Black Goose City, military camp.
This was Qin Zheng's first time entering the inner part of the military camp.
In the past, his usual haunts, including the execution grounds, were all considered outside the military camp.
Otherwise, during executions, they wouldn't allow the common folk to come and watch.
Inside the camp, however, Qin Zheng felt as if he were in a small town.
People were coming and going in small groups, some in a hurry, others leisurely.
Following Wang Er's pace, it wasn't long before they arrived in front of a small courtyard built of brick and stone.
"Go in, Colonel is inside."
Wang Er turned around, speaking to Qin Zheng with a certain restraint.
After speaking, he hurriedly turned to leave.
"Big Brother Wang, if you are free tonight, come over to my place for dinner to liven up my housewarming."
Qin Zheng turned and called out.
Wang Er's figure halted slightly, then he turned back, nodded with a smile, and said, "Sure! You better go in quickly, don't keep Colonel Ji waiting."
After finishing, with a smile still on his face, he turned and left again.
At this moment, Qin Zheng also withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the courtyard in front of him.
The gray walls and black tiles looked rather imposing.
He stepped forward and slowly pushed open the grand gate to the courtyard.
This courtyard had a simple in-and-out structure, not much bigger than the one he had just purchased for himself.
In the central open space, there were various weapons such as swords, spears, clubs, and staves arranged on display.
A broad-shouldered middle-aged man was handling a long halberd single-handedly, waving it so powerfully that it generated a ferocious wind and an intimidating aura.
Qin Zheng could only stand by the door and watch the other practice.
He observed how each swing of the long halberd left a white streak in the air, causing ripples in the atmosphere.
This garrison commander's strength was no less than his own current might!
Perhaps even greater!
Seeing this, Qin Zheng immediately reached a conclusion in his heart.
In the end, the middle-aged man spun around, wielding the long halberd, and ferociously struck toward the ground!
Under the immense power, friction between the long halberd and the air produced a faint booming sound!
With such force, the halberd would certainly carve a large hole in the ground!
Qin Zheng's eyes were locked tight, wanting to see just how much power the other's strike could muster.
But the blade of the long halberd eventually stopped just an inch above the ground.
This made Qin Zheng feel an abrupt sense of frustration and discomfort.
"Having strength is one thing, knowing how to use it is another; otherwise, it's difficult to unleash all of one's power, and one might even injure oneself!"
Ji Changyin retracted the long halberd, then stood upright and placed it on a weapons rack to the side.
Only then did he look at Qin Zheng and continue speaking, "Come over and sit down here."
On one side of the open space, there was a set of stone table and chairs.
Ji Changyin took a seat first, and then Qin Zheng walked over and sat on the opposite side.
"Thank you, Colonel, for the guidance."
Qin Zheng thanked Ji Changyin with a fist salute.
Ji Changyin nodded and then replied with a smile, "To comprehend a sword technique from the ordinarily unremarkable act of decapitation."
"I never expected to have such a talent under my command."
Qin Zheng understood that the transaction on the flower boat the previous day was known to the man before him.
So he shook his head modestly and said, "It's just a few mediocre sword techniques, not of much use."
He didn't know that Ji Changyin had been sitting upstairs from him during that day's transaction.
Ji Changyin smiled but said nothing further, instead reaching for the teapot on the stone table, pouring a cup of tea and pushing it across to Qin Zheng.
He then continued, "That old man Shi Dian abused the 'Golden Zen Technique' in his youth, committing all sorts of atrocities including murder and arson."
"But he knew how to run his affairs, which kept him safe and sound, and even allowed him to establish the Cicada Gang in Black Goose City."
On hearing this, Qin Zheng immediately focused, listening intently to the other's words.
"Perhaps he committed too many evils, and divine retribution came upon him, granting him a son only when he turned forty."
"Therefore, he doted on this young son with everything he had, which resulted in his son becoming arrogant and committing numerous misdeeds."
"Not long ago, that boy, acting recklessly upon seeing a girl in the street, was driven by lust to kidnap her."
"After humiliating her, he murdered her and destroyed her corpse. It didn't take long before he was caught by the government office and brought to me, waiting for the trial in jail."
"And then you beheaded him."
Ji Changyin slowly recounted the reason Shi Yan was beheaded.
Thus, it suddenly became clear to Qin Zheng.
As the Young Gang Leader of the Cicada Gang, why Shi Yan had been arrested and even beheaded.
In Black Goose City, the only one who could directly cause the government office to act was the one within!
No wonder Shi Dian didn't dare to resist, and only dared to meddle during the process of Shi Yan's beheading.
Because that person, he simply could not afford to offend!
Although Ji Changyin was the Garrison Commander, he only managed the punishments in Black Goose City and could not reach into other matters.
Therefore, his deterrence to Shi Dian was naturally not as great.
However, now that Shi Dian had lost everything, the Cicada Gang was gone, and so was his son.
Left alone, the threat from that person in the government office was also naturally not as great as before.
So, Shi Dian's target for revenge would certainly be that person from the government office first, not himself!
Qin Zheng's mind swiftly spun with various thoughts and speculations.
"When we clashed last time, although I cut him with my sword and he suffered some injuries, giving me a slight upper hand—"
"But, the old man's martial prowess is profound, and he is not far from a breakthrough; his absence suggests that he may very well be on the verge of advancing to a new Realm!"
As Ji Changyin spoke, his brows furrowed somewhat, and his voice unconsciously grew heavier.
"If he succeeds in breaking through the four major barriers and advances to the Bone Refining Realm—"
"Then, even I would not be his match."
"At that time, he will surely cause great havoc in Black Goose City to seek revenge."
"And both you and I are likely on his list!"
Upon hearing these words, Qin Zheng's expression darkened slightly, and he then looked at Ji Changyin across from him, saying, "I ask the Colonel to make things clear!"
Ji Changyin's expression became serious, and he went on to say, "Inspector Xu from the government office is also a Martial Artist who has broken through three barriers and reached the Sinew Refining Realm."
"After discussing it, we have decided to strike first and eliminate Shi Dian!"
"But if the two of us take action, that old man Shi Dian, fearing us, will certainly not show himself."
"Therefore, we need someone whom he hates to the core yet does not fear, to draw him out."
"Then, Inspector Xu and I can take the opportunity to strike him down!"
Having said that, Ji Changyin stared intently at Qin Zheng, the implication being self-evident.
Qin Zheng was not foolish and naturally understood what the other meant.
Which was to use him as the bait!
Even with his current strength, acting as bait shouldn't pose much danger.
But if Shi Dian's main target for revenge was not him, he could continue to develop slowly, pushing his Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique to new heights.
That way, he would be even safer, without any need to take this risk now.
Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts whirling in his head.