Chapter 232

The soldier, who had been about to leave, now turned back.

He stared fixedly at Zhao Chi, and the light in his hand flared once more.

This time the soldier pressed his hand firmly onto Zhao Chi's shoulder.

Another wave of dizziness.

The soldier suddenly shouted, "Lord Zhao, this kid's data is abnormal!"

Zhao Quan sneered, "Data abnormal? Ha ha, good, drag him out!"

Zhao Chi stared at the soldier in astonishment.

But the soldier was looking at Zhao Chi with delight, as if he had found a treasure.

He excitedly grabbed Zhao Chi, shoved through the crowd, and dragged Zhao Chi before Zhao Quan.

Zhao Quan looked at Zhao Chi with mild interest.

"Kid, are you hiding rebels?"

All the clansmen watched Zhao Chi nervously.

Zhao Chi, of course, shook his head.

Zhao Quan smiled and asked the soldier, "What's wrong with his data?"

The soldier said loudly, "Reporting to my lord, his territory's comprehensive data suddenly increased today, by a very large margin, already exceeding 300%. He has very likely hidden rebels, causing the data abnormality."

Once these words were spoken, every member of the Zhao clan grew extremely tense.

They watched Zhao Chi with fear and trembling.

If Zhao Chi really had hidden rebels, the other clansmen would certainly be implicated.

Zhao Quan said with a smile, "Kid, speak up. What's going on?"

Zhao Chi frowned.

This situation was also beyond his expectations.

The soldier said Zhao Chi's data was abnormal today, with an increase exceeding 300%.

It was simply because Zhao Chi had captured 14 harpies, and 16 naga warriors, resulting in an increase in combat power.

During the battle, everyone leveled up 2-3 times, and their strength also increased.

Also, he had promoted Tang Ruan to hero, and unlocked their two's level 2 affection.

Then there was Shi Laimu's bloodline improvement, which raised the strength of those Taoyuan women, especially Gu Qing and Tang Ruan, who gained even more.

All combined, a 300% increase in strength was not strange.

Zhao Chi quickly organized his words.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Shizhang spoke first:

"Respected Lord Zhao Quan, he just participated in the academy's opening test today and won first place, so the academy gave him quite a few rewards. And our clan also rewarded him, so his territory's strength advanced by leaps and bounds."

Zhao Chi was stunned — he hadn't expected the clan leader to know he had won first place?

But what he said about the clan giving a reward was completely fabricated.

However, Zhao Chi understood that the clan leader was protecting him.

Zhao Quan was slightly surprised.

He raised an eyebrow and stepped closer: "First place? Just you? What's your name?"

"I am Zhao Chi."

"Zhao Chi? What a lousy name! Which academy?"

"Lord's Eighth Academy."

"Hmph, a trash academy. Zhao Tan, check him."

A beautiful noblewoman behind him said, "Yes!"

In just a moment, Zhao Tan replied, "I've found it. He did indeed win first place in the opening test at the Eighth Academy today, and received rewards of credits and treasure chests."

Zhao Quan sneered, "So he really did come in first? The Eighth Academy really is trash."

Zhao Tan added, "He is Li Ruanyu's student."

Zhao Quan gave a light laugh, "Ha, Li Ruanyu? She gave you quite a few benefits, didn't she? Or did she help you cheat?"

Zhao Chi didn't know how to answer.

Li Ruanyu had indeed helped him quite a bit, but it was all in the way of knowledge, with nothing substantial.

But even in terms of knowledge, Zhao Chi felt very grateful to her.

But right now he didn't know what to say.

Zhao Quan also seemed not to have intended to hear his answer, and reached out to pat Zhao Chi's shoulder as well.

Zhao Chi did not dodge.

Just like before, his mind became chaotic, his spirit dazed.

It felt like he hadn't woken up yet.

The next moment, Zhao Quan withdrew his hand: "Go back!"

Zhao Chi immediately retreated into the crowd.

The other Zhao clansmen also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Not long after, two more clansmen were also seized, but after a simple screening, they likewise had no problems.

Zhao Quan said slowly:

"Very good. It seems you are still fairly honest, so I won't make things difficult for you.

"Now the rebels are growing increasingly rampant, and we need to pull out manpower to search for and exterminate them.

"Because of this, the forces defending the city are no longer enough, and we need to divert some additional magical beasts for you to deal with.

"You should be willing to share our burden, right?"

The Zhao clan members exchanged uncertain glances.

Zhao Shizhang murmured, "Respected Lord Zhao Quan, we have already been allocated a large quota, and right now everyone is operating at full capacity. If it is increased any further, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold up."

Zhao Quan said coldly, "What is there that you can't hold up? Your juniors are so outstanding — to be first in the Academy, they naturally already have the ability to make a contribution."

"Then Lord Zhao Quan, could you Nengbuneng Gang temporarily adjust the tax rate for us? That way we could improve our efficiency a little…"

Zhao Quan's expression turned cold.

"I didn't hear clearly. Say it again."

Zhao Shizhang naturally didn't dare bring it up again, and could only sigh softly.

Zhao Quan said, "Tomorrow's quota situation will be sent to you by someone; arrange the rest yourselves. If you capture the rebels, or provide leads on the rebels, I can withdraw the quota, or even temporarily reduce the tax rate. But right now there is nothing, so you can only press on. Let's go!"

Zhao Quan turned and left.

The nobles behind him and the surrounding soldiers followed closely.

Soon, Zhao Quan led everyone to the north of the village — that was the Liu family clan's territory.

After Zhao Quan led his people away, the Zhao clan members still stood in place for quite a while.

Several of the clan's elders all gnashed their teeth, cursing silently, but none of them could do anything.

Zhao Shizhang shook his head and said to them, "You all go to the meeting room and wait for me; the rest of you may go back. Zhao Chi, you come with me."

The clan members slowly dispersed.

The elders entered the meeting room.

Zhao Shizhang walked toward his room, and Zhao Chi followed closely behind to support him.

Zhao Shizhang was still quite caring toward Zhao Chi.

From the very first day after his transmigration, it was Zhao Shizhang who organized the clan to build that little wooden cabin for him.

Going to study at the Lord Academy was also Zhao Shizhang's decision; otherwise Zhao Chi might right now be working somewhere.

Zhao Shizhang shook his head and said, "No need to support me. Although I'm old, I can still fight. It's just a pity that our Zhao clan has no worthy successors."

Zhao Chi listened in silence, offering no opinion.

In fact, without him saying it, Zhao Chi also knew that the Zhao clan's overall strength was very low right now — even in this little village, they could only rank as the fourth family.

This village only had four families.

There were also some unaffiliated households without a clan, but naturally they couldn't be compared with the established families.

Moreover, most of these unaffiliated households had also thrown in with the various families, becoming vassals.

Zhao Chi followed Zhao Shizhang step for step into the house.