Chapter 130: Sun Xuan

The training ground was once again shattered into fragments by Ling Chi’s rampage. The once even, compacted earth was now unrecognizable, riddled with deep trenches running every which way, and numerous pits three feet deep scattered about.

But this time, the Jing’an Office no longer let him handle the cleanup on his own. At dawn, flag officers arrived with bricklayers and ox carts to begin repairs and reconstruction. Ling Chi simply exchanged a few words with Zhao Qing before leaving the training ground to cultivate outside the city.

Ling Chi’s battle yesterday nearly overshadowed Cao Hubao’s breakthrough into the Spirit Pearl Realm, making him the most dazzling figure in the prefecture.

Having slain the Spirit Pearl Realm’s second-tier leader of the Ghost Sect in a single strike, the news had fermented overnight and spread like wildfire. The entire Northwest Circuit knew that a formidable youth named Ling Chi had emerged in Ying Prefecture.

The rumor was even beginning to spread beyond the region, drawing the attention of various factions.

Ling Chi, of course, paid no mind to any of it. Such fame was of no use to him; his heart was set solely on the martial path.

Cao Hubao and Zhao Qing, however, could not avoid the influx of visitors and spent the whole day receiving guests. Even Zhao Qing grew weary and eventually found an opportunity to retreat for cultivation.

“Boss Cao, the officials have arrived!” one of his personal guards approached with a serious expression.

Cao Hubao’s face was expressionless, his gaze dull. Damn, the fight’s over and now they show up—he was full of frustration with no outlet.

Though irritated, he knew better than to show it. The most important thing in officialdom was never to reveal one’s emotions in public.

“Has Lord Sun arrived?” Cao Hubao asked casually, lowering his eyelids.

“Ah Bao, are you harboring grievances against your uncle?” Before the words had even finished, a figure appeared in the room.

The newcomer was tall and robust, with a stern, resolute face and eyes shining with unwavering will. Though his temples were already streaked with white, his hair was neatly combed. His posture was upright, radiating the confidence and composure of a high-ranking official.

“Lord Sun, how could I dare to bear any grudges? Forgive me for not greeting you properly upon your arrival,” Cao Hubao said quickly, bowing. He did not dare call this man “uncle,” despite his own father, Cao Li, being a prominent figure in the Northwest Circuit army.

Lord Sun Xuan waved his robe and sat broadly in an official’s chair, his presence as imposing as a mountain pavilion.

Cao Hubao immediately ordered tea and refreshments to be served and stood respectfully to the side.

“You must be holding some resentment inside!”

“Yesterday, I hadn’t even set out when that old troublemaker Fu Qiuwen tangled with me. Just then, the imperial inspector Zou Heng was touring the Northwest Circuit on behalf of the Emperor. I was detained by one He’s men.”

“Now, the people Zou Heng assigned have arrived in Ying Prefecture. Make sure your men don’t clash with his.”

Sun Xuan should not have needed to explain himself to Cao Hubao—superiors never justify themselves to subordinates—but he still gave the reason for his delayed arrival.

“What happened over there yesterday? Your call for aid was so urgent I thought you were sending me to collect your corpse.” Sun Xuan asked, inhaling the fragrance of the tea.

“Yesterday, the Ghost Sect acted as He’s backup and deployed several incense masters to set a dark spirit formation trapping my men.”

“Fortunately, Captain Zhao Qing of He County and his gifted disciple came to the rescue, enabling us to escape the trap.”

“I also successfully broke through to the Spirit Pearl Realm, though the Ghost Sect’s leader Bi Rengui nearly disturbed the breakthrough.”

Cao Hubao lowered his head, recounting the peril of yesterday in an even tone.

“Oh? The Ghost Sect dares to act openly in broad daylight? Do they think I can’t deal with them?”

Sun Xuan’s aura shifted sharply, a profound cultivation briefly flashing. Cao Hubao felt a wave of pressure push him back, then vanish without a trace.

“Could it be that Lord Sun has broken through to the Divine Transformation Realm?” Cao Hubao thought with some doubt but dared not ask aloud.

“That Bi fellow is a second-tier Spirit Pearl cultivator. Even if you managed to break through, you would hardly be able to stop him. Do you have any other allies?”

Sun Xuan pondered briefly before questioning.

“Indeed, it was Captain Zhao Qing and his disciple who bought me the time to break through. When Bi Rengui attacked, I was at the critical moment of my breakthrough.”

“Captain Zhao’s sixth disciple, Ling Chi, struck like thunder. After a fierce battle, he slew Bi Rengui on the spot.”

Cao Hubao paused and then continued.

“How old is Ling Chi? What cultivation level? To slay a second-tier Spirit Pearl cultivator, he’d have to be at least third-tier, right?”

Sun Xuan’s tone grew serious. He had no idea such a warrior existed under his command.

“Ling Chi is only sixteen and cultivates at the eighth tier of the Qi Sea Realm.”

Cao Hubao said with amusement, determined to shock him as he had been shocked.

“What? Eighth tier Qi Sea Realm defeating second-tier Spirit Pearl cultivator and slaying him on the spot? Are you sure you’re telling the truth?”

Sun Xuan suddenly stood, his previously composed demeanor completely shattered.

Cao Hubao smiled inwardly, knowing exactly how he’d react.

“Absolutely. Everyone in the Jing’an Office saw it firsthand. He first slew Bi Rengui, then cut down another Spirit Pearl-level ghoul.”

Cao Hubao smirked, feeling proud despite Ling Chi not being his son but merely under his command. Sun Xuan’s brows knitted tightly.

“What’s there to be proud of? He’s not even your child.”

“You’re lucky, lad. To have such a prodigy under you is pure luck!”

Sun Xuan shook his head with a light laugh, conceding credit where it was due. This proved his strategy of consolidating local martial schools and escort agencies was working well.

“Lord Sun, the He family’s fanatical assassins massacred in the prefecture. Our intelligence was leaked prematurely.”

Cao Hubao’s triumph was short-lived as he recalled the ordeal with gritted teeth.

“The problem isn’t on your end. That old troublemaker Fu Qiuwen betrayed our secrets.”

Sun Xuan’s eyelids drooped slightly, fury churning within. Someone had planted a thorn under his watch, an unbearable offense.

“I’ve ordered a thorough investigation. We must root out those rat droppings.”

Sun Xuan pounded his knee decisively.

“Lord, when will you launch the operation to crush the He family?”

Cao Hubao asked.

“Your father has already arranged for the Red Wind Army’s Brave Camp to join the siege. The Jing’an Office has also deployed forces who should have arrived by now.”

“Once they’re in position, we’ll move on He Prefecture and capture He Zhixian, Jiang Xian, and the two brothers together.” Sun Xuan finalized the plan.

Cao Hubao responded solemnly, affirming the decision.

“Has Captain Jin of He Prefecture evacuated?”

“He was notified at dawn during the He family’s attack. We don’t know where he retreated to.”

“Do you know where Ling Chi is now? Perhaps I could meet him?” Sun Xuan nodded curiously.

“You may not know, Lord Sun, but Ling Chi’s talent is exceptional, wielding thunder magic with overwhelming force.”

“He is also a tireless cultivator, almost to the point of self-torment. Because of this, he has the reputation of a martial fanatic in He County.”

“So if you want to find him, the training ground would be the place. Unfortunately, he destroyed it last night practicing sword techniques. Now he must cultivate outside the city.”

“Talented and persistent individuals like him are destined for greatness,” Sun Xuan sighed with admiration.