Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 374: Chapter 180: Blades from Eight Directions, Even Tigers Are Considered Men (3)

In sensing, the opponent seems not far from breaking through to the Mid-Stage Innate.

’Indeed, this Primordial Technique is born for the battlefield, growing amidst slaughter, getting stronger with each strike under the pressure of countless battles.’

"Not to mention one round, even three more rounds wouldn’t be a problem."

Han Xiaoru brushed her freshly washed wet hair, her smile bright and elegant.

Compared to when they first met at the lantern festival, her face was still exquisitely beautiful, yet the childishness had faded considerably, a heroic aura exuding, making Chen Ping almost feel she was a different person.

Of course, besides the changed appearance, the tone of this person’s speech was still as silly as ever.

"What do you mean by fighting three rounds in a row? Even if you can endure it, your subordinates can’t."

Chen Ping chuckled lightly, "This is what we’ll do, Qingjiang Prefecture will muster all its troops to attack Xingqing Prefecture. Now internally hollow, lacking in troops, you will lead five thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry to capture all of Qingjiang."

"That shouldn’t be difficult, but what about the local officials?"

Han Xiaoru wasn’t afraid of fighting but was impatient with handling government affairs, knowing well Chen Ping’s governance strategies, realizing it couldn’t end up like the East Wood Army’s chaotic prefectures.

"Mr. Yuo, may I trouble you with this matter?"

Chen Ping sighed.

In his heart, he thought there were still too few civil servants and advisors; the recruitment notice must be posted sooner than later.

He didn’t care how literary the coming scholars were, as long as they understood mundane affairs and were reasonable and well-read.

Even their background or past experiences didn’t need to be questioned.

As long as they were willing to serve sincerely, they could be given an official position.

Surely, this way, they could gather a wave of talents.

"Since the three generals are already on our side, I cannot let them suffer the pain of separation from their families. Master Yuantong, take three hundred elite troops to Qingjiang Prefecture, and bring the families of the three generals back to Xingqing."

Chen Ping paused and then looked at the bitter expressions of Xiao Tong, Yu Hanshan, and Mei Yu.

Being cautious is necessary, as it is a given in this context.

Although under the Azure Dragon Seal’s influence, he sensed that among the Four Spirits and Eight Generals, these three had no significant resistance and submitted after their defeat.

But there’s always a chance.

He needed to eliminate even that slim possibility.

From now on, these three rare talent commanders could only follow him in conquering the north and the south.

"Yes."

Deng Yuantong answered with a smile.

"Stabilizing the populace and recruiting soldiers is of utmost priority... Little Table, you will oversee matters in the Thirteen Counties. Can you handle it? I appoint you as the Lord Official of Xingqing Prefecture, rank eight, leading a brigade of valiant cavalry to manage this affair."

"I will not let down the Lord’s trust."

Little Table, now having regained his full name, Zhuo Meng.

Compared to the downcast and forlorn first meeting, now he carried a scholarly elegance, slightly dark complexion, with a bit of astute and seasoned demeanor between his brows.

These days, after training with Yuo Qiu and handling government affairs daily.

Busy as a dog but enjoying it immensely.

The once gloomy and discontent look on his face had finally disappeared.

Even more, he had unexpectedly gained some majesty.

"Very good."

Chen Ping, distributing positions, allocated the affairs of the Thirteen Counties with just a few words, assigning some Primordial Sect disciples as the main generals to guard the counties, without further worrying about these trivial matters.

After resting for a day, he led twenty thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry back to Xingqing Prefecture.

He hadn’t forgotten.

Compared to the East Wood Army’s three generals dispatched from Qingjiang Prefecture, the troops from Cui Family coming from the west were the real major threat.

If not properly addressed in this battle.

The freshly stabilized situation in Xingqing Prefecture might immediately collapse.

...

In Xingqing Prefecture, thirty miles outside of Qingjiang, a large ship floated on the river, with countless lanterns illuminating the deck as if it were daylight.

Along the river, hundreds of large and small boats were faintly emanating a sinister aura.

"Elder Kumu, this is the third batch of blood sacrifices, if we continue capturing people along the river, it might alarm the Xuanwu Guard."

A burly man smiled obsequiously, waving his hand backward, leading to a large group of strongmen pushing about fifty elderly and young people onto the deck.

The air was filled with the sound of crying and wailing.

"Lih Yuandong, your methods are inadequate. When was our Changhe Gang ever so stifled? Not demanding robust ones, but you should at least capture more people.

This is a critical time in my cultivation of Five Yin Nether Qi, and it must not be delayed. No matter what method you use, at least three hundred people, by tomorrow, you must achieve this, otherwise, don’t consider yourself as the new Squad Leader of Xingqing Sub-Branch anymore."

"Yes, I will think of more ways."

Lih Yuandong replied bitterly, thinking that in the past, not to mention three hundred people, he could easily capture three thousand refugees for them.

But now, with Chen Ping governing Xingqing Prefecture, striking out in all directions, executing the wicked, capturing these fifty was only possible because the General Xuanwu, the Lord of Xingqing, had taken troops out on an expedition.

If he were still in Xingqing Prefecture, he’d definitely not dare to act this way.

Going too far, provoking Death Warriors, would be courting death.

"Go now."

Elder Kumu impatiently waved his hand, dismissing Lih Yuandong from the deck.

Turning his gaze back to the fifty men and women of various ages wailing on the deck, his eyes shimmered with a ghostly green glow.

He snorted coldly, exhaling two streams of black gas from his nose, which enveloped the fifty people like smoke.

Amidst screams of agony.

The fifty struggled and convulsed, but within moments, they all turned into skeletons.

As for Elder Kumu, his face was flushed with vitality, appearing child-faced with white hair, radiating a lustrous glow all over his body, like an immortal descended to the world.

"Who is it?"

Elder Kumu, as if after smoking a post-meal cigarette, full of satisfaction, suddenly his gaze sharpened, reaching out to strike.

A cyan-black hand more than three zhang wide emerged in mid-air, roaring as it stirred up heavy waves, striking towards the jungle by the left bank.

The vast jungle turned to dust and dispersed in an instant, twigs, grass leaves, and rocks all exploded, as a bright white saber light suddenly shone, with a muffled tiger roar echoing around.

The saber light like a white silk in the sky, tore apart the giant cyan-black hand, the aftermath affecting...

More than a dozen boats were hit by the shockwave, all exploding, blood splattering.

Half the river erupted in a giant wave more than five zhang high, crashing down with a thunderous roar.

A figure skimmed across the wave, already reaching the ship, chuckling, "Elder Kumu’s Five Yin Grand Seizing Hand has reached the highest level of refinement and mastery, it can actually withstand my Gengxin Saber Technique, no wonder you are famous across the Three Prefectures, able to make children stop crying."

"Your saber technique is not bad either." Kumu pulled a smile, his eyes showing some wariness, "I have heard that the old master of your Cui Family has personally led an army to invade Xingqing Prefecture and will arrive soon. As one of the two tigers of the Cui Family, you did not accompany the army to charge the enemy lines but secretly came to our Changhe Gang’s sub-squad. What do you intend to do?"

Neither of them raised an eyebrow regarding the destruction of ships and people’s deaths, completely indifferent to the lives of those ordinary gang members.

"As I know, Chen Ping has already broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, not something ordinary can deal with. I, Cui, came to invite Elder Kumu to join forces to kill him."

Before Elder Kumu could show a sarcastic look, Cui Boowen had already flipped his hand to reveal a Tiger Head Token.

The token had embroidery marks, seemingly through many years.

"Very well, the favor from back then, I have never forgotten, this favor I acknowledge. Say no more, with just the forces of my Changhe Gang Xingqing Sub-Branch, even if adding you and me, we cannot deal with army-backed Chen Ping."

"We naturally won’t confront head-on, who would be foolish enough to face a Grandmaster leading the army? Even if we are both at the Unity Realm, it’s the same. Once entangled, we can do nothing. Therefore, to succeed, we need to plan carefully."

"Like this, like this, like this."

The two conspired, each revealing a smile.

In the latter half of the night, hundreds of ships set off together, heading towards the north gate waterways of Xingqing Prefecture City.

............

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