Chapter 93

Chen Hai had only sixty rebel slaves under his command. Even if they managed to deceive the local officials, it would be impossible to control the entire city of Chixian County. The plan they had discussed outside the city was to control the southern city gate. Even if their actions were exposed, they would still have a convenient way to advance or retreat.

The military officers were frightened by Chen Hai and had no suspicions as they led their men to drive away the refugees and clear the main street between the north and south city gates. Chen Hai and his men dismounted to take over the defense of the southern city gate.

The local military's combat strength was not strong, but the defensive equipment was relatively well-prepared. There were still over ten sets of barriers inside the city gate.

The southern city gate faced the direction of Hechuan Ridge, and it was inconvenient to close the gate directly. Chen Hai had his men drag out the barriers and set them up on both sides of the gate. This was to prevent the Hechuan Army from coming from the south and catching them off guard, and also to prevent the city's defenders from attacking the southern city gate if their actions were exposed.

On the inner side of the city gate, there were also two hidden troop shelters. Chen Hai temporarily led the most conspicuous horses into the shelters. Apart from Zhou Jun, who led a dozen men to guard the inner side of the city gate, the rest followed Chen Hai and Wu Meng up to the city tower.

Before the city tower, there were four crossbows. The bolts were like short spears, about three to four feet long, with extremely sharp iron tips. Even a peak Spirit Realm cultivator would find it difficult to dodge them at a range of three to five hundred steps.

Soon, Zhao Shan, Shen Kun, and others, disguised as the first batch of messengers, surrounded a dozen local officials and headed towards the southern city tower. From their attire, it was clear that the county magistrate, county lieutenant, and chief clerk of Chixian County were among them. There was also a thin, elderly man with a splendid outfit, who had the cultivation of the Spirit Realm. He climbed up to the city tower and angrily questioned, "Dare I ask what offense my family has committed to this general, to be beaten and killed without a word? Although I, Chu Siming, am not a significant figure, and my son, Chu Rong, is only a minor inner disciple at Helan Mountain, I will not tolerate such humiliation."

"Allowing your slaves to block the road is not tolerated by military law. Mr. Chu, you think bringing your turtle son out will make me, your grandpa, afraid of you, this old bastard," Chen Hai coldly laughed, his eyes filled with ferocity, and he cursed.

The county magistrate, county lieutenant, and chief clerk of Chixian County thought that even if the messengers from Hechuan Ridge were harsh to the slaves, they would still give some face to the head of the Chu family, Chu Siming. They planned to mediate and smooth things over. However, they never expected Chen Hai to curse Chu Siming so fiercely.

Chu Siming had once practiced at Helan Mountain and served as a low-level official. His son, with outstanding talent, had long entered the inner circle of Helan Sect and was even expected to become a true disciple soon. Although the Chu family did not have the status of a formal noble clan, they were the top family in Chixian County. On holidays, the county officials would visit and present gifts, and all major and minor affairs in Chixian County were decided by Chu Siming.

He never imagined that his attempt to send part of his family's wealth south of Hechuan Ridge to avoid disaster would be rudely blocked and his slaves beaten. Even worse, he himself was called an old bastard.

Chu Siming, who had cultivated for years, felt his inner anger rise. He drew the spirit sword on his back and pointed it at Chen Hai's face, shouting, "Which family's little brat dares to be so disrespectful? Say it again, and I'll make you pay!"

The more chaotic Chixian County became, the more advantageous it was for Chen Hai to control the situation. Seeing Chu Siming make a show of drawing his sword, Chen Hai swung his Frost Cold Gold Sword at Chu Siming, his eyes wide with rage, and shouted, "You old bastard, daring to defy your superior! I'll cut you down today and see what the Chu family can do to me!"

Although Chu Siming was only at the initial stage of the Spirit Realm, he had practiced with his spirit sword for decades and was not weak. The spirit sword blocked the Frost Cold Gold Sword, and a loud boom echoed. Chu Siming spat out a mouthful of blood but did not retreat.

The county magistrate, county lieutenant, chief clerk, and their retinue were stunned by this scene. They were too late to intervene, and Wu Meng and Zhou Jun spread out to block them, preventing them from interfering.

Seeing that Chu Siming had blocked his sword, Chen Hai did not give him a chance to catch his breath. He swung his sword again, the wind and clouds swirling, and the sharp sound of the air slicing through the air as he struck down at Chu Siming with the force of a mountain.

Seeing Chen Hai's eyes filled with ferocity, Chu Siming felt fear, but the situation did not allow him to retreat. He spat out blood and used his spirit sword to block the Frost Cold Gold Sword, which was emitting a cold light.

"Chen Captain, show mercy, don't harm Mr. Chu's life," Shen Kun, who had entered the city earlier, shouted.

Directly killing Chu Siming would not be beneficial for controlling Chixian County. By leaving him alive, Chen Hai deepened the impression of his arrogance and ruthlessness, intimidating the people of Chixian County into not doubting his identity. The timing was just right.

The spirit sword fell to the ground with a "clang." Although the Frost Cold Gold Sword veered to the side before striking Chu Siming's head, leaving him alive, the second strike made Chu Siming feel as if his soul was torn apart. He could not control the backlash of the true essence in his body, fell to the ground, and spat out more blood. Blood trickled from his seven orifices, and he was about to collapse.

The protective spirit armor he wore did not have a chance to activate.

"Seize this old villain and deal with him according to military law. I don't believe the Chu family can do anything to me!" Chen Hai coldly ordered his men to arrest the heavily injured Chu Siming.

Seeing two soldiers grab the head of the Chu family, who was also the top expert in Chixian County, like a dead dog, strip off his protective armor, and drag him into the city tower, the county magistrate, county lieutenant, chief clerk, and other officials were terrified, their faces pale. They thought this general was too outrageous, but no one dared to say anything.

They never expected the general from Hechuan Ridge to be so arrogant. They thought the Chu family would not let this matter go, but now, they would not risk a confrontation. The Chu family's retinue, although all at the Profound Realm, did not dare to be disrespectful seeing their master captured.

These retinue hastily hid their weapons behind their backs, fearing that any sign of hostility would bring them death.

"Are you still in Chixian County?" Chen Hai glanced at Shen Kun and Zhao Shan, feigning displeasure.

"Reporting to Captain Chen, Chixian County has already sent a message to Yanchuan. We saw the chaos in Chixian County and thought it was important to clear the road to welcome the reinforcements, so we stayed," Zhao Shan and Shen Kun, following their previous plan, lied to the officials and gentry of Chixian County.

Seeing that the first batch of messengers knew Chen Hai and addressed him as Captain Chen, the county magistrate, county lieutenant, and chief clerk no longer doubted Chen Hai's identity. No one dared to check their credentials. Seeing Chen Hai's murderous aura, no one even thought to ask about his name or which elite unit he belonged to.

Chen Hai had only obtained two ordinary junior officer seals by intercepting the Hechuan Army's messengers. To impersonate a higher-ranking military officer and directly control Chixian County, they could only rely on their intimidating demeanor to prevent the officials from questioning their identity.

Chen Hai coldly hummed, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhao Shan's answer, and said, "Watch the troops clear the road. If there is any congestion within a hundred miles of Chixian County, be careful that your heads are not at risk! Also, bring some wine and meat to the city tower. I didn't expect to suffer such humiliation in this insignificant place after enjoying good food and drink at Hechuan Ridge."

After saying this, Chen Hai angrily turned and returned to the city tower.

He wanted to make a strong impression, leaving the rest to the experienced Zhao Shan and Shen Kun to deal with the officials.

Zhao Shan, Shen Kun, and the officials headed towards the county office, while Zhou Jun and Wu Meng personally led men to guard the city, preventing anyone from approaching the southern city tower.

Qi Hanjiang and others, who were guarding the captured Chu Siming, saw Chen Hai enter the city tower and stood up excitedly, whispering, "Sir, I really admire you today..."

Qi Hanjiang and others were all pirates or bandits. They thought their actions before being caught were already bold, but seeing Chen Hai today, they were truly amazed.

Chen Hai was strong, but in the Yan State, where the strong ruled, his current cultivation was only at the lower level of martial cultivators. In the Wuwei Army, the thousand-man commanders were all more powerful than Chen Hai.

Qi Hanjiang and others were not strong in cultivation, but they did not have much reverence for cultivators. Otherwise, they would not have committed crimes and roamed in the Hexi region.

However, Chen Hai's bold actions today actually succeeded in taking control of Chixian County, awaiting the arrival of the main army. Qi Hanjiang and his band of bandits were truly convinced and excited, thinking that this was the kind of leader they needed. They were eager to work with Chen Hai on a grand cause.

Chen Hai smiled slightly and walked to Chu Siming, who was bound and gagged, and asked, "Mr. Chu, are you still being stubborn?"

Although Chu Siming was captured and brought to the city tower, and the bandits' expressions clearly showed they were not reinforcements, he was now in a helpless situation, unable to call for help or resist.

"Have you searched him thoroughly?" Chen Hai turned to ask Qi Hanjiang and the others.

"We've searched him thoroughly..." Qi Hanjiang presented the spirit sword, spirit armor, spirit ring, and medicine pouch they had taken from Chu Siming, leaving him only a pair of shorts.