Chapter 81

Shen Tianxing glanced at the System Package; the random Top Grade Martial Art was Seven Injuries Fist, and the Top Grade equipment turned out to be the White Gold Dragon Pendant, which was also a pleasant surprise.

Hong Yi directed her soldiers to clean the battlefield, and Shen Tianxing also had the assault troops search the entire Taishou Fu to see how much silver they could find; he had nothing to do, so he simply sat by the gate to rest, meanwhile checking the Seven Injuries Fist and the White Gold Dragon Pendant.

"Seven Injuries Fist, after the system upgrade, removes the trait of harming both others and oneself; one punch inflicts seven injuries, each punch can cause certain damage to a person's five viscera and six bowels, and can also attack seven targets with one punch, causing damage to one of the enemy's five viscera and six bowels."

"Each punch's attack bursts with seven instances of damage; each instance of damage equals 70% of one's own martial force value; raising a level increases each instance of damage by 5%!"

"White Gold Dragon Pendant, one of the White Gold Four-Piece Set; base attribute: Internal Force +200; additional attributes: Defense +5%, Speed +5%. Collecting all four activates the set attribute: all attributes +20%; activating the equipment also grants the skill White Gold Dragon Slash."

Seeing that the White Gold Dragon Pendant's additional attributes were Defense +5% and Speed +5%, Shen Tianxing recalled that the White Gold Dragon Ring also had percentage-based additional attributes, but they were not displayed on his personal attributes.

"This is normal; personal attributes only show when all attributes increase; if you want more precision, you still need to keep upgrading the system."

Before Shen Tianxing could ask, Hong Yi already gave the answer; after her upgrade, Hong Yi became more perceptive, and Shen Tianxing felt more troubled, constantly being read by her mind.

"Not bad, kid; just as dawn broke, you took Leiming City—pretty fast."

Yang Tieqiang and Yang Hongyue arrived; as soon as they entered, Yang Tieqiang laughed and praised Shen Tianxing, which was genuine, while Yang Hongyue had a black face and was very displeased.

"I just went with the flow; I tricked Jiang Bunfan out of 100,000 taels of silver, he sent a steward with men to kill me, I killed them all, leaving only the steward, whom I got to help open the city gate; he was afraid of death, so when he came back he opened the gate."

Shen Tianxing answered truthfully; Yang Tieqiang nodded repeatedly, the simplest strategies are often the most useful, and Yang Hongyue's anger subsided a bit, yet she still didn't give Shen Tianxing a pleasant look.

"Even so, there's no need to hide it from me and Grandfather, is it because you think Grandfather can't lift his spear anymore, or that you think I can't help you?"

Yang Hongyue was angry, mainly because Shen Tianxing led a large army to attack the city; although she herself had Seventh Grade strength and could help Shen Tianxing without problem, Shen Tianxing didn't bring her along.

"I don't care; the old man is already up in years, fighting and killing really isn't suitable for me; as for you, you're about to marry him anyway—being a good wife and mother doesn't require going to the battlefield."

Yang Tieqiang spoke up for Shen Tianxing; Yang Hongyue didn't dare retort, she could only glare fiercely at Shen Tianxing, and the matter was thus considered settled.

"My lord, Leiming City has been taken; please give me the antidote."

Steward Xu rushed into the Taishou Fu, knelt on the ground, Shen Tianxing smiled and nodded, casually tossing out a pill; Steward Xu hurriedly caught it and swallowed it.

"Thank you, my lord; this humble one is willing to follow you..."

After taking the so-called antidote, Steward Xu hurriedly knelt to thank Shen Tianxing, but Shen Tianxing merely smiled and shook his head.

"You don't need to thank me; following me is unnecessary anyway; the poison is fake, so the antidote is naturally not real either, but taking your life is quite real."

Upon hearing this, Old Xu immediately stood up and turned to run, but Shen Tianxing merely took a step forward and struck with a palm that landed squarely on Old Xu's back heart.

"Congratulations, Host, for slaying a Fifth Grade martial artist, gaining 40,000 Killing Value, item drop: a Fourth Grade Red Gem, silver 10,000 taels!"

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the counter-kill mission, slaying all incoming assassins; completing the mission yields a reward of 100,000 Killing Value, Martial Arts Experience increased by 10%, blueprint for Medium Grade Ten Refined Armor, silver 10,000 taels."

"Congratulations, Host, for reaching 100% Martial Arts Experience, your Martial Dao Realm has risen to Sixth Grade Eighth Layer; reward: one Intermediate Lottery draw, three Beginner Lottery draws."

Strength has increased again, drawing ever closer to Seventh Grade; now Shen Tianxing, counting equipment, has a martial force value of Eighth Grade Tenth Layer, Killing Value over three million, silver over one million.

"You kid are ruthless, but someone who can betray so easily deserves death even if they have merit; keeping them nearby only brings harm to oneself."

Yang Tieqiang had no objection to Shen Tianxing killing the person; instead he gave a thumbs-up in praise, and Yang Hongyue likewise said nothing; years of campaigning have made them understand one truth: traitors deserve death.

"Old Man Yang, let's not talk about that for now; since Leiming City has been taken, many upcoming matters still require Old Man Yang's help, especially pacifying the populace, which needs Old Man Yang to step forward; his prestige in the Great Zhou is enough for these people to trust you."

Shen Tianxing was not polite either; he clearly knew he was just a nobody, completely unknown to the populace. If he stepped forward to pacify the people, it would be no different from a rebel leader.

Yang Tieqiang is different; he is a true old general who has fought for the country, and it can be said that the populace in their hearts acknowledges this old general who defends the home and nation; his stepping forward makes it easy for the populace to accept the facts.

Furthermore, Yang Tieqiang's appearance can also conveniently introduce Shen Tianxing to the populace, making it easier for Shen Tianxing to recruit troops and buy horses.

"My lord, after counting, there are nearly ten thousand prisoners; their weapons have all been confiscated, and they are also willing to surrender; I don't know what your lordship intends."

The one reporting was Tian Guangguang; he and Zhao Lingfei also participated in this siege under Hong Yi's coordination, though these two were in the rear.

It's not that Shen Tianxing didn't want them to go to the front; rather, the double Killing Value is very tempting, so under normal circumstances Shen Tianxing personally kills the regiment commanders and battalion officers to obtain the doubled Killing Value.

"You and Lingfei each take charge of 5,000 first; you also each take half of the veteran troops; next, first lead people to follow Old Man Yang to pacify the populace inside the city, then go to the outer camp to see how much grain and fodder remains."

After pacifying the populace, register how many households there are in the city; before registering, tell them to cooperate with the registration; afterward, distribute one dou of rice per household.

"Yes, my lord!"

The two replied in unison and then went off to busy themselves; Yang Tieqiang also didn't waste time, greeted Shen Tianxing and left.

"Congratulations; this time Qingxue will surely have to marry you, though I don't know if Uncle Yue will agree, after all he's a stubborn person."

Yang Hongyue's words were obviously sour, but Shen Tianxing just laughed indifferently.

"This isn't the key; the key is that Qingxue will help me hold back her father, preventing him from sending troops to attack me, so during this period I can attack whoever I want; when General Yue wants to fight me, likely more than half of Leizhou will have fallen into my hands."