Zheng Jun melted into the shadows. Holding his breath, he hid in the corner behind the door and tightly gripped his Ceremonial Saber, waiting for the intruder to deliver themselves to his doorstep.
The footsteps grew closer. Just as Zheng Jun sensed the person was separated from him by only a single door, a sudden knocking broke the silence.
KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.
The crisp, clear sound of the knocks left Zheng Jun momentarily stunned. He wondered why the visitor was being so polite.
Although the situation seemed completely different from what he had expected, Zheng Jun maintained high vigilance. From his concealed spot, he asked in a low voice, "Who is it?"
"Has Squad Leader Zheng rested well? I am Cai Liu. The County Captain invites you to his residence for a chat."
The hoarse voice of the old servant, Cai Liu, echoed from outside. Upon hearing this, Zheng Jun finally breathed a sigh of relief. He opened the door, looked at the old servant, and replied, "After a night of rest, I am perfectly fine. Since the County Captain has summoned me, this humble subordinate accepts the order. I hope you can lead the way, Senior."
He had thought a thief was coming for him, but it seemed he had just been jumping at shadows.
The old servant Cai Liu nodded. As he glanced at Zheng Jun, a flash of surprise immediately crossed his eyes.
Before him stood Zheng Jun in a black Official's Uniform. It was dusted with dirt, and he was drenched in sweat, making it obvious that he had just finished practicing his Martial Arts. He still held the Ceremonial Saber in his hand; his posture suggested he had barely ceased his sword drills.
Cai Liu was astonished. Zheng Jun had just gone through a life-and-death battle and was covered in injuries. Under such circumstances, instead of resting properly, he was still practicing his saber techniques? What incredible perseverance! It was no wonder he had been able to leap across realms and slash Lou Wei.
Cai Liu marveled inwardly, convinced that this Strong Shift Squad Leader had a limitless future. He chuckled softly and began leading the way, asking, "How old is Squad Leader Zheng this year? Are you married?"
"Senior, I am sixteen this year and remain unmarried." Although Zheng Jun didn't know why the old servant was asking this, he answered truthfully.
Upon hearing this information, another gleam of surprise flashed in Cai Liu's eyes. He then sighed, "Every generation produces its own brilliance. For Squad Leader Zheng to have such Creation at such a young age... you are not far behind those Martial Artists in the Commandery City and State City."
"Commandery City, State City!" Hearing these two places, Zheng Jun felt his Spiritual Mechanism stir. He immediately said to Cai Liu, "Senior, my knowledge is shallow, and I have many questions regarding Martial Arts. Could I trouble you for some guidance?"
"Of course, of course," Cai Liu agreed amiably. He patiently answered every one of Zheng Jun's inquiries.
Zheng Jun mostly asked for Jianghu experience related to Martial Arts, inquiring about places like Pingzhang Commandery and Bozhou. He also casually probed into the background of the County Captain.
It seemed Cai Liu had no intention of hiding anything from the very beginning, and he told Zheng Jun everything. Only after listening did Zheng Jun realize that the County Captain's origins were extraordinarily formidable.
The County Captain hailed from the Cai Family of Bozhou's State City. His ancestors had been meritorious officials who followed Great Zhou's Divine Martial Emperor to conquer the world. However, they hadn't achieved monumental contributions at the time; the ancestor was merely a Deputy General in the army.
Later on, many of his descendants served the Court. It wasn't until over two hundred and seventy years ago, when they marched south to Town Chu, that another ancestor of the Cai Family became the first to scale an enemy city's walls. He captured and killed a great general of Southern Chu, allowing the family to truly rise to prominence as he was granted the title of 'Marquis of Martial'.
Over the past two centuries, the Cai Family gradually declined in official circles, drifting away from the Central Hub. Today, the Patriarch of the Cai Family served as the Assistant Governor of Bozhou. The Old Patriarch was still alive and retained his Marquis title from the Court, cementing their status as a highly renowned Noble Family within Bozhou.
As for Cai Liu, his family had served as servants to the Cai Family for generations. He had been carefully selected to accompany the third young master of the Cai Family. Aside from Cai Liu, three other servants in the Qi Storage Realm had arrived in Black Mountain County with Cai Xun.
After all, Cai Xun held the position of County Captain and controlled all the military forces in Black Mountain County. In the event of war, these four Qi Storage Realm servants were expected to charge into battle alongside Cai Xun.
After learning about the deep foundation of the Cai Family, Zheng Jun was amazed, but another doubt surfaced in his mind. With such a prominent family background, why would Cai Xun come to a small place like Black Mountain County to be a County Captain? The gap between Black Mountain County and Bozhou was quite vast.
Black Mountain County was under the jurisdiction of Pingzhang Commandery, which in turn was under the jurisdiction of Bozhou. Even if this third young master wasn't highly valued by the Cai Family, with his Martial Arts strength in the Outer Gang Realm, he surely could have been arranged a position in the State City, right?
Although Zheng Jun harbored suspicions, he showed no signs of them on the surface. Walking in silence, Zheng Jun followed Cai Liu until they arrived at the Military Department.
The County Captain's residence was not located within the County Government Office. Because the County Captain controlled the county's military forces, living too close to the County Magistrate posed a severe risk. If a major event like a rebellion or mutiny occurred, both leaders could be wiped out in one fell swoop. Therefore, the Military Department and the County Government Office were historically situated far apart. However, this meant that Zheng Jun's distance to the Military Department was actually closer than to the County Government Office.
Upon entering the Military Department, Zheng Jun made his way to the County Captain's residence. The reception hall was already bustling with people. As soon as he stepped through the door, before he even had a chance to bow, he heard Cai Xun, who was sitting in the main seat, say with a light smile, "Zheng San is here!
"Last night, Sanlang achieved a Blood Refining Slash Qi Storage, which truly opened my eyes! Only then did I realize that our Black Mountain County possessed such a young talent! Everyone, why didn't you introduce him to me earlier?"
At this point, Cai Xun even stood up and took the initiative to welcome Zheng Jun to his seat. This left Zheng Jun a bit flustered. He hastily replied, "You flatter me, County Captain. If it weren't for you, my head would have long been severed by Lou Wei's Wide-Backed Saber. My actions were merely a stroke of luck; the one who truly struck down Lou Wei was naturally you, County Captain!"
"Sanlang, you are treating me like a stranger." Cai Xun smiled amiably and didn't press the matter further with Zheng Jun.
Zheng Jun finally let out a breath of relief and began to survey the people around him.
There were familiar faces: Historian Xu Heng, Fast Shift Squad Leader Sun Wang, and Black Squad Leader Bai Ruiyuan. There were also faces Zheng Jun did not recognize. Based on their attire and equipment, they were likely the county's Cavalry Captain and Infantry Captain. In addition, two members of the Ti Cavalry wearing Flying Fish Robes were also present, which caught Zheng Jun off guard.
Aside from those two Ti Cavalrymen, everyone in attendance was an Official whose duties were related to the County Captain. Zheng Jun didn't find this inappropriate; since the County Captain had just arrived, it was natural for him to familiarize himself with his subordinates.
"Having everyone gathered here today is truly a joyous occasion! I am new here and unfamiliar with the local customs of Black Mountain County, so I ask for your utmost support." Cai Xun paused for a moment before addressing the surrounding Officials, "In the future, aside from your Court salaries, I will personally provide everyone with an additional stipend! I also have some welcome gifts here, and I hope no one declines."
As soon as Cai Xun finished speaking, two burly servants immediately walked over carrying bottles of Blood Nourishing Pills, distributing one bottle to everyone present.
Such a display of tremendous wealth left Zheng Jun utterly bewildered. What did this mean? It was understandable for a new boss to treat them to a meal. A doubled salary, while a bit inconceivable, could also be justified. But what was the meaning of handing out Blood Nourishing Pills? How was this any different from handing out Gold!
Zheng Jun wasn't the only one; the others present were equally stunned. They knew the Cai Family had deep pockets, but they never expected them to be this deep! It seemed the 'Cai' in the Cai Family truly stood for wealth.
Just as everyone was reeling from Cai Xun's generous benefits, Historian Xu Heng abruptly stood up. He left his seat, strode to the center of the hall, and cupped his hands toward Cai Xun. "County Captain, this humble subordinate has an emergency situation to report! The Qingshui Gang, a Jianghu Gang located in Black Mountain County's Lin Workshop, not only bullies men and oppresses women while running rampant through the neighborhoods, but they are also suspected of assaulting and murdering Court Officials. That Lou Wei and Liang Fan were Protectors of the Qingshui Gang!"
Xu Heng gritted his teeth and continued, "Moreover, this humble subordinate has secretly acquired crucial information!
"The Qingshui Gang harbors massive ambitions. They have colluded with the Black Mountain Thieves and other Jianghu Gangs within the Commandery with the intent to rebel!
"I have intercepted correspondence as proof!"