Chapter 940 - 782: Night Raid

The fire brazier at the South City Head of Jingjiang County suddenly extinguished, as if a corner of the sky had disappeared.

Jin Zhu, leaning against the North City Head, squinted and looked over, unable to guess why the Anti-Japanese Army would extinguish the fire brazier: "Could it be that the city has been breached by pirates... Those Anti-Japanese Army soldiers are all known ruffians from various villages and counties, good at bullying the villagers, but still far inferior when compared to bloodthirsty pirates."

He nudged Heavenly Horse with his elbow and muttered softly: "If the city really falls, should we stay or leave? With our skills, even the pirates can’t stop us from killing our way out now."

Heavenly Horse glanced at him and signaled: "Kill a few more and then leave."

Jin Zhu thought about it: "That works."

At this moment, a soldier of the Anti-Japanese Army rode quickly along the city wall path, shouting: "Extinguish all the fire braziers!"

Zheng Jiye heard this, and while leading the Anti-Japanese Army to pour sand into the fire braziers, asked loudly: "Why extinguish the fire braziers?"

The soldier swiftly replied: "I don’t know, Lord ordered it, let’s just follow orders."

Jin Zhu straightened up, no longer leaning against the parapet: "What kind of trick are they up to again? Chen Daxingguan, tell us about it."

Chen Xu kept his hands in his sleeves, closed his eyes, and didn’t respond.

Chen Yu said with interest: "Instead of thinking about this, it’s better to ponder why these people came to Jingjiang County in the first place. Surely it’s not just to resist pirates?"

Jin Zhu rubbed his chin thoughtfully: "This group is in perfect coordination with Second Miss Zhang from Jinling, one kills pirates, the other sets the scene. It must be the Zhang Family’s force. But what the Zhang Family should be doing now is dealing with the Huqiu Xu Family and the Jinling Xu Family, taking control of the Xu Family’s power and people, yet they end up staying in Jingjiang County to get beaten."

Chen Yu also found it perplexing: "If this group really is from the Jing Dynasty, how did the Zhang Family become connected with the Jing Dynasty?"

Jin Zhu waved his hand: "Your speculations about a connection with the Jing Dynasty are baseless, without solid evidence. Without proof, not even the Three Judicial Departments would convict them, nor would the Inner Prison of Ritual Supervision, where evidence is ignored."

Chen Yu laughed: "Why is Lord Jin Zhu so eager to defend the Zhang Family? I’m not trying to harm them. Chen Ji was my good friend; how could I trouble his widow?"

Jin Zhu forced a smile: "You better be."

Chen Yu unexpectedly assessed Jin Zhu for a moment: "There are rumors that Lord Jin Zhu is a ruthless official, who changes his attitude faster than flipping a book, and in earlier days did business for the Ritual Supervision, killing many people. It’s surprising that he seems to have some genuine affection for my cousin."

Jin Zhu chuckled: "What’s sincere or insincere, there’s no such sentiment in Ritual Supervision. I’m merely stating facts. My main concern now is figuring out exactly where this group comes from."

Chen Yu chimed in with laughter: "Why not just go ask directly? We’ve helped defend the North City, and there are three Seeking Dao Realm Officials here. Plus, I’m the supervisor of the Anti-Japanese Army, so logically speaking, that so-called godfather should reveal his true identity."

Jin Zhu contemplated for a moment, then waved Zheng Jiye over: "Hey, come here!"

Zheng Jiye, bending down to scavenge swords and private belongings from the pirates, immediately ran over holding three Japanese swords: "What do the heroes command?"

Jin Zhu placed his hands on his belt, tilting his nostrils at him: "Let me ask you, without us, would this Jingjiang County city have already fallen?"

Zheng Jiye quickly replied with a smile: "Yes, yes, yes, earlier I was blind and did not recognize your greatness and offended you heroes. Had you said that you were Seeking Dao Realm Officials, I would have respected you sooner."

Jin Zhu sneered: "Whether this Jingjiang County city falls or not has nothing to do with us. It’s unnecessary to risk life for unrelated people. Farewell."

With that, he pretended to leave Jingjiang County along the pirates’ bamboo ladder. Zheng Jiye hurriedly stepped forward to stop him: "Hero, now’s the perfect time to achieve great success."

Jin Zhu said nonchalantly: "We three Seeking Dao Realm Officials can find opportunities anywhere, staying with your small Anti-Japanese Army makes no difference even if we slaughter all the pirates."

Zheng Jiye whispered: "There must be other benefits."

Jin Zhu perked up: "What benefits?"

Zheng Jiye said mysteriously: "You can acknowledge him as a godfather."

Jin Zhu raised his eyebrows and kicked Zheng Jiye, flipping him over: "I expected you to come out with something significant."

Zheng Jiye scrambled to his feet from the pirate’s corpse: "Please listen to my explanation, hero!"

Jin Zhu leaned an arm against the parapet, gave a half-smile, and tested: "Let me hear, is your godfather some notable figure?"

Zheng Jiye approached again to explain: "I don’t know what status my godfather has."

Jin Zhu stopped smiling.

Zheng Jiye quickly said: "But think about it, even Ah Xing is a Seeking Dao Realm Official, why would she recognize him as a godfather? Not to mention Ah Xing, but also Jiang Chai, Zhou Chang, Li Si, and Ah Xi, Jiang Chai instructs the Anti-Japanese Army effortlessly, and Ah Xi clearly has served as a county magistrate... all these people recognize him as a godfather, he must either have unparalleled realm or unbeatable background. It’s certain to be prosperous to serve under him."

Jin Zhu said expressionlessly: "That’s it? How about this, guide us to meet your godfather. We ought to know his identity before deciding whether to stay or leave. Since you want us to serve, he at least needs to be open with us."

Zheng Jiye hesitated and said nothing.

Jin Zhu stepped onto the parapet, ready to leave Jingjiang County via the ladder, and sneered: "What, three Seeking Dao Realm Officials aren’t enough weight? Whoever wants to defend the Jingjiang County city can do so, we certainly won’t."

Zheng Jiye hastily said: "It’s enough, absolutely enough. It’s just that I can’t decide on my godfather’s behalf, I can only introduce you."