Gou Zai Wudao Shi Lian Shen

Chapter 101 Transferred to Gaolin County

That morning, Lu Chen was practicing boxing in the backyard.

He stood three steps away from the wooden stake, his fists slightly drooping, his blood and qi flowing slowly through his body.

The next instant, he stomped his foot, his back swayed like a dragon, and his right fist slammed out.

His blood and qi surged, and a deep thunderous sound came from deep within his arm bones.

boom!

The fist struck the chest of the ironwood mannequin, causing it to shudder violently and a ring of fine cracks to appear on its surface.

Lu Chen withdrew his fist and exhaled a breath of stale air.

"The combination of Thunder Sound Force and Azure Dragon Force is becoming increasingly smooth."

Just as he was about to throw another punch, Xiao Lü's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Brother Lu!"

Xiao Lü walked over quickly, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup in her hand. Seeing that Lu Chen was covered in sweat, she handed him the soup first.

"Drink a bowl of herbal medicine first."

Lu Chen took it and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Lü said, "Someone from the county government has come and said that Lord Zhou wants you to come over."

Lu Chen paused slightly.

Since he received the Red Guard token, Zhou Lingfeng told him to focus on his cultivation and not to go to the county office to report for duty unless he had a mission.

The fact that someone is suddenly being sent to summon me means there's probably something important to discuss.

Lu Chen drank the medicine in one gulp and handed the bowl back to him.

"I see."

Xiao Lü asked worriedly, "Brother Lu, is there a mission?"

Lu Chen picked up a cloth and wiped his sweat, saying, "You'll know when you get there."

He changed into the Crimson Guard soft armor, hung the red copper waist tag around his waist, and then left the Lu residence.

When he arrived at the county government office, the yamen runners at the gate immediately clasped their hands in greeting upon seeing him.

"Lu Chixiao, Lord Zhou is waiting for you in the side hall."

Lu Chen nodded and went straight inside.

In the side hall, Zhou Lingfeng was already sitting at his desk, on which lay a scroll of documents.

Lu Chen clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Lord Zhou."

"You were looking for me?"

Zhou Lingfeng didn't beat around the bush; he picked up the documents on the table and handed them to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen took the document, unfolded it, and his expression changed slightly.

This is a transfer order.

The document bears the seals of the Chixia County Government and the Martial Temple, and the order was issued to him, the newly promoted Chixiao Guard.

Destination: Gaolin County.

Zhou Lingfeng slowly said, "There is a cult causing trouble in Gaolin County."

"Recently, several imperial guards have been assassinated."

"Gaolin County is currently short of manpower and is seeking assistance from neighboring county governments."

"You have nothing to do in Chixia County, so why don't you go and help out?"

Lu Chen gripped the document, his gaze gradually darkening.

He immediately thought of the human blood pill he had heard about at the alchemist gathering.

Zhou Lingfeng once said that the thing was related to the Blood God Cult.

Lu Chen looked up and asked, "Lord Zhou, is it the Blood God Sect?"

Zhou Lingfeng glanced at him.

"Possibly."

"The authorities in Gaolin County have been investigating the leads, but they haven't been able to find anything."

"Several guards also died under suspicious circumstances."

"Some people have even had their throats slit in their sleep."

Lu Chen frowned slightly.

Zhou Lingfeng's tone became slightly serious: "Lu Chen, Gaolin County is now a mixed bag."

"Be extra careful after you get there!"

Lu Chen clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I understand."

After leaving the county government office, Lu Chen returned to the Lu residence.

"Father, Mother, I need to go to Gaolin County," Lu Chen told his parents.

Zhou Yun's expression changed slightly: "Gaolin County? That's so far?"

Lu Shan frowned and asked, "Is it an official mission from the imperial court?"

Lu Chen nodded: "There is a cult causing trouble in Gaolin County, and the imperial guards are short-handed. Lord Zhou has transferred me there to help."

After saying goodbye to his parents, Lu Chen packed his things and set off for Gaolin County.

He had been there once with people from the yam trade, so he was fairly familiar with the route.

There was no delay along the way.

As evening approached, the town of Gaolin came into view.

Compared to Chixia County, Gaolin County was larger, and the soldiers guarding the city were extremely strict in their checks, requiring all those entering and leaving to have their travel permits searched.

After Lu Chen showed his Red Guard waist token, the guards immediately became serious and quickly let him through.

After entering the city, Lu Chen did not linger and went straight to the county government office.

The Gaolin County Government Office is located at the end of the main street in the city.

Even before getting close, Lu Chen sensed an unusual solemnity.

Two rows of armored yamen runners stood at the entrance of the county government office, swords at their waists, their eyes scanning the passersby.

Lu Chen's heart sank slightly.

He walked to the door and handed the transfer order to the gatekeeper.

The constable took the document and glanced at it, then looked at the Red Guard badge on Lu Chen's waist, and his attitude immediately became much more polite.

"So they are the Chixiao Guards from Chixia County."

"Lord Zhu is having a meeting in the side hall. I'll go in and inform him right away."

Lu Chen nodded: "Thank you for your trouble."

The constables hurried inside.

Not long after, they turned back.

Lu Chen followed the constable through the front yard.

In the side hall, a large table was currently surrounded.

On the table lay a map of Gaolin County, with several wooden sticks marked with different locations.

A tall, middle-aged martial artist stood before the table, his face hard and cold, with high cheekbones and sharp, eagle-like eyes.

His mere presence there added a touch of somberness to the entire side hall.

This man is Zhu Hanjiang, a master of the Tongjin Realm and a member of the Dragon Tiger Guard of Gaolin County. He is also the commander of the martial arts guards in Gaolin County.

Several Red Guards stood beside him.

None of these men wore the Crimson Guard leather armor, but their aura was robust and powerful; their posture was relaxed yet alert. Even in silence, they exuded the fierce aura unique to veteran guards.

Footsteps sounded outside.

The constable entered and reported, "Lord Zhu, Lu Chen, who was transferred from Chixia County, has arrived."

Zhu Hanjiang looked up and gazed out the door.

"Let him in."

Lu Chen stepped into the hall and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Lu Chen, a guard of the Chixia County, has been summoned to receive orders."

Several pairs of eyes in the side hall fell on him at the same time.

In that instant, Lu Chen clearly felt as if he had been scraped by several knives at the same time.

Zhu Hanjiang's gaze swept over him, pausing slightly.

A young man who moved the Blood Realm.

Zhu Hanjiang frowned slightly.

What exactly are they thinking in Chixia County?

Gaolin County is not lacking clerks to run errands, but rather armed guards who can investigate cases, apprehend criminals, and fight cult members to the death.

Sending a Bloodthirsty Realm expert over here, if we encounter any danger, will we have to distract them and keep an eye on them?

However, since the person had already arrived, he couldn't very well send them back.

"It's good that you're here."

He turned to look at the people in the hall.

"Come on, let me introduce myself to everyone."

"This newcomer is Lu Chen, the newly crowned champion of martial arts in Chixia County."

As soon as the words "top martial arts candidate" were uttered, several Red Guards raised their eyebrows.

Some people were curious, some were puzzled, and some were surprised.

Zhu Hanjiang pointed to a tall, thin man and said, "This is Zheng Yuan."

Zheng Yuan was around thirty years old, with a sallow complexion and slightly deep-set eyes. He didn't look like a fierce general charging into battle, but rather like a seasoned veteran skilled in surveillance and tracking.

He nodded at Lu Chen with a faint smile.

Lu Chen clasped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Brother Zheng."

Zhu Hanjiang then pointed to another person.

"This is Cao Zhen."

Cao Zhen was a burly man with broad shoulders, a thick back, and strong arms; he stood there like a wall. He had been looking Lu Chen up and down ever since Lu Chen entered the room.

At this moment, Cao Zhen's lips curled into a smile, filled with undisguised sarcasm.

"Is Chixia County this weak now?"

"A mere Blood Refining Realm kid can win the championship?"

"None of the top three martial arts students in Gaolin County this year are below the Pi Refining Realm."

"So, your Chixia County dares to transfer people to Gaolin County?"

"Is there no one left on County Commandant Zhou's side?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the side room paused slightly.

Although the few Crimson Guards standing nearby did not speak, their expressions conveyed a similar sentiment.

A newcomer to the Blood Transformation Realm, coming to their Gaolin County is just courting death.

Zheng Yuan gave Lu Chen a deep look, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Zhu Hanjiang also looked at Lu Chen.

It's true that Gaolin County is short of people, but it doesn't lack newcomers who need to be taken care of.

But since we're already here...

Even just being at the Blood Refining Realm is better than nothing.

Lu Chen could naturally hear the contempt in Cao Zhen's words.

You could also see the indifference hidden in the eyes of the others.

He could sense that the Crimson Guards standing in front of him had a more profound and robust aura than he did, clearly indicating that they were all martial artists at the Skin Refining Realm.

In terms of skill level alone, she is indeed a cut above him.

Although he was the top martial arts student in Chixia County, with status, position, and undeniable strength, he was still a greenhorn when he arrived in Gaolin County.

However, Lu Chen showed no fear on his face. His tone was neither humble nor arrogant as he calmly clasped his hands in greeting: "Please forgive my rudeness."

"Chixia County is not like Gaolin County; it's just a small place."

"My victory was partly due to luck."

Then, he looked at the Red Guards and Zhu Hanjiang of the Dragon Tiger Guard and said, "However, I have come here on orders and dare not fail the trust of the County Commandant. I will do my best to fulfill my duties."

"If there is anything I have done improperly, I would appreciate your guidance."

Cao Zhen clearly looked down on Lu Chen, scoffing, "I didn't expect you to do anything special. Just don't get so scared by those vicious people that you wet your pants!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hanjiang's face showed a hint of anger as he looked at Cao Zhen.

Cao Zhen's words were clearly excessive.

After all, they were sent to help.

Upon seeing the look in Commander Zhu Hanjiang's eyes, Cao Zhen's expression changed immediately. He realized that his words had gone too far, pursed his lips, and dared not say anything more.

To ease the tension, Zhu Hanjiang stepped forward, put his arm around Lu Chen's shoulder, and patted him hard.

"alright."

"Whether it's Gaolin County or Chixia County, we are all part of the Great Zhou Martial Guard, we all eat from the same pot, we are all family!"

Then, he released Lu Chen and said, "Lu Chen, you're new here, and you're not familiar with many things yet."

"These next few days, I'll follow Zheng Yuan to familiarize myself with the situation in the county."

Lu Chen nodded: "Yes."

Zhu Hanjiang was about to continue speaking when he suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to ask, "By the way, hasn't Fei Tong returned yet?"

Cao Zhen frowned and said, "No."

"I don't know what that old devil is up to."

"We've been investigating a woman, and we still haven't found her."

Zhu Hanjiang frowned slightly.

I have a vague feeling that something is wrong.

Fei Tong was an old man in the Chixiao Guard of Gaolin County. Although he was usually slick, he had never been this unreliable.

Cao Zhen said somewhat impatiently, "Old Fei is probably hiding in some tavern drinking again."

"When he came back, before I could finish speaking, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside."

A constable stumbled to the entrance of the side hall, his face pale and his voice trembling.

"Lord Zhu!"

Zhu Hanjiang suddenly looked up: "What is it?"

The constable swallowed hard, his voice trembling: "Fei—Fei Tong is dead!"

The side hall fell silent instantly.

Cao Zhen, who had just been mocking Lu Chen, completely lost his smile.

Zhu Hanjiang strode up to the constable: "What did you say?"

The constable said in a trembling voice, "Fei Tong, the Red Valiant Guard—is dead."

"The body was just discovered in a dark alley in the west of the city."

"The patrolling officers have sealed off the alley; tell me to come back and report immediately."

A chill ran through Zhu Hanjiang's eyes: "How did he die?"

The constable shook his head: "I don't know, I only heard from the patrolmen that he was stabbed in the back—it seems like he was ambushed."

Cao Zhen slammed his fist on the table.

boom!

The wooden slips on the table were all knocked over.

"Damn it!"

In recent days, there have been one incident after another involving armed guards; as of today, seven people have died.

Zhu Hanjiang's eyes blazed with fury, his anger reaching its peak: "Who exactly is targeting my Gaolin County in secret?!"

Lu Chen's expression also darkened. He had only just arrived when he heard such bad news.

This Gaolin County seemed to be even more fraught with danger than he had imagined.