Starting as The Young Master of A Pharmacy, He Trained Swordsmanship in Seclusion For Twenty Years - Chapter 44

After speaking, Li Yanran’s mood was somber.

She had never expected this mission to result in such devastating losses.

She had brought Chen Lingfeng and Su Tianqi along to temper their skills, yet now, not a single one of her Black Swan Guards had survived—both were dead.

Chen Lingfeng, in particular, had been the martial prodigy she held in the highest regard. A Bone Forging expert at his peak, he was just a few years away from breaking through to the Marrow Refining Realm and becoming an Earth-rank Black Swan Guard.

Before leaving, Li Yanran found a random spot to bury Chen Lingfeng’s body.

As for Su Tianqi? Not even his bones remained.

…..

Qingyun County, Huang Residence

The Huang estate belonged to Huang Yangping, the Deputy Magistrate of Qingyun County—the most powerful figure in the region after the Magistrate himself.

Adding to his influence, Huang Yangping was a native of Qingyun County.

And as the saying went: A local deputy magistrate is a local deputy magistrate, but an outsider deputy magistrate is just an outsider. The difference between the two was as vast as the heavens and the earth.

The Huang family’s roots ran deep in Qingyun County, their influence sprawling like an ancient tree with countless branches. Over half of the county’s elite had attached themselves to Huang Yangping’s faction.

In some matters, the Deputy Magistrate’s word carried even more weight than Magistrate Ye Qingshan’s.

That was the extent of the Huang family’s dominance.

However, ever since Huang Xuanjie’s death, the once-bustling Huang estate had grown desolate. Visitors had dwindled to a trickle—no one dared risk angering Huang Yangping during this sensitive time.

After all, they all knew exactly how ruthless the Deputy Magistrate could be.

…..

Deep Within the Huang Estate

In a spacious, solemn chamber, three men lay bound on the floor, thick rags stuffed into their mouths. Beside them stood an elderly man—the Huang family’s head steward—bent in a deferential bow.

These three were the relatives of the guards who had been responsible for Huang Xuanjie’s safety that day.

Their faces were ashen, eyes hollow with despair as they stared at the figure standing before them.

A middle-aged man, nearly six and a half feet tall, stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Dressed in fine silks and golden-threaded cloud boots, he exuded an air of unquestionable authority.

The head steward—the same man who had ambushed Liang Cheng—spoke respectfully:

“Master, these men tried to flee with their families the moment news of Young Master Jie’s death spread. This old servant captured them immediately.”

The only person the steward would address as “Master” was Huang Yangping—head of the Huang family, Deputy Magistrate of Qingyun County.

Without turning around, Huang Yangping flicked his hand dismissively.

“Take them away. I have no desire to see them again.”

The steward understood perfectly.

“Never see them again” meant “send them to the underworld.”

“At once, Master.”

He called out to the door, and several servants hurried in, dragging the prisoners away.

Silence returned to the room.

The steward remained hunched in place, not daring to make a sound—his fear of Huang Yangping palpable.

But it wasn’t just the Deputy Magistrate’s political power that terrified him.

It was his strength.

Huang Yangping was a Marrow Refining expert at the peak of his realm.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, officials were expected to be both scholars and warriors.

To hold office in this martial world, one needed not only literary talent but also martial prowess.

..3…

Huang Yangping finally turned and seated himself in a grand chair, leisurely lifting a teacup.

“What did Ye Qingshan say?”

The steward replied hastily: “The county office has closed the case, Master.”

Huang Yangping’s eyes showed no ripple of surprise—he had expected this outcome.

Truthfully, he didn’t care about Huang Xuanjie’s death. Among his dozen-odd sons, Xuanjie had merely been an illegitimate child.

His true pride was his eldest son, Huang Xuanzheng—born to his official wife.

Years ago, Xuanzheng had joined the Black Swan Guards at the prefectural level, achieving the Marrow Refining Realm and earning the rank of Earth-rank Guard.

“Hmph.”

“Ye Qingshan… Sooner or later, the Magistrate’s seat will be mine.”

A flash of murderous intent flickered in Huang Yangping’s eyes.

When the previous Magistrate had been reassigned, the position should have been his.

He had even ingratiated himself with a powerful figure in the prefecture, sending hefty bribes year after year.

Yet despite everything, the seat had been snatched away by Ye Qingshan—a man of unknown origins.

Even his patron had been unable to explain the sudden change.

But Ye Qingshan was no simple man.

Despite being a peak Marrow Refining expert himself, Huang Yangping could sense an oppressive aura from the Magistrate—proof that Ye Qingshan, like him, was hiding his true strength.

…..

Seeing his master seated, the steward spoke again:

“Master, there is one more matter… Lord Jiasheng requests an audience.”

Huang Yangping’s brow furrowed in irritation, but after a moment’s thought, he relaxed.

“Let him in.”

He had no choice—this “Lord Jiasheng” was the younger brother of his official wife.

Soon, a short, rotund man waddled into the room.

Clad in extravagant brocade robes, his beady eyes and pinched features gave him the look of a scheming weasel.

The moment he entered, he wailed:

“Brother-in-law! You must save me this time!”

Suppressing his annoyance, Huang Yangping replied coldly:

“What now? Did your pharmacy business collapse again?”

He didn’t even need to ask—he already knew.

“Yes! That damned Lu family apothecary is ruining me!” Jiasheng spat, hatred dripping from his words.

“You dare complain?” Huang Yangping’s face darkened.

“Last time, your counterfeit medicines killed over a dozen people. If I hadn’t covered it up, your head would already be on the execution block!”