Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit-Chapter 191 - 153 Zhangg Hold a Grudge! [Vote for monthly tickets!]

Chapter 191: 153 Zhangg Hold a Grudge! [Vote for monthly tickets!]

The storm stirred up by the Northern Captain of Xiyu City is still ongoing.

Following the controversy over the "Earthly List,"

The news that the Northern Captain of Xiyu City, "Black Tornado" and "Golden Touch" Wang Shan, has been transferred to the newly established Fourth Commander position of the Blood Clothes Army under the Taixu Sword Sect has once again placed Chen Jichuan in the spotlight.

As everyone knows.

The Commander of the Blood Clothes Army is typically held by Grandmasters who master both inner and external skills.

Such as the First Commander, "Sky-reaching Fire" Yuann Chang.

Such as the Second Commander, "Domineering Sword" Tang Yuanhong.

Such as the Third Commander, "Poison Dragon" Li Qingshan.

All of them mastered both inner and external skills to the Grandmaster level.

And the Fourth Commander currently being prepared?

Only ranked 108th on the "Earthly List," and what’s more, had fallen off the list after appearing on it for just one cycle, remaining absent for three consecutive cycles.

Yet, when this news broke, there were surprisingly few skeptics. Instead, many had a realization.

"Wang Shan must have ascended to Grandmaster level."

"No wonder!"

"I was wondering how someone barely on the postnatal list could possibly mentor four or five experts on the Earthly List!"

"That ’Black Tornado’ only made it onto the ’Earthly List’ a year ago, at the very bottom of the ranks, and now he’s a Grandmaster? Isn’t that way too fast?!"

...

Discussions erupted everywhere.

Although the Taixu Sword Sect made no deliberate announcement regarding the true cultivation level of the Blood Clothes Army’s new commander, it became tacitly accepted: this "Black Tornado" must have ascended to Grandmaster level.

"Hidden Dragon List."

"Earthly List."

Grandmaster.

Looking back, Wang Shan’s cultivation journey seemed like a triple leap forward.

He debuted less than two years ago, first appearing on the "Hidden Dragon List." Two years later, he made it onto the "Earthly List." After lying low for a year and a half, he re-emerged gloriously, now recognized as both "Golden Touch" and a Grandmaster.

This shocked all four corners.

Many even claimed the Taixu Sword Sect had produced a freakish genius, one far more talented than "Poison Dragon" Li Qingshan.

Meanwhile, Chen Jichuan, the central figure of interest, remained completely indifferent to the outside commotion.

He stayed focused in Pengshan County, busy preparing for the Blood Clothes Army’s Fourth Division.

The Blood Clothes Army consists of about 3,000 men per division, led by six governors, thirty centurions, and 150 squad leaders.

Chen Jichuan needed to build the framework and recruit at least 1,000 soldiers to start.

Weapons, armor, and warhorses were not under Chen Jichuan’s purview; his primary responsibility was personnel selection.

"Eight cities in Pengshan County. Recruit 200 elite soldiers from the Pengshan City Guard and 100 from each of the other seven cities."

"Their strength must match the other three divisions of the Blood Clothes Army."

"For candidates with comparable skills, prioritize those with clear backgrounds and solid resumes."

"Additionally, transfer 100 veterans from the other three divisions of the Blood Clothes Army as the core personnel. That brings the total to 1,000."

Chen Jichuan calculated the personnel needs.

Seated below him were Zhu Biao, Cai Yun, Wang Yan, and Ding Dajian, his four loyal subordinates, along with centurions Deng Xuan, Jiangj Zhen, Lvu Fangquan, Bi Ping, Qin Sheng, Zhang Chi, Yann Xun, Yangg Chenglong, and Wu Dingbang—a total of ten.

Among these fourteen individuals, four were listed on the "Earthly List," while the remaining ten also possessed "Earthly List" level strength.

Within the Blood Clothes Army structure,

This newly forming Fourth Division already outmatched the top-tier combat strength of the other three divisions—excluding the commanders.

What remained lacking was middle-tier talent, at the centurion and squad leader levels.

"Blood Clothes Army centurions are mostly first-class martial artists, whereas the squad leaders are the cream of the crop among second-class martial artists."

"With Lord Commander’s reputation, come October, the flood of applicants will surely be overwhelming."

Cai Yun said with a grin.

This wasn’t empty flattery.

The name "Golden Touch" carried far more weight than "Newly Ascended Grandmaster." Across the martial world, countless first-class martial artists dream of making it onto the "Earthly List."

Not merely for the sake of joining the Blood Clothes Army.

They are eager to receive Chen Jichuan’s guidance—this alone would drive many Jianghu people to participate in the Blood Clothes Army’s selection trials.

In fact,

many individuals had already started pulling strings over the past few days.

The Grandmasters who sought opportunities for their juniors relied heavily on Wang Ji and his wife, or directly approached Chen Jichuan, practically begging to get their candidates into the Fourth Division.

Some even lined up their descendants for Chen Jichuan to pick and choose directly.

Just from this method, Chen Jichuan had already accepted dozens.

Beyond this,

The ones who couldn’t reach Chen Jichuan or Wang Ji started turning to Zhu Biao and others, hoping they could put in a good word.

Take Wang Yan, for example.

Upon returning to Pengshan City, she was immediately swarmed by over a hundred senior brothers, sisters, juniors, and disciples—all trying to join the Fourth Division.

Or Zhu Biao, Cai Yun, and Ding Dajian,

Numerous old acquaintances sought out these three, hoping to leverage their connections.

Among them,

One case stood out as particularly unique.

"My lord,"

Zhu Biao reported to Chen Jichuan: "Yesterday, Guu Kaifa, the Eastern Captain of Golden Wind City, approached me. He seeks to return under your command. I dared not make a decision without your input."

At the mention of Guu Kaifa’s name, the tent fell silent.

Soon after,

Wang Yan couldn’t resist and asked quizzically: "Guu Kaifa—wasn’t he the one who received Junior Master’s guidance, climbed to the ’Earthly List’ first in the Northern Captain, then shot up in rank, only to leave us high and dry while draining most of my Third Battalion’s centurions?"

"Commander Wang."

Zhu Biao chuckled, aware that Wang Yan deliberately phrased her question to mock Guu Kaifa’s actions.

He, too, held a poor opinion of Guu Kaifa.

Guu Kaifa had flown high and ignored old alliances; Zhu Biao had always predicted he’d regret it someday.

And indeed, it took only a year for Guu Kaifa to regret his actions.

"Commander Wang isn’t privy to the full details,"

"Not only has Guu Kaifa deeply regretted his choices, but the centurions who followed him to Golden Wind City regret it even more—and now they even harbor resentment toward Guu Kaifa."

Nearby,

Deng Xuan chimed in, speaking to Wang Yan while jokingly nudging Zhang Chi: "Brother Zhang’s recent feat of making it onto the Earthly List must’ve dealt quite a blow to them!"

After all, Zhang Chi, also a Third Battalion Centurion, had surged ahead enormously in just one year—making the "Earthly List."

Meanwhile, those who left with Guu Kaifa had remained centurions, at best advancing to positions like Governor.

The vast gap in progress naturally fueled envy and resentment.

For perspective, Zhang Chi wasn’t even among the top three centurions of the Third Battalion back then.

"Brother Deng, please don’t tease me."

As Guu Kaifa was a former superior, Zhang Chi avoided passing judgment and responded to Deng Xuan with a wry smile.

"Guu Kaifa?"

Chen Jichuan did not immediately address Zhu Biao’s report but instead turned to the other attendees and asked: "Who is responsible for recruitment in Golden Wind City?"

"My lord, that would be me."

Ding Dajian replied.

Since Chen Jichuan stayed stationed in Pengshan City, delegating the recruitment of soldiers from the City Guard to his subordinates, Ding Dajian had been assigned to Golden Wind City.

"Switch roles with Zhang Chi."

Chen Jichuan pointed to Zhang Chi before turning back to him and instructed: "When you arrive, do not recruit a single soldier from the Eastern Captain’s guard in Golden Wind City."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan’s eyes sparkled, instantly lighting up.

Others in the room were taken aback.

No one had expected the usually mild-mannered superior to harbor such a grudge.

Sending Zhang Chi, a former subordinate of Guu Kaifa, to oversee recruitment in Golden Wind City—this alone would make Guu Kaifa and the centurions who had followed him feel both jealous and bitter.

On top of that, intentionally excluding recruits from the Eastern Captain’s guard would leave its officers, including centurions, enraged at Guu Kaifa.

This move was truly cunning.

...

"Junior Master is so vengeful; I’ll have to tread carefully from now on."

After the assembly dispersed, Wang Yan remained in the tent, feigning trepidation as she addressed Chen Jichuan.

"If you rise to power and leave me in the dust, then indeed you’ll need to watch out."

Chen Jichuan glanced at Wang Yan, smiling as he responded.

He held poor regard for Guu Kaifa,

Whether it was the inflated ego Guu Kaifa displayed upon climbing onto the "Earthly List" or his actions while stationed in Golden Wind City—during a whole year, not once did Guu Kaifa bother to visit his former superior or even send token greetings during holidays.

Whether he had been genuinely busy or chose not to out of ulterior motives didn’t matter to Chen Jichuan.

The feeling left a sour taste in his mouth.

Now that the opportunity arose, of course, Chen Jichuan would take action to exact some petty revenge. Although Guu Kaifa could claim the request to return under his command was out of genuine goodwill, Chen Jichuan suspected the real intent was fear.

He was likely scrambling to placate his former superior, who now held loftier titles and power—including the status of a commander and Grandmaster.

The gesture felt insincere.

"I wouldn’t dare."

"Grandfather and grandmother treat you like precious jade—afraid you’ll break if held or melt in the mouth—I’d never dare offend you."

Wang Yan jested with a cheeky grin, clearly in high spirits.

After all, she was practically "returning home in triumph" and basking in glory.

When she left Pengshan City last June, she was merely a rookie trainee at the Upper Three Institutes of the Martial Arts Hall.

Now, she returned as the "Lightning Sword," ranked 104th on the "Earthly List."

Once lofty senior disciples now seemed beneath her.

Many even approached her with requests—to pave the way for entry into the Blood Clothes Army or to appeal to her Junior Master for guidance.

The thrill was exhilarating.

"Your tongue is quick,"

"But you should apply more effort to cultivation. Strive to master ’Lightning Nine Swords’ at the ’One-Line Pass’ level. Only then will you solidify your foothold on the ’Earthly List.’"

Chen Jichuan admonished Wang Yan, urging her with sincerity.

When it comes to cultivation, self-discipline is crucial. Chen Jichuan worried Wang Yan might become complacent after making it onto the "Earthly List," succumbing to the praise and adulation, ultimately losing her drive to excel.

History had plenty of cautionary tales, including that of Fang Zhongyong.

"I am practicing my swordsmanship,"

At the mention of training, Wang Yan instantly turned meek, adopting a submissive demeanor as she listened to her Junior Master’s lecture.

"It’s now June."

"The selection trials in October are four months away. If you can defeat the centurions who come to challenge you during the trials, I have a good reward for you. But if you’re defeated, then surrender the Fourth Division Governor position and take your place as a centurion."

The Fourth Division would have six governors and thirty centurions.

During the recruitment process, those six governors would defend their positions against challenges from all centurions. Victors could replace them.

Wang Yan had been preliminarily identified as one of the six governors.

But based on her current strength, she might struggle to hold her rank.

"Fight it is!"

Though Wang Yan lacked confidence, she shouted with bravado.

It was a case of outward boldness masking inner anxiety.

Her display amused those watching.

After some time, curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Junior Master, what reward have you prepared for me?"

...

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