Ambush Shi Dian! (Seeking Collection)

Black Goose City, the military camp.

This was Qin Zheng's first time entering the military camp itself.

His usual activity zones, including the execution grounds, were considered outside the camp. Otherwise, during executions, the public wouldn't have been allowed to watch.

Inside the camp, it felt more like a small town to Qin Zheng. People came and went in twos and threes, some in a hurry, others leisurely.

Following Wang Er's steps, they arrived at a small courtyard made of brick and stone not long after.

"Go on in, the Captain is inside."

Wang Er turned around and said to Qin Zheng, a bit nervously.

After speaking, he quickly turned to leave.

"Brother Wang, if you're free tonight, come over to my place for dinner. It's to celebrate my moving in."

Qin Zheng called out as he turned his head.

Wang Er paused slightly, then turned back, smiling and nodding. "Alright! You go in quickly, don't keep Captain Ji waiting."

After saying that, with a smile on his face, he turned and left again.

Qin Zheng then withdrew his gaze and looked at the small courtyard before him.

Grey walls and black tiles, it looked quite imposing.

He took a step forward and slowly pushed open the gate of the small courtyard.

This was also a courtyard with a single entrance and exit, not much larger than the small courtyard he had just bought.

In the open space in the middle, various weapons like sabers, spears, and staffs were laid out.

A burly middle-aged man, holding a halberd in one hand, swung it with great force, exuding a palpable aura of menace.

Qin Zheng could only stand by the door, watching the man practice.

He watched the white streaks the sharp edge of the halberd left in the air with each swing, the vibrations it caused.

This resident captain's strength was no less than his own!

Perhaps even greater!

Seeing this, Qin Zheng's mind immediately arrived at an answer.

Finally, the middle-aged man spun around, swung the halberd, and slammed it down towards the ground!

Under the immense force, the halberd rubbed against the air, emitting a faint popping sound!

With such power, the halberd would surely smash a large hole in the ground when it struck!

Qin Zheng's eyes were fixed, wanting to see how much power the man could unleash with this strike.

However, the sharp edge of the halberd ultimately stopped about an inch from the ground.

This caused a sudden feeling of frustration and discomfort in Qin Zheng's heart.

"Having strength is one thing, but knowing how to use it is another. Otherwise, you can't fully unleash your strength, and you might even injure yourself!"

Ji Changyin retrieved the halberd, then stood upright and placed it on the weapon rack beside him.

Only then did he look at Qin Zheng and continue, "Come, sit here."

On one side of the open space, a stone table and stone stools were set up.

Ji Changyin sat down first, and only then did Qin Zheng walk forward and sit on the other side.

"Thank you for your guidance, Captain."

Qin Zheng clasped his fists and said to Ji Changyin.

Ji Changyin nodded, then smiled and said, "To be able to comprehend a saber technique from a common beheading... I truly didn't expect there to be such a genius under me."

Qin Zheng understood that his transaction on the pleasure boat yesterday had already been known by the person before him.

So, he shook his head and said humbly, "It's just a few unrefined saber techniques, they won't be of much use."

He didn't know that Ji Changyin had been sitting in the room above him during their transaction that day.

Ji Changyin smiled and didn't elaborate further. Instead, he reached for the teapot on the stone table, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it towards Qin Zheng.

Then he continued, "That old fellow Shi Dian, in his youth, used a technique called the 'Golden Cicada Skill' to kill and commit arson, doing all sorts of evil. But he also knew how to manage things, so he remained unharmed and even established the Golden Cicada Gang in Black Goose City."

Qin Zheng's concentration sharpened upon hearing these words.

"Perhaps it was due to the sheer amount of evil he committed, that Heaven's retribution came. He didn't have a son until he was forty years old. Therefore, he poured all his resources into his youngest son, doting on him excessively, which also resulted in his son becoming arrogant, overbearing, and notorious for his wicked deeds. A few days ago, this brat, not knowing his place, saw a girl on the street, became infatuated, and forcibly abducted her."

"After a period of humiliation, I killed him and disposed of the body. Not long after, I was caught by the yamen and imprisoned awaiting trial."

"Then I was beheaded by you."

Ji Changyin slowly explained the reason why Shi Yan was beheaded.

This made Qin Zheng suddenly enlightened.

As the young master of the Golden Cicada Gang, why was Shi Yan captured and imprisoned, even beheaded?

In Black Goose City, the only person who could directly make the yamen take action was that person in the yamen!

No wonder Shi Dian didn't dare to resist and only dared to tamper with things while Shi Yan was being beheaded.

Because he couldn't afford to offend that person at all!

Although Ji Changyin was a garrison captain, he only managed the punishments in Black Goose City and couldn't interfere in other matters.

Relatively speaking, the deterrence against Shi Dian was not that great.

However, Shi Dian was now ruined, the Golden Cicada Gang was gone, and his son was gone too.

Having become a solitary man, the deterrence from that person in the yamen naturally wasn't as great as before.

Therefore, Shi Dian's target of revenge was definitely that person in the yamen first, not himself!

Qin Zheng's mind raced with thoughts, making deductions.

"In our last encounter, although I cut him once, causing him some injuries and gaining a slight upper hand."

"However, this old man's cultivation is profound, and he is not far from breaking through. His prolonged absence now most likely means he is in the process of a breakthrough!"

Ji Changyin's expression turned grave as he spoke, his voice involuntarily becoming much heavier.

"If he succeeds in breaking through the fourth major hurdle and advancing to the Bone-Refining Realm."

"Then even I will not be his opponent."

"At that time, he will surely cause chaos in Black Goose City to exact his revenge."

"You and I will likely be on his list as well!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Zheng's expression slightly darkened. He then looked at Ji Changyin opposite him and said, "I hope you can enlighten me!"

Ji Changyin's expression turned serious, and he continued, "Bailiff Xu from the yamen is also a martial artist who has broken through the third hurdle, reaching the Muscle-Refining Realm."

"After discussing it, we decided to act preemptively and assassinate Shi Dian!"

"But if we both appear, that old man Shi Dian will fear us and definitely won't show himself willingly."

"Therefore, we need someone he hates to the bone, yet doesn't fear, to lure him out."

This way, Constable Ji and I can make our move and suppress him!

With that, Ji Changyin fixed his gaze on Qin Zheng, the unspoken meaning clear.

Qin Zheng wasn't foolish and naturally understood what the other party meant.

It meant he was to be the bait!

Although with his current strength, there shouldn't be much danger even if he acted as bait.

However, if Shi Dian's primary target for revenge wasn't him, he could slowly develop his power, pushing the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill to higher levels.

This would also make him safer, and there was no need to take risks this time.

Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes, his mind churning with thoughts.