Chapter 173: Blood Shadow Patriarch, the Twelve Blood Disciples

The softest is the hardest; all paths share the same origin. The knife—slow it down three more counts!

Li Rui lounged comfortably on a cool chair, flipping through a book, his eyes never leaving the pages as he offered advice to Liang He, who was practicing his knife forms.

Liang He gritted his teeth and trained even harder.

Though Li Rui spoke casually, inside he was overjoyed.

"I've struck gold."

"Who needs to practice swordplay? Some people are born for the knife!"

Since abandoning the sword for the knife, Liang He's skill had advanced by leaps and bounds; now his knife technique was even deadlier than his former swordplay.

Li Rui had already tested him.

Liang He's knife intent was growing rapidly—clearly, he had been held back by sword training.

Some people are intrinsically bound to a specific weapon.

"Legend says that in the former dynasty's Xuan Kingdom, there was a spear saint who only gained fame at fifty, because for half his life he had followed his master's advice and devoted himself to the sword—until the moment he gripped the spear shaft, he finally understood: he was the supreme master of the spear in this world. He began training the spear at forty, and by fifty, he was unbeaten across an entire province."

Liang He may not possess the same astonishing genius as that spear saint, but his talent for the knife is undeniably greater.

Perhaps in just a few years, he'll reach the eighth rank.

In the courtyard, the long knife whistled through the air.

Li Rui grew more satisfied with every passing moment.

When disciples train, their masters advance.

This effortless gain felt exquisite.

A month passed.

"Brother Li, have you heard?"

"Big trouble in Qingzhou—a major sect was wiped out, punished with extermination of three clans. Word is, General Xue led the troops himself and left not a single survivor."

Wei Ming spoke.

Li Rui was startled. A sect requiring General Xue to personally suppress it could not be ordinary.

By his reckoning, the Annan Army hadn't seen such a large-scale conflict in a long time.

"What was the charge?"

"Treason. They say they found evidence of collusion with the Blood Shadow Patriarch."

Li Rui's eyes narrowed slightly.

Blood Shadow Patriarch

A fearsome demon sect patriarch, rumored to have joined the Ghost Ming Sect years ago and now one of the Empire's most wanted criminals, ranked highest on the imperial wanted list.

Not just in Yunzhou—in the entire southern region, his name alone could silence crying infants.

He had once committed the ultimate atrocity: massacring entire cities to fuel his dark arts.

He had been surrounded and hunted by elite sect masters multiple times, yet always escaped using his demonic techniques.

Colluding with the Blood Shadow Patriarch meant colluding with the Ghost Ming Sect—by law, extermination of three clans was justified.

But something about this case felt off.

Collusion with the Ghost Ming Sect sounded grave, but when had the Yu Kingdom ever strictly enforced its laws?

Sometimes even treason didn't warrant extermination of three clans.

This whole affair reeked of suspicion.

General Xue leading the operation himself suggests this reaches all the way to the imperial palace.

The hidden truths behind it were beyond the reach of a lowly sixth-rank official like Li Rui.

Ge Hong's eyes flashed with cruelty upon hearing the name: "The Blood Shadow Patriarch was once an elder of a major sect, then betrayed his own sect and joined the Ghost Ming Sect, even killing his own master. His Twelve Blood Disciples each inherited his cruel nature—every one ruthless. The weakest is at the peak of seventh rank; the strongest has already crossed the Dragon Gate and stands half-step into the Sea-Viewing realm."

His gaze darkened further:

"My master was killed by one of the Twelve Blood Disciples—the Poisonous Ghost."

Li Rui was surprised.

He had always believed the former head of the Iron Knife Dojo had died of illness; now it seemed there was more to the story.

He and Wei Ming opened their mouths to offer comfort.

Ge Hong sighed: "It's all ancient history. I heard the Poisonous Ghost crossed the sixth-rank Dragon Gate three years ago. What chance do I have? Seeking revenge would be like a moth flying into fire."

A self-mocking smile curled his lips.

Memories surged like a tidal wave.

When his master had died coughing blood on his bed, he had silently sworn to master martial arts and kill the Poisonous Ghost himself to avenge his master.

But as the years passed,

he realized that even among martial artists, there were vast differences—he had long since been worn down by life, his thirst for vengeance faded.

Sixth rank

was likely beyond his reach for the rest of his life.

A task one would undertake knowing it meant certain death—ten years ago, he might have done it.

Now?

Forget it.

At most, he'd burn extra paper money for the old man on Yuanxiao Festival, and whisper a few more apologies.

"The Twelve Blood Disciples operate in secrecy. Half their identities are unknown even to the imperial court."

Ge Hong recounted the rumors he'd heard.

Wei Ming slapped Ge Hong's shoulder: "Even if the Twelve Blood Disciples are strong, can they match the power of the Annan Army?"

"If they provoke us, we'll surround them with troops—then we'll have avenged your master, Brother Ge."

"That makes sense."

Ge Hong forced a smile.

This was the greatest difference between the military and the martial world.

If you can't win, you don't need to fear—someone stronger will always step in.

Wei Ming changed the subject: "Have you heard? Young Master Duan is being promoted—he's to become an Assistant Minister of Works. Yes, Assistant Minister."

Garrison Commander Duan Yu was being promoted.

Li Rui and Ge Hong were unsurprised.

Ever since Young Master Duan arrived at Anning Garrison, everyone had assumed it was inevitable—he was merely using Qinghe as a stepping stone, staying at most two years.

A connection man.

His father, Senior Duan, was a full third-rank Vice Minister of War. His son could hardly fail to secure a fourth-rank post, especially with Young Master Duan's strong martial talent.

Assistant Minister of Works was a regular sixth-rank position, equal in rank to Garrison Commander.

But outside the capital, official rank carried half a level more weight.

Hence, it was truly called a promotion.

Before Cao Can came to Yunzhou, he had been an Assistant Minister of War himself—only after breaking through his martial realm and catching the attention of the Fifth Prince did he rise further.

In the Yu Kingdom, officials—especially military ones—almost always advanced in martial rank before being promoted in civil office. Young Master Duan, who was promoted in civil rank first, and even crossed between military and civil roles, was invariably backed by powerful patrons.

Otherwise, any recommendation to transfer from military to civil service would be rejected the moment it reached the Ministry of Personnel.

"Chief Ning says the new Garrison Commander's appointment is confirmed—he's from the Gao family of Luyang."

In the Yu Kingdom, surnames placed after place names indicated major clans.

All were powerful lineages.

The Gao family of Luyang was especially distinguished—they had once produced a minister who entered the Grand Secretariat and enjoyed immense prestige in the Great Yu.

Of course, another connection man.

Anning Garrison had five Garrison Commanders: two appointed by Cao Wei, two by Jiang Lin. Placing connection men here was the perfect way to balance both factions' influence.

Wei Ming added: "I heard he's a Military Metropolitan Graduate—second class."

Military Metropolitan Graduate meant an official selected through the military imperial examination; graduates were divided into first, second, and third classes.

First class consisted of the well-known Top Graduate, Second Place, and Third Place.

=9+ Shu _ Ba

Second class usually numbered around forty.

This Gao Commander having entered second class was indeed impressive.

Yet the Top Graduate could only land an Assistant Minister post in the capital, while this second-class graduate became a Garrison Commander with equal rank to the Top Graduate—clearly, the Gao family had pulled strings hard.

Having connections in court made official advancement easy—this was exactly how it worked.

Ge Hong frowned: "I wonder what kind of man this new Garrison Commander will be?"

Outside Qinghe City.

The relay station.

Today, the station had been cleared out. Zhuang Renhe sat alone in the main hall, guarded by trusted men from the Zhuang family.

He sipped his tea.

He set the teacup down slowly.

A voice came at the door: "This way, please!"

He looked up.

A young man carrying a book basket walked in—clearly a scholar on a journey of study.

Zhuang Renhe rose to his feet, a smile on his lips: "Master Gao?"

The scholar gave a shy smile: "Indeed."

Zhuang Renhe's smile widened as he glanced around: "Has the Ancestor come to Qinghe too?"

Indeed.

The young Confucian before him was Gao Zhong, the lowest-ranked among the Twelve Blood Disciples—the Blood-Handed Scholar.

He was among the least renowned of the Twelve Blood Disciples; few in the world knew his identity, and even within the Ghost Ming Sect, few were aware of him.

He had only met him once by chance.

Who could have imagined someone who looked so harmless was such a ruthless killer?

Evil men don't wear their wickedness on their faces.

The Twelve Blood Disciples were feared far and wide, but that didn't mean all of them looked fearsome.

Gao Zhong shook his head: "My master is still in the Ten Thousand Marshes. He asked me to convey to Lord Zhuang that he was very pleased with the gift."

Zhuang Renhe was even more delighted: "Good."

Blood Shadow Ancestor is no mere Qi Cheng—he is a top-tier martial powerhouse of the Ghost Ming Sect.

All the schemes he had orchestrated, including sending Qu Chengfeng to the Ten Thousand Marshes, were meant solely to curry favor with Blood Shadow Ancestor.

Only upon hearing that one of the Twelve Blood Disciples, Gao Zhong, was coming to Qinghe did he wait here Teyi.

He ventured cautiously: "Brother Gao, what brings you to Qinghe?"

Gao Zhong smiled shyly again: "Me?"

"Of course, to assume my post."

The Peace Guard, General's Mansion.

In the main hall.

"Young Brother Gao, traveling must have worn you out."

Cao Wei regarded the shy young man before him with satisfaction.

The Gao clan of Luyang was a great family; though Gao Zhen was a collateral branch's illegitimate son, he had earned his martial metropolitan degree through his own efforts and caught the eye of his elders, who sent him to Qinghe for training.

He had just arrived in Qinghe.

The first person he sought out was Cao Wei.

His intent was unmistakable.

Gao Zhen had initiated goodwill; Cao Wei naturally showed him proper respect. A garrison commander was nothing, but Gao Zhen's family produced powerful figures—Cao Wei himself felt the urge to cultivate ties.

"General Cao, I look forward to your guidance in the days ahead."

Cao Wei laughed heartily: "Young Brother Gao, now that you're in the Peace Guard, we're all brothers. If you need anything, just say the word to your elder brother."

"Mm."

Gao Zhen nodded.

Cao Wei observed every move Gao Zhen made.

Clearly a greenhorn from the Gao clan—no guile, easy to manipulate.

"Come, Young Brother Gao. You've eaten Luyang cuisine long enough—today your elder brother will treat you to something new."

Saying this,

Cao Wei led Gao Zhen out of the brothel.

They were clearly headed for Chunyan Pavilion.

Cao Wei certainly wasn't taking Gao Zhen just for drinks—he was taking him for a night of pleasure.

Inside Chunyan Pavilion, surrounded by fluting courtesans, Gao Zhen's youthful face flushed even redder.

The women around him burst into giggles.

Seeing this, Cao Wei was even more surprised.

"He's still a virgin?"

He reasoned: Gao Zhen's family probably neglected him before; after passing the exam, he came straight to Qinghe with no chance to enjoy life.

He waved his hand.

To the madam beside him: "Have the courtesan queen, Tao Xin, attend to my brother properly!"

(End of Chapter)