Chapter 138 - 88: Lord of Black Mountain County

Chapter 138: Chapter 88: Lord of Black Mountain County

Three days later.

In the faint light of dawn, the morning sun had just begun to rise. On the streets of Black Mountain County, a Jianghu wanderer wearing a bamboo hat that concealed his face walked forward, sword in hand. Dodging through the crowd, he slipped into a teahouse.

"Waiter, serve the tea!"

This secretive, bearded Jianghu Han called out calmly in a low voice. Immediately, a waiter approached, bringing a pot of tea. The waiter then asked attentively, "Guest, what kind of pastries would you like?"

"Just bring whatever."

The bearded Jianghu Han took out an ingot of silver taels and placed it openly on the wooden table. He casually glanced at a roof at the end of the street outside the teahouse, pretending to ask inadvertently, "That residence is truly magnificent! Waiter, do you know whose estate that is in the county?"

"You aren’t a local, are you, guest?"

The waiter collected the silver, a flash of joy crossing his eyes, before replying, "That is the residence of the illustrious and renowned Captain Zheng of our county. Captain Zheng is a rare good man in these parts!"

"A good man?"

The bearded Jianghu Han couldn’t help but let out a contemptuous chuckle, a fleeting hint of resentment flashing in the corner of his eyes. "I came from Luling Commandery to visit a friend here, so I’m not very familiar with Black Mountain County. Just who exactly is this Captain Zheng? Could you tell me a bit about him, so I don’t accidentally offend him on the streets in the future?"

Hearing the bearded Jianghu Han’s words, the waiter began to talk endlessly about Zheng Jun’s situation. The Jianghu Han occasionally chimed in from the side, only incidentally asking about Captain Zheng’s daily itinerary—such as what time he left for roll call in the morning, when he returned home at night, and who lived in his residence. The questions seemed nonchalant, but anyone listening closely would realize they were rather probing.

After the waiter chatted on for a while, he suddenly excused himself to fetch the tea and pastries. He returned shortly after, continuing his exposition on Zheng Jun to the Jianghu Han.

"Captain Zheng leaves the house every day around 5:00 AM. Recently, the estate took in a few maidservants..."

Listening to the waiter’s account, the Jianghu Han meticulously memorized the details. However, halfway through his sentence, the waiter suddenly stood up and quickly retreated backward.

"Hmm?"

Seeing this, the Jianghu Han was momentarily taken aback. But soon, he realized something was terribly wrong. In the next second, urgent footsteps echoed from the surroundings. Immediately after, the doors and windows of the other shops on the street were tightly shut. A group of Jianghu figures wielding sabers and swords, dressed in uniform attire, suddenly flooded the street and arrived at the entrance of the teahouse.

The Jianghu Han thought in alarm, "This is bad!" Startled, he looked up, just in time to see two people standing at the doorway, causing his heart to sink.

Qi Storage Realm! Two Qi Storage Martial Artists!

At this moment, the leading man let out a cold snort. His muscles bulged, revealing him to be an expert highly skilled in Horizontal Training!

"I am Protector Xu Tianfang of the Tongzhou Association, and this is Protector Yuan Yaoyang. You have been inquiring about Captain Zheng repeatedly—what are you up to?" Xu Tianfang, having unleashed his Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill, snorted coldly and shouted, "Acting so stealthily—take him down!"

Beside him, Yuan Yaoyang also drew his sword, Sword Qi sweeping out. The Lotus Water Sword truly lived up to its reputation.

"You think you can capture me?"

The bearded Jianghu Han’s eyes turned bloodshot as he stood up, his Qi and Blood surging wildly. Although he was no match for two Qi Storage Martial Artists, he was more than capable of escaping if he wanted to.

However, just as the Jianghu Han was about to execute a Cultivation Technique to break free, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him, and his limbs went limp.

"What is this? Have I been poisoned?"

The Jianghu Han only felt weakness in his limbs. A heavy lethargy washed over him, and his vision darkened. He was already losing control and on the verge of collapsing, but he forcefully propped himself up, preparing to use his True Qi to purge the poison.

"Stop struggling. Ms. Qingdai is a master of medicine. This isn’t a poison, but a supplementary medicinal powder used when practicing Horizontal Training."

Xu Tianfang sneered. Without hesitation, he lunged forward. Together, he and Yuan Yaoyang flanked the powerless Jianghu Han from left and right, directly subduing him.

The Jianghu Han struggled with all his might, but to no avail. He could only glare with wide eyes and yell, "Let me go! If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!"

Nearby, Ma Rou’Er, a core member of the Tongzhou Association wearing a simple and practical outfit with her hair in a ponytail, held a portrait. After examining it, she immediately announced, "Protector Xu, Protector Yuan, this man is Qin Hong, a Direct Disciple of the Vast Sea Sect! According to the wanted poster issued by the Court, this brat defected from the Vast Sea Sect five days ago under the leadership of Old Thief Yuan Yi!"

"Excellent!"

Xu Tianfang was overjoyed at the news. He immediately snapped the man’s arm. Amidst a miserable shriek, they marched him away.

Seeing Xu Tianfang and Yuan Yaoyang leave, the waiter and the teahouse Shopkeeper quickly approached with smiling faces. The waiter even chuckled, "Senior Sister, I didn’t embarrass our Martial Arts Hall, did I?"

Although this waiter had yet to achieve Blood Refining, he still had a foundation in Martial Arts. It was just that to Qin Hong, a Qi Storage Martial Artist, the waiter seemed no different from an ordinary person, so he hadn’t paid him much mind at all.

"Hairy Face, you did well this time. The Association will definitely reward you! Since Ms. Qingdai arrived a few days ago, Captain Zheng might even have her concoct a dose of medicinal powder for you. Once you take it, you’ll be able to complete Blood Refining at the earliest opportunity and officially join the Association."

Ma Rou’Er also spoke with a smile, then added with a highly sarcastic tone, "These people from the Vast Sea Sect really have pig brains. I can’t believe he actually managed to cultivate to Qi Storage with that intellect! Doesn’t he think there’s something suspicious about a teahouse being able to operate right here in the county town?"