Chapter 132 - 86: Earth Evil Qi, Maid Qingdai

Chapter 132: Chapter 86: Earth Evil Qi, Maid Qingdai

That night, Zheng Jun sought out Cai Xun with Great Yu’s Imperial Sword in hand and explained the situation.

After listening to Zheng Jun’s account and learning that he had killed a Copper Seal Patrol, Cai Xun carefully inquired about the patrol’s name.

Upon finding out that the man’s surname was Qi and that he was a relative and friend of Guo Ping, the local tyrant of Black Mountain County, Cai Xun burst into laughter.

He did not accept Great Yu’s Imperial Sword that Zheng Jun offered as a gift. Instead, he nonchalantly said, "No matter," and told Zheng Jun to return and rest with peace of mind.

The Cai Family had been operating in Bozhou for a long time. It had been over two hundred years since their initial rise to power, not to mention the resources they had accumulated even prior to that. Disposing of a powerless and unbacked Copper Seal Patrol was by no means a difficult task.

Having received Cai Xun’s promise, Zheng Jun returned to the Zheng Mansion, and everything continued as normal.

Just like that, four days passed.

Everything was calm and peaceful, as if nothing untoward had ever happened.

The squires and local tyrants of Black Mountain County had been thoroughly subdued by Zheng Jun. They did not dare voice a single word of complaint and had already begun to actively integrate into the township system established by the Tongzhou Association. After all, for them, it was merely paying a price to avoid disaster.

Meanwhile, a rumor suddenly spread in Black Mountain County, claiming that the Black Mountain Thieves had announced their responsibility for the massacre of the entire Guo Family in the township.

As for Zheng Jun himself, he continued his bitter, secluded training. However, the progress of his Wave-Treading Blade Technique was slow. Over the past four days, it had only increased by about forty points—a pace as slow as a crawling turtle.

As for the Broken Jade Skill, his cultivation process became increasingly proficient. It had reached 2742 points and was on the verge of being fully repaid.

Early that morning, Zheng Jun arrived at the Military Department for roll call.

As soon as he arrived at the Government Office, he saw Cai Liu hurrying over. "Captain Zheng, you’re finally here. The County Captain asked me to call you over to discuss some matters," Cai Liu said.

"Don’t be in such a rush, senior. The path of Martial Arts values steadiness. Being as hot-tempered as you are won’t do your future Martial Arts path any good." Zheng Jun wasn’t in a hurry. He first smiled at Cai Liu before asking, "I wonder what my elder brother seeks me for?"

"The Silver Badge Patrol sent from Pingzhang Commandery to investigate has arrived," Cai Liu panted, continuing, "but it shouldn’t be a problem. That Silver Badge Patrol and the Second Young Master have been friends for years. This investigation is mostly just a formality. You can just answer however you see fit, Captain Zheng."

Hearing this, Zheng Jun couldn’t help but nod.

The Cai Family’s connections spread throughout the entirety of Bozhou. It was perfectly normal for them to have acquaintances within the Six Gates. But if that was all, it shouldn’t have caused Cai Liu to make such a fuss, right?

Thus, Zheng Jun continued to look at Cai Liu, who added, "Besides him, Shopkeeper Shang has also come. He arrived together with the Silver Badge Patrol, saying he wants to thank you for your kindness, Captain Zheng."

"Shopkeeper Shang?" Zheng Jun was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized who this Shopkeeper Shang was.

He was the uncle of the Sun Family siblings he had rescued on Black Mountain. It had just been a small effort on his part. Although he had saved his nephew and niece, did it really warrant a shopkeeper like him coming to pay a personal visit?

Zheng Jun fell into deep thought. Perhaps this Shopkeeper Shang wasn’t just here to say thanks.

Zheng Jun nodded. Not overthinking it any further, he followed Cai Liu toward the County Captain’s Mansion.

This wasn’t Zheng Jun’s first time visiting the County Captain’s Mansion. Lotus flowers were planted everywhere, blending seamlessly with the surrounding scenery to create an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.

After passing through a few corridors, Zheng Jun stepped into the eastern pavilion. As soon as he entered, he saw three people sitting around a single table, drinking tea and chatting.

The person sitting in the center was none other than County Captain Cai Xun.

One of the other men was dressed in black robes adorned with numerous gold threads, and a small Silver Seal hung at his waist. He wasn’t very old—likely in his early thirties—but his eyes exuded a highly dangerous aura.

The third person was a burly man dressed in a brocade robe. The attire seemed rather out of place on him, making him look awkwardly like a Jianghu warrior trying to pass as a merchant.

Just by looking at their clothing, Zheng Jun had already figured out their identities. However, he didn’t let on. Instead, he greeted Cai Xun with composed respect, "County Captain."

Cai Xun smiled at Zheng Jun’s demeanor. "No need for such formalities, my virtuous brother. This is Brother Deng Huan, who is like family to us. And this is Chief Shopkeeper Shang Ruicheng, whose family maintains close ties with ours.

"Gentlemen, this is the renowned Captain of the Black Mountain Guard in Pingzhang Commandery, and my virtuous brother, Zheng San!" Cai Xun continued, introducing him to Deng Huan and Shang Ruicheng.

Before Cai Xun could even finish his introductions, Shang Ruicheng had already stood up and spoken to Zheng Jun with utmost politeness. "I am Shang Ruicheng. I have the humble honor of serving as the Chief Shopkeeper of Jishi Hall’s Bozhou branch, and I am the uncle to Qiwei and Qizhen. My younger sister only has those two children. They were on their way home to visit the other day and unexpectedly encountered such a disaster. Thank you for lending a helping hand, Captain Zheng!"

Shang Ruicheng bowed to Zheng Jun and continued, "Recently, I also learned that you seem to be looking for Condensing Gang Powder and Earth Evil Qi? Before coming here, I checked Bozhou’s inventory and found three bottles of Blood Soul Qi Fiend that haven’t been used yet. If you don’t mind, please take them for your use."

With a mere wave of his sleeve, three jade bottles containing a red gas appeared in front of Zheng Jun. These jade bottles were sealed with specialized clasps, capable of keeping the gas securely trapped inside.