This martial saint's health bar is too thick

Chapter 666 Spring of the Eighth Year of Yuanxing

Ming Province.

Chongcheng was bathed in sunshine, enjoying a rare and beautiful day.

The restaurant was almost full; business was booming.

The owner of this restaurant has a gang background, so most of the people who come here to eat are from the underworld.

When Yu Hong stepped into the restaurant with a sword at his side, he immediately attracted the attention of several tables of martial arts practitioners.

But everyone only glanced at it before looking away, losing interest.

He was young, with no trace of ferocity or bloodlust, clearly a newcomer just starting out in the martial world.

Yu Hong called over the waiter:
Are there any individual seats available?

Waiter: "Sir, there are no private tables available. Would you like to share a table with someone else?"

Yu Hong nodded, readily agreeing: "Okay."

So the waiter quickly found him a customer who was willing to share a table. The customer was an old gentleman wearing a scholar's robe, with gray hair and glasses.

Yu Hong sat down opposite him: "Excuse me."

The old man said, "It's alright, meeting is fate."

Yu Hong glanced at the old gentleman and asked with a smile:

Are you a teacher at the school?

The other person had a very scholarly air about him and really did look like a schoolteacher.

The old man said, "I'm not a teacher, but I have indeed taught before."

Yu Hong glanced at the dishes ordered on the other table, sniffed, and said to the waiter:
"Could you please bring me the same food and drinks as this old man?"

The old gentleman glanced at the sword Yu Hong had placed on the table and asked:

"Are you a warrior?"

Yu Hong smiled and nodded: "Yes, I've learned some skills and want to broaden my horizons."

"Young people should broaden their horizons; without seeing the world, they can't master martial arts."

"The old gentleman also knows martial arts?"

"Although I don't know martial arts, many principles in this world are interconnected. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, and the same applies to learning martial arts."

“What you say makes sense.”

"Sages say that reading can be divided into three levels: 'Last night the west wind withered the green trees, alone I climbed the high tower, gazing to the ends of the earth' is the first level; 'My clothes grow ever looser, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her' is the second level; 'I searched for her a thousand times in the crowd, then suddenly turning around, I found her where the lights were dim' is the third level. Reading is like this, and I suppose there are similarities in martial arts as well."

Yu Hong regretted taking the initiative to strike up a conversation with the old gentleman.

The other person is so talkative!

Moreover, he liked to spout off about his books, which gave Yu Hong, who wasn't very well-read, a real headache.

"The latest popularity chart is out, five yuan a copy!"

A hawker's cry interrupted the old man's speech.

Yu Hong felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders and turned to look.

This restaurant has gang connections, so it sells related underworld information.

The popularity rankings are undoubtedly the best-selling information in recent years.

"Give me one."

Yu Hong raised his hand in acknowledgment.

At five yuan a list, it's not cheap.

After receiving the list, Yu Hong noticed that it was beautifully bound and even came with a brochure. He nodded in approval and secretly admired the restaurant owner for his business acumen.

Looking up at the talkative old man opposite him, he saw that the man didn't seem interested in the list in his hand, so he was indeed not a person of the martial arts world.

Yu Hong looked down and opened the list.

He glanced at the top of the rankings for land and people very quickly, paying almost no attention to them.

Upon flipping to the Heavenly Ranking, Yu Hong exclaimed in surprise, "Sangji has actually climbed to third place on the Heavenly Ranking?"

Upon hearing this, several martial arts practitioners at the next table couldn't help but look over.

These people were unwilling to spend money to buy their way onto the rankings, so they could only watch enviously as Yu Hong's team did so.

"Brother, that 'Heart Sword Clarity' has made it onto the Heavenly Ranking?"

Yu Hong glanced at the table next to him and generously told them:
"Yes, Grandmaster Sangji, the 'Heart Sword Clarity,' has not only made it onto the Heavenly Ranking, but he's ranked third! The list has concealed all his past achievements, only showing his most recent one—"

Last month, Sangji challenged and defeated Grandmaster Hou Xingye, known for his "Hidden Dagger in the Snow" technique!

"Huo—"

Several martial arts practitioners at the next table also exclaimed in surprise.

Their discussion immediately sparked heated debate among almost everyone in the martial arts world on that floor.

Sangji, the "Heart Sword Clarity" master, is undoubtedly the most dazzling new star in the martial arts world in recent years!

He officially began practicing martial arts at the age of 17 and was incorporated into the implant.

He had already reached the late stage of Qi Transformation by the age of 18.

Became a Foundation Establishment stage martial artist at the age of 19!
He became a martial arts master at 21 and a grandmaster at 25!

Having just entered the Grandmaster realm, he defeated Hou Xingye, the third-ranked Grandmaster of the Heavenly Ranking in the Dao Establishment Realm!

From an ordinary grassland boy who knew nothing, to becoming the third-ranked Grandmaster on the Heavenly Ranking, Sangji only took less than eight years.

Such a growth trajectory easily reminds people of another person.

If it weren't for the precedents set by other outstanding individuals, Sangji would have broken many spiritual records along his journey.

Unfortunately, some people go from being ordinary people who know nothing to becoming the best in the world in less than eight years.

Sangji only resembled that person by a third, yet that was enough to amaze the entire martial arts world!
"Impressive! A Grandmaster of the Peak Realm defeating a Grandmaster of the Establishment Realm. In the entire history, only three people have been able to do this, and with him, there are only four."

Yu Hong looked on with admiration.

He is 25 years old this year, the same age as Sangji.

Over the years, he has witnessed Sangji rise step by step from the Popularity Ranking to the Top Ranking, and has long regarded Sangji as his idol.

"However, it will probably be very difficult for Sangji to become number one on the list like he did on the human and earth lists."

When Yu Hong heard someone mention this, he frowned slightly, instinctively feeling somewhat displeased.

But he couldn't refute it.

Sangji's previous path of cultivation led him to quickly become the top on both the Human Ranking and the Earth Ranking.

But the Heavenly Ranking is different.

Yu Hong continued flipping through the pages, and unsurprisingly, he saw that familiar name at the top of the Heavenly Ranking—

Zhu Fenghua, the owner of Tianyilou.

Since the previous lord, Lin Tianyi, broke through to the peak and ascended away, the status of Tianyi Tower plummeted.

However, after Lin Tianyi's closed-door disciple Zhu Fenghua broke through to become a Grandmaster and a top-level True Person by combining the Dao of Law and Martial Arts, the prestige of Tianyi Tower was restored.

Three years ago, Zhu Fenghua broke through to a higher realm and started challenging all the top ten on the Heavenly Ranking.

Complete victory!

Currently, the top-ranked player on the Heavenly Ranking is at the Divine Evolution Realm in martial arts and the Heavenly Gang Realm in magic, neither of which has reached its peak.

But below the peak, Zhu Fenghua is now unmatched!
Sangji is indeed a peerless genius, but whether it is the Human Ranking, the Earth Ranking, or the Heaven Ranking, his 'dominance' is not as strong as that of his predecessor, Zhu Fenghua.

Many people are skeptical that he could surpass Zhu Fenghua in a short period of time.

Yu Hong continued flipping through the pages.

Following the Heavenly Ranking is the Pinnacle Ranking. Generally, the Pinnacle Ranking changes the least, but this time he saw a new name on the list—

Ji Yiheng, the Pavilion Master of the Great Blue Dynasty's Righteous Law Pavilion!
"Did he break through?"

Yu Hong opened his eyes wide.

Although such top-tier experts are far, far away from him, it doesn't stop him from being interested in their affairs.

"Sect Master Ji has broken through?"

"He is now Lord Ji!"

"The imperial court has gained another top-tier expert. Impressive!"

Discussions could be heard from all around.

Over the years, several people in the Great Blue Dynasty have attempted to break through to the top, but unfortunately none of them have succeeded.

First, the former leader of Zhige Pavilion, Ni Xuan, failed to break through to the next realm and died.

Not long after, Huang Qiyuan, the deputy commander of the Sky Blue Iron Cavalry, also failed to break through to the next realm and perished.

Finally, someone has succeeded.

Ji Yiheng's breakthrough to become a True Monarch means that the Great Blue Dynasty has gained another top-tier combatant, including the Xuanmo King who has settled in Lanling City.

The Great Blue Dynasty now boasts five top-tier experts, a golden age unlike any other!
"Now we have just gathered the top ten masters in the world."

Yu Hong murmured.

After Ji Yiheng reached the top, there were exactly ten people on the Supreme Ranking, making up the top ten masters in the world.

The tenth in the world, Ji Yiheng, the master of the Zhengfa Pavilion.

There is no dispute that this newly promoted True Lord is ranked last.

The ninth in the world is Wang Chengze, the "King of Xuanmo".

A few years ago, Zuo Jun and this prince had a public martial arts contest outside Lanling City. Zuo Jun won in the end, so his ranking is below Zuo Jun.

Zuo Jun, the eighth-ranked general in the world, former commander of the White Flame Army, and now commander of the Azure Iron Cavalry.

Wenren Zheng voluntarily resigned from his position as commander of the Azure Iron Cavalry. Originally, this position should have been held by Huang Qiyuan, but the Grandmaster failed to break through to the next realm and died. In the end, Zuo Jun was transferred from the White Flame Army to take charge of the Azure Iron Cavalry, which can be considered a promotion.

The seventh in the world is the True Lord Wu Hui, the leader of the Feathered Ascension Sect.

Two years ago, this sect leader publicly challenged "Sword Immortal" Ning Qingman again, and lost once more.

However, as a top expert who also broke through to the next realm within ten years, Wu Hui's strength is clearly a level higher than the other three!
The sixth in the world is Jingheng, the former abbot of Pudu Temple, whose whereabouts are now unknown. If this former Buddha were in his prime, he would have been able to rival Wenren Zheng, and might even have been stronger.

However, the fall of the Western Kingdom and the burning of the Pudu Temple had a significant impact on him.

Although the imperial court has not banned Buddhism over the years, it has never stopped suppressing the Buddhist community, which is said to further weaken Jingheng's cultivation.

Therefore, Jingheng's ranking dropped to sixth in the world, the same as his ranking before he recovered from his injuries.

All that hard work, and in the end nothing changed.

The fifth in the world, Taiyu, the leader of the Great Luo Sect.

Two years ago, Ning Qingman defeated Wu Hui Zhenjun again and went to the Daluo Sect to publicly challenge the sect leader Taiyu, ultimately winning by a narrow margin!
Therefore, Ning Qingman's ranking surpassed Tai Yu's.

Fourth in the world, the "Sword Immortal" Ning Qingman.

This 'sword immortal' has made rapid progress in his cultivation over the years and still seems to have great potential.

No one can be sure what level she will eventually reach.

The third in the world is Wen Xuexian, the head of the Red Dust Pavilion.

Legend has it that before that battle of the strongest in a thousand years, this pavilion master once challenged Li Fei. Although he was defeated, he found an opportunity to break through and took another step forward. Now his cultivation is unfathomable!
Therefore, she was ranked third in the world.

Second in the world, the Great Blue Army's God Wenren Zheng.

This military genius is also jokingly referred to by people in the martial arts world as the "eternal runner-up," always ranking second in any version of the list.

Yu Hong turned to the last page, and there was no suspense whatsoever—

The greatest in the land, Duke Jing'an, Li Fei!
Just like in Lin Tianyi's era, Li Fei's status as the world's number one is also undisputed and universally recognized.

Since the battle of Yushan, this Duke has announced that he has gone into seclusion and rarely appears in public.

Some say that he was seriously injured after his battle with Lin Tianyi and is currently in seclusion to heal.

Some say that Li Fei is in seclusion comprehending the highest realms, and he will ascend to immortality in broad daylight before long!

Yu Hong reluctantly closed the booklet in his hand, dreaming that one day his name would also appear in it.

Snapped--

A crisp sound interrupted Yu Hong's reverie, and he turned to look.

The waiter was slapped, and his right cheek was visibly swollen and red.

The waiter covered his face, lowered his head, and looked timid and at a loss.

The assailant was a man with a strong gangster vibe, followed by a group of henchmen; they were clearly not good people.

"Seventh Master!"

The restaurant owner hurried over, bowing and smiling obsequiously.

"What is Seventh Master doing?"

The man known as Seventh Master looked at the restaurant owner with a cold gaze:

“Boss He, my brothers from the Di Kui Gang were bullied in your restaurant yesterday, so naturally I have to come and stand up for them.”

Sweat beaded on the forehead of the restaurant owner, Mr. He, and he quickly said:

"Seventh Master, your gang's brothers have been bullied, and it wasn't our restaurant's doing. If you want to get revenge, you shouldn't come to us."

Seventh Master raised his voice: "Who in Chongcheng doesn't know that your restaurant, Boss He, is protected by the Yunjian Sect? If something happens, of course I'll go after you, Boss He."

Boss He's face was grim. He stepped forward and whispered:
"Seventh Master, your brother was wronged here. I'll give you and your brothers 2000 yuan to drink and calm them down. Is that alright?"

The restaurant's monthly profit is about 2000 yuan, so it must have been very painful for Boss He to spend so much money.

But Seventh Master had no intention of letting the matter rest:
"2000 yuan? So in Boss He's eyes, the face of my Di Kui Gang is only worth 2000 yuan."

Boss He's back was already soaked with cold sweat. He bent over and gritted his teeth, saying:
"5000! I'll take 5000 yuan. I hope you'll be lenient and let me off the hook, Seventh Master."

Seventh Master chuckled and turned to look at the group of underlings behind him:
"Brothers, they're treating us like beggars!"

A group of people laughed maliciously and started twisting necks and wrists, looking like they might attack at any moment.

Boss He was almost in tears, looking at Seventh Master pleadingly:

"Seventh Master, please say something. What will it take for you to let me go?"

Seventh Master stepped forward, put a hand on Boss He's shoulder, and whispered in his ear:

“As long as this restaurant belongs to our Di Kui Gang, you, Boss He, will become our brother, and you won’t need to apologize anymore.”

Boss He opened his eyes wide, staggered back a step, and looked at Seventh Master with a mixture of shock and anger.

The Cloud Sword Sect, which he was backed by, had recently encountered some trouble and was being swallowed up by various forces. He never expected that the Earthly Kui Gang would set its sights on his restaurant so quickly, and in such an ugly manner!

On the other side, ever since the people from the Di Kui Gang entered the restaurant, Yu Hong's face had darkened. He silently watched Seventh Master and the others, his left hand unconsciously reaching for the sword on the table.

"young people."

The old gentleman sitting opposite me lowered his head and took a sip of his drink.

Yu Hong suddenly snapped out of his daze and looked at the other person.

Old man: "Do you know why this Seventh Master deliberately shouted it out loud at the beginning, to tell everyone that this restaurant is under the protection of the Cloud Sword Sect?"

Yu Hong twitched the corner of his mouth: "Because the imperial court's 'First Law of the Jianghu' requires that grudges and feuds in the Jianghu be settled in the Jianghu and should not involve ordinary people."

The old gentleman nodded approvingly.
"That's right, the first essential thing for young people navigating the world is to know the law."

It was precisely because the imperial court introduced the "First Law of the Martial World" a few years ago that this Seventh Master wanted to link the restaurant with the sect right from the start.

With this restaurant now having a powerful sect affiliation, the ensuing conflict between the Di Kui Gang and the restaurant will become a purely江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the martial arts world) feud, and the local judicial authorities will not intervene.

Yu Hong took a sip of wine without any expression.

The old man looked at him and asked, "Do you think this 'First Law of the Jianghu' is good or bad?"

Yu Hong replied without hesitation: "Of course it's good!"

Five years ago, the imperial court introduced the "First Law of the Jianghu," and from then on, as long as ordinary people were not involved, the grudges and feuds of the Jianghu would remain within the Jianghu.

This has always been an unspoken rule in the Great Blue Dynasty: any case involving martial artists or sorcerers will be given special treatment by judicial departments in various regions.

The old gentleman smiled and said, "Yes, this bill is certainly excellent."

“Local tyrants, gangs, and sects oppress the people and seize their property. As long as they maintain good relations with the local government’s anti-corruption bureau, supervisory bureau, judicial bureau, and other departments, they can rest easy.”

"If this continues, corruption will become rampant in various places, and the imperial court's control over local areas will become weaker and weaker."

“Now that clear boundaries have been drawn, and the rules that were previously hidden under the table have been brought into the open for measurement and evaluation, many problems can naturally be solved and corruption can be reduced.”

As he spoke, he pointed to Boss He, who was pleading with Seventh Master to show leniency:

"If this 'First Law of the Jianghu' is good, why did this happen?"

Yu Hong pursed his lips:
"It would be almost impossible for this restaurant to grow to this size without the backing of powerful figures in the martial arts world. The 'First Law of the Martial Arts World' can solve some problems, but not all of them. That's why that Duke entrusted the Blue Patrol Pavilion with governing the martial arts world!"

The fact that the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world) was placed under its own jurisdiction weakened the power of local governments and reduced the possibility of corruption.

This seems to have weakened the imperial court's control over the martial arts world, but the imperial court still has the Blue Patrol Pavilion.

The Blue Patrol Pavilions in various regions are composed of local martial arts forces. They appear to be self-governing, but in reality, the imperial court controls the rules.

Even Pudu Temple was burned down, Shangqing Sect was sealed off, and the head of Daluo Sect became the national teacher.

With the world's number one expert in charge, and all the top-tier sects in the world leading the way in cooperation, who among the other martial arts forces would dare to disobey?

"Yes, with the Blue Patrol Pavilion, the imperial court's control over the martial arts world is far greater than before."

The old man's expression was complicated. "Young man, you only know that the Duke is the head of the Blue Patrol Pavilion, and that he gave the Blue Patrol Pavilion the confidence to govern the martial world. But do you know how the Blue Patrol Pavilion was initially established?"

Yu Hong was taken aback and shook his head.

The old gentleman said with some sadness, "It was another duke who first proposed the concept of the Blue Patrol Pavilion, and it was this duke who built, modified, and improved the various systems of the Blue Patrol Pavilion bit by bit. With his efforts, the Blue Patrol Pavilion can now truly govern the Jianghu."

Are you referring to the Grand Secretary?

Yu Hong realized what was happening.

When people mention Lanxun Pavilion, they only think of one Duke.

Few people remember that the Blue Patrol Pavilion was actually the brainchild of the Grand Secretary, who built it up bit by bit and continuously improved it.

He was also a hereditary duke of the Great Blue Dynasty.

The old man nodded:
"Yes, the First Law of the Jianghu was jointly submitted by the Grand Secretary and the Duke of Jing'an and promoted together. In fact, the majority of this law was written by the Grand Secretary."

Yu Hong: "I heard that the Grand Secretary is seriously ill and has already resigned from his post."

Upon hearing this, the old man opposite him suddenly burst into tears, leaving Yu Hong somewhat bewildered.

On the other side, after some negotiation between Boss He and Seventh Master, it still had no effect, and he was even slapped in the face by the other party.

Yu Hong suddenly turned his head to look, his eyes turning cold.

His most admired idol, Sangji, was discovered and nurtured by the Duke of Jing'an.

Yu Hong was from Chongcheng. Back then, when the Qingxu Zhenjun of the Daluo Sect rebelled, he sacrificed hundreds of thousands of people, including those from Chongcheng.

It was the Duke of Jing'an who led the defense of the city, refusing to retreat an inch, and repelled the attacking imperial army, allowing the hundreds of thousands of people in Chongcheng to survive.

Yu Hong and his family's lives were saved by the other party!
Therefore, Li Fei is not only an idol to Yu Hong, but also a belief!
Legend has it that the Duke of Jing'an once roamed the martial world, disguised as the Blue-Faced Demon, killing many corrupt officials and eliminating local gangs that preyed on the people.

The other party ascended to the highest position in the imperial court, and at the same time, to the top of the martial arts world. Standing above the clouds, they still did not forget their former passion and original aspirations.

The smooth implementation of the "First Law of the Jianghu" and the various reforms of the Blue Patrol Pavilion were inseparable from Li Fei's prestige and deterrence.

"Snapped!"

Seeing that Seventh Master had completely broken off relations and was about to order his men to make a move, Yu Hong slammed his hand on the table, stood up, picked up his sword, and strode over there.

He took out a token from his pocket and announced loudly:
"Yu Hong, a third-level inspector of the Blue Patrol Pavilion, is on patrol in Chongcheng. All of you, stop!"

Seventh Master was startled and looked up at the token in Yu Hong's hand, where he saw two large characters written on it—

Green face!

The boy who once donned a mask and transformed into the Blue-Faced Demon changed a city.

The world's number one person is changing the entire world!

In the spring of the eighth year of Yuanxing, the sun shone brightly.

Golden sunlight streamed in through the restaurant windows, landing on the token in Yu Hong's hand.

(End of this chapter)