"Yielding to the natural ways of the Tao, we deliver the departed souls to their next life. Whispered incantations accompany the clear breeze, praying that the dead may rest in peace without fear. May your journey be unhindered, forever freed and no longer bound..."
The sutras of salvation for the afterlife were chanted before the corpses of the two brothers of the Zhao Family, but Zheng Jun had no interest in the ritual; instead, he calmly investigated the murder scene.
Zheng Jun wanted to see if there was anything he had missed. If there was, he could destroy the evidence on the spot.
While Zheng Jun was investigating inside the house, a Black Official walked in from outside with an apologetic smile, flattering Zheng Jun, "Squad Leader, the surrounding testimonies have been sorted. Please take a look."
Although Zheng Jun had not been officially appointed as the Squad Leader, the Ti Cavalry from the Garrison Command Government Office had already spoken. Moreover, the Squad Leader wasn't a ranked official position, so it was basically a sure thing.
Zheng Jun took the testimonies handed over by the Black Official and examined them carefully. There were no major discrepancies.
These confessions mentioned nothing more than the sounds of fighting and screams. Furthermore, they were muffled and hard to hear clearly. Essentially, they wouldn't affect him in any way.
With this, Zheng Jun was completely relieved.
"Not bad, take the testimonies back to the Government Office."
Zheng Jun nodded. Looking back at the corpses on the ground, he said, "After all, Zhao Da and Zhao Er were our colleagues. Since no one is here to collect their bodies, let's roll them up in straw mats and send them out of the city for burial.
"As for the grade-B corpse, Qin Hang, send him back to his relatives in the Lin Workshop."
After speaking, Zheng Jun hinted at some of the money in Zhao Er's house, basically implying that the group should just divide it privately among themselves. Then, he took the testimonies and headed toward the County Government Office, ready to close the case.
These people were all killed by Liang Fan. The murderer had already been executed.
At the Government Office duty room.
The sun was high in the sky. Historian Xu Heng had been staying inside the room the whole time. Although he was extremely anxious inside, he maintained an appearance of perfect calm.
He knew that people would die last night.
The murder last night was solely his plot!
He had reeled in the brothers of the Zhao Family and had them secretly contact the Qingshui Gang Tributor, the famous 'Wave-Treading Thief' Lou Wei, to assassinate the constables who had been patrolling the Lin Workshop these past few days, thereby pinning the blame on the Qingshui Gang.
When the County Captain arrived, he could use the assassination of the Government Office's Black Officials and constables as an excuse to directly wipe out the Qingshui Gang, presenting a great gift to the newly appointed County Captain.
After all, the County Captain was a descendant of a prestigious clan. He had only come to this godforsaken Black Mountain County as a transition. In a few years, or perhaps even a few months, he would be promoted and leave.
If he could catch the eye of this County Captain, his future Creation would be limitless!
However, what made Xu Heng somewhat suspicious and bewildered was how the brothers of the Zhao Family ended up dead, and by the Wave-Treading Saber at that. What exactly was going on?
And Zheng Jun and Zhou Pu, who were on the hit list, were unexpectedly still alive...
This threw Xu Heng's mind into utter chaos for a moment.
What shocked Xu Heng even more was that Zheng Jun had already completed his initiation and achieved success in Blood Refining!
How many days had it been? How could he have reached Blood Refining already?!
Xu Heng felt uneasy in his heart, and the surrounding constables also had somewhat complicated expressions, not knowing how to describe this terrifying news.
Right at this moment, a slender youth in an Official's Uniform slowly walked into the courtyard.
Instantly, everyone's gazes gathered on him.
The youth looked heroic and dashing, his gaze sharp. Seeing that the attention of the entire courtyard had converged on him, his sword-like eyebrows arched slightly.
In the casualness of that raised brow, a burst of chill radiated outward, causing Xu Heng to sit up in astonishment.
The youth's entire body erupted with Qi and Blood, resembling a vigorously burning furnace. His face was brimming with youthful vigor, which truly made Xu Heng—who had undergone Blood Refining for many years—feel his scalp tingle.
This majestic and dense vitality was just like the rising sun, illuminating the entire hall!
In comparison, Xu Heng even felt a sense of inadequacy, his heart harboring a faint unease.
Although he felt intimidated inwardly, Xu Heng still took the initiative to step forward, greeting him with a beaming smile, "Zheng San, what handsome skills!"
"Mr. Historian." Zheng Jun cupped his hands.
The Historian was a Ninth Grade official, the head of all the Officials in the County Government Office. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the Chief Steward of the County Government Office. Naturally, some pleasantries were required.
"Zheng San, there is no need for excessive Ritual."
Xu Heng forced a smile, then took out a money pouch. "These ten taels of silver are the reward given by the County Magistrate for Sanlang taking down Liang Fan."
"Wasn't it five taels?" Zheng Jun was a little surprised. He took the silver without any hesitation and asked, "Why is it double?"
"The extra five taels are the congratulatory money I give to celebrate Sanlang's promotion to Squad Leader," Xu Heng said. "Just now, a message came from the Garrison Command Government Office recommending Sanlang to take over Zhao Da's shift and shoulder the responsibilities of the Strong Shift. I have already reported this matter to the County Magistrate, and he has approved it. From today onward, Zheng San is the Squad Leader of the Strong Shift!"
Hearing Xu Heng's words, the surrounding Black Officials and constables looked at each other in dismay. They could only step forward to congratulate Zheng Jun and present their congratulatory money as well.
As the people around stepped forward to congratulate him, Xu Heng breathed a heavy sigh of relief and revealed a bitter smile.
With Zheng Jun's Demon talent of achieving Blood Refining in just ten days, he would probably step into the realm of Qi Storage in a few more years. In the future, he was bound to become an Outer Gang expert ruling over an entire region!
With this kind of Demon talent, it was better to squash the enmity rather than let it fester. As long as the other party didn't know about this matter, they could pretend nothing had ever happened.
Anyway, Zhao Da and Zhao Er were already dead.
"Thank you all for your favor. I am young and prone to acting rashly. I hope you senior colleagues will offer your guidance and support," Zheng Jun cupped his hands in gratitude while speaking with considerable humility.
Taking over Zhao Da's post this time was an unexpected joy. Although it would invite resentment from others, Zheng Jun didn't care.
A true man of iron can withstand the trials of heaven, and only the mediocre are free from envy!
The duties of the Strong Shift were to guard the Government Office, watch over the warehouses, collect taxes in the countryside, suppress civilian riots, escort the Court's passing goods, and maintain public order.
The Strong Shift had no more than twenty Zhili under its direct command, but the conscripted laborers serving in the various counties each year all fell under the Strong Shift's arrangement. In addition, the able-bodied guards organized by the various townships and villages had to follow their orders. Therefore, if Zheng Jun were to mobilize them, gathering three to five hundred people would not be a problem.
Besides this, the Strong Shift had another characteristic: civilians in times of peace, soldiers in times of war.
In other words, if a war broke out right now and the Court mobilized its forces, aside from the three hundred infantry and dozen or so Light Cavalry from the Black Mountain Guard Station in Black Mountain County, the Civilian Soldiers of the Strong Shift would also be mobilized together. Zheng Jun would receive a battlefield promotion to the position of 'Civilian Militia Captain'.
Although it seemed like they had a lot of duties, this also meant that the Strong Shift had quite a bit of profit to rake in. This was also the reason why Zhao Da was so wealthy.
Thinking of this, Zheng Jun cupped his hands again and said to Xu Heng, "Mr. Historian, I didn't sleep at all last night, and after exerting myself to Slash Liang Fan, I am truly exhausted. I would like to request half a day off, and I hope you will grant me permission."
Hearing this, Xu Heng immediately agreed, saying amiably, "Sanlang, get some good rest. Leave the rest of the wrapping-up work to me."
After getting his leave, Zheng Jun didn't delay. Amidst the congratulations of the crowd, he turned and left.
It wasn't until he stepped out of the County Government Office that Zheng Jun exhaled a deep breath of foul air. His hanging heart also settled for the most part.
After today, the deaths of the brothers of the Zhao Family would have nothing to do with him.
After dealing with all these matters, a wave of exhaustion did indeed wash over him.
This exhaustion didn't stem from his body. After all, after achieving Mastery in his Pile Skill, his Qi and Blood surged, and his muscles and bones were fully opened. Unless it was an all-night fierce battle, he wouldn't feel fatigued.
This sense of exhaustion came from his mind.
Killing was satisfying for a moment, but repaying the debt was a living hell. How was he going to repay for this Wave-Treading Saber?
Thinking of this, Zheng Jun silently visualized the 'Great Tao Martial Book' in his mind, and two lines of small, ink-wash characters immediately surfaced.
[Brimming with Qi and Blood, a saber Slash to slay the brute! Repayment progress +14, current repayment progress: 14/3000.]
[On the line between life and death, a desperate struggle! Repayment progress +584, current repayment progress: 598/3000.]