Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

"Gentlemen of you who are in public office must know the current state of affairs better than I do."

The emperor was incompetent and lived deep within the palace, indulging only in pleasure. The "Flower and Stone Tribute" exploited the people of the land. Powerful eunuchs and treacherous ministers controlled the government, selling official positions and levying exorbitant taxes.

Corruption is rampant among officials everywhere, who treat the people like dirt!

As Zheng Shaoqing spoke, his tone grew increasingly sorrowful, his eyes seemingly reflecting a vast expanse of mournful cries. His patriotic and compassionate scholarly sentiments were genuine.

"Although I am living in the mountains and have become a bandit, I have read a few lines of the classics and know the principle that the people are the most important and the state is secondary."

Seeing the land of China sinking and its people suffering, it is impossible to remain indifferent.

The Iron Stream King gathered his followers not for personal gain, but because the officials forced the people to rebel, leaving them with no other choice!

He was strict in disciplining his troops, opened granaries to distribute grain wherever he went, and punished corrupt officials, earning him much praise from the people of the north.

Zheng respected him and was willing to serve him wholeheartedly, not for wealth or glory, but truly hoping that he could cleanse the world, restore order, and ensure that the common people could have a stable meal and a way to survive!

His words were sincere, and his gaze was deep; they seemed to come from the bottom of his heart.

Even Luo Jiugao, Luo Wei, and others, upon hearing this, couldn't help but be slightly moved, recalling what they had seen and heard while working in the government.

Li Fu's eyes flickered, and he recalled some things he had seen and heard in the past.

The situation in this Great Zhao is indeed as Zheng Shaoqing said: the court is corrupt and no longer what the people desire.

Just then, Zheng Shaoqing's gaze fell on Li Fu, his eyes revealing a complex light, and a faint gleam as if he had encountered a kindred spirit.

"Officer Li, others may not understand, but you should."

Although Zheng lived in obscurity, he was well-informed and always cared about world affairs.

Not long ago, the case of Wang Chongyu, the envoy of the Pingliang County Flower and Stone Transport, shocked the court and the public.

He was ordered to procure rare stones and exotic trees, and in the prefectures and counties where he was located, he invents various pretexts to levy exorbitant taxes and embezzle public funds, forcing countless people to sell their children and causing families to be destroyed.

Local officials, intimidated by his power, either colluded with him or dared not speak out against him.

Only you, Officer Li, single-handedly investigated and gathered irrefutable evidence, stormed the mansion, exposed that corrupt official, and publicly revealed his crimes in front of everyone.

In the end, for the first time in history, a flower and stone transport official who was acting on imperial orders was brought to justice and executed by slow slicing!

His tone gradually became more serious, filled with undisguised admiration.

"On the execution ground, the streets were deserted as people clapped and cheered, tears streaming down their faces, all calling for justice from heaven!"

This story spread throughout the land, and countless people who had suffered endless exploitation applauded upon hearing it; countless corrupt officials who schemed and plotted trembled at the thought.

That's truly admirable, but Officer Li, I have to ask you, how many Flower and Stone Transport Commissioners like Wang Chongyu are still at large?

The imperial edict in your hand can only guarantee you to do this once at most.

"Even if there were ten or a hundred of you, let alone one more of you, you still couldn't eliminate all the corrupt officials in the world."

Zheng Shaoqing stepped forward, seemingly unable to contain his excitement, his eyes fixed intently on Li Fu.

"Only when millions of people work together with one heart and one mind, cleansing the world and reshaping it, can we find the right path!"

Officer Li, we are people of the same ilk, why don't we come together?

With your martial arts skills, courage, and righteousness, assist a wise ruler like King Tieliu, unite patriots, punish the wicked and bring peace to the people, and together create a great cause that can truly benefit all people and usher in an era of lasting peace!

Only then can justice and fairness truly prevail in the world, instead of being confined by the rules and regulations of this corrupt court!

Isn't this far better than your current predicament of tirelessly pursuing and killing one person while being unable to save the world's people?

Even Luo Jiugao, Luo Wei, and the others couldn't help but feel a chill when they heard this, and they looked at Li Fu, knowing that what Zheng Shaoqing said was true.

At the time, although the incident only resulted in the death of a minor Flower Stone Transport Envoy, it seemed like nothing significant.

Everyone in the world knows what kind of people the Flower and Stone Transport Commissioners are, but they are acting on imperial orders, so no one dares to offend them, investigate them, or manage them.

Until Li went.

This matter did indeed shake the court and the public, but before its impact could spread, it was quickly suppressed. The entire court tacitly agreed not to mention it again, and it became a taboo subject.

Li Fu looked at this person.

Yin Si Niang recruited him primarily for her own survival and benefit;

"Judging from his expression and tone, Zheng Shaoqing seems to genuinely have the concern for the common people and the intention to choose a lord to serve."

This northern wilderness is truly a place where hidden talents abound, and the people are diverse and unique.

Zheng Shaoqing's words were sincere and heartfelt, drawing on reality and pointing out the ills of the times. His generous and sorrowful expression caused even seasoned and resolute people like Luo Jiugao, Luo Wei, and Madam Zhong to feel a slight tremor in their hearts.

Regardless of his stance, the concern and heartache for the suffering of the people that this person expressed in his words seemed to be genuine.

It is truly an anomaly that a bandit king could possess such magnanimity and insight.

However, their positions are ultimately different.

Seeing Li Fu remain silent and seemingly lost in thought, they all panicked. If they managed to persuade Li Fu, things would be in trouble.

They were well aware of how skilled Li Fu was in martial arts.

Luo Jiu, his beard and hair slightly bristling, quickly retorted in a deep voice:

"Zheng Shaoqing, no matter how eloquent you are, you cannot change the fact that Zhang Hengbo gathered a crowd to rebel, opposed the imperial court, caused continuous war, and caused great suffering to the people!"

You keep claiming to be speaking up for the people, but do you know how many families have been ruined and people have died because of your so-called righteous deeds?

Even if the court has its malpractices, it has laws and regulations to correct them. How can you be allowed to violate the law by force and disrupt the government with violence?

Your actions not only fail to save the people from their suffering, but they also add fuel to the fire, making the world even more chaotic!

Luo Wei also snorted coldly: "Not bad, that sounds nice!"

I've seen plenty of hypocrites who spout benevolence and morality but harbor wicked and immoral thoughts!

When you were killing, burning, and looting the treasury, did you ever ask the soldiers guarding the treasury and the runners transporting the grain and provisions whether they deserved to die?

Their family is small, so who will support them?

Forget about the common people; I only recognize the law!

Zhang Hengbo is a wanted criminal by the imperial court, and I will arrest him and bring him to justice. This is my principle!

Li Fu looked at Zheng Shaoqing, seemingly wanting to see what he would say.

Faced with the rebuttal, Zheng Shaoqing did not become angry, but his eyes showed even deeper worry, and he sighed:

"What Elder Luo spoke of were the laws and regulations of the court, and what Brother Luo upheld were the laws of the court... If these laws and regulations still existed, and the law of the court was impartial, how could the world have come to this state?"

Zheng was not unaware of the dangers of war, nor was he unaware that our hands were stained with blood. In the midst of the chaos, it was inevitable that innocent people would be implicated.

However, a serious illness requires strong medicine, and in chaotic times, extraordinary measures must be taken; there is no other way but to do so.

If we cannot establish something new without destroying it, how can we lay the foundation for peace and prosperity for future generations?

Li Fu actually quite agreed with these words.

If you're worried about this and that, what's the point of rebelling?

Rebellion is not a dinner party; it requires gentleness, the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and perfection.

In the Zhao army, which one of them doesn't have a family? Are they all going to rebel, yet no one among the officials and soldiers is to be killed?

But he was still in his official post and did not speak.

"Innocent people were implicated in the accident?"

At this moment, Madam Zhong, who had been silent all along, couldn't help but step forward, her gaze as cold as ice piercing Zheng Shaoqing and Zhang Hengbo, her voice filled with suppressed grief and indignation.

"Zheng Shaoqing, you keep talking about the suffering of the people and the rebuilding of China, how grand and righteous your words are!"

Then let me ask you, have you heard of the massacre of the people in several fortified villages in Longxi seven years ago?

When Zhang Hengbo's army passed through the area, the people stayed indoors, trembling with fear, and dared not offend him in the slightest.

But your generals under the Iron Stream King, in order to raise funds and supplies, actually let their troops break into the fortress, not only looting money and grain, but also slaughtering all the people in the fortress, regardless of age or gender!

My family of thirty-seven was among them.

May I ask Zhang Hengbo and Zheng Shaoqing, is this the kind of righteous army you claim to be known for its strict discipline and advocacy for the people?

Is this the blessing you claim to bestow upon the people? Will the wronged souls of those innocent people find peace because of your few beautiful words?!

"Madam Zhong..."

Just as Zheng Shaoqing was about to speak, Zhang Hengbo raised his hand to stop him and shook his head slightly.

He took a deep breath, took two steps forward, and his bold and unrestrained demeanor vanished, replaced by a deep sense of guilt. He solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply in the direction of Madam Zhong.

"Miss Zhong... I, Zhang, am utterly culpable for this matter, even unto death!"

"The military general that Lady Zhong mentioned was my sworn brother, who joined me in starting an uprising in my early years."

When I, Zhang Hengbo, first raised my army, I established an ironclad rule: wherever I went, I would only take grain from the official granaries, open the granaries and distribute the grain, and strictly prohibit disturbing the people. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed!

This law is known to all three armies; it is by no means an empty statement!

He then changed the subject, looking distressed: "However, just as Lady Zhong said, the team is growing bigger and bigger, and it's a mixed bag."

Some people have changed.

He forgot why he picked up a sword and gun in the first place, and forgot that he was once a poor person who couldn't even afford to eat!

He began to become arrogant and complacent, thinking that since his brothers had risked their lives, the people should support the rebel army against the imperial court, and that if they did not support them, they would be hostile to the rebel army.

"When I learned of the events in Longxi... it was too late!"

At this point, Zhang Hengbo raised his voice, his tone resolute: "At that time, I immediately ordered the arrest of my sworn brother and his sixteen confidants!"

Ignoring the pleas of the crowd, disregarding the fact that he had once been my sworn brother, I personally enumerated his crimes before the entire army, and then... drew my sword and beheaded him to uphold military law!

"However, even if heads roll, it cannot bring back the lives of those people."

This matter is entirely my fault, and the primary fault lies with me, Zhang Hengbo. I failed to supervise and discipline my subordinates properly, and I failed to detect their depravity early enough or restrain the greed and ferocity of my former brothers, which led to this tragedy!

This sin, I have never dared to forget; every time I think of it, my heart aches as if it were being torn apart.

He bowed to Madam Zhong again.

"Miss Zhong, I dare not ask for your forgiveness."

"If you have come here for revenge and to take Zhang's life, Zhang will have no complaints if you succeed in killing him."

His words were sincere, without shirking responsibility or making excuses. He attributed the blame to his own negligence in supervision and discipline, demonstrating a straightforward attitude and indeed resembling that of a chivalrous outlaw.

However, a blood feud is a blood feud, and it cannot be erased by a few words of self-reproach.

"That sounds nice, but you're a bloodbath. If I don't kill you today, I'm not a Zhong!"

Lady Zhong angrily drew her sword.

Tensions began to rise between the two sides.

Luo Jiugao raised his thick eyebrows and gripped his Guan Dao tightly, while Luo Wei clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, ready to charge across the stone bridge.

Ma Shixiong, Yang Jiu, and others also drew their weapons, exuding a murderous aura.

However, as everyone's gaze was fixed on the opposite bank, a chill ran down their spines.

On the opposite bank, among the hundreds of people, half stood silently, yet a chilling aura of battle-hardened survivors emanated from them, making one's heart tremble.

Although their clothing was mixed, the outlines of armor could be seen beneath their robes, and although the weapons in their hands were of different styles, they all gleamed coldly and were very well maintained.

Furthermore, their standing positions subtly correspond to the formation, clearly indicating that they are seasoned veterans with extensive battlefield experience and excellent teamwork.

These people must be the elite veterans of the Iron Stream Army who followed Zhang Hengbo in battles across the land and fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Their fierce and valiant fighting spirit is far beyond that of ordinary martial arts practitioners or government officials.

Looking at the other half of the group behind Zheng Shaoqing, although they lacked the weathered and fierce aura of a veteran, they were still well-organized, upright, and their eyes were alert and sharp, suggesting that they possessed martial arts skills and were definitely not a rabble gathered in the mountains.

Clearly, this man with the jade-like face had grand ambitions and had already been secretly training his subordinates in military tactics and martial arts, preparing for a major undertaking.

"These hundreds of men advance and retreat with great skill, and their battle formations are capable of overwhelming and even defeating three or four thousand government troops if a real fight were to break out."

Li Fu also glanced at it twice.

Luo Jiugao felt a sense of unease. Although his side had nine top experts, the opposing side also had many experts, as well as four or five hundred well-armed, well-trained elite troops in battle formation, who should not be underestimated!

He quickly calculated in his mind that he originally brought three hundred border troops to deal with this situation, to create an opening and an opportunity for them.

Now that the border troops have returned, it will be extremely difficult for the nine of them to defeat these hundreds of fierce and ready-to-fight tigers and wolves head-on, fight against several experts, and capture and kill Zhang Hengbo in the midst of the army's formation. They will likely face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

But no matter how difficult it is, it must be done, and he waved his hand to give the order.

At this tense and delicate moment, when the conflict was about to erupt.

"Gentlemen..."

Zheng Shaoqing spoke up at this moment, seemingly noticing the hesitation of Luo Jiugao and the others.

"If you are unwilling to betray the court, I, Zheng, will not force you."

When weapons are used in battle, death and injury are inevitable, which is not the choice of a wise person.

How about... we make friends through martial arts and have a duel?

As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over and landed on Li Fu, who remained as silent as a deep pool.

Throughout the entire process, Li Fu remained silent, simply standing still. But the more he did so, the more wary Zheng Shaoqing became.

Although he did not witness Li Fu's methods firsthand, the fact that Yin Si Niang was captured, and especially that Tong Qian Jin was killed by him in just a few moves, was still too terrifying. His martial arts skills were unimaginable.

Zhang Hengbo and the others were the same; they were not at ease when facing Li Fu.

If this person were allowed to go all out and charge into their own ranks, it would be uncertain whether these hundreds of elite troops could withstand him.

Once the formation is broken, a direct attack on the central army would have unimaginable consequences.

On one side, they were wary of hundreds of battle-hardened elites and skilled martial artists, while on the other side, Zheng Shaoqing and the others were wary of Li Fu alone, and dared not make any rash moves because of just one person.

"How would you like to wager?"

Luo Jiugao said in a deep voice.

"Simple."

Zheng Shaoqing said, "Each side will send three people to fight three rounds."

Stop when you've said enough, so as not to hurt feelings.

If we win, please be merciful and leave now.

If you all win...

He glanced at Zhang Hengbo, who nodded slightly.

Zheng Shaoqing continued, "If you all win, then you can do whatever you want with Tie Liu Wang and me. How about that? This is fair, and it will save innocent lives."

He spoke eloquently and frankly.

Luo Jiugao and the others looked at each other, and finally looked at Li Fu.

Although they suspected there might be a trap in the proposal, seeing the other side's overwhelming strength and the possibility that the proposal could neutralize their numerical advantage, they hesitated but were ready to agree.

Zheng Shaoqing smiled faintly, as if everything was under control and he had everything figured out, believing that they would not refuse, nor should they refuse.

But then Li Fu, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.

"Not very good."

However, a blood feud is a blood feud, and it cannot be erased by a few words of self-reproach.

"That sounds nice, but you're a bloodbath. If I don't kill you today, I'm not a Zhong!"

Lady Zhong angrily drew her sword.

Tensions began to rise between the two sides.

Luo Jiugao raised his thick eyebrows and gripped his Guan Dao tightly, while Luo Wei clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, ready to charge across the stone bridge.

Ma Shixiong, Yang Jiu, and others also drew their weapons, exuding a murderous aura.

However, as everyone's gaze was fixed on the opposite bank, a chill ran down their spines.

On the opposite bank, among the hundreds of people, half stood silently, yet a chilling aura of battle-hardened survivors emanated from them, making one's heart tremble.

Although their clothing was mixed, the outlines of armor could be seen beneath their robes, and although the weapons in their hands were of different styles, they all gleamed coldly and were very well maintained.

Furthermore, their standing positions subtly correspond to the formation, clearly indicating that they are seasoned veterans with extensive battlefield experience and excellent teamwork.

These people must be the elite veterans of the Iron Stream Army who followed Zhang Hengbo in battles across the land and fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Their fierce and valiant fighting spirit is far beyond that of ordinary martial arts practitioners or government officials.

Looking at the other half of the group behind Zheng Shaoqing, although they lacked the weathered and fierce aura of a veteran, they were still well-organized, upright, and their eyes were alert and sharp, suggesting that they possessed martial arts skills and were definitely not a rabble gathered in the mountains.

Clearly, this man with the jade-like face had grand ambitions and had already been secretly training his subordinates in military tactics and martial arts, preparing for a major undertaking.

"These hundreds of men advance and retreat with great skill, and their battle formations are capable of overwhelming and even defeating three or four thousand government troops if a real fight were to break out."

Li Fu also glanced at it twice.

Luo Jiugao felt a sense of unease. Although his side had nine top experts, the opposing side also had many experts, as well as four or five hundred well-armed, well-trained elite troops in battle formation, who should not be underestimated!

He quickly calculated in his mind that he originally brought three hundred border troops to deal with this situation, to create an opening and an opportunity for them.

Now that the border troops have returned, it will be extremely difficult for the nine of them to defeat these hundreds of fierce and ready-to-fight tigers and wolves head-on, fight against several experts, and capture and kill Zhang Hengbo in the midst of the army's formation. They will likely face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

But no matter how difficult it is, it must be done, and he waved his hand to give the order.

At this tense and delicate moment, when the conflict was about to erupt.

"Gentlemen..."

Zheng Shaoqing spoke up at this moment, seemingly noticing the hesitation of Luo Jiugao and the others.

"If you are unwilling to betray the court, I, Zheng, will not force you."

When weapons are used in battle, death and injury are inevitable, which is not the choice of a wise person.

How about... we make friends through martial arts and have a duel?

As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over and landed on Li Fu, who remained as silent as a deep pool.

Throughout the entire process, Li Fu remained silent, simply standing still. But the more he did so, the more wary Zheng Shaoqing became.

Although he did not witness Li Fu's methods firsthand, the fact that Yin Si Niang was captured, and especially that Tong Qian Jin was killed by him in just a few moves, was still too terrifying. His martial arts skills were unimaginable.

Zhang Hengbo and the others were the same; they were not at ease when facing Li Fu.

If this person were allowed to go all out and charge into their own ranks, it would be uncertain whether these hundreds of elite troops could withstand him.

Once the formation is broken, a direct attack on the central army would have unimaginable consequences.

On one side, they were wary of hundreds of battle-hardened elites and skilled martial artists, while on the other side, Zheng Shaoqing and the others were wary of Li Fu alone, and dared not make any rash moves because of just one person.

"How would you like to wager?"

Luo Jiugao said in a deep voice.

"Simple."

Zheng Shaoqing said, "Each side will send three people to fight three rounds."

Stop when you've said enough, so as not to hurt feelings.

If we win, please be merciful and leave now.

If you all win...

He glanced at Zhang Hengbo, who nodded slightly.

Zheng Shaoqing continued, "If you all win, then you can do whatever you want with Tie Liu Wang and me. How about that? This is fair, and it will save innocent lives."

He spoke eloquently and frankly.

Luo Jiugao and the others looked at each other, and finally looked at Li Fu.

Although they suspected there might be a trap in the proposal, seeing the other side's overwhelming strength and the possibility that the proposal could neutralize their numerical advantage, they hesitated but were ready to agree.

Zheng Shaoqing smiled faintly, as if everything was under control and he had everything figured out, believing that they would not refuse, nor should they refuse.

But then Li Fu, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.

"Not very good."

"That sounds nice, but you're a bloodbath. If I don't kill you today, I'm not a Zhong!"

Lady Zhong angrily drew her sword.

Tensions began to rise between the two sides.

Luo Jiugao raised his thick eyebrows and gripped his Guan Dao tightly, while Luo Wei clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, ready to charge across the stone bridge.

Ma Shixiong, Yang Jiu, and others also drew their weapons, exuding a murderous aura.

However, as everyone's gaze was fixed on the opposite bank, a chill ran down their spines.

On the opposite bank, among the hundreds of people, half stood silently, yet a chilling aura of battle-hardened survivors emanated from them, making one's heart tremble.

Although their clothing was mixed, the outlines of armor could be seen beneath their robes, and although the weapons in their hands were of different styles, they all gleamed coldly and were very well maintained.

Furthermore, their standing positions subtly correspond to the formation, clearly indicating that they are seasoned veterans with extensive battlefield experience and excellent teamwork.

These people must be the elite veterans of the Iron Stream Army who followed Zhang Hengbo in battles across the land and fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Their fierce and valiant fighting spirit is far beyond that of ordinary martial arts practitioners or government officials.

Looking at the other half of the group behind Zheng Shaoqing, although they lacked the weathered and fierce aura of a veteran, they were still well-organized, upright, and their eyes were alert and sharp, suggesting that they possessed martial arts skills and were definitely not a rabble gathered in the mountains.

Clearly, this man with the jade-like face had grand ambitions and had already been secretly training his subordinates in military tactics and martial arts, preparing for a major undertaking.

"These hundreds of men advance and retreat with great skill, and their battle formations are capable of overwhelming and even defeating three or four thousand government troops if a real fight were to break out."

Li Fu also glanced at it twice.

Luo Jiugao felt a sense of unease. Although his side had nine top experts, the opposing side also had many experts, as well as four or five hundred well-armed, well-trained elite troops in battle formation, who should not be underestimated!

He quickly calculated in his mind that he originally brought three hundred border troops to deal with this situation, to create an opening and an opportunity for them.

Now that the border troops have returned, it will be extremely difficult for the nine of them to defeat these hundreds of fierce and ready-to-fight tigers and wolves head-on, fight against several experts, and capture and kill Zhang Hengbo in the midst of the army's formation. They will likely face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

But no matter how difficult it is, it must be done, and he waved his hand to give the order.

At this tense and delicate moment, when the conflict was about to erupt.

"Gentlemen..."

Zheng Shaoqing spoke up at this moment, seemingly noticing the hesitation of Luo Jiugao and the others.

"If you are unwilling to betray the court, I, Zheng, will not force you."

When weapons are used in battle, death and injury are inevitable, which is not the choice of a wise person.

How about... we make friends through martial arts and have a duel?

As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over and landed on Li Fu, who remained as silent as a deep pool.

Throughout the entire process, Li Fu remained silent, simply standing still. But the more he did so, the more wary Zheng Shaoqing became.

Although he did not witness Li Fu's methods firsthand, the fact that Yin Si Niang was captured, and especially that Tong Qian Jin was killed by him in just a few moves, was still too terrifying. His martial arts skills were unimaginable.

Zhang Hengbo and the others were the same; they were not at ease when facing Li Fu.

If this person were allowed to go all out and charge into their own ranks, it would be uncertain whether these hundreds of elite troops could withstand him.

Once the formation is broken, a direct attack on the central army would have unimaginable consequences.

On one side, they were wary of hundreds of battle-hardened elites and skilled martial artists, while on the other side, Zheng Shaoqing and the others were wary of Li Fu alone, and dared not make any rash moves because of just one person.

"How would you like to wager?"

Luo Jiugao said in a deep voice.

"Simple."

Zheng Shaoqing said, "Each side will send three people to fight three rounds."

Stop when you've said enough, so as not to hurt feelings.

If we win, please be merciful and leave now.

If you all win...

He glanced at Zhang Hengbo, who nodded slightly.

Zheng Shaoqing continued, "If you all win, then you can do whatever you want with Tie Liu Wang and me. How about that? This is fair, and it will save innocent lives."

He spoke eloquently and frankly.

Luo Jiugao and the others looked at each other, and finally looked at Li Fu.

Although they suspected there might be a trap in the proposal, seeing the other side's overwhelming strength and the possibility that the proposal could neutralize their numerical advantage, they hesitated but were ready to agree.

Zheng Shaoqing smiled faintly, as if everything was under control and he had everything figured out, believing that they would not refuse, nor should they refuse.

But then Li Fu, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.

"Not very good."

However, a blood feud is a blood feud, and it cannot be erased by a few words of self-reproach.

"That sounds nice, but you're a bloodbath. If I don't kill you today, I'm not a Zhong!"

Lady Zhong angrily drew her sword.

Tensions began to rise between the two sides.

Luo Jiugao raised his thick eyebrows and gripped his Guan Dao tightly, while Luo Wei clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, ready to charge across the stone bridge.

Ma Shixiong, Yang Jiu, and others also drew their weapons, exuding a murderous aura.

However, as everyone's gaze was fixed on the opposite bank, a chill ran down their spines.

On the opposite bank, among the hundreds of people, half stood silently, yet a chilling aura of battle-hardened survivors emanated from them, making one's heart tremble.

Although their clothing was mixed, the outlines of armor could be seen beneath their robes, and although the weapons in their hands were of different styles, they all gleamed coldly and were very well maintained.

Furthermore, their standing positions subtly correspond to the formation, clearly indicating that they are seasoned veterans with extensive battlefield experience and excellent teamwork.

These people must be the elite veterans of the Iron Stream Army who followed Zhang Hengbo in battles across the land and fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

Their fierce and valiant fighting spirit is far beyond that of ordinary martial arts practitioners or government officials.

Looking at the other half of the group behind Zheng Shaoqing, although they lacked the weathered and fierce aura of a veteran, they were still well-organized, upright, and their eyes were alert and sharp, suggesting that they possessed martial arts skills and were definitely not a rabble gathered in the mountains.

Clearly, this man with the jade-like face had grand ambitions and had already been secretly training his subordinates in military tactics and martial arts, preparing for a major undertaking.

"These hundreds of men advance and retreat with great skill, and their battle formations are capable of overwhelming and even defeating three or four thousand government troops if a real fight were to break out."

Li Fu also glanced at it twice.

Luo Jiugao felt a sense of unease. Although his side had nine top experts, the opposing side also had many experts, as well as four or five hundred well-armed, well-trained elite troops in battle formation, who should not be underestimated!

He quickly calculated in his mind that he originally brought three hundred border troops to deal with this situation, to create an opening and an opportunity for them.

Now that the border troops have returned, it will be extremely difficult for the nine of them to defeat these hundreds of fierce and ready-to-fight tigers and wolves head-on, fight against several experts, and capture and kill Zhang Hengbo in the midst of the army's formation. They will likely face a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.

But no matter how difficult it is, it must be done, and he waved his hand to give the order.

At this tense and delicate moment, when the conflict was about to erupt.

"Gentlemen..."

Zheng Shaoqing spoke up at this moment, seemingly noticing the hesitation of Luo Jiugao and the others.

"If you are unwilling to betray the court, I, Zheng, will not force you."

When weapons are used in battle, death and injury are inevitable, which is not the choice of a wise person.

How about... we make friends through martial arts and have a duel?

As he spoke, his gaze subtly swept over and landed on Li Fu, who remained as silent as a deep pool.

Throughout the entire process, Li Fu remained silent, simply standing still. But the more he did so, the more wary Zheng Shaoqing became.

Although he did not witness Li Fu's methods firsthand, the fact that Yin Si Niang was captured, and especially that Tong Qian Jin was killed by him in just a few moves, was still too terrifying. His martial arts skills were unimaginable.

Zhang Hengbo and the others were the same; they were not at ease when facing Li Fu.

If this person were allowed to go all out and charge into their own ranks, it would be uncertain whether these hundreds of elite troops could withstand him.

Once the formation is broken, a direct attack on the central army would have unimaginable consequences.

On one side, they were wary of hundreds of battle-hardened elites and skilled martial artists, while on the other side, Zheng Shaoqing and the others were wary of Li Fu alone, and dared not make any rash moves because of just one person.

"How would you like to wager?"

Luo Jiugao said in a deep voice.

"Simple."

Zheng Shaoqing said, "Each side will send three people to fight three rounds."

Stop when you've said enough, so as not to hurt feelings.

If we win, please be merciful and leave now.

If you all win...

He glanced at Zhang Hengbo, who nodded slightly.

Zheng Shaoqing continued, "If you all win, then you can do whatever you want with Tie Liu Wang and me. How about that? This is fair, and it will save innocent lives."

He spoke eloquently and frankly.

Luo Jiugao and the others looked at each other, and finally looked at Li Fu.

Although they suspected there might be a trap in the proposal, seeing the other side's overwhelming strength and the possibility that the proposal could neutralize their numerical advantage, they hesitated but were ready to agree.

Zheng Shaoqing smiled faintly, as if everything was under control and he had everything figured out, believing that they would not refuse, nor should they refuse.

But then Li Fu, who hadn't spoken until now, finally spoke up.

"Not very good."