Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 316: Chapter 265: If Heaven Decrees Fate, Then Break This Heaven

"It’s possible," Chu Ming responded calmly.

Last night, the sinister presence he sensed should be the so-called dark one.

But whether this demon devoured all those people is hard to say.

If true, Chi’an County is in big trouble.

Regarding the four great sects of Chi’an County, he knew the Flying Cloud Sect Leader was at the Six Meridian stage, the Yuanjian Sect Leader was at the Nine Meridian stage, and the Four Directions Sect Patriarch was at the Eleven Meridian stage, nearing Upper Realm Perfection.

If such experts had been devoured, the demon’s power should not be underestimated.

However, these matters had nothing to do with him.

"Time’s almost up, let’s go."

The three finished eating and left the inn, continuing their journey.

At the city gate, checks were extremely thorough, which suggested that the demon devouring was likely true.

The three of them left the city without delay, and Meng Zhen took out something that made the City Guard Captain personally see them off.

Leaving Chi’an County, they rode sturdy horses, heading east along the official road.

Chi’an County is quite close to the Qin Capital, and there were originally quite a few people on the road leading there.

Additionally, with the Qin Capital about to host the Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition, there were even more traveling merchants and knights.

With the crowd, their pace slowed.

After half a day on horseback, the three debated whether to find a shortcut.

"About two miles ahead, there is a fork. The middle is the official road, the right goes into the mountains, and the left goes into the ridge. The path is shorter but less traveled due to the terrain and environment," Meng Zhen said, taking out a map.

"Let’s take the left," Chu Ming quickly glanced and gave his direction.

The right was a high mountain, though shorter, it required mountain climbing.

The left led to hills, with relatively flat roads passable for horses.

"On the left is Golden Snake Ridge, where the exotic beast, Golden Line Red-eyed Snake, used to appear years ago. Recently, bandit activity has been frequent..." Meng Zhen explained about the left side.

"What are bandits to be afraid of? I can take ten with a single shot," Jiang Zhan dismissed.

"Rumor has it the bandit leader at Golden Snake Ridge was once a sect leader in Chi’an County with Meridian Unlocking Realm power." Meng Zhen emphasized "Meridian Unlocking Realm," "How many can Commander Jiang take?"

"..." Jiang Zhan’s face showed a flash of embarrassment, "I can’t take any, but our Senior Brother Chu can."

"Not just the Meridian Unlocking Realm, even at the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm..."

"Alright, we’ll go through Golden Snake Ridge," Chu Ming interrupted quickly.

Thus, the three traveled two miles along the official road, then turned onto the left path.

Not many took the path, but it wasn’t deserted.

"Esteemed knights, we are a caravan from Zhenlang Pavilion in Lindu County,"

Not long upon entering the path, two similarly dressed individuals approached for conversation.

[Sword Gourd Spirit] detected decent strength in both, at the Late Stage of the Refining Organ Realm.

"What’s the matter?" Meng Zhen glanced at the three.

"Don’t misunderstand, esteemed knights," the Zhenlang Pavilion man quickly cupped his hands: "I am Zhu Hong, and this is my younger brother Zhu Dong. We mean no harm, just wondering if you would like to travel together across Golden Snake Ridge?"

"No need," Meng Zhen refused bluntly.

"Esteemed knights, the bandits of Golden Snake Ridge aren’t simple..." Zhu Hong tried to continue.

"I said no need, didn’t you hear?" Jiang Zhan displayed his short spear.

Zhu Hong smiled apologetically, not daring to pursue further.

"Brother, why travel with them? Our caravan has thirty people, and they’re only three."

"If we encounter bandits, they’d be the ones to die!" Zhu Dong looked forward with dissatisfaction.

"..." Zhu Hong also looked forward, slightly furrowing his brow: "These offering beads from Zhenlang are urgently needed by the Commandery Mansion of Lindu County. Keep everyone on guard."

"If something happens with the offering beads, everyone at Zhenlang Pavilion will lose their heads."

"Rest assured, brother. I’ve already made arrangements with the bandits at Golden Snake Ridge..."

"Shut up!"

"..."

Ahead.

"Zhenlang Pavilion of Lindu County..." Jiang Zhan glanced back at the caravan following them, expressing displeasure: "Why are they following us? To let us charge the fight?"

"Seems like it," Meng Zhen responded.

"Senior Brother Chu, should we speed up?"

"Yes, let’s quicken the pace."

Chu Ming’s eyes were deep, his expression a bit stern as he scanned the surrounding ridges.

[Sword Gourd Spirit] detected the bandit lair in Golden Snake Ridge.

Yet the large bandit lair was empty, only leaving behind a chilling aura.

This chilling aura was the same black aura he detected in Chi’an County last night.

This meant the demon who devoured experts from various martial arts halls and sects at the Meridian Unlocking Realm might be nearby.

"Commander Jiang, Commander Meng, stay close to me."

Chu Ming accelerated, and the two quickly followed.

"Royal Attendant Chu, is there a problem?"

Meng Zhen, who had fought alongside Chu Ming many times, soon sensed something wrong.

"The demon may appear," Chu Ming said in a low voice.

"What?! That demon who devoured experts at the late stage of the Meridian Unlocking Realm from the martial sects of Chi’an County?" Jiang Zhan clutched his short spear tightly, alarmed.

Chu Ming nodded.

"Can’t be that lucky, can we?"

"Maybe... just that lucky..."

Chu Ming’s eyes suddenly focused.

"There’s a late-stage Meridian Unlocking Realm expert seven miles to the right front."

"What?" Jiang Zhan was initially surprised, then full of bewilderment, "Senior Brother Chu, how do you know there’s a late-stage Meridian Unlocking Realm expert seven miles away?"

"Commander Jiang, Royal Attendant Chu cannot be wrong," Meng Zhen replied with a serious expression.

"...Is it the demon?" Jiang Zhan asked.

"No," Chu Ming quickened his pace again, a hint of excitement flashing across his eyes.

He wasn’t excited about who it was, but about what they carried.

Golden fragments!

The storage space’s golden fragments were reacting.