After healing Mia using by utilising worldly energy, allowing her to stand on her feet and having a villager take care of her, he gathered the necessary information on the surrounding area in order to understand the general layout.
The closest District, Nedong district, was controlled by the Zhu sect, named after their original founder hundreds of years ago. They acted as a military force inside the district that even the governor wouldn't dare to cross, as no other force could intimidate them.
It was said that 40 years ago, the Chinese government sent an army to reclaim the district from the hands of the Zhu Sect, before fleeing in defeat with half their numbers crippled and the other half mentally scarred. Ever since, the government army has never bothered with them, leaving them to their own devices. The people of Nedong District are even exempt from national taxes, attracting an ever-growing population of businessmen and farmers every year.
After understanding the basic situation, Tang Sheng believed the Zhu Sect was created by his disciple, Mao Zhu. Only he could be shameless enough to name a Sect after himself, without irony.
Thanking the villagers for this information, Tang Sheng waited for the girl to awaken before setting off. While resting with his eyes closed in a mediative position in the corner of the town hall, more than 10 villagers nervously approached him, some with their heads down, some kneeling on the floor in front of him.
-What are they doing now? - He thought.
"Saint, please take us with you! We won't survive alone if these monsters raid us again!" The chief begged. He felt as if the Saint was not as cruel as their ancestors depicted, and risked his life to ask for help, if not, his village would certainly not last long. If he himself had to die for offending this Saint, then it was worth the risk.
"Take you with me?" he gestured for them to stand, "Since you are the people of my fourth disciple, I'll bring you with me to Nedong district. However, from then on you are not my problem. If a remote village is this bad, I can't imagine what the city will be like when we reach it, even with the Zhu Sect's 'protection'".
The Chief had mixed feelings, would he be safer staying in the village and using fortifications? But how long can that last? a few weeks? Months? at least in the city, with this saint, the survivors have a hope to live.
Understanding this and thinking it through, the village chief kowtowed towards Tang Sheng.
"Great Saint, we will not be a hindrance, thank you!".
After standing up, the tense atmosphere in the room was cut short by a yawn from the young girl, now awoken.
"Disciple, finally awake? Get up, and you, village head, gather the survivors - I won't wait more than 5 minutes". Tang Sheng commanded.
---
Mia awakened by a command from the Saint, leaving her confused. Did she pass the test? Her eyes widened. She looked back at the Saint to see him walking off, and immediately chased after him, respectfully following behind at a similar pace with her hands behind her back.
After minutes of silence, standing behind the Saint, the entire village has assembled Infront of him, also not daring to speak. There was a total of 30 villagers, a few more found hiding in the under caves of the village outskirts when they were raided. -This number wasn't bad, - Sheng thought. It's enough to travel quickly and not hinder my movements much.
Setting off in a westward direction, towards the Nedong District, he asked the Chief about the city and its distance.
"How far is the city old man?" He asked
Old man? He thought. -Why Does he keep calling me old? Isn't this Saint ancient? - the confused Chief wondered.
Respectfully bowing, he stated "Around 4 hours walk, Saint. It's just that the mountains surrounding the Nedong district led to a difficult journey, otherwise we would be more connected to the city and its people."
Nedong District was situated in between mountains on its East and West, and its north being a large river with more mountains at the other side. South of Negong district were the only viable roads leading to other civilised areas, albeit over 10 hours away in a vehicle.
Processing this information, Tang Sheng felt proud. His disciple had good eyes to conquer this area, good terrain and visibility against enemies by utilising the surrounding mountains as watchpoints and a one-way entrance into the city through the south, which is likely very much monitored by his forces. It was similar to the reason he himself chose this region, although back when he chose seclusion here, there was no city or Sect. This disciple of his, Mao Zhu, had a very similar strategic mind as Tang Sheng, just with different motives. Whilst Mao Zhu likely chose this region to ensure his Sect's unbreachable defence and prosperity against enemy Clan's or the government, Sheng chose this area due to its remote but interesting layout planning to enjoy a life without the smoke of war. Afterall, who would be idiotic enough to invade an area like this?
Throughout the journey with the villagers, Tang Sheng once again checked his status screen. This thing had taken his interest, being a Martial Saint, he had very little opportunities to improve his strength. After seeing some of the villagers talk about their stats on the walk to the city, he was reminded of his level increase from the goblins in the village.
----
Name - Tang Sheng
Class - Martial Reaper (Unique)
Skills - Tang Illusionary fist (S), Tang Air Kick (S), Heavenly Smite (SS), Aura of Chaos (SS)
Level - 3 (12%)
Strength - (60)
Vitality (60)
Intelligence (15)
----
-Truly interesting, Strength 60? Is that high or low for a human? I wonder what these villagers have as statistics, or what their 'Classes' are. I'm also curious about the Martial Reaper Class, what benefits can it bring me, if any? - He pondered.
"You there" Tang Sheng pointed at a villager.
Jumping in freight, the villager hastily bowed, awaiting his commands.
-This is how I like them, respectful, unlike my third disciple. - Tang Sheng was reminded of his third disciple, a rebellious girl, albeit an old hag now, he laughed.
"What are your stats? Tell me."
"Replying to the Saint, Strength 6, Vitality 8, Intelligence 2." He promptly answered.
"So low?" He grumbled, - I guessed due to our abilities there would be a discrepancy, but this huge? perhaps this status screen takes into account our Martial realm too, - He thought.
"ENEMIES AHEAD!" A village scout yelled, sprinting towards the Saint. This caused the rest of the villagers to worry and look at Tang Sheng nervously, there were children and young girls in the party, unable to defend themselves. Although the Saint expressed his acceptance to lead them to the city, he did not say anything about defending them from attacks.
"Fourth Disciple, I forgot to ask your name, what was it?" He calmly looked on as a party of 4 large Orcs and over 20 Goblins charged towards them, making the villagers retreat behind the Master and Disciple.
"M.. Mia, Master" She bowed. Was he always so calm in these situations? That was Four Orcs! How could he be so indifferent, she thought in her head.
"Well then, Disciple, time for your first lesson in the Martial way." He spoke with a grin.