Chapter 129 - 85: Not Outer Gang, But Better Than Outer Gang

Chapter 129: Chapter 85: Not Outer Gang, But Better Than Outer Gang

Looking at the small ink-wash characters floating before him, Zheng Jun felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

As expected, clashing with fellow cultivators of the Wave-Treading Blade Technique significantly boosted his repayment progress. Based on previous experience, killing a single Qi Storage martial artist would only increase his progress by seventy or eighty points. Now, it had jumped by nearly seven hundred—the equivalent of slaying seven or eight of them. The reason wasn’t simply because he had used the Wave-Treading Blade Technique; fighting outnumbered must have played a part as well. The combination of these two factors brought about this terrifying improvement. Truly refreshing.

With an inward sigh of contentment, Zheng Jun returned to the county town under the cover of night.

"Captain!"

Just as Zheng Jun arrived in front of his residence, he saw Xu Tianfang, Xu Zhilei, Du Ding, Yuan Yaoyang, and over a dozen others waiting for him. Seeing his return, they immediately swarmed forward in a loud RUSTLE of movement.

This felt exactly like being a triad boss. For some reason, Zheng Jun experienced a sudden, inexplicable sense of deja vu.

"Why are you all gathered here?" Zheng Jun asked casually, glancing at the crowd. He then pushed open the courtyard gates and stepped inside.

The group trailed closely behind, filing into the Zheng Mansion.

Once inside, Xu Tianfang immediately said, "Captain, your life is as precious as gold. We naturally had to check on you to ensure nothing went wrong... Since you’re unharmed, I’ll tell the association brothers to disperse and head home."

Beside him, Du Ding nodded in agreement and ordered someone to send word back to the military camp so their comrades-in-arms could rest.

A single move affected the whole situation. Zheng Jun’s current status and position were a far cry from what they used to be. The livelihoods and backing of countless people now rested squarely on his shoulders. Although no one truly believed those landlords and gentry posed any real threat to a man of his strength, it was better to be safe than sorry. Should Captain Zheng ever need backup, they would rally at a moment’s notice to trample those unruly mobs! What? They were the local gentry and village heroes? In the eyes of the Black Mountain Guard and the Tongzhou Association, they were just wealthy thugs. Anyone who dared to stand against Captain Zheng would be wiped out entirely!

Zheng Jun gave a slight nod, indicating that everything was resolved. "The brothers of the Tongzhou Association have worked hard. Have them head down to the various towns and villages to inspect the results of our consolidation... I’ve already killed Guo Ping. Protector Xu, I’ll leave you to personally handle the remaining issues with the Guo family."

"Please rest assured, Captain. The Guo family matter will be properly dealt with." Hearing this, Xu Tianfang immediately cupped his fists in acknowledgment, stealing a quick, subtle glance at Yuan Yaoyang.

As non-governmental Qi Storage martial artists in Black Mountain County, Xu Tianfang and Yuan Yaoyang had crossed paths before, even if they weren’t intimately acquainted. Because of this, Xu Tianfang could tell at a single glance that Yuan Yaoyang was currently suffering from severe Qi and blood depletion. The man’s hair was graying at the roots, carrying the faint aura of someone nearing the end of his lifespan. Xu Tianfang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. What good was superb swordsmanship? It still couldn’t compare to choosing the right side at the right time!

Zheng Jun’s instructions continued, and Xu Tianfang carefully memorized every detail. It was nothing more than matters concerning the land and silver taels of the various towns and villages. Everything would follow the usual protocol: one cut for the Tongzhou Association, one for the Black Mountain Guard, one for the County Government Office, and a personal share for Captain Zheng himself. As for goods and merchandise, the Tongzhou Association would be commissioned to sell them.

The Tongzhou Association was not just an ordinary Jianghu faction; it was also a commercial enterprise. Under Xu Tianfang’s leadership, Martial Arts Halls and merchant caravans were all integrated into its framework. They even took on armed escort commissions within the commandery, functioning partially as an Escort Agency.

Aside from this, Zheng Jun gave Xu Tianfang a new commission. Purchasing medicine. Specifically, Earth Evil Qi and Condensing Gang Powder. Earth Evil Qi was something one could only stumble upon by sheer luck; it was priceless and completely absent from regular markets. Basically, the moment it appeared, it would be instantly snapped up by major factions, making it incredibly rare for any to slip through the cracks.

Condensing Gang Powder, while not as scarce as Earth Evil Qi, was still relatively difficult to procure, as it was almost entirely monopolized by the big powers. There was no helping it. Once martial arts cultivation reached a certain level, the severe lack of available auxiliary resources became the primary bottleneck for further advancement. Common items like Blood Nourishing Pills and Qi Storage Pills could still be bought on the open market, but pills relating to the Outer Gang realm were exceedingly rare, with each one commanding a staggering premium.

Having received Zheng Jun’s orders, Xu Tianfang would naturally keep a close eye out. However, he couldn’t hide his utter astonishment at the two specific items requested. The reason was simple: in most cases, both Earth Evil Qi and Condensing Gang Powder were used exclusively by Qi Storage martial artists preparing to break through to the Outer Gang realm. The fact that Captain Zheng was purchasing these Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects and pills—didn’t that imply he was on the verge of reaching Outer Gang?

At this thought, awe washed over Xu Tianfang. Zheng Jun’s dominant performance while at the Qi Storage stage was still vivid in his mind, as if it had happened just yesterday. How much time had passed since then? Yet he was already plotting his advancement to Outer Gang. Perhaps Captain Zheng was the True Dragon that this tiny puddle known as Black Mountain County had spent tens of thousands of years incubating?

Soon, following Zheng Jun’s dismissal, the crowd gradually took their leave.

After everyone had departed, Zheng Jun sat alone in the empty Zheng Mansion, feeling an unexpected twinge of loneliness. ⅇℓ.

"It feels like a bit of a waste for just one person to live in such a massive house," he mused. Exhaling softly, his thoughts then shifted to another pressing matter. "Killing that guy surnamed Qi tonight is going to be rather troublesome..."

Although he had acted unbridled and heroic back at the Guo Residence, straightforwardly slashing Patrolman Qi in half at the waist, he couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on now that the adrenaline had faded. The man had, after all, been a Qi Storage martial artist of the Six Gates. The Great Zhou Court might be a shadow of its former self, but it hadn’t completely collapsed yet. Easily executing a Copper Seal Patrol like that meant his previous, completely flawed excuses definitely wouldn’t be enough to fool anyone.