Dawn broke over Fu City, painting the sky with hues of orange and gold. As the city gates swung open, a lone rider galloped through the bustling streets, scattering pedestrians and eliciting a chorus of curses.
The rider, clad in the garb of a martial artist, paid them no heed. He was Su Yuan, and the common folk were beneath his notice. In this world, those who walked the path of martial might were not bound by the same constraints as ordinary citizens.
He arrived at the Su Clan manor moments later, tossing the reins to a startled guard before striding purposefully towards the main hall.
Inside, Su Ming was conferring with Steward Han when he noticed Su Yuan's hurried entrance. His heart skipped a beat, fearing ill tidings from Qingyuan.
"What news from the Young Master? What warrants a journey through the night?"
"The Young Master instructed me to deliver this letter to you personally, Master. He wouldn't divulge anything further."
Su Yuan offered the letter with a respectful bow. While he had been present in the study, Su Hao hadn't shared the contents of the message.
Su Ming's brow furrowed as he took the letter. He broke the seal and scanned the contents. His face hardened with each passing line.
"Go to the Second Master's residence. Tell him he is needed at the manor immediately. It's urgent!"
"Yes, Master!" Steward Han bowed and hurried off towards the City Governor's residence. Su Ming's brother, Su Wu, held a prominent position in the Prefectural Governor's Office.
Turning back to Su Yuan, he asked, "How goes the Young Master's consolidation of power at the City Constable's Office?"
"Rest assured, Master, the City Constable's Office is firmly under the Young Master's control. It shouldn't be long before he controls all of Qingyuan County." Su Yuan spoke with unwavering confidence. He had witnessed Su Hao's decisive actions firsthand.
"Good, very good. Rest for now, then return to Qingyuan. I'll contact you through our messenger birds if anything arises."
"Master, the Young Master is short-handed. I'll depart for Qingyuan immediately."
With another bow, Su Yuan excused himself and left the manor. He mounted his horse and sped back towards Qingyuan, his thoughts consumed with the Young Master's mission.
Alone in the hall, Su Ming's expression grew grim. The news from Su Hao was deeply troubling. A potential gold mine and a Blood Cult Branch Master on the verge of reaching the late stages of the Heaven Realm. Both were matters of grave importance to the Su Clan.
Gold mines were tightly controlled by the Xi Liang Empire. The discovery of a new mine would plunge the entire Northwest Prefecture into chaos as clans vied for control. As for Duanmu Ming's impending breakthrough, it posed a direct threat to the Su Clan. They had thwarted the Blood Cult's plans with the young marquis and slain many of their disciples. Revenge would be swift and brutal if given the opportunity.
"I won't let Duanmu Ming reach the late stages of the Heaven Realm so easily!"
A glint of steel entered Su Ming's eyes. He returned to his study and penned a message detailing Duanmu Ming's activities to his brother at the Prefectural Governor's Office. The Prefectural Governor's Office was one of the three pillars of the Xi Liang Empire's authority in the Northwest Prefecture. They had ways of dealing with threats like Duanmu Ming.
The Xi Liang Empire maintained its iron grip on the Northwest Prefecture through three branches of government: the Prefectural Governor's Office, responsible for administration; the Pacification Bureau, tasked with upholding law and order; and the Blood Cry Army, the military force that ensured the Empire's dominance.
Meanwhile, in Qingyuan County, Su Hao stirred from his slumber. Exhaustion had claimed him the night before, leaving him asleep in his chair.
"Time for the daily check-in."
"Congratulations! You have checked in for five consecutive days, earning 160 check-in points. You have received one random reward: an Onikiri and Ubadachi skill card. It has been added to your inventory."
Su Hao's heart skipped a beat. Had he just heard that correctly? An Onikiri and Ubadachi skill card? He quickly accessed his inventory.
[Onikiri and Ubadachi Skill Card]: Upon use, the host will acquire the skills of the Onmyoji, Onikiri and Ubadachi. This card grants three powerful Iaijutsu techniques: Yanagi, Iai, and Sayaka.
"My luck is turning around!" Su Hao couldn't help but grin. His attacks were rather straightforward; this skill card would add some much-needed versatility.
He checked his current points and draw cards. He'd accumulated 240 check-in points over the past two days. The mission regarding the Blood Cult Branch Master had yielded an additional 1000 points, but he had spent 500 redeeming the Minor Rejuvenation Pills, leaving him with 740 points.
He had only one silver draw card left. It could yield something remarkable or a worthless dud.
"I'll save it for later," he decided.
"Use the Onikiri and Ubadachi skill card!"
As the card disappeared from his inventory, Su Hao felt a surge of energy coursing through his meridians. Images flooded his mind: the intricate footwork, the precise angles, the lightning-fast draw of the blade. He staggered, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information.
When the influx subsided, he found himself standing straighter, his body radiating an almost tangible aura of sharpness.
Yanagi: A technique that transcends space. The user appears before their target in the blink of an eye, blade flashing.
Iai: A blinding flurry of strikes that can overwhelm even the most seasoned opponent, its speed enhanced by subtle illusions that disrupt their focus.
Sayaka: A devastating technique that unleashes countless blades of pure energy, severing the target's life force.
"I think it's time I acquired a proper sword," Su Hao murmured, already imagining himself wielding a blade with deadly grace. While the Onmyoji used katana, their art was rooted in the Way of the Sword, so a traditional Jian would serve him well.
"From this day forward, I shall be a master swordsman!" he declared, unable to contain a chuckle.
After freshening up, he joined Su Neng for a quick breakfast at the office canteen before returning to his chambers. Today's task was to recruit more men. He needed manpower if he wanted to control Qingyuan County.
Su Neng was waiting for him, a grave expression etched on his face.
"Young Master, Lin Meng and Wu Xun have sealed off the city gates. They're preventing anyone from entering or leaving."
Su Hao's eyes turned frosty.
"They were relieved of their duties. How dare they defy my orders? What about the recruits from yesterday? Assemble them. We're taking back control of those gates."
He had offered those constables a chance, but they had chosen to side with the County Magistrate instead. Their arrogance would be their undoing.
"Consider this their first official test. Anyone who resists can be dealt with accordingly."
"Yes, Young Master!"
Su Neng hurried off to gather the recruits.
Moments later, the courtyard was filled with forty men, their faces a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Most were at the Fourth Stage of the Mortal Realm, with a few at the Fifth Stage. A hulking man carrying a meteor hammer stood out from the crowd. He was the sole Sixth Stage cultivator among them.
Unlike typical martial artists, they were subdued, their usual swagger replaced by nervous anticipation. The events of the previous night had shaken them to their core. The fall of the three gangs, rumored to be orchestrated by the Su Clan heir, was a chilling display of power. They had served the Magistrate, and now the Magistrate was gone, replaced by a force far more terrifying.
"Attention!"
Wu Tou and Su Neng entered the courtyard.
"By order of the Chief Constable, your first test begins now. Your mission is to apprehend the constables stationed at the city gates and bring them here to be imprisoned."
A collective gasp ran through the assembled men. Apprehending their former comrades? This was no mere test; it was a declaration of war against the old order. By following through with this, they would be severing all ties with the past, their only future lying with Su Hao and the new regime.