An official naturally had the protection of the law. He should be respected, but how could such a peasant dare to do such things to them?
If he could not obtain special privileges, he would be different from ordinary people. If he was superior, why did he have to study so hard in the exams?
If he became an official in the future and wanted to find trouble with such a criminal, his life would still be threatened… Then why take the risk for such a lowly peasant?
After all, if he really managed to get into the academic route with great difficulty, he would have a bright future ahead of him. His life would be very smooth flowing from then on…
Wu Zheng’s thoughts were in chaos.
Subconsciously, he was even less anxious about revenge. In addition, his fear of Chen Feng deepened.
…
While the state government officials were posting the arrest documents everywhere, Zhou Jing and the others had already left An Lin Prefecture.
After traveling for a few days and confirming that there were no more pursuers from the state capital, everyone finally stopped in a forest and separated.
The leader of the Heavenly King Stronghold wanted to return to the north, while Li Chun and the others wanted to return to Red Cloud Mountain. Since the situation was already safe, it was time to part ways.
“It’s really a pleasure to get to know you all and do such a thing together. Unfortunately, we’ve been out of the village for a long time. We’re going back to the north.”
Xiang Tianjie cupped his fists at everyone as he said solemnly.
Li Chun also cupped his hands and said, “Sigh, let’s hope we’re fated to meet again. We’ll be parting ways too.”
Xiang Tianjie smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries. Then, he turned to look at Guo Haishen and said solemnly,
“Brother Guo, you’ve been harmed by the government. Why don’t you follow me and sit on one of the thrones in my Heavenly King Stronghold? In the future, you can eat meat and drink wine everyday, won’t it be a great thing!”
He felt that since he had saved Guo Haishen on this trip, the other party should not refuse.
However, Guo Haishen hesitated for a moment before shaking his head in guilt.
“Chiefs, you saved me from prison. I’m grateful for your kindness. I should have agreed to join you, but I have another reason now… Sigh, please forgive me for not being able to follow you north.”
Xiang Tianjie was stunned and asked, “Brother Guo, is there anything you haven’t done?”
Guo Haishen nodded deeply before looking at Zhou Jing,
“Brother Chen has committed such a huge crime for me. The Imperial Court will definitely bear a grudge and take revenge. The Imperial Court will most likely send troops to hunt him down in the near future. Brother Chen is in danger. I can’t abandon him and take refuge alone. I’ve already made up my mind to travel with Brother Chen. Even if I have to sacrifice my life, I have to protect him. If any pursuers come, Brother Chen and I will fight the enemy side by side. We will advance and retreat together!”
He felt that he owed Zhou Jing a huge favor. While Zhou Jing’s situation was not safe, he did not intend to leave him.
Although they had yet to become sworn brothers on the way, Guo Haishen felt that he and Zhou Jing were on the same wavelength. He had already made up his mind to acknowledge this brother of his. They would share all blessings and difficulties together.
Hearing this, Xiang Tianjie immediately looked at Zhou Jing and advised,
“Brother Chen, you’ve injured an official of the Imperial Court, so you’ll definitely suffer revenge. Because the incident is based in the south, the pursuit here will be the greatest, but the north is completely different. Brother, why don’t you follow us north and join my Heavenly King Stronghold? That way, you don’t have to worry about the Imperial Court’s pursuit at all.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of the leaders of the Heavenly King Stronghold lit up as they warmly invited him over as well.
They admired Zhou Jing’s martial arts and heroic behavior, hence they also wished to live under the same roof and get close to him in the future.
Seeing this, Li Chun could not sit still anymore. He quickly spoke to Zhou Jing.
“Brother Chen, I also admire your heroic actions. Although Red Cloud Mountain is a small stronghold, I’m willing to protect you. I sincerely invite you to my Red Cloud Mountain to rest as well.”
Although Red Cloud Mountain was only a small fry compared to the Heavenly King Stronghold, he still wished to try and compete.
Receiving two invitations at the same time, Zhou Jing pondered for two seconds before speaking.
“I appreciate the kindness of the leaders of the Heavenly King Stronghold, but Brother Li Chun and I have long known each other and have already agreed to go to Red Cloud Mountain for a chat. Moreover, I don’t plan to leave the south for the time being, so I can only reject your good intentions. However, I’ll go to the north in the future and visit the brothers of Heavenly King to drink and chat.”
He planned to go to Red Cloud Mountain. Firstly, the journey was closer, and it was too far to the north. Secondly, a small environment would mean that he would have fewer things to do. He needed a more relaxed environment to increase his strength next. Red Cloud Mountain was more suitable.
As for the fact that the Imperial Court had sent pursuers… they had to at least know where he was. It was difficult to expose his whereabouts if he acted in a small group.
Hearing this, Li Chun was overjoyed.
As for Xiang Tianjie, he was depressed.
Guo Haishen should have joined the team who rescued him out of gratitude, but he did not expect him to lean towards Zhou Jing instead.
However, the other party’s reason was legitimate, so Xiang Tianjie could not refute it. He could only accept reality helplessly.
However, from what Zhou Jing said, he was only going to Red Cloud Mountain to settle down and not to join them. Only then did Xiang Tianjie feel much better. He felt that Zhou Jing might still join different strongholds in the future, and his Heavenly King Stronghold had a high chance of success.
Thinking of this, Xiang Tianjie put down his emotions and cupped his hands.
“Alright, be careful, brother. When I return to the north, I will definitely tell the leader of the mountain about Brother Chen’s loyalty and spread it throughout the forest so that the world will know about you!”
He still wanted to form a good relationship with Zhou Jing and made up his mind to make a name for him. With a colossus like his Heavenly King Stronghold as a witness, this matter would definitely cause a sensation in the Green Forest.
Zhou Jing also cupped his fists in response and did not refuse his good intentions.
At this moment, Gao Yun spoke up and said regretfully, “Brother, I can’t go with you. Although I didn’t introduce myself when I caused trouble in the south this time, to be careful, I plan to return to the north and settle down in another place. If I have time in the future, I’ll come and drink with you and discuss martial arts.”
“Alright, I’ll wait for you, brother.”
Zhou Jing nodded in response.
At this moment, Li Chun looked at Fang Zhen and smiled.
“Brother Fang, what are your plans?”
Fang Zhen shrugged and said without hesitation, “I’m a wandering cultivator. I’ll go wherever my brother goes.”
“Alright, it’s great to have a brother to accompany me.”
Zhou Jing laughed heartily when he heard this.
Li Chun was even happier. This wave of invitations had brought Guo Haishen and Fang Zhen up the mountain. It was simply a buy one get two free deal.
After a short chat, everyone from the Heavenly King Stronghold and Gao Yun decided to head north.
The new group formed by Zhou Jing, Guo Haishen, and Fang Zhen planned to follow Li Chun to Red Cloud Mountain and temporarily stay there to observe the Imperial Court’s attitude. Zhang San and the other three naturally followed.
Everyone explained their direction, and the group immediately split into two.
They looked at each other, and their expressions turned solemn.
“The road to the martial world is long, and the mountains and rivers are high. The world is like duckweed, and there will always be a gathering and separation. I only hope that in the future if we meet again, I can still drink and chat happily with you!”
Both sides were people from the Green Forest and were not shy. They solemnly cupped their fists and bade farewell to each other.
Then, the two groups separated on the spot and walked their own ways, their backs facing each other as they gradually walked away.