Commanding

Time was short.

Soon, the transfer of the Wang Family's land deeds was settled.

Wang Fang had not left.

She stayed in the courtyard residence Wang Biao had given Zhang Lingfeng.

"Great Saber Hong has been wanted by the authorities for years. Even they can barely do anything about him. How could dealing with him be easy?"

Zhang Lingfeng and Zhang Pingping were discussing how to rescue Wang Biao.

Chen Sanshi, Liu Feng, Wei He, and even the brothers Zhang Fugui and Zhang Fukang had also been summoned.

Seeing such a group of Ming Jin martial artists gathered around Zhang Lingfeng, along with over a hundred Warm Breeze Hall members, Wang Fang was filled with mixed feelings.

She was not someone content to stay in her place.

She was also extremely vindictive, but at the same time, she was a clever woman who could recognize reality. Zhang Lingfeng had already come this far; continuing to oppose him would only invite suffering upon herself.

So she said, "Precisely because even the authorities struggle to deal with Great Saber Hong, if you could help them capture him, I think someone would appreciate the favor."

"You mean Lord Huang."

Zhang Pingping immediately thought of Huang Jiefu.

Zhang Lingfeng looked at Wang Fang in surprise. This woman was meticulous and quick-witted. Both times Wang Biao had run into trouble, she had thought of him straightaway.

And she had used him to save Wang Biao once already.

If she did not stand against him, she would make a capable assistant.

"I'll arrange this."

Zhang Lingfeng knew that if he wanted Huang Jiefu to act, he would have to go himself.

Great Saber Hong was a Dark Force martial artist and a desperate outlaw. Unless necessary, Zhang Lingfeng did not want to clash with him head-on either, so he was not very confident about rescuing Wang Biao. If danger struck, he would retreat immediately.

That was why he had demanded half the Wang Family's farmland upfront.

That way, he would not lose out whether he succeeded or failed.

Wang Fang had also seen through Zhang Lingfeng's thinking, so she did her utmost to devise plans for him, hoping to successfully rescue Wang Biao and attract Zhang Lingfeng's attention.

Time was short.

Zhang Lingfeng went to the martial arts school and gathered Ma Fei, Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, Liu Rushuang, Wu Yun, and Ye Fan.

"A friend of mine was abducted by Great Saber Hong. I hope you, my senior brothers, senior sister, and junior brother, will help rescue him."

Zhang Lingfeng got straight to the point.

"G-Great Saber Hong?"

Wu Yun's expression changed.

Great Saber Hong was a notorious bandit in the area, roaming from place to place committing crimes or robbing passing caravans on the official roads. Many escort agencies paid him tolls to avoid provoking him.

This only further fed Great Saber Hong's arrogant, overbearing savagery.

Wu Yun did not want to provoke someone like that.

He was a desperate outlaw. Once they fought, injuries were inevitable.

Even Ma Fei, the strongest among them, looked troubled and hesitated.

Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, and Liu Rushuang remained silent, waiting for Wu Yun, Ma Fei, and Ye Fan to respond.

Zhang Lingfeng had expected this.

So he said to Ye Fan, "Junior Brother Ye, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

"Well..."

Ye Fan had not seen this coming.

He knew Zhang Lingfeng wanted him to set an example.

Thinking of the leverage Zhang Lingfeng held over him, along with Guo Wei's clearly changed attitude toward Zhang Lingfeng, Ye Fan hesitated before saying, "I am willing to serve like a hound or horse."

Ma Fei and the others' expressions froze.

They had not expected Ye Fan to agree.

"Good."

Zhang Lingfeng nodded.

"Senior Brother Wu, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

Zhang Lingfeng turned to Wu Yun next.

With Ye Fan having agreed, and Zhang Lingfeng projecting such an imposing presence, Wu Yun thought he could simply dodge aside if danger arose. He smiled and said, "When my junior brother asks for help, how could I stand by with folded arms?"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Wu."

Zhang Lingfeng cupped his fists.

His gaze turned to Ma Fei, Yang Tao, Zhao Hu, and Liu Rushuang.

How could the four of them fail to understand now? Zhang Lingfeng was herding ducks onto a perch, using Ye Fan and Wu Yun to pressure them into agreeing.

As Zhang Lingfeng's cultivation progressed faster, his foundation in Dark Force grew ever stronger, and Guo Wei placed increasing importance on him. Now, even Ye Fan followed Zhang Lingfeng's lead. The four of them had long since undergone a change of heart.

After exchanging looks, the four said in unison, "We are willing to lend you a hand, Junior Brother!"

"Thank you, senior brothers and senior sister!"

Zhang Lingfeng looked delighted.

Then he changed tack. "Great Saber Hong is a major criminal wanted by the authorities. Eliminating him is their responsibility. In truth, I only wanted you to accompany me to see Lord Huang and have him take the field to subdue Great Saber Hong. When the time comes, you will only need to stand by in support or lend a little assistance."

"So that's it. Why didn't you say so sooner, Junior Brother?"

Zhao Hu let out a long breath.

The tense expressions on Ma Fei, Yang Tao, Liu Rushuang, Wu Yun, and even Ye Fan's faces also eased. Although they were all Dark Force martial artists, and taking down Great Saber Hong would not be difficult if they went together,

if Great Saber Hong fought to the death, there was no guarantee they would escape injury.

So they followed Zhang Lingfeng to the eastern district government office and found Huang Jiefu.

Huang Jiefu was drilling his subordinates.

He was very surprised to see Zhang Lingfeng bring a group of fellow disciples to find him, but he welcomed them warmly, not daring to slight them in the least.

They would all take the summer martial examination next year.

If they passed with distinction and later joined the county government's official ranks, they would at least become constable chiefs, perhaps even his immediate superiors. Zhang Lingfeng and Ye Fan, in particular, had especially promising prospects.

"I've come to bring Lord Huang an opportunity."

Zhang Lingfeng did not beat around the bush.

"Then let me hear what opportunity this is."

Huang Jiefu immediately grew interested.

"Great Saber Hong."

As Zhang Lingfeng spoke, he carefully watched the changes in Huang Jiefu's eyes.

Huang Jiefu, who had been all smiles and anticipation, instantly stiffened and did not rush to respond.

"I know Great Saber Hong's movements and can help Lord Huang capture him. Once he is successfully apprehended, it will be a great achievement for you."

Zhang Lingfeng added.

Huang Jiefu wavered between suspicion and surprise.

Great Saber Hong was vicious beyond measure. If he were that easy to deal with, the authorities would have captured him long ago. How could he still be roaming free?

Could Zhang Lingfeng think that bringing a group of fellow disciples here would make him disregard the danger and arrest Great Saber Hong?

Nothing in the world came that cheaply.

"Brother Zhang, as you can see, the office has been busy lately. I simply can't be in two-"

Huang Jiefu casually found an excuse to fob him off.

Zhang Lingfeng had long since known his routine. Before he could finish, he interrupted, "My fellow disciples and I will accompany you and help you capture Great Saber Hong."

"What did you say?"

Huang Jiefu thought he had misheard.

Zhang Lingfeng looked at Ye Fan, Wu Yun, and the others. "My fellow disciples, are you willing to follow me to rid the people of this scourge and help Lord Huang eliminate Great Saber Hong?"

"We are willing!"

Ye Fan, Wu Yun, Ma Fei, and the others spoke in unison.

Huang Jiefu was so startled that he rose from his chair.

He had never imagined that Zhang Lingfeng had already reached the point at the martial arts school where a hundred would answer his call. Even a peak Dark Force expert like Ma Fei and the insufferably arrogant Ye Fan were willing to follow him.

His mind worked quickly.

He instinctively realized that Zhang Lingfeng commanding his fellow disciples to come here did not seem to be simply about dealing with Great Saber Hong. It seemed more like a pointed warning to him.

Could it be about the monthly payment?

Fifty percent... was Zhang Lingfeng dissatisfied?

With so many people backing him, continuing to demand fifty percent of the proceeds was indeed excessive.

"Good. In that case, once I assemble the troops, we'll set out together and eliminate Great Saber Hong!"

Setting the monthly payment aside for now, Huang Jiefu knew he ought to respond to Zhang Lingfeng immediately.

With so many Dark Force martial artists helping, even if Great Saber Hong had three heads and six arms, he could not escape even with wings. If they truly captured him, it would absolutely be a great achievement.

When the time came, it would be worthwhile even if he gave up his share of the proceeds.

PS: Please send monthly votes!