Chapter 97: Trouble Brews · The Piercing Mountain Leopard's Probe

The great commotion of the several thousand people of Jiao Tu Zhen.

In the end, they couldn't fully hide from the probing eyes around them.

Just as the preparations for the southern move were underway on the third day afternoon.

The outlying sentry posts of the town emitted a sharp bamboo whistle.

"Report!"

A soldier of the Elite Soldier Battalion rushed to the town wall, looked up, and shouted at Zhang Cheng, who was patrolling:

"Brother Cheng, a dozen or so riders have come from the west, flying the flag of the Piercing Mountain Leopard; they're already one li away!"

Zhang Cheng's eyes narrowed, and he thought to himself:

"They came really fast."

His face remained calm, and he gave a low order:

"Sound the horn, give the warning."

"Elite Soldier Battalion, one team up on the wall to stand guard, the rest—"

"Follow the plan, do what you're supposed to do, don't panic!"

"Shi Dun, come with me to meet them."

"Qian Gui, bring your men to provide covert support."

"Yes!"

The orders were quickly passed down.

The urgent horn blares sounded within the town.

The originally bustling crowd stirred slightly, but under the restraint of the squad leaders, order was quickly restored.

Only their movements became a bit quicker, and their eyes grew wary.

The elite soldiers of the Elite Soldier Battalion quickly seized the high ground on the wall.

Bows and crossbows were drawn, though not yet aimed at the riders, but a chilling killing intent already spread.

The town gate slowly opened; Zhang Cheng brought only Shi Dun and four personal guards, riding out at a leisurely pace.

He today deliberately wore a clean blue cloth archer's outfit, with a long sword at his waist.

Although he wore no armor, the steady bearing forged in the fires of battle was already extraordinary.

Shi Dun followed behind him like an iron tower, his tiger eyes scanning ahead, undisguised ferocity.

Moments later, a dozen or so riders kicked up dust and galloped forward, reining in fifty paces away.

The leader was a man with a sallow complexion and darting eyes.

He wore two whisker-like mustaches, and was one of the leaders under the Piercing Mountain Leopard, known as "Huang Wei Xie".

The riders behind him all bore fierce expressions.

They gazed unfavorably at Zhang Cheng and his party, as well as the garrison faintly visible on the town wall.

"Yo, I thought it was someone important making such a fuss, but it's just Brother Zhang Cheng."

Huang Wei Xie clasped his hands with a false smile, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

"How so, seeing your town's posture, are you planning to move?"

"Making such a commotion, our Leopard Lord feels uneasy."

"I've been specially sent by my brothers to ask: where exactly does your town intend to go?"

Zhang Cheng sat upright on his horse and returned the salute, neither humble nor arrogant.

"So it's Chief Huang."

"Thank you, Leopard Lord, for your concern."

"Our Jiao Tu Zhen indeed intends to relocate, after all this place is barren and cannot sustain the livelihood of several thousand people long-term."

Huang Wei Xie gave a hehe laugh, his whiskers twitching.

"Relocation? You say it lightly."

"Within a hundred-li radius, who doesn't know that Jiao Tu Zhen is a tough nut, and Chief Chen is a remarkable figure."

"How come, with Chief Chen absent, you can't stay put?"

"Could it be… that something has happened?"

The probing intent in his words was utterly undisguised.

Shi Dun, hearing this, furrowed his brows and was about to erupt.

He was stopped by Zhang Cheng's gaze.

Zhang Cheng's face remained calm, and he said lightly:

"Chief Huang, you're joking."

"Our chief is doing very well; not only is he unharmed, he has even encountered a wise lord."

"Having been appreciated by the Military Governor of Chan Prefecture, Chai Rong, Lord Chai, he now holds the rank of Officer and commands the New Army in Chan Prefecture."

"The chief, thinking of his old subordinates, specially ordered us to relocate south to Chan Prefecture to rendezvous and share peace."

"Chan Prefecture's Military Governor? An Officer?"

Huang Wei Xie's face changed slightly.

The riders behind him also showed a slight commotion.

Chai Rong's name still carries considerable weight in this northern borderlands.

They originally thought Chen Wen had gone missing or met with misfortune, and that Jiao Tu Zhen, leaderless, was a perfect opportunity.

But they never expected it to turn out this way.

"Is that really true?"

Huang Wei Xie eyed Zhang Cheng suspiciously, trying to find a flaw in his face.

Zhang Cheng gave a slight smile, yet his tone carried a hint of unnoticeable firmness.

The chief's own handwritten letter is here, and Prefect Chai has also sent people to meet us within Chan Prefecture.

This is absolutely certain!

How, Chief Huang Touling, do you suppose...?

Would we, the several thousand soldiers and civilians of Jiao Tu Zhen, joke about such a major matter?

He paused.

His gaze swept over Huang Wei Xie and the people behind him, his voice rising a notch:

Furthermore, Jiao Tu Zhen and Bao Ye have always kept to ourselves.

Today our relocation is carried out under orders from above.

If, because of your obstruction, the journey is delayed, preventing several thousand soldiers and civilians from reaching Chan Prefecture on schedule……

When the time comes, Prefect Chai will assign blame, demanding to know why his subordinate officers' families and retainers were blocked on the road.

Even the northern front would be threatened…… this responsibility……

I doubt Bao Ye could bear such responsibility, right?

These words, soft yet firm, made clear Chen Wen's current identity and backing.

They also hinted at the possible military consequences.

The military might of Chan Prefecture is not something these local strongmen can easily withstand.

Huang Wei Xie's expression instantly turned uncertain.

He stared fixedly at Zhang Cheng.

He seemed to hope to find even a trace of guilt in Zhang Cheng's calm gaze, but he failed.

Zhang Cheng's composure and the information conveyed in his words left him no choice but to believe seventy or eighty percent.

He had originally been sent to probe whether Jiao Tu Zhen was weak.

Then he would seize the opportunity to take a bite of meat, even……

But now, this hard bone has not softened at all.

On the contrary, a fierce tiger might be standing behind it!

Hehe, Brother Zhang, you overstate things.

Huang Wei Xie gave a dry laugh, his momentum already weakened somewhat.

Since we are acting under Prefect Chai's orders, we naturally dare not obstruct.

However…… relocating several thousand people over such a long distance inevitably entails some setbacks.

Bao Ye also means well, reminding your town to stay cautious.

Many thanks for Bao Ye's kindness; I appreciate it.

Zhang Cheng clasped his hands in salute.

Our Jiao Tu Zhen still has able warriors; we will surely protect ourselves.

If Chief Huang Touling has no other business, please excuse us as we are about to move, busy with affairs, and cannot see you off far.

This was a direct order to leave.

Huang Wei Xie's eye twitched slightly; he harbored secret resentment.

Yet he dared not utter any harsh words, only letting out a cold snort:

If that's the case, farewell!

I wish your town…… smooth sailing!

Having said that, he turned his horse's head.

Leading his men away resentfully, his retreating figure bore a hint of embarrassment.

Watching them disappear into the dust, Shi Dun spat:

Pah! What nonsense!

If it weren't for Brother Cheng holding them back, I would have kept a few of their horse legs!

Zhang Cheng shook his head, his expression not relaxing:

They have withdrawn, but this Chuan Shan Bao is greedy by nature and will never give up easily.

He dare not openly obstruct, but there's no guarantee he won't lay some trap on the road.

Or, after we leave, he might seize the chance to loot the town's ruins.

Tell Qian Gui to expand the scouting range, especially both sides of our planned route, and be sure to check thoroughly.

During the relocation, the guards must be more vigilant.

Understood! Shi Dun nodded heavily.

Zhang Cheng gazed toward the west, where Chuan Shan Bao's forces lay, his brows slightly furrowed.

On the southern migration route, the first disturbance has temporarily subsided.

But the true hardships have probably only just begun.

He turned back toward the town, his steps firm?

We must complete preparations as soon as possible, set out early, or else changes will arise.