283: The Ninth Mountain is flooded with recruits (asking for monthly tickets)

That afternoon, at the bustling market entrance of South City, the surging crowd on the street suddenly grew noisy. From far to near, the crowd quickly parted to both sides.

Immediately following was a large white horse with a mane like flowing clouds charging out!

On its back, a Black Armored Soldier in black armor with a red command flag stuck behind him, held the reins with one hand and a scroll of orders with the other, galloping through streets and alleys, shouting loudly.

"Go!"

"Go!"

"By order of the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General, with demons running rampant and the five turbid evils upon us, the Ninth Mountain is mobilizing its Army to slay demons and monsters, and to expand its reach, therefore, we recruit all discerning individuals under heaven!"

"Go!"

"..."

He shouted loudly, rushing through streets and alleys.

Behind him, there was a team of similar Black Armored Soldiers. Every time they passed a street corner, a Black Armored Soldier would detach from the team and rush into the alley, loudly relaying the order.

Finally, the leading Black Armored Soldier galloped to the South Gate market entrance, dismounted, and posted the document he held onto the city wall.

There, the South City Guard, who had already received orders, were cooperating, quickly forming a circle with their long spears, flags fluttering, setting up a small training ground.

On the hundred-zhang training ground, there was a thousand-jin bronze cauldron, a two-person-tall, shiny black vertical stone, and a burly, green-armored man sitting grandly in a large chair, his gaze sweeping across the area.

The crowd quickly gathered beneath the city wall at the South Market entrance, their eyes filled with excitement and surprise, voices noisy, the human tide surging and moving quickly.

"Ninth Mountain! Is that Zhonglang General recruiting his Army? Heavens, this is a great opportunity to achieve fame and success!" someone shouted excitedly.

Others whispered, with envy in their eyes.

"Yesterday, that distinguished personage heavily rewarded the Ninth Mountain Army. The kid named Wang in the alley next to mine, who was just a small soldier in the Ninth Mountain, heard that yesterday, the officials from the South City Yamen personally came to his house to read the commendation document, promoting him to a junior officer and bestowing many riches, food, and Medicinal Pills. It's truly incredible, bringing glory to his ancestors!"

"Heh, what's that? Do you remember the big commotion in North City a few days ago? The day the Ninth Mountain Fa Shan Army returned, wasn't it spread that someone was bullying the orphans and widows of fallen Ninth Mountain soldiers? Ho, don't even mention it, I heard that the great Zhonglang General himself appeared and killed many people."

As he spoke, the person intentionally lowered his voice, "I heard that many great figures who could fly and escape were captured by the great Zhonglang General, and he even killed an extremely powerful individual. How could ordinary people like us provoke these great figures? But this great Zhonglang General, heh, is willing to stand up for his soldiers and kill these great figures as he pleases. Don't you think that's remarkable?"

"Absolutely remarkable! If one can join the Ninth Mountain, that would truly bring glory to one's ancestors! No more talk, I must quickly tell my boy to try. He's been learning at the martial arts school for a few years with no major achievements, he needs to bring some honor to me."

"..."

Amidst the surging crowd, most were common people from the market and alleys, chattering away, filling the air with noise.

The reputation of the Ninth Mountain had already spread among the common people during the projection of the great battle at Weiyuan Pass, and furthermore, in recent days, the Ninth Mountain Army returned to the city, and that great Zhonglang General personally intervened and killed many people for the families of the fallen soldiers, and heavily rewarded the soldiers who returned alive. Everyone saw this.

Now, in the eyes of many common people, being able to join the Ninth Mountain meant bringing glory to one's ancestors and gaining respect.

For a time, in that dense crowd, eyes glittered with eagerness, ready to try.

At this moment, the messenger who had just posted the document walked to the center of the training ground surrounded by the Army, and said loudly:

"The Ninth Mountain is recruiting its Army, rewarding all discerning individuals. Now, the Yao Race is launching a massive invasion, and the soldiers on the front lines are fighting valiantly, and there are thousands of brave Jianghu heroes shedding their blood on the battlefield!"

Saying this, the Black Armored Soldier bowed towards the upper left.

"Ninth Zhonglang once said, 'The rise and fall of the world is the responsibility of every man.' Today, regardless of your background or status, we will only look at your abilities, whether you can become a comrade-in-arms, whether you have the guts."

"Anyone who can lift the cauldron can enter the Ninth Mountain!"

"Those who can light up the black stone with Qi Refining will be appointed a junior officer and lead ten soldiers."

"Those who can last three rounds against the South City Guard Division Councilor will be appointed a General and lead fifty soldiers."

"Those who win will be appointed a Provisional Commander and a Commander!"

With that last sentence, the atmosphere quickly reached its peak, and shouts immediately rose from the crowd.

"I'll go!"

"Haha, me too."

"..."

Immediately, from the crowd, some stepped forward, some leaped from the flowing human tide, some elegantly and gracefully soared, breaking through the air.

In the first instant, more than a dozen figures appeared simultaneously, stepping onto the training ground.

Some headed straight to lift the cauldron.

Some went to the black pillar-stone.

And some, confident in their own strength, chose to fly directly onto the training platform where flags fluttered all around, and bowed to the green-armored Councilor sitting in the large chair, "Please enlighten me!"

The Councilor rose from his chair and flew onto the training platform with a bang. Immediately after, milky-white light beams as thick as an arm shot out from the surrounding flags, forming a protective shield several tens of feet above.

Then, on the training platform, figures blurred into afterimages and began to move.

Soon, the entire arena was in full swing.

Some gritted their teeth and lifted the thousand-jin cauldron. A Black Armored Soldier next to them recorded, and after a few breaths, if they lasted three breaths, he would loudly declare, "Passed!" The person immediately showed ecstatic joy. Being able to lift such a weight usually meant reaching the final stage of the first Body Refining realm, the Bone Forging stage.

Some lit up the black stone.

On the training platform for the third round, some also managed to last more than three rounds, but they were all eventually knocked down.

Some passed the assessment, some failed, and then, people continuously came forward. The scene was extraordinarily lively, and the sounds from the crowd rose and fell in waves.

At this time, in a room of a restaurant several hundred meters opposite the South Market entrance, a handsome Young Master in white luxurious robes with slender eyebrows stood by the window, looking at the lively commotion with a hint of disdain.

Behind him, two pretty maidservants in purple gauze dresses were fanning him and massaging his shoulders, and an old servant stood to the side, his body slightly bowed.

"Young Master, the Ninth Mountain Army recruitment has begun. The Family Head has instructed that you should also enter the arena now," the old servant reminded him.

Hearing this, the handsome Young Master looked a bit impatient, "I know."

"I don't know what the old man is thinking, getting so chummy with that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General. He even told me to join the Ninth Mountain as a Councilor. He's really senile. Even if I go, he should at least get me an official position. I even have to personally pass the trials, how troublesome."

The young Young Master looked a bit cynical, and his tone carried a hint of flippancy and complaint.

This person was none other than Murong Gongzi of the Murong Family Family in South City, named Murong Family Nan. He was the youngest son of the Murong Family Head, usually accustomed to a life of leisure and indulgence. Suddenly being sent by his father to participate in the Ninth Mountain Army recruitment, he was full of displeasure.

The old servant beside him heard this and his face slightly changed. He quickly stopped him, "Young Master, mind your words, mind your words!"

"This is a matter between adults. Since the Family Head wants you to do this, there must be a reason. It's better to speak less. Besides, the Ninth Mountain's prestige is now at its peak, as you can see. As soon as the recruitment order was issued, how many heroes are rushing to join? It is foreseeable that the Ninth Mountain will grow tremendously. If Young Master can fight his way in on his own and get an official position, that would be a true hero, and it would make the Family Head look at you with new eyes."

The old servant offered an analysis, then patiently coaxed him with flattery.

Sure enough, Murong Family Nan, who had been impatient just moments before, brightened at the old servant's words and a smile appeared on his face.

The most favored in the Family was his elder brother, but he was currently still imprisoned in the South City South City Guard Division's jail, though he should be released soon. Although he himself had many resources, his brilliance was much inferior to his elder brother's. If he could become a Councilor in the Ninth Mountain, from another perspective, it would be quite imposing. With the Ninth Mountain as a backing, others would surely look upon him with more respect.

"Indeed, that's the truth. Then this Young Master will go and be a Councilor for fun!" The Murong Gongzi smiled.

Saying this, he flicked out a folding fan, snapping it open in his hand. Then he took off, his white robes fluttering, his clothes rustling, like a gentle breeze and flowing clouds, dashing and elegant, rushing towards the training platform at the South Market entrance.

After a few breaths, he landed, closed his fan, then lightly flicked his long sleeve, sending away someone who was about to rush up to challenge the trials, and then smiled.

"Heh heh, since no one can pass, then let this Young Master try."

Then, he simply bowed to the green-armored Councilor guarding the formation in front of him,

"Murong Family Nan of the Murong Family Family, remember this name."

As the flamboyant Murong Gongzi appeared, a commotion erupted among the surrounding crowd.

The Murong Family Family was a first-class Family in South City. Why were their children here too?

"What?"

"Even Murong Gongzi of the Murong Family Family wants to join the Ninth Mountain!"

"Heavens, what's going on? Is it that lively?"

"How dashing! It seems this Murong Gongzi can take first place."

At this moment, on the training platform, the Murong Gongzi, his white robes fluttering, released his aura, his Body Profound cultivation fully displayed.

With a confident smile in his eyes, he said, "Pardon me!"

Then he moved his feet, and the fan in his hand transformed into flying flowers, completely obscuring his figure, making him disappear. The flying flowers were like blades, creating a whistling sound as they shot towards the South City Guard Division Councilor.

He was truly graceful and dashing, with impressive visual effects. The South City Guard Division Councilor, however, remained as still as a mountain, his fists like solid shields, weaving an impenetrable defense.

The South City Guard Division Councilor seemed to be in a passive defense, but after about twenty breaths, a loud bang echoed.

The sky full of white flying flowers shattered, and a white-robed figure was directly blasted off the training platform.

The Black Armored Soldier recording below shouted impassively,

"Murong Family Nan of the Murong Family Family, lasted more than three rounds, enters the Ninth Mountain, appointed General!"

A General, wasn't that just a squad leader?

Murong Family Nan below the stage almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

In the distance, at the window, the old servant of the Murong Family Family saw this and painfully patted his forehead.

Utterly speechless.

When would Young Master get rid of his flashy but impractical habits? If he tried to show off on the battlefield, it would be a dead end.

"Useless!" A furious snort echoed from some corner. The old servant recognized it as the Family Head's voice, and immediately, his face filled with dread, he knelt to the ground.

The Family Head came in person. It seemed the Family Head took this matter very seriously.

But the old servant didn't know that at this moment, in this vicinity, not only their Murong Family Head had appeared to observe the Ninth Mountain Army's recruitment in South City, but in the surrounding buildings, figures were intently watching the recruitment site.

Most of them came from second and third-tier Families in South City!

These days, they had been constantly monitoring the Ninth Mountain and that distinguished personage's movements.

From the Ninth Mountain's return to the city, Ninth Zhonglang's ruthless killings and arrests, to the lavish rewards, then to the Yun Family's upheaval, and the news from the Yun Family that morning, anyone could see that this Zhonglang General not only wanted to stabilize Jinguancheng, he also wanted all factions to obey him.

This would inevitably lead to a reshuffle!

A reshuffle meant that resources would be reallocated, some would rise, and some would fall.

They also had ambitions, and they also wanted to progress.

The Yun Family was the simplest example.

Seeing the Murong Family Family's children appear, these people also seemed to have received some kind of signal.

Some Family Heads earnestly instructed their favored children beside them,

"Go!"

"Defeat that Councilor!"

"Find your place in the Ninth Mountain, perhaps the Family will rely on you in the future."

"Yes!" Just like that, following Murong Family Nan of the Murong Family Family, figures with impressive Qi appeared one after another, breaking through the air, passing through the crowd, and landing on the training ground in various stances.

It was like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their Divine Ability.

"Lu Fang of the Lu Family!"

"Chen Ping of the Chen Family!"

"Wu Family..."

One name after another resounded loudly on the training ground.

The crowd gasped in astonishment, boiling with excitement.

These were all well-known Family children from South City, and they all wanted to join the Ninth Mountain.

Each child represented a Family. It was hard to imagine how much the Ninth Mountain would expand with this recruitment.

And this scene was not only happening in South City; similar situations were occurring almost simultaneously on all four sides of Jinguancheng.

In West City, led by the Yun Family, eleven Families sent their children to join the Ninth Mountain.

In East City, led by the Xia Family, eight Family children also joined the Ninth Mountain.

In North City, there were three Families.

But these only represented various large and small Families, many of whom came for fame and fortune. What was truly surging were those without Family background, without strong cultivation, but with clear eyes and surging hearts—the youths and common folk!

These people were the future of the Ninth Mountain.