Eternal Saber-Chapter 255 - 40: Marshal Tan

Qingzhou City.

Cyan Dragon Bureau.

"Have you heard, the Lion-Tiger Arhat appointed by His Holiness left the capital and went on a killing spree in Cloud County of Qingzhou, wiping out a Profound Celestial Temple and killing Lou Yan and the Commander!"

"Truly reckless."

"He holds an Imperial Token from His Holiness."

"Even with the Imperial Token, doing something like this breaks the rules. Moreover, the Profound Celestial Sect is not restrained by imperial powers. By massacring members of the Profound Celestial Sect, he has violated their rules, and they certainly won’t sit idly by."

A few Captains gathered together, chatting casually.

One of them said, "Just wait, the Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple in Qingzhou City will definitely take action."

At that moment, several Mystic Masters of the Profound Celestial Sect arrived, led by the Cyan Dragon Guard.

One of them, with a stern expression, looked at the Captains in the courtyard and said in a deep voice, "The Observatory Master orders that the Cyan Dragon Bureau dispatch three hundred Cyan Dragon Guards to accompany him to capture Chen Tang. Assemble at the North Gate by noon!"

The Cyan Dragon Bureau of Qingzhou City is overseen by a Third Grade Marshal, with four Captains, seventeen Guard Captains, plus the Cyan Dragon Guard, totaling more than five hundred people.

Excluding servants and blacksmiths in the Cyan Dragon Bureau, the three hundred Cyan Dragon Guards comprise almost half of the Bureau’s strength!

"Yes!"

The four Captains rose and responded.

After delivering the message, the Mystic Masters from the Profound Celestial Temple left with their team.

"Brother Yang, should we inform the Marshal about this?"

One Captain asked.

Another replied, "Why inform him? Ever since he arrived here in Qingzhou City, he’s been drunk nearly every day, ignoring his duties. Brother Yang has been managing the Cyan Dragon Bureau during this time."

The third Captain snorted coldly, "If it weren’t for this Tan being parachuted in, Brother Yang would surely have been promoted to Marshal, especially since Brother Yang has already reached the Third Grade!"

Among the four Captains, the only one who hadn’t spoken had a thin, gaunt face, a brows in the shape of a river, with an air of maturity and many wrinkles on his face.

This man was the only Third Grade Martial Artist among them, Yang Ming.

One person frowned and asked, "Why did this Tan get to be Marshal in our Qingzhou City?"

"I heard that in Pingzhou, he betrayed his subordinates for wealth. Plus, his cultivation improved and reached the Third Grade, which is how he ended up as Marshal here in Qingzhou City," another Captain said.

One Captain looked at Yang Ming and said in a low voice, "Brother Yang, this is a golden opportunity to capture Chen Tang alongside the Observatory Master Tu. Along the way, you can become closer to him."

"Once you return, the Observatory Master can speak highly of you in front of the Elders in the Capital City, definitely pushing this Tan out!"

Yang Ming pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is vital and should be reported to Marshal Tan."

Actually, Yang Ming knew clearly in his heart that informing him was merely a formality.

This Marshal Tan was always drunk in his courtyard, likely unable to even lift a sword, so how could he get involved in this?

This was undoubtedly a heaven-sent opportunity, giving him a chance to achieve great merit!

The four of them arrived outside Marshal Hall.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, a strong smell of alcohol hit them!

In the courtyard, a dozen empty wine jars were strewn about untidily.

A person with disheveled hair and an unkempt appearance leaned against the door, half of his body limp on the ground, holding a wine jar, snoring loudly with his eyes closed.

If others saw this sight, they would never imagine this person was the Marshal of the Cyan Dragon Bureau!

Yang Ming glanced at the person, shook his head slightly, openly displaying his disdain and contempt, and said, "The Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple has ordered the Cyan Dragon Bureau to dispatch three hundred Cyan Dragon Guards to assemble at the North Gate by noon, to capture Chen Tang."

"Judging by Lord Tan’s condition, it doesn’t seem suitable for travel. I will count the personnel and lead them on your behalf, while you stay here to guard the Cyan Dragon Bureau."

Yang Ming said this as if just as a formality, gave a signal to the other three, and then turned to leave.

Previously, when they reported matters, this Marshal Tan never responded.

However, Yang Ming and the others did not notice.

When he mentioned the name ’Chen Tang,’ the eyelashes of the previously sleeping Marshal Tan twitched slightly.

As Yang Ming and the others reached the gate, a voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Which Chen Tang did you just mention?"

Yang Ming and the others were slightly startled, instinctively turning around.

They saw that the Marshal, who had been asleep just moments before, was now slowly getting up, shaking his head forcefully, and suddenly opened his eyes, looking at them.

"It’s... the Lion-Tiger Arhat from the capital city."

Yang Ming hesitated for a moment, but still spoke truthfully.

"Oh?"

Marshal Tan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why do you want to arrest him?"

Yang Ming briefly explained what Chen Tang had done in Cloud County.

"Understood."

Marshal Tan nodded and said, "Go assemble the troops, gather outside the Cyan Dragon Bureau in half an hour!"

Yang Ming and the others exchanged glances, puzzled.

This Marshal Tan intended to personally lead the team.

Why was he so invested in this matter?

Yang Ming sneered inwardly.

In his view, the Marshal had probably realized this was an unprecedented opportunity to gain merit and was afraid he would steal the credit, hence his reaction!

Although Yang Ming was unwilling, he could say nothing.

Before long, Marshal Tan was fully dressed, clad in Bronze Armor, with a Cyan Dragon Sword at his waist. Although his face still had a scruffy beard, he looked much more spirited than before, shaking off his previous lethargy.

His face still had a hint of drunken redness, but his eyes now showed some vigor!

The Cyan Dragon Bureau needed someone to stay behind.

Marshal Tan, with Yang Ming, three Captains, ten Guard Captains, and three hundred Cyan Dragon Guards, quickly rode to the South Gate of Qingzhou City.

The Cyan Dragon Bureau of Qingzhou City and the strength of the Profound Celestial Temple were far superior to the commandery cities within the state.

The Profound Celestial Temple’s Observatory Master, Tu Yang, was a Mystic Master in the Perfected Foundation Establishment Realm.

This time he brought two hundred people, of whom one hundred fifty were Martial Artists.

The remaining fifty were Mystic Masters.

Among them, there were ten Mystic Masters in the Foundation Establishment Realm!

The rest were Alchemists in the Qi Condensation Realm.

Just these fifty Mystic Masters could easily wipe out a thousand-man army!

Tu Yang, over fifty years old, with extremely thin lips and a sinister complexion, paired with his dark-colored robe, made him appear even more ominous.

Unlike others who rode horses, he sat inside a carriage.

Upon hearing the urgent sound of hooves, Tu Yang slightly lifted the curtain of the carriage to look outside.

Seeing Marshal Tan approaching with his men, a trace of surprise flashed in Tu Yang’s eyes, and he asked, "Lord Tan, have you finally come out of seclusion?"

"Duty calls."

Marshal Tan nodded.

Tu Yang said indifferently, "I suppose it’s been a long time since Lord Tan wielded a sword, be careful not to be cut down by that junior."

Marshal Tan replied, "Tan’s sword will not disappoint you, Observatory Master!"

"That’s good."

Tu Yang let down the curtain.