Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 175 - 169: I’m not really here to annihilate your sect!

Chapter 175: Chapter 169: I’m not really here to annihilate your sect!

Following the end of the forging by Zhang San and Hong Shan, the Mysterious Soldiers Sect brought out their bronze mannequins that were ordinarily used to test the might of Mysterious Weapons.

A total of eighteen bronze mannequins were arranged into two vertical columns, with nine bronze mannequins in each column, each spaced ten steps apart.

Then, one hundred and ten steps in front of the first bronze mannequin, an array was set up.

This array was usually used to test the power of a flying sword when it was thrown, and now it was just right for testing the power of the arrows the two had forged.

To ensure fairness, Ouyang Zhen and Master Ma personally inspected the array and the bronze mannequins. Only after confirming that everything was in order did they allow the two men to come forward with their arrows to test their power.

"Senior Hong, please go ahead!"

Seeing Zhang San offer him the first move, Hong Shan didn’t hesitate.

It would be just perfect if he could shock Zhang San into forfeiting on the spot.

Therefore, he took the refined steel arrow he had forged, placed it on top of the array, and then aimed at the nine bronze mannequins in his row.

"Zhang San, watch closely, my refined steel arrow is a single, complete unit, and I’ve inscribed six runes on it! Begin!"

As the arrow was placed, Hong Shan activated the array, and the refined steel arrow floating on top of the array burst forth towards the bronze mannequins ahead.

With a bang,

the chest of the first bronze mannequin was directly pierced through.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

Four successive explosions echoed.

Finally, with a thud, the arrow embedded itself halfway into the chest of the sixth bronze mannequin.

The other half of the arrow that remained outside was still vibrating non-stop.

Xie Dezhao laughed and clapped his hands, saying, "Great Master Hong! What a fine arrow!"

The disciples of the Mysterious Soldiers Sect also cheered together: "Great Master Hong! What a fine arrow!"

For some reason, even though he was holding a winning hand, there was not a trace of joy on Hong Shan’s face.

"These nine bronze mannequins, each one’s defensive power is equivalent to that of a martial artist in the Perfect True Core Realm. Master Hong’s single arrow struck down six, but I wonder how powerful Mr. Zhang San’s arrow will be?"

Although Xie Dezhao knew that the formation had already been set and that the quality of the bronze mannequins was the same, he still hoped to exert a little pressure on Zhang San.

Zhang San smiled slightly and placed his own arrow within the array.

Activate.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom—

In an instant, everyone felt as if their eardrums were about to burst.

Especially some martial artists who were closer to the bronze mannequins, they kept retreating.

Because the arrow shot by Zhang San didn’t just pierce through the mannequins, it completely shattered them.

As pieces of the nine bronze mannequins scattered on the ground, everyone’s eyes widened in shock as they looked towards Zhang San.

Was this really an arrow?

One could believe it was a Magical Treasure!

Zhang San, however, bowed with his fists to everyone and said, "I thought the power would be greater, but I didn’t expect it to be just..."

Boom—

At that moment, a pavilion of the Mysterious Soldiers Sect in the distance collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Clearly, that arrow was not only powerfully driven but had also flown a great distance.

Hong Shan looked at the shattered bronze mannequins on the ground and then at the dust billowing in the distance from the collapse, and he couldn’t help but sigh helplessly.

"I, Hong Shan, honor my word, but I hope Zhang San can give me one month’s time. I’ll go home to settle my affairs, then head to the Town Martial Office to report. I’ll work for the Town Martial Office for three years, free of charge."

Zhang San immediately walked over, draping his arm around Hong Shan’s shoulder, and waved his hand.

"Look here, just having some fun with you. Would I really let you work for nothing? I’ll find a way to get you a treatment at the Military Chief level in the Town Martial Office. As for money, you won’t lose a penny."

Hong Shan was taken aback, having thought that Zhang San would kick him while he was down, even seizing the opportunity to mock him, yet he didn’t expect Zhang San to show such a kind side.

"But I can’t just win for nothing. So, you’re not working for free—the amount you should be paid is what you’ll get, only that money will now go to me. That’s fair, right?"

Hong Shan was startled and asked, "Then wouldn’t I still be working for nothing?"

"How could that be the same? Before, when you worked for free, the Town Martial Office saved money; now you have a wage, it’s just that the wage goes to me. Don’t worry, I’ll treat you to a drink once a year!"

Hong Shan bid Sect Master Xie goodbye with a cupped fist salute and then left Mysterious Soldiers Sect with his head lowered.

At that moment, Sect Master Xie was tightly gripping Master Ma’s hand.

"Master Ma, you’re Zhang San’s teacher, please help."

Master Ma helplessly stepped forward and asked Zhang San, "Can the Mysterious Soldiers Sect get a break?"

Zhang San smiled.

"Of course. I didn’t really come here to annihilate your sect, right? Sect Master Xie, think about it—if I had really come to destroy your sect, why would I release the news beforehand? Wouldn’t it be easier to bring my men over for a surprise attack?"

Sect Master Xie was dumbfounded by Zhang San’s words.

Zhang San continued, "The reason why I spread the word a few days ago was to see the attitude of the Mysterious Soldiers Sect. At least you didn’t resist passively; from this aspect, Mysterious Soldiers Sect has done quite well."

"So, all the Mysterious Soldiers Sect needs to do is help me with a small favor, and then all previous matters will be wiped clean, how about that?"

By now, Zhang San had his arm around Sect Master Xie, looking every bit the part of old buddies who had been through years of camaraderie.

Sect Master Xie didn’t really want to conflict with the Town Martial Office either, especially since the current force of the Chuan-Yu Road Town Martial Office was strong enough to easily destroy Mysterious Soldiers Sect, as well as any other sect he knew of.

Particularly since he received news this morning that Pure Stream Sword Sect was "enjoying the spring" beneath a barren mountain to the north.

Enjoying the spring? More like coming for revenge.

Therefore, Sect Master Xie immediately nodded.

"Whatever the Town Martial Office commands, Mysterious Soldiers Sect will follow without hesitation."

Zhang San whispered, "You know, lately Chuan-Yu Road has been a bit chaotic, and then some brazen folks actually dared to impersonate people from our Town Martial Office."

At these words, Sect Master Xie was shocked!

Someone even more fearless than himself!

The few Military Chiefs nearby and Master Ma were also surprised upon hearing this.

Because they had not heard about such a thing.

Zhang San continued, "I have accurate intelligence that tonight, a group of people impersonating the Town Martial Office will pass by from the south of Xitong Mountain, escorting some innocent martial artists they’ve captured."

"Your people from Mysterious Soldiers Sect should lie in ambush and strike directly when the time comes, rescue those people and deal with those..."

"Take them out, right?" As Sect Master Xie asked, he made a throat-slitting gesture.

Zhang San immediately restrained Sect Master Xie’s gesture, instructing earnestly, "You can’t kill them, not a single one. These people dared to impersonate the Town Martial Office; we must prosecute them strictly, so you can only beat them up. The leaders can be beaten close to death, as long as they don’t die. Then we will come out and coordinate with you."

Having said that, Zhang San patted Sect Master Xie’s shoulder.

"Of course, once this incident spreads, everyone will certainly know that the Mysterious Soldiers Sect has a very good relationship with the Town Martial Office. It may affect your sect a little in the future. So, if Sect Master Xie minds, we can still go with the news released three days ago. After all, since we’re here..."

"No, no, no! Helping the Town Martial Office is an honorable duty for Mysterious Soldiers Sect!" What choice did Sect Master Xie have, although he felt something was off, could he possibly refuse?

The Military Chiefs nearby exchanged glances.

Suddenly, Wang Ziteng thought of something.

"How come I recall there have indeed been rumors lately, saying that Officer Bai left behind a treasure somewhere, and Deputy Officer Lu has been busy catching those spreading the rumors, seems like they are nearby?"