen said while practicing martial arts nearby.

"A matter of time.....?" As soon as Shen Yu spoke, he suddenly froze in place, "Well, the heat flow in my blood, does it mean..."

Hmm?

Meng Zhen’s expression changed slightly, "Brother Shen, you...?"

"Succeeded."

"Really succeeded?"

"Hmm."

It truly succeeded, Chu Ming could sense it.

"Haha, matter of time indeed, seems you really do need to rise early for martial practice!" Shen Yu laughed joyfully.

But right after, his stomach growled loudly.

"Why am I so hungry...?"

"..."

At breakfast, Shen Yu’s appetite was enormous, consuming three bowls of porridge and three meat buns.

After eating, Shen Yu practiced a while more with Meng Zhen’s guidance before sitting down to rest.

"Chu Ming, news just came from the County Government, that constable Shen Yi was spotted last night in San Gou Village, but..."

Shen Yu beamed, "Dozens of Arresting Captains and Jingyan Guards encircled him but didn’t capture him, that constable isn’t simple."

Did the news arrive so quickly?

Chu Ming feigned ignorance.

From the sounds of it, Jingyan County seems to choose to hide the truth, not disclosing the disappearance of the dozens of Arresting Captains and Jingyan Guards.

But come to think of it, considering so many late-stage Blood Circulation Realm martial artists and a Strong Bone Realm expert couldn’t catch one junior constable, the entire team vanished.

Even they say vanished, just a little thought leads to guessing those people likely died.

If this spreads, not only would Jingyan County become a joke, but all of Xirong County would likely mock them.

Golden Warrior Jin Yu from the Divine Mystery Bureau was sitting idly by, and upon hearing this, his gaze instantly focused on Chu Ming.

"Chu Chief Clerk’s Office, was the Tracking Bead used?"

He was suspicious of Chu Ming.

That junior constable Shen Yi was just a martial artist in the early stage of the Blood Circulation Realm; there was no way he could escape the encirclement of dozens of Arresting Captains and Jingyan Guards.

If he escaped, there could only be one explanation: someone powerful assisted him secretly, capable of silently killing over fifty experts, including those in the early stage of the Strong Bone Realm.

Jin Yu knew there was a problem in Jingyan County and could guess that the junior constable was hiding a secret.

Would such a young Chief Clerk not be curious to investigate?

Jin Yu suspected that it was possible Chu Ming sent Meng Zhen with the Tracking Bead to rescue him last night.

"No," Chu Ming took out the Tracking Bead, the blood within it and a strand of Primordial Qi were still intact.

He activated the bead by re-infusing his Primordial Qi last night.

The Primordial Qi was still present...

Jin Yu pretended to pick up the bead, sensed that the Primordial Qi within it was intact, and his doubts were dispelled.

This strand of Primordial Qi was a gift from him to Chu Ming; if the bead had been used last night, the Primordial Qi would have dissipated.

The Primordial Qi remaining indicated the Tracking Bead hadn’t been used.

"It’s the Tracking Bead." Meng Zhen’s expression changed slightly upon seeing it.

"What’s the Tracking Bead?" Shen Yu asked.

"A bead for tracking people, it’s not of much use; I gave it to Chu Chief Clerk’s Office." Jin Yu raised his chin slightly and said indifferently.

"..."

Nothing happened for half a day.

Shen Yu condensed the first strand of Qi Blood, greatly boosted his confidence, and trained more diligently.

Shortly after lunch, a servant came to report.

"Prison Chief Lv Siyushi invites the lords to the county yamen for a discussion."

...

Jingyan County Yamen.

"Lord Shen, long time no see."

Just as Chu Ming and Shen Yu entered the yamen, an annoying voice came from inside.

"Lv Jinhui!" Shen Yu’s face immediately showed anger: "Annoying!"

In the hall, there were a total of four people.

Sitting on the high seat was the Senior Fifth-Grade Merit Officer Lv Jinhui.

On the left was Sixth-Grade Captain Qiu Li, and on the right were Lv Dong, the Prison Chief of Jingyan County Criminal Defense Bureau, and Song Yan, the Salt Captain of Jingyan Guard.

"Lord Shen, please have a seat."

Lv Jinhui barely rose, pointing to an empty seat.

From start to finish, he didn’t even glance at Chu Ming.

"If you’ve got something to say, just say it!" Shen Yu showed no courtesy.

"Heh heh," Lv Jinhui remained unmoved, smiling as he said, "There has been an incident in Jingyan County. County Magistrate Lv Wen died unexpectedly. I am here to temporarily assume the duties of County Magistrate by command."

"Is that all?" Shen Yu’s face darkened.

One Lv Wen died, and another Lv Jinhui came; might as well not have died.

Lv Jinhui still didn’t get angry; his gaze swept below, finally looking at Chu Ming with a very peculiar expression.

"Chu Ming, hear the command," he held out a jade slip, "The Fifth Prince commands that Jingyan is an important industry of Xirong County and must not have any error."

"The Chief Clerk’s Office must perform duties to increase Jingyan’s production by year-end. An increase of 20% will result in major commendations."

"Failure to increase will be met with punishment for inefficiency. If production decreases, then due to lack of virtue and ability, you will be demoted to a commoner."

A few brief words, and the atmosphere in the hall instantly changed.

"Increase production? The entire number one mine tunnel has collapsed! Jingyan’s production will surely decrease this year. How can there be talk of an increase?"

Shen Yu shouted angrily, while Chu Ming remained silent.

Indeed, as Shen Yu said, the tunnel collapse meant that it would take at least half a month to resume mining, and even then, it could not reach the pre-collapse level.

This means, under current circumstances, Jingyan’s production is bound to decrease.

This command was equivalent to declaring Chu Ming lacking virtue and ability.

"Lord Shen, this jade slip is a personal gift from the Fifth Prince. I am just acting on orders." Lv Jinhui maintained his hateful smile.

"Furthermore, the Fifth Prince said that even if the mine collapses, Chu Chief Clerk’s Office must not slack, and the exploration of remaining mine tunnels must be expedited."

"His Highness commands that the Chief Clerk continues to explore the tunnels today."

"You!" Shen Yu was infuriated.

Chu Ming calmly stopped Shen Yu, hid the murderous intent in his eyes, and merely bowed slightly.

The two left the county yamen.

"Chu Ming, the number one mine tunnel accounts for 40% of Jingyan’s production. This collapse is very severe; it will take at least half a month to resume mining. The Fifth Prince is using this as a pretense, aiming to ruin you!"

"Brother Shen, let me think of a strategy."

"..."

They had just returned to their residence when a carriage arranged by Lv Jinhui was waiting at the door.

"Brother Shen, don’t worry." Chu Ming’s eyes flickered; his voice was low: "With my abilities, are you not reassured?"

Shen Yu looked at Chu Ming and sighed: "I trust you."

Chu Ming’s ability was even stronger than Meng Zhen, the Ten Thousand Soldiers Commander. He was also accompanied by the bald warrior from the Divine Mystery Bureau guarding against evil; worrying was useless.

"Let’s go."

Chu Ming and Jin Yu from the Divine Mystery Bureau boarded the carriage, while Meng Zhen drove.

...

Jingyan Minefields.

"Commander Meng."

As Chu Ming arrived at the minefields, he saw the Merit Officer Lv Jinhui already waiting there.

Meng Zhen snorted coldly, releasing a powerful presence.

Lv Jinhui’s originally fake smiling face turned pale instantly.

The surrounding guards, constables, Jingyan Guards, and even miners all looked over.

"Chu... Lord Chu... according to the plan, today we need to enter the second mine tunnel." Lv Jinhui wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke cautiously.

"Alright." Chu Ming bowed in response.

"I have other affairs to attend to and will take my leave."

This Merit Officer was intimidated by Meng Zhen and dared not remain at the minefields.

"Song Yan, lead the way for Lord Chu."

"Yes."

"..."