My name is Huang Tian, ​​what the hell is this "Heaven is dead" nonsense?

Chapter 48: Zhenwu
The courtyard was unusually quiet, with only the rustling of the pomegranate leaves in the wind.

And there was a faint, foul odor.

Huang Tian frowned deeply, removed his foot from Huang Jian's head, feeling as if he had really stepped in excrement, even his boots were no longer clean. "Come here, take this stupid thing back, don't dirty my quiet courtyard."

Upon hearing the sound, the servant breathed a sigh of relief, quickly went forward to pick up Huang Jian, and, smelling the stench, scurried out of the courtyard.

"Si Lang, how... how did you become so amazing?" Heng'er asked, her small mouth agape and her eyes wide open.

Unlike Heng'er, who was filled with curiosity and admiration, Aunt Qin looked anxious and paced around the courtyard, sighing, "The Third Young Master has always been favored by the Master and Madam. Young Master, you've really gotten yourself into trouble by hitting him!"

"It's only a small punishment; it's already good enough that he wasn't killed."

Huang Tian had considered simply killing Huang Jian and then wreaking havoc in the Huang mansion—this body couldn't withstand the violent spiritual energy, but if he was willing to abandon his physical body, he could still quickly improve his cultivation by using forbidden techniques. He believed that even Huang Xunjiu, the strongest in the Huang mansion, might not be able to defeat him if he fought desperately.

But things hadn't gotten to that point. They were just a fool, a jealous woman, and three simpletons. They weren't worth his relentless efforts. They weren't worthy of his life.

"You all go about your business without worry, I have my own plans."

After Huang Tian finished speaking, he continued to train his body with thunderous sounds, and deep thunderous sounds came from his body continuously.

Seeing that Huang Tian was not flustered at all, Aunt Qin's anxiety was relieved. She took Heng'er to the kitchen to busy herself and make some meat soup for Huang Tian.

Just as the small courtyard in the east wing gradually quieted down, in the main hall of the Huang residence, Huang Xunjiu was entertaining a distinguished guest, Xia Hong, the commander of the Kunyun County Garrison.

Xia Hong was dressed in a Qilin-themed outfit. He had a square face, and when he wasn't speaking, his jaw was taut, giving him a somewhat cold and hard appearance. His hands were exceptionally thick and rough, clearly indicating that he had mastered considerable hand skills.

"I never expected Brother Huang to be willing to send all four of his sons to my town's military garrison. It's truly unexpected and admirable," Xia Hong said slowly, taking a sip of tea.

Huang Xunjiu smiled and said, "I am most devoted to the imperial court. The Six Doors, Zhenwu Guard, and Xuanjia Army of the dynasty are all recruiting people. Even if I am reluctant, I am willing to let a few of my sons join and contribute their modest efforts."

His words sounded grand and dignified, but in reality, he sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere within the county.

The Six Doors, Zhenwu Guard, and Xuanjia Army of Kunyun County are expanding their recruitment, and the five major sects in the county are also recruiting on a large scale, clearly showing their confrontation.

Rumors also circulated that the imperial court intended to collect all weapons in the land and suppress all major sects. However, the famous sects would not sit idly by and repeatedly sent people to assassinate or even kill imperial officials in various places, causing panic among the people of the twenty-three prefectures.

In this situation where they were almost at odds, taking sides became inevitable, especially since Fei Hong Men, one of the five major sects in Kunyun County, sent people to contact Huang Xunjiu, implying that he should pledge allegiance to them.

Huang Xunjiu immediately refused sternly. What a joke! His entire family business was in the county city, and the most powerful force in the county city was the government. How could he possibly side with the five major factions?
Furthermore, his wife He Yunrou's father is a county magistrate, an official position he can't shake off, and even if he sided with the five major sects, he wouldn't be truly trusted.

At this time, the county government also sent people to contact the powerful families and wealthy merchants in the city, asking them to make a choice. After a brief period of consideration, Huang Xunjiu decided to side with the government.

Not only must we overthrow the old order, we must overthrow it completely! Except for my eight-year-old son, all four of my sons have been sent to serve in the Zhenwu Guard. Who in the entire prefecture is more loyal than me?!
The reason they were all sent to Zhenwuwei instead of being dispersed to other government offices is that it is one of the best places in the prefecture for martial arts training, with no shortage of techniques, skills, and weapons.

Secondly, many of Huang's relatives and friends hold positions in government offices such as the prefectural government, the Xuanjia Army, and the Six Doors, but they are missing the Zhenwu Guard. Huang Xunjiu is simply filling in the missing piece of the puzzle this time.

As for whether having all four sons serving in the Zhenwu Guard would cause gossip, this was completely unnecessary worry. Kunyun County had a population of ten million, while the Zhenwu Guard, responsible for monitoring and suppressing various regions, numbered in the thousands, ranking alongside the Six Doors as two major violent institutions. It was not uncommon for entire families, even three generations, to work together, let alone four brothers. Of course, sending his sons to the Zhenwu Guard was to demonstrate his stance and complete his power structure, not to send them to the "front lines" to die. He had invited Xia Hong here today to make arrangements.

With a hint of reluctance, he pulled a slender jade box from his sleeve and handed it to Xia Hong, saying, "Brother Xia, I would be grateful if you could trouble yourself for my sons..."

Xia Hong remained expressionless as he took the jade box and opened it. A refreshing fragrance wafted out, and upon closer inspection, he saw a five-inch-long, crystal-clear Golden Snow Ginseng. This item possessed a rich and gentle spiritual energy, making it a precious treasure even for a fifth-rank martial artist like himself.

Xia Hong's face showed emotion, and he quickly put the golden ginseng into his sleeve. "Brother Huang's intentions are too sincere, and his patriotic heart is as clear as day. Our Zhenwu Guard will certainly not treat him unfairly..."

He pondered for a moment before saying, "Of your sons, Huang Qian is a seventh-rank martial artist. There is no need for examination. I can arrange for him to enter the Records of Merit and become a merit officer, a position equivalent to a centurion. This position is the safest for someone in the rear, and it also carries great power."

Huang Rui and Huang Jian both have some foundation; the former has reached the ninth rank, and the latter has developed internal strength. They can be assigned to the Divine Weapon Division or the Armory depending on the situation. As for Huang Tian, ​​he has no martial arts foundation at all. I'm afraid that even after two months, he won't be able to develop internal strength..."

The Zhenwu Guard recruits in two ways: one is for martial artists of the eighth rank or above with a clean family background, who can be directly employed.

The second type is people from respectable families who are below the eighth rank. Regardless of whether they are ninth rank, practicing martial arts, or ordinary people, they must train at the guard school directly under the Zhenwu Guard for a period of time.

If an ordinary person cannot develop strength within two months, they will be expelled and will not even be qualified to be a strongman or a civil official.

Those who develop great strength but fail to reach the ninth rank within six months will be reassigned to the lowest-ranking positions as strongmen or clerks.

Those who are admitted to the ninth rank but fail to reach the eighth rank within a year will be reassigned as minor officers.

Those who reached the eighth rank were directly appointed as flag officers, without needing to accumulate seniority.

It is fair to say that for geniuses with strong innate talent and comprehension, entering the School of Martial Arts is a genuine shortcut.

“It doesn’t matter. If he can’t develop his strength within two months, he can be expelled. If he can, Brother Xia can arrange things as he sees fit.”

Upon hearing the name of the fourth brother, Huang Xunjiu's brows furrowed subconsciously. He felt a bit uncomfortable and didn't want to talk about it further.

Xia Hong noticed Huang Xunjiu's dislike for Huang Tian and understood. He smiled and said, "Then there's no problem."

With one thing on his mind put at ease, Huang Xunjiu smiled broadly, "Brother Xia, please have some tea."

"please."

The two men, each having gained something, were enjoying their tea in high spirits when suddenly a commotion arose outside the door. Huang Xunjiu's face immediately darkened, and he said to the servant standing nearby, "Go and see who's making a scene."

The servant hurriedly obeyed and left. He returned shortly after, whispering in the servant's ear, "It was the Fourth Young Master who beat the Third Young Master badly. The Third Young Master was covered in blood and only regained consciousness after a quarter of an hour. The Second Young Master couldn't bear to see this and wanted to avenge the Third Young Master. He was just about to lead men to the east wing to retaliate..."

Huang Xunjiu was furious upon hearing this. 'What a beast! How dare he commit violence!'

(End of this chapter)