Chapter 92 - 74: Weathering the Storm Together, Sharing Hardships

Chapter 92: Chapter 74: Weathering the Storm Together, Sharing Hardships

"Mhm." After nodding, Zheng Jun said nothing more. The group continued eating their meat as if everything were normal.

After a few rounds of drinks, Xu Tianfang began explaining his vision for how the Tongzhou Association could usurp the Qingshui Gang’s position.

As the owner of the number one Martial Arts Dojo in the county, Xu Tianfang was involved in many industries. Not counting tuition fees, he took in one or two thousand taels of silver every year.

As for the tuition, it was inconsequential. After all, collecting tuition was merely a way to subsidize the cost of medicinal salves and meals. He simply used the wealthy individuals in the Outer Sect—who lacked talent but were obsessed with Martial Arts—to fund his true core Inner Sect Disciples. Nothing more.

Previously, hindered by the Qingshui Gang—a behemoth protected by the number two figure in the County Government Office—Xu Tianfang had not dared to make a move. Now that the Qingshui Gang had fallen, they could naturally take over many of their businesses and rake in large coins.

At least eight thousand taels a year. And after deducting the shares for the association members, the amount falling into Zheng Jun’s hands would be at least one thousand taels a year.

Hearing this number, Zheng Jun gave a faint hum and said, "Let Zhou Pu take an honorary position in the Tongzhou Association. Since I hold an official post, it wouldn’t be very convenient for me to do so."

One thousand taels a year was actually somewhat lackluster to Zheng Jun. He was no longer the poor boy who would bust his back for ten taels of silver. Now, he was a big shot in Black Mountain County—a man who pulled the strings in both the legitimate and underground worlds, wielding immense power and influence!

To Zheng Jun, wealth had truly become a worldly possession of little concern. What was more useful to him now were Pills and Martial Arts. Those were the real treasures that money couldn’t buy.

"Keep an eye out for Pills useful for the Qi Storage Realm. If any Upper Grade Martial Arts appear, notify me as well," Zheng Jun added.

Zheng Jun nodded. Seeing that it was getting late, he raised his final cup of wine, concluding the first dinner banquet since the establishment of the Tongzhou Association.

Xu Tianfang offered to escort Zheng Jun home, but Zheng Jun refused. All Xu Tianfang could do was stand at the entrance of the Rejuvenating Building with Ma Zhiyuan, Du Ding, and the fatty, carefully watching Zheng Jun leave.

Only after Zheng Jun’s figure had completely disappeared did Xu Tianfang breathe a sigh of relief. Looking at Old Man Ma beside him, a beaming smile broke out on his face. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Protector Ma, you have plenty of experience in the Jianghu. Our two factions should interact frequently! I will handle matters inside the county, and as for the outside, I’ll leave it to you, sir!"

"Protector Xu, you flatter me! We are all working for Association Leader Zheng... I mean, Association Leader Zhou. We are in the same boat, weathering the storms and sharing the hardships together!"

Ma Zhiyuan and Xu Tianfang exchanged a knowing smile. As for the fatty and Du Ding, they quickly marched back toward the Military Department’s camp. Today, they had officially become County Soldiers of the Black Mountain Guard, so they naturally had to rush back to base.

That night, under a brilliant galaxy that hung like a dark velvet curtain, Zheng Jun returned to his Zheng Mansion. Looking at the courtyard walls, he couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

Yesterday’s main battlefield had been right in his very own courtyard. The walls on both sides had been mostly flattened by Meng Xian, who had plowed through them like a bulldozer. Although the County Government Office had urgently dispatched people to repair them today, they had only managed a rough fix; the walls were not completely restored.

However, Zheng Jun wasn’t worried about attracting thieves. A man’s reputation cast a long shadow. Given his current prestige in Black Mountain County, no foolish petty thief would dare break in and rob the home of Zheng San of Black Mountain!

Returning inside, Zheng Jun remained completely composed. He sat cross-legged on his bed, preparing to breathe and cultivate the Broken Jade Skill. He needed to seize every second and make the most of his time.

He knew one thing very well. Everything he had came from his formidable status, which in turn came from everyone believing he had executed a Slash on Meng Xian with his saber. But he knew the actual truth of the matter all too well.

If Meng Xian hadn’t been severely injured, if he himself hadn’t possessed Broken Jade True Qi, and if Meng Xian hadn’t fled the battlefield in panic, he wouldn’t have been able to kill the man at all.

If Meng Xian hadn’t been severely injured, Zheng Jun would have died by his hand. If he hadn’t known the Broken Jade True Qi, he would have only been able to fight him to a standstill. If Meng Xian hadn’t fled, they might have both gone down together in mutual destruction. A combination of these factors had resulted in today’s outcome. He did not truly possess the ability to go toe-to-toe with an Outer Gang expert, so he had to double his efforts.

He thought, "From today onward, I will sleep for only a single two-hour block a day! I must train in Martial Arts with everything I have! Fortunately, I am a Martial Artist. As long as the grind doesn’t kill me, I’ll grind until I drop!"

After all, he still had a ’loan’ to repay. He had to be diligent and hardworking; he couldn’t afford to coast. It was only natural to pay one’s debts. Since he had taken out a microloan, he naturally had to pay it back in full so it would be easier to borrow next time.

Once his cultivation reached the Outer Gang realm, he would definitely quit the bad habit of sleeping and pour all his energy into his training.

With that, Zheng Jun quickly began his breathing exercises, allowing the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth to flow into his limbs and bones.

[Breathing and cultivating, refining True Qi. Broken Jade Skill repayment progress +21. Current repayment progress: 1094/3000.]

A line of small ink-wash text floated before his eyes. After cultivating for a while, Zheng Jun suddenly heard a noise outside. His vigilance was instantly triggered. He immediately stood up, grabbed his saber, pushed the door open, and stepped outside.

He was just about to shout when a voice drifted over from the ruins of the courtyard wall. "You’re quite alert, kid. Every time I visit the other Dark Guards to assign tasks, those Qi Storage Dark Guards never detect me. But here, you manage to notice me every single time."

Then, the familiar black-and-gold cloak and Profound Iron Mask appeared in front of Zheng Jun.

Seeing this, Zheng Jun immediately sheathed his saber and cupped his hands. "Mr. Bo, you’ve arrived. Is there any news this time?"

"Not news, but your reward." Bo Zhangjiu casually pulled out a small pouch and tossed it directly to Zheng Jun. "Two bottles of high-quality Qi Storage Pills. Ten Pills in total."

Zheng Jun caught the pouch, took a look, and after a quick count, found there were indeed ten Qi Storage Pills. He was instantly overjoyed.

Bo Zhangjiu then continued, "Hand over your Dark Guard Token; you’ve been promoted.

"After Lord Thousand Households learned of your deeds, he specifically directed that you be promoted to ’Zhang Heier,’ inheriting Sun Bu’s position. From now on, your remuneration will be issued personally by me."

After finishing, Bo Zhangjiu paused for a moment before adding, "Now that the Garrison Command’s official business is out of the way, let’s talk privately.

"How exactly did you kill Meng Xian?"