Zhong Lin downed a bowl of chicken soup in front of him in one gulp. This was no ordinary chicken soup; it contained various medicinal herbs, especially a century-old ginseng treasured by Old Xu for many years.
Ordinary people would get a nosebleed on the spot if they drank it, but for Zhong Lin, it was just right.
After finishing the chicken soup, he felt his internal Qi-blood had strengthened, and his whole body seemed to be soaking in warm water, feeling unconsciously relaxed.
Zhong Lin glanced at the dishes on the table, a hint of bitterness in his eyes.
As his cultivation improved, these ordinary foods were increasingly unable to meet his needs. Currently, Zhong Lin ate more than the other four people at the table combined, yet it merely filled his stomach without aiding his cultivation at all.
"It seems I must head to the county soon. Indeed, shallow waters can’t raise a True Dragon. No wonder there are so few Middle Third Grades Martial Artists in this small Black Mountain County. It’s not because they all yearn for glamour, but because they really can’t thrive here!"
Zhong Lin sighed inwardly.
The Ninth Grade skin refining requires Blood-supplement Soup, Eighth Rank tendon altering requires Blood Replenishing Pill, and Seventh Grade Bone Forging requires Bone Strengthening Pill.
Now that his cultivation has reached the Sixth Grade Qi Blood Realm, he needs higher-grade elixirs; otherwise, relying solely on ordinary food to nurture his Qi-blood is far too time-consuming.
"As they say, literature needs poverty while martial arts need wealth. Without money, you can’t even practice martial arts."
As the family was eating, the sound of gongs suddenly came from outside.
"That’s the gong from the county government’s clerks. What’s happened this time?"
Old Xu tilted his head to listen, his face showing concern.
The Chaotic Army had surrounded the city, and recently there were rumors that the county magistrate was summoning all the men in the city, regardless of age, to defend the city walls against the enemy.
These rumors, detailed and vivid, instilled fear in everyone.
As a commoner, he didn’t want to get involved.
Zhong Lin put down his bowl and chopsticks and said gravely, "I’ll go out and see what’s going on. You all continue eating."
With that, he got up and pushed the door open to go out.
The gong sound outside had already attracted a large crowd of people, all men, evidently like Zhong Lin, coming out to see what’s happening; the women and children didn’t dare to come out.
"Old and young masters, I’m here to tell you some good news. The rebel leader Guo Yanhuai has been captured. Tomorrow at noon, he and the rebel military leaders will be executed at the execution ground. You’re all welcome to watch."
Zhong Lin felt as if he were dreaming; otherwise, why did it feel like he was listening to bedtime stories?
The rebel leader had been captured? And would be executed tomorrow?
What kind of joke is this?
Just yesterday, the Chaotic Army surrounded the city. A few days ago, the city gate was almost breached, and now you tell me Guo Yanhuai has been captured?
This joke is too far-fetched!
If this wasn’t a dream, then what was it?
Not only did Zhong Lin not believe it, but the gathered populace also didn’t believe it.
"Head Yi, are... are you telling the truth?"
A middle-aged man asked.
The clerk, known as Head Yi, snorted coldly, dissatisfied, "Why would I lie to you about something ? The city gates are wide open; you can go see for yourself."
The middle-aged man hastily waved his hands in explanation, "It’s not about disbelief; it’s just too incredible. A few days ago, the Chaotic Army was still besieging the city, and suddenly, the rebel leader is captured. This is..."
Head Yi laughed heartily and proudly said, "The power of the court is beyond your imagination. It wasn’t anyone else who captured the rebel leader Guo Yanhuai but a master invited by the county magistrate. This master entered the rebel camp like a Divine Weapon, and with a gentle wave of his hand, annihilated tens of thousands. Even the rebel leader Guo Yanhuai was heavily injured by the master. Hmph! This was also the master’s mercy; otherwise, he would have crushed him into meat paste."
Zhong Lin, standing not far away, felt a shock in his heart and turned towards the city gate.
Indeed, as the clerk said, the gates of Black Mountain County were wide open, with familiar constables maintaining order outside.
On the open ground, large pots were set up, and numerous refugees queued up to receive food.
The fresh blood stains on the ground still spoke of the recent clouds of war.
Zhong Lin chuckled wryly, "The mindset, indeed! I always viewed this world through the lens of my past life’s experience, not realizing this is a world with transcendent power. Seventh Grade Bone Forging Realm possesses thousands of catties of strength; Sixth Grade has transcendent Qi-blood power. What about the Fifth and Fourth Grades? What kind of power does the Upper Third Grades Qi Refinement have?"
"It seems what the clerk said is likely true; perhaps there’s exaggeration, but indeed, a master might have taken the enemy general’s head amidst an army. With Guo Yanhuai captured, the forces composed of mountain bandit leaders naturally fell apart."
Zhong Lin patted his forehead, forcing himself to stop measuring this world with his past life experience.
He also quickly dispelled his inner dreamlike feeling; although the resolution of the rebel army overnight was strange, could it be stranger than his time travel?
Shaking his head, Zhong Lin began his return home, his steps lighter than they had been in days.
It’s better not to fight if possible. Regardless, a peaceful environment is always better than war; he just wanted to steadily improve his strength and climb the peak of Martial Arts.
Along the way, more and more people emerged from their homes, transitioning from fear and doubt to joy.
"Has the war really ended?"
Old Xu still couldn’t quite believe it.
"It’s over. I just returned from outside the city. The county magistrate is organizing porridge distribution outside; your medical clinic can reopen."
Zhong Lin wore a broad smile on his face.
"That’s great, that’s great. Old woman, get out that cherished bottle of wine. Today, I want to have a good drink with Zhong Lin."
Old Xu shouted loudly, and Old Xu’s wife nodded with a beaming smile, not stopping him.
This major event called for celebration.
The next day, rebel leader Guo Yanhuai and the rebel military leaders were beheaded outside the East City Gate.
As for the Chaotic Army that followed Guo Yanhuai, besides a few executed by the county magistrate, the rest were all released.
At the same time, the county magistrate also issued some decrees.
Establishing multiple relief stations and opening granaries to distribute porridge.
Building shanty towns, gathering refugees, and distributing grains to them.
Providing work for relief, repairing the city.
Everything proceeded vigorously, and the city soon stabilized and regained order.
With stability and public sentiment settled, the entire Black Mountain County was like a tender shoot breaking through the ground after enduring a harsh winter, gradually showing new vitality.
Although all this seemed strange in Zhong Lin’s eyes, it was the truth.
Old Xu’s family also returned to their courtyard, for they couldn’t always stay lodged with Zhong Lin.