Lying Low in the Martial World to Become a Saint-Chapter 136 - 103: Steward 3

"Junior Brother Chen, to be in charge of a Fishery at such a young age... your prospects are truly limitless!"

Wang Hai took a sip of his tea and said with a broad smile, "This area of Nanze might have a decent output, but being so close to that godforsaken Qianchuan Marsh means we get our fair share of trouble. The three of us should stay in close contact and watch each other’s backs from now on."

Zhao Kang chimed in, his tone impassive, "Exactly. Especially during night patrols, our jurisdictions overlap. If there’s any unusual activity, it’s vital that we can call on one another. Steward Chen, since you’re new, feel free to ask if there’s anything you’re unsure about."

Chen Qing remained composed, replying gracefully, "Senior Brother Wang, Senior Brother Zhao, you’re too kind. I have only just arrived and lack experience. I will certainly need your guidance in the days to come."

"Ensuring the Fishery’s safety is my duty, and I will do my utmost. If I detect any disturbance, I will be sure to notify you both immediately so we can provide mutual support."

The fisheries weren’t far apart. If an Exotic Beast were to attack, looking out for one another was indeed necessary.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Wang Hai and Zhao Kang shared a look and rose to take their leave.

Once they were some distance from Nanze Seven, the smile vanished from Wang Hai’s face. He lowered his voice and asked Zhao Kang, "Brother Zhao, what do you make of our new Junior Brother Chen?"

Zhao Kang glanced back at the Fishery’s courtyard, now cloaked in twilight, and said indifferently, "He’s from the Cyan Wood Institute. Elder Li never personally instructs his disciples, so for him to reach the Embracing Pill stage this quickly, he must have his own methods. He seems composed, though, not the boastful type. Whether he’s a dragon or a maggot, time will tell. As long as he doesn’t meddle and get in our way, we can leave him be."

The implication was clear: they didn’t think much of this greenhorn who was wet behind the ears.

Wang Hai chuckled. "True enough. He’s just a kid. It’s best to let him test the waters and see how deep they run. As long as he plays by the rules, we can all get along just fine."

The two men exchanged a knowing smile and headed back to their own fisheries.

.....

Night fell, and the Fishery settled into silence, the only sounds being the gentle lapping of water against the shore and the faint chirping of distant insects.

Inside, candlelight flickered.

Chen Qing dismissed Liu He and sat alone at his desk.

He first reviewed several daily patrol reports submitted by Zhang Wei. After confirming everything was normal, he retrieved the latest issue of the *Jianghu Anecdotes* from Mist Rain Tower from within his robes.

He began to read it carefully by the light of the oil lamp.

An inner page of the booklet featured the latest rankings for the Five Heroes and Seven Talents of Yunlin Prefecture.

This was a list of rising stars from the younger generation, comprehensively ranked by Mist Rain Tower based on their strength, achievements in battle, and potential.

"’Flowing Cloud Sword’ Xiao Bieli of Cold Jade Valley remains firmly at the head of the Five Heroes, with ’Burning Flame’ Feng Shuhao of Qixia Manor following close behind... Nie Shanshan of the Wutai Sect’s Gui Water Institute has powerfully broken into the ranks of the Five Heroes, claiming the fourth position! She achieved this by reaching the Great Success stage of the *Thousand Layered Wave Sword Technique* and defeating three experts of the same level in a row last month!"

"Yan Yaoyang of the Geng Metal Institute is ranked third among the Seven Talents! Xuanjia Sect’s rising star, ’Iron Arm’ Fang Rui, has made the list for the first time, taking the final spot among the Seven Talents... These changes to the rankings show that the younger generation of Yunlin Prefecture is a tumultuous sea of talent. The future holds great promise!"

After committing the names to memory, Chen Qing read on.

"Sect Leader of the Xuanjia Sect, ’Profound Iron Heavy Mountains’ Shi Kaishan, has finally broken through his bottleneck after five years of seclusion and officially emerged yesterday! It is rumored that his *Profound Armor Divine Skill* has reached the Transformation Realm, and his Gang Qi Body Protection is indestructible! On the day Sect Leader Shi emerged from his seclusion, the bells of the Xuanjia Sect rang nine times, the sound shaking the very foundations of the Prefecture City! With this grandmaster’s return, the balance of power in Yunlin Prefecture is likely to shift!"

"A horrific tragedy! Last night, the Chaoyang Escort Agency in the Prefecture City was wiped out in a bloodbath! The Chief of the Escort Agency, ’Mountain-Opening Palm’ Zhou Tong, his three vice-chiefs at the Embracing Pill Force level of Cultivation, and all seventy-three members of the agency were killed! The site was left suffused with a dense, sinister Demonic Qi and eerie traces of something having been devoured! According to reliable sources, this was the work of a master serving under ’Heart Devourer,’ the Altar Master of the Infinite Demon Sect’s Yunlin Sub-Pavilion! In an instant, the various families, large and small, are in a state of panic. It is feared that another storm of blood and slaughter is about to sweep through Yunlin Prefecture!"

Reading this, Chen Qing frowned slightly.

’The Infinite Demon Sect is getting more and more brazen, daring to commit such a horrifying massacre right in the heart of the Prefecture City!’

’Before, the Demon Sect operated in the shadows, their actions somewhat restrained. But now they’re growing rampant. Clearly, their power has grown, and they’re no longer content to lie dormant.’

Chen Qing felt a storm brewing on the horizon.

’There’s no use dwelling on it.’

Chen Qing shook his head. ’I’m just an ordinary disciple. Right now, my priority is to focus on increasing my own strength.’

.....