I Become a Martial Arts God in the Chaotic Demon World-Chapter 53: Mismatch

After hearing the results of Zhang Tianyang's interrogation, Han Zheng also fell silent.

In Black Stone County, a small place like this, bizarre characters are numerous.

Pang Feiyan and Shen Conghai are truly a pair of hidden dragons and phoenix chicks; no wonder they took a liking to each other.

There certainly are secret techniques or treasures that could reconstruct the body and transform the bones, as well as cleanse the marrow.

But the problem is, even if the Smell Fragrance Sect possesses such things, would they give them to you?

Just by helping them infiltrate Black Stone County and then assisting in covering up and delivering messages, they would help you reconstruct your body and cleanse the marrow.

If the Smell Fragrance Sect were really so generous, they likely would have completely conquered the Great Zhou by now.

"Since it has been asked, it is also a good thing. It's better that only Shen Conghai is colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect than the entire Shen Family.

Are they the only followers of the Smell Fragrance Sect in the city? If so, have we found the undercover agents?"

Zhang Tianyang furrowed his brow tightly and knocked on the table, "Theoretically, we have found them, but there are some discrepancies.

I got the message that someone in Black Stone County was colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect, but Shen Conghai's so-called collusion doesn't count as a big deal, not worthy of our people specially passing the message.

Also, someone had previously investigated this issue, and that person died mysteriously.

Although the deceased was not as strong as me, he was also at the Innate Transcendence Late Stage; Shen Conghai does not possess the strength to kill him.

Moreover, after the interrogation, Shen Conghai also said that he had never met others, and I am sure he didn't lie to me."

"Could it be the work of other top experts from the Smell Fragrance Sect?"

Zhang Tianyang shook his head, "No, those two from the Smell Fragrance Sect also said that besides themselves, no other members of the sect have entered Black Stone County.

They just came to Black Stone County to set up an advance post, as the Smell Fragrance Sect has almost occupied all the villages outside Black Stone County. That's why they wanted to enter Black Stone County for intel.

Even though we've caught the spies, why do I still feel something isn't quite right? Plus, it feels like I'm overlooking something."

Zhang Tianyang rubbed his head hard, but still couldn't figure it out.

The Sanhe Gang had lost two leaders, and it was confirmed that they weren't colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect.

The Black Tiger Gang was eradicated by Han Zheng; the Sky Eagle Gang was also investigated by him and found to be uninvolved.

The Song Family kept a low profile, and he has never noticed anything unusual.

Shen Family only has the brainless Shen Conghai, but the harm he could do wasn't that significant.

"What about the disciples from the martial arts hall? Should we disperse them, or continue to have them patrol the streets?"

Zhang Tianyang thought for a moment, "Let's continue patrolling. We need to stay alert; something still feels off. Now is not the time to relax.

The soldiers from Black Stone County, although slightly stronger than the constables from the County Government, aren't much better. We can't count on them in case of real trouble."

Black Stone County, after all, is a county city with soldiers stationed, but there are not many of them, only a little over two hundred.

These soldiers, rather than guarding the city, found themselves merely guarding the main gate.

Normally, soldiers should stand guard at night, but Han Zheng had seen them secretly sleeping at night more than once.

Suddenly, a wave of alcohol fumes came from inside the County Government, and County Magistrate Lin Wenzheng entered the County Government, hiccupping from alcohol.

Han Zheng stood up and bowed, "Greetings, Lord County Magistrate."

Zhang Tianyang did not even stand up, but casually bowed, asking, "What brings you here to the County Government today?"

He was from the Demon Cleansing Bureau, directly managed by the central authority of the Court, not part of the same system as the Great Zhou military or other officials, and he even held them in slight disdain.

The current state of Great Zhou, these corrupt and incompetent officials cannot be absolved from blame.

Lin Wenzheng cheerfully said, "Chief Zhang, I heard that you have already caught the devils from the Smell Fragrance Sect as well as spies hidden in Black Stone County?"

Zhang Tianyang nodded.

"Since the people are caught, then those temporary constables patrolling the streets should be withdrawn for now, and open the city gates. Don't create an atmosphere of panic.

Today, the manager from the grain store, the manager from the cloth store, and such have come to complain to me; with such a tense atmosphere every day, they can't even open their doors to do business."

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Zhang Tianyang's brow instantly furrowed, "They even complained? Don't they see what time it is? The Smell Fragrance Sect is eyeing Black Stone County from just outside. How can we relax at such a time?

Moreover, once the Smell Fragrance Sect enters the city, the first to be killed will be these wealthy big-shots, scattering their ill-gotten wealth!"

The Smell Fragrance Sect always tries to win people's hearts; their first actions after entering a city include opening granaries and killing the wealthy to distribute riches.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the Smell Fragrance Sect is some kind of righteous force truly benefiting the impoverished common folk.

After killing the wealthy households, only less than ten percent of their wealth would end up in the hands of the common people.

The common people, having received these meager benefits, would inevitably feel grateful to the Smell Fragrance Sect and be less resistant to their bloodletting practices.

Once they begin partaking in the incense rituals of the Smell Fragrance Sect, seeing the ninefold paradise amid the smoke will inevitably intoxicate them, and they will not be able to stop. They might even keep at it until their vitality is exhausted and they perish.

Lin Wenzheng belched from the wine, waved his hand, and said, "Arrest Officer Zhang, although that's what is said, the Smell Fragrance Sect hasn't come yet, right?

Manager Guo and others are also anxious. For example, the Guo Family's granary is in a manor outside of the county seat. If you seal off the city gates, how can they get their food?

It can't possibly be that the Smell Fragrance Sect hasn't retreated so we just seal the city indefinitely, right? We would all starve to death.

How about this? Just to give me some face, let's stand down for one day and give Manager Guo and the others one day to fetch their food. What do you think?"

Zhang Tianyang hesitated for a moment. Though reluctant, he nodded in agreement because Lin Wenzheng was showing such humility.

Although Zhang Tianyang had looked down on this useless County Magistrate since taking office, the latter had indeed never hindered him.

Those useless government officials were dealt with as soon as Zhang said they should be, and the Martial Arts Hall disciples were promptly agreed to be used as temporary constables.

Now that Lin Wenzheng was asking for a favor, Zhang Tianyang found it hard to refuse.

"I'll go inform Manager Guo then. Arrest Officer Zhang, rest assured, the Smell Fragrance Sect won't breach us in one day."

Watching Lin Wenzheng walk out of the county government office burping from wine, Han Zheng shook his head and said, "Our County Magistrate sure lives a carefree life."

Zhang Tianyang indifferently said, "Better than some, worse than others. Although he's inept, he's not horribly wicked.

I've seen some local officials nearly drive the common folk to death, almost squeezing a copper coin from a beggar.

Go let the Martial Arts Hall disciples rest for today; consider it a day off.

Then go to the accounting office one by one to collect your silver. Catching the members of the Smell Fragrance Sect is also your merit."

Han Zheng nodded, called back Li Sancheng and the others, and told the Martial Arts Hall disciples they didn't need to patrol the streets today and should go collect their silver.

But not patrolling the streets didn't mean they could rest; they still had to attend classes at the Martial Arts Hall.

Patrolling the past few days had made them miss several days' worth of classes, and since these Martial Arts Hall disciples came from common backgrounds, they certainly didn't want to skip classes.

Moreover, they had just received fifty taels of silver, and everyone was extremely excited.

Li Jingzhong also felt that they had missed too many classes, so he simply held a major class for them today.

Han Zheng, of course, didn't need to attend classes; he was even arranged by Li Jingzhong to give a practical combat teaching demonstration for everyone.

After class in the evening, Li Sancheng and Chen Zhao took him out for a meal.

"Why the special treat? With the city in its current state, are there even any restaurants open?"

Li Sancheng said cheerily, "It's just a small token of our appreciation. This time we got the silver all thanks to you, Brother.

Until a few days ago, no restaurants were open, but today we aren't patrolling, so I contacted the owner in advance to prepare some food."

Chen Zhao solemnly nodded on the side.

"Actually, during the capture of the Smell Fragrance Sect devils, we didn't help much. It was all thanks to Brother Han, who single-handedly overpowered Shen Conghai to make the capture possible.

Later we also heard that you were retaliated against by the Black Tiger Gang because of this. All these karma should be borne by all of us, but you took it all on yourself."

The other disciples also nodded in agreement.

They weren't ungrateful; it made no sense for them to reap the benefits while Han Zheng bore all the pressure.

With no way to refuse further, Han Zheng joined them for the meal.

It was still the same small restaurant Li Sancheng had found previously, but the dishes were much poorer than before.

Given the soaring grain prices and scarcity of supplies in Black Stone County, and having endured days of thorough searches, there wasn't much surplus food left in everyone's hands; even assembling a full meal was a struggle.

"Brother Han, what are your plans for the future? Where do you intend to go?" Chen Zhao asked as he looked at Han Zheng.

Nearly everyone had already concluded that Han Zheng would eventually leave Black Stone County.

He had broken through to the Innate Realm while still inside the Martial Arts Hall, and his combat ability was startling.

Scions like Shen Conghai from aristocratic families were no match for him, nor were experienced gang Hall Masters like He Sheng; he could even leap across two minor realms to slay Pang Heihu.

Han Zheng's strength was already in a different league compared to theirs.

They would stay in Black Stone County to serve as Protectors, Escort Masters, but Han Zheng's future lay in the Martial World, across the land, certainly not contained within Black Stone County.