CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 287: PHOENIX MAN

A year later, the influence of Demon Sect and Chongjian Manor in the Central Plains Martial World was completely eradicated. Lin Shuanghua, Yin Shaochen, and Leng Zhaoyue, who had vanished during that battle, became wanted criminals by both the court and the entire martial arts community. Wherever there were Martial Artists, there were curses and death-orders against them.

Three more years passed, and after dealing with his ambitious brothers, Ji Heng abdicated to become the Supreme Emperor, with Imperial Concubine Wuyang becoming the Empress Dowager, and their only son, Ji Nan, ascended the throne.

Upon his ascension, Ji Nan vigorously reformed the martial arts factions; the court would not interfere in the development of the sects, but the sects were required to report the number of disciples recruited to the court. Any underreporting would lead to dissolution and other penalties against the sect.

Furthermore, all Jianghu people were forbidden from killing innocents, the Martial Arts Arena was abolished, and official arbitration offices were established. Those with disputes could seek the court’s judgment, and everyone was expected to abide by the court’s laws while traversing the world.

At the same time, the court began to avidly recruit talented individuals, rewarding those who attracted court’s recognition with a Hero certificate and national provisions.

After ten years under Ji Nan’s governance, the entire nation flourished. Murders among the martial world became rare, gone were the days of recklessly seeking revenge in the name of brotherhood; the once chaotic martial world became orderly.

Someone once asked a well-skill Martial Hero why they no longer roamed the world upholding justice.

The Hero explained, "Previously, we roamed the world out of necessity; even with martial arts, we had to struggle for a living. Now things are different; with no worries about food or safety, who would want to risk their life? Besides, if there’s trouble or grievances, one can report to the officials, and the court is quite fair."

Moreover, those proficient in martial arts can easily be put to good use by the court, achieving both fame and safety. As a result, few wish to join the sects anymore, and gradually, the sects have declined.

Only Medicine Valley, a sect heavily utilized by the court, has become even more prosperous.

"Sister, why wouldn’t you want to become a Princess?" Ji Nan asked discontentedly, "As my senior sister, you should be the most respected Princess in the world."

"Enough already, I’m just a person of the world, not suited to be a pampered Princess," Ye Qiu responded with a smile, "My dream is to roam the world, seeking out the legendary Divine Medicines and Poisons."

"Then I shall declare you the number one female Hero of the world, and you cannot refuse," Ji Nan said, and left without giving Ye Qiu a chance to argue.

Actually, the title was well deserved for Ye Qiu. Over the years, she had roamed the world, saving many people, and her reputation as a Medicine Woman had long since spread throughout the entire martial world.

Name: Ye Qiu

Merit Points: 74000

Skills Redeemed: Hacker God

Light of the God of Cooking Level 7

Level 8 Body Forging Technique

Ten Times of Luck Bonus (6 remaining)

Conquer Emperor System (Achievements unlocked: Skin like Jello, Charming Eyes, aroma, Voice Like a Pearl)

Task completed, would you like to redeem Pharmacy Scripture, Poison Manual?

"Yes!"

Ye Qiu looked at her panel once again; her Body Technique had advanced from Level 7 to Level 8, 50000 Merit Points had been deducted, and she redeemed the new skills Pharmacy Scripture and Poison Manual, leaving her with 24000 points.

That was another magical aspect of the System: Ye Qiu could not obtain anything unique to a world, nor could she store them in her space. She could only trigger a System exchange for them using Merit Points.

Task completed, would you like to enter the next world?

"Yes."

"Ye Qiu, you can have all of this braised pork belly; I’m afraid of gaining weight." No sooner had Ye Qiu returned to his senses than a delicate and soft-featured girl appeared before him, batting a pair of sprite-like almond eyes, her face unconsciously flushing with a hint of red.

On her plate was a serving of braised pork belly with potatoes and a side of vegetables, anxiously talking while transferring all the braised pork onto Ye Qiu’s plate.

Ye Qiu frowned slightly, and the girl cautiously watched his expression, her nerves kicking in as she spoke again: "I don’t mean any disrespect, I just really like the potatoes in the braised pork belly, and I’m on a diet, so please, please, will you help me eat this hated braised pork?"

In the girl’s anxious and self-reproaching gaze, Ye Qiu sighed helplessly: "Zhang Meng, you’re not fat, you don’t need to diet at all."

Hearing that Ye Qiu was not blaming her, Zhang Meng felt secretly elated, her face now showing a trace of cunning and triumphant joy: "Don’t you know that no matter how thin, a girl always fears gaining weight? Okay, the braised pork is yours now, no giving it back to me," she said, purposely obstructing the plate with her hand.

"You!" Ye Qiu did not continue, but instead lamented with a tone of resignation and doting.

In his past life, he had been the typical scum, enjoying Zhang Meng’s humble and accommodating love and her family’s resources, while selfishly feeling that they trampled on his pride. After achieving success, he finally felt liberated and abandoned his loyal wife.

On his deathbed, he regretted it, realizing that he loved her. Given another chance at life, he would cherish her properly, no longer letting her devoted love go to waste.

Now both he and Zhang Meng were students at the Medical University, with Zhang Meng earnestly pursuing him, and he shamelessly leading on this innocent girl.

Knowing his family was poor, she tried every means to improve his life. Today was no exception; she had gotten a portion of the braised pork, purposefully claiming to be on a diet and giving all the meat to him.

"Zhang Meng." After finishing the meal, Ye Qiu looked earnestly at this naive girl.

"Ah!" Zhang Meng was startled, suddenly flustered by the solemn Ye Qiu, "What’s wrong?" She hung her head as if she had done something wrong.

With a sigh in his heart, Ye Qiu’s slender fingers gently touched her fluffy head: "Let’s go, I’ll walk you back to the dorm."

"Ah? Oh!" Zhang Meng followed Ye Qiu in a daze, her mind blank.

The canteen was not far from Zhang Meng’s girls’ dormitory; it only took a few minutes to get there, and she still hadn’t snapped out of it.

Ye Qiu smiled faintly, his handsome countenance radiant in the summer sun, looking like a Heavenly God: "I’m going back to the library to study this afternoon, will you come?"

Zhang Meng, already dazed by Ye Qiu’s head pat, saw his smile and felt her heart might leap out; she foolishly gazed at him, nodding unconsciously.

"Then rest well, I’ll wait for you at the library at two in the afternoon."

"Mhm." Zhang Meng responded instinctively.

"Go on up."

"Mhm."

"So silly." As Zhang Meng floated upstairs, she faintly heard laughter, still feeling surreal after sitting down in the chair.

Today Ye Qiu didn’t seem to mind her taking initiative? He didn’t show any signs of impatience? And he even patted her head and smiled at her gently.

Remembering the touch and his helpless smile, the corners of Zhang Meng’s mouth lifted unconsciously.

Ah! What to do! She felt like she liked him even more now!