Chapter 142 - 140: Army and Bandits
He took a deep breath and looked in the direction from which the spear had just been shot outside the courtyard.
Coincidentally, he met Song Changming’s gaze full of murderous intent, which inexplicably made him shiver.
It was as if facing the heart and spirit shock of thousands of troops on the battlefield, showing how strong the oppression Song Changming brought to him at this moment.
Song Changming dismounted, said nothing, took a step forward, exploded in speed, swept up a gale, and directly knocked over a group of road-blocking armored warriors with sheer physical force.
"You!" Zhou Ao couldn’t react in time, and Song Changming had already kicked up a military saber from the ground and swung it with his hand again.
The long saber broke through the air once more, and by the time Zhou Ao realized he wanted to dodge, this saber had already penetrated the back of his hand holding the sword, pinning it firmly into the pillar.
Zhou Ao, in pain, was forcibly dragged back.
Looking at his pierced palm, Zhou Ao was sweating profusely.
He never expected that today, merely responsible for conscripting and collecting grain among civilians, he would suffer such a severe injury.
If not handled well, his right hand palm might be entirely crippled.
This would undoubtedly be a heavy blow to his martial arts cultivation.
He wanted to pull out this saber to escape, but soon, two more sabers flew over, one pinning his other hand that was trying to pull the saber, and the other pinning one of his thighs.
Now Zhou Ao dared not move.
Song Changming’s flying saber technique truly deterred him.
Nearby, White limped close, whimpered a few times at Song Changming, walked to the fallen Dahuang, and licked the blood on its wound.
Glancing over, confirming Father Song, Song’s Mother, and Song Ping’an were unharmed, Song Changming then approached to check the injuries of the two big dogs.
White’s injuries weren’t too severe, while Dahuang was more seriously injured, especially at the neck, leaving the dog unable to move, but fortunately not fatal.
It’s undeniable, the two dogs were indeed tough.
Being wildly slashed by Sixth Realm Martial Artists with a blade, yet still surviving, this was a blessing indeed!
"Ping’an, take Dahuang and White into the house for treatment, administer two pieces of Three Striped Green Water Silkworm to them." Song Changming ordered.
"Okay!" Song Ping’an came over immediately and took the two big dogs away.
Song Ping’an was skilled in medicine.
To better take care of the two elders, Song Changming had sent Song Ping’an to the city’s medical hall to study medicine two years ago.
This also counted as Song Ping’an’s supplementary skill.
Now, not to say how superior his medical skills were, but the ability to perform basic treatments and identify injuries and internal afflictions was present.
"General!" At this moment, more arriving armored warriors saw Zhou Ao pinned to the pillar, all surprised.
For a moment, none dared to step forward to rescue him.
Zhou Ao originally wanted to instinctively shout angrily and threaten Song Changming to release him, but upon seeing Song Changming pick up another military saber from the ground.
The words reached his mouth, but he swallowed them back forcefully.
"This, this young hero, I’m acting under orders from above, not deliberately offending..."
Facing life and death, Zhou Ao ultimately couldn’t withstand the test, laying down the dignity and toughness as a general, choosing to compromise with Song Changming.
Song Changming remained silent, merely staring quietly at him.
He was weighing whether, after killing this group of soldiers and generals, he could successfully escape the city with the two elders at home.
"Changming!"
Just then, Lu Zheng also led a group of armored warriors, rushing over.
Sweeping his gaze over the situation in the courtyard, seeing that Zhou Ao had not yet been killed, he slightly exhaled, instructed his men to control the situation, and then approached Song Changming to speak quietly by his side.
"If it’s ordinary armored warriors and soldiers, then that’s one thing, but this person is a renowned general, he can’t be killed, at least not now."
"Brother Lu, you know my disposition." Song Changming said calmly.
Lu Zheng nodded, having worked together for many years, he naturally understood that Song Changming’s way of dealing with enemies was always to uproot them to prevent future troubles.
But at this critical juncture, he prevented Song Changming from killing, firstly considering Song Changming’s safety.
Secondly, to avoid alarming the snake by killing a general, if that Young Prince became aware, the difficulty of this assassination would rise.
Lu Zheng pulled Song Changming aside, as for Zhou Ao still pinned to the post, he disregarded him, letting him continue bleeding, as long as he didn’t die for the time being.
"After resolving that Young Prince, these remnants, useless Jianghu trash, even if you don’t kill them, we’ll clear them out.
By then, I can decide to offer you this person’s head, or let you handle it however you like, thus avoiding unnecessary trouble later, how’s that?"
Lu Zheng persuaded Song Changming with sincere negotiations.
He was also afraid of stimulating Song Changming, today if he insisted on chopping Zhou Ao, probably no one present could stop Song Changming, whose strength reached Level eight cultivation.
"What if the military finds trouble for me during this period?" Song Changming asked after a moment of silence.
As soon as Lu Zheng heard this, his heart relaxed.
This question being asked indicated that Song Changming was persuaded by him.
"Don’t worry, as long as that General isn’t dead, everything else is a minor issue. I will handle it properly, ensuring no military personnel will come knocking afterwards!"
Lu Zheng swept a cold gaze over Zhou Ao and the group of Armored Warriors below, promising.
He followed Gu Wenhui, mingling within the Central Group under the Fifth Prince’s banner, handling this matter wasn’t difficult for him.
"Alright." Song Changming agreed.
With this, today he had temporarily let this group of Soldiers Generals go.
Watching as Zhou Ao was saved by a drawn saber, Song Changming suddenly spoke: "Brother Lu, count me in on that matter you mentioned earlier."
Lu Zheng’s spirit lifted, then he nodded and said, "I’ll contact you then to inform you of the specific action plan."
"Okay." Song Changming’s demeanor remained calm as usual.
He had enough of that Young Prince’s reckless exploits in Donglai Prefecture.
He increasingly understood why people like Liu Dingsheng in Jianghu always thought about robbing the rich to help the poor, eradicating traitors and villains.
Indeed, this world has too many wretched ones hated by the people, once these people gain power, they wreak havoc, polluting a region with chaos.
Yet, the Government’s laws couldn’t handle them, thus these stories of heroic righteousness spread, talked about with relish by people.
Now, he had to admit, he really wanted to cut down that Young Prince in one blow and liberate the people being escorted away.
Lu Zheng, in the end, uneasily reminded: "Changming, remember to act within your means, don’t underestimate the guards placed around that Young Prince, they include Extreme Realm Martial Artists!"
"Hmm, thank you for the reminder." Song Changming thanked him.
Soon, Lu Zheng took a group of Soldiers Generals and left.
Meanwhile, Liang Chuan Mountain also came hurriedly with the Patrol Guards, confirming that Song Changming’s family was unharmed, then left at ease.
He and other Patrol Armor Bureau Directors were quite indignant at such military practices.
This was originally their jurisdiction, now the military sent people directly bypassing the Patrol Armor Bureau, forcefully requisitioning military provisions across major cities, disturbing the order.
This was a case of power overreach, these Directors and even the Patrol Guards below have long been displeased with these military people.
This time Song Changming made a big move, after hearing about it, all the Patrol Guards felt a sense of relief and satisfaction inside.
Regarding Song Changming, though he’s no longer a Patrol Guard for many years, many legendary deeds about him still circulate in the Patrol Armor Bureau.
Especially those young Patrol Guards, who regard Song Changming as a model and direction to strive for.
Starting as a humble Night Patrol in the city, he then nearly got a promotion every year, rising to the position of Chief Patrol Guard, Vice Director!
Such achievements, no matter when mentioned, are always an inspirational example.
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In the room, Song Ping’an applied medicine to the two dogs, especially Dahuang’s neck, which was wrapped with several thick layers of bandage.
The two dogs then fell into a deep sleep in Song Changming’s room.
Thanks to them today, the Song Family wasn’t ransacked and destroyed by those Soldiers Generals.
As the household’s guard dogs, they had done the utmost they could, making Song Changming feel that not a piece of meat fed was wasted.
"It’s been a tough day, take more rest and recover soon."
Song Changming patted the two big dogs’ heads, murmuring.
The next day, the military’s Soldier General units still rampaged across the city, plundering the people’s materials to fill the army’s supplies gap.
As Lu Zheng mentioned, although it made quite a stir, those military Soldiers Generals certainly didn’t come knocking again, not even appearing in the Three Alleys.
In the courtyard, Song Ping’an repaired the residence’s main gate and cleaned up the yard.
After removing all traces of blood, the courtyard was restored to its original state.
Fortunately, Father Song’s Bisho Silkworms were kept in several water tanks in the side rooms and thus were spared.
After resting for a day, the two big dogs regained some energy, basking in the sun in the courtyard, occasionally frolicking like unaffected dogs.
It must be said, these two dogs are quite vigorous, with strong recovery abilities.
Even with Dahuang’s severe injuries, lying half-dead there drooling yesterday, today it had recovered, and in a few days would probably be as lively as before.
This also allowed Song Changming to finally relax, relieved that the family dogs were fine.
A few days passed, and Song Changming stayed at the Song Residence, training at home every day.
Just as Song Changming had many speculations, he finally received a message from Lu Zheng.
The plan was about to begin!
...