Chapter 167: Sealing the Mountain, Mountain Rain Approaches

A military formation requires at least a hundred martial artists to be formed, so local cities do not have Imperial Guards—they cannot afford them.

This is not just a matter of cultivating so many martial artists; it also involves exotic beasts. Even if one does not build a cavalry unit, at least a hundred sets of Sha Qi weapons are needed, which is something a local Justice Academy simply cannot afford.

Once a set of Sha Qi weapons is refined, there will be wear and tear as long as they are used, and military formations must be practiced frequently, so Sha Qi weapons need regular repair and replacement.

The two hundred Imperial Guards of Datong Prefecture were gathered by the power of all the Justice Academies in Datong Prefecture to barely maintain, and every quarter, they also need the capital to subsidize a portion of the materials for refining Sha Qi weapons.

One can make a very intuitive comparison: the investment in raising one Imperial Guard is more expensive than raising ten cavalrymen!

And according to the standard of the Great Lan Dynasty's iron cavalry, the cost of raising one cavalryman is enough to raise six infantrymen.

So, calculated, the cost of Datong Prefecture raising these two hundred Imperial Guards is equivalent to raising over ten thousand soldiers, several times more than the City Guard!

However, apart from being expensive, expensive things have only advantages.

If one hundred Imperial Guard cavalry charge head-on, they are enough to rout ten times their number of iron cavalry!

When two hundred Imperial Guard cavalry are deployed, once the military formation is formed and the military Sha Qi is released, even a Martial Arts Grandmaster would not dare to face them head-on!

At the Tiefeng Sect, Gu Xianfeng received the news immediately, knowing that both the City Guard and the Imperial Guard had been deployed and were heading toward him.

This caught him off guard, yet he was helpless.

"Sect Master!"

That Elder Wang, who had previously suffered a loss under Xu Jing, walked into the room with an anxious face and said to Gu Xianfeng:

"The Imperial Guard has already reached the foot of the mountain!"

"I know."

"Sect Master, what should we do now?"

"Wait."

"Wait?"

"..."

Gu Xianfeng looked at the other party with an angry gaze.

If he doesn't wait now, does he expect to charge down the mountain and clash head-on with those two hundred Imperial Guards?

If it were infantry, it would be fine, but with two hundred Imperial Guard cavalry, he can only use the Cloud-Treading supernatural ability to protect himself.

"Governor Bian Jingru is just putting on a show for now; he won't truly force the Tiefeng Sect into a dead end."

Gu Xianfeng's eyes revealed a murderous intent, and he said in a chilling tone.

If truly pushed to the edge, he has the Cloud-Treading supernatural ability; he can leave whenever he wants, and no one can keep him.

At that time, a Martial Arts Grandmaster with absolutely no concerns is something Governor Bian Jingru and other high-level officials of Datong Prefecture definitely do not want to see.

"I understand, but what if they want to take the disciples within the sect for investigation?"

Elder Wang asked worriedly.

"If they have solid evidence, then let them take people away. If they don't, they can only accept the investigation on this mountain; people cannot be handed over to them!"

Gu Xianfeng said expressionlessly.

"... Very well."

Elder Wang wanted to say more but ultimately retreated.

Gu Xianfeng turned and looked out the window.

This "Blade King" had been the leader of the Datong Prefecture martial arts world for decades, yet he had suffered setbacks for two consecutive days.

First came Xu Jing, and now it's even worse—even the Imperial Guard has come.

On the morning of March 3rd, Tiefeng Mountain was surrounded.

The dignified great martial arts sect, the Tiefeng Sect, could only wait for the investigation on the mountain in humiliation.

This move by Governor Bian Jingru showed everyone his determination to investigate to the end!

That afternoon, news also came from the provincial capital:

Pei Cang, the Inspection Commissioner of Feng Province, was "furious" and had already sent an investigation team to Datong Prefecture, while also demanding that Datong Prefecture Garrison Commander Governor Bian Jingru must find the murderer as soon as possible to uphold the national prestige!

All along, because Wu Da was here, the status of Datong Prefecture was very special. Even though it was one grade lower than the provincial capital in terms of official rank, even Pei Cang, the Inspection Commissioner who was a "frontier official," was very polite to Governor Bian Jingru, the Garrison Commander.

This was the first time he had issued an order in such a scolding tone.

Not only that, Pei Cang also sent a high-level investigation team.

Previously, when an imperial official, Wu Yihua, died in Xingcheng, the provincial capital had sent an investigation team as per custom, but the level was not high. Ultimately, the entire incident was handled according to the wishes of the Datong Prefecture investigation team, and the case was closed by the Datong Prefecture investigation team, resulting in Li Lei and others not only having no faults but also having merits.

But this time it was different. The investigation team sent from the provincial capital this time was a "luxury lineup," led personally by a Deputy Inspection Commissioner from the Ministry of Supervision!

The Ministry of Supervision is in charge of the inspection affairs of a province; the Deputy Inspection Commissioner is one person below ten thousand, also a fourth-rank sitting official, and a Level 15 official, two grades higher than the deceased Zhang Zongyang, and of the same rank as Garrison Commander Governor Bian Jingru.

This meant that this Deputy Inspection Commissioner leading the team even had the authority to directly investigate Garrison Commander Governor Bian Jingru!

If he wanted to, he could investigate the entire Datong Prefecture from top to bottom!

For a time, mountain rain approached the entire Datong Prefecture.

Li Fei learned of Zhang Zongyang's death on the evening of March 3rd.

A fifth-year male student stopped him on the road.

"Li Fei, my name is Zhang Xintian, and I am from the Zhang family."

The male student's face was somewhat pale, looking very uneasy.

"Hello."

Li Fei looked at the other party strangely.

He had just finished his last class of the day and was preparing to return to the dormitory to take elixirs to provide energy for the 【Phantom Leaf】, not expecting to be suddenly stopped by someone from the Zhang family.

"Is there something?"

"Can you contact Zhang Xiao?"

"Zhang Xiao?"

"That is Shangguan Xiao, your martial aunt."

"Is there something?"

"My second grandfather is dead! He was attacked and killed last night in a villa in the Jinsha District of Datong Prefecture! My second grandfather's name is Zhang Zongyang; he was the head of the Zhang family and your martial aunt's father!"

Zhang Xintian said at a rapid pace.

Li Fei's expression changed.

He pulled Zhang Xintian over and dragged the other party under a banyan tree by the side of the road.

"Tell me everything you know in detail!"

Li Fei said with a serious gaze.

Zhang Xintian was stunned for a moment; Li Fei's gaze and aura at this moment were extremely similar to the serious appearance of some very dignified elders in his family.

He did not hesitate and said everything he knew:

Zhang Zongyang was attacked and killed, his remains were sent to the General Stop-Goe Academy for an "autopsy," Garrison Commander Governor Bian Jingru sent the City Guard and the Imperial Guard to seal Tiefeng Mountain, the provincial capital is about to send an investigation team down...

"I hope you can contact Zhang... Shangguan Xiao and have her rush back!"

Zhang Xintian said to Li Fei with an anxious face.

"Is it you who wants her back, or do others want her back?"

Li Fei asked calmly.

"My second grandfather, before he died, defied all opinions and used the family's vast connections to make your martial aunt the head of the Xingcheng Stop-Goe Academy directly. This was clearly to cultivate her as the next head of the family! Now that my second grandfather has died unexpectedly, the Zhang family is facing a crisis; she should be back to preside over the big picture! Furthermore, the one who died is not someone else; it is her father!"

Zhang Xintian said somewhat excitedly.

"Hmm."

Li Fei nodded calmly.

He actually didn't care at all about talk of the next head of the family; at this time, if Shangguan Xiao came back, she would simply be plunging into the wind and rain, not knowing how many crises and schemes she would encounter!

But Shangguan Xiao would know about this sooner or later, and Zhang Xintian was right about one thing:

The one who died was Shangguan Xiao's father; what reason did she have not to return?

"I will pass on the message."

Li Fei said to Zhang Xintian.

Zhang Xintian's expression softened upon hearing this. He looked at Li Fei and continued:

"Junior brother, the Zhang family is currently in a precarious situation. If possible, I hope you can also help us."

"Me?"

Li Fei smiled, "I am just a first-year freshman at Wu Da; what can I help you with?"

"Junior brother, you are too modest."

Zhang Xintian shook his head, "You are now a peerless prodigy famous throughout Datong Prefecture. Just based on the importance Wu Da places on you, if you are willing to say a word for the Zhang family at a critical moment, the Zhang family might be able to overcome a crisis! To take a step back, setting aside these identities, I heard that junior brother, you have already passed the heart barrier and broken through to the mid-stage of Qi Transformation. A Force-Refining Martial Master is an important combat force anywhere!"

He stepped forward and said earnestly:

"Junior brother, if your martial aunt's relationship is not enough to make you help, we can also talk about something more practical. Although the Zhang family has encountered difficulties, please believe that a camel that dies is still bigger than a horse. My Zhang family has been rooted in Datong Prefecture for nearly a hundred years and has a deep foundation. As long as we can overcome this crisis, there will definitely be a heavy reward in the future! Even now, if there is anything you want, you can tell me directly."

Li Fei nodded: "I will consider it carefully."

Zhang Xintian was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Good, I will wait for junior brother's news."

As he spoke, he took a slip of paper out of his pocket with a string of phone numbers written on it:

"If junior brother has any thoughts, feel free to call and contact me."

"Good."

Li Fei took the slip of paper, said goodbye to the other party, and then returned to his dormitory.

After returning to the dormitory, he first thought quietly for a while before calling Shangguan Xiao.

The phone rang for a moment before it was connected:

"Hello?"

On the other end of the phone, Shangguan Xiao's voice was somewhat exhausted.

"Martial aunt, it's me."

"Xiao Fei, is there something?"

"The matter here in Datong Prefecture..."

"I already know."

Sure enough, the speed at which Shangguan Xiao received the news was even faster than Li Fei's.

Zhang Xintian had specifically come over before, but it was mainly to win over Li Fei.

"Martial aunt, do you intend to come to the prefecture?"

"Of course."

"When?"

Li Fei did not try to persuade her, only asking for the time.

Zhang Xintian represented the Zhang family in coming to win him over, wanting him to help the Zhang family.

But from beginning to end, he only cared about Shangguan Xiao alone. If he could help, he would only respect Shangguan Xiao's wishes.

"After all, I am the head of the Stop-Goe Academy; I cannot just leave whenever I want. Handing over work will take some time, and furthermore, I must submit a report and get approval from my superiors."

Shangguan Xiao said in a cold voice.

Li Fei could hear her sorrow from it.

"What do you need me to do?"

Li Fei asked directly.

"Not for now. The water in this matter is too deep; do not easily wade into it."

"Martial aunt, in this world, only you know my true strength. I want to tell you that the current me is even stronger than when I killed Yu Hu! So I am not acting on impulse, but truly capable of helping you."

Li Fei said calmly.

On the other end of the phone, a smile appeared on Shangguan Xiao's face.

Back then, Li Fei was already able to fight head-on with Dao Foundation powerhouses; even if he couldn't win, he could at least hold them off.

Now that Li Fei has broken through his realm, his true combat power is probably truly comparable to a Dao Foundation powerhouse.

No one dares to say that a Dao Foundation combat power is a burden!

This is definitely a rare help.

"I know. If there is truly a need, martial aunt will not stand on ceremony with you."

Shangguan Xiao said.

"Good. Will Master come?"

Li Fei asked a key question.

"Senior brother wants to come, but I stopped him. Him coming to Datong Prefecture will only make the situation more complicated."

Shangguan Xiao said.

Li Fei immediately thought of that perverted serial killer Xu Jing and understood Shangguan Xiao's concerns.

Indeed, if Hao Yi came to Datong Prefecture, the situation might become even more difficult.

"Today, the City Guard and the Imperial Guard of Datong Prefecture were deployed and sealed the mountain gate of the Tiefeng Sect."

Li Fei suddenly said, "The Tiefeng Sect was previously suspected of colluding with Meijia Nation spies. Looking at it this way, your father's death might be related to Western spies. I now have the identity of a secret inspector of the General Supervision Academy; I can investigate first and ask around."

"Good, then I will trouble you, Xiao Fei."

Shangguan Xiao did not stand on ceremony either, "But you must pay attention to safety. Those people even... even dared to kill the Helmsman of the General Stop-Goe Academy; they have reached the point of being insane!"

"Martial aunt, rest assured, I have a sense of proportion, and furthermore, I am not that easy to kill."

Li Fei said.

Subsequently, the two hung up the phone.

He immediately made another call.

This time the phone was connected quickly, and a man's voice came from the other end:

"Hello?"

"Liu Saner, it's me."

Li Fei changed his voice, returning to the low voice of the Green-Faced Ghost.

Nowadays, Liu Saner is the manager of the Qingyuan City Management Company on the surface. For many things, Li Fei remotely controls Liu Saner to do them.

"Ghost Master?"

Liu Saner was stunned, "What are your orders?"

"Without affecting the normal operation of the company, how many people can be mobilized now?"

Li Fei asked.

Liu Saner had not yet received the news from Datong Prefecture, so he felt strange hearing this question, but he still answered without hesitation:

"If you want people who can fight, then at most, we can only pull out eleven martial artists of the Body-Breaking Realm and two Martial Masters."

Previously, the combat power of the Hudao Gang died or fled. After the Qingyuan City Management Company was founded, they could only cultivate martial artists themselves while recruiting from the martial arts world.

Nowadays, most of the martial artists they cultivate themselves are still in the embryo-nurturing stage, so there is not much combat power that can be used.

"Besides that, I can pull out about fifty gunmen for you; they have all seen blood and killed people, have good marksmanship, and have practical combat experience."

Liu Saner continued.

"Good."

Li Fei was quite satisfied with this number:

"Besides those who can fight, I also need some clever ones who can gather information; prepare about fifty people for me as well."

"No problem."

"Tonight, have these people come to the prefecture in batches, and transport weapons and equipment through our channels as well."

"Good, I will arrange it immediately."

Liu Saner did not ask why and chose to execute the order very simply.

Li Fei was very satisfied with this and finally asked:

"How much capital can I mobilize now?"

Begging for monthly votes

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 168 =====