https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-12-Killing-and-Arson-Rewarded-with-a-Golden-Belt-Seeking-Collection-/12984474/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-14-Clarifying-Martial-Dao-Seeking-Collections-/12984488/
Chapter 13: Ambush at Shi Dian's! (Seeking Collection)
Chapter 13: Ambush at Shi Dian's! (Seeking Collection)
Black Goose City, within the military camp.
This was Qin Zheng's first time entering the inner area of the military camp.
Previously, his activities, including the execution ground, were all considered to be outside the camp.
Otherwise, during executions, they wouldn't allow common folk to come and witness the punishment.
But within this inner area of the military camp, Qin Zheng felt as if he had entered a small town.
People came and went in twos and threes, some in a hurry and others at leisure.
Following Wang Er's footsteps, they soon arrived at a small courtyard built of brick and stone.
"Go on in, the Captain is inside."
Wang Er turned around and said to Qin Zheng with a bit of nervousness.
Then, without waiting, he turned to leave.
"Brother Wang, if you're free tonight, come over to my place for dinner. Consider it a housewarming celebration."
Qin Zheng called out as he turned his head.
Wang Er's body paused slightly, then he turned back with a smile and nodded, "Sure! Go on in, don't keep Captain Ji waiting."
After saying this, he turned away with a smile on his face.
At this moment, Qin Zheng also withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the small courtyard before him.
The gray walls and black tiles gave off an air of solemnity.
He took a step forward and slowly pushed open the gate of the courtyard.
It was a simple courtyard with a single entrance and exit, not much larger than the one he had just purchased.
In the middle of the courtyard, various weapons such as sticks, rods, and cudgels were laid out on the ground.
A middle-aged man with a broad build was wielding a long halberd with one hand, swinging it with such force that it seemed to stir up a fierce wind, exuding a menacing aura.
Qin Zheng could only stand at the doorway, watching the man practice his martial arts.
As the halberd slashed through the air, the white streaks left by its sharp edge and the vibrations it caused were palpable.
The strength of this Stationed Army Captain was no less than Qin Zheng's current power!
Perhaps even surpassing it!
Qin Zheng's heart immediately came to a conclusion upon witnessing this display.
Finally, the middle-aged man spun and, with a continuous rotation, he swung the halberd and forcefully slammed it towards the ground!
With immense power, the halberd struck the ground, creating a faint booming sound!
Such force would surely create a large hole in the ground! Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed, eager to see how much power the man could exert with this strike.
However, the sharp edge of the halberd eventually stopped just a finger's width above the ground.
This sudden halt caused a sense of frustration to well up within Qin Zheng.
"Having strength is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. Otherwise, it's difficult to unleash one's full potential, and one might even hurt oneself!"
Ji Changyin retracted the halberd and straightened his body, placing it on the nearby weapon rack.
Only then did he turn to Qin Zheng and continue, "Come, sit over here."
On one side of the open space, there was a set of stone tables and stools.
Ji Changyin took a seat first, and Qin Zheng walked over to sit on the other side.
"Thank you for your guidance, Captain Ji," Qin Zheng said to Ji Changyin.
Ji Changyin nodded and smiled, "To be able to comprehend a blade technique from an ordinary beheading is truly remarkable."
"I never expected that under my blade, there would be such a talented individual."
Qin Zheng understood that his transaction on the flower boat the previous day had already been discovered by Ji Changyin.
So, he shook his head modestly, "It's just a few mediocre blade techniques, nothing of much use."
He didn't know that during the transaction, Ji Changyin had been sitting upstairs in his building.
Ji Changyin smiled and didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he reached out to pick up the teapot from the stone table and poured a cup of tea, sliding it towards Qin Zheng.
Then he continued, "That old fellow Shi Dian, in his youth, relied on a single book, the Golden Zen Technique, to commit murder and arson, leaving no evil deed undone."
"But he also knows how to manage his affairs, so he has been safe and sound all this time, and even established the Golden Cicada Gang in Black Goose City."
Upon hearing these words, Qin Zheng's expression turned serious as he listened intently.
"Perhaps he had accumulated too much evil karma, and Heaven's retribution caused him to have a son only when he was forty years old."
"So, for this youngest son, he poured all his love and pampered him, which also resulted in the son's arrogant and unruly nature, often causing trouble."
"A few days ago, this young lad didn't know his place and saw a girl on the street. He was overcome with lust and forcibly abducted her."
"After a round of humiliation and abuse, he killed and dismembered her. Not long after, he was caught by the yamen and brought to me, imprisoned and awaiting trial."
"And then, you beheaded him."
Ji Changyin slowly explained the reason for Shi Yan's beheading.
This revelation suddenly made everything clear to Qin Zheng.
As the young master of the Golden Cicada Gang, why would Shi Yan be arrested and even beheaded in Black Goose City?
The only person in the city who could directly order the yamen to take action was that person in the yamen!
No wonder Shi Dian didn't dare to resist and only dared to make a move during Shi Yan's beheading.
Because that person was someone he couldn't afford to offend!
Although Ji Changyin was the Stationed Army Captain, he only managed the city's punishments and couldn't interfere in other matters.
Comparatively, his deterrence towards Shi Dian wasn't as significant.
However, now Shi Dian had lost everything—his family, his gang, and his son.
As a lonely and broken man, the deterrence the yamen official held over him naturally wasn't as strong as before.
Therefore, Shi Dian's primary target for revenge was undoubtedly that official, not himself!
Qin Zheng's mind raced with various thoughts and speculations.
"During our last encounter, I managed to land a blow, injuring him slightly, giving me a slight advantage."
"However, this old man's cultivation is profound, and he's not far from breaking through. Now that he hasn't shown himself for so long, it's highly likely he's on the verge of a breakthrough."
As Ji Changyin spoke, his expression grew solemn, and his voice unconsciously became heavier.
"If we wait for him to successfully break through the four major gates and advance to the Bone Refinement Realm..."
"...even I might not be his match."
"At that time, he will definitely cause a ruckus in Black Goose City to seek revenge."
"You and I might also be on his list!"
Qin Zheng's face turned slightly grave upon hearing this. He then looked at Ji Changyin and said, "I seek your guidance, sir!"
Ji Changyin's expression turned serious. He continued, "The yamen's Xu Capture Chief is also a Martial Artist who has broken through three gates and reached the Tendon Tempering Realm."
"We discussed and decided to take action early and kill Shi Dian first!"
"But if we make a move, that old man Shi Dian will definitely fear us and won't show himself willingly."
"So, we need someone whom he hates to the bone but doesn't fear to lure him out."
"This way, I and Xu Capture Chief can take action and subdue him!"
After saying this, Ji Changyin's gaze fixed on Qin Zheng, the implication clear.
Qin Zheng wasn't foolish and naturally understood what Ji Changyin meant.
He wanted Qin Zheng to be the bait!
Even with his current strength, acting as bait shouldn't pose much danger.
However, if Shi Dian's primary target for revenge wasn't him, Qin Zheng could take his time and further cultivate the Bodhimanda Wisdom Technique to a higher level, ensuring his safety. There was no need to take such a risk.
Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes, his mind filled with thoughts.
(End of Chapter)
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