Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 784 - 721

Chapter 784: 721

Julong Pass.

The strongest stronghold on Longyou Road.

And it is the strongest stronghold of the Great Sui.

The reason is simple, breaching this pass would allow one to march directly into Chuan-Yu Road, and then straight to Capital Region Road, closing in on the capital, Daxing City.

Though the Great Sui has Longyou Road, Longyun Path, Longwang Road, Longhua Road, and Longhua Path—five places related to the word "dragon".

In the end, the dragon is a creature from the All Things Path, not of the human race.

Even the rumors suggest that Julong Pass was built because the dragons that the human race had tamed had deserted and fled far to the northwest.

Therefore, in such a desolate place as the northwest, this formidable pass was built to prevent the day when dragons might turn back and re-enter the Great Sui.

At this moment, Zhang San had just entered Julong Pass with his men when the defending commander, Li Shangfa, came in person to welcome him.

"I was unaware of the Pharaoh’s arrival today, and I failed to greet you from afar. It is my negligence, I hope you will forgive my offense."

Zhang San, with an awkward expression, helped General Li, who was bowing and saluting him, to his feet.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t bear the other man in his forties or fifties being so polite to him.

It was mostly that the title "Pharaoh" sounded so damn awkward.

Before leaving the capital, Kaihuang had sent someone to ask whether, upon receiving the duke title, he chose to be called Pharaoh or Duke of Legalism.

A duke’s status is naturally much higher than that of a Pharaoh.

But Zhang San really didn’t want to throw in the towel, so he reluctantly took on the title of Pharaoh.

"General Li is too polite. This time I am not here in the capacity of a duke but as the Deputy Chief of the Town Demon Office. Moreover, upon arriving in Longyou Road, I am afraid there will be many matters where I must rely on you. You can just call me Zhang San."

"Then... May I dispense with formalities? Hahaha..."

Li Shangfa, being a rough man who had spent many years in the army, naturally believed whatever Zhang San said.

There was no thought in his mind like leaders tell you to call them whatever you like, but you can’t actually do that casually.

You do whatever you’re told to do.

That straightforward!

So, the more than one hundred and fifty martial artists and cultivators from the Town Demon Office watched with a murderous aura as General Li of Julong Pass called their Deputy Chief by his full name.

"Speaking of which, I did some studying in my early years, but I didn’t know many characters at the time. When buying books, I happened to get a few Legalist texts. That’s why I changed my name to Li Shangfa. Sadly, having been fighting in the army all these years, I never had the chance to come into contact with Legalism. Otherwise, I really wanted to join the Legalists."

Zhang San laughed and said, "General Li, you’re in the military but still value reading and learning. Someone like you is just the defender of Julong Pass for now, but I think in the future, becoming a Commander-in-Chief or a general in charge of an army wouldn’t be difficult at all!"

"Hahahaha... I’ll take Young Brother Zhang’s auspicious words!"

As Li Shangfa had come to welcome Zhang San, naturally he would arrange accommodations, and even prepared food and drink for him.

"This won’t do, General Li!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shangfa was taken aback.

He was aware that the newly appointed Deputy Chief of the Town Demon Office, Zhang San, was originally from the Town Martial Office.

Was he worried that because there were many people from the Town Demon Office here in Longyou Road, someone from their ranks might infiltrate and poison him?

"Rest assured, Young Brother Zhang, the food in our army is all made by our own people, absolutely safe."

Zhang San knew that Li Shangfa had misunderstood and immediately explained, "I was previously from the Town Martial Office, now serving in the Town Demon Office. My first meal shouldn’t be eaten away from the Town Demon Office; I fear the brothers there might take it the wrong way. So, I hope General Li can help me send a message to the nearest Town Demon Office branch from here – after I settle things at Julong Pass, I will go to have a meal with the brothers from the Town Demon Office."

Li Shangfa thought about it, and it indeed made sense.

After all, as the new Deputy Chief of the Town Demon Office, with whom he chose to have his first meal might be significant.

Therefore, Zhang San left his third senior brother to get settled in Julong Pass – after all, there were formations there specifically designed to counter the All Things Path, which would be helpful for incorporating the All Things Path into their Dominion over the Six Paths system.

Then, Li Shangfa escorted Zhang San to the Town Demon Office branch closest to Julong Pass – Going Through the Back Door.

This place was originally a manor, but because there weren’t many people in the manor, the Town Demon Office purchased it and turned it into a base. As a result, every time they went out on a mission and came back, they found they had forgotten to bring the keys. The door lock couldn’t be opened.

So they had to climb over the back door to get in, locate the keys inside the manor, climb back out, and walk around to the front door to unlock it.

After all, door locks are pretty expensive.

So, the place was simply renamed to Going Through the Back Door.

The purpose was to remind those going out on missions to lock the doors to remember to bring their keys, with absolutely no other meanings.

Zhang San and Li Shangfa arrived at Going Through the Back Door together, and the people from the Town Demon Office immediately came out to welcome them.

There are now a total of three Officers here.

Zhang San introduced Li Shangfa to the three Officers in turn before they entered together.

Someone led the way in front, and the three Officers from the Town Demon Office followed behind Zhang San.

The three Officers looked at each other and nodded in agreement, all with the appearance of having their plan ready, just waiting for Zhang San to take the bait.

After settling into the main hall, dishes and drinks began to be served promptly.

Zhang San, assuming the air of the local host, raised his glass to Li Shangfa and drained it in one gulp. He then smiled at the three Officers from the other side and gestured for them to drink together.

At this moment, although the three Officers wore smiles on their faces, they were utterly baffled inside.

How could he just drink the wine and eat the food that was given to him?

Though we did indeed not poison the food, isn’t he worried that we might have?

After observing the situation at the Town Demon Office for a while, Li Shangfa felt much relieved.

"Originally, I was concerned that as the new Deputy Chief Zhang in Longyou Road and considering the rumored discord between the Town Martial Office and the Town Demon Office, something might happen to you after coming here. I never expected the Town Demon Office, from top to bottom, would be so harmonious."

Li Shangfa, despite his age, still yearned for Legalism.

Knowing that Zhang San was the Pharaoh’s closed-door disciple and the future leader of Legalism, he naturally held some respect for him.

Therefore, he specifically came along, claiming it was to escort, but in reality, he was worried that something might happen to Zhang San after his arrival.

But to his surprise, he saw the Town Demon Office getting along very well and being quite enthusiastic about Zhang San, which put his mind at ease a great deal.

Zhang San chuckled and said, "To be honest, when I left the Capital, I brought along my six sworn brothers including Wang Ziteng. But when I reached Julong Pass, as you saw, I was followed by more than a hundred and fifty people."

Li Shangfa was startled and asked, "Aren’t those people the martial artists and cultivators from the Town Martial Office?"

Zhang San smiled and shook his head, then poured himself another cup of wine.

"Those were people from the Town Demon Office who had misunderstandings about me and wanted to assassinate me. However, after getting to know what kind of person I really am, they all agreed to follow me."

"Ah!?"

"Ah???"

Li Shangfa’s face was filled with shock.

The three Officers from the Town Demon Office were even more bewildered.

More than a hundred and fifty people went to assassinate you, and then they all switched sides?

Did you use some illusion technique?

Then, Zhang San said with a smile, "Although there were indeed some conflicts and misunderstandings between the Town Martial Office and the Town Demon Office in the past, after all, my main purpose here is to deal with Qian Shanxiu, the former Chief of the Town Demon Office, who was plotting treason. His crime does not implicate the others in the Town Demon Office. We are all good comrades."

As he spoke, Zhang San raised his glass to the three Officers and smiled slightly.

The three Officers, sweating profusely, immediately raised their glasses.

After downing his drink, Zhang San said with a laugh, "Since I am the Deputy Chief of the Town Demon Office, what I consider is naturally the benefit of everyone in the Town Demon Office. How to increase everyone’s earnings, how to quickly enhance everyone’s strength, and how to make everyone’s life better—that’s what I, as the Deputy Chief, should do."

"I absolutely trust everyone in the Town Demon Office. And I believe that everyone here is a member of the Town Demon Office. They won’t harm me!"

At this moment, Zhang San began to select dishes, taking a chopstick-full from each and placing it in his mouth.

Even though Zhang San said nothing else, the faces of the three Officers burned with shame.

Even some cultivators from the Town Demon Office ambushed outside the main hall couldn’t help but want to slap themselves.

We were worried that Zhang San came prepared this time, planning to deal with us.

But now, seeing how open and upstanding he is, while we are out here thinking of ambushing him like executioners!

We are really too despicable!