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nChapter 83: Chapter 83: Meeting (3rd Update)

nHiss!

nThe people in the tavern could not help but gasp for air, warming the surrounding atmosphere considerably.

nDead!

nYang Jiaolong, an Eighth Rank practitioner who led the Black Dragon Fort and struck fear into many, had his head severed and blood spilled onto the long street?!

nZhou Heng was a ruthless man indeed.

nRuthless at heart, and equally ruthless in action!

nThose who had just been boasting, believing that Zhou Heng could at best withstand only a single move from Yang Jiaolong, were now pale-faced, hurriedly leaving the tavern.

nThey feared that someone would tell Zhou Heng about their remarks, and if the “Bone Breaker” happened to be even slightly petty, there was no doubt that they would suffer the consequences.

nIt was better to leave.

nSome even planned to leave Yuyang County City altogether. Treasure was important, but not as important as one’s life.

nBut Shen Jingjing was extremely pleased, hands on her hips and smiling brightly, as she looked around and joyfully said, “Look, just look, who was right in the end? Hahaha!”

nEveryone around her lowered their heads, keeping silent.

nShen Jingjing, feeling elated, sheathed the pair of daggers into her waist holster, then turned and leaned on the railing, looking towards the guesthouse across the way, wondering to herself, “Could it be him? The one who saved me?”

nShe had always wanted to find her savior.

nThat scene of the enemy being eliminated with a flick of a finger amidst the rain, clad in a straw cloak and riding a red horse, was something she couldn’t forget.

nShe had to find this benefactor and repay the life-saving grace he had shown her.

nAfter arriving in Yuyang County, Shen Jingjing had heard about Zhou Heng and felt that the characteristics of the “Bone Breaker” resembled those of the person she was looking for, but since she had never seen him face to face, she couldn’t be certain.

nIf she could meet him in person, she believed she would be able to recognize him.

nIn the main hall of the best room in the guesthouse.

nThere was also a deadly silence here; you could hear a pin drop, crimson blood splattered all over the hall, soaking the animal skin carpet, and the air was filled with the stench of blood.

nThe headless body of Yang Jiaolong lay on the ground, blood continuing to spout from the severed neck like a fountain, almost forming a pool of blood. The frail scholar who had been standing behind Yang Jiaolong was now covering his mouth with a horrified expression, looking as if he was about to vomit. His face was as pale as death, as if he could pass out at any moment.

nAs for those strong men holding weapons, they were all stunned as well, their eyes wide with disbelief as they looked at the body on the floor, completely dumbfounded.

nThe fight between Yang Jiaolong and Zhou Heng had actually been very quick, lasting only two or three breaths’ time.

nThese strong men were generally not even at the Entry Rank; although they had robust physiques and great physical strength, their martial arts insight was not high. To them, it felt as if, as soon as the two men made contact, Zhou Heng immediately severed Yang Jiaolong’s head with a single stroke.

nThe bandit chief who had seemed invincible in their eyes was powerless before this polite, handsome youth, unable to withstand even a single exchange.

nIt was terrifying!

nSuch a feeling was too terrifying, it even gave them the sensation that their worldview was collapsing.

nSo there really were such powerful beings in the world, true geniuses indeed.

nThe renowned warriors on the list of heroes were indeed worthy of their reputation!

nZhou Heng’s gaze swept across the room, and all the burly men who met his eyes trembled with fear in their eyes.

nThe strength that he had shown just now was truly formidable.

nAt last, Zhou Heng’s gaze fell on the man who looked like a frail scholar, and chuckled lightly, “It seems you must be the second-in-command of Black Dragon Fort.

n“Given the current situation, this is your chance. I do not wish to see Black Dragon Fort raiding and looting anymore.”

nWith that said, he sheathed his blade and left the guesthouse.

nA weapon refined a hundred times does not stain with blood, so he didn’t have to worry about his waist knife becoming rusty from blood.

nAfter Zhou Heng had left.

nThe man who resembled a frail scholar sadly lifted his head, removed his outer garment, and covered Yang Jiaolong’s headless body, saying mournfully, “Brothers, our boss has met with misfortune; we can’t let him be incomplete. Later, we’ll retrieve our boss’s head and bring him back to the fort for burial.” At this moment, the strong man who had led Zhou Heng here seemed to suddenly have an epiphany and knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, “Second-in-charge, it’s important to bury the boss, but Black Dragon Fort cannot be without a leader. I ask you to take up the position of fort leader and lead us!”

n“Ah?” The second-in-charge’s eyes widened as he repeatedly shook his head, appearing troubled, “No, no, it’s not right. The boss’s body is not yet cold, how could I take his place at this time, it’s not right, absolutely not.” “Second-in-charge! Please consider the bigger picture!”

n“Black Dragon Fort is the work of the boss’s years of effort; it must not be left without a successor. Second-in-charge, you are the best candidate!”

n“Yes, second-in-charge, please don’t refuse. Even according to seniority, it should be you!”

n“Second-in-charge, all of us brothers lookup to you, we earnestly request you to take the position!”

nThe others also knelt down, imploring the second-in-charge to take the position of the big boss of Black Dragon Fort.

nThis was because they all heard Zhou Heng’s words just now. The meaning in Zhou Heng’s words was clear, that he wanted this second-in-charge to become the leader, then rein in the people in the fort and stop the looting and killing.

nIf someone other than the second-in-charge took charge, they couldn’t guarantee whether the “Bone Breaker” would attack Black Dragon Fort directly; for their own survival, it was certainly better to push the second-in- charge to take over.

nThe second-in-charge understood the trickery as well, he was only declining for the sake of appearance just now.

nWith the situation ripe, he no longer refused and pretended to be in difficulty as he nodded, “Seeing that my brothers are so earnestly asking this of me, I can only comply.”

nAlthough his face still showed sorrow, the slight upturn of his mouth betrayed the pride in his heart, something he had been waiting for too long.

nAs long as he could sit in the position of fort leader, even if it meant serving others like a dog, wasn’t that also good?

nZhou Heng walked down the street.

nMany people looked at him with a mix of amazement and even fear in their eyes.

nAfter all, chopping off someone’s head and tossing it onto the main street indicated a ruthless character, no matter how you sliced it.

nBetter to steer clear of him.

nZhou Heng, for his part, wasn’t too concerned with this; he was pondering his next move.

nBlack Dragon Fort was just a scarecrow to frighten some monkeys.

nThere was no need to wipe them out just yet.

nIf he acted too ruthlessly, he might provoke a united front of resistance among the various forces in Yuyang County City, which could actually lead to more trouble.

nThis would be contrary to his initial intention of setting an example to the monkeys.

nHowever, if the second-in-command took over as the new fort leader and Black Dragon Fort continued its rampaging and looting,

nthen Zhou Heng wouldn’t mind paying Black Dragon Fort a visit after taking care of things in Yuyang County City.

nTo play a little Robin Hood.

n“Right now, what’s most important is finding Cheng Jianjian or others from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer to suppress the yang energy of the Pure Yang Body. Otherwise, it’s not just me at risk; the entire Yuyang County could be in danger,”

nZhou Heng thought to himself.

nIf it was Cheng Jianjian who came from the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, he should be the one to actively seek out Zhou Heng, but if it was someone else, this mission could prove quite difficult.

nGiven the modus operand! of the Zhou Tian Boundary Officer, they seldom act in public, and locating them would not be easy.

n“While looking for them, I can also hunt the Three Poison Sect,” Zhou Heng organized his thoughts and silently added, “It would be even better if I could find Shen Jingjing, as she should have clues about the Three Poison Sect.”

nJust then, he sensed someone watching him, but there was no hostility in it.

n– His innate Insight 1 attribute made it easy for him to detect such a gaze and preliminarily determine if there was any malicious intent.

nZhou Heng turned his head and saw a pretty young girl leaning on the railing of a tavern, looking at him.

nA stranger’s face.

nHe didn’t recognize her.

nThat was his first reaction, but his keen insight made him notice details of the girl’s figure, triggering a memory of the figure he had saved in the heavy rain that day.

nIt was her!

nWithout a doubt!

nShen Jingjing!

nZhou Heng made eye contact with her.

nThe girl seemed pleasantly surprised, her beautiful eyes widening as if she were about to jump down from the tavern to approach Zhou Heng.

n“Indeed it is her,” Zhou Heng’s lips curled up in a slight smile, feeling rather pleased.

nHe had just been worrying about how to find Shen Jingjing, and now she had seemingly presented herself to him.

nHowever, Zhou Heng shook his head gently to signal her not to come down.

nShen Jingjing had been cloaked and masked when she stole from the Three Poison Sect, so her identity might not have been compromised, but his identity as “the one who broke the bones” was definitely known to the Three Poison Sect.

nIf Shen Jingjing rushed towards him in public and uttered words like “benefactor” or “my savior,” any member of the Three Poison Sect who wasn’t a fool would know Shen Jingjing was the woman who had stolen from them.

nNonetheless, when Shen Jingjing saw Zhou Heng shaking his head, she didn’t immediately understand and looked a bit confused, but she soon grasped the reason, nodded at Zhou Heng, and withdrew.

nA moment later, she casually walked out of the tavern, pretending to bump into Zhou Heng by chance, and exclaimed with joy, “Master Zhou, you’re in Yuyang County too, what a coincidence!”

nAs long as she didn’t reveal that Zhou Heng was her savior, that would be fine.

nBoth of them were from Huangtong Mansion City, and knowing each other from the past was perfectly reasonable; there was no flaw in that.

nEven if the Three Poison Sect had information reaching to the heavens, they couldn’t possibly know every personal relationship in the Prefectural city.

nZhou Heng was slightly startled but soon understood Shen Jingjing’s intent, and smiled, “Miss Jingjing, it’s been a while. I didn’t expect to meet you here, it’s really fate.”

nSuch words came easily to him, without even needing thought.

nThe two shared a knowing smile, ready to find a place to catch up and discuss matters related to the Three Poison Sect.

nBut just then, a voice called out.

n“Excuse me, I might be interrupting your reunion, but Zhou Heng, would you be interested in having a talk with me?”

nThe voice came from not too far away.

nThe noise of the street seemed completely unable to affect the transmission of this voice – as if the voice itself had solidified into a force, directing itself towards Zhou Heng.

nThis was clearly beyond the capabilities of a Ninth or Eighth Rank Martial Artist.

nIt must have been the doing of a Seventh Rank Warrior.

nFollowing the sound, Zhou Heng saw a young man standing in the middle of the street, cradling a Longsword, dressed in blue attire with a hat and sporting a small moustache. His eyes were slender, and while his face wasn’t particularly handsome, it was distinctive.

n“Who are you?” Zhou Heng inquired.

n“lam the person you need,” the man replied with a smile, turning his back to Zhou Heng, he said lightly, “Come on, there are not many people I invite for a talk.”

nPs: There will be another update before twelve o’clock.

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