Displaying Strength and Uniting Hearts

Sometimes, having too much money was not necessarily a good thing, because more people would covet it.

Zhang Sheng had thought things were still relatively peaceful, and that no one would come openly to plunder other people's belongings,

but he had underestimated human greed. Officials and bandits had actually colluded to plot against him.

On second thought, though, as long as they did it discreetly enough, who would ever know their secret?

But for all their calculations, they had not counted on Zhang Sheng being from another world, or on him possessing supernatural abilities.

"Haah!"

"Haah!"

This was a training ground in the backyard. At the moment, dozens of youths were practicing martial arts there. Judging by how practiced their movements were, they had been at it for more than a day or two.

"Master! What brings you here? It's been such a long time since you came to give everyone pointers!"

"Lan Yun! Stay right there and don't come over. Whatever you have to say can wait. I have something to do right now."

Seeing Lan Yun about to throw herself at him, Zhang Sheng immediately panicked a little. She had really gotten him rather scared of her.

"Master! You're so mean! How could you treat me like this? You don't treat big sister the same way."

Seeing Zhang Sheng react so strongly, Lan Yun immediately began to look aggrieved.

"All right! Stop fooling around for now. I have serious business to attend to!"

Zhang Sheng was not falling for her act. He had already been fooled several times.

When Zhang Sheng learned that his wealth would grow rapidly in a short time, he had already begun making preparations.

Over the years, he had taken in a number of orphaned youths who could no longer survive on their own, giving them food and clothing.

He also trained them to make them stronger, so that he could make use of them one day.

Back on Douluo Continent, Zhang Sheng had deliberately learned some basic martial skills to increase his own strength.

They might have been basic on Douluo Continent, but in this world, those martial skills could very well be extraordinary arts.

Zhang Sheng had studied a wide variety of things, including sabers, spears, swords, and staffs, though in the end he had not used any of them.

The Soul Skills bestowed by Soul Beasts had simply been too powerful. Few Self-Created Soul Skills could rival them.

Now that he had come to this world, all of those skills were treasures. After all, this was a world ruled by cold weapons.

As for why Lan Yun was also at the training ground, that went back to when Zhang Sheng first said he wanted to build up his own forces.

Back then, to improve life for himself and the villagers, Zhang Sheng had been forced to bring out a few things.

Once or twice was fine, but in time, it would naturally attract prying eyes, so he had to form his own defensive force.

At the very least, it could deter others and make them wary. So after briefly explaining his situation to everyone, Zhang Sheng began recruiting.

When our little loli Lan Yun heard about it, she clamored to join too. Zhang Sheng had refused at first,

thinking she was too young and a girl besides. But Lan Yun would not listen, stubbornly pestering him to let her in.

In any case, she made such a fuss that Zhang Sheng's head swelled. He could hardly hold it against her, though he did find it rather strange.

Lan Yun usually looked so adorable and spoke so softly and timidly. He had not expected her to have a violent streak.

She had seen him train before, and ordinary people could hardly endure it.

Yet not only was she unafraid, there even seemed to be excitement in her eyes. What the heck was that?

Lan Yun was persistent too: first she cried, then she made a scene, then she threatened to hang herself.

In the end, Zhang Sheng was left with no choice but to agree.

At first, Zhang Sheng had thought she would not last long. To his surprise, she actually stuck it out, and her talent seemed to have been unlocked.

What was more, that talent was no ordinary one-at least, not by the standards of this world.

Seeing such results, Zhang Sheng stopped trying to restrain her and began teaching her in earnest, hoping she could bring out her abilities.

After their basic training, Zhang Sheng began teaching the youths how to use weapons. When he asked which weapons they wanted to learn,

most favored sabers and spears, with only a few choosing swords. But Lan Yun, the only girl present, was different. She actually chose a hammer.

When Zhang Sheng heard her choice, he nearly choked. His eyes kept traveling up and down the little loli before him, who was not even 1.5 meters tall.

At the same time, a strange image appeared in his mind: her holding hammers in both hands and giving a fierce, girlish cry: "Who dares step forward and fight me?"

It had to be said that once Lan Yun actually picked up a heavy hammer, her combat power soared. She truly had the valor to stand against ten thousand men.

After seeing how talented Lan Yun was with the hammer, Zhang Sheng taught her the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer he had secretly learned.

Once Lan Yun received Zhang Sheng's instruction in the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer, her strength rose to another level.

Although she was still using it only in a basic way, each blow of her hammer carried over a thousand jin of force. An ordinary person would have a hard time withstanding it.

When Zhang Sheng arrived at the training ground, the others naturally saw him too. Though they could not fool around with him as carefreely as Lan Yun did,

that did not stop them from admiring him. After all, they were thoroughly convinced of his strength and his wondrous abilities.

"Everyone, stop for a moment! I came to tell you something, and it's also a test for you.

You've been training for some time now. Whether you're mules or horses, it's time to bring you out for a trot.

According to the news I received, a group of mountain bandits will be coming to plunder this place.

They'll be here tomorrow night. I want you to make sure none of them leave. Are you confident?"

"Master! We're confident! We guarantee we'll complete the task!"

Looking at the dozens of excited young men before him, Zhang Sheng was very pleased. At least none of them showed signs of fleeing before battle

or being afraid. They even seemed to have pent-up vigor, as though they had been waiting for this day.

After giving his instructions, Zhang Sheng headed for the village's gathering place. There were still other things he needed to arrange.

When he reached the village's small square, it was already packed with people. Under Uncle Dashan's direction, they were discussing the coming bandit attack.

As soon as people saw Zhang Sheng approaching, they came forward to greet him.

"Young Master Zhang!"

"Young Master!"

Zhang Sheng returned the villagers' greetings one by one, then walked straight to a raised platform and looked down at them.

"I'm sure everyone already knows what's about to happen, so I won't say much more.

Those who trust me can stay and defend against the enemy with me. Those who don't can still leave now.

But let me make this clear beforehand: if anyone leaves today, it won't be so easy to come back in the future."

As soon as Zhang Sheng finished speaking, the people below began to discuss it. Their lives were at stake, after all, and a wrong choice could send them to the Yellow Springs.

The arguing continued in the square. Some were afraid and wanted to leave, some were hesitating, and more wanted to live or die with Blue Silver Village.

"Has everyone made up their minds? If you have, those who want to leave, please stand on my right. Those who are staying, stand on my left. You may begin!"

As Zhang Sheng divided them up, the crowd slowly separated into two groups. The larger group looked at the smaller one with anger written all over their faces.

"Zhou Ergouzi! I knew you were no good. You're an ungrateful wretch! And you, you, and you..."

"This was voluntary to begin with. Why do you have to put it so harshly?"

Seeing that they were about to start arguing, Zhang Sheng immediately spoke up to stop them.

"Stop arguing! I said it was voluntary, so what is there to quarrel about? Now that everyone has made their choice,

those who wish to leave, please leave Blue Silver Village at once. Don't come back here again.

As for those who remain, I'll make arrangements for you next. All right, everyone, disperse!"

Those who were leaving knew they were not welcome at that moment, so when Zhang Sheng dismissed them,

they immediately ran home to hurriedly pack up some valuables and seek refuge elsewhere.