Chapter 26: Ripples Unfurl

After Wu Tian departed, Captain Ma did not dispatch the city guards to pursue and apprehend him. Instead, he deemed it more urgent to report this matter to the city lord. If Wu Tian were still the waste he was several months ago, Captain Ma could have easily executed him without much consequence. However, considering Wu Tian's current prowess surpassing that of a year ago, the situation became intriguing.

Wu Tian was once celebrated for his extraordinary talent among his peers a year ago. Possessing exceptional gifts, his future seemed boundless, destined for significant recognition within the Qi Tian Sect. Now, with Wu Tian's abilities advancing beyond his former self, it implies a potential reevaluation by the sect, making any hasty actions against him unwise.

Captain Ma and Song Qian Qian hurriedly returned to the city lord's mansion. City Lord Song Ke was handling affairs in his study, and upon the abrupt entrance of Captain Ma and his daughter, he furrowed his brows slightly.

"I've repeatedly requested not to be disturbed while attending to matters. Captain Ma, Qian Qian, what brings about this urgency?" Song Ke reproached with a slightly stern tone.

"Reporting to the city lord, forgive my impudence. There is an important matter I must bring to your attention!" Captain Ma respectfully bowed.

Before Captain Ma could report, Song Qian Qian, with a playful demeanor, intervened, "Father! You must stand up for your daughter. I was just on the street, and that scoundrel Wu Tian bullied me. He said... he said..."

"Wu Tian? What did that scoundrel say?" Song Ke interrupted.

"He said I wasn't qualified to marry him, and he even said I should be grateful for canceling the engagement; otherwise, he would regret it now!" Song Qian Qian complained.

Boom!

"This is outrageous! That scoundrel dared to be so audacious. In the past, he was a genius of the Qi Tian Sect, and I held some regard for him. Now, as a mere waste, he dares to utter such words. Does he not regard me, the city lord, with any respect? Captain Ma, Qian Qian was bullied. You were present; why didn't you arrest this scoundrel?" Song Ke slammed the table and roared.

Captain Ma smiled wryly, "City Lord, forgive me. I am here to report precisely about this matter. It's not that I didn't want to apprehend Wu Tian; it's just that I lack the ability to do so!"

"Are you telling me that a city guard force can't capture a wastrel?" Song Ke frowned.

"If he were a waste, any city guard could apprehend him easily. However, Wu Tian is different now. When you were not present, he single-handedly killed over a dozen guards of Nie Huixiang in just a brief moment..."

"What? Did you say he killed over a dozen of Nie's guards in less than a quarter of an hour?" Before Captain Ma could finish, Song Ke was utterly shocked. "How is that possible?"

Captain Ma nodded with a bitter smile and continued, "Not only that, when I led the city guards to surround him, he exuded a formidable aura. Almost half of the guards were nearly paralyzed, and the rest were mentally shattered. I estimate his cultivation to be at least above the seventh level of martial arts. Otherwise, he couldn't possess such a formidable aura."

Song Ke gasped, understanding the significance of a martial artist reaching the seventh level. Among the younger generation in Pingyang City, only a few could achieve this level.

"Qian Qian, does Captain Ma speak the truth?" Song Ke looked at his daughter.

Song Qian Qian pouted and said, "A few months ago, he was a waste. It's impossible for him to become a seventh-level martial artist in such a short time. I think he might have used some kind of spell or artifact in secret."

Song Ke fell silent, and Captain Ma didn't know what to say.

"Father, no matter what, you must uphold justice for your daughter. He defamed me, and we cannot let him get away with it!" Song Qian Qian pleaded.

"Qian Qian, I won't let you suffer, but we must carefully consider this matter. If Wu Tian has truly regained his cultivation, he might be reassessed by the Qi Tian Sect. We can't act rashly. If he remains a waste, I will personally deal with him on your behalf." Song Ke, as the city lord, contemplated the situation more thoughtfully.

"Very well!" Song Qian Qian reluctantly nodded.

"Captain Ma, assign a few astute guards to monitor Wu Tian's every move. Report to me promptly if anything unusual occurs," Song Ke ordered.

"Yes, my lord!"

...

While Captain Ma reported the situation to the city lord, Nie Huixiang returned to his family in a rage.

"Steward! Steward! Quickly, get me some guards with martial arts proficiency. I want to kill that waste Wu Tian!" Nie Huixiang roared as he returned home, infuriated by Wu Tian's humiliation.

The old steward approached, curious, "Young Master, what happened?"

"That scoundrel Wu Tian killed over a dozen of my guards and even threatened to kill me. I must seek revenge!" Nie Huixiang declared angrily. 

The old steward raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Is the Wu Tian you mentioned the disciple of the Qi Tian Sect whose meridians were severed and dantian shattered a year ago?"

"Yes, that waste!" Nie Huixiang affirmed.

"If he is truly the same Wu Tian, it's a remarkable matter. A few months ago, he was considered powerless. Are you sure he killed your guards?" The old steward still found it hard to believe.

Nie Huixiang hesitated for a moment and then nodded, "Yes, he killed them. That waste... No, he's not a waste anymore. How could he be so powerful?"

"Master, if Wu Tian's meridians were severed, and his dantian shattered, it would be nearly impossible for him to recover his cultivation. Unless he had the assistance of a martial master beyond the Martial Ancestor realm or consumed pills of heavenly-grade or higher, his cultivation should remain irreparable. Qi Tian Sect would not resort to such means for a disciple like Wu Tian. It is advisable not to act recklessly. I will immediately report this matter to our family head. Additionally, I will dispatch elite family guards to secretly investigate Wu Tian's circumstances," the old steward suggested.

"Damn it! It seems I have to wait for now. But Wu Tian, I will get my revenge!" Nie Huixiang clenched his fists in frustration.

As the night passed, Pingyang City would not find tranquility...