Winter Siege Leader

"Substitute?"

This touched upon a blind spot in Pei Si's knowledge.

Just from the name, this thing sounds amazing.

The priority now is to find more scorpions.

…………

The sun was setting in the west.

In winter, it gets dark quickly.

At this time, a crowd had already gathered in front of the mountain god temple.

County Magistrate Du Shouzhen and County Lieutenant Lu Pinghai were also waiting there.

Lu Pinghai glanced at the time, his expression solemn, and looked at Du Shouzhen: "Your Excellency, it is 1:15 PM."

Du Shouzhen hummed in agreement, stroked his long beard, and a sickly red appeared on his thin face. "Let's begin now."

Upon hearing this, Lu Pinghai stood up and walked to a young general in armor:

"General Shao, let's begin the inspection."

Shao Shuyun was in his early twenties, with rosy lips and white teeth, and should have been a handsome young man, but the hideous scar on his left cheek ruined the atmosphere.

"Listen up, everyone! The guards will be inspecting your spoils to ensure fairness. Don't try anything funny; if you are caught cheating, you'll be disqualified!"

Shao Shuyun's voice was as loud as a bell. As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers stepped forward to inspect him, reporting the numbers as they did so.

Lu Pinghai held a string of Buddhist prayer beads, his gaze deep as he looked towards the deep mountains.

"Why hasn't Shouhuai come out yet? Could something have happened to him?"

"County Commandant Lu, how's the matter at the Moshui River dock?" Du Shouzhen asked casually, stroking his meticulously groomed long beard.

The Moshui River, stretching for three hundred miles, runs across Qingcheng County.

The Lu family not only controls the fish market, but also the Ink River Wharf.

With Lu Pinghai's support, the Lu family's business grew bigger and bigger.

However, the Lu family was extremely strict in managing its affairs, and there were no rumors of Lu family members oppressing the people.

Upon hearing this, a shadow seemed to fall over Lu Pinghai's eyes.

Recently, for some unknown reason, the Ink River has been acting strangely, with a surge in the number of water ghosts, some of which are even showing signs of appearing in broad daylight, already affecting the Lu family's business.

The head of the family, Lu Pingshan, along with some skilled young men from the Lu family, spent their days guarding the Ink River, cleaning up the water ghosts.

Lu Pinghai took a deep breath. "Your Excellency, my elder brother has been leading people to clean up the water ghosts on the river every day, but the number of water ghosts has increased instead of decreased. Yesterday, they even dragged two fishermen into the water."

Du Shouzhen stopped abruptly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and said, "These water ghosts are disturbing the Ink River, the lifeblood of the people. How can we allow them to run rampant!"

"Disruptions at the docks and fish farms have unsettled the people. How can they make a living peacefully and pay their taxes on time?!"

The thought of taxes, political achievements, and official positions staring down at him from above filled Du Shouzhen with rage.

This is no ordinary evil spirit; we must strike hard!

"Let's do it tonight. Have General Shao gather all the martial arts masters and sect leaders for a small meeting to discuss this," Du Shouzhen said decisively.

Lu Pinghai nodded, giving Du Shouzhen a higher opinion. Although Du had just been transferred here, he was decisive and not just here to gain experience.

"Nine-Tails!"

"Fifteen-tailed!"

"The Seventeen-Tails!"

"Twenty-two tails!"

“…………”

The calls of numbers came one by one.

When capturing thunderstorm scorpions, some damage is inevitable. As for the scorpion tails of low quality, they are simply not counted.

Du Shouzhen's expression showed slight displeasure, but it vanished in an instant.

The most was only thirty-four tails, and that was Zhang Feng from the paper-making family.

Zhang Feng smiled broadly, beaming with pride, already considering the spiritual weapon as his for the taking.

"Brother Feng, Zhang Ji and Zhang Xin haven't returned yet. Could something have happened to them?" the speaker said gloatingly.

"Hey, Xiao An, we're all family, how can you talk nonsense?" Zhang Feng sneered.

"Brother Feng, I think the spirit weapon is already yours. You've really made the Zhang family proud," Zhang Fan flattered.

Zhang Feng smiled. With this spiritual weapon, he would have an extra bit of confidence when the Qingcheng County Martial Arts Competition came around.

Zhang Feng stepped forward and bowed with his hands clasped: "Your Excellency, County Magistrate, why don't you announce the results?"

"It's almost dusk; something unexpected might happen."

Lu Pinghai smiled without saying a word and looked at Du Shouzhen.

The Zhang family had long been arrogant and domineering in the county. Compared with the Zhang family, the Lu family was simply a breath of fresh air.

Moreover, with the Zhou family's experience serving as a cautionary tale, Lu Pinghai and Lu Pingshan adhered to the principle of strict family management.

This magistrate, Mr. Du, has always disliked the Zhang family.

As expected, Du Shouzhen's face darkened.

"When it ends is up to you."

"Is this how the Zhang family raises its children?"

The words fell.

Zhang Feng's face was ashen; he lowered his head, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Look, two people are coming over there."

"I wonder what kind of business they are in."

Pei Si and Lu Shouhuai walked side by side.

"Pei Si and Lu Shouhuai have met with Magistrate Du, County Commandant Lu, and General Shao."

Pei Si and Lu Shouhuai exchanged a gesture of respect with their hands clasped together.

Lu Pinghai nodded with satisfaction: "This young man is teachable."

When addressing someone outside, they should be referred to by their official title.

"Alright, you two hurry up and check..." Du Shouzhen waved his hand.

Lu Shouhuai stepped forward, and the Eagle-Soaring Brigade Commander inspected him.

"Sixty-three scorpion tails," the Eagle-Soaring Brigade Commander announced loudly.

Lu Pinghai's smile froze, and he stared at Lu Shouhuai in disbelief.

When did my son acquire such skills?

Lu Shouhuai gave his father, Lu Pinghai, a sullen smile.

"Pei Si, one hundred and one scorpion tails."

"?!"

"Terrifying indeed, it's three times the size of Zhang Feng's."

"Good heavens, they've searched the entire Mengshan area."

Du Shouzhen's smile widened.

Even if the profits are split 50/50 with the government, there are still fifty scorpion tails; such talents should be cultivated.

Du Shouzhen had a unique set of values ​​regarding talent.

I admire people who can drink two ounces and then five ounces.

People who can drink half a jin but can drink eight liang are the kind of people we should cultivate.

A person who can drink eight ounces and then a pound is someone you can trust.

Du Shouzhen walked up to Pei and Lu, patted them on the shoulder, and said with a refined smile, "You two are both outstanding young talents of Qingcheng County, not bad at all."

"I hereby announce that Pei Si has won first place in this year's Winter Games!"

"Clap clap clap".

As soon as he finished speaking, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Zhang Feng roared inwardly, "You Thunderbolt Scorpion, did you come here by any good name?!"

Zhang Feng secretly memorized Pei Si's face, determined to investigate it when he got back.

They'd strike him on the head with a club and then steal the spirit weapon.

……

At the foot of the mountain.

A luxurious carriage was parked there.

Strangely, there were no other vehicles or horses parked within a three-meter radius of this luxurious carriage.

The luxurious carriage was adorned with two large characters in clerical script, written in a vigorous and elegant style.

Lingcang.

Lingcang Sword Sect.

Sect Leader Ruan Qing and Instructor Lin Zhong.

Ruan Qing paced back and forth in front of the carriage, glancing at the mountain peak from time to time.

The forest does not lie.

This promising talent will undoubtedly be given special attention by the Lingcang Sword Sect.

Ruan Qing eagerly awaited the outcome, wondering why such a promising talent as Pei Si would participate in the winter hunt!

If it's just for a spiritual weapon, there's no need to go to such lengths.

Spiritual weapons are available from the Lingcang Blade Sect!

Lin Zhong stood calmly to the side; he was the coachman today.

"We're coming down the mountain!"

"I wonder who will acquire that magical weapon?"

"Didn't Young Master Feng from the paper-making family participate in the competition? I guess he'll win the championship."

"Don't rush to conclusions, let's wait and see."