The God of the Human Realm!

Chapter 94 The Divine Prison Spear Master, the Sea-Suppressing Dragon King (5k)

It was already the twelfth lunar month.

The weather is getting colder day by day.

Linjiang Prefecture.

Overnight, a northerly wind blew in, and frost and snow suddenly fell.

As dawn broke, the world was covered in a blanket of white.

South Water Gate.

Even in the dead of winter, the docks are still bustling with noise and clamor that reaches the heavens.

The laborers, carrying large sacks and shouting work chants, panted and groaned as they carried the loads back and forth.

Some wealthy merchants, dressed in thick fur coats and carrying hand warmers, were surrounded by servants watching the laborers work, occasionally stamping their feet and occasionally uttering a few shouts.

On the city wall, the patrolling soldiers had changed into thicker clothing, with cotton or leather armor over them. Each of them held a sword or spear and their sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.

At Hong Yuan's command, Tao Gongwang, Qian Shanzhi and others naturally dared not disobey, and quickly integrated the Jintang Camp and the Caobang.

Three or four hundred old, weak, and scoundrels were kicked out of Jintang Camp, and elites were brought in from the Canal Gang.

It's not immediately apparent how much the newly formed "Zhenhai Army" has improved in combat power; however, after being disciplined by Tao Gongwang and others, their military discipline has been greatly improved.

The Jade Belt River is shrouded in mist.

Large and small passenger ships, cargo ships, and ferries gathered, their sails crisscrossing as they swarmed in.

There were wealthy merchants from all over the country, as well as many martial arts practitioners carrying swords and knives, and of course, many more ordinary people struggling to make a living, hurrying along the dock.

More than twenty cargo ships, under the command of the canal transport official, were moored in designated waters.

Amidst the chaotic noise, on a passenger ship decorated rather elegantly and adorned with lanterns bearing the inscription "Luo Family of Jinzhou," a young gentleman dressed in a brocade robe and wearing a jade pendant at his waist frowned deeply.

Beside him stood an elderly man, about fifty years old, also dressed in a luxurious silk robe, with a similarly droopy face, sighing repeatedly.

Jinzhou is adjacent to Mingzhou, and the Luo family, from which this old man and young man came, can be considered a middle-class wealthy family in Jinzhou.

In recent years, the Luo family has spent a great deal of effort and resources to finally establish connections with the Wei and Xiang families and make business dealings with these two powerful families in Linjiang Prefecture.

After working so hard for so long, I've only made two delivery trips so far.

This is the third trip.

Thinking of this, the young master even considered throwing himself into the Jade Belt River.

He tried his best to please his elders in the family and won their favor, which allowed him to take control of the cargo escort mission, hoping to use this opportunity to advance his career within the clan.

But while they were still halfway there, they heard news of the dramatic changes in Linjiang Prefecture.

The Xiang family has now been wiped out, and it is said that the old master of the Wei family has joined Song Yinglong of Wohu Village. However, according to the recent rumors, his situation is not very good either, and it seems that he has been discarded after being used.

How to do?
The young master surnamed Luo pressed his hand to his forehead, his mind in turmoil.

Returning via the same route is impossible.

Given the success of the previous two times, the Luo family loaded fifty ships with goods this time, including hundreds of different kinds of items.

If he returns empty-handed, he will have to bear all the losses and responsibilities, which will ruin his future in the clan.

Therefore, even though he learned of the news halfway through, the young master surnamed Luo had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue forward.

"I wonder what happened to the Wei family after this upheaval, and whether we can still make contact... No! I still hope that Master Song is more approachable."

The young master surnamed Luo pondered silently, then turned to the old man in silk robes beside him and asked, "Third Uncle, how much do you know about Song Yinglong of Crouching Tiger Manor?"

"Alas!" The old man in the silk robe gave a bitter smile. Just as he was about to speak, a loud horn blast rang out and quickly spread.

On the misty Jade Belt River, seven or eight more large ships cut through the waves, their tall sails fluttering in the wind.

As the bugle sounded, a young soldier in a cotton armor leaped up on the dock, running and blowing his whistle at the same time.

The whistle echoed across the dock, drawing the attention of merchants and travelers.

The young general quickly assembled a team of twenty or thirty men and shouted, "The alliance's fleet has arrived! Quick! Make all the other ships make way!"

His soldiers immediately sprang into action, waving their flags and shouting at the passenger and merchant ships that were originally anchored in the main channel.

Amidst the chaos, various ships were herded to both sides like a flock of sheep under the frantic control of the sailors.

Although it caused a stir and a chorus of discontent, no one stood up to resist; all eyes were on the fleet.

As you get closer, you can clearly see the two characters 'Zhenhai' on the flags and sails.

On the dock, the wealthy merchants on the various ships looked solemn, and the warriors, regardless of age or gender, also showed awe when they saw the words "Zhenhai" on the sails.

More than twenty days have passed since the great changes in Linjiang Prefecture. Now, who doesn't know who the most sensational figure in Linjiang Prefecture and even the entire Mingzhou is these days?

Master of the Divine Prison Gun!

The Dragon King of the Sea!

It all points to just one person: Hong Yuan!
Those who spied on the battle at Mingguang Villa in Jinmingfang included not only spies from various factions, but also many people from the martial arts world, including a highly respected martial arts master.

After watching the battle, the man turned pale and only uttered four words of evaluation to everyone: "Divine might is like a prison!"

Thus, Hong Yuan's reputation as "unparalleled and unmatched, a single, breathtaking spear strike" became "Master of the Divine Prison Spear," and spread rapidly.

Because he integrated the Canal Gang and the original Jintang Camp into one entity, forming the Zhenhai Alliance, he was also known as the "Dragon King of Zhenhai".

By this time, Hong Yuan's reputation was no longer limited to one prefecture; it had spread to Mingzhou and, over time, even reached other prefectures.

In terms of prestige, even Song Yinglong, who wielded the prestige of Crouching Tiger Manor, paled in comparison.

Even in terms of territory, Song Yinglong occupied ten counties, while the Dragon King of Zhenhai was said to have only taken Qingxu and Yangquan counties.

However, well-informed people in the upper echelons had already heard that Song Yinglong had suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the Dragon King of Zhenhai, and had even been forced to retreat from Black Iron Town.

Many people secretly wondered if this so-called 'Dragon King of the Sea' was actually suppressing Song Yinglong.

Young Master Luo looked around and saw several large ships of the Zhenhai Alliance getting closer and closer. His heart stirred, and he turned to look at his third uncle.

But then he saw that the old man in the silk robe was also looking at him. Their eyes met, and they both had the same thought.

Or, how about we try to cooperate with the Zhenhai Alliance?

Mingzhou, Pingkang County.

"The Divine Prison Spear Master? The Sea-Suppressing Dragon King?"

The mountains were covered in snow, and as far as the eye could see, everything was a silver-white world.

The cliffs, mountain pavilions, terraces, and trees were all covered in snow, glistening under the glow of the sun.

The young man in the moon-white Taoist robe, unusually, showed no interest in appreciating the scene. He muttered to himself, and a hint of surprise appeared on his usually calm face.

Mr. Cui Ming, who was bowing and waiting to the side, could not suppress the turmoil in his heart.

In his original plan, Hong Yuan, the "young tiger" of the Fuhu Sect, would be forced to flee in a sorry state even if he survived the exorbitant bounty offered by several major forces in Linjiang Prefecture.

With the Qionghua Martial Arts Tournament approaching, the Dragon Subduing Sect is also busy with many affairs. As one of the sect's stewards, Cui Ming cannot devote too much attention to that 'young tiger'.

It wasn't until recently that he suddenly remembered it and ordered people to gather intelligence.

When the news finally came back recently, he glanced at it and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets from shock.

Cui Ming found it utterly unbelievable.

Instead of fleeing, Hong Yuan went against the tide, single-handedly killing all the martial artists who came to block his way. Moreover, in Shuanglong Gorge, he killed Lei Meng and Han Dingtian, two masters of the Subtle Realm, in a single battle.

He then single-handedly subdued the Canal Gang and took control of the organization.

This was already terrifying enough, but what followed was even more chilling information.

Several days later, that man entered the prefectural city again with a gun, and with one shot, he killed the Guo family and two thousand soldiers of the Hua family, taking the heads of the two powerful clans. Afterwards, he divided the power of the prefecture with Song Yinglong.

This... Cui Ming felt that ever since he returned from Yangquan County, the whole world had become magical.

“Young Master Shenxiao…” Cui Ming’s eyes showed worry as he looked at Zhang Shenxiao.

Even with his deepest respect for Zhang Shenxiao, he couldn't help but waver in the face of Hong Yuan's incredible record.

Is it possible for Young Master Shenxiao to kill two Masters of the Subtle Realm in a single battle?
Can he defeat two thousand soldiers single-handedly?
These questions kept surfacing in his mind, and he couldn't suppress them.

After a moment, Zhang Shenxiao said calmly, "Are you worried? Worried that I will lose to Hong Yuan?"

"Subordinate..."

Before Cui Ming could answer, Zhang Shenxiao continued, "I thought the Dragon-Tiger battle was over and my only opponents were the three major sects of Mingzhou. But I never expected that this generation of the Fuhu Sect would surprise me time and time again. This is no longer a young tiger, but has grown wings and is ready to take flight."

Zhang Shenxiao unfolded a piece of paper in his hand, containing various information about Hong Yuan. He shook it gently, and the paper turned into specks of dust that scattered into the wind.

“Your worries are not without reason, because even I dare not say I have complete confidence.” Zhang Shenxiao sighed softly, then suddenly said, “Cui Ming!”

"Yes, I'm here!"

“Go back and tell my master that I have gone down the mountain to gain experience. I will make an appearance at the Qionghua Festival in Longyuan Prefecture next March.”

Cui Ming's expression tightened as he saw Zhang Shenxiao wave his hand, his robes fluttering in the wind, accompanied by the clear cry of a crane.

Its figure resembled a crane soaring through the clouds, and suddenly it lightly rose up and landed from the mountainside.

Cui Mingchao took a few steps forward, only to see a white cloud drift away quickly and disappear in an instant.

Longyuan Prefecture.

Snow piled up on both banks, and painted boats lined the Longji River. The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments filled the air, and many beautiful women and wealthy and powerful people strolled among them, their laughter rising and falling.

In one of the painted boats, in a warm and cozy private room, a young man with his shirt half-open rested his head on the long, slender thighs of a beautiful woman.

He was engrossed in reading a book, occasionally opening his mouth to receive fruit and wine from the woman.

After a long while, heavy footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall, followed by the opening of the side room door and two figures stepping in.

The two men, dressed in brocade robes and around forty years old, glanced at the young man and snorted, "I never expected that 'Xie Family Treasure Tree' would choose such a place to hold a meeting with us."

The young man chuckled, slowly sat up, put one arm around the woman's waist, and gently kissed her cherry lips, making her moan softly. Then he waved his hand, signaling her to leave.

Only then did he slowly stand up, straightening his clothes as he spoke leisurely: "What's wrong with this kind of place? There are beautiful views, fine wine, and even more beautiful women who know how to cherish and pity people. Don't tell me that you two uncles have never been here before, otherwise I, Xie Lingjun, would look down on you."

As soon as he finished speaking, his clothes were already neatly arranged.

The two middle-aged men in brocade robes in the hall felt a sudden dizziness before their eyes, and the previously frivolous young man inexplicably changed.

The person is still the same person, the clothes are still the same clothes, but the demeanor has changed drastically.

Dressed in a plain blue robe, with a tall and slender figure like a jade tree in the wind, he smiled slightly at the two of them, his eyebrows and eyes were full of beauty, his spirit was restrained, and his face was elegant and indescribable.

In this world today, the south is home to many noble families and meritorious officials, while the north produces many military leaders.

Among the powerful and influential families in the south, eight are considered the most prestigious, three of which originated from Mingzhou. Xie Lingjun is a son of the Xie family of Jiangling.

He is also the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Xie family, and is known as "the precious tree of the Xie family, a gem among orchids".

The two middle-aged men in brocade robes in the hall were also of extraordinary status, coming from the Chen family of Jindu and the Wang family of Longyuan, two other prominent families in Mingzhou.

Mingzhou was the most prosperous city in the world, and it has always been the focus of attention for various forces.

The major vassal states, the other five great families, the northern military leaders, and numerous cults and sects that worship evil gods would not let go of this huge piece of fat, and would openly or secretly place people in Mingzhou to cultivate their power.

However, precisely because the forces were too complex and there were many constraints, it was difficult for them to exert their full power. The local faction was still the one that could truly determine the overall situation in Mingzhou.

Among the powerful and influential families, the Xie family of Jiangling, the Chen family of Jindu, and the Wang family of Longyuan are the most prominent. In the martial arts world, the Huaxi Sword Sect, the Jingang Temple, and the Xuanbing Sect are the most respected.

Of the three great families, only the Wang family rose to prominence in Longyuan Prefecture, the capital of the state. However, the other two families would not abandon the state and sent outstanding talents from their families to govern it.

The three families not only engaged in open and covert struggles, but also frequently joined forces, such as when they were exploiting other prefectures and counties to collect taxes.

Chen and Wang, two middle-aged men, carefully examined Xie Lingjun and were startled to see that he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation in an instant.

In the past, the Xie family's resident head in the city was about the same age as them, but this time it was a young man in his late twenties. The two had originally planned to give him a hard time, but after seeing his demeanor, they gave up the idea.

The name "Xie Family Treasure Tree" is well-deserved.

"Alright, Nephew Lingjun, we are all very busy, so let's not waste any more time and get straight to the point." The two middle-aged men in brocade robes sat down facing Xie Lingjun, and the middle-aged man surnamed Wang spoke first.

"That's right. After I finished talking with the two uncles, I still had to have a heart-to-heart talk with the four ladies, Feng Hua Xue Yue. I really didn't have any extra time to waste with the two of them."

Xie Lingjun still held the book in one hand, his gaze unwavering, while his other hand gently tapped the table, producing a crisp sound.

Shortly after, a servant entered carrying a box, bowed, and placed it on the table.

Xie Lingjun pushed the box toward Chen and Wang, saying, "These are documents and account books presented by Song Yinglong. The documents are a request to the central government to appoint him as the 'Prefect of Linjiang,' and the account books are the taxes to be paid, which are the same as those in the past when the Xiang and Wei families were in power."

The middle-aged man surnamed Chen snorted coldly: "He does know what's good for him."

With the loss of power in the central government of the Great Yin Dynasty, various separatist forces rose up in different prefectures and counties. However, over the past eight hundred years, the Great Yin Dynasty has repeatedly declined and risen, and its destiny has long been deeply rooted in people's hearts, as unchanging as the sun and moon.

The billions of people under heaven have long been accustomed to the existence of the Great Yin Dynasty, and the Mandate of Heaven will endure forever.

Therefore, those who truly have ambitions, after seizing a prefecture, will instead request a title from the central government.

Those who openly overturned the table and declared their rebellion against the Great Yin were actually very few. Most of them were unruly commoners or members of cults and religious sects. One was brainless, and the other could not gain the approval of the Great Yin anyway.

The middle-aged man surnamed Wang laughed and said, "Song Yinglong acquired ten counties, a territory comparable to that of the Xiang and Wei families, yet he only handed over an equivalent amount of wealth to both families. He still gained a great advantage."

Xie Lingjun said, "So this request for a sealed document will not be sent to the central government?"

“No! I submitted it for him.” The middle-aged man surnamed Wang shook his head.

“Alright.” The middle-aged man surnamed Chen nodded, then his eyes flashed: “Besides Song Yinglong, what about the Divine Prison Spear Master? His rise to fame and his rise to prominence are so rapid that no one like him has been seen in Mingzhou for decades, right? Even I, Chen, have heard about him so much lately that my ears are calloused. It’s a pity about Han Dingtian. I originally wanted to recruit him as a guest elder, but he didn’t know how to appreciate my offer.”

"The death of Mingzhou's number one spearman has been replaced by the Divine Prison Spear Master. What's the loss?" The middle-aged man surnamed Wang didn't care at all and laughed, "It's rumored that this man is no more than twenty years old, handsome and unparalleled in appearance. I, Wang, would very much like to meet him. Where is his official document?"

Xie Lingjun's gaze remained fixed on the book, without even looking up: "No!"

Chen and Wang's eyes narrowed as they turned to Xie Lingjun, but the latter remained silent. After a moment, the middle-aged man surnamed Wang chuckled and said, "Indeed, he achieved fame at a young age and is full of youthful vigor. But this man has occupied half of the prefectural city and two counties. It would be unreasonable not to give us three families an explanation. Nephew Lingjun, what do you think?"

Xie Lingjun tapped the book in his hand and said calmly, "I'll sit and read."

Chen and Wang exchanged a glance, and the middle-aged man surnamed Chen suddenly said, "My nephew Lingjun is known as 'a man of outstanding talent and beauty.' Among the younger generation in the world today, there are very few who can stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Don't you want to have a contest with Hong Yuan?"

Xie Lingjun chuckled and said, "I don't want to."

Chen and Wang cursed inwardly, "Little fox." They were naturally very unhappy that Hong Yuan had disrespected such a top family as them, but the other party's battle record and various information were already on their desks.

His staff had thoroughly analyzed his character.

To deal with them, you have to strike decisively, or you'll face endless retaliation. Their formidable record makes even top-tier aristocratic families find them troublesome.

Seeing that Xie Lingjun was young, they tried to provoke him into making a move, but they didn't expect him to be even more composed than they were.

"The Qionghua Gathering is only three months away. In that case, let's wait until then to see this outstanding person."

Finally, Chen and Wang sighed, got up and took their leave.

Just before leaving, the middle-aged man surnamed Wang glanced back at Xie Lingjun and couldn't help but ask, "Nephew Lingjun, what book are you reading? You seem so engrossed in it."

Xie Lingjun raised his head, closed the book, and presented the cover to the two of them. He smiled and said, "The Legend of the Condor Heroes, a novel that has just been circulated from Linjiang Prefecture. The story is quite captivating. It is said that this book was written by the Lord of the Divine Prison Spear. Tsk!"

Upon receiving this unexpected answer, Chen and Wang exchanged bewildered glances, but once they were off the pleasure boat, they instructed their servants to go and make the purchase.

Inside the private hall of the painted boat, Xie Lingjun lay leisurely on his back, clicking his tongue in admiration: "The Five Greats of the World, East, West, South, North, and Center, why didn't I think of them before? I should promote them more and let those martial arts people compete for their names and rankings."

Just as he was sighing to himself, two attendants rushed in and reported, "Young master, we have found the thing you are looking for."

Xie Lingjun's languid expression vanished instantly, his gaze suddenly turning sharp: "Where?"

Xingqing Prefecture!

(End of this chapter)