Chapter 158 - 94: A Storm is Brewing, Undercurrents Surging

Chapter 158: Chapter 94: A Storm is Brewing, Undercurrents Surging

"Still, this isn’t a bad thing. Adversity reveals true feelings," Cai Xun thought to himself. "My performance should be enough to prove that Zheng Jun and I are deeply bound together now, right?"

Hearing his words, Zheng Jun smiled faintly and spoke with utmost modesty. "You flatter me, Brother. I just had a bit of luck. That Old Thief Yuan Yi used a rather unpolished Wave-Treading Blade Technique. Every time he made a move, I anticipated it beforehand, which is why I was able to slash him to death."

He let out a sigh. "Those clowns from the Vast Sea Sect can’t even properly master the skills passed down by their Ancestral Master. They truly deserve to die by my hands."

After his lamentation, Zheng Jun touched the Condensing Gang Powder that Cai Xun had just given him, his eyes burning with fervor.

There were a full four doses of Condensing Gang Powder here—enough to keep him thrilled for four whole days!

"Wait, why does that sound a bit weird?" he thought.

However, that was exactly what it meant. Consuming one dose of Condensing Gang Powder allowed him to cultivate continuously for a day; four doses meant four days. Coupled with the medicinal baths and meals prepared by Qingdai and Bai Zhi, he could maximize his absorption of the Condensing Gang Powder’s medicinal properties.

Zheng Jun was confident that his strength would absolutely soar after finishing this batch!

Cai Xun was momentarily at a loss for words after hearing Zheng Jun’s remark.

"You learned their saber technique from their own disciple, yet now you’re criticizing them for not mastering their own skills? That’s a bit too overbearing," he thought. "But I like it."

Nodding, Cai Xun added, "Sanlang, since you slashed Old Thief Yuan Yi this time, the Court should allocate five thousand taels of silver as a reward. In addition, it counts as a meritorious deed, which will earn you an Upper Grade martial arts manual..."

Hearing this, Zheng Jun couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation. "Brother, they haven’t even given me the reward for slashing Meng Xian last time."

The Court’s efficiency was painfully slow. It had already been a month, yet the five thousand taels for Meng Xian still hadn’t arrived. Now, with Old Thief Yuan Yi added to the tally, it totaled ten thousand taels.

Even if corrupt officials at all levels skimmed a portion, there should still be at least half left. So why hadn’t he seen even a single tael?

"If there’s no silver, there should at least be martial arts manuals, right? There was one from last time, and another one this time—that makes two in total. I haven’t seen a shadow of those either," Zheng Jun continued.

Zheng Jun still had a great need for martial arts. His current skill set was lacking in versatility. On one hand, he lacked a Body Technique, leaving him entirely passive when pursuing or escaping. On the other hand, he lacked another Saber Technique.

To draw an advance on the Radiant Sunlight Fulong Blade Art, he needed three Saber Techniques at the Perfection Realm. Currently, he only knew the Wave-Treading Blade Technique and the Cloak and Dagger Technique. Forget reaching Perfection—he was still short by one just in sheer quantity. Therefore, Zheng Jun desperately needed another Saber Technique to provide him with that Perfection Realm.

Cai Xun chuckled awkwardly at Zheng Jun’s complaint before explaining, "I’ll have my family urge them about the silver. Regardless, you’ll need to make a trip to the commandery capital in a few days.

"Upper Grade martial arts are typically locked inside the Memory Wall at the Governor’s Mansion. You have to go there to select one yourself; no one is going to deliver it to you. After all, if someone were to hijack the delivery and cause the manual to be lost, it would be a monumental crime.

"As for your silver, it will likely take them a few more months to transport it here. Instead of waiting, we might as well head to the commandery capital together. We can collect it in just a few days."

Zheng Jun nodded in agreement. "In a few days, once I finish using all this Condensing Gang Powder, I’ll take a trip there."

He had been in this world for over four months now, and he truly hadn’t stepped foot outside Black Mountain County. It was about time he went out to see the wider world. After collecting his silver and martial arts, he could see what kind of experts the commandery capital had to offer and if any were worthy of exchanging blows!

He could issue a few challenges while he was at it to increase his repayment progress. Although the progress gained from friendly sparring wasn’t as rapid as outright slashing, Zheng Jun wasn’t arrogant enough to slaughter everyone he met in an unfamiliar environment.

Since he had made up his mind to visit the commandery capital, Zheng Jun began chatting with Cai Xun to gather intel on the city. From Cai Xun’s descriptions, Zheng Jun gained a rough understanding of Pingzhang Commandery’s capital.

The city housed a full seven Outer Gang Martial Artists. Adding in those scattered across the various counties under Pingzhang Commandery’s jurisdiction, the entire commandery boasted nearly twenty Outer Gang experts. Every single one of these twenty Martial Artists was a prominent and renowned figure in the region.

Most of them were at the First Layer of Outer Gang, with very few at the Second Layer. As for the Third Layer of Outer Gang, there were only two: the Prefect and the Captain of the Pingzhang Camp. In Bozhou, most Prefects were Acupoint Opening Martial Artists. Only three commanderies were overseen by experts at the Peak of Outer Gang.

Pingzhang Commandery was one of them.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jun nodded in acknowledgment. He mentally noted the names of several Outer Gang experts that Cai Xun had described as "ordinary," planning to pay them a visit for some sparring later.

He might not be able to defeat the powerful Outer Gang experts just yet, so it was best to go for the low-hanging fruit first.

Chatting with Cai Xun was highly rewarding. Zheng Jun tucked away the Condensing Gang Powder and was just about to take his leave when a soldier suddenly approached and cupped his fists in salute.

"Captain, County Captain, Chief Clerk Shen requests an audience."

"Chief Clerk Shen?"

Zheng Jun and Cai Xun exchanged a glance, neither understanding why Shen Yunyi had come.

"Let Chief Clerk Shen in," Zheng Jun immediately ordered.

The soldier departed and returned shortly after, leading Shen Yunyi into the tent. Before Shen Yunyi even stepped inside, Zheng Jun caught the distinct stench of blood.

In his hands, Shen Yunyi carried a dripping, blood-soaked bundle.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun couldn’t help but furrow his brow. However, before Zheng Jun could even ask why he had brought a severed head into the tent, Shen Yunyi dropped to his knees with a loud THUD and viciously slapped himself across the face.