A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 225 168: Collecting Taxes in the Countryside, The Rebel’s Heaven-Countering Skill

The young man was riding a Black-Scaled Horse from the Tianshui Prefecture army, its entire body showcasing a metallic color as if cast from bronze and iron, with hot white breath puffing from its nostrils.

This was a fine military horse meticulously bred by the major stables of Dragon Court, each one documented and archived upon release.

Only battle-hardened warriors who have distinguished themselves with remarkable feats can receive such a reward, highlighting their extraordinary status.

However, in front of the Red Blood Qilin Horse of the Armored Knight, it seemed insignificant, overshadowed.

"Strong limbs, full muscles, in terms of physical strength alone, it is in no way inferior to a martial artist of the Second Training Great Success."

The young man felt a wave of emotion, involuntarily envying the fate of the Armored Knight, who was able to connect with the renowned Silver Hammer Grand Protector Pei Yuanqing of Tianshui Prefecture.

It should be noted that the latter was a trusted confidant of Grand General Zhao, naturally possessing the strength of ten thousand pounds in his arms. After practicing martial arts and joining the military, he never met an equal in battle, ranking among the top ten heroes of the Simurgh Platform.

The Red Blood Qilin Horse presented by such a figure was naturally extraordinary, possessing exotic bloodlines, no less than the well-developed supernatural beings.

With its four hooves lifted, it seemed like a soaring flame, crossing mountains and streams with ease, galloping three thousand miles day and night without difficulty.

Moreover, it was very intelligent, trained to achieve unity with its rider; on the Asura Battlefield, it not only knew how to dodge swords and spears but would also actively trample and injure people, like a skilled practitioner.

Even those skilled in replacing mercury blood and refining Silver Marrow faced with a direct hit would have their intestines pierced and stomach ruptured, dying on the spot.

"Brother Pei, that's just your kindness."

The Armored Knight smiled slightly, a clear sense of pride appearing between his eyebrows.

The places to enlist in the army of Dragon Court were mainly in the six towns, north of Xingping Prefecture. From west to east, they established six military towns: Nagano, Huaisuo, Wuchuan, Fumin, Rouxuan, and Bian Ying, gathering talents from across the land to resist the Turbid Tide invasion.

Besides, the large cities of the prefectures also have the Zhechong Prefecture to recruit and train new soldiers.

But the conditions for enlisting were quite demanding: first, the family must be financially well-off, middle-class among the six households, and not from lowly, slave, or servant backgrounds;

Second, there must be more than three able-bodied men, as a shortage of men would render them unable to complete farming tasks, taxes, and service;

Third, they must be physically strong, having passed the First Tendon Training Barrier, and mastered basic skills like horse riding and archery to be considered by Zhechong Prefecture.

As for joining the army and family legacy through generations, those so-called "little soldiers" charged in battle without armor, basically serving as cannon fodder, suffering immense casualties.

"Brother Chen, you mentioned Ninghai Zen just now... This person is notoriously ferocious, not someone to be trifled with."

The young man reminded, coming from the Rice Shop Tao Family, one of the Thirteen Businesses of Yihai Prefecture—though not from the main branch, by joining the army at seventeen and accumulating the military merit of eighty-two bandit heads, he became a Captain of the Brave Guard, able to speak with a straight back, no longer so humble and servile.

The name Ninghai Zen was like thunder in the ears of the Thirteen Businesses' descendants.

"No matter how big a name Ning bears, it's never bigger than the law of Dragon Court."

The Armored Knight snorted coldly, his father was once Ninghai Zen's teacher, and the family enterprise of Tongwen Hall, and even the Golden Black Plaque of Yihai Canglong, all should rightfully belong to him.

Yet now they fell into the hands of outsiders, like a thorn piercing his flesh, always uncomfortable.

"Tao Rong, you are a Captain of the Brave Guard of Tianshui Prefecture, commanding a battalion with considerable power; are you also afraid of Ninghai Zen?"

The Armored Knight turned to ask.

"Rumor has it that this person is a Four Cultivation Grandmaster, where the strong are respected, and should be given some respect. Besides, being under forty years old in the Circulation of Qi, even in the Prefecture City, such people are often guests of major powers."

Tao Rong spoke tactfully, though he hadn't spent much time in Yihai Prefecture and knew little about Ninghai Zen's various deeds, still, the man's martial prowess was evident.

How many Four Cultivation Grandmasters were there in the County City?

No need to provoke them.

Moreover, the grievances between that master-and-disciple pair in Tongwen Hall were not simple.

That year, when Ninghai Zen committed a bloodbath, the Pai Bang leader Hong Jie, after various inquiries, finally found Tongwen Hall just outside the County City and persuaded his teacher Chen Xing to step in, which led to a truce and the ten-year deal to write off blood feuds.

After it was settled, Ninghai Zen inherited the mantle and claimed to be the Sect Leader.

Later, he expelled his teacher Chen Xing, took Tongwen Hall away from Yihai Prefecture, and settled in Black River County.

Chen Zhao believed that Ninghai Zen had betrayed his teacher and usurped the family business, but since Chen Xing himself didn't comment, such claims seemed rather tenuous, unable to stand firm.

"What of Four Cultivation Grandmasters, Brother Pei killed more than a few of such figures. We serve under Grand General Zhao of Tianshui Prefecture, how can we fear a mere martial artist."

Chen Zhao wore the Hundred Refinements Bright Armor, which only a Senior Sixth-Grade Military Officer could wear, a status even higher than Tao Rong, who commanded a battalion.

"I don't have a big brother like Pei Yuanqing, moreover, even your father has pinched his nose and accepted it, so why are you so agitated?"

Tao Rong silently grumbled; if not for wanting to curry favor with Chen Zhao, or more accurately, attach himself to that Silver Hammer Grand Protector, he wouldn't bother to serve attentively.

The thought of complaint quickly passed, and riding on the Black-Scaled Horse, Tao Rong said:

"Mainly because Ning does whatever he wants, I'm afraid Brother Chen will get hurt by him."

Chen Zhao squinted his eyes. The Red Blood Qilin Horse under him, the Hundred Refinements Bright Armor he wore, were all specifications for senior military generals of Tianshui Prefecture, and all of these came from Silver Hammer Grand Protector Pei Yuanqing's appreciation.

"Brother Tao, you might not know, this time under the cover of secrecy, avoiding my father, I came to Black River County just to get a few things.

Tongwen Hall is not a real Upper Sect inheritance with the backing to oppose the Court, but the three major True Skill Root Diagrams in the sect are quite invaluable, plus a secret recipe I heard my father mention, called the 'Battle Potion.'"