Chapter 24: I Want to Be Strong

Ninth-rank martial artists are already extremely rare, and above them, masters and grand masters are even rarer.

In all of Huaxia, only three masters are known to the public, and Yang Jun's adoptive father Yang Ye is one of them, also the most prestigious and successful.

As for grand masters, in Yang Jun's memory, there is only one.

The sole grand master of Great Xia is none other than the one seated on the dragon throne.

Yang Jun still remembers this matter clearly.

In the original novel, Zhou Tian ultimately broke into the grand master realm.

After becoming a grand master, with the aid of the Elder Princess, he led hundreds of thousands of elite troops in sweeping the capital.

Zhou Tian, relying on the power of a grand master, ultimately slew Yun Fengyun.

However, this came at great cost, and was only possible because Yun Fengyun was old and frail.

This also proves that grand masters are still ordinary people who age; they cannot achieve immortality.

"No way, even if I can't become immortal, I still have to train harder."

"No matter what, I must reach the grand master realm before Zhou Tian."

"Otherwise, once Zhou Tian becomes a grand master, he could easily kill me!"

Yang Jun muttered to himself, unconsciously nodding as he spoke.

This is a huge headache.

Zhou Tian has now obtained Leng Qingyue's Ziyang Holy Body and also cultivates the Dragon Nurturing Divine Technique.

However, on the path of martial arts, he has only just begun.

I am currently a first-rank martial artist, which is the first step of a ten-thousand-mile climb, and I have already taken it.

Yet Yang Jun feels no joy about this.

Just because Zhou Tian is now a third-rank martial artist, and his sect has given him many techniques and elixirs, he can even fight a fourth-rank martial artist!

After all, he's the protagonist, with a protagonist's halo, so fighting above his rank is perfectly normal.

Thinking of this immense pressure, Yang Jun dares not have the slightest slack.

Since these matters have piled onto me, I must resolve them.

After a night of arduous training, Yang Jun has made some progress; he faintly feels that he is about to break through to the second layer of the Dragon Nurturing Divine Technique.

As long as I break through the second layer of the Dragon Nurturing Divine Technique, I can become a second-rank martial artist, and my strength will increase!

"Sigh, relying solely on my own practice is too hard. It seems I should perhaps go find Leng Qingyue."

Yang Jun thought about this, yet unconsciously shook his head.

For him, such matters should not be overthought.

The last time I was nourished by Leng Qingyue, the Ziyang Holy Body did work for me, but my strength here is limited, my dantian can hold only so much; it's impossible to forcefully increase without strength, or else I might burst my body.

"Your Highness, something serious has happened."

Just then, Deng Jian's voice came from outside the door.

"What's wrong?"

Yang Jun opened the door and saw Deng Jian standing anxiously at the entrance.

At the same moment, Yang Jun heard the clashing of weapons.

As a martial artist, many of one's abilities are enhanced, so hearing is also much sharper than before.

"Young Master, trouble! The Phoenix Battalion has come knocking again, and this time even the Inspector of Jingzhao has been dispatched!"

"What? The Inspector of Jingzhao has come?"

Yang Jun was somewhat surprised.

The Great Xia Inspector of Jingzhao is responsible for capital security and enforces Great Xia law.

This position is equivalent to a modern police chief.

Now this person has shown up early in the morning; it's clearly not good news.

Yang Jun also couldn't continue training, so he hurriedly rushed out with Deng Jian.

Walking along, he listened as Deng Jian recounted what had happened.

It turned out that last night, a major incident occurred in the capital.

In the West City Yue Lai Ward, a murder case occurred; a low-ranking official surnamed Yu was killed, and his entire family was nearly exterminated.

Only one survivor remained, named Yu Xiaofeng.

"Yu Xiaofeng? Isn't she a maid of Yun Fengyue?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Jun was startled.

At the same time, he deeply felt that the waters of this matter are extremely deep, unfathomably deep.

Now the Inspector of Jingzhao has arrived, and with such a murder case, it's obvious that this affair is also related to me.

Yang Jun snorted coldly, followed Deng Jian outside, and stood before the main gate.

As Deng Jian opened the gate, the city guards of the Phoenix Battalion and the troops from the Jingzhao Prefecture rushed in.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Heir Apparent."

Inspector of Jingzhao Zhao Wei stood before Yang Jun, still observing proper etiquette.

Zhao Wei is an elderly man; standing at the door, this courtesy appears merely perfunctory.

At the same time, he wore a stern expression, chin held high.

The Inspector of Jingzhao is a true power-holder; he doesn't even look at ordinary nobles, let alone someone like Yang Jun, a clearly fallen Heir of Prince Pingxi.

"Heir Apparent, you sure know how to enjoy yourself; looks like you slept quite comfortably."

"But don't you know what's happened to you?"

Zhao Wei snorted coldly, spoke directly, and first pronounced Yang Jun guilty.

Zhou Tian is now somewhat impatient; he steps forward and gives Yang Jun a sideways glance.

At the same time, he waves his right hand, and a portrait flies out.

"Bold Yang Jun, you actually let someone commit violence, killing Great Xia officials—what crime do you deserve?"

Zhou Tian is very pleased, his eyes full of arrogance.

Yang Jun takes the portrait, unfolds it to look—the person in the painting is indeed Sang Jieguiyi; the painter is not bad, actually able to portray him lifelike.

"The person in the portrait intruded into the official's mansion last night to commit violence; aside from the official's daughter Xiao Lan, everyone else suffered a cruel fate!"

Zhao Wei, exercising his authority as Prefect of Jingzhao, lets out a cold snort.

"According to the sole survivor Xiao Lan's identification, this person is Sang Jieguiyi, whom the Heir Apparent was responsible for guarding; you actually kept lax guard, letting the villain run wild, causing the death of my Great Xia's people—Heir Apparent, you're in big trouble!"

As Zhao Wei speaks, at the same time he waves his right hand, and those constables are about to step forward to apprehend Yang Jun.

"The Heir Apparent is being framed; someone is deliberately slandering him! Who dares to act recklessly? Come, protect the Heir Apparent!"

Deng Jian, seeing this, is greatly startled, shouts loudly, and at the same time waves his right hand; the troops of Pingxi Prince's Mansion rush forward, confronting the constables and city guards.

In that moment, both sides are on the verge of battle, and a bloody fight seems imminent.

"Sang Jieguiyi killed Great Xia officials—both human and material evidence are present; Yang Jun, you cannot escape!"

Zhou Tian lets out a cold snort, draws his long sword, and points it directly at Deng Jian.

The sword tip trembles slightly, then points straight at Deng Jian's heart; with just a bit more force, it could take his life.