Chapter 189: Tiger Skin

Father, take a look at this tiger skin.

Tiger skin?

Jia Xiu unfolded the tiger skin, smelled a fishy odor, and knew it had just been peeled off only a few days ago.

But upon closer inspection, the tiger skin was so intact that there wasn't even a single puncture—somewhat shocking:

Who hunted this down?

It's that fierce man I met today, Yan Wang! His real name probably surnamed Huang, and he's from Crouching Dragon Village.

"Crouching Dragon Village? Let me see... Is the one called Huang Gou him?" Jia Xiu flipped through the household register and found a name.

Jia Zhen froze for a moment, unable to keep from laughing.

No wonder he wants to change his name—who wouldn't laugh at him if they heard that name?

Probably.

"Oh, his background is fine, so he could be recruited into the army." Jia Xiu's eyes lit up.

However, Father, this person is somewhat arrogant; he says he can join the army, but he doesn't want to start as a private.

Jia Xiu frowned: "This won't do; the army has its own rules—even making him a squad leader would be going too far. If we give him a backdoor, wouldn't that be treating military law as nothing? Moreover, we don't yet know his character—who knows what he'll be like if he actually commands troops!"

Jia Zhen nodded; this adoptive father of his wasn't stupid after all. Although the county magistrate also has authority over the troops, military affairs and civil matters are not the same.

Besides, maintaining this force of about a hundred soldiers is a major burden for Hu Shan Xian, after all, Hu Shan Xian's finances are problematic.

Not to mention the lack of fertile land and mineral deposits nearby; recent years have seen constant droughts and natural disasters, to the point where even having enough to eat is becoming a problem.

If it weren't for that, how could the Hu Shan bandits have gathered over a hundred people in just a few short years?

Speaking of which, in this mundane world, whenever there is a natural disaster, there is almost always a man-made calamity—it's practically an iron law.

So why do people cultivate? Isn't it just to protect themselves and their families?

There are too many people in the world; even cultivators can't manage them all.

Jia Zhen thought for a moment and said: "Father, in troubled times we need harsh measures; if he can settle the Hu Shan bandits, that naturally shows his ability; if he's just a showy spear, going into the army won't end well for him."

Jia Xiu frowned: "Son, Father isn't worried about your judgment; he has the strength to tear apart a live tiger—who in the army could compare? It's just that I fear people's hearts."

So what does Father mean?

We can test him like this: tomorrow let him go to the army and challenge someone. If he truly can defeat a military officer, we'll first give him a rank but no troops. Let him raise his own forces—our Hu Shan Xian has a quota of two hundred, after all; at worst I'll give him the remaining hundred, and then require him to wipe out the Hu Shan bandits within three months! Jia Xiu laughed.

Jia Zhen froze: "Then Father, aren't you afraid he'll actually recruit people?"

"What recruitment? Can he afford money and grain? If he can't, then let him obediently follow my orders—could a mere mountain village peasant really rebel? Even if he somehow managed to recruit a hundred-strong ginseng army, I don't believe he could wipe out the Hu Shan bandits!" Jia Xiu laughed.

Then what if he actually does it?

Jia Xiu took a deep breath, patted Jia Zhen on the shoulder, and said: "Then from now on you just follow him; someone who can truly achieve this must have the ability to turn back the tide and support a collapsing edifice. Naturally, his ambition couldn't possibly be limited to one city or county—follow him and you might still get to see the wonders of the world!" Jia Xiu laughed.

Hiss!!!

Actually, I underestimated you, this adoptive father of mine—you actually have such guts?

Jia Zhen chuckled: "Then Father, why not come along with us?"

"No, I'm already old. With so many people at home, do we really have to drag the whole family into war? Rest assured, when you're out there you just strive; at home I, this old father, will keep an eye on things and won't let you be troubled." Jia Xiu laughed.

Jia Zhen suddenly felt an indescribable emotion—who could have imagined that an ordinary mortal could say such words?

He involuntarily clasped his hands and said: "Yes, Father."

"Hmm." Jia Xiu looked at Jia Zhen with satisfaction.

Silly child, they gave you the tiger skin just so I could look at it.

If such a person really is just a rustic with great strength as you say, then it's not necessarily so.

The next day.

Yan Buji brought his lackeys and followed Jia Xiu into the military camp.

Because we had given prior notice, the soldiers in the camp lined up, displeased, to watch their arrival.

Is this that arrogant brat?

Brat? His face looks about the same as my old man's!

Hahaha, you even went and found yourself a father?

The old timers laughed, and Jia Zhen frowned.

Before Jia Zhen could speak, Yan Buji from the side blurted out: "You lot of wastes, is this how you repay the court for feeding you? No wonder the world is in such chaos—soldiers lack any soldierly bearing, and it's no surprise the Hu Shan bandits run rampant!"

Brat, what did you say?!

Do you dare say another word?!

Cut the crap—I came today to show you that the future general's command needs no wastes. You'd better remember my name. I am Yan Wang, and from now on I'll be your boss!

Yan Buji shouted arrogantly a few times, looking at the indignant soldiers who, because Jia Zhen was nearby, dared not move—and thus held them in even greater contempt.

Jia Zhen looked at Yan Buji and said: "Yan Brother, you're so confident?"

"How so? Can't a person be confident? Does imperial law forbid people from being confident?!' Yan Buji shouted wildly.

Jia Zhen: "You're easy to hit."

Hahaha, nobody capable of beating me has even been born yet—and even if there were, they wouldn't be in this bunch of wastes.

Who are you calling a waste?!

An officer in armor with a long sword at his waist stepped out of the tent, glaring angrily at Yan Buji.

Jia Zhen clasped his hands and said: "I've seen you, Captain Zhang."

Yan Buji looked at him and asked: "Are you the head of these troops?"

"Not bad, I'm Zhang Ping!"

"You can't even manage your own soldiers—no wonder you'll only ever be a company leader in your lifetime." Yan Buji snorted contemptuously.

You damn bastard!

Zhang Ping took a deep breath; it was the first time he'd seen someone so arrogant.

If it weren't for Jia Zhen bringing him, I'd have chopped him in half myself.

"Cut the nonsense, Minhe brother. Let's go to the training ground today; if I can't knock Zhang Ping down within three moves, I'll wash your underwear for a year!" Yan Buji said.

"Dage is mighty!!"

The lackey beside him shouted.

"Centurion, use all your strength to give this brat a good lesson!"

"Yeah, Centurion, he's just relying on having someone back him—what's there to be arrogant about?!"

"Centurion, we've crawled out of a hail of blades and spears—we can't lose face!"

"Exactly, stay sharp!"

The soldiers and the squad leader under him shouted, and Zhang Ping took a deep breath.

Even though he knew Jia Zhen's doing this was somewhat against the rules, but since it was the County Magistrate's order, he couldn't say much more.

Moreover, he genuinely wanted to teach this arrogant brat a lesson!

"Come on, let's see the real deal at the training ground—I hope your mouth matches your skill!"

"So much nonsense."

Yan Buji picked up a staff and walked onto the training ground.

Both sides took their positions; the watching soldiers' voices grew quieter, all looking at the two with some tension.

Zhang Ping drew his long sword: "Kid, blades have no eyes—don't blame me later if I don't hold back!"

"Why do you talk so much nonsense? Make your move, or else once I strike you'll lose and it'll be boring." Yan Buji said disdainfully.

"Insolent brat! Take this sword!"

Zhang Ping rushed forward and slashed down with a blade; Yan Buji looked at his opponent in surprise.

Judging by technique alone, Zhang Ping really does have some skill—equivalent to a first-rate martial artist in the mundane martial world.

Moreover, his qi and blood aren't weak; combined, he's likely able to reach the verge of a half-step Grand Master.

But it's a pity.

Yan Buji easily sidestepped, dodging the blade.

Zhang Ping widened his eyes and, angling the blade, thrust it upward!

Yan Buji bowed his waist, watching the blade light pass before his eyes without reaction.

"You!" Zhang Ping stared in disbelief at Yan Buji before him; he couldn't understand why his proud swordsmanship seemed like child's play in this person's eyes, utterly ineffective.

"Two moves." Yan Buji said calmly.

Suddenly, Yan Buji swung his staff forward!

Hiss!!

The sound of air being torn apart reached Zhang Ping's ears; he suddenly raised his sword in front, hands pressing on the blade.

Bang!

"Ah!!!"

Only to see Zhang Ping's long sword bent from Yan Buji's staff strike, and he himself was blasted over ten meters away by the terrifying force, falling to the ground with a anguished cry and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Jia Zhen widened his eyes; he hadn't expected Zhang Ping to lose so decisively.

Yan Buji picked up his staff, walked over to Zhang Ping, and said: "You're not bad—much better than that bunch of useless fools. Follow me from now on, and I'll teach you how to wield a sword."

Zhang Ping rose, suppressed the sweetness of blood in his throat, and gritted his teeth: "You're strong! But just because you can beat me doesn't mean you understand military formations—don't think personal strength alone can make you invincible under heaven!"

"Hmph, just wait and see."

Yan Buji didn't care about Zhang Ping's reaction at this moment; having taken one of his moves, Zhang Ping naturally knew, given his strength, that Yan Buji had held back.

Otherwise, if that staff strike had merely flicked a flourish, a single blow could have shattered his skull!

Knowing that, but since Zhang Ping is a centurion, it wouldn't do to openly yield in public; subduing him naturally requires a process.

The surrounding soldiers stared dumbfounded; they obviously hadn't expected Yan Buji to possess such terrifying strength.