My older brother said I'm invincible.

Chapter 110 Demons and Monsters
"Don't worry, I've already told the village head that even if I leave, no one will bully you anymore."

"If anything happens, just go to the village head."

Li Xuanba offered a few words of comfort, and Village Chief Meng wiped away his tears, but then felt guilty, saying, "Your promotion should be a cause for celebration, not something to laugh at you."

"Don't say that, let's eat first, and then I'll show you around the orchard!"

Li Xuanba wasn't good at socializing, but he chatted enthusiastically with the villagers in front of him, earnestly inquiring about farming and seasonal changes.

Everyone answered one by one.

The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious. Everyone seemed to have forgotten the sorrow of parting and returned to their old selves, carefree and loud, their voices filling the entire garden.

After enjoying a hearty meal and chatting with Li Xuanba, time flew by. Before they knew it, the sun had quietly moved its position, and a magnificent and beautiful red sunset appeared on the horizon.

Village Chief Meng sat there, looked up, and gazed at the peculiar sunset on the horizon.

It's strange, though. It's not a rare sight, but why is this sunset so beautiful tonight?
Village Chief Meng was the first to stand up.

“We are all lowly people who have received the kindness of Third Master. We are afraid that we will never have the chance to repay him in this life. Although we do not know what great gift we can give, we will never forget the kindness of our master.”

"I only wish that you, my lord, will be free from worries and that everything will go smoothly on your journey."

Village Chief Meng led everyone in bowing again.

Li Xuanba returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"We need to go back soon, otherwise, if the city gates close, it will be difficult to handle, Third Master."

Village Chief Meng wanted to say something more, but after holding it in for a long time, he couldn't come up with anything nice, so he could only say something auspicious again.

Li Xuanba escorted them to the door, and the group thanked him repeatedly. Then, hunched over and huddled up, they gradually disappeared into the distance.

"Everyone get in the car!"

"Don't move this thing, just leave it over there!"

Li Jiancheng shouted loudly, and a row of ready-made carriages were waiting at the gate of the mansion. At Li Jiancheng's command, the carriages began to file out and head towards the city gate.

Li Xuanba sat in the car, secretly glancing outside.

A beautiful, fluffy fox hair hung from his waist, and San Shi sat beside him, secretly playing with the fox hair.

Li Shimin rode his horse, galloping back and forth outside, looking very impressive.

Surrounded by warriors, the caravan finally left the city and headed towards an unfamiliar direction along the road.

When the convoy finally disappeared from sight, the people who remained had various expressions.

Some were saddened, some were happy, and some were disappointed.

Changwu Township.

Tian Xiang was sitting in the study of the government office, practicing his calligraphy stroke by stroke.

He had already written a letter to his son back home, instructing him to go to Loufan to find Li Xuanba, and also gave him many other instructions.

Today, Li Xuanba left, but Tian Xiangzheng did not go to see him off.

There's no need to flatter the lord anymore; just do what he asks of you.

Just as he was envisioning the future with a broad smile, a servant suddenly came in to report.

"Village head, Master Zhou has arrived."

Tian Xiangzheng was taken aback. This Zhou Dahu, whose given name was Zhou Yanzhi, was a local tyrant in Changwu Township.

His ancestors were quite prominent, but by his grandfather's generation they had fallen into decline. Although they had fallen into decline, they still occupied a large amount of farmland and had many tenant farmers. Of course, they could not compare with the real big families in the city, but in the countryside they were enough to be kings and lords.

Tian Xiang squinted and had someone bring the other person in.

A moment later, a tall man with a round belly walked in with a smile.

"Village head! It's been a long time! How have you been?"

Tian Xiang smiled and said, "I'm fine."

"I heard that Mr. Zhou was ill before, but he recovered very quickly." Zhou Yanzhi did not answer, but sat down to the side with a smile. He looked quite relaxed. He clapped his hands, and soon someone came in carrying a wooden box and placed it in front of Tian Xiangzheng.

"What does this mean?"

"Local official, I've come here specifically to help you resolve your troubles."

"Oh?"

“You see, there are no local militia in Changwu right now. Many important matters need to be handled by you alone. The expenses of the local militia are also quite high, and you have to bear them yourself. The local militia are there to protect Changwu. As locals, we should naturally do our part for our hometown.”

"I am willing to organize local militia, cover all their expenses, and ensure safety both inside and outside the village. Furthermore, I am also willing to help rebuild the government office, and I will cover all expenses incurred by your subordinates when they go out on business. As for these..."

Zhou Yanzhi touched the small wooden box and said with a smile, "Consider this a gift."

Tianxiang Zheng also chuckled a few times.

"A gift?"

Tian Xiangzheng glanced at the wooden box, nodded, and muttered to himself, "Zhou Jun's previous militia did quite a lot of things. It seems that your nephew, who offended the prefect's son, was killed, right?"

Zhou Yanzhi's expression changed. "That matter has nothing to do with me. You know in your heart that someone else was behind this. I can't afford to offend them, and neither can you."

"The governor said that families like Zhou Jun's are no longer allowed to form local militias."

"Besides, I know what you need the local militia for—nothing more than to rob some things, beat up those who don't obey, and show off your power."

Zhou Yanzhi's face turned cold. "Village head, you may not know, but although I live in the countryside, I also have relatives with the same surname in the city."

“I know, your brother-in-law’s surname is Zheng.”

"However, the prefect's order is probably unchangeable even for someone surnamed Zheng."

Zhou Yanzhi said with a sneer, "The prefect has left, but your family won't. I support the village headman's desire to do things. The village headman doesn't need to be so serious. Wouldn't it be better to make an exception and work together?"

"Zhou Yanzhi, forget about the local militia. I'll organize them myself. Also, don't think that just because Lord Jun is gone you can cause trouble again. As long as I, Tian, ​​am still in Changwu, I will never allow a scoundrel like you to prey on the villagers!!"

"You'd better watch your step. If you ever fall into my hands, I'll make you wish you were dead!!"

Tian Xiangzheng pushed over the wooden box on the table, his face fierce.

Zhou Yanzhi trembled with anger. "Tian Xingjian, what kind of good person are you pretending to be? You were the one who always took advantage of others, and now you're putting on this gentlemanly face?!"
He clenched his fist, glared fiercely at Tian Xiangzheng, and turned to leave.

The people around him picked up the wooden box and followed him out.

Tianxiang Zheng's entourage hurriedly went into the house.

Tian Xiang frowned and said unhappily, "The lord has barely left and these treacherous villains have already shown up. Ha, send someone to keep an eye on their house. If they dare to do anything improper, arrest them immediately without questioning them!"

"Here!!"

The attendants bowed, and one of them asked, "Village Head, this wealthy Zhou seems to have connections in the city. What if he could bribe some important figures in the county?"

Tian Xiangzheng didn't care at all. He held his head high and said, "I am an upright person. Why would I be afraid of the powerful and wealthy?"

"No matter who it is, I will act impartially! I will never back down!"

The followers exchanged glances. They hadn't expected that after following Tian Xiangzheng around for so many years, they would suddenly have to play the good guy.

They all agreed.

There was indeed no fear in Tianxiang Zheng's eyes.

If you're so capable, then come and mess with yourself!

I'd even be willing to send a suicide squad to kill me!
If I were to die at the hands of these thieves, my children would be set for life!
The same thing happened in many places, but the process was different. The moment the governor left, the insects inside and outside the city suddenly awoke. They crawled out of the mud and stench, revealing their ferocious teeth, and buried their heads in the soil again, ready to feast.

However, the local officials could not be as fearless as Tian Xiangzheng, since they did not have a monarch backing them.

Local militia,纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families who squander their wealth), corrupt officials, and thieves suddenly emerged.

The city, which had finally calmed down, has once again descended into chaos.

Unbeknownst to them, at that very moment, a group of people in a hurry had just stepped into Xingyang.

(End of this chapter)