Chapter 143 - 89: The Cai Family’s Plot, Warlord of Chaotic Times!

Chapter 143: Chapter 89: The Cai Family’s Plot, Warlord of Chaotic Times!

And Zheng Jun was Cai Xun’s bargaining chip to become the next Patriarch! He lacked a powerful maternal family and formidable cultivation resources. But he was lucky enough to meet Zheng Jun!

Only if Zheng Jun proved his maximum value could Cai Xun hold his head high within the Cai family, showing those legitimate brothers who looked down on him exactly who was the most useful to the clan! Thus, to Cai Xun, Zheng Jun was his hope for vindication. He was the last person who wanted Zheng Jun dead.

"What a pity my mother’s family holds no influence and cannot offer support." Watching Zheng Jun preaching martial arts on the training ground, Cai Xun couldn’t help but clench his fists. "No," he thought to himself, "I must find a few Outer Gang experts to come here and protect him. Even if Zheng Jun ultimately loses, he won’t lose his life! Even if I have to spend some silver to hire them, I must get a few Outer Gang experts!"

This was his chance! If Zheng Jun failed, he would step in to save the day, surely earning Zheng Jun’s gratitude. And even if Zheng Jun wasn’t the person the family was looking for, he was still a heroic figure capable of stirring up the world’s winds and clouds. Perhaps he might even become the founding general for some great hero! This might not be the Cai family’s opportunity, but it was absolutely his—Cai Xun’s!

"PHEW." Cai Xun exhaled heavily, walking out of the County Captain’s Mansion and hurrying over to Zheng Jun.

At this moment, Zheng Jun had just finished his instruction, and a line of small ink-wash text floated before his eyes.

[Imparting knowledge and reviewing the old to learn the new. Wave-Treading Blade Technique repayment progress +13. Current repayment progress: 1,795/10,000.]

Although the increase was relatively small, Zheng Jun was still quite satisfied. After all, he was just doing it in passing. His reason for teaching the Wave-Treading Blade Technique to the soldiers was partly to boost their combat strength. The Wave-Treading Blade Technique was the highest-grade Martial Arts he was capable of passing on. The other reason was that he wanted them to grow stronger. Once they did, he could have fifty of them fight him at once in a sparring exchange, which might accelerate his repayment progress. It was worth a shot, regardless of the outcome.

"Sanlang." Cai Xun’s voice reached Zheng Jun’s ears.

Hearing this, Zheng Jun immediately turned around and gave Cai Xun a very genial smile. "Brother Xun!"

"Come with me, let’s talk inside." Cai Xun smiled faintly, glanced around, and then waved his hand, gesturing for Zheng Jun to follow him indoors.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun gave a slight nod to Xu Zhilei nearby. Xu Zhilei immediately understood, dismissing the soldiers to practice on their own. Afterward, Zheng Jun followed Cai Xun into the room.

As soon as they entered, Cai Xun sat straight down on a nearby chair and spoke to Zheng Jun with utmost solemnity. "Zheng Jun, you should already know True Man Yuan Yi’s purpose for descending the mountain. I won’t say more on that, but let me ask you this: are you confident?"

"Somewhat confident." Zheng Jun couldn’t figure out what Cai Xun was playing at. He thought he and the Cai family had a tacit understanding not to point things out explicitly. "What are your thoughts on the matter?" he asked.

After a moment of hesitation, Cai Xun decided against elevating his own importance by belittling his family. Instead, he said, "The clan is tied up with other matters, otherwise we would definitely help you deal with that Old Thief Yuan Yi."

Zheng Jun nodded, bewildered. Was that it?

"However, I personally am very worried about your safety." Exhaling heavily, Cai Xun continued, "My own strength is only average, so I’m afraid I don’t have the ability to help you block Old Thief Yuan Yi. But if you need anything in the coming days, just ask! I do have some private savings..."

With that, he looked up at Zheng Jun, his eyes full of sincerity.

Zheng Jun was momentarily at a loss for words. "Uh, is this considered a private investment?" he thought. He finally understood. Cai Xun meant that he wanted to invest in him personally, completely independent of the Cai family.

Hearing this, Zheng Jun tentatively replied, "Lately... I have some need for Earth Evil Qi and Condensing Gang Powder for my cultivation. I wonder if you have any to spare?"

"Turn down a free benefit?" Zheng Jun thought to himself. "Impossible. I will absolutely take it. It just so happens I’m running low on Pills recently! In a few days, I’ll be meeting the Regent of Southern Chu, and I can pull the exact same trick then."

Upon hearing Zheng Jun’s request, Cai Xun was utterly astonished. "You need Earth Evil Qi and Condensing Gang Powder? Could it be... have you already stepped into the Outer Gang realm?!"

Cai Xun found it terrifyingly impressive. It had only been a few months, and he was already at Outer Gang?

"You misunderstand, Brother Xun. I am not at the Outer Gang realm." Zheng Jun shook his head. "I just completed Qi Collection not long ago and am currently Refining Gang. Using Earth Evil Qi and Condensing Gang Powder for Refining Gang makes the process a bit faster."

Hearing Zheng Jun’s words, Cai Xun hesitated, swallowing back what he was about to say. Consuming Condensing Gang Powder and refining Earth Evil Qi while only in the Qi Storage Realm? How terrifying was that? A single misstep could lead to shattered bones, torn muscles, and a ruptured Dantian. That was a catastrophic event that would ruin a martial artist’s future.

But seeing how confident Zheng Jun was, and recalling the three bottles of Earth Evil Qi that Shopkeeper Shang had gifted him, Cai Xun took a deep breath. Making up his mind, he nodded. "Alright! I will make a trip to Pingzhang Commandery to withdraw some silver coins and buy Condensing Gang Powder! They might not have Earth Evil Qi... but I should definitely be able to buy a couple doses of Condensing Gang Powder!"

Overjoyed at Cai Xun’s words, Zheng Jun still made sure to add politely, "There’s no need to deplete your own funds. I have plenty of silver on hand myself..."

"Your silver is for accomplishing great things! Mine is just for daily amusements! My silver can be spent; you should save yours." Cai Xun said with absolute resolve, "When you strike it rich and rise to greatness in the future, just don’t forget about me!"

Zheng Jun spoke with righteous sincerity, his eyes shining brightly as he declared openly, "Rest assured, Brother Xun. I am willing to swear by Black Mountain: as long as you do not betray me, I will never betray you!"

Hearing Zheng Jun’s answer, Cai Xun cupped his fists in salute. "Then whatever you need to do, go ahead and do it boldly, Zheng Jun. I’ll cover for you! The transfer order from the Commandery has come down. I will become the Black Mountain County Magistrate and continue to oversee the county. If you have any needs, just ask. You and I shall rule Black Mountain County together!"

Cai Xun’s voice was grand and resounding. Though he said they would rule Black Mountain County together, there was an underlying implication that he was offering Zheng Jun true authority over the county.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun couldn’t help but let out a breath. "What is going on here?" he wondered. "Why is my ’sworn brother from another mother’, Cai Xun, suddenly so emotional? Did something provoke him?"

But regardless, it had nothing to do with him. He would take whatever benefits came his way. Only what he swallowed into his own stomach truly belonged to him!