The pitch-black night enveloped the entire Black Mountain County, like a giant beast, with the howling night wind being its roar.
Zhong Lin swiftly traversed the night, heading directly to Huaihua Alley after making a round.
After obtaining the complete "Red Sun Stance," Zhong Lin immediately left, not bothering about the fate of Du Chong or the outcome for the Du family.
It doesn’t concern him, so he stays out of it.
Having achieved his goal tonight, it’s time to go home and rest.
Returning to the courtyard, he lifted the massive stone and led everyone out of the cellar.
"Zhong Lin, has the Chaotic Army breached the city?" Old Xu asked nervously.
"Not yet, but I reckon it’s imminent. There are masters among the Chaotic Army!"
Zhong Lin sighed with emotion.
Not to mention other things, just the "Bone Throwing" move caused heavy losses to both the Du and Zhang families. Who knows if there are other methods behind it?
Old Xu discreetly questioned Zhong Lin once again.
Zhong Lin understood Old Xu’s concern, mainly worried about the two little ones overhearing and letting something slip outside.
Zhong Lin’s lips slightly curved: "Everything went smoothly."
"That’s good, that’s good."
Old Xu also breathed a sigh of relief.
By this time, the east was already showing signs of dawn, and the two little ones, not having enough sleep, climbed back onto the bed to continue sleeping.
Old Xu and his wife had long lost their sleepiness and started fiddling with breakfast in the kitchen.
Zhong Lin returned to the study and spread his acquisitions on the table.
Apart from some gold, silver, and jewels, the most important items were the four secret manuals and that dagger.
Zhong Lin held the "Red Sun Stance" in his hand, flipping through it quickly by the oil lamp, reading ten lines at a glance.
"The process was somewhat tortuous, but thankfully, I finally acquired the Blood Coagulation Technique. Once recorded by the panel, the Sixth Grade Qi-Blood Realm will be open to me."
"Sixth Grade already belongs to the Middle Third Grades realm; it’s considered an expert level throughout Black Mountain County, with only a handful of people reaching it. By then, I won’t fear others anymore."
"These three martial arts skills, one Qi and Blood Martial Art, one Step Technique, and one Hidden Weapon, can exactly enrich my methods. Then I’ll think of ways to gather some other martial arts. With the System Panel, there’s no worry about biting off more than I can chew. I’ll become a Weapon Master."
"The only trouble now is the Chaotic Army outside. I don’t know how long this rebellion will last. Can Black Mountain County hold out until reinforcements arrive?"
"Forget it, overthinking such matters is useless. What I need to do now is quickly master the ’Red Sun Stance’. "
Carefully placing this basic manual into the secret compartment of the room, he reached out and integrated the black dagger into his hand. His wrist trembled slightly, and the dagger disappeared, as if it had never appeared.
This is the subtlety of the Instant Kill Skill, usually hidden without a trace, striking instantaneously, leaving no chance for defense.
As the sun rose, the shouts and cries outside the city gates slowly faded away.
Zhong Lin called Little Stone and Brother Xiu to wake up for breakfast, then instructed them not to wander around before leaving the house.
Zhong Lin needed to go outside to find out what exactly was happening now.
He didn’t go to the County Government but went directly to Old Zhou’s house.
He’d drunk wine at Old Zhou’s and knew the location.
A vigilant female voice came from the courtyard.
"Auntie, it’s me, Zhong Lin."
"Oh, it’s you, Dalinzi!"
With a creak, the inner door opened.
"Come in quickly, come in quickly."
Aunt Zhou stepped aside to let Zhong Lin in, then cautiously looked outside, left and right, before turning back and bolting the door, finally exhaling in relief.
Seeing the items Zhong Lin was carrying, she grumbled again: "Dalinzi, you came, and you brought things again. Times are tough, don’t worry about face-saving gifts, especially booze. It’s dead expensive and not filling."
Old Zhou only had a daughter, who was married long ago, with no sons. Therefore, usually, it was just Old Zhou and Aunt Zhou at home.
As a result, when Zhong Lin first visited, with his sweet-talking and good manners, Aunt Zhou immediately took a liking to him, treating him as one of her own nephews.
Aunt Zhou’s words weren’t mere politeness; they came from the heart.
"They’re not anything special. The wine was stored from before. I don’t have a taste for it, so it’s just right for Old Zhou. Where is he?"
"He’s inside! Old Zhou, come out; Dalinzi is here."
Aunt Zhou called into the main room.
Old Zhou appeared, yawning as he stepped out of the room, his eyes bloodshot, clearly not well-rested from the previous night, or possibly not having slept at all.
"Did you go up the city wall?" Zhong Lin asked, curious.
"If this old bone of mine went up the city wall, there’d be no one left in the county city. It was just too noisy last night, couldn’t sleep." Old Zhou waved his hand.
The two of them didn’t go inside but sat down by the stone table in the corner of the wall.
"Old Zhou, last night the whole county city was ablaze with light. You’re well-informed. What happened?"
Zhong Lin asked in a lowered voice.
"What else could it be? Chaotic Army attacked the city; insiders caused trouble within it. I heard this morning at the Government Office that the Zhang and Du families were both attacked and suffered heavy losses. The old patriarch of the Du family was injured, and it’s said both sons are gone. Terribly tragic."
Though saying tragic, his face bore a slight smile, clearly not fond of the Du family either.
"What about the Zhang family?"
Zhong Lin was curious. Last night, he chose between the two families and picked Du’s. He really didn’t know the situation with the Zhang family.
"The Zhang family is okay. The head and the eldest son are both Sixth Grade Qi-Blood Martial Artists. They repelled the intruding bandits, though the courtyard was seriously burned, and a few protectors died."
"The Chaotic Army was repelled by the County Magistrate, but I reckon they can’t hold for much longer. I took a look from the city wall yesterday. There are just too many people, indistinguishable between Chaotic Army and disaster victims. For a bite to eat, for survival, they will continue attacking. They can’t be stopped!"
Thinking about what he saw outside the city yesterday, Old Zhou still felt lingering fear.
A boundless expanse, as far as the eye could see, was filled with disaster victims. And once they combined with the Chaotic Army, it was like a flood, unstoppable.
Disaster victims, desperate for survival and food, feared no weapons. This is why Guo Yanhuai could quickly form troops. A rabble could assault Black Mountain County simply by overwhelming numbers, just like the Yellow Turbans from past times.
"Zhong Lin, be careful too. If the city really falls, make sure to protect yourself. Don’t fight stubbornly. If you have to run, run. You’re an Initiated Martial Artist, just don’t draw too much attention, and you should be alright." Old Zhou advised.
After chatting for a while longer, Zhong Lin got up to leave. No matter what happened outside, what he needed to do now was improve his strength, as only by being strong enough could he face any of this without fear.