Chapter 186 - 103: Subduing the Soldiers of the Three Counties

Chapter 186: Chapter 103: Subduing the Soldiers of the Three Counties

The killing intent surrounding Zheng Jun permeated the air. The Beirong Saber in his hand leaked a cold gleam, its sharpness impossible to conceal. Though no blades had crossed, the palpable, razor-sharp edge in the air felt suffocatingly fierce to everyone present.

Su Nan, the County Magistrate of Langkang, grimaced at Zheng Jun, who clearly held no regard for him whatsoever. Yet, faced with Zheng Jun’s dagger-like words, he found himself utterly speechless.

Exchange pointers and progress together? Su Nan did not believe his own skills surpassed those of True Man Yuan Yi from the Vast Sea Sect, nor did he feel he was much stronger than Squad Commander Han Hu of the army.

Zheng Jun’s name now resounded like thunder throughout the Outer Gang circles of Pingzhang Commandery. Everyone knew that Black Mountain County had produced an extremely formidable Qi Storage martial artist who could slash Outer Gang experts to death with the power of Qi Storage. Two well-known Outer Gang martial artists had already fallen by Zheng Jun’s hand. Even the notoriously eccentric and irritable Han Hu had grown silent and apathetic after losing to this Zheng San time and time again—it was as if he had become an entirely different person.

Su Nan was well aware of Zheng Jun’s formidable strength. But if he yielded and admitted defeat now, how would he ever command his subordinates in the future?!

His robes fluttered as his Gang Qi continuously leaked out. After a tense standoff lasting several breaths, Su Nan eventually forced a very ugly smile and stepped aside to make way for Zheng Jun.

"I serve in the same court as General Zheng," Su Nan said rather stiffly. "Since Jin Ye colluded with the bandits, it is only normal for General Zheng to kill him."

After some brief consideration, Su Nan had decided it was best to yield. A man’s reputation casts a long shadow. The sheer impact of Zheng Jun slashing Meng Xian and Yuan Yi, as well as defeating Han Hu six times, had already taken root. An ordinary Outer Gang martial artist like Su Nan simply did not dare to obstruct him.

"I will return tonight and draft a detailed report. I must thoroughly impeach this Zheng Jun!" Su Nan thought viciously.

Seeing Su Nan take the initiative to yield, Zheng Jun offered an amiable smile and slowly sheathed his saber.

[Deterring an Outer Gang; Cloak and Dagger displays its might. Cloak and Dagger Technique repayment progress +253. Current repayment progress: 993/8000.]

The small ink-wash text flashed past his eyes. Seeing this line of words, Zheng Jun was taken aback, feeling utterly surprised.

"Does merely standing here and deterring an Outer Gang increase the repayment progress by two hundred and fifty points?" Zheng Jun wondered inwardly. Finding it incredibly amusing, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly. "Then this Cloak and Dagger Technique is far too simple! If I go all out, I can fully repay the debt in less than five days!"

Standing before Zheng Jun, Su Nan caught the casual upward curve of the young man’s lips. Veins bulged on his forehead as he clenched his fists tightly. "What does he mean by this? Is he mocking and laughing at me?! I am a County Magistrate appointed by His Majesty the Emperor, a Baili Marquis of our Great Zhou! When have I ever suffered such humiliation?!"

With a hint of amusement in his eyes, Zheng Jun looked at the seething magistrate and asked, "Magistrate Su, what’s wrong?"

Hearing Zheng Jun’s words, Su Nan took a deep breath. He shook his head and replied, "It is nothing. I wonder how long General Zheng plans to stay in my Langkang County?"

"I am leaving tonight." Zheng Jun chuckled softly. Then, with his saber slung at his side, he swaggered boldly past Su Nan.

Qingdai, holding her sword, also kept her head held high. Like a proud peacock, she followed right behind Zheng Jun, passing by without a second glance. They moved quickly, sweeping through like a gale clearing away scattered clouds.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire County Government Office, Zheng Jun, Qingdai, and Cai Liu departed calmly. Su Nan’s expression was gloomy, but the constables of the Fast Shift and the Black Officials were beaming with joy. Watching Zheng Jun’s departing figure, a deep sense of longing and admiration swelled in their chests.

A true man should be just like this!

***

Back at the inn, while packing the carriage, Cai Liu looked at Zheng Jun, who was already sitting upright inside. He couldn’t help but whisper, "General Zheng, we have no past grievances or recent enmity with him. Offending the County Magistrate of Langkang County like this might be detrimental to your future official career, right? After you slashed that Chief Clerk named Jin, there should have been a better way to communicate with Magistrate Su."

Hearing this, Qingdai blinked and looked at Zheng Jun. She didn’t speak, but she shared the exact same doubt.

After all, Su Nan really hadn’t provoked Zheng Jun on his own initiative, and Zheng Jun could have used more diplomatic methods to avoid this unnecessary conflict. Acting like this was simply too arrogant and domineering. Since ancient times, those overbearing generals who couldn’t be disciplined due to extenuating circumstances always met tragic ends once their usefulness ran out. Once the Black Mountain Thieves were eradicated or the Great Righteous King’s forces retreated, how was the young master supposed to establish his footing in Pingzhang Commandery?

"It doesn’t matter," Zheng Jun said calmly, keeping his eyes closed in rest. "He is nothing but an insignificant buffoon. Why bother communicating? It’s a waste of time."

Zheng Jun remained entirely composed. He now commanded one thousand eight hundred men. His next move was to replicate his operations from Black Mountain County in the three counties of Pingyun, Rongyuan, and Zhiyuan.

Doing so would inevitably forge enmity with the Gentry and Strongmen of the entire Pingzhang Commandery. Su Nan, although not a native of Pingzhang Commandery, was still deeply entangled in the interest network of Langkang County’s elites. When the gentry of Langkang County witnessed his actions in Pingyun, Rongyuan, and Zhiyuan, wouldn’t they feel the chill of an impending threat? Wouldn’t Su Nan put his guard up and treat him with hostility then?

He would be hated by them sooner or later anyway, so what was there to fear? In fact, if Su Nan hadn’t refrained from making the first move just now, Zheng Jun would have actively looked for an opportunity to fight him first!

An Outer Gang martial artist would naturally provide a massive amount of repayment progress.