"Miss, that's how the events unfolded."

Back at the Yi Family Courtyard, Xiaoling recounted everything that had happened to Yi Shiyin in full detail.

After finishing, Xiaoling's own eyes sparkled a little.

It was her first time witnessing Chen Mo's methods.

Swift and decisive, without any hesitation.

Although she didn't know who Marshal Yang and General Yuan were, since those bandits dared to be so arrogant, they must have had significant backing, yet even so, the lord still eliminated them.

Thus, an image of a hero unafraid of power and serving the people floated in Xiaoling's mind.

And through Xiaoling's description, Yi Shiyin also grew fonder of her husband, with any earlier frustration over being a concubine entirely dissipated.

When you like someone, all you see in them are good qualities.

Heroic and imposing, righteous-minded, unafraid of power, swift and resolute, serving the people, all these traits Yi Shiyin attributed to Chen Mo.

Previously, when reading storybooks, she always found the depiction of heroes to be too vague and abstract.

But now, Chen Mo was the great hero in her heart.

What is called a hero and valiant figure, is just like this.

She looked at the calendar hanging on the wall, and for the first time, felt how slowly time passed; she longed to enter the door quickly.

...

At the County Government Office, because of killing Yang Jinwu and others, Chen Mo did not return to the village.

Although the killing was satisfying and deepened his image among the people, he had to consider the troubles that killing those people might bring.

Because Chen Mo found items on those people that could prove their identity.

That Seventh-Grade Martial Artist named He Jinwu had a seal from the Tiger Swift Army under Yuan Youchun, indicating he was a commander of the Tiger Swift Army, proving what he said was true.

Of course, Chen Mo did not regret killing them, for if in broad daylight someone was murdered and he did not punish them, how would he manage this county in the future?

Lightly tapping his fingers on the table, after pondering for a while, Chen Mo crushed the seal that could prove He Jinwu's identity and then called in Wu Mountain and a captain from the Divine Brave Guard who was present, instructing them to maintain that those killed were just people pretending to be others.

Indeed, Chen Mo intended to leave them with no explanation.

But what Chen Mo didn't know was there was a Tiger Swift Army scout in the crowd who, after He Jinwu's death, quietly left.

That night, the scout returned to Qingtian County and informed Yuan Youchun about the incident.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Youchun was thunderously furious, slamming his palm to smash the desk in front of him.

About He Jinwu, to say he wasn't saddened wasn't possible.

But his sadness wasn't like losing a parent, it was more like losing a dog that had accompanied him for over twenty years.

Of course, his anger outweighed his sadness; He Jinwu, his adopted son, was a valuable combat asset who understood what he wanted. Tasks that Yuan was inconvenient to handle, He Jinwu would take care of thoroughly as long as Yuan notified him.

In town, the tales about the six young women who died at He Jinwu's hands, in truth, half of them were killed by Yuan himself, only He Jinwu took half of the blame for him.

The mother and daughter serving him now were also found by this adopted son.

Much of this was a slap in the face to Yuan, knowing his opponent was his adopted son, killing him in front of others.

Completely disregarding him.

However, sending troops to attack wouldn't be appropriate either.

After all, the opponent was from the same faction, and attacking would be akin to internal conflict, making him lose face among other commanders, suggesting he couldn't even manage a subordinate.

Yet, to let it pass also left his pride in question.

Overall, it needed to be handled with a level of restraint.

Yuan Youchun lightly tapped his fingers on the table, considering, then said, "Tomorrow, I'll send Deputy Commander Bai to lead a group to Pingting County to demand an explanation from Chen Mo."

"Yes."

...

Next afternoon, Fu Ze Village.

"Xie Bifu, this is the Immortal Master Chen I mentioned earlier, now the County Magistrate of Pingting County, Chen Mo."

"Immortal Master Chen, this is Wei Qing, the centurion of the Ninth Battalion of the former Qingzhou Army."

Gao Yuming pointed to his former leader and spoke to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo's gaze swept over Wei Qing; this person was a middle-aged man clad in worn armor, with tanned skin, a steadfast demeanor, and holding a long spear.

Most striking was a tattoo on the man's face.

Only those labeled as rebel army members would have words tattooed on their faces.

Of course, what Chen Mo cared about was the number on his forehead, 36+6.

He came personally to meet only because he heard Gao Yuming report that his former leader led a team to surrender to him, and moreover, that person was a Grade-Entering Martial Artist; otherwise, he wouldn't have been disturbed.

After all, these are battle-hardened elite soldiers who have seen combat and killed; they gaze at the more than seventy Qingzhou soldiers behind Wei Qing, with the iron armor sheets gleaming in the sunlight, left bow, right saber, exuding high spirits, their eyes filled with pride and ferocity.

Moreover, Chen Mo noticed their strategic positioning, mutually covering each other, ready to form an array quickly in case of any unexpected events.

"Instructor Gao mentioned Wei Bafu to me before, a pleasure to meet you." A person who was assigned to the military and became a Martial Artist, achieving the rank of Centurion, it has to be said, has some ability.

Of course, Chen Mo's words were merely courteous, as Gao Yuming actually had not mentioned Wei Qing to him before.

Gao Yuming's eyes showed a hint of gratitude.

"County Magistrate Chen, you are too kind. I've brought the brothers seeking a path forward. If County Magistrate Chen doesn't mind us deserters, could we have some food?" Wei Qing respectfully clasped his hands, speaking sincerely and presenting a humble posture.

Hearing this, Chen Mo chuckled, "What does Centurion Wei mean? It's my honor to have you all coming to assist me."

These words made Wei Qing and his entourage feel much more at ease.

To say they are deserters, and Chen Mo calls it County Magistrate, when in reality he's a rebel. Now, they cast their lot with a rebel, facing no derision, but instead hearing such words, gave a very good impression.

But what Chen Mo said next made their faces slightly change.

"Before that, I have a few questions for Centurion Wei." Chen Mo said.

"County Magistrate, please ask."

"The Qingzhou Army has been defeated for a long time, why is Centurion Wei still in Qingzhou? Why come to me at this time?" Chen Mo asked.

Hearing this, Wei Qing let out a bitter smile, "To be honest, we were surrounded by the Rebel Army, thus trapped in a deep mountain, only came out a few days ago, and if not hearing about County Magistrate's benevolence, having brothers from Qingzhou Army here unlike other Celestial Master Army, we wouldn't have come to you."

"Wei Da, Immortal Master Chen and the Celestial Master Army are not the same, we joined Celestial Master Army only to protect the people of Ping Court County." Gao Yuming explained for Chen Mo.

Chen Mo was secretly delighted, seems like the reputation I've been building has started to work.

He continued, "Instructor Gao told me before that he was a cavalryman, so Centurion Wei and his squad should be cavalry, why only these few war horses?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Qing's party immediately became somewhat embarrassed, silent for a long time before explaining, "Some were lost during the chaos, others were slaughtered for food while stuck in the deep mountain."

Hearing this, Chen Mo fell silent as well.

He understood in his heart that when a person is starving to the extreme, they'll do anything.

It's said that during the drought in the Northern Land the previous year, people eating their children wasn't anything unusual.

"Centurion Wei's honest confession comforts me, welcome everyone aboard." Chen Mo said.

Wei Qing and others breathed a sigh of relief, a smile of delight appeared on their faces at having finally found a resting place, not needing to wander anymore.

"Of course, I know everyone here is quite capable, but according to the army's rules, since everyone is just joining as newcomers, you'll temporarily receive the treatment of new recruits, the details of which Instructor Gao will explain to you.

But rest assured, I intend to assemble a cavalry, currently purchasing war horses, so you'll soon have a place to use your skills, and treatment will indeed improve by then." Chen Mo spoke about the matter of treatment.

"County Magistrate Chen is willing to give us food and shelter, we're quite satisfied, as for treatment, we dare not hope for too much." Wei Qing said.

"Not at all, I am clear on rewards and punishments, truly capable individuals will naturally have what they deserve." Chen Mo stated.

"Then many thanks to County Magistrate Chen." Wei Qing clasped his hands, saying.

"No need for formality, since we're kin from now on, I'll say the harsh words first."

Chen Mo drew the Bow Whistle from his waist, bent the bow and nocked an arrow, without looking back, he fired a shot.

The arrow whizzed through the air, striking directly on the target dozens of steps away.

With a "pop", the target shattered upon impact.

"Since you follow my orders, fortune will come naturally. Violate my commands, then you're like the target, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Chen Mo put away the Strong Bow, saying.

Wei Qing and his group initially stared dumbfounded, subconsciously swallowing, hearing Chen Mo's words, they quickly replied in unison, "Yes."

They had heard from Gao Yuming that Chen Mo's skills were extraordinary, being a Middle-Grade Martial Artist.

Seeing him in person, they were somewhat skeptical due to his youth.

But witnessing this scene, they had to believe.

"Instructor Gao, arrange for them to rest." Chen Mo instructed Gao Yuming, he knew he had secured this group of deserters.

At this moment, Zhang River hurriedly arrived on horseback, as the matter was extremely urgent, he stumbled off the horse, then crawled hastily to Chen Mo's presence, glanced left and right, seeing it was private, he said:

"Brother Mo, not good, people from Qingtian County have arrived, saying they want an explanation for yesterday.

Immortal Master Chen, it seems the person we killed yesterday was indeed the adopted son of Yuan Youchun."

Hearing the news, Chen Mo frowned, coming so fast, immediately asked, "Where's the person?"

"In the government office, Chief Clerk Zhao and Commander Sun are entertaining them." Zhang River replied.

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