CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 59 FILTHY_2

"Leading troops means drinking together when there’s wine, shouldering burdens together when there’s trouble, and sharing glory together when there are achievements! Gentlemen, let us share this drink!"

The six of them raised their cups together and emptied them in one go.

Afterward, Zheng Fan placed his cup back on the table, crossed his hands on his chest, and once again adopted a casual posture.

"For tomorrow’s mission, I assume everyone is clear. As a novice in command, I’m not afraid of being laughed at. Siniang has always felt that I’m not cut out for great things. The truth is, she’s right. I’ve just been drifting along for so long, and then, just in time, this opportunity arises. I hope you brothers can back me up when the time comes! As long as you treat me with sincerity, I will introduce you to Siniang, and together we’ll prosper!"

The five men cupped their fists and said in unison, "We await the Captain’s orders!"

Hmm, things are progressing exceptionally well.

These five Centurions from minor families yielded from the very beginning, and now they’re practically groveling. This made Zheng Fan’s previously coordinated plan with Ding Hao—for one to shine after the other—somewhat difficult to execute.

They couldn’t just suddenly act like buffoons:

...Ahahaha, the weather is so lovely today! My lord, I, Ding Hao, shall radiate some brilliance! Good, the weather today is indeed truly lovely! After you’ve radiated your brilliance, I shall radiate mine too, hahaha!...

The original plan was to find some troublemaker, make an example of them to warn the others, and incidentally reveal his own strength. Perfect. But these five ’babies’ are so submissive, Zheng Fan really couldn’t bring himself to randomly pick one to be the ’monkey’.

However, having been impaled by a Zombie and then cultivating frantically for so many days, he had finally achieved a rank. Not showing off a bit in front of others would genuinely make Zheng Fan uncomfortable. He was, after all, a worldly person and couldn’t bear to live a life of unrecognized glory.

Just when he was getting drowsy, a pillow was delivered.

At that very moment, a woman’s scream suddenly erupted from the adjacent private room, "AH!!!!!!!!"

Then, SLAP!

It sounded like a slap to the face.

Immediately after, a man’s angry curse followed, "Wretch!"

Zheng Fan’s hands trembled, his blood seethed. Fuck! It seems heaven has ordained that I shine today! There’s no more ’politically correct’ setup for showing off and face-slapping than this!

Zheng Fan immediately stood up. Having been together for so long, practically master and disciple, Ding Hao swiftly understood Zheng Fan’s intentions and rushed ahead to open the door for him.

The five Centurions behind him also rose at once and followed Zheng Fan out.

Ding Hao, knowing his place, didn’t rush to open the door of the next private room. Instead, he waited for Zheng Fan to walk over and kick it open himself!

BOOM!

Inside the private room, there was also a table laden with food and wine. In the corner, a somewhat gaunt man dressed in brocade was tearing at a woman’s clothes. The woman had a smear of blood at the corner of her mouth, her hairpins had fallen, and her clothes were in disarray.

"It’s you?"

"It’s you?"

Zheng Fan and Ding Hao exclaimed almost in unison.

Zheng Fan recognized the man. Wasn’t that Registrar Chen, the one who finalized documents with the imperial brush?

Ding Hao recognized the woman; she was Wang Li’s wife!

"Xiao Cui."

"Oh, Registrar Chen’s nickname is Xiao Cui?" Zheng Fan asked curiously.

"It’s the woman. She’s my brother Wang Li’s wife."

Zheng Fan said, "Oh." So this is the one the blind man gave talisman water to?

At this moment, Registrar Chen was momentarily stunned by the sudden intrusion of so many armored men. But Hutou City was only so large. Although he, Registrar Chen, wasn’t a formally appointed Registrar but merely an official under Registrar Liu, he still considered himself a person of some standing.

"Audacious! Do you know who I am, this official?" Registrar Chen, caught in the act, was thoroughly embarrassed and enraged, and he immediately put on an air of official authority.

He didn’t remember Zheng Fan, even though Zheng Fan was conscripted through a civilian roster he had personally checked. Later, when Zheng Fan first went to the government office to collect his identity token, Registrar Chen had been sitting in the signing office, amusing himself with his own affairs, and hadn’t paid much attention to this lucky amateur field officer.

After the incident where Zheng Fan clashed with Hui Wenzu erupted, Registrar Chen became aware of this Zheng Fan. But since that day, Zheng Fan had secluded himself, taking a leave. So, Registrar Chen had never connected Zheng Fan’s name with his face.

Actually, the scene before them needed little explanation. Isn’t this blatant sexual assault? Moreover, the woman wore a white flower in her hair, plain clothes, and a black armband, clearly in mourning for her husband. What a beast!

The five Centurions recognized Registrar Chen. However, they stood behind Zheng Fan and wouldn’t do anything without his command.

Zheng Fan, however, curiously reached out and poked Ding Hao. He saw that Ding Hao’s eyes were bloodshot with anger, yet he still stood motionless by his side.

Zheng Fan asked curiously, "Aren’t you angry?" Wang Li died protecting you, and his wife was almost violated. Shouldn’t you be losing your mind right now?

"I am angry," Ding Hao replied, gritting his teeth.

"Then why don’t you do anything?"

Ding Hao took a deep breath and said, "He is... an official."

He could go to his house at night and kill him, but it was daytime now, in public.

Zheng Fan understood. Ding Hao was worried that acting rashly would cause trouble for him, which was why he was restraining his anger.

But to be honest, Zheng Fan had no intention of saving face for Registrar Chen. Even if Ding Hao didn’t act, he would do it himself.

Firstly, it was a matter of public morality.

Secondly, Damn it, who knows if the blind man was telling the truth when he said he only sent Fu Water and not talisman water? What if he really did send talisman water? Wouldn’t that make her, in a way, half the blind man’s woman?

Siniang had once told him that a large part of the initial capital for the inn had been swindled by the blind man from this foolish woman.

The blind man isn’t in Hutou City now. But what if he and this woman truly had a fiery, passionate affair? For this woman to be nearly violated in front of me, his lord, and for me to do nothing—would that be right?

Ultimately, Zheng Fan was very clear about one thing: official positions, identities, status, wealth, and prestige—these were all fleeting clouds to him. What he genuinely cared about, and what truly affected his vital interests, was his relationship with the seven Demon Kings under his command!

This was his true foundation for survival in this world. Furthermore, Zheng Fan believed that even if he lost his official position over this, his seven Demon Kings wouldn’t care. They would gladly join hands and flee to the wilderness, singing, "Let us roam the mortal realm together, living freely and unrestrained."

"What am I to you?"

Ding Hao looked at Zheng Fan, puzzled, and replied, "My lord."

"And what are you to me?"

"A servant."

"No, you’re my dog."

Ding Hao took a deep breath; clearly, he was forcefully suppressing his anger.

"My dog has no need to swallow insults and endure in silence," Zheng Fan habitually reached out, patted Ding Hao on the shoulder, and continued, "If you want to bite someone, then go bite them. If you bite them to death, I’ll take responsibility."

Ding Hao shuddered. An indescribable emotion flickered in his eyes as he looked at Zheng Fan; clearly, he was deeply moved.

As for Zheng Fan, he somewhat avoided Ding Hao’s grateful gaze.

He inwardly sighed, My heart is truly tainted.