Mo Yang was really looking forward to returning.
This signified a new beginning.
After spending several days, a group of more than thirty people returned to Anshui County City.
Upon returning, Mo Yang discovered that Anshui County had once again been occupied by a force, and its location in Anshui County City was fated to be coveted by many powers.
Although this power had not colluded with demon beasts like the officials, their exploitation was excessive to an even greater extent.
In addition to food, they compelled common folk to search for spiritual medicine in the mountains.
Life was not better than before.
This power was not very strong, so Mo Yang and his group quickly dealt with these people.
Then naturally, it was time to distribute grain and money.
“Mr. Mo Yang, will you leave again?” an old man asked, not going to collect his share of grain but approaching Mo Yang with hope shining in his eyes.
Gazing at the cheering populace and the old man before him, Mo Yang increasingly felt that Xing’s opinion was correct and said, “Elder, we are not leaving!”
“Good, good!” the old man was extremely excited. “Thank you for Mr. Mo Yang’s great kindness!”
As he spoke, he attempted to kneel.
“That won’t be necessary, Elder!”
Xing, witnessing this scene, wore an even brighter smile.
He knew that Anshui County City would be taken over and choosing this place would make it easier for Mo Yang to strengthen his resolve.
Clearly, the outcome was exceptionally good now.
Seeing this scene, Mo Yang would probably not leave.
Everything was within the plan.
Next would be “to build tall walls, amass a wealth of grain, and claim sovereignty at a leisurely pace.”
First, develop stability for a period before discussing other matters.
Of course, these nine words were not for now.
For Mo Yang, his words naturally meant that only with sufficient strength could he protect more people.
In fact, the two did not conflict; they were even quite harmonious.
Such was the charm of language.
After calming the populace and sending them home, Mo Yang and his group arrived at the Anshui County City government office.
“Mr. Xing, what should we do now?”
“It’s simple; accumulate resources to become stronger. Only with enough strength can you have more, otherwise, everything is just empty talk.”
Now was the best period to build strength.
Due to the situation in Shuzhou being at a standstill, King Yong Nian simply did not have time to deal with matters below.
“Mr. Mo Yang, your next task is to break through to the grandmaster level. You should have some clues, right?”
Having followed Mo Yang for a while,
Xing was well aware of Mo Yang’s strength, which was already very close to that of a grandmaster.
With some time, he would most likely break through and become a grandmaster level martial artist, and his combat prowess wouldn’t be weak, for those rare experiences don’t come by easily.
“It should be soon, in a month or two.”
Mo Yang was confident in his own strength.
“Then congratulations in advance, Mr. Mo Yang!”
Saying so, Xing looked towards Mo Yang’s group of followers.
The group was actually quite good.
To be martial artists who could wander around Shuzhou with Mo Yang and survive meant they couldn’t possibly be weak.
Two Eighth-Grade Martial Artists, eleven Seventh-Grade Martial Artists, fifteen Sixth-Grade Martial Artists, and seven Fifth-Grade Martial Artists, thirty-five in total.
Their strength seemed luxurious, but Xing was not entirely satisfied.
“You also need to improve your strength. Those below Seventh-Grade must at least reach Seventh-Grade, and those who are already there should aspire to raise by one grade. It’s a good time to digest your recent gains.”
“Yes!”
Although Xing had not been following Mo Yang for a very long time, his prestige was high among the group.
So, they didn’t reject his command at all.
However, Xing’s instructions were not yet finished.
Strength is the foundation, but strength is not just personal martial power; it includes the power of one’s subordinates as well.
He looked at Mo Yang and asked, “Mr. Mo Yang, you want to protect more people, don’t you?”
Mo Yang nodded.
“Then we should recruit more hands to expand our strength.”
“Do we not have enough people now?”
Xing said, “It all depends on how many people you want to protect. If you just want to protect the Three Counties like that person, then of course there’s no problem. But if you want to protect more people, what we have now is far from enough!”
He was telling the truth.
With Mo Yang’s current strength, protecting two or three county cities would be feasible.
But with the current state of Shuzhou, once Jiangyuan City falls, it would be completely insufficient.
The interests represented by Shuzhou were, after all, very significant.
“Not enough?”
Mo Yang had previously been just a slightly lucky ranger, so he was not very familiar with these issues.
Xing wasn’t surprised, “It’s okay. You can learn little by little.”
Such matters were learnt quickly in practice.
So, Xing patiently explained some matters to Mo Yang.
Mo Yang was not stupid; he quickly understood these things.
And he vaguely realized what he wanted to do, and suddenly, he felt a panic at facing such enormous responsibility.
Xing noticed this but didn’t intervene.
As Mo Yang struggled within, he thought of those citizens and suddenly firmed his resolve.
“Xing, can you tell me what I should do?”
“Mr. Mo Yang, are you sure?”
Mo Yang closed his eyes and nodded. Although he was still somewhat confused, thinking of those citizens, he realized he couldn’t leave them.
His initial intention as a ranger was to rectify the world’s injustices. Now, he faced another critical choice.
He could choose to continue as a free spirit, but he found he simply could not make that choice.
A true man has things he must and must not do.
“I made a choice from the beginning, my life is mine; if the heavens wish to take it, then let them take it!”
As he spoke, he looked at Xing.
“Please guide me, sir!” Though the words were similar, the meaning was completely different this time.
Xing gave a respectful salute and said, “I dare not disobey, my lord!”
Far away, Yue suddenly raised his head.
“Xing, have you finally set out on your own path?”