After draining his cup, Qin Sifan asked, "However, I'm not sure for what reason Grandmaster Qin has graced Baojiao County with his presence?"

This had been their true intention all along; they wanted to understand the purpose and actions of Qin Yuxian's visit to Baojiao County so they could respond accordingly.

After all, a single Divine Fist Guardian as chief disciple already possessed Five Realm Cultivation. If Grandmaster Jin Chui himself took action, who could withstand him?

"Gentlemen, please take a seat first."

Divine Fist Guardian Qin Fang went to the table, poured drinks, and gestured for everyone to take their seats.

After they were seated, he took the seat of honor, looked at everyone calmly, and said, "I understand the purpose of your banquet, and my master is also aware of it. Hence, he sent me here to make some matters clear on his first day in Baojiao County."

In an instant, everyone paid close attention. Chen Ku pricked up his ears too.

At the same time, he reflected inwardly, suspecting that it was probably the first time these big shots and experts of Baojiao County had been so cautious because of someone's few words. Is this the deterrence wielded when martial arts prowess and social status surpass all others?

Qin Fang gently picked up chopsticks, tapped them on a plate, and said, "My master's visit to Baojiao County has three purposes. First, he is acting as a personal bodyguard for Lord Tan Chongrui, helping Lord Tan realize his ambitions to clean up the administration of Baojiao County. Regarding what Lord Tan wishes to do, you all must have heard quite a bit. Today, I am here on behalf of my master to remind you that the reforms Lord Tan wants in Baojiao County are unstoppable. Whoever dares to form resistance, to impede Lord Tan's steps, my master will certainly personally intervene and have a good talk with them."

Upon hearing these words, the people present all fell silent.

Qin Fang tapped on a dish and continued, "The second matter does not concern you. It relates to the suppression of demons and rebels within Baojiao County. My master is here on behalf of the Prefecture Yamen of Qiu Dragon Mansion to assist Commander Ye and his Divine Machine Camp in eradicating the Demon People of Peace Path from Baojiao County."

The people felt slightly relieved, as this matter truly had nothing to do with them.

Is this because of the recent attack by Peace Path on the official residence in Snake Fish Town, and Shangguan Yun asked the higher-ups for reinforcements? Chen Ku thought to himself.

Finally, as Qin Fang tapped the dish again, he turned his gaze toward those present, pausing especially on Xie Qingfeng, Chen Ku, and Kou Ming. "The last matter: my master hopes to take on another disciple in Baojiao County, as the 'Thirteenth Guardian'. Today, these three young people here all have an opportunity."

After these words were spoken, all eyes turned to Chen Ku, Kou Ming, and Xie Qingfeng.

In that moment, Xie Wenyuan's eyes sparked with excitement as he looked expectantly at his Old Thirteen.

Meanwhile, Store Manager Qin Sifan's heart also began beating faster. All three here had a chance, and two of them were from his Medicine King Hall.

This... Grandmaster Qin Yuxian actually came to Baojiao County to take on an apprentice? To complete his roster of Thirteen Guardians?

After all, the rumors before had only mentioned that when Qin Yuxian arrived, he would be proctoring the Military Scholar exam in Baojiao County. At that time, whoever passed the exam under Qin Yuxian's supervision would consider him their Proctoring Master. But a Proctoring Master was merely a nominal master. To Qin Yuxian, such students wouldn't even count as Registered Disciples, their relationship at most akin to that between a private tutor and a student.

However, the 'Twelve Guardians of Qiu Dragon Association' under Qin Yuxian were a different matter entirely.

It should be known that the Qiu Dragon Association encompassed thirty-six guilds within Qiu Dragon Mansion, including the 'Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association' that some Owners from their Medicine King Hall belonged to. Even all members of the Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association had to pay respects to the twelve True Disciples, the Twelve Guardians, when they saw them.

And now... Qin Yuxian was going to add a Thirteenth Guardian.

Doesn't this mean that if Kou Ming and Chen Ku from Medicine King Hall had a chance, it wouldn't just enable Medicine King Hall to easily become the top force in Baojiao County but also significantly raise the status of the Three Emperors Ancestral Masters Association, their backers, among the thirty-six associations!

"These are the three matters," Qin Fang finished, adding, "I will not partake in the meal. Enjoy your food, gentlemen. I will take my leave."

The crowd hurriedly rose to see him off.

After Qin Fang's departure, the remaining three great leaders, along with the other experts from Baojiao County, exchanged glances, all revealing a mix of shock and excitement in their eyes.

"Hall Master Huang, looking at you brimming with excitement, what, do you also wish to become Grandmaster Qin's disciple and be the Thirteenth Guardian?" Sun Haichuan, who had a red beard, teased with a smile.

Chen Ku watched this scene; he seemed to recall hearing that there was a grudge between these two experts.

However, Huang Muxia showed not the slightest anger but laughed. "Why not? Haven't you seen that Divine Fist Guardian Qin Fang today is also in his forties or fifties?"

Hearing Huang Muxia's response, no one could call him shameless. After all, Qin Yuxian's reputation was too great. He was the foremost figure on the White Path in Qiu Dragon Mansion, managing thirty-six Martial Associations, with World-Surpassing Martial Arts. Not to mention Absolute Skill Level Martial Arts; it was rumored he even possessed World-Surpassing Level techniques. Status, position, martial arts, power... all were first in Qiu Dragon Mansion. If one could become a disciple of such a person, who wouldn't want to?

"Dream on about such good fortune, you old guild fellows," Li Yutang suddenly poured cold water on everyone, then said to the crowd, "Didn't you hear Guardian Qin just mention Yang Luochen's disciples Chen Ku, Kou Ming, and the Thirteen Young Master..."

He finally spoke up. Yet as soon as he did, Xie Wenyuan scrutinized Kou Ming and Chen Ku from Medicine King Hall with an even more complex gaze.

This old fellow... Chen Ku inwardly muttered.

Nevertheless, they had finally obtained some firsthand information.

Soon after, the banquet dispersed.

「On the way home.」

Qin Sifan earnestly admonished Kou Ming, saying, "Originally, I thought the opportunity brought by Grandmaster Qin Yuxian would only be available to Chen Ku, who is aiming to become a Military Scholar. But unexpectedly, it turns out to be the recruitment of the Thirteenth Guardian. This gives you a chance... you must seize it well."

Kou Ming glanced at Chen Ku beside him and then said to his master, "Master, I don't really see this matter as an opportunity. First of all, Grandmaster Qin has only made an announcement and hasn't even stated the conditions for accepting disciples. Being too hopeful isn't good. Secondly... I guess, in these next two days after Lord Tan and Grandmaster Qin's arrival, the young Outstanding talents of Qiu Dragon Mansion will definitely flock here. By then, it won't just be a few of us from Baojiao County competing; we will have to compete with the young people from the entire Qiu Dragon Mansion."

Qin Sifan was silent for a moment before sighing slightly. "Indeed..."

However, when he looked at Chen Ku, he felt there was still some hope and spoke softly, "In terms of Talent, our Chen Ku is not a bit inferior to the Outstanding talents of the Prefecture City. There's still a chance."

Although Chen Ku also felt that Kou Ming made sense, he didn't want to contradict the Store Manager further and simply asked, "Then, what about our dealings with the other two families...?"

"After today, regardless of whether the spot for the Thirteenth Guardian is real or not, it's clear that Xie Qingfeng will be a very tough competitor. If he is truly favored by Grandmaster Qin, and with his Firewood Iron Shop's private dealings with the government... my Medicine King Hall will be thoroughly doomed," Qin Sifan said, looking at Yang Luochen. "And I suppose they feel the same way; they certainly won't let Chen Ku and Kou Ming have a chance..."

Yang Luochen replied, "Understood. Let's discuss it more this evening."

Chen Ku felt a stir in his heart as he listened.

Why did he feel that this was a bait deliberately released by Grandmaster Qin Yuxian to make the three families fight with true animosity? To use the position of a Thirteenth Guardian to help Lord Tan, whom he is assisting, complete the grand reform? To clear away the obstacles on the road. But, when considering reform, those standing in the way should come from the government's side, not from guilds and commerce associations. It remains unknown if Grandmaster Qin and Lord Tan will be able to confront Shangguan Yun. If they did confront each other? Would I have a chance to claim a head for myself? To obtain all the secrets related to the Hero King Treasure and the Xu Family Qilin Blood from Shangguan Yun?

「Later that night.」

Grandmaster Qin Yuxian, who had not attended the Baojiao Martial Forest Banquet during the day, nor the welcoming banquet hosted by the Baojiao Official Residence for Tan Chongrui, simply arrived alone at the bank of the Dragon River in Baojiao County. As he walked along, a bonfire flickered into view along the riverbank ahead.

By the bonfire, there seemed to be the figure of an old man grilling something.

This towering Grandmaster, two meters tall, upon seeing the old man's silhouette by the fire, was slightly shaken and then involuntarily called out softly, "Master Uncle."

The old man by the fire turned his head upon hearing the voice. He was an old man with a wrinkled, long face and a receding chin, wearing a black robe. He turned to look at the Grandmaster.

Upon making eye contact, the foremost figure of the White Path in Qiu Dragon Mansion immediately knelt before the old man and spoke softly, "Master Uncle, I didn't expect you to have come as well."

"Get up quickly." The old man, named Shan Lingguan, immediately helped Qin Yuxian to his feet.

Then, the two of them sat around the campfire, flames dancing in their pupils.

Shan Lingguan added sticks to the fire and asked, "Does that Tan Chongrui really have such great ability? To the extent that you would risk your lifetime reputation to brave the dangers of Blade Mountain and sea of fire with him? Although Baojiao County is small, you should know that reform is a matter that can have ripple effects... especially at the border. One misstep could mean death is the least of your worries, and the reputation you've worked so hard for all your life could be easily ruined."

Sitting in front of the fire, Qin Yuxian, his tall stature as imposing as a great door, slowly said, "Master Uncle, you have already done enough for our sect. There's really no need..."

"In a sect, some people are the face, while others are the Inner support," the old man said. "When your master was active, he was the face, and now it's your turn; you are the one holding up our appearance. You're all doing very well, elevating the reputation of our Imperial Enlightenment Sect for three hundred years. It's easy to operate in the shadows, but difficult to accomplish things in the open. You have it harder than I did, so there's no need to elaborate. That Tan Chongrui aims for reform, and the interests he touches upon have even involved the entire Southwest Path. So, don't look at Baojiao County as a small place. At any critical moment, someone might come from the Southwest Path, or even from the Capital, to make things difficult for you. Therefore, how could I not come?"

Qin Yuxian sighed. "I'm afraid something might happen to you."

Nowadays, in this Imperial Enlightenment Sect, there were only he and his Master Uncle left.

"What, worried that the martial arts of this lineage of mine might be lost?" Shan Lingguan chuckled and said, "I've already told you to pick one from among your disciples for me to pass it on to. The Imperial Enlightenment Sect has three World-Surpassing inheritances; you have already passed on two, and I am the only one left guarding the last one, which is lonely."

"Master Uncle, as you know, not to mention my twelve disciples, even I... cannot learn that martial art of yours."

Qin Yuxian slowly stood up. "You should find someone suitable yourself, and soon."

"Leaving already?"

"Mm, take care, Master Uncle. Actually, having you here, I feel much more at ease."

The old man watched the towering Grandmaster slowly turn and walk away.

Shan Lingguan's eyes inadvertently filled with images of the chaotic times over a hundred years ago when he, too, had many like-minded brothers and friends, ready to do something big and support the world. But things didn't turn out that way...

"Qin..." Shan Lingguan slowly stood up from beside the campfire, his figure actually appearing slightly taller and broader than Qin Yuxian's. "You're not wrong," he mused. "It's about time to ensure our line continues."

「Days passed in the blink of an eye.」

Chen Ku had originally planned to continue his stay inside Medicine King Hall, where it was safe. Unexpectedly, late at night, the sound of a dog barking arose from outside the courtyard.

Chen Ku immediately knew Skinny Dog had returned. With a mental command—Collect!—Skinny Dog instantly turned into a wisp of white vapor and flew invisibly into his room.

Memories were transmitted back.

Hmm? The Nine-Colored Deer's area of activity has been found!

The Second Realm Skinny Dog, possessing the Hundred Li Tracking Technique, used a hair from the Nine-Colored Deer to travel over a thousand li around Baojiao County in a matter of days, finally pinpointing the range where the scent of the Nine-Colored Deer was the strongest, and could even roughly determine its location.

Chen Ku glanced at the night sky. There was no one around.

Without delay, he immediately transformed into a three-inch-long white rat and flew out of the window.

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