Chapter 296 - 142: Qing Province Observatory and the Doomed Martial Saint

Chapter 296: Chapter 142: Qing Province Observatory and the Doomed Martial Saint

Celestial Human Realm!

A jolt went through him, and his expression immediately turned respectful. "I am Wei Qing, an A Level Squad Marshal for Qing Province. Greetings, my Lord."

A Celestial Martial Saint. He didn’t know her specific identity, but that no longer mattered.

Strength was status.

"Wei Qing..." Hong Miaojin nodded lightly, looking at him. "I am Hong Miaojin."

"Hong... Hong Miaojin!?!"

Wei Qing’s eyes widened when he heard the name.

’The number one on the Hidden Dragon List, Celestial South’s First Marshal... no, that’s not right. She’s a Celestial Martial Saint now, and the incoming Qing Province Commander.’

The order for that appointment had been issued several days ago.

He hadn’t expected her to take up the post so quickly.

"My Lord!"

Wei Qing immediately bowed with his hands clasped, his face a picture of reverence.

"Marshal Wei, the atmosphere in the Qing Province Observatory seems rather good," Hong Miaojin said, sweeping her gaze over him and adding emphasis to the last few words.

At her words, Wei Qing’s expression changed; he could hardly miss the implication.

’She must have seen them...’

Wei Qing took a deep breath and clasped his hands. "My Lord, you must have seen what was happening. I can’t say much, but you can’t blame them. The Qing Province Observatory is truly at its breaking point."

"Ever since Commander Yang was grievously wounded by a Demon Saint from the Demon Alliance, the Observatory was holding on. We intensified our efforts to clear out Demons and Monsters, but the disparity in strength was too great. In just a few short months, our divisions have suffered devastating losses time and again. Countless have died or been injured. Now, fear has taken root in most of our people, and some have even resigned."

At this point, Wei Qing looked up at Hong Miaojin. "They’re just buckling under the pressure from the Demons and Monsters. They’re just letting off a little steam; they aren’t usually like this."

"But now that you are here, my Lord, I’m certain the situation can be turned around."

Wei Qing added.

Hong Miaojin’s expression softened slightly upon hearing Wei Qing’s explanation.

Fang Xing didn’t interrupt, but he now understood the "reason for their depravity."

’They’ve been utterly terrified by the Demons and Monsters.’

’It would be a laughingstock if word got out.’

But Wei Qing’s words did reveal a few things about the situation with the Demons and Monsters.

’They’re running rampant, completely out of control.’

’For them to frighten an entire provincial Observatory... that just proves how terrifying the Demons and Monsters here have become.’

’Of course, the biggest reason was that their great pillar of support, the Commander, had fallen.’

’If the Commander couldn’t hold them back, what chance did his subordinates have?’

’The Observatory is made up of individuals, of flesh and blood. It’s only natural for them to feel fear.’

’If this continued, the only outcome would be complete collapse.’

’Either that, or they’d be infiltrated by the Evil Cult Demon Sect and become a puppet organization.’

Hong Miaojin’s arrival in Qing Province was timely.

Any later, and the situation would likely have been even worse.

"I was unaware of your arrival, my Lord, and failed to greet you properly. Please forgive my offense." Wei Qing remained bowed, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Hong Miaojin looked at him, her expression placid. "Enough. I came of my own accord and gave no advance notice. There’s no crime in being unaware. Go and inform the other Marshals. Have them assemble at the Observatory Platform shortly. Everyone at the Commander Level must be present. I’m going to see Elder Yang first."

"As you command!" Marshal Wei nodded and departed quickly.

As Wei Qing’s figure retreated, Hong Miaojin glanced at Fang Xing.

"This is the reality of the situation. Be more careful from now on."

A chill went down Fang Xing’s spine, and he nodded gravely.

Just then, the main gate of the Commander-in-Chief’s Residence opened. A middle-aged man of about forty looked out at Hong Miaojin and Fang Xing.

He looked at Hong Miaojin with a respectful expression. "Lord Hong, I am Lin Fang, Lord Yang’s steward. Lord Yang has invited you in."

Hong Miaojin nodded and stepped into the residence, with Fang Xing right behind her.

Soon, Lin Fang led the two of them to the outside of a courtyard within the residence.

In front of the courtyard, Lin Fang bowed and announced, "My Lord, Lord Hong has arrived."

"Yes, you may go." A raspy, aged voice replied. Lin Fang nodded, then turned to bow to Hong Miaojin before departing.

Hong Miaojin strode purposefully into the courtyard, and Fang Xing followed close behind.

Upon entering the courtyard, they immediately saw a white-haired elder dressed in a Profound Robe.

His face was deeply wrinkled, and his hair was as white as snow.

His aura was powerful, yet a palpable air of death clung to him.

Fang Xing could clearly see black energy swirling around the white-haired elder.

That endless black energy was the aura of death, constantly eroding his life force.

His presence was diminished, like that of a fallen lion.

His life seemed to be drawing to a close.

Yet he still exuded an aura that could make one’s heart pound with apprehension.

Even at death’s door, he still possessed the majesty of a king.

’There was no need to guess. The snow-haired elder before him had to be the Qing Province Commander, Yang Tian!’

This was the first time Fang Xing had ever seen a Celestial Martial Saint so steeped in the aura of death.

A Martial Saint’s life force should be like a great sun hanging in the sky.

But now, eroded by the aura of death, Yang Tian’s life force had dwindled to almost nothing.

Even a Celestial Martial Saint could not escape death.

It wasn’t just the aura of death; the core issue was the grievous wound to his Primordial Spirit.

’As for the state of his Primordial Spirit, that was something I couldn’t see.’

’And I wouldn’t dare use my Golden Eyes of Truth to pry.’

’Even a dying Martial Saint was still a Martial Saint!’

’A king cannot be slighted!’

’Even a dying Martial Saint could obliterate me a hundred times over with just a sliver of his power.’

Seeing Yang Tian by the table in the courtyard, Hong Miaojin stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "Miaojin greets Elder Yang."

A faint smile touched Yang Tian’s ancient face. "Child, there’s no need for such formalities. Sit."