Loan Cultivation to Martial Saint

Chapter 84: Chapter 72: Renowned in Black Mountain

”Qi Storage Slashing Outer Gang?! Are you saying that Magistrate Meng... Meng Ni was killed by Zheng Jun? How is that possible? Although Magistrate Meng usually kept a low profile, he was a genuine Outer Gang martial artist. He even held the title of ’Flood Dragon in the Sleeve’ in the Jianghu of Bozhou. And he was actually killed by Zheng Jun?!”

Inside the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall, Xu Tianfang was drinking tea. Upon hearing the report from his disciple, Fatty, he spat out a mouthful of tea, his eyes full of disbelief.

”It’s absolutely true, Master!” The fat on Fatty’s face trembled violently. Panic filled his eyes as he shivered uncontrollably. ”I... I have a friend who works in the Industry Workshop. Last night, he saw with his own eyes Zheng Jun returning to the County Government Office, carrying Meng Xian’s head!

”Not only that, the notices posted this morning said the same thing! Both the Garrison Command and the Military Department have stated this clearly! Don’t you know what the Court is like? Would the County Captain and the Commander pass up on such merit? The only reason they aren’t claiming it now is because Zheng Jun is even more ruthless than they are!”

”And who in Black Mountain County doesn’t know Zheng Jun’s background? He’s Zheng Shun’s second son!” Fatty lowered his voice. ”Who is Zheng Shun? Just an old Black Official. He even delivered a letter for me seven or eight years ago! Master, what kind of power could his family possibly have?

”So, it can only mean one thing. Zheng San really killed the County Magistrate!”

Hearing his disciple’s analysis, Xu Tianfang slumped into his chair, unable to speak for a long time. After a long while, he finally said to Fatty, ”Go, go notify the other disciples. Tell them not to speak recklessly.

”What ’two losses and one draw, evenly matched’? You are not allowed to spread that anymore! From now on, tell the truth. Say that when Zheng San came to our door, he won all three matches with a single move, defeating our Xu Family Martial Arts Hall’s Iron Sand Demon Suppression Skill!”

Seeing his master change his tune so drastically, Fatty felt a wave of guilt and didn’t dare to speak. After all, when Zheng Jun first came to their door, Fatty had cursed him as a ’poor, black-skinned dog’. Surely a heroic figure like Zheng San wouldn’t hold a grudge against him, right?

However, Fatty took a deep breath, his heart leaping into his throat. If his master found out that he had once rejected Zheng Jun, he would probably be skinned alive.

Fatty felt quite wronged about the whole thing. It was true that he had a foul mouth, but even if his master had handled it himself back then, he most likely wouldn’t have accepted Zheng Jun as a disciple either. But there was nothing he could do; he was the one who had done it. Now, he could only let the secret rot in his stomach. He would just wait until his master passed away and he inherited the Martial Arts Hall to confess at his grave.

Suddenly remembering something, Fatty spoke up again. ”By the way, Master, there’s one more thing. The Military Department has issued a recruitment notice. It says Captain Zheng is recruiting Personal Guards. What do you think...”

Before Fatty could even finish his sentence, Xu Tianfang jumped up from his chair. ”Why didn’t you say so earlier?!”

He patted Fatty’s shoulder and said earnestly, ”Xu Zhilei, I am now officially passing the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall down to you. From now on, you are the Hall Master of the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall!”

Stunned, Fatty instinctively asked, ”Master, what are you going to do?”

”I’m going to join the army, of course.” Xu Tianfang’s gaze was firm as he spoke to Fatty with utmost seriousness. ”To be able to serve as a Crew Leader of the Personal Soldier Squad under Captain Zheng would be a true honor!”

Fatty was dumbfounded. ”Master, you’re at the Qi Storage Realm. Logically speaking, once you enlist, you should be at least at the Captain level...”

”What does being a Captain matter? Are you an idiot?! Is joining the army the important part? The important part is working under Captain Zheng!” Xu Tianfang scolded, looking at Fatty with great disappointment. Even in the military, who you followed made all the difference.

Was working under Captain Zheng the same as working under Captain Wang? Moreover, as the first Qi Storage martial artist to pledge his loyalty, Xu Tianfang believed he could definitely secure a bright future under Zheng Jun. As long as a Qi Storage martial artist was willing to serve the Great Zhou, they could easily obtain at least an Eighth or Ninth Grade official position.

His decision to join Zheng Jun this time wasn’t just for himself, but also for his children and grandchildren. For a century before and after in Black Mountain County, Zheng San would undoubtedly be the brightest star.

With this in mind, Xu Tianfang suddenly recalled something and began to ponder silently. Storytellers often said that only during times of chaos would baleful stars descend to the mortal realm. Zheng Jun was no ordinary man; perhaps he was the reincarnation of a Star Monarch from the heavens, descending to this rugged world to accomplish great things!

Thinking of this, Xu Tianfang felt that this might be his golden opportunity.

”I won’t waste any more breath on you. Tell your junior brothers that they must seize the opportunity during this military recruitment! All our future wealth and glory lie in this!”

Without another word, Xu Tianfang hurriedly rushed out the door.

Meanwhile, Fatty stared dumbfoundedly in the direction Xu Tianfang had left. His eyes darted around, and he gritted his teeth. ”To hell with being the Hall Master! Damn it, I’m going to join the army too!

”If Master can become a Crew Leader, then I’ll just scrape by as a Decurion. I’m going all in!”

With this thought in mind, Fatty didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately chased after Xu Tianfang.

It wasn’t just the Xu Family Martial Arts Hall. Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan, located outside the county town, woke up at the crack of dawn after hearing last night’s news. He hurriedly went to select his most capable and elite disciples, preparing to send them along with Du Ding to serve as soldiers under Captain Zheng.

A Qi Storage martial artist slaying an Outer Gang expert—what kind of terrifying feat was this? Such things were usually only heard in passing from storytellers.

A certain Duke from the previous dynasty had once slain a heavily injured Outer Gang martial artist while in the Qi Storage Realm. Furthermore, Emperor Gaozu of the Wei Dynasty, while at the Peak of Qi Storage, had clashed with an Outer Gang expert and pummeled him to death with a pair of iron fists.