abnabooks Chapter 27 Crimson Dust
Chapter 27 Crimson Dust
The two old men exchanged a few more words, but both knew that their attention was not on the argument.
Their attention was focused on the same spot on the stone tablet, on which the ninth name was listed.
Zhang Ping.
This person has potential.
It remained quiet for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.
In the corner of that attic, the light suddenly dimmed.
Then a black figure emerged from the shadows, bowed, and presented a thin booklet with both hands.
The old man in the black and purple robe reached out and took the booklet.
But when he turned to the first page, his finger paused.
At this moment, the old man in the red and gold robe had somehow appeared behind him and was peering into the booklet.
Their eyes fell on the first line of text at the same time.
Zhang Ping, head constable of Fenggu City, has undergone seven levels of physical tempering.
"This kid is interesting." Zi Qingshan stroked his beard, his words carrying a hint of satisfaction.
With a cultivation level of the seventh level of Body Tempering, he killed his way to eighth place on the Demon Slayer Ranking on his first attempt at entering the Realm of Intent. Since the founding of the Pure Heaven Sect, there has never been such a precedent.
This achievement would be worthy of being recorded in the history of any generation of disciples.
Zi Qingshan's gaze continued downwards, scanning the words on the paper line by line.
Zhang Ping's age, place of origin, background, resume, and all the basic information that could be found are listed above.
Some entries are very detailed, while others are only briefly mentioned, but overall it is a complete intelligence report.
Aside from this experience of being listed on the demon-slaying list, there was almost nothing special in this intelligence report.
For three generations, his ancestors were ordinary people in Fenggu City, with no cultivation background or sect affiliation.
He became a constable in the Fenggu City government office by learning a rudimentary swordsmanship. He did his job in a proper and orderly manner, without making any great achievements or mistakes.
The only bright spot was that he killed a rat demon at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm. This was a decent achievement in a small place like Fenggu City, but it was nothing to mention on Cangwu Mountain.
But how did this person manage to break into the top ten in the game?
Gu Chengfeng finished reading the contents of the booklet, his brows furrowing slightly. He stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "This person seems strange."
His suspicions were not unfounded.
A constable at the seventh level of Body Tempering, without any master or background, who only made a living with a rudimentary swordsmanship, was able to fight his way up to eighth place in the Intent Realm against demonic beasts at the eighth or ninth level of Body Tempering and even the Boiling Blood Realm.
This is illogical.
But in the realm of imagination, every monster is real; if you can't kill it, you simply can't.
But Zhang Ping had already killed them.
Not only did they beat them, they even made it into the top ten.
As soon as Gu Chengfeng finished speaking, Zi Qingshan closed the booklet and said in an unquestionable tone, "I want this kid."
Gu Chengfeng was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, then turned to look at him. The meaning in his eyes was clear: you must be dreaming.
Zi Qingshan seemed to have anticipated his reaction, and spoke slowly and calmly, his tone carrying a sense of matter-of-fact composure, "I know you're busy. This boy is a bit strange, so let me investigate first, and you won't have to worry about it."
Gu Chengfeng's lips twitched, and he said sarcastically, "I'm not busy. You should leave this kid to me. After all, he won't amount to much in your hands. You know, your disciples always come in last place in the annual martial arts competition."
"Gu Chengfeng, are you looking for trouble?!" Zi Qingshan's forehead immediately creased with annoyance, and his voice rose several decibels.
"How about Zi Qingshan? How about we have a little spar?" Gu Chengfeng said, rolling up his sleeves to reveal his two lean forearms.
"Oh, Gu Chengfeng, do you think I wouldn't dare? If it weren't for the fact that you're a few years older, I would have dealt with you long ago." Zi Qingshan said the same thing.
The two released their auras, causing the chessboard on the stone table to tremble slightly, and several chess pieces were shaken off the board.
At such a tense moment.
A series of unhurried footsteps came from the stairwell.
"Elder Zi, Elder Gu, why are you two so angry so late at night!"
The voice was clear and calm, as if someone was trying to mediate a fight or watching a spectacle.
The footsteps grew closer, and a figure emerged from the stairwell.
The newcomer appeared to be in his early forties, but he was tall and slender, wearing a crimson robe embroidered with flowing flame patterns that looked as if they were actually burning in the candlelight.
His facial features were well-defined, and his brows exuded a heroic and proud air.
The newcomer was named Chi Chen, one of the four town lords of the Jingtian Gate.
Zi Qingshan and Gu Chengfeng turned their heads at the same time, and their expressions softened slightly upon seeing the person who had arrived.
Zi Qingshan coughed lightly, resuming his stern and dignified demeanor.
Gu Chengfeng also rolled down his rolled-up sleeves, snorted, and turned his head away, which was considered giving him face.
"Red Dust".
Zi Qingshan spoke, his tone returning to normal, "Have the demons around Liyan Mountain been completely eliminated?"
Chi Chen walked to the table, poured a cup of tea for each of the two old men, and then answered slowly, "They've all been cleaned up, not a single one left."
Zi Qingshan nodded upon hearing this, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said, "By the way, I heard things aren't too peaceful in the Kuishinshu area either. You should go and check it out when the time comes."
Chi Chen responded and nodded, but showed no intention of leaving.
Seeing this, Gu Chengfeng glanced at him and then asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"Just now, when I came back to hand in the mission, I saw a new name on the top 100 list, Zhang Ping."
"On my first appearance on camera, I made it to eighth place."
He paused for a moment, then grinned, "I want to take this talent."
Such an expression is completely out of character for his appearance.
But before he could finish speaking, Zi Qingshan waved his hand in refusal, saying, "If I give you this talent, won't the other three cause a huge uproar?"
"No, no..."
The other three that Zi Qingshan mentioned refer to the other three town lords of Jingtianmen.
The four town lords of Jingtianmen each occupy a region, with their own men and territory. They are both fellow disciples and rivals.
A promising talent ranked ninth on the Demon Slayer List would be a great asset to any town lord, greatly enhancing their strength. Giving him to Chi Chen would surely cause dissatisfaction among the others.
Seeing this, Chi Chen refilled Zi Qingshan's teacup, speaking softly, "Elder Zi, you know I've never asked you for anything."
"My men have always been at the forefront. Five Class A disciples have died this year. I, Chi Chen, have never spoken of these hardships."
The top-tier disciples are the elite among the disciples of the Pure Heaven Sect, each one cultivated with a great deal of resources and effort.
Losing five in a year would be a huge loss for any town lord.
"This…"
Zi Qingshan didn't know how to respond for a moment, so he could only look at Gu Chengfeng.
Receiving this look, Gu Chengfeng coughed lightly, cleared his throat, and continued, "Chichen, I know you're suffering."
His tone was much softer than when he was arguing with Zi Qingshan earlier, showing a hint of an elder's consideration for a younger person.
"But this person was found on Kuijin's territory after all. Even if we wanted to give it to you, I'm afraid Kuijin wouldn't."