Dominating Martial King
Chapter 316 - 316 212 Near Ink Taint Seeking Subscriptions_4

316: Chapter 212 Near Ink Taint (Seeking Subscriptions)_4 316: Chapter 212 Near Ink Taint (Seeking Subscriptions)_4 The Corpse Mountain Sect is a hidden sect; they conduct no commerce and do not operate any martial arts academies.

Normally, not a trace of their people can be seen in the Jianghu, but this does not mean that the Corpse Mountain Sect doesn’t make money.

The ‘evil corpses’ they cultivate are sought after by many great heroes and wealthy merchants of the Jianghu.

——These evil corpses are quite expensive, more so than hiring martial cultivators of the same rank.

But evil corpses have one advantage that martial cultivators cannot match.

They are utterly loyal; as long as the control token for the evil corpse is functioning correctly, one will never need to worry about them betraying you.

※※※※

At the same time, Zuo Qingyun, laden with heavy chains, was pushed onto an official ship bound for the Capital City by several Police Pool of Blood guards.

Just as he stepped on the gangplank, he turned his head for a last look at the county behind him, his eyes reflecting a sense of loss and desolation.

Seven years ago, he came to Xiushui County with his father, Zuo Tianlu, and never imagined he would depart in this manner.

To Zuo Qingyun’s disappointment, he thought there would be people to see him off.

Yet, from the county government to the wharf, not a single friend or old acquaintance appeared.

What a pity!

Imprisoned in the jail, force-fed spoiled food by the Police Pool of Blood, he had hoped to feast on good food today.

“How is it?”

Zuo Tianlu followed right behind Zuo Qingyun, his smile tinged with bitter amusement, “I told you, the friends you made in Xiushui County over the past seven years are nothing but fair-weather comrades, yet you thought you had sincere friends across Xiushui.

Now that you, Zuo Qingyun, have fallen on hard times, has anyone come to bid you farewell?”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Qingyun scoffed coldly, thinking his father was the pot calling the kettle black.

“I don’t know about the others, but I am sure Sikong Xin, Mei Niang, and Chu Xisheng would not concern themselves with the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

They are likely delayed or have some other reason that prevents them from coming.”

He then glanced sideways at Zuo Tianlu, “You’re not one to talk, father.

The literati and connoisseurs you befriended, those book and wine companions, has even one shown up today?

It would have been decent for someone to hold a farewell banquet for us, to allow the family a good meal before these Police Pool of Blood guards feed us to the fishes.”

Zuo Tianlu was rendered speechless, his breathing momentarily choked.

His complexion turned ashen as iron.

Even Zuo Qingyun noticed the unusual behavior of these Heavenly Jinyi Guards, how could his father not?

The few Police Pool of Blood guards nearby were growing impatient, shoving the two men forcefully, “Aren’t you going to get in?

Are you asking for a beating?”

Zuo Qingyun stumbled and was shoved into the cabin.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; he had actually hoped Chu Xisheng would come to see him off.

Zuo Qingyun intended to hand over the fighting rings at the South Street Temple Market to Chu Xisheng today.

He’d already instructed Sikong Xin, and arrangements had been made well in advance.

The five hundred red-robed warriors he’d nurtured for years, and the nine fighting rings and the Winning and Losing Tower, were all to be transferred to Chu Xisheng’s West Mountain Hall.

On that day, as they drank wine in the jail, he was so engrossed in drowning his sorrows that he forgot to mention it.

At the same time, as the people of the Zuo Family were being pushed into the cabin, Police Pool of Blood Captain Zhang Ming stood on the bow, his hands behind his back, looking toward Xiushui County ahead.

His deputy, a Vice Hundred Households, stepped up behind him and saluted, “Captain, up until boarding, none of the many friends and acquaintances of Zuo Tianlu and Zuo Qingyun have come.”

Hearing this, Captain Zhang Ming let out a sarcastic snort, his face full of irony, “This is the nature of human hearts and the coldness of society, but for us, this is good news.”

He glanced sideways in the direction of West Mountain Town, “Any movement from that Chu Xisheng of West Mountain Town?

He’s said to be chivalrous and righteous, yet he didn’t come to see off Zuo Qingyun?”

Among the friends of the Zuo father and son, it was this Chu Xisheng he was most wary of.

This man had a considerable reputation; more importantly, the strength under his command was also formidable.

With a thousand gang members, he had two Sixth Grade warriors and a mysterious Fifth Grade master.

If this person decided to stand up for the Zuo family, it would be troublesome——

“All is quiet in the direction of West Mountain Hall,” the deputy chuckled, “Perhaps we’ve deceived them, or maybe this man is all pretense, afraid to offend the reigning Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice.”

“I thought him a hero and was quite guarded.”

Captain Zhang Ming shook his head then stamped heavily on the deck, “Set sail!

We’re leaving.”

※※※※

After boarding the ship, Zuo Qingyun drifted into a groggy sleep.

The lower deck of this official ship was dark, damp, and reeked, but the conditions were much better than the Fifth Layer of the county prison.

Combined with the rocking of the ship, it made him drowsy.

Zuo Qingyun, who hadn’t slept for several days and was already prone to seasickness, soon fell asleep.

After an unknown amount of time, he was finally roused by someone.

Upon waking, Zuo Qingyun immediately heard the severe coughing from the cabin next to his.

——That was his mother.

Zuo Qingyun’s brow furrowed deeply, deeply worried about his mother’s health.

But what concerned him more was the figure of a Police Pool of Blood Small Flag officer standing before him.

The man was holding a tray, which he placed before him.

“Enjoy your meal.

We spent quite a bit on these meats and wines.

Don’t go hungry on the road—”

Zuo Qingyun’s pupils contracted.

The tray was filled with chicken, duck, fish, and fine wine, the aroma intoxicating and delightful.

But Zuo Qingyun felt no joy; his heart had sunk to the depths.

He thought bitterly that these people acted swiftly and ruthlessly.

This official ship must have only reached Xunyang County’s vicinity, and they couldn’t wait any longer?

Zuo Qingyun took a deep breath to calm his racing heart and looked coldly at the Police Pool of Blood Small Flag officer, “What are you planning to do?

My family has been in official circles for years, with countless friends and old acquaintances.

We are merely in temporary distress; if anything untoward happens to us, you all will have to die along with us.”