Chapter 155 The Heavenly Lord is Angry
Gao Yiye's expression was stern. "When Gao Sanwa skips class, that's just a child being naughty. The Heavenly Lord, after a chuckle, will still have Mrs. San give him a taste of 'bamboo shoots stir-fried with shredded pork' – what the Heavenly Lord calls 'a complete childhood.' But our militia is no playground for children. A playful attitude is absolutely forbidden here, especially during my lessons. What I teach is even more crucial than Instructor He Jiu's instructions. If you don't listen attentively and violate even one rule, you'll face military punishment, with no leniency!"
Padi Tu flinched, but deep down, a sliver of doubt lingered. How could such a minor transgression possibly incur the Heavenly Lord's personal wrath? It seemed a bit over-the-top. The venerable Heavenly Lord was a celestial immortal, burdened with countless divine responsibilities; would he truly condescend to scrutinize a mere 'little rabbit' like himself?
The Saintess must be bluffing!
Li Daoxuan observed his expression and instantly knew the man hadn't taken a single word to heart.
This simply wouldn't do!
Those entrusted with power must possess impeccable character.
Otherwise, the dragon-slaying youth would invariably transform into a dragon himself.
He lifted the box lid, extended his hand, and positioned it directly behind Padi Tu.
Gao Yiye, seeing the Heavenly Lord’s colossal hand hovering behind Padi Tu, knew instantly that he was about to face divine retribution. A faint smile touched her lips as she announced, "Padi Tu, you have provoked the Heavenly Lord's anger. Prepare to accept your punishment."
At that very instant, an immense force unexpectedly shoved him from behind.
He was utterly powerless to resist, hurled forward by the sheer momentum. With a resounding "thud," he stumbled and face-planted.
This wasn't his first experience of the Heavenly Lord's 'discipline'!
This unique form of chastisement was an 'honor' only he in the entire Gao Family Village had ever received, a singular mark of divine attention.
Petrified, Padi Tu lay prostrate on the ground, utterly immobile, desperately crying out, "Heavenly Lord, mercy! I was wrong, I was wrong!"
Gao Yiye laughed heartily. "Do you understand the nature of your error?"
Padi Tu stammered, "Yes, I know! I must listen diligently to the Saintess's lectures, pay close attention!"
"All right, stand up."
Gao Yiye's smile vanished, her face resuming its stern demeanor. "Everyone, repeat after me: 'All actions obey command!'"
The militia roared in unison, "All actions obey command!" Gao Yiye declared, "Do not take a single needle or thread from the common people!" The militia echoed her words, their collective voices reverberating throughout the entire village.
Padi Tu, shedding his complacent air, joined the others, reciting the tenets with booming enthusiasm.
While his heart was set on becoming a legendary 'greenwood hero,' he himself hailed from a humble, impoverished background. As he chanted each slogan, a sudden realization dawned on him: "Huh? These rules are remarkably sensible, entirely focused on protecting ordinary folk."
If I diligently adhere to these principles, wouldn't that make me a genuine hero?
With that thought, his shouts became infused with renewed vigor.
Li Daoxuan nodded imperceptibly. *Excellent, this is exactly right.* For any formidable force, discipline is its very soul. While I can use my unique abilities to bolster your combat prowess, discipline is something that cannot be 'cheated.' It must be cultivated by the people themselves.
With a low creak, the door of the spacious plastic residence swung open, and Xing Honglang emerged, stretching languidly. She cast a glance at her arm, sensing its remarkable recovery.
Prior to her arrival at Gao Family Village, she had relied on her own 'greenwood folk remedies,' which had proven utterly ineffective. Days passed with no improvement; indeed, her wound had begun to fester. But after yesterday's cleansing and the application of the 'divine medicine' provided by Gao Yiye, her arm now felt immeasurably better.
Her spirits soared!
From her vantage point on the north slope, she gazed down at Gao Family Village, immediately spotting the militia. They stood in disciplined formation, listening intently to the Saintess's address, occasionally erupting in synchronized shouts: "Do not damage crops!"
"Do not harass women!"
The slogans amused Xing Honglang. *This Gao Family Village militia is certainly interesting,* she mused. *They're not practicing martial arts first thing in the morning, but chanting these peculiar slogans?* Yet, upon closer inspection, the tenets held a certain undeniable logic.
*If the Gao Family Village militia could genuinely uphold these principles, they would be vastly superior to the lawless 'greenwood heroes' rampaging today.* Indeed, the world's morals were in decline; true heroes were a rarity in the jianghu, replaced by a mere rabble of petty bandits.
Meanwhile, across the tumultuous land...
The legendary "Number One Hero Under Heaven," Wang Er, was leading six thousand righteous rebels north from Yijun County, pushing deep into Luochuan County. The Luochuan Patrol Commander, bracing for a confrontation, suddenly received intelligence: Bu Zhan Ni had returned from Huanglong Mountain and was now advancing west, also into Luochuan County.
The Luochuan Patrol Commander commanded no more troops than Chengcheng Patrol Commander Cheng Xu — a mere hundred 'shrimp soldiers and crab generals.' Upon learning that two rebel armies, totaling over ten thousand, had surged into his territory, he felt utterly paralyzed by dread.
*Who should he engage first?*
After much deliberation, he concluded that Wang Er must be confronted first. Eliminating Wang Er and felling the banner of the "Number One Rebel Under Heaven" would surely strike terror into the hearts of all other bandits, causing them to scatter!
Meanwhile...
Shaanxi Grain Intendant Hong Chengchou withdrew his forces from Huanglong Pass. He was, after all, a man with responsibilities and a career; his official duty lay in managing grain supplies, not in perpetually guarding a mountain pass.
How could he possibly remain perpetually encamped at Huanglong Pass, merely to contain marauding bandits?
The moment Hong Chengchou’s troops retreated, the main road from Huanglong Mountain to Yichuan County lay open once more. How could Wang Zuogua of Yichuan possibly forgo such an opportunity? He promptly led his bandit forces back to Yichuan County, where he now moved freely, engaging in skirmishes throughout his old haunts. It was, as the saying goes, "like a fish in water."
The entirety of Shaanxi was a maelstrom of disorder.
Xing Honglang, blissfully unaware that the 'greenwood heroes' had descended into widespread madness, felt only profound tranquility within Gao Family Village. She ambled down the north slope and, halfway, came across Cheng Xu.
Cheng Xu bowed, cupping his hands. "Miss Xing." Seeing his deliberate approach, Xing Honglang couldn't help but inquire, "Oh? Is Instructor He Jiu seeking my assistance?"
Cheng Xu smiled. "Indeed. I was hoping to borrow two of your people, Miss Xing, if you wouldn't mind."
Xing Honglang looked utterly bewildered. "You have a militia at your command, and nearly a thousand villagers ready for deployment at the Saintess's word. Would you truly be short of personnel?"
Cheng Xu sighed, "Though we have many, none are truly suited for this particular task."
"What kind of people do you require?" Xing Honglang pressed.
"Scouts!" Cheng Xu declared.
The word immediately triggered a flash of realization for Xing Honglang.
*Of course, scouts!*
Scouts, throughout history, have always been drawn from the ranks of elite soldiers. They require not only formidable individual combat skills but also keen intellect, precise judgment, exceptional mastery of archery and horsemanship, and extensive experience.
Such specialized talent was beyond the capabilities of an ordinary village militia.
Cheng Xu admitted with a hint of embarrassment, "I don't have a single capable scout among my men. The bandit forces from Heyang County could descend upon us at any moment, and I'd rather not discover their arrival only when they're already at our doorstep."
"So you've taken an interest in my people," Xing Honglang remarked.
Cheng Xu explained, "Your companions, Miss Xing, are all seasoned veterans of the *jianghu*. Their insight, street smarts, and quick wits far surpass those of my own men. Since you'll be recuperating in Gao Family Village for a few days anyway, lending me two experienced comrades for this period would actually enhance your own security, wouldn't it?"
Xing Honglang nodded in agreement; his logic was sound. As she was recuperating here, having scouts deployed would indeed contribute to her own safety. She turned and instructed, "Summon Old Zhu and Old Zhang."
Cheng Xu chuckled wryly. "Have your men take two of my soldiers and instruct them in the art of scouting."
Xing Honglang let out a small, exasperated laugh. "So you're trying to poach my expertise now, are you?"
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