Chapter 271: Zhang Xutu

As for Shang Xiuxun, Bai Lang has no thoughts at all—this fellow has never thought about settling down or starting a family; even after achieving the status of Innate Expert in his original world, he never considered it, let alone in this world he has crossed into. He only looks at beautiful women, finds them pleasing, and that's enough; she's a good girl, no need to do those extravagant things.

"Come to think of it, I think I had a crush on someone from Double Dragon? Hmm, I can't recall." Bai Lang thought to himself that he probably lacks the ability to attract this lady—she's a gluttonous part‑time foodie, while Bai Lang can at most stir‑fry some dishes and cook something edible; making pastries is completely beyond him.

"If only she liked the Po Jun Killing Formation martial art..." Bai Lang secretly lamented; he does live by a certain verse that goes "… uses slaughter as cultivation…" In this life Bai Lang has no other means of support—only the Po Jun Killing Formation, a craft that survives on killing.

Thinking that way, it does sound rather heroic, so Bai Lang packed everything away; the ranch had already prepared a banquet and invited him to sit and eat. As for the heads of Fang Jianding and Xiang Baitian, two flagpoles had already been placed at the fort gate with them hoisted.

After taking seats, Shang Xiuxun sat at the head, Bai Lang took the guest seat, and the Four Great Deacons sat beside them; everyone enjoyed the host‑guest hospitality. Once the food and drink were finished, Bai Lang would not stay—he was in a hurry to enlist. He had slain two of the Four Great Bandits, and the rumor that a lone man broke through the horse‑bandit formation had already spread, so Bai Lang felt his enlistment starting point would certainly be higher.

A mule‑cart would slow his movement, and taking Wei Zhenzhen to enlist seemed unwise, so Bai Lang quietly pulled Wei Zhenzhen aside: "Listen, you still owe me a lot of money. But I can't take you to enlist—there's no room for a maid in the Junying, and I haven't even become a general yet. So I'll leave you here; go work for the mall owner, earn money, and pay me back next time. Oh, and if you see those two boys, be sure to ask them for money!"

Wei Zhenzhen stared at Bai Lang, her eyes a little red, but finally nodded, "As you command, sir." Bai Lang smiled with satisfaction, "You aren't cut out for swordplay; it's better to live a safe, peaceful life." Then he approached Deacon Liu and the mall owner, "My maid isn't suitable for the army either; perhaps she can find a job here? I'd appreciate you both looking after her a bit."

Shang Xiuxun looked at Bai Lang with a half‑smile; she seemed to have unexpectedly realized that this fierce general brother was actually quite easy to talk to, a sentiment echoed by Deacon Liu, who pounded his chest to assure there was no problem. Bai Lang set out with three horses, taking turns riding, and could also carry weapons and some horse feed—if they hurried, they could reach Ambassador Zhang Xutu's army in five days.

The rapid journey encountered no bandits, and Bai Lang was fully armed. It seemed the news traveled faster than people; his reputation had already spread hundreds of li away. "I just don't know what they'll call me. No one has stopped me on the road to ask," he thought.

Continuing onward, they reached Xingyang City, and Bai Lang shouted from beneath the city walls, "I have come to enlist!"

Such heroes have always existed; Zhang Xutu suppresses rebels throughout the four directions for Great Sui, and many righteous men voluntarily enlist, seeking immediate fame—after all, Great Sui still rules the world and is the legitimate authority. When Bai Lang arrived to enlist, the city soldiers saw his lofty bearing, looked like a fierce general, and noted his self‑provided saddle, horse, and weapons; a lone rider reaching this point was already a strong man.

Since the world is unsettled, a lone swaggering traveler is hardly a good fellow. The city gate opened slowly—now that the Wagang Stronghold rebels were about to press on Xingyang, the gate remained closed except for a fixed two‑hour opening period, and Ambassador Zhang was preparing troops to march out and meet the enemy.

Bai Lang entered the city; following the usual procedure for a voluntarily enlisting warrior, a clerk asked for his background and name. Bai Lang simply gave his family name, and the clerk exclaimed, "Are you the White Yuzhu Bai Lang who broke the Four Great Bandits and cut down two bandit chiefs?"

Bai Lang twirled his beard and laughed heartily, "Exactly, that's me!" He looked full of ambition—these days one must showcase oneself to find a way forward. It seemed Bai Lang wanted to prove himself so he could become a frontline commander, allowing him to rise quickly. Once in a position of power, he could gather various martial arts—easier than wandering the Central Plains himself.

Some divine arts in this world are truly wondrous; limited by primordial Qi they cannot advance further, yet they have unique subtleties. Bai Lang has already obtained the Longevity Secret; he is somewhat interested in the Sword Canon lineage and even more intrigued by the martial arts of the Buddhist Sect, Daoist, and demonic schools. "If possible, I'd also like to see the Hall of War Gods," was a thought Bai Lang had from the start.

"The news spreads so fast—someone slayed those two fellows in just six days, and it already reached Xingyang hundreds of li away," the clerk said after Bai Lang acknowledged it, his expression changing instantly—such fierce generals are rare, so the commander would naturally come personally to recruit him.

"Please wait, I will go fetch Ambassador Zhang," the clerk bowed low. "No need for Ambassador Zhang to make a special trip; just have the clerk take me to see him," Bai Lang replied courteously, always treating loyal patriots well—Zhang Xutu historically fought for Great Sui until the very end, dying to rescue his soldiers.

Bai Lang followed the clerk and waited outside the location of Ambassador Zhang's office. Soon a middle‑aged man who radiated heroic vigor rushed out; upon seeing Bai Lang his eyes lit up. "Are you the White Warrior White Yuzhu Bai Lang who cut down the bandit chiefs?" he hurriedly reached out to shake Bai Lang's hand.

Under Zhang Xutu was the fierce general Luo Shixin, only eighteen and younger than Bai Lang. At this moment the exuberant, over‑six‑foot‑tall young general also emerged with Zhang Xutu; his eyes fixed on Bai Lang with obvious defiance, clearly ready to challenge him.

"Indeed, that is me. May I meet the Xingyang Defender and Henan Route Rebellion‑Suppression Envoy, Chief Zhang? I have long admired Zhang's efforts to quell the chaos, and today I come to pledge myself as a vanguard commander!" Bai Lang clasped his fists and said, his tall, imposing figure making him the most striking presence there.

Upon hearing that, Zhang Xutu stroked his beard and smiled, nodding repeatedly. But the young Luo Shixin looked quite indignant, "Of course I'm the first to go! Why let him!" In his haste, Luo lunged forward. Bai Lang smiled, extended his palm a inch, and Luo immediately lost his balance, stumbling a few steps.

"Truly divine power!" everyone murmured. At that moment, the generals under Zhang Xutu also arrived in droves, eyeing the newly enlisted White Warrior. Most had heard rumors of Bai Lang, the lone man who broke a formation and slew two great bandits, and many were skeptical, but after seeing Bai Lang himself, most were now half‑believing—such a person with such power likely made the breaking‑formation story true.