Chapter 88 - 73: Wings Growing Stronger

Chapter 88: Chapter 73: Wings Growing Stronger

"This..."

Cai Xun was at a loss for words, feeling a wave of daze wash over him. He wondered, "Is Zheng San’s prestige really this formidable now? Even a Qi Storage Martial Artist—an officer capable of being a foundational pillar in the army—is volunteering to join him?"

Hearing Xu Tianfang’s words, Zheng Jun spoke up from the side, "Hall Master Xu is being too modest. What virtues or abilities do I have to deserve this?

"You are a Qi Storage Martial Artist. Joining my command would be a waste of your talents, and our Black Mountain Guard doesn’t have an opening for a third Captain."

Smiling, Zheng Jun rejected Xu Tianfang’s request to enlist. Zheng Jun had secretly established the Tongzhou Association and hadn’t even had the chance to recruit Xu Tianfang yet. To think that the man would come to him on his own accord—it was truly sigh-inducing.

Naturally, Xu Tianfang couldn’t join the army. If he did, what position would he take? Crew Leader of the Personal Soldier Squad? That position was one Zheng Jun had reserved for Du Ding. Du Ding was a young lad whom he could easily keep in check. For the Personal Soldier Squad, strength wasn’t important; loyalty was.

Zheng Jun didn’t expect anyone to protect him perfectly. After all, if someone could protect him perfectly, their strength would be above his own... and that person should be the Captain instead of him. For someone like Xu Tianfang, the number one Martial Arts Hall Master in Black Mountain County, a man of high status with an annual income of several thousand taels, having him stay by his side as the Crew Leader of the Personal Soldier Squad would be a massive waste of talent.

The Tongzhou Association had just been formed. Old Man Ma Zhiyuan’s strength was somewhat lacking, so they needed a Qi Storage Martial Artist to hold the fort. Therefore, Xu Tianfang was the most suitable candidate. Zheng Jun had originally set his sights on him, and now that he had delivered himself to the door, it was a fantastic turn of events.

However, Zheng Jun was also highly satisfied that the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall had brought so many people. This way, he could select higher-quality soldiers for his Personal Soldier Squad. Present were members of the Ma Family Fist Hall, the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall, and several commoner youths who wanted to establish a career—a total of two hundred and thirty-six people. The Black Mountain Guard had personnel limits; he could recruit a maximum of seventy-three men.

The commoner youths who didn’t belong to either martial arts hall would naturally all be recruited. From the remaining members of the two halls, he would select the strongest and most robust portion, absorbing the rest into the Tongzhou Association. In his past world, there was a term called "militia"; in this current world, there was a term called "gang members." Either way, it was a method for him to privately control a civilian armed force.

The strongest portion absorbed would be fed and paid by the Court as soldiers. As for the remaining portion, they would have to be self-supported. Having set this baseline, it was naturally impossible for Zheng Jun to recruit Xu Tianfang into the military camp.

Hearing Zheng Jun’s words, Xu Tianfang’s expression remained calm. Without the slightest hint of disappointment, he cupped his hands respectfully toward Zheng Jun. "Since that is the case, I thank Captain Zheng! If Captain Zheng has any orders in the future, I will not hesitate to walk through fire and boiling water!"

He hadn’t truly expected to enlist in the army by coming here. It was merely a show of stance, indicating that he would always stand on the same front as Captain Zheng. He wanted to convey one attitude: if Captain Zheng needed anything in the future, he just had to give the order!

After speaking, Xu Tianfang didn’t step down. Instead, he pointed a finger and continued his introductions, "Captain Zheng, please allow me to introduce him. This is my eldest disciple, who is also my adopted son, Xu Zhilei. He has achieved Blood Refining five times. Unfortunately, his aptitude is poor, and it seems he will need to refine his blood two more times before he can achieve Qi Storage. Don’t be fooled by him being as fat as a pig; he has Mastery over our family’s Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill. If he dons armor, he is more than capable of charging through enemy lines!"

Hearing this, the fat man couldn’t help but shiver. He thought, "You sly old fox. You said you’d let me be the Hall Master, but you were purely bluffing to get me here to be a soldier?!"

Xu Zhilei felt like the sky was falling. At this moment, he felt several gazes turn toward him simultaneously. There was County Captain Cai Xun, Chief Clerk Shen Yunyi... and Captain Zheng Jun! The first two could be ignored, but the last one absolutely could not. Therefore, Xu Zhilei could only bite the bullet and step forward. Cupping his hands in a Ritual salute to Zheng Jun, he said, "This humble one has long wished to join the army to serve the country and seek a position under the Captain!"

"Excellent!" Zheng Jun nodded in satisfaction, accepting the plump Xu Zhilei. Someone with Mastery in Horizontal Training martial arts made for the best kind of soldier.

Then, without hesitation, Xu Tianfang continued to introduce his other apprentices. "This is our apprentice Zhang Fen. He has also undergone Blood Refining twice and has a solid foundation in Horizontal Training..."

Xu Tianfang had only brought a total of six people with him, all of whom were Blood Refining Martial Artists. Every single one was brimming with Blood Qi, with the oldest being just in his early thirties. They were all true, tough men. Zheng Jun was extremely satisfied.

On the other side, Ma Zhiyuan felt uncertain. Compared to Xu Tianfang, his hall... only had Du Ding as a Blood Refining Martial Artist registering. The rest were just ordinary martial artists who had opened their body’s meridians but hadn’t yet reached Blood Refining.

Zheng Jun nodded at each of them, taking all these Blood Refining Martial Artists under his command and organizing them into his Personal Soldier Squad. Five squads of ten formed a crew. The six Blood Refining Martial Artists hailing from the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall, including Xu Zhilei, could naturally serve as Decurions. Xu Zhilei himself and Du Ding could serve as the Crew Leader and Deputy Crew Leader, respectively.

The grassroots officers would be from the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall, while the soldiers would come from the Ma Family Fist Hall. This would also ensure that they wouldn’t collude and feign compliance while secretly disobeying his orders.

In addition to them, there was another Blood Refining Martial Artist of commoner origin named Huo Song. He was naturally conscripted by Zheng Jun as well. Zheng Jun planned to insert him into the first crew, aiming to convert as many of the other veterans in the army into his private soldiers as possible.