Chapter 52: Unlucky Zhang Zhe
Zhang Zhe was completely dumbfounded. He had just been admiring the scantily clad, beautiful women in the brothel ahead, getting ready to go inside for a few drinks, listen to some music, and stay the night before heading back in the morning.
But he was stopped by a clean-shaven, pale-faced old man.
An ominous chill emanated from the man. He looked at Zhang Zhe and said, "Young Master, my lady requests your presence."
Zhang Zhe raised an eyebrow, a confident look unconsciously appearing on his face.
He couldn’t help but think to himself, ’Youzhou City really is different. I’ve only just arrived, and someone has already recognized how extraordinary I am.’
Usually, he was the one forcing himself on women, but today, a woman was actually making the first move. After a final glance at the brothel, he said to the old man, "Lead the way."
’The brothel will always be there, after all. This is the first time a woman has shown interest in me first.’
’No harm in checking it out.’
A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the butler’s lips. He then led Zhang Zhe toward a carriage.
As he got closer, Zhang Zhe sensed something was wrong. The strength of the surrounding guards was beyond his imagination.
It seemed every single one of them was at least his equal in strength.
And one must know, Zhang Zhe had already reached Great Success in Tendon Refining.
Then, the carriage curtain was lifted.
A woman’s massive figure was revealed. She stared at Zhang Zhe, her fleshy face showing a look of satisfaction. Her face was so fat and oily that her makeup had smudged at some point, but she paid it no mind.
"Young Master, would you be willing to share a few drinks with me?"
The woman’s voice was a bit rough. Although it was still different from a man’s, it was quite grating to the ear.
But what made him even more uncomfortable was the woman’s corpulent, fleshy body, and the food stains on her collar, spilled while eating due to her immense size.
"I... BLECH..."
Zhang Zhe had just started to speak when he turned his head to the side and began to dry heave.
"How audacious!"
the butler at his side roared.
"CLANG!"
The guards beside him instantly drew the long blades from their waists and pressed the cold edges against Zhang Zhe’s neck, the chill of the sharp blades touching his skin.
The hairs on his body stood on end.
He could feel it—these people would actually dare to kill him.
"I... I am Zhang Zhe, a Centurion of Yellow Sand Pass."
Faced with this threat, Zhang Zhe could only play his status card. After all, if an official of Dayong were to die in the streets, the imperial court would surely investigate.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, the old butler said coldly, "A mere Centurion dares to make a fuss? Crushing you would be easier than squashing a bedbug. Being able to meet our lady is a blessing you couldn’t hope for in three lifetimes. And now you dare to be disrespectful? It would be better to just kill you."
As he spoke, the guards prepared to strike.
"Wait!"
But just then, the woman in the carriage spoke, her voice calm.
’I’ve seen this kind of scene too many times. But which of those seemingly proud men didn’t end up as my guest for the night? I just love the feeling of trampling men who look down on me under my feet, making them my playthings.’
A playful glint flashed in her eyes. She stared at Zhang Zhe and said slowly, "Does this lady make you uncomfortable?"
Zhang Zhe first nodded, then quickly shook his head.
"Haha..."
The woman let out a hearty laugh. Then she said, "You may go. I’ll be in Youzhou for the next few days. If you need anything, you can find me at the General’s Mansion of Youzhou. Don’t forget, now."
After speaking, she waved her hand, signaling her people to leave.
Zhang Zhe, left standing there, was dumbfounded.
He didn’t know the woman’s identity, but she was definitely no simple character.
’After all, not just anyone can live in the General’s Mansion of Youzhou.’
’At the very least, she has to be of the Helian Family’s direct bloodline. But she said she was staying there temporarily, so she might be a guest. If it’s the latter, then based on her entourage’s attire and strength, her background is likely even more formidable.’
At this thought, he lost all interest in visiting the brothel. Cursing his bad luck under his breath,
he prepared to leave the city and return to Huangsha Fortress.
He only hated himself for coming to Youzhou City today. As for looking for that woman... he’d have to be insane to go looking for her.
Although Zhang Zhe was only a Centurion now, one shouldn’t forget he was from the Zhang Family of Yunzhou. While not yet a great house, they were definitely a prominent and powerful family.
Meanwhile, after the carriage had traveled some distance, the woman instructed her butler, "Investigate his identity. Before he leaves Youzhou, I want him to kneel willingly at my feet and serve me."
The woman’s voice was flat, as if she could control the fate of others with a single sentence.
Two male companions knelt beside her, trembling. Their faces were as pale as wax.
They knew all too well the methods of the young lady before them.
At the same time, they offered a moment of silence for Zhang Zhe in their hearts.
However, upon his return to Huangsha Fortress, Zhang Zhe was met with his first round of punishment.
Helian Shang, who had just returned, was planning to take his anger out on Zhang Zhe. But when he discovered Zhang Zhe wasn’t there, his temper flared up again instantly.
Therefore, he had been sitting in the barracks, waiting for him to return.
The moment Zhang Zhe entered the City Defense Camp, he felt that something was wrong, especially after hearing that the Lord Captain was looking for him.
Not daring to delay, he immediately went to the front hall.
But he had barely stepped inside before several soldiers pinned him to the ground.
Helian Shang’s expression was grim as he asked, "Where have you been?"
Zhang Zhe was about to answer,
but Helian Shang cut in coldly, "Abandoning your post without leave! The punishment is fifty strikes with the plank. If there is a next time, you will be dealt with by military law!"
As his voice fell, Zhang Zhe was dragged away.
Meanwhile, Helian Shang touched his own cheek, the corner of his mouth twitching involuntarily.
The Marquis of Jiuse, after getting drunk at Icefield Pass, had slapped him so hard it knocked out a tooth.
He was clearly using his drunkenness as an excuse to express his dissatisfaction with the Helian family.
’It’s all Zhang Zhe’s fault. If he hadn’t been defeated, none of this would have happened.’
’Right now, I couldn’t care less about giving face to the General of Yunzhou.’
’If I don’t properly whip Zhang Zhe into shape this time, then my name isn’t Helian.’
At the same time, he was extremely envious of Zhou Hongling. To have a capable and loyal subordinate was something every general dreamed of.
Hearing Zhang Zhe’s miserable screams from outside, his mood finally improved a little.
Meanwhile, Bai Hong, who had hurried to the barracks, could only watch helplessly as his young master was beaten.
He held a letter in his hand but hadn’t opened it. It had been delivered by one of Zhang Zhe’s confidants, and only Zhang Zhe himself had the right to read it.
But Bai Hong had a good idea of what it was about.
Since arriving in the Northern Border, Zhang Zhe had never stopped sending people to inquire about Yuan’s whereabouts. He had sent men to every Sai City.
’This time, they’ve probably found some news.’
He didn’t want to get involved in the affairs of powerful families.
He would just wait until Zhang Zhe was done with his beating and then deliver the letter.
’As for whether he’ll really try to kill Yuan, that’s Zhang Zhe’s business. I won’t get involved.’
’After all, it’s an internal family matter.’
On the other side, Lu Yuan had purchased the elixirs, stayed for a meal at the Captain’s Mansion, and then returned to his own residence.
He shut the door and windows and sat on his bed.
Taking out the elixirs, he directly swallowed a Profound Tendon Pill.
He had now reached Perfection in Tendon Refining. As long as he reached the Divine Containment stage, he could take the Dragon Tendon Pill and directly begin Organ Refining.
At that point, the position of Thousand Men Commander would be a sure thing.
He was quite curious. ’Just how much Skill Level will this one Profound Tendon Pill increase?’
The next moment, an immense current of heat, stronger than anything he had ever felt before, enveloped his entire body, making Lu Yuan feel unprecedentedly comfortable.
His tendons and bones were continuously being refined by this heat.
He could even clearly hear sounds coming from within his body.
Gradually, the gentle warmth became scorching.
It was like a ball of fire. Beads of sweat appeared on Lu Yuan’s forehead.
But he was certain of one thing: the effect of this Profound Tendon Pill was dozens of times stronger than any elixir he had taken in the past.