Chapter 140 - 88: Lord of Black Mountain County

Chapter 140: Chapter 88: Lord of Black Mountain County

However, Zheng Jun was also quite puzzled by the Cai Family’s behavior.

He wondered what they were betting on. If he died at the hands of True Man Yuan Yi, wouldn’t the Cai Family lose their entire investment?

They didn’t know he possessed the Great Tao Martial Book. From the Cai Family’s perspective, he was just a genius. Even if his talent later faded into mediocrity, he would still add an Outer Gang combatant to their ranks... Did they really not need that?

Zheng Jun pondered over this, but he didn’t resent the Cai Family for it. On the contrary, he still held a favorable impression of them. After all, he had to forge his own path. Without the Cai Family, he might have faced the Vast Sea Sect’s wrath much sooner, and they had indeed helped shield him for a long time.

After all, his killing of Lou Wei was an absolute inevitability. To attract investment, one had to prove they possessed the capital worth investing in. Society was cruel; if someone wasn’t born with certain things, they could only attain them after proving their worth.

Right at that moment, Du Ding called out from outside the tent, requesting an audience. With Zheng Jun’s nod, Du Ding entered the military tent shortly after. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute and said, "Captain, Ma Rou’Er of the Tongzhou Association is waiting outside. She brings important news."

Although Du Ding and Ma Rou’Er were as close as brother and sister, they still had to use their professional titles while on duty.

"What news?" Zheng Jun asked casually.

"Half a two-hour period ago, a Jianghu Han appeared near your residence, constantly probing for information about you. Following a report by a probationary member, Zhang Maolian’er, this person was captured by Protector Xu and Protector Yuan," Du Ding reported respectfully. "Upon investigation, we found that this man is a Qi Storage Martial Artist and a former Direct Disciple of the Vast Sea Sect. He studied under True Man Yuan Yi and goes by the name Qin Hong. How should we deal with him? Please give the order."

"A disciple of the Vast Sea Sect, huh." Zheng Jun nodded. Thinking to himself that a free experience pack had just arrived, he immediately ordered, "Escort him here, then give him a Wide-Backed Saber."

"Huh?" Hearing this, Du Ding froze in surprise. He hadn’t expected Zheng Jun to give such a response; it truly caught him off guard.

Zheng Jun’s expression was amiable as he asked softly, "What’s wrong, Du? Is there a problem?"

"No, Master Zheng," Du Ding answered instinctively.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun chuckled softly and offered a casual explanation. "This man’s Wave-Treading Saber must have reached a certain standard. Later, I will also use the Wave-Treading Blade Technique to fight him. Watch closely when the time comes. Observe the differences between my saber and his. Also, after I Slash him down, you can ask questions on the spot if there is anything you don’t understand."

Hearing Zheng Jun’s words, a wave of warmth instantly washed over Du Ding’s heart.

So... Master Zheng was doing all this for the sake of their progress in Martial Arts? For the sake of their improvement, Master Zheng was actually willing to take the risk of releasing an enemy for a public duel... He really was treating them far too well; it made Du Ding want to cry!

In the past, when he read in books or heard in stories about some General loving his soldiers like his own sons, Du Ding had always assumed it was pure fiction. Which General would truly do such a thing? But now that he had seen Zheng Jun, Du Ding finally believed it. If that General was Master Zheng, the officers and soldiers from top to bottom would absolutely be united as one, fighting bravely to kill the enemy!

Du Ding nodded deeply, then quickly stepped out to notify the Tongzhou Association to escort the man over.

Meanwhile, Zheng Jun sat in his commander’s seat, casually reviewing a document regarding logistical expenses. He intended to expand the troop reserves. He would no longer claim empty wages; the three hundred County Soldiers of Black Mountain County had to be fully replenished!

The missing numbers in the First Squad, Second Squad, Fourth Squad, and Logistics Squad had to be filled. However, the County Soldiers’ compensation would naturally remain unchanged. After all, since cracking down on the Gentry and landlords, Zheng Jun now had an abundance of silver, more than enough to distribute some extra benefits to his men.

The only problem, however, was Yang Jun.

Zheng Jun let out a long breath. Even though Vice Captain Yang Jun of the Black Mountain Guard had been cooperating with him all along, in Zheng Jun’s eyes, the man was not one of his own. He remained alienated from Zheng Jun’s Direct Lineage.

He thought to himself, "I need to figure out a way. I either have to make Captain Yang Jun one of my own, or I need to tell him to get lost and go elsewhere."

After all, he still needed a deputy who was completely obedient. The Black Mountain Guard was united from top to bottom, and they had the Tongzhou Association assisting them among the civilians. A single Yang Jun couldn’t make any waves, but having someone by his side who wasn’t his own man still felt unsettling.

Before long, Zheng Jun heard Du Ding’s report that the captive had arrived. Hearing this, Zheng Jun gave a slight nod, stood up, and headed toward the drill ground.

In front of the drill ground, the Vast Sea Sect disciple, Qin Hong, held a Wide-Backed Saber. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Zheng Jun with ocean-deep hatred. Through gritted teeth, he spat, "Thief Zheng, how dare you insult me!"

He had been captured in public and dragged to this arena. Before he could even react, the area below the stage had been filled with soldiers. Then, he was released and handed a Wide-Backed Saber—which, judging from its design, looked like the relic of a fellow sect member. What kind of humiliation was this?! In the eyes of that bastard Zheng Jun, was he truly so insignificant?!

"What insult?" Zheng Jun said with extreme composure. "I’m giving you a chance to kill me. Are you unwilling to take it?"

"You will regret your actions today!" Dropping this threat, Qin Hong’s killing intent surged. He swung the Wide-Backed Saber in his hand with extreme speed, gathering a surging, wave-like intent.

As an Inner Sect Disciple of the Vast Sea Sect, Qin Hong had naturally cultivated the Wave-Treading Saber to Great Success, wielding it with effortless familiarity. This Slash came down like towering, monstrous waves, an offensive akin to a fierce flood beast hurtling toward Zheng Jun.

Qin Hong’s fierce assault immediately made the County Soldiers below the stage feel both worried and delighted. They were delighted because cultivating the Wave-Treading Saber to Qi Storage turned out to be so formidable. They were worried because, although Captain Zheng’s Divine Skill was incredible, could he quickly resolve this surging Saber Technique?

No one had any doubts about Zheng Jun defeating Qin Hong. The only question was how long it would take.

To the soldiers’ doubts, Zheng Jun’s answer consisted of only two words.

One slash.

Zheng Jun lightly raised his Beirong Saber, and a Flood Dragon’s long roar echoed out. There were no towering, monstrous waves, nor were there any fierce flood beasts. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, it was merely an ordinary slash.

Yet, Qin Hong’s eyes widened, and in the next second, he stumbled two steps before crashing heavily to the ground. The cross-section of his neck was perfectly smooth, and his head rolled steadily away.

His eyes were filled with absolute disbelief.

Perfection level, Wave-Treading Saber?!