At this moment, Zhao Ya naturally also saw the suddenly appearing Great Yan cavalry.
Their main force was encamped below the city wall, looking from a distance like a mass of dark clouds, imposing and threatening.
Faced with this scene, Zhao Ya’s expression remained calm, neither sad nor happy.
But while he could stay composed, it didn’t mean others could do the same.
"Senior Brother, what should we do?"
"Yes, Senior Brother, we finally repelled the beast tide, and now these cavalrymen show up. What do they want?"
People were murmuring, and the troops were in a commotion.
Even a fool could see that the cavalry’s appearance at this moment was definitely ill-intentioned.
"Everyone, don’t panic. They’ve already sent someone over. Let’s not lose our composure," Zhao Ya said in a deep voice.
The crowd gradually quieted down.
Watching a small squad of cavalry riding swiftly towards them, Zhao Ya whispered to Shang Tiefeng and Jin Zhenming beside him.
"Gentlemen, it seems someone couldn’t hold back anymore and plans to take advantage of the situation."
Shang Tiefeng said nothing, but Jin Zhenming sneered with a dark expression.
"Their timing is just perfect. As soon as we repelled the beast tide, they came. But taking advantage won’t be that easy; they’ll have to get past our Guangrui Martial Arts Hall first."
Despite being heavily injured, Jin Zhenming remained very resolute.
Just like his Horizontal Refining Technique, solid and unyielding.
Shang Tiefeng unexpectedly let out a long sigh.
"It’s Yuan Chenfeng!"
There was no need for him to say it; Zhao Ya and the others had already seen it.
In the cavalry squad charging towards them, the tall, middle-aged man at the front was Yuan Chenfeng, the head of Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall.
Seeing him, many questions were immediately answered.
For instance, why Yuan Chenfeng’s Martial Arts Hall was absent throughout the Commandery defense battle.
Or why, even though Shang Jingchuan had realized the stakes and wouldn’t dare provoke this cavalry, who then had tipped them off and invited them over?
The answer undoubtedly lay with Yuan Chenfeng.
Realizing this, many people looked at Yuan Chenfeng with extreme disdain.
If before, despite his flaws, Yuan Chenfeng was considered a fellow martial artist and ally in the same trench without too much criticism,
now, his actions had crossed a line.
It was equivalent to openly betraying the entire martial arts community of the Commandery.
This was a grave matter.
Amidst these hostile glances, the squad of cavalry suddenly reined in their horses, stopping right in front of the crowd.
Then Yuan Chenfeng, sitting on his horse, smiled broadly and cupped his hands towards everyone.
"Hall Master Shang, Hall Master Jin, and everyone else, you’ve all worked hard!"
No one responded.
Only Jin Zhenming snorted coldly from his nose.
The atmosphere was quite awkward.
But Yuan Chenfeng didn’t mind at all, not even changing his smile, then shifted his gaze to Zhao Ya, feigning surprise.
"Oh, isn’t this Younger Brother Lu? What’s happened to him? Is he injured?"
Zhao Ya said calmly, "No need to trouble yourself, Hall Master Yuan. My master has merely exhausted himself and is not injured."
"Oh, so that’s how it is." Yuan Chenfeng sighed with feigned emotion, "It seems this battle was indeed very fierce, but fortunately, from today, the Commandery has Commander Wei’s Iron Cavalry Guard, and everyone can sleep peacefully."
Upon hearing this, many people showed expressions of anger.
Jin Zhenming kept sneering.
"Yuan Chenfeng, I used to think you were just petty and narrow-minded, but now I know I was blind for not realizing you’re so heartless and treacherous."
This harsh rebuke left no room for mercy, but Yuan Chenfeng was not angry; instead, he showed a touch of smugness.
In his view, the more infuriated Shang Tiefeng, Jin Zhenming, and others were, the more it proved his move was correct.
Yet he still continued with his self-righteous charade.
"Hall Master Jin, you misunderstand. I know you and others have grievances against me, but in reality, I did it for the safety of all the people in the city. After all, if we couldn’t hold them off, wouldn’t ordinary citizens suffer if the beast pack entered?"
Yuan Chenfeng spoke with a look of national concern.
"Very well spoken!" Jin Zhenming sneered, then asked, "Then tell me, since you and Wei Hongbin are so concerned for the people, where were you when the beast pack surrounded the city?"
"Where were you when the birds attacked the city tower?"
"Where were you when we attacked the leading giant beast of this beast tide?"
"Now the giant beast is dead, the beast tide has receded, and you finally show up, yet you still claim to act for the people of the whole city. Yuan Chenfeng, don’t you feel ashamed saying that?"
Listening to this, Zhao Ya felt delighted inwardly, silently praising, "Well said."
This Jin Zhenming obviously had a different temperament from his master Lu Dingtai and Shang Tiefeng.
Even though Lu Dingtai also had a fiery temper, he was too proud to speak when encountering such disgraceful matters, preferring to take action directly.
There was no need to mention Shang Tiefeng, who was the most easygoing among the four martial arts hall masters, being described as too indecisive by his disciple Nie Jingnian.
Jin Zhenming, however, was straightforward and direct, hating evil like an enemy, speaking whatever was on his mind without holding back.
Indeed.
Even if Yuan Chenfeng had thick skin, being scolded like this by Jin Zhenming made him a bit embarrassed.
"Jin Zhenming, don’t push it. Honestly, Commander Wei indeed came for the protection of the whole city, and now he resides in the County Governor’s Mansion. If you have anything to say, you can go ask him. Shouting at me does nothing."
"What the hell, I’m shouting at you, so what? You sellout who betrays martial arts comrades, without your leaking of information and stirring up trouble, how would Wei Hongbin bring his people here? Being mentioned alongside the likes of you is disgraceful!" Jin Zhenming became even more agitated upon hearing this, jumping and swearing continuously.
By now, Yuan Chenfeng was thoroughly embarrassed.
After all, the eyes of those cavalry behind him were all on him.
He sneered, "Jin Zhenming, don’t court disaster. You’re seriously injured right now. If I wanted to kill you, it would take just two moves."
"Haha, alright then, bring it on. I want to see if your Heaven-Flipping Palm can really flip the heavens!" Jin Zhenming showed no fear.
Yuan Chenfeng’s face turned grim, raising his riding whip to speak.
Just then, Lu Dingtai, who had been lying on Zhao Ya’s back, woke up and said in a deep voice, "Yuan Chenfeng, do you believe that if you strike with that whip, you won’t see the sun tomorrow?"
His voice was full of energy, with no hint of being injured.
Not only that, but Lu Dingtai jumped directly off Zhao Ya’s back as he spoke, looking at Yuan Chenfeng with a hostile expression.
Yuan Chenfeng shivered slightly and a touch of fear flashed in his eyes.
In the entire Commandery, the one he feared most was Lu Dingtai.
Although Jin Zhenming had a fiery temper, he was courageous but lacked brains. He had a sharp tongue but a soft heart; he could talk tough, but when it came to actual fighting, he couldn’t follow through.
But Lu Dingtai was different.
This man was outwardly kind but inwardly ruthless. He might seem all smiles on the surface, but if you truly angered him, he wouldn’t hesitate to go lethal.
Plus, his skill and realm were the highest among the four Martial Arts Hall Masters, so Yuan Chenfeng had always been quite afraid of him.
That’s why, even after Zhao Ya had beaten two of his disciples, Yuan Chenfeng didn’t dare to secretly retaliate.
Because death was a real possibility with him.
And today was no exception.
After hearing Lu Dingtai’s words, Yuan Chenfeng’s face changed unpredictably, and he finally snorted coldly.
"Lu Dingtai, be arrogant for now, but once we’re in the city and Commander Wei is there, let’s see if you’ll still dare act this way."
Having said that, he turned his horse around and led the small squad of cavalry away.
As soon as they left, Lu Dingtai’s spirit collapsed.
His face turned as pale as a sheet, and his form swayed slightly, almost falling.
Zhao Ya quickly stepped forward to support him.
"Let’s go back to the Martial Arts Hall first!" Lu Dingtai ordered in a deep voice.
"Understood!"
The group hurried back to the city.
Upon entering the city, they noticed something unusual.
They saw several squads of cavalry patrolling the streets.
Many Martial Arts Hall disciples stood by the roadside, glaring angrily at the cavalry, yet dared not speak, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.
When they saw Zhao Ya and the others, the disciples seemed to have found a pillar of support and hurried over to them.
"Hall Master Lu!"
"Master Shang!"
"Senior Brother Zhao!"
Greetings came one after another.
Lu Dingtai nodded slightly without speaking, leaving Zhao Ya to greet them.
"Senior Brother Zhao, what should we do? These cavalry just entered the city when the Beast Tide subsided and the defenses were weak, what are they up to?" someone asked in a hushed tone.
Zhao Ya’s expression remained unchanged, and he simply asked coldly, "Which city gate did they enter through?"
Many people looked at each other, not knowing which city gate the cavalry had entered from.
Just then, a small figure pushed through the crowd and cupped his fists towards Zhao Ya.
"I know, it was the South Gate! At that time, Senior Brother Nie from Ren Yong Martial Arts Hall was guarding it, but after he was injured, it was taken over by several Martial Artists from Hundred Steps Martial Arts Hall."
"Later, the Beast Tide intensified, and even the brothers from Hundred Steps Martial Arts Hall couldn’t hold it. Then, Yu Guizhi from Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall suddenly appeared, claiming to help guard the city. People trusted her without suspicion but didn’t expect that vile woman to quietly open the city gates when the Beast Tide retreated and let these cavalry in."
The person explained the situation in detail.
Zhao Ya nodded after listening, "Thank you for the information. What’s your name?"
"You’re too kind, Senior Brother Zhao. We’re all fellow Martial Dao practitioners. My name is Bai Shilai, a disciple of the Mountain Guardian Boxing Hall."
Bai Shilai.
Zhao Ya silently memorized the name.
In this chaotic situation, for this small fellow to remember such inconspicuous details so clearly, and to explain the context with such clarity, showed he was quite capable.
Bai Shilai was very excited, just about to speak further.
At this moment, a team of cavalry charged forward, with the leader swinging a riding whip and saying, "No gathering or loitering on the street, disperse immediately, or face the whip."
Upon hearing these words, the faces of the martial artists turned angry.
These were the same martial artists who had participated in the recent defense against the Beast Tide. They should have been returning as heroes but were instead being treated like criminals by the cavalry.
"Who do you think you are? When I was fighting those Exotic Beasts on the city walls, where was your whip-waving intimidation?" a hot-tempered martial artist shouted angrily.
Hearing this, the cavalryman’s face darkened, and without replying, he swung his whip towards the speaker.
As the action began, many faces changed.
Because judging by the cavalryman’s skill, he was at least at the third realm.
The whip came whistling through the air, and if it struck, the speaker would undoubtedly lose some flesh.
Just then, a hand suddenly reached out, catching the tip of the whip in the nick of time.
"Hm?" The cavalryman was taken aback, evidently not expecting someone to grab the tip of the whip.
Then he attempted to retrieve the whip.
At that moment, the hand holding the tip exerted a slight force, and the cavalryman felt a tremendous strength surge over, causing him to fall off his horse with a thud.
"You...."
The cavalryman began to roar, while the other cavalrymen drew their weapons, ready to act.
At the same time, a foot stepped on the cavalryman’s head, and Zhao Ya said softly.
"Nobody move. If anyone moves, I’ll crush his head."