Overdraw the future and become a peerless martial god

Chapter 101 Famous in Qingzhou
Chu Ning stood alone at the edge of the blood pool, looking down at this group of people who had once been high above him. His voice was deep and cold, like thunder rolling down from the heavens:

"What you are protecting with your life is not the sect."

"It's a blood-forging slaughterhouse, a place where wolves devour people without spitting out the bones!"

"Now, should we still cover up their dirty laundry?"

The long street was deathly silent.

The wind howled through the hall, but it couldn't dispel the lingering fear.

The constable collapsed to his knees, making hoarse noises, but unable to utter a single word.

Chu Ning turned away indifferently, letting the lightning engulf the pleas behind him.

Some answers are more deafening than shouts.

The cries echoed through the broken street, filled with fear, despair, and humiliation, like the wails of someone struggling in the abyss.

On the other side, Shen Yan, holding his frail wife and child, staggered as he stood on the broken stone steps.

On the blood-stained face, it was impossible to tell whether it was tears or blood.

Shen Yan gripped the bloodstained contract tightly with both hands, his knuckles white. The paper was soaked in sweat and blood, turning into a muddy mess. Yet, as if grasping at the last straw, he refused to let go, even as his knees were rubbed raw and bleeding profusely.

At that moment, he understood.

It was not swords, not gold or silver, not the lofty laws of the sect.

The only one who can save them is this person who defies fate for them.

Chu Ning walked slowly to Shen Yan, bowed slightly, and spoke in a gentle voice, yet it was like thunder rolling across the mountains:
"Go, burn it yourself."

"From now on, no one can use this piece of paper to lock up your life or your home."

Shen Yan choked up, nodded vigorously, and picked up the tinderbox with trembling hands.

"Ah-"

The firelight danced at his fingertips.

A faint flame licked at the blood-stained paper.

"call."

Flames rose up.

Flames erupted, blazing like thunder. The paper shackles writhed and twisted in the flames, eventually turning to ashes and scattering with the wind, just as the last shackle on Shen Yan's heart was completely burned away.

The pool of blood churned and boiled, while the ashes drifted with the wind to the sky, landing in the hair of Shen Yan's wife and children like a silent snowfall.

Shen Yan knelt down and kowtowed heavily.

Each tap landed on the broken bricks, causing blood to seep out.

This bow is neither to heaven nor to earth.

Kneeling to one's savior is kneeling to be reborn.

Chu Ning simply stood there quietly.

He didn't turn around to look, only letting the long wind blow his white hair and black clothes, like a solitary and majestic mountain peak standing under the thunderclouds.

Chu Ning looked up at the sky, lightning illuminating half of his profile:

"What we are destroying today is not the Cold Mountain Sect, but the evil spirits nurtured by the human heart."

The inner courtyard was deathly silent.

Ashes danced in the air, the scent of blood still lingering.

This day.

Throughout the city, everyone remembered one name:
Lei Ji Dao Jun.

……

In the eastern suburbs of the prefectural city, the morning mist, like a veil, enveloped the newly awakened streets.

But this morning, the city of Fucheng is destined not to return to silence.

Chu Ning's act of "saving people from the Blood Prison" was like a thunderclap breaking through the long night, not only shaking the sects and the government, but also stirring up a huge wave in the hearts of the common people.

The news spread like wildfire through the streets and alleys, reaching taverns, teahouses, and brothels, and even sparking debates in the inner chambers of various sects.

"Thunder Blade Lord, one man and one blade, blood shatters the cold mountain."

"The Cold Mountain Sect slaughtered people to appease evil, and the Blade Lord punished them by wiping out the entire sect."

"The white bones in that blood pool are the wronged souls of countless unfortunate people who were burned alive."

Anger, shock, gratitude, and awe intertwined to form a powerful, heart-stirring force that quickly converged on the open space in the south of the city.

There, a three-zhang-high blue stone was erected last night by the combined efforts of the people.

Some stayed up all night writing, some offered clothes and burned incense, and some pricked their fingertips, using their blood as ink, to write eight characters on the front of the bluestone with cinnabar and blood:

"Thunder Blade Extreme Slash, Boundless Grace"

Each character, written with a sharp, knife-like stroke, seems to be carved into the stone, as if it wishes to be passed down for eternity.

The area around the bluestone is covered with dense carvings, all left by the people:

"Knife Lord, you saved my son and brought him home; I can never repay your kindness even with three bows!"

"Hanshan abused my tribe's women for ten years, but today the snow has fallen!"

"No matter how dark Qingzhou is, there is always a bolt of lightning that illuminates our worthless lives!"

Incense burned spontaneously, and the low offering table was piled high with fruits, simple meals, and folded paper figures. Even the poorest people would tie their hair into incense cords and place them in front of the stone to pray.

The old woman knelt on the ground, weeping and pleading, her voice hoarse with despair:
"My granddaughter... is buried in the Blood Pool of Cold Mountain. If it weren't for Lord Lei Ji, I would not rest in peace..."

The boy twisted the rag into the shape of a knife, stuck it into the mud, and shouted with red eyes:
“My father said that there are still people in this world who would draw their swords for us poor people.”

Children ran around in the streets and alleys, imitating the sounds and chanting in unison:

"The one who split the cold mountain was the Sword Lord."

"It's thundering in the sky, it's Daojun walking."

In the eyes of the people, Chu Ning is no longer just a person.

He is thunder, he is sword, he is the "God of Justice" who cleaves the night with a single stroke.

Overnight, the title "Thunder Blade Lord" was thoroughly imprinted into the souls of countless people on this land.

That was not a reward, not power, not merit.

That was the faith that the common people bought with their lives.

At the same moment, beneath the red notice posted by the prefectural government, a notice was displayed prominently at the Prince Duan's residence:

"It is said: Lord Lei Jidao has rendered meritorious service in Qingzhou by eliminating the rebels of the Hanshan Sect. He is hereby awarded the Qingyun Merit Plaque to commend him. However, in order to maintain order in the prefecture, the Qingyun Arena will be postponed for another ten days. From now on, Chu Ning shall not act without authorization and shall act in accordance with the prefecture's laws."

The writing is grand and elegant, pleasing to the ear, and every word is full of praise.

Upon closer reading, however, a hidden chain is revealed, seemingly soft yet firm.

The common people were only concerned with cheering, burning incense, and worshipping; but the members of the sects and aristocratic families had already seen clearly what was going on:

Chu Ning has already been targeted by the Prince Duan's mansion.

……

At noon, in the Prince Duan's mansion, the grand hall was adorned with gold and jade, curtains hung low, and incense smoke curled upwards. Chu Ning stood alone below the hall.

He wore a black robe and belt, his white hair was slightly raised, and his whole body was filled with dark lightning energy, like a frosty blade waiting to be drawn.

Prince Duan leaned lazily against the jade couch, the blood-red jade thumb ring slowly turning on his fingertip, reflecting the dark red shimmering in his eyes:
"While I was in my palace, I heard that you severed an entire sect with a single stroke, and that your blood pool shook the world."

He suddenly leaned forward, slamming his thumb ring on the jade table with a sharp, bone-cracking sound: "Truly, 'Thunder roars through the heavens, a blade falls from the cold mountain'..."

His voice suddenly deepened: "But with this strike, is it the Cold Mountain Sect that's being severed, or my own face?"

Chu Ning looked up, her white hair ruffled by the draft, revealing a dazzling lightning pattern between her brows:
"When thunder splits a mountain, it doesn't care whether the kneeling creatures below are jackals or ghosts in human skin."

Prince Duan lightly tapped the jade table with his fingertips, each sound like an invisible, blunt knife slowly scraping at one's nerves.

His tone was drawn out, and his words carried a hidden barb:

"I have ordered people to secretly investigate the Cold Mountain Sect. After discovering the Blood Pool, they found that its finances and connections were very close to those of the Li Huo Palace."

At this point, his gaze narrowed slightly, and his tone suddenly turned serious:

"If his evil deeds are indeed proven, the imperial court will have laws and decrees to thoroughly punish and eliminate him."

“Young Master Chu, now that you have rendered meritorious service, there is no need for you to interfere in the affairs of the sect.”

The words were mild, but the warning was very strong.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

half an hour.

Chu Ning slowly raised her eyes, her white hair fluttering, and the lightning pattern between her brows trembling slightly, as if lightning was about to break through the sky.

His tone was calm, yet every word he spoke was like a hammer blow:

"If the law were truly as righteous as the sun at its zenith, how could the blood pool at Cold Mountain be ignored even by the local guards?"

The sound fell softly, yet it was like thunder from the heavens, causing the curtains to flutter slightly.

A cold glint flashed in Prince Duan's eyes, and his hand gripping the ring tightened slightly, making a soft cracking sound.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.

A silent yet chilling confrontation quietly unfolded within this magnificent hall.

Prince Duan lowered his eyes and smiled, calmly concealing his emotions as if he hadn't heard anything.

He said, as if sighing:

"I know that you are concerned about the common people and have lofty aspirations."

"But in Qingzhou, various sects are deeply intertwined. Although the Hanshan Sect is chaotic, it is ultimately a local sect."

"If we indiscriminately slaughter entire clans and exterminate entire families, it may cause panic and shake the very foundation of the prefecture."

"At that time, even I might not be able to guarantee the safety of a city."

The words came out gently, seemingly kind and benevolent, but in reality, they were a warning:

If Chu Ning makes another move, it will "shake the foundation" and "bring chaos to Qingzhou".

But Chu Ning listened quietly, a cold smile playing on her lips.

He looked up, his voice as clear and sharp as the first thunder:
"I had no intention of stirring things up."

"However, some people use living people to create puppets, build pools with blood, and sacrifice bones to evil spirits."

"If I don't draw my sword, who will stand up for them?"

These three short sentences were powerful and resounding, echoing throughout the grand hall.

Prince Duan remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly and gently tapping the jade table, as if suppressing the anger in his heart.

"it is good."

"What a fine example of 'standing up for the people'!"

The voice was gentle, yet chillingly cold.

After a while, Prince Duan seemed relieved, smiled and waved his hand, and a dark gold merit token slid out of his sleeve and landed with a tinkling sound at Chu Ning's feet.

"This is the 'Azure Cloud Merit Token,' which allows one to travel freely throughout the prefectural city and pass through military passes without anyone daring to stop them."

"However, I hope that Young Master Chu will think twice before acting in the future."

That's all I have to say. Retreating is a threat, and advancing is a constraint.

Chu Ning bent down to pick up the merit plaque, her plain clothes fluttering slightly, her voice clear and cold:

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

As I stepped out of the Prince Duan's residence, the sky was already slightly overcast, the heavens were low, and dark clouds were swirling, as if a violent thunderstorm was about to break out.

Xie Mingli was already quietly waiting at the bottom of the steps.

Her heart sank when she saw Chu Ning's expression.

It was a chilling silence, almost solidified, like thunder rumbling faintly beneath an abyss.

Xie Mingli quickly stepped forward and asked in a low voice:

"Is he testing you?"

Chu Ning nodded slightly, his white hair fluttering in the wind, the lightning pattern between his brows trembling slightly, and faint lightning flashing.

"It's also a warning to me."

Xie Mingli bit her lip, her brows furrowed with worry:
"So... what do you plan to do?"

Chu Ning did not answer immediately.

He slowly raised his head, his eyes piercing through the misty clouds ahead, his voice low and deep, yet every word struck like thunder:
"Can't wait any longer."

"If we wait any longer, the Blood Refining Hall will only hide even deeper."

"Sister-"

His voice faltered, his fingertips trembled slightly, and then he clenched his fist tightly, as lightning crackled and coiled around him like thin snakes.

"If the Blood Refining Hall successfully relocated the survivors, if they hid Sister in an even more secretive blood pool..."

"Even if I search Qingzhou thoroughly, I will find no trace of it."

As he finished speaking, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a suppressed killing intent flashing in his eyes:
"I must act before they completely disappear into the shadows."

“They were dragged from the darkness into the light.”

"We must ensure that all hidden bloodshed and evil have nowhere to hide."

Xie Mingli was stunned.

This was the second time she had seen such resolve in Chu Ning.

A kind of desperate madness, yet with an unshakable determination.

It's not for fame, it's not for profit.

It was all just to save lives.

His sister who saved him.

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(End of this chapter)