Longevity Martial Arts: Starting from Inner Core Skill

Chapter 138 - 125: Taking up the Gun and Entering Die Shui (Seeking Yue Tickets, Seeking Recommendation Tickets!)

The counties of Shui County, Dishui County, and Yongfeng had finally regained peace. After a year of recuperation, each household had managed to have a grain surplus—although it wasn’t wealth by any means, they wouldn’t easily suffer from catastrophe.

Until a few months ago, a Ninth Grade Martial Artist arrived in Dishui County.

He had quite a few underlings. Not counting the Evil Flood Dragon, their strength was even greater than that of the Green Flood Dragon Gang, which had already been wiped out.

Their behavior was just a little bit better than that of the Green Flood Dragon Gang; they didn’t randomly sacrifice people.

The household of each of the three counties had to give up more grain than they had under the rule of Wang Sheng, as well as a certain amount of gold and silver treasures.

If they didn’t, they would be made an example of like the proverbial chicken killed to scare the monkey.

The people of the three counties, who had just managed to save a little surplus grain, instantly became impoverished, even poorer than before. Those collecting the grain were truly scouring through everything.

They claimed to take only a portion of the grain, but in reality, it was practically all taken away.

And those collecting the grain were self-justifying.

”It is Master Cheng Jiang who protects you from harm now. With him here, you can live your lives in peace. Do you understand? You should be grateful!”

To put it simply, the subordinates of the Ninth Grade Martial Artist Cheng Jiang publicly proclaimed that the three counties were able to develop peacefully thanks to Cheng Jiang’s protection.

But in reality?

The three counties were able to develop smoothly for a year thanks to the remaining influence of Master Zhan Jiao.

These people were just taking advantage of the situation.

However, not many dared to speak out, because those who dared were dead.

When they say ”no forbiddance or restraint,” they’re referring to themselves.

Not only that, but the surrounding counties had also been affected.

Yongfeng County, the county government offices.

The County Magistrate, originally planning to visit the three counties, stayed behind due to the appearance of Wang Sheng and was gathering iron ore everywhere, hoping to curry favor with him.

But he didn’t manage to win Wang Sheng’s favor. Instead, he received a notice, also from the underlings of the Ninth Grade Martial Artist.

”Master Cheng Jiang’s grand birthday celebration, one month later, demands a tribute of five stalks of Spiritual Medicine? What a huge appetite!”

The County Magistrate knew well what Spiritual Medicine was. Such a rarity could barely be seen, and now there was a demand for five stalks all at once.

However, as vexed as he was, he was also powerless to do anything.

The imperial power had declined, and these official organizations, mostly because so many Martial Artists had been called up and not returned, now had virtually no authority at all.

Even the slightly more capable Martial Artists paid them no heed.

It was said that a number of his colleagues had already been dealt with under the guise of carrying out justice on behalf of heaven.

Fortunately, he had been a just and clean official, so he was still able to stay in his position comfortably.

But with the arrival of this letter, even stability seemed to be an unreachable luxury.

Ninth Grade Martial Artists, those were almost at the Grandmaster level.

Even if the county government’s strength had not been impacted, they would still need to be treated with great care.

”County Magistrate, what should we do now?”

The adviser was aware of the previous incident and was steadfastly following the County Magistrate, wishing to cling to higher powers together.

Unfortunately, they were now in trouble.

”First, send someone to the mountains to search for some Spiritual Medicine, just as a gesture. I believe that man won’t last much longer!”

”County Magistrate, do you mean...” the adviser said, with dawning comprehension.

”Exactly, that Great Grandmaster. Why does Cheng Jiang dare to be so arrogant? Isn’t it because after repeated probes, he found that the Great Grandmaster did not appear? He assumes that the Great Grandmaster is no longer within the three counties!

But others may not be aware, aren’t we aware? The Great Grandmaster is definitely here, it’s just that he’s most likely in seclusion for now, hence he hasn’t received the news.