Mountain Patrol Military Officer
Chapter 313 - 271: The Prestige of the 9th Mountain (Request for Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 313: Chapter 271: The Prestige of the 9th Mountain (Request for Monthly Ticket)

"Continue!"

"Ah." The girl took the meat, her face bashful, "Thank you, Uncle San Gen."

"Hey, no need for thanks, just invite your uncle to your wedding banquet when you two have it, and I’ll be happy," the coarse butcher laughed heartily.

The girl named Xiu’er instantly blushed, but her eyes were clear and bright. She nodded earnestly, "We definitely will, uncle, I’m heading off now."

Saying so, Xiu’er hurriedly picked up her basket and rushed towards Bottle Mouth Alley.

Uncle San Gen from the butcher shop, seeing the girl’s hurried figure, a cruel and greasy face revealed a kind of maternal smile.

How wonderful!

This lovesick girl who nearly died for love a few days ago, has finally waited for her brother to return from the battlefield!

As neighbors in Bottle Mouth Alley, everyone genuinely felt happy for this couple, who had endured hardships.

On Xiu’er’s end, her steps quickened and her heart carried an urgency, wanting to see her brother soon and cook for him to restore his health.

Along the way, occasionally some neighbors who saw her would cheerfully call out, some she knew, and many she did not.

"Xiu’er."

"Going to see your Brother Zhi, right?"

"Heard he came back injured from the battlefield, sigh, take this, and make soup for Brother Zhi."

"Uncle Ya, you’re too old to be earning money from this, you should keep it to sell."

"I’m telling you to take it, I’m happy, go on."

"Ah."

"......"

And other neighbors from the market stalls, upon seeing her, stuffed things into her basket without a word.

Soon, as she walked, Xiu’er’s basket was brimming.

She knew this was the neighborhood’s goodwill for her brother, overwhelming her heart with warmth. Though she wanted to refuse, not wanting to consume her brother’s favors, the neighbors were too enthusiastic, and she couldn’t resist them.

She silently noted it in her heart. As she neared Bottle Mouth Alley, an old woman, also with a basket, buying vegetables came towards her. This grandmother, with her triangle-shaped eyes gave off a harsh and stingy impression; the pair of near-white eyeballs also made her seem somewhat vicious.

Seeing this old woman, Xiu’er proactively stepped aside to avoid her.

Because this old woman was known not to be a good person, she loved to gossip, stir trouble, and take advantage. Many neighbors had poor relations with her. She had a son, idle and irresponsible, who hadn’t found a wife at the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight. The old woman thought highly of her son, even going so far as to boast about him and face rejection when proposing marriages, standing in front of people’s houses cursing. It was rumored that she had a cousin who worked as a clerk in the government gate; otherwise, she would have likely been beaten to death by now.

Her family had suffered harassment before.

Yet, when this old woman saw Xiu’er, those whitening eyes glanced over, her face crinkled like old tree bark, smiling yet not smiling, as she eagerly moved closer to talk.

"Isn’t this Xiu’er, oh, buying so many things."

"Going to see Zuo Zhi from the Zuo Family, huh."

"Look at you, girl, your face is quite pretty, why rush to give yourself away, what for?"

The old woman leaned in closer, her triangular eyes sparkling cunningly, whispering softly:

"A woman should value herself more. That boy from the Zuo Family, came back from the army, heard he gained nothing, even lost an arm."

"It may sound unpleasant, but he’s disabled now, might not even be able to remain in the army. Also, fighting demons in the army, how dangerous it is, might just die any moment, then how will you live, huh, girl, not trying to be nosy, but think it through. You see, even your family is being foolish, like my son, now..."

Her words weren’t finished when suddenly, a slap sound echoed.

The always gentle and virtuous girl, Xiu’er, now had eyes red with rage, and slapped the old woman’s face.

"What right do you have to talk about Brother Zhi like that."

The other party was stunned, then her pale triangular pupils emitted a malicious light, she threw a tantrum in the street, cursing, "You disrespectful brat, dare to hit me, why doesn’t your man die in the battlefield, you cursed girl..."

While cursing, her hands, like claws, reached out to scratch Xiu’er’s face.

The girl Xiu’er, how could she fight back against such a rude old woman, dodging as she got pushed directly to the ground.

Fruits and vegetables from her basket scattered all around.

And that old woman, still viciously lunging to scratch her, some neighbors seeing this, immediately swarmed to pull the old woman away and helped Xiu’er stand up, shielding her and angrily confronting the old woman.

"Old Woman, what do you think you’re doing."

"You old hag, why trouble her for nothing."

The old woman was still fiercely resentful, "This ill-mannered girl, dares to hit me, defying heaven, you cursed people, why don’t you all go die, just bullying an old lady."

Crying and shouting, she threw a tantrum on the street.

Just as the neighbors were about to argue,

at that moment, a shout came.

"Move aside!"

Quickly, the sound of horse hooves approached, rushing through the streets, with a martial artist in black attire leading the way, loudly scolding, the townsfolk seeing these people, cried out, quickly dispersing, afraid to obstruct their path.

"It’s the Xia Family’s people."

The Eastern City’s Xia Family, in the eyes of these ordinary citizens from the east side, stood highly unapproachable, a massive entity, more daunting than the government office, not to be provoked.

The neighbors of Bottle Mouth Alley, alarmed, hurriedly pulled Xiu’er to the roadside, the old hag who had just been throwing a fit, startled by the commotion, quickly rolled to the side and swiftly got up.

Only to see, the martial artist riding the horses leading the way, quickly passing through, the scattered fruits and vegetables on the road crushed under the horse hooves.

Xiu’er, seeing the neighbors’ kindness trampled like this, her eyes brimmed with tears, about to pick up the items that rolled near her.

At that moment, one of the passing Xia Family’s martial artist saw her, his horsewhip raised high, his face fierce,

"Get out of the way!"

Xiu’er looked up in alarm.

Just as the whip was about to fall, a figure leaped from the entrance of Bottle Mouth Alley, landing with a "bang", right in front of Xiu’er.

One hand grasped the descending horsewhip.

Following that, with a fierce pull of his hand, the Martial Artist of the Xia Family grunted as he was flung off his horse, which seemed to be frightened by something and collapsed onto the ground with a softening of its legs and a neigh.

The commotion startled the horses behind, which stopped with a long neigh and their hooves raised high.

Soon, loud shouts erupted,

"What audacity to block the Xia Family’s carriage."

"Seeking death?"

The Xia Family Martial Artists, looking fiercely, turned their intense gaze towards the figure who suddenly dashed out, with unwelcoming expressions.

There before the young lady stood a figure, tall and large, with only one arm; his other sleeve hung empty, wearing ordinary clothes.

"Brother Zhi."

The girl, seeing the tall figure, called out anxiously with worry evident in her clear eyes.

The one-armed man tossed away the horsewhip in his hand, turned around, gave the girl a reassuring look, and then said coldly:

"You recklessly ride your horses and attack in the street and when stopped, accuse a person like me of seeking death. Is this road owned by your Xia Family?"

A Xia Family Martial Artist, in a brocade robe and with eagle-like eyebrows, rode a tall horse, looking down with a piercing gaze. If it wasn’t for the order from Second Master yesterday requiring the Xia Family to keep a low profile recently, the man who spoke so boldly would have been dead by now.

His brows furrowed.

"Just a Second Realm Qi Refinement, yet so bold. Who are you? You better clarify, or else..."

"He’s just an enlisted man!" A sharp voice rose from the onlookers, almost gleeful.

Amid the crowd, too many people to identify the speaker, but the neighbors of Bottle Mouth Alley recognized it was that Old Woman, and they couldn’t contain their anger.

"Ninth Mountain’s Right Route Weiwei Army, Zuo Zhi!" The one-armed man spoke slowly.

This was the Small flag officer who, back in Guang’an City, was seen by Chen Yuan carrying a portrait of the young girl.

As Zuo Zhi declared his identity, the leading man’s expression changed drastically, his words sticking in his throat, and he became awkward. Damn it, it’s the Ninth Mountain again.

This was one of the figures whom the Second Master had strictly forbidden his men from provoking.

It wasn’t the Troops of Jiushan they feared, but the high authority above them.

At that moment, a delightful female voice timely arose.

"What’s going on?"

The leader of the Xia Family Martial Artists immediately rode to the rear, where several lavishly decorated carriages and a large number of attendants were.

The man moved over to the last carriage and approached the window on the side of the carriage.

"Second Miss!"

Shortly after, a woman’s voice came from inside, "Give this to the girl; it should be enough."

Following that, something flew out— a gorgeously crafted Green Jade Hairpin.

The brocade-clad Martial Artist caught it, his expression resentful, "Second Miss, there’s no need for your noble self to do this."

The voice inside, firm and a bit haughty, responded, "It’s easy to meet King Yan, but hard to fend off little ghosts. Don’t complicate matters further. Go to the Yun Family, and don’t delay important matters."

"Yes!"

Quickly, the leading Martial Artist rode forward to Zuo Zhi, without dismounting, and spoke plainly, "Our Second Miss is benevolent. This Green Jade Hairpin she bestowed is worth a fortune, offered to this lady as compensation for her fright."

With that, he tossed it as if giving alms.

Then, without further ado, he commanded his men,

"Continue on!"

He then coldly glanced at Zuo Zhi, his eyes filled with disdain, and suddenly flicked his horsewhip towards the crowd.

A scream was heard as an old woman was whipped to the ground, her back slashed open with a bloody mess, her clothes torn, exposing bone, and in pain, she cried and wailed loudly.

"This old crone, seems like she has a bad relationship with you, inciting trouble in the crowd. I taught her a lesson for you, no need to thank me."

With that, the Xia Family Martial Artist coldly laughed and rode off, continuing their way.

Zuo Zhi took the Green Jade Hairpin, watched everything coldly, and as the Xia Family’s convoy moved away, he flicked it back into the rear carriage.

"Appreciate the gesture from Lady Xia, but the gift is declined. I, Zuo, cannot accept this."

After he made this gesture,

The Small flag officer, taking the girl by the hand, turned and walked towards Bottle Mouth Alley.

Soon, the commotion dissipated.

The neighbors of Bottle Mouth Alley watched as the figure of the Zuo family young man receded, and as the impressively stern parade of the Xia Family drove off, their eyes widened.

Had they seen that right? Did the Xia Family’s lord just actually make amends to the Zuo family’s son?

"That old woman seems to be in severe pain!"

Someone in the neighborhood exclaimed.

Others heard and some spat disdainfully, "Good riddance, truly unable to discern the situation. Speaking recklessly even in these circumstances. I always said such people would be beaten to death eventually for their sharp tongues."

While some sighed, "Say less, after all, the death is a serious matter, let’s help clean up."

As they were busy, at the entrance to the alley,

The sound of horse hooves arose again.

There appeared several Armored Soldiers clad in Black Armor, riding horses.

Leading them was an official in a Feiqin Civil Official Robe, who politely inquired.

"Excuse me, where does Zuo Zhi live?"

Not long after, loud noises filled the alley.

"Ninth Mountain’s Right Route Weiwei Army, Zuo Zhi, you are hereby summoned!"

"By the order of Ninth Mountain’s Colonel, effective from today......."