Novel Full Chapter 59: Secret Manual and Showing Off
Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Secret Manual and Showing Off
A look of regret appeared in Chen Cheng’an’s eyes. He didn’t know if this Chief Tang was a coward who treasured his life or was just exceptionally cautious.
In any case, he had been a step too slow, allowing the man to avoid the trap and Chen Cheng’an’s own counterattack.
"Brilliant, truly brilliant. Even I didn’t see through the trap you laid."
Chief Tang stared mockingly at Chen Cheng’an, his right hand casually gripping his Broadsword. He sauntered toward his target step by step as if on a leisurely stroll.
"A pity. But I know that you, Chen Cheng’an, are not one to give up easily. You act all righteous and noble on the surface, but in reality, you’re just trying to make a name for yourself, aren’t you?"
"You seem passionate, but you’re really just a glory hound. I bet you never expected Lord Liu to send you to collect taxes, did you?"
Chief Tang sneered. It seemed like he was spouting a lot of nonsense, but he was actually using his words to strike at Chen Cheng’an’s spirit.
’In his eyes, this Martial Scholar had offended Lord Liu and been sent to collect taxes. His life is as good as over.’
’After all, there’s no way he can collect enough of the land tax. When the time comes, he’ll definitely be exiled to the Northwest to serve in the army.’
’Who would have thought he’d stumble upon a Qi Sensing realm Secret Manual by some stroke of luck, leading to this whole situation.’
"Hand over the Secret Manual, and I’ll spare your life!!!"
Chief Tang suddenly stopped and let out a fierce shout, but at that very moment, his body moved.
The Broadsword in his hand was powerful and heavy, impossibly fast as it sliced through the air. The copper rings on the back of the blade scraped against the air, letting out a series of piercing hums.
The next moment, Chief Tang’s figure appeared before Chen Cheng’an.
Simple and unadorned, the Broadsword chopped down with immense force.
Chen Cheng’an was already severely injured. His desperate counterattack that killed the group of government constables had only added to his wounds.
If not for a Martial Artist’s formidable physique, he would have collapsed long ago.
How could he possibly hold on now?
Facing the gleam of the incoming blade, he was powerless to resist. His Iron Rod was easily split in two.
BANG!
Just then, an explosive sound erupted.
Chief Tang felt a tremendous force transmit from his Broadsword. The web of his hand went numb, and the Broadsword was sent flying from his grasp.
Faced with this situation, Chief Tang didn’t dare to even look and see who had ambushed him.
Relying on instinct, he threw himself to the side, leaping a good seven or eight zhang before he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
From the corner of his eye, he saw that what had sent his Broadsword flying was a sharp arrow.
The arrow had shattered. It was obvious the force behind that shot was immense!
’A Ten-Stone Bow, at least. The newcomer must be at the third pass of the Martial Dao, the Bone Forging Pass. Is it one of Chen Cheng’an’s accomplices, or someone else with their eyes on this prize?’
Chief Tang deliberated for a moment, then seized the opportunity to dart into the dense mountain forest ahead. He had fled without a second thought.
After a good while, once he was certain Chief Tang had truly fled,
Fang Yue emerged from his hiding place.
’That Chief Constable from the Government Office deliberately set up his accompanying constables to die. It seems he wanted to take the Qi Sensing Secret Manual for himself.’
Fang Yue had seen it clearly. When the constables were surrounding and trying to kill Chen Cheng’an, the Chief Constable must have noticed something and deliberately held back.
And when Chen Cheng’an made his move, that Chief Constable had looked on as if watching a play.
After all, if he had intervened at that moment, he might have been able to save one or two of the constables.
So, his claims of not being able to react in time were complete nonsense.
It was a pity. That Chief Constable’s reactions were too fast, his escape too decisive.
Fang Yue didn’t get a chance to shoot him down.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let the man get away.
As for giving chase, Fang Yue understood the principle of not pressing a cornered foe.
’Oh well. If I get the chance in the future, I definitely won’t let him off.’
After confirming it was safe, Fang Yue approached Chen Cheng’an.
He briefly checked the man’s condition and found that he was already dead.
’His old wounds reopened. He actually died from the strain of that last-ditch attack.’
Fang Yue checked and found that the man had no breath or pulse. He had died at some point without Fang Yue noticing.
But, since he was dead,
he no longer had to struggle with the question of whether or not to save him.
Then, his thoughts turned to that Qi Sensing Secret Manual.
Fang Yue searched the man’s body and, sure enough, found a book made from the hide of some kind of beast.
’The "Earth Element True Skill." I can’t believe there really was a Secret Manual.’
This was a pleasant surprise. He had originally just planned to go hunting in the mountains.
He never expected to run into Chen Cheng’an, and he certainly never expected what happened afterward.
After taking the Secret Manual, Fang Yue carefully erased all traces he had left behind.
He then set the thatched hut on fire.
Finally, he disposed of Chen Cheng’an’s body, creating the illusion that the man had escaped, before quietly departing.
’That Chief Constable didn’t die. I’m afraid people from the Government Office will be back here soon.’
Several hours later, the sky had grown completely dark.
Outside the thatched hut at the edge of the mountain forest,
several more government constables in black uniforms had arrived. The one who had fled earlier, Chief Tang, was among them, though his status in this new group was clearly the lowest.
"This is the place? Looks like he’s already fled. Keep after him!"
The leader simply glanced at the traces left at the scene before ordering the men around him to continue the pursuit deeper into the mountain forest.
They were headed in the exact direction where Fang Yue had laid his false trail.
"When I was pregnant with Zhi’Er, he was so restless, always kicking and kicking. Turns out it was a sign of this. My son is truly a born Martial Scholar."
"And my Zhi’Er has been so smart since he was little. You wouldn’t believe it, he stopped wetting the bed when he was only six..."
Ms. Chen, who was enjoying the cool air at the courtyard gate, chatted and laughed with a few of the neighborhood aunties.
In the past, Ms. Chen hadn’t liked to chat. She was busy from morning till night, dead tired, and had no time for it.
Now that the family’s fortunes were looking up, Ms. Chen gradually found herself with more leisure time. When she had nothing to do, she liked to chat with the neighborhood aunties.
The topic, of course, was Fang Yue.
After all, her Zhi’Er was the village’s first Martial Scholar.
"Mom~"
Just then, Fang Yue’s voice rang out.
Ms. Chen immediately turned and saw Fang Yue.
Though she found it a little strange, ’Why did Zhi’Er leave this morning only to return in the evening?’
But Ms. Chen didn’t ask too many questions. ’Zhi’Er is a grown man now; I can’t be too nosy.’
"Zhi’Er, you’re back just in time! Quick, tell your mother, what are the benefits of being a Martial Scholar?"
As Ms. Chen spoke, her eyes and brows lifted. She couldn’t help but show off.
With a Qilin’Er for a son, of course she had to show him off every day. She wished the whole world knew how wonderful her Zhi’Er was.
If his reputation spread, maybe she could even arrange a good marriage for him.
Ms. Chen’s thoughts were very simple. She spared no effort in proclaiming Fang Yue’s virtues, all for the sake of finding him a good wife.