Braised Dragon with Soy Sauce

"I plan to go to Jian'an Town and find another opportunity to kill that bastard! To avenge my parents and sister!"

When Huang Xiaoxiao was asked a sensitive question, a hint of hatred and determination flashed in her eyes again.

"No need for all that trouble. Just tell me what that person looks like and what his name is, and I'll get his head for you! I'd gladly oblige in such a delightful task!"

Mo Yuming picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said.

"This is our first meeting, young master. You have already done me a great favor by helping me kill that Zhu fellow. How could I trouble you any further!"

Upon hearing Mo Yuming's words, Huang Xiaoxiao's eyes suddenly lit up, but then dimmed again.

He immediately declined.

"It's a small matter. Upholding justice and acting righteously is the duty of us cultivators. It's my duty to avenge the young lady!"

Mo Yuming spoke with great enthusiasm and righteous indignation.

"Young master has helped me so much, how can I possibly repay this favor!"

Huang Xiaoxiao said, sobbing.

"It's a trivial matter, no need to mention it! Besides, it's a matter of quick revenge! If we encounter it, we have no choice but to help! Just tell me the guy's name, his characteristics, and where he lives, and you'll see his head in three days!"

Mo Yuming patted his chest and said.

"This man's surname is Zhuang. He is a commander of a thousand households in Jian'an Town. He is tall and thin. Although he is only in his early thirties, he has already mastered a profound Xuan Gong at the seventh level of the Earth Rank. Moreover, he is a dual cultivator of earth and wood, making him a rare Xuan Gong prodigy. Therefore, he is highly favored by the General of the Western Garrison. Before he was forty years old, he had already become a commander of a thousand households who dominated the area. He is an officer second only to the city lord and the garrison commander."

The Thousand-Household Manor is heavily guarded, making it difficult for ordinary people to approach. Killing him would be extremely difficult, so please reconsider, young master, and do not act rashly! My revenge is my own; if I can avenge myself, so be it. If not, there will be plenty of time in the future for my retribution! Young master, you need not trouble yourself with this!"

Huang Xiaoxiao said solemnly.

"Hehe, a seventh-level Earth Rank cultivator who is skilled in both Earth and Wood cultivation is indeed quite impressive. He's a cultivation genius, and it's a bit of a pity to kill him. However, it's always been the principle of 'a life for a life' and 'debts must be repaid.' Since he has a blood debt, he has to pay it with his life. He brought this upon himself! Now that the time has come, he has no choice but to die!"

Mo Yuming chuckled, like a judge sitting high in a courtroom, declaring a person's life or death.

Moreover, this person was a local tyrant and a high-ranking official guarding the border whom I had never met before.

An hour ago, no one would have believed what this teenager was saying, and they would have laughed it off.

But now everyone present believes it, not for any other reason than the twenty-odd strange old men standing beside him, which makes it impossible not to believe.

“If you, sir, are truly willing to avenge this woman, I, Huang Xiaoxiao, will swear this oath right now.”

"I will follow you forever, young master, and serve you as your servant for life!"

Huang Xiaoxiao walked up to Mo Yuming and was about to kneel down.

"Get up quickly, young lady, this is unacceptable!"

Mo Yuming hurriedly got up and helped Xiao Xiao up, preventing her from kneeling down.

"Whether you agree or not, I, Huang Xiaoxiao, will belong to you from now on! I swear to follow you to the death!" Huang Xiaoxiao said firmly.

"Why don't you be my older sister? I don't have an older sister to dote on me!"

Unable to refuse, Mo Yuming spoke up.

"Young master, please don't joke. I am not worthy of you."

Huang Xiaoxiao shook her head.

"Hey, forget about all that, it's settled then, I'll call you Miss from now on!"

After Mo Yuming finished speaking, he turned to He Sheng and said:

"Grandpa He, to be on the safe side, you and Grandpa Shui should go together. I've changed my mind. You have to capture him alive. I want to interrogate him personally, make him confess, and then sentence him to death!"

We can't let him die so easily; his crimes must be exposed to the world!

"Yes!... Um... Where is Jian'an Town, and how do I get there?"

Just as Chu He was about to leave, he immediately realized a very important question and turned back to ask Mo Yuming.

"Huh? You don't even know where Jian'an Town is? You guys..."

Huang Xiaoxiao found it very strange and increasingly couldn't understand Mo Yuming and his group.

"Excuse me, we just came from home and aren't very familiar with the terrain, so... so, Miss, could you please send someone to be our guide?"

Mo Yuming scratched his head sheepishly and said.

“I’ll go. I’ve been to Jian’an for a while, so I’m quite familiar with the terrain.”

At this moment, the shopkeeper, Uncle An, volunteered to step forward.

"Alright, hurry back! I'm waiting here for the trial!"

Mo Yuming said excitedly.

"Oh, wait, I have something for you to take with you!"

Mo Yuming suddenly thought of something and immediately waved to stop He Ye and the others who were about to get up and leave.

He stood up and started looking around the shop, searching for something.

"What are you looking for, young master? We'll look for it for you."

The waiter followed.

"No need, I've already found it!"

Mo Yuming found a piece of hardwood more than a foot long inside the counter, gestured with his hands for a few moments, then took out a small knife and began to carve it using his profound skills.

With the blessing of wood-elemental spiritual power, the wood became as soft as clay, and in a short time, Mo Yuming carved it into a three-pointed, double-edged token.

Under the combined effects of Mo Yuming's Fire and Wood Mystic Arts, the wood was slightly carbonized, turning it jet black and shiny.

One side is inscribed with "Order to Reward Good and Punish Evil", and the other side is inscribed with "Acting on Behalf of Heaven".

After finishing the carving, Mo Yuming took a small fluorescent stone from his storage bag and embedded it at the top of the token.

According to the old men, fluorescent stones are very common in the valley. In addition to fluorescent stones, there are many other stones and plants that can emit light, such as the "illusionary silk vine". However, these things are rarely found on land and are very rare.

Mo Yuming did this to make it seem unfathomable to the world, to enhance its mystery, and to add some wicked fun.

After finishing, he handed it to Hesheng and told him to stick this unusual token on the gate of the Thousand-Household Mansion after he captured the Thousand-Household Commander.

"Young Miss, could you accompany me for a stroll around town?" After the two old men, Chu He and Qiu Shui, left with Uncle An, Huang Xiaoxiao personally arranged for the shop's staff to find accommodations for everyone. Since it was still early, Mo Yuming felt bored and decided to go for a walk.

"No problem, I'll make the arrangements and then go out with you, young master," Xiao Xiao replied.

"No need. Just leave the kitchen to those old men. Don't worry, as long as you tell them the names of the dishes and the requirements, they can cook most of them."

"That won't stump them. In fact, each of them carries a secret weapon; the same dish, they'll make it taste even better than what you get in your restaurant!"

Mo Yuming winked at the group of old men who knew how to cook, and then spoke mysteriously to Huang Xiaoxiao.

"Really? Don't exaggerate, unless these old men are all Dragon Chefs with at least three crowns!"

Huang Xiaoxiao pointed to an exquisitely decorated picture frame hanging on the wall behind the counter. The frame contained a chef's hat with a golden dragon embroidered on it. The brim of the hat was also embroidered with three stars in gold thread, and three thumb-thick sapphires were set in the center of the stars.

"Uncle An is a true triple crown chef. There are few chefs in the surrounding towns and counties who can surpass him. The chefs in our restaurant are all his apprentices, and their skills have all been passed down from him!"

Huang Xiaoxiao said proudly.

"Hehe, although my grandfathers are not top chefs, it doesn't mean their dishes are any worse than those of top chefs. Just wait and see, young lady, and you'll know by the guests' reactions!"

Mo Yuming turned around and winked at Mu Sheng, who was following behind him, and said:

"Master Mu, since Uncle An isn't here, you can temporarily fill in for him. If there's anything you don't understand, ask the waiter."

The other gentlemen help out at the shop when they have free time; if you want to cook, go to the kitchen!

"Yes, young master, I'll arrange it right away."

The group of old men, whose minds were as simple as blank sheets of paper, were no different from seven- or eight-year-old children. They followed Mo Yuming's arrangements like a group of particularly obedient and somewhat showy students.

Huang Xiaoxiao was very puzzled, but didn't dare to ask. She could only follow Mo Yuming out of the inn.

"Young lady, let's go to the military camp first. I want to see what those headless soldiers are doing. Hehe."

"Just the two of us?"

Huang Xiaoxiao was a little scared. The soldiers in the barracks were all confidants of that General Zhu. They had dealt with their leader, but they hadn't come to arrest anyone because they were afraid of the group of old men around Mo Yuming.

Now that the old men aren't with her, Huang Xiaoxiao is afraid the soldiers will arrest them.

"It's alright, they won't dare touch us! Just lead the way! Don't worry!"

Mo Yuming knew what she was worried about.

Mo Yuming's profound cultivation at the peak of the Earth Rank was no joke. Those low-level Human Rank and Earth Rank people were simply overestimating themselves. He had even taken care of their leader, so what was there to be afraid of?

Moreover, he was surrounded by a group of intimidating old men who could appear at any moment.

That sheer power is enough to terrify many people.

After Mo Yuming killed Commander Zhu, his followers hurriedly fled back to the barracks after regaining consciousness, even closing the camp gates out of fear.

Because of the natural barrier of the Valley of Heartbreak and the Forest of Monsters between the two continents, it is difficult for an army from one continent to cross the only passage between the two continents to invade the other. Therefore, it is difficult for the countries between the two continents to wage war. In addition, the two towns have very little land available to accommodate a large number of troops.

For this reason, there are very few soldiers stationed here. The combined garrison of the two places is only a few hundred people. Their main task is to guard this pass and maintain the security here. Ostensibly, they are cracking down on bandits and highwaymen who operate in this area, but in reality, they are collecting protection money and extorting money.

Having never experienced war, the soldiers stationed in Yingdong Town were just as afraid of death as ordinary civilians.

They lacked the spirit of soldiers who were ready to die for their country.

When the soldiers on guard duty on the watchtower saw Mo Yuming and Huang Xiaoxiao walking towards the camp from afar, they were like mice seeing a cat, tumbling and scrambling down the tower.

He went to report to the adjutant in the camp.

Mo Yuming led Huang Xiaoxiao to the camp gate, neither calling out to the people inside nor trying to breach the gate. He simply stood there quietly, looking ahead.

Huang Xiaoxiao found his strange behavior very strange:

"Young master, what are we doing standing here? Are we waiting for them to open the door and greet us?"

"Correct!"

Mo Yuming appeared very unfathomable.

"How could that be! You're not their leader, why would they open the door to welcome you? They'd be avoiding you like the plague!"

Huang Xiaoxiao was very surprised and didn't believe that the other party would come to greet them. It would be strange if they were facing a great enemy!

"Hehe, don't believe me? Just you wait and see, they'll have to slink out to greet us soon!"

No sooner had Mo Yuming finished speaking than the camp gate creaked open, and soldiers, led by their adjutant, came out to greet him.

"We apologize for keeping you waiting, young master and young lady!"

The leader bowed and scraped as he spoke to Mo Yuming.

"Well, at least you're reasonable. I'll forgive you this time!"

Mo Yuming held his head high and puffed out his chest, looking superior. After speaking, he walked through the crowd as if nothing had happened and headed straight for the main camp.

Upon entering the main camp, Mo Yuming casually sat down in the chair, propped his legs up on the desk, and then slowly addressed the adjutant waiting below:

Do you know why I'm here?

"This humble official is unaware!"

The adjutant replied tremblingly.

"Do you know that I've crippled your Commander Zhu?"

"I know! I know, he brought it on himself, he deserved to die!"

The adjutant bowed and scraped as he spoke.

"Oh? Is that really what you think?"

Mo Yuming countered with a question.

“Yes…it’s true!”

The adjutant was so frightened that his face turned pale and he broke out in a cold sweat.

In his eyes, the person sitting in front of him was not a little kid, but a devil.

The adjutant was a veteran who had been in the military for decades, and one of the few soldiers in the garrison who had actually been on the battlefield.

If it weren't for the lack of powerful backers, I would have remained a lowly adjutant under this minor commander, a position with no real power or authority.

Decades of wear and tear had worn him down into a smooth-talking, aimless soldier, but his eye for people had become increasingly sharp.

After hearing from the soldiers who had escaped that Mo Yuming had commanded an old man with the cultivation of Heavenly Rank Profound Technique to eliminate General Zhu, he concluded that this child, who was only a teenager, was no ordinary person. He was either the crown prince of the royal family or the second-generation heir of a super family, and was someone who could not be offended.

"Alright, I won't waste my breath arguing with you anymore. Regardless of your thoughts, whether you are truly overjoyed or have already reported the murder of your superior and are hoping that your superiors will send someone to arrest the murderer."

It's all the same to me. I have only one purpose in coming here: I've decided to take over Yingdong Town. You have two choices: either stay and work for me as my subordinates, or leave.

Those who choose to leave will receive a year's worth of military pay as severance pay in a lump sum.

Choose to stay and receive double the pay.

I'm giving you three days to choose. Don't tell me you haven't made a decision yet, or I'll be unhappy!

Mo Yuming lost all interest in the group of demoralized, half-dead soldiers after seeing them. Without waiting for his adjutant's response, he stood up, dusted himself off, and said to Huang Xiaoxiao:

"Miss, let's go. It smells awful here, there's no place to stay!"

After saying that, he took Huang Xiaoxiao and walked out of the camp. The adjutant wanted to say something, but seeing that Mo Yuming had no intention of stopping, he had no choice but to follow behind and escort the two of them out of the camp.

Huang Xiaoxiao followed behind Mo Yuming, staring at him as if he were a monster the whole way.

She couldn't understand how a boy who was only twelve or thirteen years old could have such courage, acting decisively and without hesitation, and even daring to break into the military camp alone.