60-Siege Over.

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Zhong Lin downed a brimming bowl of chicken soup in one gulp. This wasn't ordinary chicken soup—it was infused with various herbs, including a century-old ginseng Old Xu had treasured for years.

For an average person, drinking it might cause a nosebleed on the spot, but for Zhong Lin, it was just right.

After finishing the bowl, he felt his qi and blood surge slightly, his entire body enveloped in a warm, soothing sensation, as if soaking in a hot bath.

He glanced down at the food on the table, a hint of frustration flickering in his eyes.

As his cultivation advanced, ordinary food increasingly failed to meet his needs. Now, Zhong Lin alone ate more than the other four at the table combined, yet it only filled his stomach—offering no benefit to his training.

"Looks like I need to head to the prefectural city soon. Shallow waters can't sustain a true dragon. No wonder there are so few middle-tier martial artists in this tiny Heishan County. It's not just about chasing glamour—this place simply can't support them!"

Zhong Lin sighed inwardly.

Ninth Rank Skin-Toughening required Blood-Replenishing Soup, Eighth Rank Tendon-Refining needed Blood-Replenishing Pills, and Seventh Rank Bone-Tempering demanded Bone-Strengthening Pills.

Now, having reached Sixth Rank Qi and Blood Realm, he required even higher-grade pills. Relying solely on regular food to nurture his qi and blood was far too time-consuming.

"Resources!"

"Indeed, 'poor study literature, rich practice martial arts' isn't just a saying. Without money, you can't even train martial arts."

*Clang, clang, clang!* 

As the family ate, a series of gong strikes suddenly echoed from outside.

"That's the yamen clerk's announcement gong. What's happened now?"

Old Xu tilted his ear to listen, his face clouding with worry.

With the rebel army besieging the city, rumors had swirled days ago that the County Magistrate planned to conscript every man in the city—young or old—to defend the walls.

The rumor was so detailed it sparked widespread fear.

This was war!

People would die.

He was just an ordinary citizen—he had no desire to get involved.

Zhong Lin set down his bowl and chopsticks, saying gravely, "I'll go check it out. You all keep eating."

With that, he stood and pushed open the door.

The gong outside had already drawn a crowd of townsfolk—mostly men, clearly out to assess the situation like Zhong Lin. Women and children stayed indoors.

"Gentlemen, young and old, I've got good news! The rebel leader Guo Yanhuai has been captured. Tomorrow at noon, he and his commanders will be beheaded at the execution ground for all to see. You're welcome to watch!"

Zhong Lin: "…"

Zhong Lin wondered if he was dreaming—otherwise, why did this feel like nonsense? 

The rebel leader captured? Set for execution tomorrow?

What kind of joke was this? 

Yesterday, the rebels were still surrounding the city; a few days ago, they nearly breached the gates. Now you're telling me Guo Yanhuai's been nabbed? 

This was too absurd to believe! 

If this wasn't a dream, what was it? 

Not just Zhong Lin—none of the gathered townsfolk believed it either.

"Clerk Yi, is… is this for real?"

A middle-aged man ventured to ask.

The clerk, surnamed Yi, snorted, displeased. "Would I lie about something like this? The city gates are wide open—go see for yourselves!"

"No, no, that's not it."

The man waved his hands hastily, explaining, "It's not that we don't believe you—it's just too unbelievable. The rebels were besieging us days ago, and now, out of nowhere, their leader's caught. This…"

Clerk Yi laughed heartily, brimming with pride. "The court's power is beyond your imagination! The one who nabbed Guo Yanhuai was none other than a master summoned by the County Magistrate. Like a divine soldier, he stormed straight into the rebel camp, wiped out ten thousand men with a wave of his hand, and left Guo Yanhuai gravely wounded with a single strike. Hmph! That's the master showing mercy—otherwise, he'd have turned him into minced meat."

Zhong Lin's mind jolted. He turned and headed toward the city gate. 

Sure enough, as the clerk said, Heishan County's gates stood wide open. Familiar constables were outside maintaining order.

On the open ground, large cauldrons were set up, with countless refugees lining up for food.

Fresh red bloodstains on the ground still spoke of the war's shadow from days past.

Zhong Lin gave a wry smile. "Fixed thinking! I keep judging this world by my past life's standards, forgetting it's a world of extraordinary power. Seventh Rank Bone-Tempering Realm grants five hundred kilograms of strength, Sixth Rank brings supernatural qi and blood power—what about Fifth and Fourth? And the upper-tier Third Rank Qi Refining—what kind of might does that hold?"

"It seems what that clerk said might be true. There could be some exaggeration, but it's likely a master really did pluck the enemy general's head from an army of thousands. With Guo Yanhuai captured, that coalition of mountain bandits naturally collapsed."

Zhong Lin smacked his head, forcing himself to stop measuring this world by his previous life's logic.

He also shook off the surreal feeling in his heart. The rebels being vanquished overnight was bizarre, but was it stranger than him transmigrating?

Shaking his head, Zhong Lin strode back home, his steps lighter than they'd been in days.

No war was better than war. Whatever happened, peace beat chaos. He just wanted to steadily improve his strength and climb the peak of martial arts.

Along the way, more people emerged from their homes—fear and doubt turning to joy.

"The war's really over?"

Old Xu still couldn't quite believe it.

"It's over. I just came back from outside the city. The County Magistrate's organizing porridge distribution out there. Your clinic can reopen too."

Zhong Lin beamed.

"Great, great! Old lady, fetch that bottle of wine I've been saving. Today, I'm drinking with Zhong Lin!"

Old Xu shouted gleefully. Old Madam Xu nodded with a wide smile, not stopping him this time.

Such a momentous occasion deserved celebration.

The next day, Guo Yanhuai and his rebel commanders were beheaded outside the east city gate.

The townsfolk cheered wildly.

Of the rebels who'd followed Guo Yanhuai, aside from those executed by the County Magistrate, the rest were released.

The County Magistrate also issued several decrees:

Setting up multiple relief stations, opening granaries for porridge.

Building shelters, gathering refugees, and distributing grain to them.

Offering work-for-relief, repairing the city.

…

Everything proceeded briskly, and order soon returned to the city.

With stability restored and the people's minds settled, Heishan County was like a tender sprout breaking through the soil after a harsh winter, gradually blooming with new life.

Though it all seemed bizarre to Zhong Lin, the facts were undeniable.

Old Xu took his family back to their own home—they couldn't keep living at Zhong Lin's forever.

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