Chapter 59. He looked like a lecher.

Was it because of the good weather?

The flower petal plucking by the subordinates had continued for four days, so I had no choice but to call Xiao Junping.

"Xiao Jiaozhu."

"Yes."

"You and Hong Samae might gain something from playing with the flower petals, but the subordinates haven't yet. As Jin Sajee said, this is just a waste of time. We've got a direction, so now you need to step in."

Xiao Junping nodded.

"I was thinking the same thing, but I was struggling with how to deal with it since they are so engrossed in it."

"You're in charge of the general affairs. Wouldn't it be easier if the subordinates don't listen to you?"

"In what way?"

"You can make them work harder. You can beat them with a wooden sword while they're intoxicated by the plum blossoms. They seem to think they're gaining some enlightenment, but as you know, that's impossible. Show them the difference in skill."

"I was worrying for nothing. I'll give them a good scolding today."

At that moment, Bi Zongguan approached.

"Lord Fang, this is Bi Zongguan."

"Have you already issued the summons?"

Bi Zongguan replied.

"Originally, Li Longlaogun's residence was fixed. However, whether he spent money or gathered acquaintances, I'm not sure, but the day before yesterday and yesterday, many wandering knights and martial artists came and went at Huahuashanzhuang. I'll gather all the officers and explain everything at once."

A little while later, the officers entered the main hall.

In the meantime, Bi Zongguan had attached a blank sheet of paper to a board like a situation map and picked up a brush. He looked like an old soldier who had never been promoted, excited to explain a wartime situation after a long time.

When the officers gathered, Bi Zongguan wrote 'Mao' in the center and wrote Li Longlaogun's nickname on the right, continuing his explanation.

"Yinguizi Liusiqing was seen. In addition to the Liuxing Langren, who will cause trouble for money, there are many martial artists whose identities are unknown. The reason they are gathering is simple. We are the only ones who have experienced a significant change in the area recently. It seems that those who want to take advantage of Nanhua's weakness are gathering. The news that some of the Twelve Elders and the Great Monk have died must have spread widely."

I replied.

"You mean there's someone who killed the Great Monk, but why would you think Nanhua is weak? Are they fools?"

Bi Zongguan laughed and said.

"Desire often outweighs cold judgment."

Bi Zongguan drew a large circle and wrote 'Shu Xiansheng,' then drew a line connecting it to Li Longlaogun.

"I see it this way."

"Shu Xiansheng too?"

"Yes. Li Longlaogun was close to the Great Monk, and Shu Xiansheng had a bad relationship with him. Shu Xiansheng wanted to attack the Great Monk but couldn't win Li Longlaogun's favor. Li Longlaogun received much from the Great Monk and lost him. It's natural for these two to join forces, like a man and a woman meeting. By gathering as many people as possible and causing trouble, they can split Nanhua, which would be a great benefit to both. I don't know who the leader is yet."

I looked at the names on the situation map.

Some were familiar, some were not.

The Liuxing Langren are those who spin a weapon called Liuxingchui. They are a wandering knight group that fluctuates between a hundred and fifty members, often getting involved in black market disputes and living day to day.

Yinguizi Liusiqing was a name I heard for the first time, but he had a more prominent presence than Shu Xiansheng or Li Longlaogun.

"Who is Liusiqing?"

Bi Zongguan replied.

"On the surface, he's a mediator, but in reality, he's a gambler who seeks out big games. You could call him a specialist in spreading problems. He travels alone without a faction and makes a lot of money by getting involved in black market disputes. He has the skills to do so."

If I didn't know him, it meant he had met his end somewhere after getting involved in a black market dispute.

At that moment, two subordinates dressed as peddlers appeared in the main hall and reported what they had learned.

"Shu Xiansheng personally led his subordinates to Huahuashanzhuang, followed by the disciples of Wuaomen."

"I saw Tiechan Furen heading to Huahuashanzhuang with her disciples."

I judged that continuing to listen to such reports was meaningless.

"You can go and rest."

"Yes."

For some reason, it felt like I was being asked to pay the price for the Great Monk's evil deeds. Bi Zongguan drew a slightly smaller circle for Wuaomen and Tiechan Furen.

"I expected Shu Xiansheng, but not Wuaomen and Tiechan Furen."

"Wuaomen could be involved."

Wuaomen is a group that stands between the righteous and the evil factions. In the martial world, such groups are called 'zhengsajian,' which means they are like bats. Tiechan Furen is a middle-aged female expert in the black market who throws an iron toad as a hidden weapon.

Bi Zongguan said.

"I'll contact the Twelve Elders. If Li Longlaogun's strategy is to split the Nanhua region and share it, the Twelve Elders won't be safe either."

I looked at the circles on the situation map and said.

"Count the forces of the Four Elders and the Black Cat Gang. Let's compare the approximate numbers on Li Longlaogun's side."

"Yes."

Bi Zongguan picked up the brush and continued to add numbers to the situation map.

Hongxin and Jinhai had no direct subordinates, so there was nothing to count. Hongxin usually acted alone, and it wasn't a situation where the merchant's troops would be mobilized.

Even with the additional forces of the Four Elders and the Black Cat Gang, the total did not exceed two hundred and fifty.

However, when Li Longlaogun's forces were counted, they easily exceeded four hundred.

"What can I do if I go crazy and curse alone? With such a shortage of numbers, the morale of the subordinates will drop. We can't be outnumbered."

I looked around the Black Cat Gang's officers and said.

"Send someone to Yiliang County to inform Sima Bi and Chashengtai. Tell them to gather anyone who's bored to death and join us. Another officer, go to Heixianbao."

Xiao Junping replied.

"Heixianbao?"

"Tell Dugusheng to bring about a hundred elite members."

"Will Heixianbao come?"

"Tell them the Sect Master of Xiaomen has called. They will come. This way, the numbers will be roughly even. If a full-scale battle breaks out, the subordinates won't be intimidated. By the way, the guys from Heixianbao are completely crazy, so be careful not to get into a fight with them. They're insane."

Xiao Junping answered on behalf of the officers.

"Understood."

"Officers..."

"Yes, Lord Fang."

"Is there anyone on Li Longlaogun's side that I shouldn't kill? There might be family members or old friends involved. Let me know in advance."

While the officers looked at each other, I added.

"Don't blame me after everyone is dead."

Xiao Junping assessed the mood of the officers and replied.

"No one."

I ended the meeting.

"Everyone, get to work. Start with the Twelve Elders. Go and beat to death those who don't respond to the summons."

Strong people need to act so that the weak don't die.

After sending the officers, I put my feet on the table and dozed off.

Lately, I've been so engrossed in cultivating that I fall asleep at any time. It feels like I'm quickly consuming my physical and mental strength.

Sometimes, just before falling asleep, I have this thought.

Ah, I feel like I'll have a bad dream.

It's tiring to stay awake, but it's also unpleasant to keep falling asleep.

That's how I feel right now.

I had a bad dream.

* * *

I saw Guangsheng laughing and running. Innocent people were flying to the sides as they collided with Guangsheng's shoulders, but he kept laughing.

"Hahaha..."

I quickly grabbed a rag and wiped the table.

'Damn it.'

I silently prayed that he would just pass by, but Guangsheng stopped his light movement and asked me.

"Hey, waiter."

The word 'waiter' made my stomach boil.

"Yes?"

"Which way is Zhejiang?"

Despite my shock, I calmly replied.

"Keep going east, won't you?"

Guangsheng blinked his large eyes and replied.

"Are you telling me to go east no matter what?"

"For now, yes."

"If I keep going east and don't find Zhejiang, will you take responsibility?"

For a moment, I felt like there was no way out no matter what I said, making it hard to breathe.

If I said, "I'll take responsibility," he would say, "Good, take responsibility," and drag me away.

If I said, "Why should I take responsibility?" he would drag me away, saying he was in a bad mood.

What was the right answer? I suppressed my growing anger and replied.

"Why are you going to Zhejiang?"

"There's a fish as big as a great bird in the sea off Zhejiang. The dead monk never lied, so it must be true."

"I think it's true too."

"Have you seen it?"

I threw the rag on the table and replied.

"No, why?"

"This guy's tone..."

Was it because it was a dream? I acted as I usually would. I rolled up my sleeves and said to Guangsheng.

"Are you picking a fight? Let's go at it."

At the words "let's go at it," Guangsheng laughed and it turned into a lion's roar. After gauging my inner strength with his lion's roar for a while, Guangsheng snorted and said.

"Quite a funny waiter. Since you made me laugh, I'll let you off. Keep practicing. We'll meet again."

Guangsheng disappeared in a cloud of dust. I smiled after he was gone.

"Scared..."

I was glad I had been practicing martial arts diligently. At that moment, a familiar but unpleasant voice came from the inn.

"Waiter, stop standing there like an idiot and bring the wine faster."

"What?"

I turned my head to see the Ming Cult's Guangmingsa sitting at a table with a beautiful woman.

"Who does this lunatic think he is?"

I cursed and kicked Guangmingsa in the chest with my right foot. Normally, Guangmingsa would counterattack, but he screamed and rolled on the ground several times.

The atmosphere was tense.

"Why are you doing this!"

The woman, startled, tried to stop me, but my body suddenly floated into the air.

I turned my head to see Guangsheng, who was taller than me, grabbing the back of my neck.

Guangsheng grinned and said.

"You're a really bad guy, aren't you?"

"What the hell are you talking about? That guy is a lecher. He will become Guangmingsa later. Are you not letting go?"

"You kicked first and now you're talking nonsense. Let's fight a bit."

"Fight... Damn. I'm not the same as before."

The surroundings changed rapidly, and I fought hundreds of rounds with Guangsheng. Using the power of the Heavenly Palace, I used the Golden Nine Relaxation Technique, the Absorption Technique, and the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, which surprised Guangsheng. However, Guangsheng's aura was gradually turning into that of the Immovable Vajra as he burst with qi.

'Damn it.'

At that moment, I saw a man standing at the alley entrance, smiling and watching the fight. It was Guangmingsa, who had deliberately taken my kick and fallen.

For a moment, I felt like I had been hit on the head.

I woke up suddenly.

As soon as I opened my eyes, I sighed.

How dare he torment me even in my dreams.

I took a deep breath and shouted.

"Bi Zongguan!"

Soon, Bi Zongguan hurried over and replied.

"Yes, Lord Fang. Is there something you need?"

I waved my hands around in excitement and then organized my thoughts.

"So, it's a bit of a difficult task, but can you draw a portrait based on my description?"

Bi Zongguan nodded.

"I'll try."

"It's someone I must find."

"Is there such a person? I'll do my best to find him."

It would have been easier if I knew his name. But the guy was just Guangmingsa, and I was Guangma. We had no interest in each other's real names.

I recited to Bi Zongguan what came to mind.

"He looks like a lecher."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm talking about the feeling. A lecherous feeling. Do you understand? He's half-and-half, with fair skin, and he has that kind of vibe. He's good at giving a charming smile."

One corner of Bi Zongguan's mouth curled up.

"I get it."

"Already?"

"Yes, don't worry and describe him. My drawing will catch the lecher."

Bi Zongguan smiled confidently.