The Explosive Rise of Ancient Martial Artists Jiang Che's Ultimate Betrayal

Could it be a spiritual energy resurgence?

But Jiang Che quickly dismissed this speculation.

As a grandmaster at the peak of his cultivation, if he couldn’t even sense the changes of a spiritual energy resurgence, wouldn’t that make him utterly useless?

"But since the Pavilion Master said so, there must be something fishy going on here."

From Ye Qing’s case alone, it was clear that behind that door lay connections to other minor worlds. And then there was the mysterious "elder sister" residing in his little cousin’s ring—a soul entity whose strength was undoubtedly formidable.

Even if there was no spiritual energy resurgence in the future, following the tropes of traditional novels, all sorts of supernatural beings would inevitably cross over from other dimensions.

He had to prepare for the worst!

What if these powerful figures started wreaking havoc with their godlike abilities?

Turning Earth into a chaotic mess was one thing, but disturbing Jiang Che’s peaceful life? That was a problem of an entirely different magnitude!

At this point, Jiang Che had no other ambitions. He was content with toying with the so-called "chosen ones" and using his influence to make life difficult for them in all sorts of creative ways.

...

Hangzhou Police Station.

"Yanran-jie, there’s another case of ancient martial artists assaulting civilians in the southern district," reported a young officer hurriedly.

Wang Yanran sat at her desk, massaging her temples. Her hair was dry and split, and dark circles hung heavily under her eyes. She looked utterly exhausted.

"Understood. Send someone to investigate and keep reporting the situation to higher-ups," she sighed after a long pause.

Over the past two months, the number of ancient martial artists in the country had surged. Most were rogue cultivators—unaffiliated with any sect—and their cultivation levels weren’t particularly high, mostly Early Stage Dark Force or Middle Stage Dark Force.

Martial artists at this level were the most prone to arrogance. With a little power, they began disregarding the law. That’s why the nation strictly regulated martial sects, enforcing collective punishment—if one disciple broke the rules, the entire sect would be held accountable!

But now... the number of rogue cultivators had multiplied several times over, and naturally, the crime rate had risen alongside them.

"What a troublesome time..." Wang Yanran sighed deeply.

Just then—"Yanran-jie, someone’s here to see you! It’s your little sweetheart!"

It was the same petite officer with a bun hairstyle, her tone teasing.

Wang Yanran froze, then a faint blush crept onto her cheeks as she glared at the young officer.

"Little Cui, if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll assign you to night shifts for a month!"

Little Cui stuck out her tongue playfully. "Pfft, go on then, go see your sweetheart..."

With that, she tugged Wang Yanran out of her seat.

"Yanran-jie, it’s already off-duty hours. I hereby unilaterally declare... your overtime is revoked. Go have some fun with your little sweetheart!"

"You—!" Wang Yanran was momentarily speechless.

And the so-called "sweetheart"? Naturally, it was Jiang Che!

"Jiang... Jiang Che, what brings you here?"

Wang Yanran glanced at him, then instinctively smoothed her hair, trying to appear less disheveled.

"What? Can’t I visit?"

"From the way you’re talking, Yanran-jie... it sounds like you’re blaming me?"

Jiang Che stepped closer, his tone playful.

"Tch, who’d blame you? Go have fun with your little girlfriends instead!"

Wang Yanran shot him a sharp glare, but the jealousy and resentment in her voice were palpable even from a distance.

"Yanran-jie, you look exhausted lately."

Jiang Che took her hand in his. Despite being a police officer, Wang Yanran didn’t frequently handle firearms, so her hands remained soft and delicate.

"Ugh..." She sighed in frustration.

"Hey, Jiang Che, isn’t your grandfather the head of the Ancient Martial Artists Association?" she asked, lifting her gaze.

"Yeah, why? Need something?"

"Recently, crimes involving rogue martial artists have tripled or even quadrupled nationwide. My dad and the provincial officials are tearing their hair out over it. Since your grandfather is the association’s leader..."

Jiang Che’s eyes narrowed slightly. Before coming here, he’d had his subordinate Monkey investigate the situation—and the results were shocking.

The number of ancient martial artists across the country had surged, and most were ordinary people who had suddenly gained power.

This wasn’t a spiritual energy resurgence!

But more martial artists inevitably meant more threats to social stability. Scholars disrupt order with words; warriors break laws with force!

Once people gained power, the demons locked within their hearts would inevitably break free. That’s why crimes involving martial artists had always been high.

And this was precisely why Jiang Che had come.

He had once obtained a reward from his system: blueprints for Anti-Martial Particle Weaponry.

These blueprints detailed 116 different offensive and defensive weapons. Their designs weren’t complicated—modern human technology could easily produce them.

Some were downright bizarre, but without exception... every single one was designed to counter martial artists and superhumans!

Mortal Equalizer: When activated, all martial artists and superhumans within a 10-kilometer radius revert to ordinary humans (effective against those below grandmaster level, and ignores protagonist halo effects).

Anti-Energy Bullet Coating: Applied to bullets, this coating allows them to penetrate inner energy barriers and martial domains.

Qi Stagnation Agent: Loaded into artificial rain dispersal systems, this compound significantly slows the flow of inner energy in martial artists...

Just look at these things—every single one was tailor-made to suppress martial artists!

Of course, there were also lethal weapons designed for high-level fighters. Even a Heaven-Shattering Realm expert could be taken down effortlessly.

Jiang Che had always been cautious, so he’d prepared... a few contingencies. When the so-called "Chosen Ones Association" emerged, he’d secretly ordered his subordinates to manufacture a small batch of these weapons.

Now... he planned to hand a few of these treasures over to the national authorities.

These unruly martial artists needed to be put in their place!

Ahem... Of course, these weapons had no effect on Jiang Che or his allies. As system-derived technology, he controlled the source code—he was the one who made the rules!

Dear martial artist friends, it’s not that I’m betraying you. For the sake of social order and national prosperity... just endure it, okay?

Jiang Che let out a sinister chuckle.

What? Calling me a hypocrite? Buddy, I’m already playing the villain here... What even is "personal integrity"? Can you eat it?

"Yanran-jie, do you want a promotion?" Jiang Che wrapped an arm around Wang Yanran’s waist, his hand wandering freely.

She didn’t resist his advances—after all, they’d gone much further before.

"A promotion? If I wanted one, I could’ve been transferred to the municipal bureau long ago," she replied flatly.

"Then let me rephrase—do you want the means to easily suppress martial artists?"

Wang Yanran frowned. "Suppress martial artists? We already have that—guns. Firearms can kill most martial artists."

Jiang Che shook his head, his smile growing even more mysterious.

"Yanran-jie, you still don’t get what I mean..."