Jia Yi was born into a minor ancient clan in Zhongtian Prefecture. His ancestors had once held official ranks as high as the third grade, but the clan had declined by the time of the new dynasty. From a young age, he had displayed extraordinary talent in martial arts and was held in high regard by his clan. He did not disappoint their expectations—at sixteen, he passed the Imperial Protective Guard examination and became a member of the personal guard directly under His Sagehood.
The Imperial Protective Guard was divided into four ranks: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding. Jia Yi had reached the Yi rank, and within the martial world, he could be considered a first-rate expert.
The Demon-Subduing Art was a supreme technique bestowed upon him by His Sagehood. This art had shaken the martial world a hundred years ago. Relying on it, he could even contend with lower-tier Jia rank experts.
Ever since mastering the Demon-Subduing Art, every time he struck, he suppressed his opponents. He had grown to relish the terrified expressions of those whose throats he seized.
Yet today, for the first time, his never-failing Demon-Subduing Art had been blocked!
And not by the renowned Jiang Zhaoxia, the Second in Guzhou's martial world—but by a seemingly timid young martial artist.
How was this possible?
After a brief moment of shock, humiliation turned to fury. Jia Yi glared at Zhang Yuchun.
Having been attacked without warning, Zhang Yuchun showed no anger. Instead, he asked with a puzzled expression, "Lord Jia, what is the meaning of this?"
Feng Dai and the other runners were stunned. In their eyes, the Imperial Protective Guard were top-tier experts. They could sense Jia Yi's profound internal energy. They simply hadn't expected the seemingly harmless Zhang Yuchun to also be an expert.
Seeing Zhang Yuchun dare to question him—clearly mocking him—Jia Yi immediately stepped forward. His body moved like a swimming dragon, his right hand extended, fingers curved into a claw, aiming directly for Zhang Yuchun's throat.
Though Zhang Yuchun didn't want to make a mortal enemy of him, he wouldn't stand still and take a beating. He immediately retreated, his Gale Skill making his reactions faster than Jia Yi's.
Jia Yi pursued relentlessly. They chased each other around the courtyard until Zhang Yuchun reached a wall with nowhere left to retreat. He had no choice but to raise his palm and strike.
Palms met—internal energy clashed against spiritual energy. Two visible shields of force collided.
Jia Yi lasted only two breaths before being sent flying backward. After landing, he stumbled seven steps before regaining his balance. He looked at Zhang Yuchun with shock and fear.
Zhang Yuchun's aura immediately dissipated, and he appeared noticeably exhausted.
His spiritual energy was superior to Jia Yi's internal energy, but he didn't have a deep reserve. This exchange had left him somewhat drained.
The Azure Firmament Sect disciples, unwilling to watch Zhang Yuchun be attacked, surged forward and surrounded Jia Yi. Seeing this, the runners drew their blades.
"Zhang Yuchun, don't do anything rash! He's Imperial Protective Guard!"
Feng Dai said through gritted teeth, looking at Zhang Yuchun, hoping he would restrain the disciples.
He had come precisely to prevent conflict. He just hadn't expected that his intention to protect Azure Firmament Sect would instead result in protecting Jia Yi.
Zhang Yuchun brushed off his robes and spoke, "Stop! Do not be disrespectful to the Imperial Protective Guard!"
"Imperial Protective Guard? What kind of official attacks someone without a word, trying to kill them?"
A disciple said indignantly. The others glared at Jia Yi like wolves eyeing a tiger.
Zhang Yuchun managed all of Azure Firmament Sect's affairs, large and small. He never oppressed the disciples and treated everyone with kindness, so he was well-liked. The disciples genuinely wanted to protect him.
"Who dares cause trouble at Azure Firmament Sect?"
A bellow rang out, and Yang Jueding arrived with more disciples.
The commoners watching in the courtyard quickly made way. Zhang Yuchun's display had pleasantly surprised them. They hadn't expected the gentle-mannered Zhang Yuchun to possess such martial arts. Azure Firmament Sect truly lived up to its reputation.
Yang Jueding charged in like an enraged lion, his presence overwhelming. Behind him came Qin Ye, the Seven Sons of Azure Firmament, and other disciples with outstanding martial arts. The new courtyard grew crowded.
Xu Ning leaped onto the courtyard wall, watching Jia Yi expressionlessly.
Seeing that even Xu Ning had arrived, Zhang Yuchun became more nervous than Jia Yi. He quickly said, "Elder Yang, Lord Jia was just joking with me. Now that the Imperial Protective Guard has honored us with their presence, how could we not offer tea?"
He immediately assigned a disciple to prepare tea, easing the tension slightly.
The moment Jia Yi saw Yang Jueding, he knew he was no match for him. Yang Jueding was the type of expert whose edge was fully exposed—he had seen such men among the Jia rank of the Imperial Protective Guard.
Calm down!
Jia Yi took a deep breath, snorted coldly, and ceased his offensive stance.
Seeing this, Feng Dai quickly put on a smile and began chatting with Zhang Yuchun.
Learning from the disciples of Jia Yi's status, Yang Jueding found it hard to remain angry.
In all his years roaming the martial world, he had earned the title Dragon Subduing Hero not only through his chivalrous deeds but also through frequent dealings with government officials. He deeply understood that, in the imperial court's eyes, the martial world was a joke.
Many martial arts sects had powerful officials behind them. Those without foundation could easily be suppressed by the imperial court. No amount of martial skill could withstand thousands of troops.
He had no choice but to follow Zhang Yuchun and Feng Dai's lead, letting his aggressive aura dissipate.
"Alright, stop staring! Disperse!"
Feng Dai turned and shouted, glaring at the commoners peering in from outside the courtyard. They scattered in fright.
Though the Azure Firmament Sect disciples were indignant, they chose to obey Zhang Yuchun.
Thus, the conflict was resolved.
Because the encounter had been unpleasant, Jia Yi only drank a single cup of tea before heading down the mountain. Zhang Yuchun couldn't force him to stay and could only see them off to the mountain path.
Watching Jia Yi and the others disappear into the distance, Zhang Yuchun's eyes flickered. He felt that Jia Yi would seek revenge against Azure Firmament Sect, but there was nothing he could do about it.
The Imperial Protective Guard's reputation was indeed formidable. Killing Jia Yi or imprisoning him would surely bring endless trouble.
If Third Junior Brother and Sixth Junior Brother were here, that fellow probably wouldn't make it down the mountain.
At this thought, Zhang Yuchun couldn't help but smile.
Azure Firmament Sect was no longer what it had been. His junior brothers and sisters had all grown strong. If things truly reached an irreparable point, they could simply flee Azure Firmament Sect.
In Zhang Yuchun's heart, wherever his senior brothers and the others were—that was Azure Firmament Sect.
...
Deep in the mountains, far from Azure Firmament Sect, Jia Yi's expression grew extremely ugly. Feng Dai and the others followed behind, not daring to speak, afraid of provoking his wrath.
This matter won't end here...
Feng Dai's eyes flickered as he sighed inwardly.
He placed one hand on his scabbard, the other behind his back, and gestured to the runners.
The runners' expressions shifted. They understood what he intended. But none were afraid. They quickly composed themselves, their eyes growing resolute.
"This isn't over! Within a year—no, half a year—I'll reduce Azure Firmament Sect to ashes!"
Jia Yi gnashed his teeth, his voice a low growl.
Suddenly!
He heard the sound of blades being drawn. He instinctively turned—and was met by Feng Dai's sword slashing across his chest. Blood sprayed.
Jia Yi's face filled with disbelief. He never imagined Feng Dai would dare attack him.
Though shocked and enraged, he reacted swiftly. He raised his hand and struck out with his palm—the Demon-Subduing Art. Surging internal energy blasted Feng Dai away, sending him flying. The runners were also knocked to the ground, scattered on both sides of the mountain path.
Feng Dai crashed heavily to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood. The world spun around him; his internal organs churned violently.
The gap is this vast...
Despair filled Feng Dai's heart. He had dared to strike because he had witnessed Zhang Yuchun's exchange with Jia Yi. He had thought Jia Yi wasn't as strong as he'd imagined, especially after Jia Yi had expended internal energy against Zhang Yuchun.
Now he understood: someone who only practiced external martial arts was no match for an internal energy expert.
Jia Yi gasped for air. That strike, unleashed in fury, had consumed most of his internal energy. His eyes were bloodshot. Being wounded by Feng Dai filled him with tremendous humiliation.
This was an insult—to him, and to the Imperial Protective Guard!
"Bastards! I'll beat you to death!"
Jia Yi growled through clenched teeth. He stepped forward, moving toward Feng Dai. Blood from his chest wound dripped onto the ground, making him appear even more terrifying.
But after only three steps, he stopped. Someone was walking down the mountain. Though the person's robes differed slightly from Azure Firmament Sect's attire, there were clear similarities.
It was Li Qingqiu.
Li Qingqiu strolled down the mountain, his gaze fixed on Jia Yi. The Flying Fish Dagger hung at his waist, impossible for Jia Yi to ignore.
"And who are you?"
Jia Yi demanded angrily. He drew his long blade. Sword light flashed through the forest and illuminated Feng Dai's face, clearing his mind somewhat.
Feng Dai turned his head and saw Li Qingqiu's figure.
"Sect Master Li..."
Feng Dai lowered his head in shame. He wished he could crawl into a hole.
If Jia Yi was this powerful, he couldn't imagine how strong Wu Baoyu must have been.
Back then, it wasn't that he had let Wu Baoyu go—it was Wu Baoyu and Azure Firmament Sect who had let them go.
"Sect Master? You're the Sect Master of Azure Firmament Sect? These men attacked an Imperial Protective Guard officer. I have the authority to execute them. Do you have any objection?" Jia Yi said coldly, his heart sinking.
Generally speaking, in martial arts sects, the Sect Master was the most powerful. Even if not, the Sect Master wouldn't be weak—otherwise, how could he command respect?
Hot-blooded martial artists were naturally combative. You couldn't govern a martial sect through persuasion alone!
Li Qingqiu's expression remained calm. "I have no objection. But I want to kill you. Do you have any objection?"
Jia Yi's expression shifted dramatically. He hadn't expected such arrogance. He immediately grabbed Feng Dai and held him in front of himself, pressing his blade against Feng Dai's throat.
"Then try! See if you're faster, or my blade is faster!"
Jia Yi was like a cornered tiger, radiating murderous intent.
Whoosh!
A sharp sound cut through the air. Jia Yi's pupils instinctively dilated. In them, he saw a silver needle approaching at a speed he couldn't react to. It struck him between the eyebrows. His entire body froze. The long blade in his hand clattered to the ground.
Feng Dai was stunned, staring blankly at Li Qingqiu, who remained in his needle-flicking pose.
He hadn't even seen how Li Qingqiu had struck, or what he had done.
He turned his head and saw a needle embedded in Jia Yi's brow. Startled, he quickly scrambled away.
The other injured runners also stared wide-eyed at Jia Yi in horror.
Jia Yi wasn't dead. He stood rooted to the spot, his entire body trembling as if someone had cast a body-binding spell. This sight shocked the runners even more.
What kind of martial art was this?
Acupoint-sealing from a distance?
Li Qingqiu continued down the mountain until he stood before Jia Yi. Feng Dai stood to the side, clutching his chest, looking at him, seeming to want to speak but holding back.