Contention

Chapter 10: The Scramble

Lu Zhaojin hadn't expected so many people to be on the mountain today.

He stopped someone to ask and learned that a Blood Ginseng had been discovered on the mountain, and the medicinal farmer who found it estimated it to be at least a hundred years old.

They were going to join the excitement, also gambling on luck.

This person was honest and straightforward, dressed in coarse cloth and hemp, like a woodcutter holding a Xuanhua axe. His muscular build showed he possessed considerable strength.

He introduced himself as Niu Hang and mentioned he wasn't from the Mount Qi region. Seeing Lu Zhaojin's extraordinary demeanor, he invited him to travel together. "Ancient texts in the Qishan County medical halls record that the medicinal properties of this Blood Ginseng are extremely potent. For a Ninth-Rank Martial Artist to consume it, they can break through to the Eighth Rank in a short period. If they cultivate diligently afterward, there's even a chance to reach the Seventh Rank."

The medical halls were organizations spontaneously formed by the medicinal farmers of Qishan County, essentially banding together for mutual protection.

Because most of them were ordinary people without the robust physiques of martial artists, they possessed a wealth of knowledge in pharmacology and superb medical skills.

Martial artists didn't want to be left without medicine if they got injured, so they naturally didn't dare to provoke the medical halls.

Niu Hang sighed, "It's just that the growing environment isn't very good, and it's in the deeper parts. However, it's not too deep. I hope we don't encounter any powerful wild beasts."

Niu Hang was a Ninth Rank Late Stage martial artist. Naturally, he hoped to use the power of the Blood Ginseng to break through to the Eighth Rank. However, on the way up the mountain, he found too many people stronger than himself. There was one right in front of him, so his hopes were slim, and he considered it just joining the crowd.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaojin thought that such an opportunity could be obtained and used to increase his own foundation, making him more confident in eliminating the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family.

Moreover, by venturing deep into Mount Qi, he might find traces of his predecessor's father.

Furthermore, Shiqiao Town was separated from Mount Qi by only the Qi River. Since Qishan County was making such a commotion, the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family would surely not remain indifferent and might even send people.

He recalled that Xiao Liu had mentioned a few days ago that Zhao Nuanyu wanted to discuss something important with him. Could that so-called important matter be this Blood Ginseng?

Lu Zhaojin no longer hesitated.

He accepted Niu Hang's invitation and they walked together towards the depths of Mount Qi.

Although it was said to be the depths of Mount Qi, they hadn't gone too far in. It was likely on the boundary between the outer areas and the deeper parts.

Lu Zhaojin followed Niu Hang out of the dense forest and arrived at a sparsely wooded area. There was no vegetation on the ground, only some strangely shaped rocks peeking out.

They finally saw the Blood Ginseng.

The ginseng plant growing out of the ground was about three feet tall, with branches and leaves all a blood-red color. Under the sunlight, it looked like blood jade formed from solidified blood.

It swayed in the wind, but in everyone's eyes, it seemed to be waving at them.

Greed surged in everyone's hearts. They marveled at how extraordinary the leaves alone were, wondering how the ginseng hidden underground would be.

However, no one present dared to dig it up rashly.

Because who knew if someone would shoot a cold arrow from behind?

"This item, the Dingshan Sect claims it. Everyone else, disperse."

Suddenly.

A voice echoed through the area.

Although everyone was indignant, no one dared to step forward and retort.

This was because the Dingshan Sect was like the emperor of the Mount Qi region. With nearly a hundred disciples, and three Seventh Rank elders within the sect, the sect leader himself was a rare Sixth Rank expert in the Mount Qi region, not an exaggeration to call him the foremost expert of Mount Qi.

Everyone looked towards the newcomers.

It was Zhang Mang, Li Yue, and others, followed by several Zhang Family guards.

The person who had just spoken was Li Yue.

He stood at the forefront, scanning the crowd with a smile and saying, "Everyone should have no objections, right?"

The crowd exchanged glances but remained silent.

How could they dare to have objections?

They would likely be visited by the Dingshan Sect the very next day.

Li Yue was pleased with their reaction, believing the Blood Ginseng was already in his grasp.

But suddenly, the crowd stirred, and a figure in black rushed forward, extending a hand as if to pull out the Blood Ginseng.

Li Yue was furious that someone dared to defy him. "How bold!"

He stomped his foot, leaped into the air, drew the long sword at his waist, and slashed at the black-clad figure's hand reaching for the Blood Ginseng's leaves. "You sneaky wretch, leave a hand as a punishment."

Zhou Ran and Mu Zi also moved to block the black-clad figure's escape route.

Mu Zi took the whip from her waist and swung it forcefully at the figure's back.

Zhou Ran clenched his right fist and punched towards the figure's head.

With attacks from three sides, if the figure forcibly took the Blood Ginseng, they would surely be injured.

The figure had no choice but to give up on the ginseng but also easily evaded the three people's attacks.

Li Yue and the other two engaged in a fight with the figure, but they couldn't subdue him for a long time.

This made the three of them look displeased.

They were disciples of the Dingshan Sect. To be unable to take down one person in a three-on-one fight now would be a complete disgrace if it got out.

How would they face their masters and fellow disciples in the sect then?

How to establish oneself in the martial world?

The three were furious and unleashed their killing moves.

Zhang Jiao also wanted to help, but he was stopped by a figure. Just as he was about to mention the Dingshan Sect, his face filled with shock when he saw the person's face. "Lu Zhaojin! You're not dead!"

Lu Zhaojin held the Hundred Refined Sword, its tip pointing at the ground. He looked calmly at Zhang Jiao, his eyes serene. "Today, you won't leave Mount Qi."

Ever since he saw Zhang Jiao, his heart had been restless. This was the lingering obsession from his past life influencing him.

Zhang Jiao acted as if he had heard the biggest joke. "Just you?"

He sneered, "You're nothing but a defeated opponent. If your father hadn't intervened that day, would you have had a chance to survive?"

Lu Zhaojin said calmly, "Times have changed."

Zhang Jiao found it laughable. "You should thank heaven for surviving the river. Just run for your life instead of boasting here."

Zhang Jiao lunged forward, punching towards Lu Zhaojin's face.

In his mind, this punch was enough to incapacitate Lu Zhaojin.

However, the reality was that his hand was severed, still clenched into a fist, and fell to the ground.

Zhang Jiao was terrified. He had barely seen how Lu Zhaojin drew his sword. He only felt a chill at his wrist, and then it was gone.

Blood gushed from the wound like a tide.

He didn't dare to advance further. Instead, he retreated frantically, pushing the guards to hurry up and capture Lu Zhaojin.

Lu Zhaojin looked at the scene and felt it was somewhat similar to Zhang Mang's death. They were indeed brothers.

At the same time, since Zhang Jiao was no longer attacking, it was time for him to take the offensive.

Lu Zhaojin strode towards Zhang Jiao, his pace leisurely as if he were on a spring outing, not engaged in killing.

The approaching figure filled Zhang Jiao with fear. He didn't know what Lu Zhaojin had experienced after jumping into the river, but his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds. He was no match for him now.

And the guards were even less of a match.

They were no match for Lu Zhaojin at all, all of them killed with a single sword strike, their throats cut, spilling blood.

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

[Killed Unranked Martial Artist, EXP +5]

[...]

All the guards brought by Zhang Jiao were killed by Lu Zhaojin, and his experience points rose to 599.

Lu Zhaojin's swordplay was swift, his blade not even stained with blood. The guards fell, and only then did blood flow from their necks, staining the ground red.

Lu Zhaojin's indifferent gaze fell on Zhang Jiao again. "I told you, you won't leave Mount Qi today."

Zhang Jiao was horrified. Judging by the strength he displayed with his sword just now, Lu Zhaojin had already broken through to the Eighth Rank. It was unimaginable. He quickly shouted, "Senior brother, save me!"

After all, it was three against one.

Moreover, Li Yue and the others were fighting with all their might. The black-clothed man was outnumbered and was being pushed back. Just as he was about to be captured, Zhang Jiao's plea for help caught Li Yue's attention. He glanced over and saw Zhang Jiao being beheaded. He was instantly enraged.

There was actually a second person who dared to kill a disciple of the Dingshan Sect!

Li Yue roared, "You're courting death!"

He couldn't disengage at the moment, so he could only commit Lu Zhaojin's appearance to memory. After he dealt with this black-clothed man, the young man who killed Zhang Jiao wouldn't escape either.

[Killed Ninth-Rank Martial Artist, EXP +50]

[EXP: 649]

The pleasant sound of experience points being added echoed in his ears.

Lu Zhaojin flicked the blood off his sword. Seeing Niu Hang's stunned expression in the crowd, he simply nodded and moved to snatch the Blood Ginseng.

Niu Hang was indeed startled by Lu Zhaojin. He dared to kill a Dingshan Sect disciple? Was he tired of living? And what did he mean by nodding at him?

The people around him looked at him with slightly strange expressions.

They don't think I'm his accomplice, do they?

Niu Hang thought that he was the one who invited Lu Zhaojin up the mountain. He felt like crying but had no tears. However, with things as they were, thinking too much was useless. He gritted his teeth. "I'll help you!"