50 Siege
It was the dead of winter, and everything was covered in snow.
However, Jiang Ming’s small house was cozy and warm.
Jiang Ming was reading a medical book when Zhou Wenxiu brought him a cup of tea.
Jiang Ming hummed a little tune and looked at the snow outside the door, feeling very comfortable.
As the new year approached, Jiang Ming returned to Peace Town from the mountains. He had decided to take a break from practicing martial arts.
He could now use the Blood-Burning Saber Technique fifteen times in a row. Currently, he could even hold his own against an experienced second-class martial artist like Guan Feng.
Even if the flames of war spread to Great Cloud City, they were strong enough to protect themselves.
He had also comprehended the Crouch of the Tiger to a very deep level. With just a little more improvement, he would master the technique.
However, it was like he had hit a wall. Jiang Ming could not scale it no matter what. Therefore, he decided to let it rest for now. Perhaps a fresh perspective would help him improve.
“Two years have flown past since I woke up in this world. Alas, I’m afraid this year won’t be as easy as the last.” Jiang Ming sighed internally and instructed Zhou Wenxiu to practice at home. He took some medicinal herbs and went out to the Peace Town branch of the Tiger Hunting Village.
In the past two years, Jiang Ming had learned a lot about medicinal herbs. In addition, he also learned a few medical skills from Dr. Sun. During this period, he would work as a medic in the mountains and treat the injuries of those from the Peace Town branch of the Tiger Hunting Village branch.
Peace Town had continued to flourish and now, with an edict from the imperial court, it was now Peace County,
However, the official name would take a while to change.
After all, they were in a war. The emperor had more pressing matters to worry about.
Jiang Ming saw a lot of women as he walked along the streets. They looked like refined young ladies from noble families. Why were they in Peace Town?
When he walked into the Peace Town Branch of the Tiger Hunting Village, Jiang Ming was surprised to find that many women, old and young were also there. It seemed that they had just arrived and were still sorting out their luggage.
“Master Feng, why are you here?” Jiang Ming suddenly saw a person and quickly walked over to help him carry his luggage.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Pharmacist Feng said half-jokingly as the two of them walked toward their assigned residence.
“What’s going on?” Jiang Ming was puzzled.
Only then did Pharmacist Feng say with a sigh, “According to Master Guan’s information, Qinglin Village has fallen. After the village was breached last night, the Green Mountain King announced that their next target would be Great Cloud City. If the city can’t be defended, the main branch will also fall. Thus, he sent the old and the vulnerable here to avoid the war.”
“They got the news pretty fast. The Flying Cloud Castle probably let them know,” Jiang Ming thought to himself.
“Was Peace Town spared?” he asked, puzzled.
“There’s something you don’t know,” Pharmacist Feng said faintly. “The Green Mountain Army claims to fight for the people. They have always been mindful of civilians. Even when the city was breached, they strictly refrained from plundering and killing innocents. A few counties surrendered without a fight, and the Green Mountain Army kept their promise. They didn’t kill a single soldier and only dismissed them. There’s no garrison in Peace Town, so the Green Mountain Army won’t waste their time here. However, Great Cloud City is different. It’s an important barrier to prevent entry to the south. The imperial court will definitely guard it heavily. When the time comes, the battle will be intense!”
Jiang Ming was stunned for a moment. He did not expect the Green Mountain Army to be so righteous and benevolent.
However, the next moment, Jiang Ming thought of Wei Yan’s evaluation of the Green Mountain Army.
“They won’t be able to do much.”
“Benevolence and righteousness are the best slogans for those in power. However, for the rebel army, it is their fatal weakness.”
Jiang Ming sighed, but then he thought about it again.
This was a good thing for Peace Town.
* * *
A few days later, the news that the Green Mountain Army had taken down Qinglin Village gradually reached the ears of the people of Peace Town. It immediately caused the residents to panic.
After all, no matter how well the Green Mountain Army was described, it was still a rebel army. No one could guarantee what it would be like when they reached Peace Town.
Unlike the others, the people from the Shi family and the Old Snake Gang instantly became haughty. As Mr. Dong walked through the town, his nose was high in the air.
When he saw Jiang Ming a few times, Mr. Dong even mocked him for looking unaware.
Jiang Ming naturally ignored this. He had no time to waste on small fry like Mr. Dong.
The days passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was the new year. The Green Mountain Army seemed to be stagnant after breaching Qinglin Village.
However, everyone could feel that a storm was brewing.
“It seems that the Green Mountain King isn’t stupid. He knows that Great Cloud City will be the place for the final battle. Everything depends on the outcome of this battle.”
Jiang Ming shook his head. He had a good break. He began to practice in the mountain again. He had a feeling that the intent of the ferocious tiger was already within his reach.
* * *
It was early spring, and the land was lush with life.
It was almost dusk, and Jiang Ming’s body exuded a fierce aura.
The sky turned dark before Jiang Ming threw his last punch and suddenly opened his eyes.
“I have comprehended the intent of the tiger!”
Jiang Ming let out a long roar, startling the birds.
“From today on, I, Zhang Shan, am a second-class martial artist!”
It had already been a month since the new year.
After his excitement faded, Jiang Ming calmed down and decided to go see what Peace Town was up to.
* * *
Jiang Ming returned to Peace Town in the night.
“What?” Jiang Ming stood on the mountainside near the town and saw a campfire flickering.
“Has the Green Mountain Army already arrived?” Jiang Ming was shocked.
“I thought they said the war would now affect Peace Town!” Jiang Ming’s eyes narrowed slightly. After observing the scene for a moment, he continued to go down.
He could see that the campfire was clearly a distance away from Peace Town. It seemed that the Green Mountain Army indeed had some principles.
“But will they stick to their principles until the end?” Jiang Ming shook his head.
It all depended on the outcome of their next battle.