The Demon Lords-Chapter 600 - 94 Blooming and Withering_1

The character of the Blind Man, formerly depicted in comics as a psychologist. A psychologist, too, must know how to converse; a psychologist who doesn't know how to converse always seems to lack a certain something.

Later, the Blind Man was not satisfied with only one profession. He began moonlighting and inadvertently talked so many people into following him that he effectively started a cult.

After coming to this world, he even set up a fortune-telling stall to earn the initial start-up capital for everyone's inn.

This ability to swindle people was truly innate.

Of course, the art of deceit lies in one's true intentions. As the proverb goes, "With no desires, one becomes strong." It is precisely because one has desires that one can be swayed.

It was the Blind Man who perceived the Sword Saint's confusion and thus extended this olive branch.

Never mind other things; just imagine the future: the Lord standing on the city walls of Shengle. In front of him, the Tiger Guards; behind him, the seven demon kings; and beside him, the Sword Saint of this era.

The Blind Man believed that considering Zheng Fan's love for spectacle and showing off, this scenario would excite him so much he wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

The street of this world isn't that exaggerated, and the martial artists of this world aren't that abnormally powerful. The rise and fall of dynasties still depend on the relentless tide of armies and warfare.

But if they could truly persuade a great figure like the Sword Saint to take up residence in Shengle City, then should war ever break out, his presence alone on any section of the city wall would be equivalent to an additional one thousand heavy cavalry!

Inside the carriage, Ding Heng and Cui Linfeng exchanged glances and wisely remained silent. They knew clearly that in this situation, they were not qualified to speak.

The Sword Saint's reputation was too significant and overwhelming. He had dominated the street of Jin State for a decade, unmatched by anyone. Even the Blind Man, who initially seemed to do nothing but flatter, hiding his true capabilities, had previously shown his impressive character with his words to the Silver Armored Guards of Qian State.

The Blind Man also knew how to handle the situation. First, he opened the carriage curtain and handed the child to Ding Heng. Then he said, "You two are prominent figures in the street community of Jin. Although Jin State has perished, you must understand what a disaster it would be for the people of Jin land if the wild people were to invade. I implore you both to cast aside sectarian views and go to Shengle City to defend the border for the sake of the people of Jin land. Such matters of right and wrong are merely the gossip of petty individuals. A true hero or heroine, with justice in their heart, walks the great path."

These words were beautifully put.

In reality, many on the street, if given the chance, would seek to align themselves with the powerful.

Even those literary types, who usually feign high moral character, aren't they always trying to curry favor with the imperial family?

Ding Heng clasped his fists towards the Blind Man, then turned to the Sword Saint and declared, "I, Ding, am willing to follow Lord Sword Saint. My brothers in the gang, if they knew of this opportunity, would naturally be overjoyed."

Cui Linfeng covered her mouth and giggled, her ample chest swaying. She said, "I feel the same way. When we arrive, I'll write a letter back to the stockade. The Chief and the others will definitely be tempted."

"In that case, on behalf of the people of Jin land, I thank you both for your righteous decision!"

As the Blind Man spoke, he bowed to Ding Heng and Cui Linfeng.

Ding Heng and Cui Linfeng hurriedly stepped aside, not daring to accept such a deep bow.

The carriage continued on its way, moving forward confidently.

The Sword Saint suddenly turned to the Blind Man sitting beside him and said, "You are quite a character."

"My Lord, you flatter me."

"However, I am more curious about the one who managed to make you his subordinate. That Commander of Shengle City you mentioned earlier, is he truly as lowly as a dog, as you described?"

"My Lord, do you know why there's a saying, 'A fine bird chooses a tree to nest in'?"

"Hmm, why is that?"

"Because they are often blind."

"Are you blind, uh…"

The Sword Saint shook his head and added, "Never mind, forget I asked."

「The next morning.」

Just as Zheng Fan had gotten up and finished freshening up, he opened his room door to find Li Yiyong and a group of men standing outside. They had originally been sitting on chairs, largely blocking the second-floor corridor. However, since they were all in armor, neither the innkeeper nor the passing guests dared to say anything.

Jin land was newly annexed, and the war had ended only half a year prior. The people's fear of soldiers and weapons was still very palpable.

When Zheng Fan opened the door, Li Yiyong immediately rose to his feet, and the others followed suit. Right there in the corridor, they all knelt before Zheng Fan.

"Greetings, General!"

"Greetings, General!"

Zheng Fan looked surprised and, pointing into his room, said, "Everyone, come inside."

After they had all entered, Li Yiyong made the introductions, "General, these are all the officers of captain rank and above from the entire battalion. They represent all the soldiers in thanking you for yesterday's reward."

"Everyone, please sit. Find a place for yourselves."

"Thank you, General."

"Thank you, General."

Li Yiyong being so astute was somewhat unexpected by Zheng Fan. Yesterday, A Ming had suggested that Li Yiyong might try to claim the credit for himself, but he had been very direct. Not only did he arrive early with his officers to express gratitude, but he also brought some local specialties from Jin land.

He hadn't brought any gold or silver, just some local products from the Li Tian City area. There wasn't much; each man carried a small portion, purely as a token of their sincerity.

After everyone had met, spoken, and been introduced, Li Yiyong tactfully rose and led his officers to take their leave, not wanting to disturb Zheng Fan's important matters. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Once they had left, A Ming leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head.

He remarked, "This Li Yiyong is truly an eye-opener."

"It just shows he has long-term vision," Zheng Fan said.

A Ming nodded. "It's fair to say we've found a gem."

"It was a gift from Tian Wujing."

"I know, I know. My lord, what would you like to eat? I'll have the innkeeper prepare it."

"Anything will do."

"My lord, are we setting off tomorrow?"

"Hmm, in the afternoon, I will attempt to visit the Marquis's residence."

They were leaving tomorrow. Emotionally, Zheng Fan was supposed to be the godfather to Tian Wujing's child. Rationally, having just been promoted by Lord Jingnan, he was obliged to pay a visit.

Actually, according to custom, Zheng Fan should have gone to express his gratitude last night. However, given the current atmosphere at the Marquis's residence, it wasn't the right time for networking or building connections. Besides, Zheng Fan knew that Tian Wujing wouldn't hold it against him for being a little late in offering his thanks.

"The Blind Man hasn't arrived yet," A Ming added.

"I didn't realize you two were so close."

"Just a polite inquiry. After all, based on the distance and estimated travel time, even if the Blind Man were riding a donkey for the last stretch, he should have arrived by now."

"Let's think positively. Perhaps he was delayed by something."

"Hmm."

After a simple lunch at the inn, Zheng Fan got up and left for the Marquis's residence.

However, the main gates of the Marquis's residence were tightly shut. There had been a funeral procession the day before, and today the gates remained closed, guarded by numerous armored soldiers, turning away all visitors.

Whether they came to offer incense or to express condolences, all were turned away.

Zheng Fan approached, intending to try and use his connections, as he considered himself a "special" case.

However, the captain who had previously given him a subtle nod simply shook his head this time and said, "Lord Zheng, the Lord has given strict orders to refuse all visitors. Even the eunuch from the palace bearing an imperial edict was not allowed to enter today."

There was nothing Zheng Fan could do but turn back and return to the inn.

"My lord, you couldn't see him?"

A Ming was sitting in the room, drinking some red wine that Master Zhang had left for him.

Zheng Fan shook his head.

A Ming chuckled. "Interesting. Is Lord Jingnan in self-imposed isolation?"

"I'm not sure. We should focus on the tasks at hand. Have those shopkeepers and leaders of the merchant caravans been settled in?"

"They're being settled. They will leave with us for Shengle tomorrow."

"Mm."

Zheng Fan sat down on the edge of the bed and stretched lazily. He wasn't sleepy, and there were no entertainment facilities here. Moreover, given the atmosphere in Li Tian City, most entertainment venues had ceased operations, and there just happened to be no proper business to attend to.

"My lord, I just overheard a group below discussing that Lord Jingnan has also ordered a General named Chen Yang to lead his division of ten thousand troops to relieve Ren Juan at Xinsu City."

"I met Chen Yang a few days ago."

That day when Zheng Fan had entered the Marquis's residence, Chen Yang and Luo Ling, two of Lord Jingnan's regional commanders, had been kneeling in the corridor.

"Is this a deployment against the wild people?"

"Probably. More troops should be dispatched there later to form a defensive line, to prevent the Situ Family from truly messing things up and allowing the wild people to seize the opportunity to invade. This time, it's not bad. Our Shengle City's status, while not in the main battle zone, has at least been elevated to that of a strategic support zone. Not to mention those five thousand Jin troops; if A Cheng and the Blind Man whip them into shape, they'll likely become another formidable heavy cavalry unit. In the future, when we request more men, money, and grain from the imperial court, we'll have more leverage. Although we adhere to the principle of independent development, it would be a folly not to take advantage of benefits from the government."

Although, when the Demon Kings gathered for a meeting back then, Zheng Fan had emphasized the importance of infantry—after all, they would be needed for sieging cities in the future. You can't expect horseshoes to batter down city walls, can you?

But in the final analysis, cavalry was just so appealing.

A Ming smiled and said, "My lord, what do you think Lord Jingnan would feel if he knew that the Blind Man and the others are at home every day, talking about rebellion?"

The speaker may not have intended it, but the listener read much into the words.

Zheng Fan, who had been smiling, suddenly froze.

A Ming was somewhat confused and asked, "My lord, what's wrong?"

Zheng Fan took a deep breath, as if he had suddenly understood something.

He rubbed his chin vigorously with both hands and said slowly, "What if… Lord Jingnan had seen through it all along?"

「The Jingnan Marquis's Residence.」

The residence of Lord Jingnan now resembled a desolate cage, and locked within it was a man.

A man who dared to isolate himself from the world, a man whom not even His Majesty's imperial edict could disturb.

The garden was full of rhododendrons; half their blossoms had fallen, while half still clung to the branches. Since no one dared to enter and clean, the ground was covered in a mulch of fallen petals.

Tian Wujing sat on the steps, quietly gazing at the ruined flowers that filled the garden.

He had planted these flowers with his own hands. This man, accustomed to wielding a blade, had clumsily arranged this garden.

She would sit there, her belly swollen, awkwardly learning needlework while smilingly watching him tend to the garden.

Now, the flowers had bloomed, and then they withered. The person had left, never to return...