The martial arts are boundless.
Beyond the ninth level of physical cultivation lies the position of Grandmaster!
A Grandmaster not only pushes the methods of refining Qi for combat to their peak, but also transcends the physical limits of the human body, merging spirit, blood energy, and inner force into a unique “Martial Truth” of their own!
Before reaching Grandmaster, even a martial artist at the ninth level of physical cultivation and the ultimate transformation stage could only hope to defend themselves against ghostly techniques.
However, the fist intent of a Grandmaster can slay vengeful ghosts and injure yin spirits!
Only when martial arts reach this level do they truly transcend the mundane and enter the realm of the extraordinary! Only then do they possess the qualifications to pursue even greater attainments—those of Supreme Grandmaster, or even Martial Sage!
“Such a person, placed in the military, would be a veritable slayer of hundreds, a match for thousands! He must be the main force behind this operation. I wonder what the Wang family used to entice him to come after me!”
As these thoughts flashed through Wu Ming’s mind, Zhan Hongzhao’s clawed hand had already arrived before him.
The opponent’s fingers were long and smooth like jade, his nails bright and polished. Yet Wu Ming had no doubt that even blue stone would shatter under such iron claws.
As for martial cultivation, Wu Ming was currently at the sixth level of the Physical Realm, a practitioner of the Innate Realm, far inferior to his opponent. Even Feng Han’s Golden Bell Great Strength Eagle Claw Kung Fu would be nothing more than a joke in front of Zhan Hongzhao.
Buzz!
Suddenly, a five-colored radiance emerged from beneath Wu Ming’s outer robe, colliding with the incoming claw!
A Five-Color Robe—an elite magical artifact!
Left behind by Yu Shaoyun, each item was a masterpiece. This robe alone was woven from the silk of five rare silkworms—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth—rendering it impervious to fire and water, resistant to blades and swords, and capable of defending against magical techniques, responding instantly to the wearer’s will.
Bang!
Amidst the dazzling five-colored light, the claw strike ultimately failed. In fact, the glowing threads began to counterattack, creeping up along the attacker’s hand.
“A magical artifact?”
Zhan Hongzhao hastily retreated several steps, his expression flickering with shock and doubt. As the five-colored glow receded, he leapt forward again, letting out a sharp cry. With a flick of his hand against his waistband, a crimson glow appeared—a blood-red flexible sword. Its tip wavered, emitting a red glow like the flickering tongue of a red serpent, aiming straight at Wu Ming!
Zhan Hongzhao was known for his “Red Serpent Sword,” and his sword techniques were naturally as venomous and ruthless as could be.
Moreover, he was known for his tenacity and vast experience. Knowing that such magical artifacts could usually only be activated once before needing to absorb the essence of sun and moon to recharge, he seized the opportunity and launched a fierce attack.
This single strike alone confirmed to Wu Ming that this man, in terms of insight, experience, and martial prowess, was indeed worthy of the title Grandmaster!
“What a superb sword technique! Truly superb!”
With a soft sigh, the five-colored glow flared again, nearly blinding.
Ding!
The sword sang, followed by the sound of metal clashing.
The two figures flashed past each other. Zhan Hongzhao stared at the glowing light surrounding Wu Ming, disbelief spreading across his face.
“Unluckily for you, my magical robe can be activated multiple times!”
Wu Ming sighed.
Then, a crimson line appeared on Zhan Hongzhao’s forehead, slicing down through his nose, throat, and all the way below.
“You… you are…”
He murmured, unable to finish his sentence before his entire body suddenly split in two, evenly divided.
Wu Ming remained expressionless, the glow from his black-gold ring vanishing instantly.
The Five-Color Robe was a high-level magical artifact, capable of offering protection five times a day!
Moreover, Wu Ming himself was a Taoist priest, and in critical moments, he could channel his own spiritual energy to recharge it.
And what is a Taoist? One who manifests laws with a single thought! In an instant, the power of any magical artifact is greatly enhanced!
With spiritual energy enhancing the golden blade curse on the black-gold ring, the combined power of several magical items, along with Wu Ming’s own cultivation, resulted in a single move deciding life and death!
Before dying, Zhan Hongzhao had wanted to shout something, but it was too late—his life had already been severed, leaving no path to survival, not even a chance to send a message.
“Even if my elder sister Wu Qing were to come here, I doubt she could do much better.”
Looking at the Grandmaster’s corpse on the ground, Wu Ming sighed leisurely: “Never thought… I’ve become somewhat of a figure myself now…”
“Ahh!”
A sharp cry rang out.
It was the ghost servant who had been fighting Wu Tiehu. Seeing Zhan Hongzhao’s sudden death, he was so shocked that he lost focus, allowing Wu Tiehu to seize the moment, severing one of his arms. Blood spurted like a fountain.
“There’s still this one—he’s part of the same group! Don’t let him escape!”
Wu Ming turned his gaze and pointed toward the wandering physician cowering in the corner.
Seeing Wu Tiehu turn around with a sinister grin, the bloody knife still dripping, and Wu Ming standing nearby, seemingly even more unfathomable, the wandering physician finally collapsed mentally.
Clatter!
He released his hold, letting various concealed weapons—iron spikes, dark projectiles, golden and silver needles—clatter to the ground, then dropped to his knees, pleading: “Have mercy, sirs! Spare me! I was only obeying orders. Please spare my life! I beg for your compassion! From this moment on, I would willingly serve under your command, loyal and devoted…”
“What use do I have for such a fickle traitor?”
Wu Ming sighed in exasperation, signaling Wu Tiehu, who immediately stepped forward and struck the man’s head with the hilt of his knife, knocking him unconscious.
“I must trouble everyone here to bear witness!”
After finishing up, Wu Ming bowed with a smile.
“Not at all… not at all…”
In an instant, seeing Wu Ming kill several people with a single hand, everyone around was stunned, too afraid to object.
“Everyone, please sit down. Don’t disturb the scene. And… someone go notify the local patrol…”
Wu Ming and Wu Tiehu sat down, casually finding clean water and food to drink and eat.
Their calmness caused cold sweat to run down the spines of those nearby.
…
“What happened?”
Eventually, the official road brought swift arrival of the constables.
Seeing the bloody scene and entering the room where the shamaness had cast her curses, witnessing the divine punishment and death, the constables’ legs began to tremble: “W-who is the victim?”
“That would be me. I am Wu Ming, a local gentleman from Yunping. I encountered this black-hearted inn, discovered the owner openly using evil techniques to harm people, so I killed them all. The evidence and witnesses are all here…”
Wu Ming smiled lightly, and Wu Tiehu immediately presented the identification documents.
“Oh! Master Wu! This is a serious matter. Please…”
Seeing a gentleman, the constable without rank trembled even more: “Please come with me to the constabulary to explain everything…”
“Of course! I am a law-abiding citizen!”
Wu Ming smiled calmly, politely, making it impossible for anyone to associate him with the image from moments ago.
“Thank you, Master Wu!”
The constable, who had feared resistance, now gained confidence, shouting at the innocent bystanders caught in the chaos: “You are all witnesses! You must all come with me!”
…
The case was resolved quickly.
After all, the scene inside the shamaness’s room was clearly evidence of a curse ritual!
Moreover, the identities of those involved were suspicious. Upon investigation, the original owner of the teahouse was missing, further raising doubts.
Thus, the bodies were collected, the wandering physician and the one-armed ghost servant were imprisoned under heavy guard.
As for Wu Ming, thanks to his noble status, he was released before nightfall and even obtained the information he desired.
“Hmm, a grandfather and granddaughter from another province? An old scholar named Ye Deqian?”
Wu Ming held the slip of paper, casually tossing a five-tael ingot to the constable, who bowed repeatedly with gratitude: “Yes, we’ve confirmed it. The grandfather is Ye Deqian, and the granddaughter is Baor, here to visit relatives…”
“Hmph!”
After dismissing the constable, Wu Tiehu approached: “Master, are those two suspicious?”
“Not sure yet, but their identities are definitely fake…”
Wu Ming sneered, tossing the paper onto the table: “Those two are no ordinary people!”
Meanwhile, the grandfather and granddaughter being remembered by Wu Ming were rushing away under the cover of night.
“Hurry, hurry! This place is no longer safe!”
The old man carried the little girl, grumbling.
“Why? I think that big brother didn’t seem evil…”
The girl bit her finger, giggling: “Besides… he had so many treasures on him!”
“You’re still young. Noticing that is good, but you don’t realize that the boy has already entered the Taoist sect—he is a Taoist priest!”
The old man muttered, as if complaining: “So young, yet so ruthless and decisive, with astonishing cultivation and surrounded by treasures—this is no ordinary youth… I originally heard there would be a Dragon Gate Gathering here, attracting many practitioners, so I came to join the fun. But the moment I arrived, I met this youth. This is an ill omen. This ritual will likely end in bloodshed…”
His feet moved like wind, his speed surpassing galloping horses. More surprisingly, even while using this divine footwork, his posture remained composed, his breathing steady and relaxed.
The little girl seemed accustomed to this, watching the scenery fly past on both sides, blinking her big eyes, suddenly giggling again.
…
That night, an urgent document was delivered to the Prefect’s desk.
The current Prefect, Li Zhen, was only forty-three years old, but his temples were already slightly gray. His face bore sharp, iron-like features, exuding determination and resilience.
“These underlings… what could be so urgent to report at night?”
He chuckled, opening the document. After reading a few lines, he inhaled sharply, his expression turning serious.
After a long silence, Li Zhen remained still, his fingers tracing the document.
Official road, teahouse, murder, evil techniques…
After reading just a few lines, he closed his eyes, and in his mind appeared an image of a decisive, ruthless young man.
“Hehe… The Wang family is really regressing…”
The hidden currents within could not escape the notice of this seasoned official, who immediately let out a cold laugh.
“Prefect, sir… how should we respond?”
An aide asked.
“The evidence is clear. What more is there to ask? The sorcerer is dead, their bodies to be soaked in dung pits. The two accomplices—eighty lashes and exile to three thousand miles away!”
Li Zhen snorted: “Isn’t that clearly stated in the imperial law? Or do you wish to do otherwise?”
“I dare not!”
The clerk, already warned, immediately broke into a cold sweat, respectfully withdrawing.
As for Li Zhen, after finishing official business, he took out another document from his robe, a smile appearing on his face: “My family has also produced a prodigy. There is still hope for great matters. Still hope…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage