Chapter 98: Qingzhou

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Sitting cross-legged, Ning Teng opened his eyes and looked at Yang Ze indifferently, saying, “Oh? I wonder if you have something to tell me.”

Yang Ze’s expression remained calm as he spoke clearly, “Senior Brother Huang just took me around the guild earlier. When we reached the weapons section, he gifted me a knife.”

As he spoke, Yang Ze drew the long blade in his hands and presented it before Ning Teng with both hands. “This blade is called Blood Fury, a superior-grade weapon.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the knife slid partially out of its sheath on its own, emanating a faint but unmistakable metallic scent tinged with blood.

“This blade is excellent. Among superior-grade weapons, it ranks among the finest. Though not quite a treasure-grade artifact, its value would not be low. Only some outer disciples in the Martial Academy can obtain weapons of this caliber. Huang Mujian is thoughtful indeed,” Ning Teng said, lightly tapping the exposed portion of the blade. It retracted immediately, and the energy that had been applied to the knife vanished as well.

“Senior Brother Huang is considerate, but this blade wasn’t given to me without some sort of exchange. We made a deal before he agreed to gift it.”

“Tonight, because Senior Brother Huang was reprimanded by the elders, he was fearful and so gave me this blade, hoping I might speak favorably for him before the elders.” Without hesitation, Yang Ze betrayed Huang Mujian.

“Since you accepted his gift, why didn’t you help him accomplish this task? Instead, you quickly sold him out. You’re not exactly the most trustworthy person,” Ning Teng remarked leisurely.

“Senior Brother Huang only asked me to speak well of him, without specifying how. Rather than deceiving the elders by beating around the bush, I chose to lay everything out in the open. That said, Elder, though I am honest with you now, I want to add that Huang Mujian is probably not a bad person. Though I haven’t been to Wencheng before, the Piao Miao Guild’s development there has been quite good, which attests to his capability. Despite his mistakes, his crimes don’t warrant death.”

Shifting tone, Yang Ze spoke a few words in defense of Huang Mujian.

Upon hearing this, Ning Teng’s gaze toward Yang Ze shifted slightly, no longer angry, but saying, “It seems you’re not entirely without loyalty. Very good, very good. I haven’t misjudged you. You may go back. Tell Huang Mujian not to worry. As long as he manages the Piao Miao Guild well, I won’t punish him further.”

Yang Ze bowed in thanks before withdrawing. Only after returning to his room did he finally exhale, realizing his back was soaked with sweat.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help Huang Mujian differently, but Huang Mujian had overestimated his standing before Ning Teng. After some thought, Yang Ze decided it was best to be upfront. Perhaps honesty would prevent trouble.

Otherwise, if Ning Teng discovered Yang Ze had been using their connection to seize others’ belongings, things might have taken a turn for the worse.

Having passed this hurdle with Ning Teng, and having spoken a few words on Huang Mujian’s behalf, Yang Ze rightfully accepted the Blood Fury blade.

Holding the blade and examining it carefully, he grew increasingly satisfied. This superior-grade weapon was more than enough for him now.

Judging by Huang Mujian, Blood Fury was likely not the best blade in the Wencheng Piao Miao Guild; there might be treasure-grade weapons as well. But Yang Ze had no intention of coveting those.

Obtaining a superior-grade weapon was already a pleasant surprise. Trying to pry a treasure artifact from Huang Mujian’s hands would only cause trouble and indebtedness.

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After stowing the Blood Fury blade away, Yang Ze ceased pondering and instead sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began circulating the Sea Heart Art and One Qi Technique to nurture his internal injuries.

He had yet to become a ranked martial artist or enter the Piao Miao Martial Academy’s inner school to learn internal cultivation methods. For now, he could only rely on his own previously cultivated techniques to heal.

Too much had happened recently, leaving him no chance for proper rest. Even when Ning Teng helped earlier, he only healed most of his wounds. Complete recovery depended on his own cultivation.

The night passed quietly. The next day, Yang Ze received a summons and went to the Piao Miao Guild’s backyard.

As soon as Yang Ze arrived, Ning Teng appeared as well. Shortly after, two swift horses dashed out through the Martial Academy’s back gate, galloping rapidly along the northern official road.

The riders were none other than Yang Ze and Ning Teng.

Mounted on horses prepared by Huang Mujian, they sped toward Qingzhou.

"Quanyang Prefecture lies southeast of Yangzhou, while Qingzhou is north of Yangzhou. Between these two prefectures lies Xuzhou. On this journey, we must pass through Xuzhou and cross half of Qingzhou. Even taking the shortest route, it’s tens of thousands of li. With our speed and changing horses along the way, it will take over half a month to reach Qingzhou’s boundaries," Ning Teng explained from horseback.

Though Ning Teng was a formidable fifth-grade Qi Sea cultivator, he could not carry Yang Ze across an entire prefecture alone. Hence, they relied on their mounts.

Yang Ze didn’t react much—he didn’t understand these details and simply followed Ning Teng’s guidance.

“Yangzhou has eleven prefectures, while Qingzhou has twelve, roughly equal in size. Within the eleven prefectures, hundreds of cities exist, filled with imperial institutions and various martial underworld forces.

In Qingzhou, the Piao Miao Martial Academy holds supreme authority, controlling the entire prefecture. Neither underworld factions nor imperial offices, not even the prefectural government, dare challenge us.

Over the years, even when our disciples travel holding our academy’s identity tokens, no faction in Qingzhou dares to act rashly against them.

Yet despite this, you must not be careless when traveling in Qingzhou. Our academy has always operated discreetly. Over time, some have forgotten our strength. As a result, some may pay us lip service while secretly opposing us.

So, if you venture into the martial world, prepare yourself mentally. The Piao Miao Martial Academy’s name will grant you benefits but may also bring trouble.”

“I understand, disciple will not disgrace the academy,” Yang Ze replied sincerely.

Though not officially admitted yet, he understood that the four great martial academies among the nine provincial-level powers were unlike ordinary sects.

Especially the Piao Miao Martial Academy, the most low-key among the four, rarely intervening even within Qingzhou.

While its prestige offered conveniences, some factions would surely scheme behind the scenes—a troublesome matter.

But Yang Ze didn’t care. His sole goal was to grow stronger. Once inside the academy, he could access higher cultivation methods. Some difficulties were inevitable and nothing to fear.

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More than half a month slipped by. After traveling tens of thousands of li, Yang Ze finally arrived at Qingzhou’s border with Ning Teng.

Crossing the boundary between Xuzhou and Qingzhou, Ning Teng gathered his true essence, manifesting it as a white cloud. In a snap of his fingers, the cloud flew far away, vanishing within moments.

Within less than an hour, the cloud returned, settling back into Ning Teng’s palm and dissipating.

“Qingzhou has twelve prefectures. You currently stand in Yinan Prefecture, the southernmost region. Because it borders Xuzhou, it’s a chaotic place. Our Piao Miao Martial Academy’s control here is weak.

The government, Xuzhou’s factions, other Qingzhou prefectures’ forces, and some underworld elements in Yinan Prefecture have made this area nearly ungovernable,” Ning Teng explained.

Yang Ze was somewhat surprised. Such border prefectures should be tightly controlled to prevent enemy incursions.

“You may wonder about these issues. The waters of the nine provinces run deeper than you think. When you enter the inner school one day, you’ll understand.

I was just sending a message to our informants in Yinan Prefecture to check for recent disturbances. If there are troubles, I can’t sit idly by. But from the reports, no anomalies have occurred. We won’t waste time here. Let’s head to Linyang Prefecture.”

Ning Teng wasted no time resting and hurried onward.

Linyang Prefecture lies at Qingzhou’s center. Thanks to favorable terrain, its spiritual energy is the richest in the region, attracting many masters to cultivate there, making it Qingzhou’s most prosperous prefecture.

However, no powerful sects reside in Linyang Prefecture, not even the prefectural government.

This is because the Piao Miao Martial Academy, Qingzhou’s dominant force, is located here.

The academy boasts countless ranked martial artists and many sixth-grade masters, ruling the prefecture unchallenged.

As the two horses galloped toward Linyang Prefecture’s entrance, Ning Teng’s voice rang clearly in Yang Ze’s ears, “This is Linyang Prefecture. Today, we will return to the academy and complete your initiation ceremony. From now on, you will be a registered disciple!”