Chapter 694: Chapter 16: Former Officials of the Previous Dynasty
Chen Tang’s ears twitched.
He already heard people quickly approaching from this direction, their footsteps chaotic, making quite a commotion, there might be over a thousand of them.
Chen Tang gestured to Xue Tuan’Er and White Ape, signaling them not to act rashly.
It’s unclear what the intentions of the approaching group are, so there’s no need to ignite a conflict at the outset.
Before long, quite a few people appeared from the nearby woods, staring at Chen Tang’s group with unfriendly expressions.
Upon seeing Xue Tuan’Er and White Ape among the group, these people showed peculiar expressions, subconsciously gripping their weapons tightly.
"It might be refugees from Yan State, gathering in the mountains and occupying this Ghost Cry Ridge, they’ve already formed a scale."
Mei Yingxue whispered.
In recent years, natural disasters and man-made catastrophes have plagued Daqian, increasing the number of refugees, with banditry arising across various states.
However, looking at this group before them, they seemed well-equipped, with complete armor and weapons, and each looked spirited, not like refugees struggling for survival.
Moreover, Chen Tang noticed.
The leaders among this group were older, their cultivation not weak, having trained Inner Qi.
Though aged with wrinkled faces, their eyes occasionally flashed a cold glint, experienced and calm, unlike people from Jianghu, but instead like veteran soldiers.
Some veteran soldiers had high sunken temples, clearly having trained to the Fourth Grade Awakening Realm!
As Chen Tang assessed the crowd, the elderly were also studying Chen Tang’s group.
The elderly, with sharp eyes, noticed among Chen Tang’s group there were two older women whose cultivation was not weak.
Among the three young people, one man and one woman also had Inner Qi.
The tall young man in a black robe didn’t reveal any cultivation, but stood there, calm and composed, facing the situation without fear, showing an extraordinary demeanor.
Moreover, the two fierce beasts standing beside this black-robed young man looked even more remarkable!
"Greetings friends, what teachings do you have to offer?"
Chen Tang slightly bowed with a smile.
One of the old men with a goatee said, "You all have traveled far with great hardship, my brothers have come to invite you to the mountain."
Though they were numerous, they dared not act recklessly.
Chen Tang smiled, "Thank you for your kindness, friends, but we have urgent matters and must visit the mountain another day."
"Hmph!"
A short-haired, thin young man shook the horizontal sword in his hands, speaking coldly, "You’ve entered Ghost Cry Ridge, going up the mountain is not up to you!"
With these words, he tore off the pretenses, leaving no room for negotiation.
Yan Qi sneered coldly, "What audacity, robbing under the broad daylight, and targeting us directly!"
Yan Qi, after all, was once Vermilion Bird Guard, one of Daqian’s four bureaus, stationed in the Capital City, with such identity and status, how could she give a thought to such petty thieves.
"Such a big mouth, young lady."
The old man with a goatee chuckled and said, "My apprentice’s words may be straightforward, but having entered Ghost Cry Ridge, certain things are indeed beyond your control!"
"Is that so, draw a line then."
Yan Qi slightly sneered.
"Master, why use a bull knife to kill a chicken, let me!"
The short-haired youth held a horizontal sword and stepped forward.
The old man with the goatee said, "Leave the young lady to me, you find those three young ones to have a match."
The short-haired youth quickly understood, realizing his master’s kind reminder, the woman in front was not easy to provoke.
His gaze shifted and swept over Chen Tang and the others, pondering briefly, and then he pointed at Chen Tang, "I’ll give you a chance, let’s have a match!"
In his view, Mei Yingxue and Meng Liangyu behind Chen Tang, one with a sharp sword on the back, the other with a long blade at the waist, both looked like formidable opponents.
The leading young man in a black robe, appeared tall and strong, yet he was unarmed, probably just bluff.
"Good vision."
Meng Liangyu couldn’t help but spit out the bamboo stick in his mouth, complimenting.
Mei Yingxue, having just cultivated Inner Qi, was eager to find someone to test the sword, immediately stepping forward, "Let me face you!"
On the other side, the goateed elder drew out his waist knife, staring at Yan Qi and slowly said, "Young lady, let the old man test your skills!"
The parties exchanged few words before each brandishing their weapons and engaging in combat.
The goateed old man’s sword skill undoubtedly came from the battlefield, simple and direct, with no flashy feints, every strike lethal.
However, he was only at the Fourth Grade Awakening.
Yan Qi was of the Third Grade Meridian Passage, a full realm difference between them.
Upon clash, the goateed old man immediately fell to the lower hand, realizing the dire situation.
On the other side, the short-haired young man was only a Seventh Grade Martial Artist, hence no match for Mei Yingxue. Within a few moves, he got struck on the leg and shoulder, screaming in pain.
After several moves, Chen Tang suddenly exclaimed, showing surprise.
The footwork of the goateed elder, during leaps and bounds, was obviously from "Tiger Subduing Fist".
Besides the sword skill, his counterattacks were also the techniques from the "Tiger Subduing Fist", very standard, implying mastery.
"Spare him."
Chen Tang reminded.
After forcing the short-haired young man to retreat, Mei Yingxue sheathed her sword and stood still.
Yan Qi slowed her moves.
The goateed elder immediately withdrew, seeing his disciple injured, his face sank, and he let out three long whistles, two short and one long.
"Your ’Tiger Subduing Fist’ is quite standard, are you from the former dynasty?"
Chen Tang looked at the goateed elder and suddenly asked.
The faces of several elders present changed subtly, exchanging glances.
One calmly said, "Young man has keen eyes, having recognized our origins, we can’t let you leave!"
Chen Tang’s heart stirred.
Could the Emperor Wu be in Yan State?
Previously, Tie Falei mentioned sightings of remnants from the former dynasty, perhaps clues to Emperor Wu could be found on these former dynasty relics.
"Who is your leader?"
Chen Tang still wore a gentle smile.
The old man with the goat beard did not answer.
The short-haired young man, feeling embarrassed after being defeated and injured in front of everyone, gritted his teeth and said, "Master, let’s go together and hack them to pieces!"
"Shut up!"
The old man with the goat beard scolded.
Among the five, the woman who just fought him was Third Grade, and the other older woman wasn’t weak either.
If they all rushed forward, even if they could kill the five before them, the losses would be heavy and not worth it.
Soon after, two sounds of garments slicing through the air were heard.
Judging by the sound, the newcomers were quite skilled, with incredibly swift body techniques!
In the blink of an eye, two figures appeared before everyone.
Both were nearing seventy, hair grizzled, yet their eyes were sharp and spirited, possessing extraordinary aura.
At this age, only those who have reached Innate and refined Innate True Qi could possess such Essence Qi and spirit.
Two Second Grade Innate experts!
Chen Tang’s expression shifted.
He found one of them somewhat familiar. After a moment of consideration, he finally recalled.
The old man with the goat beard stepped forward and said, "General Xu, General Kou, these people’s backgrounds are unclear, their skills are not weak, and they recognized our previous dynasty identities. We can only ask both generals to intervene."
The General Kou’s gaze swept over Chen Tang and his group, then, as if recalling something, stared intently at Chen Tang.
"You..."
General Kou slightly frowned.
Chen Tang smiled faintly and, fist cupped, said, "Elder, since the parting at Mist Rain Village, we haven’t seen each other for years. I hope you’re well."
This General Kou was none other than Kou Zhenshan, the storytelling elder they had encountered at Mist Rain Village, along with Chen Tang, Lu Qing, Yuan Qingmo, and Changsun Ming.
Kou Zhenshan was one of the Dragon Tiger Guard of the previous dynasty.
Back then, forces from all sides gathered at Mist Rain Village, with people from the White Tiger Bureau aiming for Kou Zhenshan.
After escaping, Kou Zhenshan had vanished without a trace.
Years have passed, and his cultivation advanced further, having now reached the Innate stage.
"It’s really you!"
Kou Zhenshan’s heart was filled with joy, his face broke into a smile, and he strode forward to greet warmly.
After all these years, Chen Tang had long shed his youthful naivety, with significant changes in his appearance and aura.
For a moment, Kou Zhenshan was not entirely sure.
Until Chen Tang mentioned Mist Rain Village, he finally confirmed that this tall young man was the one he had seen there.
"Chen Tang, right?"
Kou Zhenshan probed.
Back then, these young people used false names, but after surviving the Mist Rain Village incident, Kou Zhenshan heard quite a bit about Chen Tang.
Chen Tang smiled and nodded.
"Who is this..."
The old man beside, noticing Kou Zhenshan’s familiarity with Chen Tang, withdrew his hostility and curiously asked.
"Brother Xu, let me introduce you."
Kou Zhenshan pulled General Xu to his side, pointing to Chen Tang and said,"This young brother is a youthful hero, full of gallantry. Back in Mist Rain Village, it was he who led the Young Master’s daughter out of the encirclement."
"Later, the Flood Dragon Slayer in Qingzhou was also his handiwork."
"Oh?"
General Xu’s eyes lit up. With genuine respect, he cupped his fists to Chen Tang and said, "Greetings young brother, I am Xu Ridge, from the Wu Dynasty Dragon Tiger Guard."
Kou Zhenshan said, "Young brother, last time I managed to escape the White Tiger Guard largely thanks to Brother Xu’s rescue."
"Greetings Elder Xu."
Chen Tang cupped his hands and returned the salute.
"By the way, Brother Xu."
Kou Zhenshan continued, "There’s a rumor in the Jianghu that this young brother is a personal disciple of Your Majesty!"
"Is that true?"
Xu Ridge’s heart trembled, quickly asked.
Kou Zhenshan also looked at Chen Tang with eager anticipation.
Chen Tang smiled and remained silent, merely glancing around.
Kou Zhenshan suddenly realized and said, "See, I’m overly excited! Young brother, come, let’s ascend the mountain together, and we can chat once we’re seated inside."
"These are all old soldiers of the Wu Dynasty, aren’t they?"
Chen Tang scanned the elderly in the crowd and asked.
"That’s right."
Kou Zhenshan sighed and said, "Some of them were from the Hu Ben Army and the Dragon Soaring Iron Cavalry, all young lads back then in their teens and twenties. Now forty years have passed, and they’re all old."
"Old Wu, it was all a misunderstanding, loosen up a bit."
Kou Zhenshan looked at the old man with the goat beard, reprimanding him, "This young brother knows our Young Master."
The old Wu nodded, barely squeezing a smile at Chen Tang.
Chen Tang’s heart stirred, he suddenly asked, "The Young Master mentioned by the elder, is it Mr. Lu?"
"Yes."
Kou Zhenshan said, "However, the Young Master changed his surname to Lu back then to hide his identity, and now he’s reverted to his original name. Please don’t call him wrongly."
The only person Kou Zhenshan’s group would willingly call Young Master could only be the son of Emperor Wu, Qin Xi.
Back in Mist Rain Village, Qin Xi was known as Lu Qianshan, and Chen Tang and the others called him ’Mr. Lu.’
Later, after the incident at Mist Rain Village, Mr. Lu’s whereabouts became unknown, his fate uncertain.
With time, not only was Mr. Lu unharmed, but he also gathered numerous previous dynasty subordinates within Yan State.
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