On the way, Xu Gui had analyzed the situation that would happen after he merged into Red Cloud Mountain. He had guessed that Yu Feng might use a checks and balances method, so he ran over to explain it to Peng Jin in advance to prevent Red Cloud Mountain from reaping the benefits from both sides.
When Peng Jin heard this, his eyes lit up, “Wonderful. As a person who has read before, your brain is indeed different.”
“Of course.”
Xu Gui stroked his beard and smiled. However, he secretly despised Peng Jin for being ignorant and incompetent.
The group traveled with their own thoughts and finally arrived at Red Cloud Mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, Yu Feng, Li Chun, and the other leaders were already waiting there, looking up in anticipation.
Seeing Zhou Jing and the others, Yu Feng strode forward to welcome them with a face full of joy.
“Brother Chen, Brother Guo, Brother Fang!”
“Chief Yu.”
Zhou Jing and the other two went forward to return the greeting.
Yu Feng immediately grabbed Zhou Jing’s hand and asked with concern, “Did you three brothers suffer any injury?”
“Not at all.” Zhou Jing shook his head.
“That’s good, that’s good…”
Yu Feng nodded repeatedly and heaved a sigh of relief, as if he was relieved.
Then, his expression became excited as he praised,
“With just 200 people, the three of you took down two 10,000-strong strongholds in the Lu River area. It’s simply miraculous! Brother Chen Feng is indeed a top hero in the world. Even if those famed generals from the ancient times were to be resurrected, I’m sure you’re not inferior to them!”
“Chief Yu, you’re too kind.”
Zhou Jing’s expression did not change as he lied through his teeth.
Fang Zhen sighed and called out, “Second Brother, why are you so humble? You can lift a thousand troops with your spear, break through a cliff, and bravely suppress two strongholds. Who in the world can do that?”
Yu Feng and the others were surprised to hear this and hurriedly asked to learn about his exploits. After all, they were not too clear on the details.
Fang Zhen did not hide anything and explained the processes on how they subdued both strongholds vividly.
Everyone from Red Cloud Mountain was shocked upon hearing of their exploits.
He had practically flattened two mountains by himself!
“Brother Chen is really unparalleled in martial arts. It’s a pity that I couldn’t participate in the battle and see Brother’s heroic bearing.” Lu Xinniang was rather regretful.
Li Chun was shocked. “Brother Chen’s martial arts are much stronger than a few months ago. It’s amazing.”
The few of them surrounded Zhou Jing, exclaiming emotionally at this prowess.
Guo Haishen found the right time to interrupt everyone and calmly spoke out, “Don’t neglect the leaders of Tiger Head Mountain and Yellow Pond Mountain. Let me introduce them.”
As he spoke, he introduced everyone.
In front of Zhou Jing, Xu Gui and Peng Jin were like obedient babies. They brought the leaders of the various strongholds forward to greet Yu Feng politely.
Yu Feng hurriedly responded to them one by one. No matter if they were familiar or unfamiliar, he had to flatter everyone.
After a round, everyone finally got to know each other.
“From now on, we’re brothers. Let’s eat meat and drink wine together.”
Yu Feng said loudly.
No matter what they thought, everyone agreed on the surface.
At this moment, Yu Feng turned around and bowed to Zhou Jing and the other two.
“Three brothers have made great contributions to my Red Cloud Mountain. Brother Chen has contributed greatly. Please stay in the stronghold. I’m willing to give up my position and treat you as the chief instead!”
When everyone heard this, they looked at Zhou Jing with hope.
Zhou Jing refused again and shook his head, “I’m only here to repay you. I’ve made up my mind. Don’t persuade me anymore.”
Yu Feng said anxiously, “Brother Chen, don’t talk about repaying me anymore. It’s really too much for me. This time, my Red Cloud Mountain owes you a huge favor!”
The benefits that the Red Cloud Mountain received this time were too great, far exceeding the repayment they deserved. After news of this spread, the heroes of the Green Forest would not feel that Zhou Jing had repaid the favor, but that the Red Cloud Mountain owed him a huge favor instead.
Everyone sighed. They knew that Zhou Jing was not playing hard to get, but that he was really refusing.
Zhou Jing looked around and saw that everyone had complicated expressions.
“Since this is over, I’ll leave now.”
“Brother, why are you in such a hurry? No matter what, let me hold a banquet to welcome you.”
Yu Feng hurriedly replied.
Zhou Jing shook his head, “We appreciate your kindness, Chief. It’s just that we’ve already delayed our journey for a few days and don’t want to go up the mountain to disturb you anymore. If we get drunk, we’ll be delayed for a few more days. As people of the martial world, there’s no need to be wishy-washy over such things. Let’s just part ways here.”
“This… Alright.” Yu Feng agreed helplessly and said, “However, no matter what, please accept some gold and silver as payment so that it will be easier to eat on the way.”
“Sounds good.”
Seeing that Zhou Jing did not refuse, Yu Feng quickly asked the leaders to take out their money bags. Without counting, they handed them all to Zhou Jing and the other two.
Zhou Jing and the other two kept the money. At the same time, Zhou Jing got Zhang San and the others to escort Lin Song behind them as they left the stronghold.
On the way back, when they passed by Tiger Head Mountain, he had already gotten someone to bring Lin Song out of the prison and bring him along with the team, lest he had to go back and forth again.
After doing all of this, Zhou Jing cupped his fists at everyone.
“Green mountains will never change, and green rivers will flow forever. We’ll meet again.”
With that, Zhou Jing did not stay any longer. He carried the iron spear and turned to leave, his back view gradually disappearing into the distance.
This matter had been completed. He had taken down the two villages and handed them over to the Red Cloud Mountain. Then, he left casually and unrestrainedly, without any hesitation or emotions.
Seeing such behavior, the three parties present felt a surge of blood in their hearts.
“What a hero!”
Li Chun could not help but sigh.
“Everyone has their own ambitions. Unfortunately, he doesn’t want to stay in the village. Otherwise… Sigh.”
Yu Feng shook his head regretfully and sighed.
In the crowd, Hong Dingxian’s expression kept changing as he finally made up his mind.
He suddenly stepped out of the crowd and cupped his hands at everyone.
“Chief Yu, Brother Peng… Forgive me for not being willing to stay. I only want to follow Brother Chen Feng. Goodbye.”
As soon as he finished speaking, before the stunned crowd could react, he immediately turned around and chased after Zhou Jing and the others.
“Brother Hong, wait…”
Peng Jin’s expression changed drastically, and he wanted to persuade him to stay.
However, Peng Jin realized that Hong Dingxian ignored him and ran up to meet up with Zhou Jing and the others. This time, he was at a loss and did not dare to go up and stop him in front of Zhou Jing.
“How could this be…” Peng Jin inwardly began to panic.
He originally thought that there would be a chance to mend his relationship with Hong Dingxian in the future, but he did not expect him to slip away directly… Without this brother who was skilled in martial arts, his status after merging with Red Cloud Mountain would plummet.
Everyone watched from afar as the group walked away. They did not dare to stop them, each with their own thoughts.
On the other side, Zhou Jing and the others heard footsteps chasing after them. They stopped and looked back, only to realize that Hong Dingxian had followed after them.
“I’ve already thought it through. Instead of staying in Red Cloud Mountain and scheming against them, I might as well follow my three brothers and travel the world!”
Hong Dingxian cupped his fists and said firmly.
Hearing this, the three of them could not help but smile.
“Hahaha, Brother Hong is right. Life will only be interesting if you’re with us.” Fang Zhen laughed and stepped forward to pat his shoulder.
“It’s really a blessing to have Brother Hong join us.” Guo Haishen also smiled.
Zhou Jing nodded and said, “In that case, let’s go to Wenshui County. We’re going towards Jiangchun anyway, so it’s on the way.”
Hearing this, Hong Dingxian was startled, “Brother, what do you mean?”
Zhou Jing grinned,
“Then Peng Jin won’t help you take revenge, but I’ll help you. Anyway, since we’re wandering around. There’s no harm in having too much debt. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Who cares which noble he is? As long as you have the intentions, I’ll get your enemy’s head for you.”
Hong Dingxian was stunned for a moment before a strong sense of gratitude welled up in his heart. He was greatly moved and bowed, “Brother, you’ve treated me so well. How can I not die for you? In the future, I’ll follow you!”
“We’ll be brothers in the future. There’s no need to be so polite.”
Zhou Jing smiled, helped Hong Dingxian up, and the group left.
…
Not long after, an earth-shattering rumor spread throughout the Lu River.
The Death Beckoning Yama King, Chen Feng, had been silent for a few months, but he had actually appeared again and directly subdued the 10,000-strong Tiger Head Mountain and Yellow Pond Mountain in the Lu River area just to repay the Red Cloud Mountain for taking him in!
After the matter was completed, this person did not hesitate to give the credit to the Red Cloud Mountain and left!
The heroes and people of the martial world in the Lu River area all knew about this matter by now. All of them praised him and regarded Chen Feng as a supremely honorable and righteous person in the Green Forest.
He had left without any regard for credit or reputation. For a moment, countless people admired his generosity and openness.
In addition, the Green Forest also heard about the process of Chen Feng subduing Tiger Head Mountain and Yellow Pond Mountain. They were all shocked. All of them were shocked by Chen Feng’s fierceness and skills. Some even directly dubbed him as the “Number One Expert in the Green Forest”.
His reputation was becoming more and more illustrious!
At the same time, the story of Chen Feng “flattening two mountains with a single spear” spread throughout the world and spread to the surrounding provinces. The news spread wider and wider, as though it was gathering the momentum to sweep through the world!