Chapter 92: The Destiny Has Changed

In Qinghe City.

County Magistrate Zhang was already waiting beneath the city gate.

Besides him, the Assistant County Magistrate, the Registrar, the Jail Warden, and several prominent citizens of the city had all arrived.

They had come early to the city gate under the blazing sun.

Seeing the Huaqing Sect’s carriage slowly approach, the gate guards, having received orders, had already cleared the way.

County Magistrate Zhang hurried forward in three strides.

The others gathered around as well.

“All of you, thank you for your efforts. I, Zhang Linkang, salute Elder Jiang.”

Before he finished speaking,

the carriage curtain was pulled aside.

But only Jiang Yan stepped down—the figure of Jiang Lin was nowhere to be seen.

“This—”

County Magistrate Zhang’s half-bowed posture froze.

He had no idea what was going on.

If Jiang Lin didn’t come, all this grand display would be wasted.

Han Qin dismounted and quickly explained: “My Lord Zhang, Elder Jiang was originally traveling with us, but something came up en route—he will return before the entrance trials begin.”

“I see.”

County Magistrate Zhang gave a nervous smile.

Still, this carefree, unpredictable behavior suited Jiang Lin’s legendary reputation of appearing and vanishing like a dragon in the clouds.

Great figures often have peculiar habits—it’s only natural.

Han Qin added: “Jiang’s younger sister is the deputy envoy for this event; she will oversee the entrance trials.”

“Miss Jiang, it’s been a long time.”

Upon hearing Jiang Yan was the deputy envoy,

County Magistrate Zhang beamed and stepped forward.

Jiang Yan was Jiang Lin’s only daughter—her status was unquestionable—but what truly made County Magistrate Zhang treat her with such deference was her position this time.

Yu Kingdom had ruled Chixianshenzhou for thousands of years.

The power of local government offices alone was far from sufficient, so they frequently allied with martial sects; over a millennium, court and martial world had become inseparable.

Huaqing Sect’s recruitment of disciples was, in effect, selecting martial talent for the imperial court.

It was another vital path for official selection, alongside the imperial examinations.

Many Huaqing Sect masters later rose to high positions in the government; thus, the sect’s entrance trials were an annual major event for the Qinghe County Office.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please follow me to the county office to rest.”

Official reception was a matter of great protocol.

Previously, Jiang Yan and the others had stayed at the Zhu household—partly because Zhu Yue was there, and partly because it wasn’t an official matter, so the county office hadn’t arranged lodging.

But this time was different: not only was Jiang Lin himself coming, but the entrance trials alone were enough to warrant official attention.

Even if Zhu Yue arrived, they could not possibly stay at the Zhu household again.

For lower-ranking officials, of course, they were all sent to the roadside inn outside the city.

But if it was a superior official or an important person, they required gongs and drums, a large escort, and full ceremonial procession.

Local officials and prominent citizens would gather at the Reception Pavilion in advance to await and greet them; they often stayed overnight there, with ample entertainment—only when the superior was pleased would they proceed to the county office.

Then they would be lodged in a specially prepared courtyard within the county office.

The subtleties involved were immense.

County Magistrate Zhang had originally hoped to curry favor with Elder Jiang, famed as the Sword Immortal of Jiangdong—but Jiang Lin disliked such formalities, so the most crucial step—the Reception Pavilion—was skipped.

The Huaqing Sect members were lodged inside the county office.

Han Qin immediately wanted to go out.

He happened to meet Jiang Yan.

“Senior Brother Han, going out?”

Han Qin nodded confidently: “Yes, I’ve made some progress recently—I’d like to seek guidance from Senior Li of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”

“Li Rui?”

Jiang Yan paused, then asked hesitantly: “Senior Brother Han, may I accompany you?”

“Uh… sure.”

Han Qin was startled, then agreed.

Since there were still several days before the entrance trials, the two left the county office together.

Tianyi Hall received two unusual visitors.

Li Rui, who had been reading, heard that Han Qin and Jiang Yan had come to visit, and told Yang Deliu to show them in.

“Young Master Han, Miss Jiang, it’s been a long time.”

He smiled warmly.

He had just heard the news of Huaqing Sect’s entrance trials, and now here they were, vivid and lively before him.

Han Qin felt a little embarrassed: “Senior Li, my sword technique has—”

He had barely begun speaking.

Jiang Yan narrowed her eyes and hesitated: “Senior, have you… broken through?”

Broken through?

Han Qin was stunned.

He stared at Li Rui, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

“Impossible—a seventy-year-old breaking two ranks in one year!!”

Han Qin was certain.

Li Rui had broken through to the Eighth Rank.

“Disciples of the Grand Sect truly are extraordinary—they can perceive my realm.”

Li Rui’s heart tightened.

Fortunately, he had already revealed part of his strength beforehand.

“Just lucky.”

Han Qin’s expression quickly shifted from shock to regret: “Senior Li, it’s a pity your years were wasted—had your talent been recognized earlier, you would have achieved far more.”

He genuinely felt sorry for Li Rui.

But this was the norm of life.

Too many geniuses were buried by circumstance.

“I am truly fortunate.”

Han Qin thought to himself—if not for his decent origins and his master’s favor, he would have lived his life in dull obscurity.

Fate was truly unpredictable.

He now understood why that man had called Li Rui “Lord.”

Compared to Han Qin,

Jiang Yan’s shock ran deeper.

“Destiny… changed?!”

She stared at Li Rui in disbelief—such a rapid shift in destiny was something she had never seen before.

Still the Ninth, Hidden Dragon, Do Not Act.

The overall destiny had not changed.

At seventy, Eighth Rank, still Hidden Dragon—this bizarre combination was rare enough.

The key was, there were signs of the Dragon Raising Its Head.

In Jiang Yan’s Destiny Eyes,

a massive green dragon coiled around Li Rui; its previously lowered head now slightly lifted, as if straining to gaze at something.

“Unexplainable.”

Jiang Yan’s brow furrowed tighter.

She had never seen such a case before.

“Strange, strange.”

Han Qin was entirely focused on seeking sword advice and noticed nothing of Jiang Yan’s reaction.

He was eager: “Senior, as you advised, I’ve broken down sword and blade techniques—but I’ve encountered many confusions. For example, with the sword: a hundred people, a hundred swords—how can one technique defeat all swords under heaven?”

Li Rui smiled slightly: “It’s not the sword itself that defeats all swords under heaven—it’s the one who holds it. To break swords, merely practicing sword techniques won’t suffice—you need real combat, countless real combats.”

Han Qin’s eyes lit up.

He had indeed chosen the right person.

He poured out all his questions at once.

Li Rui answered each one.

This was thanks to the vast number of books Li Rui had read at Tianyi Hall, and his exceptional insight, allowing him to synthesize and integrate knowledge.

He was, in essence, a master of theory.

Even Jiang Yan beside him was captivated by the words.

Li Rui casually steered the topic toward the Qi Circulation Map: “Rumors say some have gathered qi into a hundred weapons, becoming their master—perhaps this is another method.”

Han Qin nodded slightly: “Indeed, it is a method.”

Li Rui was stunned.

He’d just spoken offhand—could someone truly do this?

(End of Chapter)