Chapter 399: Chapter 181: Tiger Monarch

But once outside the Mountain and Sea Sect, that was a different story entirely.

Back in the day, a man and his tiger annihilated an entire stronghold. Within seven days, they wiped out thirteen strongholds across nine mountains, leaving no survivors. This was the very deed Steward Sun had committed to earn Military Merit.

Yan Chong had also crossed swords with Steward Sun once.

In a single move, the little old man was on his knees, begging for mercy. After that, he never dared to act so conspicuously again.

But now...

The Tiger Monarch, a beast under Sun Shashen whose strength was comparable to a Transforming Force expert, was being ridden by a youth of sixteen or seventeen, as docile as a housecat.

Add to that the youth’s attire and the Profound Black Waist Token hanging at his waist.

His identity was already beyond question.

It was no exaggeration to say that if this youth lost even a single hair on his head today, Sun Shashen would be at their gates tomorrow to wash the stronghold in blood.

If they happened to alarm the experts of the Sea Courtyard backing this youth, it was likely that every single bandit stronghold within a hundred-mile radius would be completely massacred.

"Northern Great Sect." These three words were never just an empty boast. They were a veritable monument, built inch by inch from the bones and blood of their enemies.

"I... I am Yan Chong, a humble wanderer of the mountains. I pay my respects to you, Your Excellency!"

Yan Chong threw down his longsword, took two steps forward, and bowed his head deeply to the youth on the tiger.

Jin Biao and the dozens of fierce bandits around him also immediately bowed.

More than half of the grunts even dropped directly to their knees, kowtowing repeatedly to the tiger-riding youth with audible thuds.

Meanwhile...

Huang Jiao first froze, and then her entire face twisted in disbelief.

She couldn’t believe, not even in her wildest dreams, that the youth on the tiger’s back, the one being worshipped by Yan Chong and his men, was actually Chen Cheng—the very Lower Rank Weakling she had always despised the most!

"Enough pleasantries."

Chen Cheng said calmly,

"I made this trip specifically for the Du’s Trading Company caravan."

"The Du Family? The Zhang Family! Your Excellency came for the Zhang Family... This old one understands!"

Yan Chong nodded, then immediately turned to Jin Biao and roared furiously,

"You imbecile! Didn’t you do your research before making a move?! You dare to rob a caravan protected by a high disciple of the Mountain and Sea Sect? If you have a goddamn death wish, don’t drag me down with you!"

"I... But..."

Jin Biao was drenched in cold sweat, his Adam’s apple bobbing uncontrollably.

"I did look into it... I really didn’t know... Otherwise, even if you lent me the heart of a bear and the guts of a leopard, I would never dare to do something so foolish it would get me and my whole stronghold wiped out..."

"Enough. There’s no blame for the ignorant."

Chen Cheng said flatly,

"As long as you return all the goods, I can let today’s matter go."

"No problem! Absolutely no problem!"

Yan Chong nodded repeatedly, then kicked Jin Biao squarely in the ass and bellowed,

"Get someone to return the goods immediately! If they’re not back before sunset, don’t bother coming back yourself!"

"Yes! I’ll see to it at once!"

Jin Biao nodded emphatically, bowed several more times to Chen Cheng, and then hurriedly led his men away.

"Your Excellency, save us! Save us..."

Just then, two young men kneeling not far behind Yan Chong began to cry out to Chen Cheng, one after the other.

"We came to help the Zhang Family too... We beg you, Your Excellency, take us back with you..."

"For the grace of saving our lives, Your Excellency, we will surely repay you handsomely..."

Chen Cheng glanced at the two of them, then turned his gaze to Yan Chong.

The little old man was sharp and immediately understood Chen Cheng’s meaning. He nodded firmly and said,

"They did indeed come for the Zhang Family. If Your Excellency wishes to take them, this old one would not dare to object."

Chen Cheng said nothing, only giving the two young men a slight nod.

As if granted a grand amnesty, the two kowtowed repeatedly to Chen Cheng before scrambling to their feet and bolting.

"Chen Cheng, it’s me, Huang Jiao!"

Just then, Huang Jiao got to her feet. On her perpetually cold, scowling face, she now forced a smile unlike any she had shown before.

"...Miss Huang."

Chen Cheng looked down at her from his high perch, his tone calm as he said,

"You are all free to go. Is there something else you need?"

"I..."

Huang Jiao bit her lip, then said with a beaming smile,

"The relationship between us is different, after all. We haven’t seen each other in a long time; I’d like to catch up... So much happened on the road north. Surely you haven’t forgotten, have you?"

At these words, Chen Cheng’s expression remained impassive, but Yan Chong, standing to the side, stared with wide eyes.

In truth, Huang Jiao’s words were intended for Yan Chong’s ears.

She wanted to use Chen Cheng’s name as her banner, borrowing his influence to pave her way in the Green Forest Dao.

But without a doubt, she had severely underestimated Chen Cheng.

She thought Chen Cheng was just a naive youth of sixteen or seventeen, who hadn’t seen the world. She thought he would exchange a few pleasantries with her just to save face. She thought he was utterly incapable of seeing through her little schemes.

"...Of course I haven’t forgotten."

Chen Cheng said, his voice still calm,

"I remember that bandit attack. You knocked a bandit leader right next to my carriage. I was wondering at the time, was that unintentional? Or was it on purpose?"

"Of course it was unintentional... I..."

Huang Jiao’s expression changed drastically. Just as she was about to explain, her voice abruptly cut off.

A withered, dark hand had clamped down on the back of her neck without any warning.

Immediately after, a surge of Power she had never felt before flooded into her body from that palm.

In an instant, the blood vessels all over her body bulged, burst, and disintegrated.

Scalding hot plasma poured from her eyes, ears, mouth, and nose, hissing as it steamed in the air.

The large hand loosened its grip slightly, and her body collapsed like a pile of mud.

All signs of life were gone. She couldn’t be more dead.

"...Did I tell you to kill her?"

Chen Cheng shot Yan Chong a glance.

The little old man’s face was wreathed in smiles as he shook his head repeatedly.

"Of course Your Excellency did not tell this old one to kill anyone. This old one simply found her unpleasant to the eye. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with Your Excellency."

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