Chapter 233: Chapter 138: Heaven’s Height Is Hard to Ask, Earthly Chickens and Clay Dogs (Part 3)

The moment Cheng Wuduan, who had just been helped up, felt his back drenched in sweat.

He knew his little trick had not only been seen through but also resolved.

At this moment, he was overwhelmed with shame and chokingly said, "All the faults lie with Cheng Wuduan. I can only atone with my death, hoping that the disciples under my command do not follow my path and lose great righteousness."

After finishing, the Innate True Qi surged within him, his palm suddenly produced the sound of wind and thunder, and he slammed it towards his forehead.

Judging by the force of his palm, it seemed he could turn his head into a mess of tomato sauce with a single blow.

"Master..."

"Father!"

A chorus of shocked cries rang out from the surroundings.

Bang...

Just as Cheng Wuduan’s palm nearly hit his forehead, accompanied by the faint roar of wind and thunder, his entire body suddenly shook, as if his hand was carrying a huge mountain, unable to strike down further.

He found his strength dissipating as if sinking into the sea, with horror in his heart, he opened his eyes, only to see Chen Ping smiling at him, eyes as profound as the abyssal ocean, revealing no intent.

In his ear came a gentle persuasion: "Hall Master Cheng, dying can be as light as a feather or as significant as Mount Tai. Dying like this is easy, but utterly worthless.

It’s better to keep this useful body to kill more barbarians and protect our rivers and mountains in the future."

He turned his head to look at the disciples of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall, nodding and smiling, "I see the disciples of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall are all outstanding. Why not join my personal guard, to make contributions and promotions, which would also provide a path forward, wouldn’t it be good?"

"It should be so."

Cheng Wuduan cheerfully submitted, tears of gratitude streaming down.

The disciples of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall also had their grievances dispelled, somehow feeling grateful in their hearts.

Perhaps, without the usual leisure and comfort, they’d be subject to military discipline.

But for a man, wielding a three-foot sword, slaying barbarians to stabilize chaos, and bringing peace to the world is no less thrilling.

"Let it be so, gather the troops back to camp.

Hu Yong, you gather the disciples and handle this matter."

It is said that Commander Hu is particularly skilled in training troops, controlling rowdy individuals or those with ulterior motives and mischief, shaping them into iron-willed soldiers under his command.

The disciples from Shifang Martial Arts Hall and Wind and Thunder Sword Hall, I assume, will be no exception and will be trained to obey commands.

"This new army will temporarily consist of Jianghu Martial Artists, valued for quality rather than quantity... You shall be the commander of this new army, do not disappoint me."

Chen Ping instructed.

"Understood."

A trace of delight flashed across Hu Yong’s face.

Although this powerful army is just a draft now, with the foundation of students from not just two, but four martial halls.

With over a thousand people, each possessing remarkable abilities...

By employing the method of training troops, within less than a month, they will emerge as a formidable force.

By then, their combat power might be tenfold stronger than that of the original Xuanwu Guard Infantry Camp.

"Does this army have a camp name?" Hu Yong asked with clasped hands.

"Let’s call it Xianzhen Camp."

Chen Ping laughed heartily, "The ambition of Xianzhen is victory without retreat."

He eagerly anticipates seeing how powerful this army will become once it fully incorporates numerous first- and second-tier Jianghu masters and converges its Military Qi.

...

"The Xuanwu Guard has changed hands, Xu Baxian of Shifang Martial Arts Hall is dead, Cheng Wuduan of Wind and Thunder Sword Hall has surrendered, and the army has entered the city?"

Within the warm pavilion of Cuihu Residence, the sound of the zither and flute softly lingered...

The banquet had just been cleared, replaced with tea and fruit. Yuwen Ying had a friendly smile, cautiously flattering, occasionally expressing courtesy, when he heard someone quietly approach from behind, informing him of the news.

At this time, Cuihu Residence was harmonious on the surface, yet secretly, it was not as close-knit.

In the main hall, apart from a graceful young lady seated at the head position, there were four other personnel.

They would normally never sit together, conversing and laughing.

But here, in this hall, impossibility had become possible.

Discussing the affairs of the nation, the maladies among the people, and the conditions of the world.

No one discussed disputes or slaughter.

Everyone’s focus was on Fairy Fang Qingzhu in the head position.

No matter what topic she introduced, everyone was eager to speak, agreeing avidly.

Even the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou was no exception.

"Didn’t I tell you, Fairy Qingzhu dislikes battles and killings. How can you discuss such matters now? Retire immediately."

He seemed displeased as he waved his hand, intending to dismiss his subordinate from the hall.

Fang Qingzhu’s usually calm and indifferent eyes showed a trace of fluctuation, as she slightly frowned at Yuwen Ying, "If there’s anything, feel free to speak openly, no need to be evasive."

"Forgive me, Fairy."

Yuwen Ying nervously said, "The newly appointed Xuanwu Guard Captain by the prefecture government, Chen Ping, has arbitrarily initiated slaughter.

Not only did he kill the former Xuanwu Guard Captain Zhang Lianshan, forcefully suppress the Xuanwu Guard... but also led troops into the city, eliminating Shifang Martial Arts Hall and subjugating Wind and Thunder Sword Hall, leading to countless deaths and injuries."

Sitting next to him, the Prefecture Governor Lord Pei Zixing started to speak but reconsidered and remained silent.

The Heir of Jinghai, Ji Xuange, wore a smile, seemingly indifferent to the turmoil in Xingqing Prefecture, as if he hadn’t heard it at all.

And the Heir of True Martial, Ji Xuanwu, who had traveled from the Vice Capital, watched Yuwen Ying’s performance with interest, occasionally glancing at Fairy Fang Qingzhu in the head position with an inscrutable expression.

Who doesn’t know, wherever Fairy Fang from the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest goes, songs and dances flourish, peace prevails?

Anyone daring to knowingly violate this would immediately face disaster.

This disciple of the Primordial Martial Arts Hall, Chen Ping, is either fearless or audacious enough to dare to slaughter and annex under Fairy Fang’s very eyes—how entertaining.

Throughout the day, discussing governance philosophies with Fairy Fang, preaching world peace, could make one’s ears grow calluses.