Zhang Tianyang (Thanks to reader Blowing Away the Piled Clouds for the Alliance Leader donation)

When Han Zheng heard the County Yamen constable chief address Li Jingzhong as "Teacher," he was immediately stunned.

Only disciples who had been taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist would call Li Jingzhong Teacher. Had this man once been a disciple of the Zhenwei Martial Arts School as well?

Li Jingzhong did not put on airs in the slightest and hurriedly said, "Constable Chief Zhang, you are too polite. You have only just arrived in Black Stone County and are busy with official duties. Naturally, official business comes first."

Turning to Han Zheng, Li Jingzhong said, "This is Zhang Tianyang, the new Chief Constable of our Black Stone County. He took office on the very day you left Black Stone County."

"Greetings, Constable Chief Zhang." Han Zheng cupped his hands.

Zhang Tianyang sized Han Zheng up, and that chill came over him again.

"Teacher, this disciple of yours has built a solid foundation. Though he has yet to enter Xiantian, his bones are sturdy as trees and his blood and vitality mighty as an ox's. I would say he has a ninety-percent chance of succeeding in Transcendence and stepping into Xiantian.

Is he the most outstanding disciple of this generation of the Martial Arts Academy? Has he already been taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist?"

Li Jingzhong smiled. "Han Zheng is indeed quite good. Whether in fundamentals or actual combat, he ranks among the best in the Martial Arts Academy.

However, this batch of disciples has yet to undergo their final assessment. No one has been taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist."

"Tsk, tsk. Even with such a foundation, he still is not the best in the Martial Arts Academy. Teacher, the quality of this batch of disciples is truly impressive."

Zhang Tianyang praised him, then looked at Han Zheng with a slightly grave expression.

"Han Zheng, you said you encountered people from the Incense Cult outside the city. Tell me everything in detail. Do not leave out a single detail."

Han Zheng nodded and carefully recounted everything that had happened from the moment he encountered the Incense Cult.

"You even drove back one of the Incense Cult's followers?"

Han Zheng nodded. "There were only two of them. I guessed they were worried that fighting would affect their preaching, so they let us go."

Zhang Tianyang gave Han Zheng a deep look and smiled meaningfully.

He knew better than anyone what kind of people the Incense Cult lot were.

As long as they thought they could swallow you whole, it was impossible for them to let you go without drawing blood and catching a scent.

Yet they had actually retreated of their own accord. That proved Han Zheng's combat strength had made them feel he was beyond their control, so they gave up.

This kid had deliberately concealed his true ability.

Li Jingzhong asked with some concern, "The Incense Cult has caused such havoc in Huainan Dao, and now they have appeared near Black Stone County. Could they be preparing to attack Shannan Dao?"

"A large-scale attack is unlikely. The Incense Cult is only a religious sect. Their ability to seize Huainan Dao in such a short time was the result of more than ten years of groundwork there, coupled with the imperial court's failure to take them seriously enough. The court was caught off guard, and that was how the Incense Cult succeeded."

Zhang Tianyang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The imperial court still has forces in Huainan Dao fighting the Incense Cult. They have no spare strength for a large-scale assault on Shannan Dao.

However, though they cannot launch a large-scale attack, they will certainly gnaw away and infiltrate step by step.

Black Stone County lies between Shannan Dao and Huainan Dao, so it truly is somewhat dangerous.

I will report this matter to my superiors. Teacher, there is no need to worry.

Jingzhou Prefecture is the gateway to Shannan Dao, and Black Stone County is the gateway to Jingzhou Prefecture. Those above will not simply watch Black Stone County come to harm."

With that, Zhang Tianyang rose and cupped his hands toward Li Jingzhong. "This information is highly valuable. I must return at once to report to my superiors, so I will not reminisce with you any longer, Teacher."

"Official business comes first. Constable Chief Zhang, take care."

Li Jingzhong rose and saw Zhang Tianyang out.

Watching Zhang Tianyang's departing back, Han Zheng asked curiously, "Headmaster, was this Chief Constable once a disciple of the Martial Arts Academy as well?"

Li Jingzhong nodded. "Strictly speaking, Zhang Tianyang could only be considered my student, not my disciple.

He studied at the Martial Arts Academy for less than a year. He was among the first group of students I took in Black Stone County over a decade ago. His talent was only average then, so he was not taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist.

Later, Zhang Tianyang left to roam the martial world. I do not know where he went, though I heard he joined the army.

Zhang Tianyang returned to Black Stone County to assume the position of Chief Constable on the day you left. I met with him that day and told him roughly about the situation in Black Stone County."

At this point, Li Jingzhong suddenly sighed. "The skies over Black Stone County may be about to change.

Previously, the County Yamen was weak and incompetent. Although the County Magistrate had passed the imperial examinations, he was a wine sack and rice bag who knew only how to drink and compose poetry every day. There was no one worthwhile in the County Yamen.

But Zhang Tianyang is very different.

Though he tries to conceal it, I can still sense the astonishing Killing Intent and murderous aura around him. The lives on his hands definitely number over a hundred!

I do not know what exactly he has experienced over these years, but now, even if I fought him, I would have no confidence of victory.

What I cultivate is martial arts, while what Zhang Tianyang cultivates is the art of killing.

This man is somewhat dangerous. He is no longer that ordinary, shy farm boy I remember. In the future, try to have as little contact with him as possible.

However, even if Black Stone County's skies are about to change, all you can do for now is practice martial arts with peace of mind.

Strength is the capital that will allow you to preserve yourselves in these troubled times."

Han Zheng said sincerely, "I will heed Teacher's instruction."

Li Jingzhong was an exceptionally qualified headmaster.

He did not merely teach his disciples martial arts. He also taught them how to survive in this martial world.

After returning, Han Zheng slept straight through from the afternoon until the next morning.

This time, he did not cultivate the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill while sleeping.

His nerves had been wound too tightly before. It was time to relax.

When he pushed open his door, the sunlight outside was slightly dazzling.

Han Zheng washed his face and prepared to buy a few buns at the mouth of the alley to fill his stomach before heading to the Martial Arts Academy.

"Boss, five meat buns."

The vendor deftly picked up five steaming, grease-glistening meat buns, wrapped them in oiled paper, and handed them to Han Zheng.

"Here you are. The buns just came out of the steamer, so be careful, they're hot. That will be one hundred copper coins."

Han Zheng froze, his hand holding the buns. "One hundred copper coins? Weren't meat buns ten copper coins each before?"

The vendor smiled bitterly. "That was many days ago. Prices rose a long time ago."

Han Zheng did not have that many copper coins on him, so he directly took out some broken silver and handed it to the vendor.

"This price is rather outrageous. Two buns can nearly buy a pound of rice."

The vendor made change as he spoke. "Before, you could buy a pound of rice with that. Now rice has risen to more than a hundred copper coins per pound.

And forget rice, even meat is hard to buy now.

You can still eat meat buns now, but after some time, you may only be able to eat vegetable buns."

Han Zheng ate his buns, frowning slightly.

The Incense Cult's impact on Shannan Dao was great, but its impact on Black Stone County was even greater. Prices were practically about to shoot into the sky.

Fortunately, he had earned one hundred and fifty taels of silver escorting the merchant convoy this time. Otherwise, he might not even have been able to afford food.

Han Zheng arrived somewhat late today. By the time he reached the Martial Arts Academy, most of its disciples had already arrived and were gathered in groups of two or three, discussing something.

"Who do you think will become the most outstanding disciple of our class in this final assessment and be taught the White Ape Through-Arm Fist?"

"I say it should be Song Tianqing. After all, he has the bloodline of the Song Family, the 'Heavenly Blade.' His natural talent is a whole cut above ours.

Song Tianqing had never learned any cultivation method before, but how long has he been at the Martial Arts Academy? I heard he has already opened eight meridians."

"Lin Qing is strong too. He has also opened eight meridians, and his swordsmanship is exceptional. During practice a few days ago, the headmaster said his attainments in swordsmanship were the greatest among all the Martial Arts Academy's disciples!"

"I think it should be Chen Zhao. Song Tianqing and Lin Qing both have backgrounds, but Chen Zhao's origins are similar to ours, yet his cultivation has not fallen behind.

Before, we thought Chen Zhao learned the Iron Whip to curry favor with the headmaster. But he truly has talent with the whip.

Even the headmaster said that at Chen Zhao's age, his own whip technique was inferior to Chen Zhao's. Chen Zhao's compatibility with the Iron Whip does not lose to Lin Qing's compatibility with the sword!"

"What about Guo Mingyuan? I heard his cultivation is currently number one in the Martial Arts Academy. He has opened a full two hundred and sixty Acupoints and nine meridians!"

"Pah! What is there to brag about for someone whose cultivation was piled up with medicinal baths?"

"Exactly. A normal martial artist soaks in one medicinal bath for three days, while he soaks in three medicinal baths a day. He practically wants to drink medicinal baths like water. Of course his cultivation would be high."

"Damn it, Guo Mingyuan's family grain shop has raised grain prices the most viciously! Rice costs one hundred and twenty copper coins per pound, and even black rye flour mixed with pebbles costs twenty copper coins! The medicinal baths he uses are all bought with our blood and sweat!"

When the others were mentioned, everyone still argued among themselves.

But when Guo Mingyuan was mentioned, everyone cursed loudly, as though they wanted nothing more than to swallow him alive.

The soaring grain prices in Black Stone County had affected everyone else greatly, while only Guo Mingyuan's family grain shop had grown fat from them.

"Song Tianqing? Chen Zhao? Lin Qing? My brother Han Zheng is the toughest one!"

Li Sancheng swaggered over with Wang Bao and Zhao Jinming.

"Have you ever seen a Pig Demon over a zhang tall? It was practically a giant, possessed of boundless strength. One slap could send a man flying, and its tusks were sharper than spears. It ate people without even spitting out the bones.

Yet a Demon like that was nothing but a pig waiting for the butcher beneath my brother's hands. He killed it in three strokes, five swipes, and two quick moves.

And you have heard of the Incense Cult, right? That evil cult has brought chaos to all of Huainan Dao, and every one of its followers is an expert among experts.

When we escorted the merchant convoy back, people from the Incense Cult blocked our path. My brother made a move and stunned them with a single strike.

Those Incense Cult people did not even dare let out a fart. They immediately obediently let us pass."

Li Sancheng shook his head and swayed with immense pride, as if he were the one who had slain the Pig Demon and forced back the Incense Cult.

Someone asked doubtfully, "Is Han Zheng really that fierce? Why does he seem so ordinary to me?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Zhao Jinming and Wang Bao. They saw it with their own eyes too."

Although Li Sancheng's account differed somewhat from the truth, the result had indeed been like that.

They had all benefited from Han Zheng and received an extra hundred taels of silver. It could even be said that because of Han Zheng, they had been able to return safely to Black Stone County.

Thus, at a time like this, they could not be bothered to explain too much and could only nod.

Everyone knew Li Sancheng usually loved to boast and spin wild tales, and only half of what he said could be believed.

But Zhao Jinming and Wang Bao were both honest men. The crowd could not help but wonder: was Han Zheng truly that fierce?

There were also people who found Li Sancheng unpleasant to look at.

"Han Zheng killed the Pig Demon, and Han Zheng forced back the Incense Cult. What are you acting so impressive for?"

Just as Li Sancheng was about to curse the other person out, the arriving Han Zheng dragged him away.

If he kept boasting, Han Zheng would soon be kicking two great families, punching three gangs, and ruling Black Stone County.

Thanks to reader Blowing Away the Piled Clouds for the Alliance Leader donation. Congratulations on becoming this book's second Alliance Leader! (^ω^)