I Slay Gods and Demons in the Deceit Night
Chapter 516 - 329: The Return of the Saint Master!

Chapter 516: Chapter 329: The Return of the Saint Master!

It was noon.

The sun was directly overhead, and though it was springtime and not overly hot, craftsmen were still laboring, hastening to expand the new city.

Among them were numerous martial artists, including many robust figures, and even those in the Refining Essence Realm, hauling stone pillars and digging soil.

Most of them had previously been involved in a corruption case related to city expansion materials. Though their crimes were not capital, they were sentenced to hard labor to atone and seek forgiveness.

And today, the upper echelons of the Observatory were waiting here.

Soon after, the new City Captain from the City Guard Mansion and both the second and third temple priests from the Liu Venerate Temple arrived one after another.

Many prisoners laboring on the site were from the inner city and could recognize the identities of these high-ranking officials.

"These important people seem to be waiting to welcome someone?"

"The last time I saw such a scene was when Mr. Lu, the former Great Temple Priest returning from Qifeng Prefecture City."

"Could it be another high official from the prefecture city? But last time, even when the Deputy City Governor came, it did not seem to warrant such a grand reception."

Everyone exchanged glances; suddenly, someone recalled something and said, "The Observatory Branch flags from Linjiang Square are also here; could it be they are welcoming Master Wu?"

Previously, when Lin Yan left the city, he had Chief Clerk Yang announce he was in seclusion.

But so much time had passed, and eventually, everyone guessed that Master Wu was no longer in High Willow City.

"Master Wu is a genius, already among the top figures in High Willow City in terms of ability, but just leaving the city for a few months would hardly warrant such a grand reception by the City Guard Mansion, Liu Venerate Temple, and the Observatory."

"If you were to say that Master Wu had left High Willow City for ten years and was finally returning, such grand preparations would make sense... but it has only been a few months, at most just a long trip."

"Even the Great City Guard and the Commander sometimes visit the prefecture city, and it takes months for a round trip, yet they never receive such a grand welcome; this must be a high-ranking official from the prefecture city."

"Is it the Great City Guard of the prefecture city? Or the Great Temple Priest of the Wutong Temple? Or possibly the Supreme Commander of the Observatory? Could it be Great General Li Shen Sect?"

"I once heard my ancestor mention that above the prefecture city, there exists a legendary Holy Land..." a martial artist in the Refining Essence Realm whispered, "My Yue family ancestor once cultivated there with an ancestor from the Liu Family; could it be the Holy Land’s high echelons are visiting High Willow City?"

"I heard that the new Deputy City Governor, Fu Shi, and the new Deputy Commander of the Observatory, Xu Jie, are significant figures from the Holy Land."

"It seems likely that it is indeed the high echelons of the Holy Land."

As the crowd murmured among themselves.

At this moment, Han Zheng stood solemn by everyone else’s side.

Individuals such as the new City Captain, Deputy Commander Zhou Yuan, and the two distinguished Holy Land figures, Fu Shi and Xu Jie, could not help but give Han Zheng a few extra glances.

Han Zheng had reached the Qi Refinement Realm, and thus received significant attention and nurturing from the prefecture city side, but to this day, his True Qi was still less than three hundred, still within the initial stages of the Qi Refinement Realm, not yet mid-tier.

But in today’s reception, Han Zheng was the foremost among them.

Only because he was the guide for Wu Chang, the initial Protector.

And his teacher-disciple relationship with Wu Chang had long been known far and wide.

In the past, Wu Chang, in their eyes, was a uniquely talented young prodigy who had surpassed many, achieving high cultivation and formidable battle records, comparable to another Li Shen Sect.

But now, Wu Chang had become the founder of a new method, a Saint Master destined to be renowned through the ages.

And Han Zheng today, was the teacher of the Saint Master!

Han Zheng’s status among the Human Clan now was not just about his Cultivation Realm or his official rank and tier!

Han Zheng’s early protection of Wu Chang and his teachings on Cultivation Technique had become his indelible contribution to the Human Clan for all generations!

"In my early years, I also considered myself a martial arts prodigy, but as I grew older and encountered figures like Li Shen Sect, I realized there were always greater talents," Han Zheng thought to himself, "In my life, I had modest talent, versed in both literature and martial arts, which would not be considered mediocre in one region; yet, looking at the broader world of the Human Clan, it was truly average! To think that someday, by supporting younger generations, I would be enshrined in history and respected by all, it feels like a dream..."

As he gazed into the distance, he thought back to the letter he received from Li Shen Sect a month ago.

His face couldn’t help but show a slight expression of pride as he thought, "Through the millennia, as time passes, the fame of Li Shen Sect might not be as steady as mine! In the first half of my life, I was inferior to Li Shen Sect, but in the second half, depending on a disciple, I surpass Li Shen Sect!"

Thinking this, he noticed that everyone was looking at him, seemingly surprised by his sudden brilliant smile.

Seeing this, Han Zheng quickly composed his expression and straightened his clothes, thinking, "I need to be more mindful of my demeanor and appearance now. It’s no good to appear too triumphant. Now that I’m a man of great reputation, every move I make is watched closely; I must conduct myself accordingly."

As he adjusted his robe, he heard Deputy Commander Zhou Yuan next to him say, "They have returned!"

At the end of the road ahead, they saw a silver-white steed clad in scale armor, dazzling under the sunlight.

The person on the horse, dressed in a black robe threaded with gold and armed with a longbow and a long sword, was indeed Wu Chang!

Following behind was a carriage, driven by none other than Lin Yan in the guise of "Little White Ape."

Lin Lei was sitting inside the carriage, surrounded by stacks of books.

"Greetings, Saint Master!"

Everyone advanced to greet him, bowing deeply.

And the craftsmen, along with those serving hard labor, were all astounded, exchanging bewildered looks.