Chapter 35

Especially Wang Wu, his greedy eyes on the treasure chests before him, had completely vanished, instead showing fear as if facing venomous snakes and scorpions. He let out a muffled groan: "Sure enough, nothing good comes from this!"

Wang Wu had dominated the pork business on this entire street for years without decline, and there was a reason for it. Though he appeared stupid and fat, his judgment was clear, and he did not let the dazzling silver and weapons before him cloud his mind.

Though these things were good, they might not have the lives to take them.

Though the Gu Yue family had declined in influence and fallen from their position as the first family in Yuecheng, their formidable reputation from a few years ago still made children cry at night.

And the Lin and Kong families, as well as the Hundred Weapons Xia family, were all massive entities. A single breath from them could topple the Sword Robe Hall.

The hall fell into a heavy silence, the atmosphere so tense that a pin could be heard dropping. Until a voice broke the silence: "Do the two hall leaders consider this matter too serious? How many people would wish for the North Hall to favor our hall? I think this is a good thing. Our Sword Robe Hall has raised its banner, and the major families in the city will eventually need to choose a side to support. Fighting for them is inevitable!"

Zhuang Wudao looked over and saw a man with a green face speaking confidently. This man was named Green Wolf Xue Zhi, a well-known figure on this street. He firmly controlled a section of Spring Lane, which contained four or five small brothels. His income was good, and it was said that even Shi Hu envied him and had once planned to take him down. However, Xue Zhi had successfully defended himself through strategic alliances. He had forty subordinates, two of whom were at the Bone Marrow stage, making his strength even greater than that of the fatty Wang Wu.

"Brother Xue is right, wealth comes with risk!"

The next to speak was another leader, 'Red Hawk' Lian Jiu, with a cold smile: "The North Hall has promised us two streets! If we can take over Jade Bear Street, we can invite five or six Qi Practitioners as protectors. Even the city lord would have to give our Sword Robe Hall some respect."

Qin Feng, Wang Wu, and Zhuang Wudao exchanged glances, understanding the thoughts of these people, which were different from theirs.

The three of them were concerned about the safety of their brothers and the dangers of this turmoil. These few, however, were more focused on the opportunities and wealth it could bring.

"I think it's possible. How many people in Yuecheng would want to serve the North Hall but can't?"

"If the Gu Yue family and the Xia family attack our Green Robe Hall, it would also be a loss of face for the North Hall. Would the North Hall just stand by and watch?"

"We are all men who live on the edge of a blade! Success means a life of luxury with beautiful women and grand mansions. In just a few years, all our brothers can establish their own businesses and enjoy a life of wealth. Failure is no big deal; if we die, it's just bad luck. No one to blame!"

"If we have the chance, our Sword Robe Hall can become a dominant force in the northern city! Just staying on this street, no one will look up to us."

Lin Han's eyes flickered, and he smiled: "I think the same! If we take over Jade Wash Street, we will eventually conflict with the Iron Knife Society and the Fierce Axe Hall. A fight could result in the deaths of dozens. Life in Yuecheng is cheap. Unless our Sword Robe Hall becomes a dominant force, no one will dare to provoke us."

He was thinking that if Zhuang Wudao stayed, with the North Hall's protection, it would be better to compete with the disciples of the noble families than to venture into the Daoist path.

He had specifically inquired about the Daoist path on Licheng Mountain, which was a dead end. Out of a hundred people, perhaps only one could survive.

Zhuang Wudao frowned deeply. He hadn't expected the discussion to end with such a result.

Even Wang Wu's expression changed, and he fell into deep thought: "I would rather not deal with the North Hall, but if we refuse, they might exterminate our entire family! The North Hall is not the type to let things go easily."

Though it might not be as extreme as Wang Wu said, the North Hall, no matter how tyrannical, wouldn't do such a thing. However, the people in the hall were all chilled to the bone.

The North Hall's reputation was built on several dozen cases of mass casualties over the past few years!

Just outside the city, the North Hall had a private army of six thousand miners, more elite than the city's official troops!

"Wealth comes with risk, a phrase that deeply resonates with me."

Qin Feng suddenly stood up, laughing heartily: "Since none of our brothers have objections, let's decide on this. However, if we want Wudao to work for them, we need to negotiate the terms. We can't be satisfied with just these tens of thousands of silver. We need to ensure the safety of our brothers. What do you think, Wudao?"

His gaze was fixed on Zhuang Wudao, filled with more bitterness than anything else. The others looked at him with hopeful eyes, most of them expecting his decision.

Zhuang Wudao shook his head inwardly. Wealth blinds the eyes, and power corrupts the heart. This move by Beiting Wan'er had cut off his retreat.

After a brief moment of thought, Zhuang Wudao made up his mind. He was indeed tempted by the competition slot and didn't pretend otherwise. He walked over and took the silver-threaded inner armor, the treasure seal, and a few bottles of pills from the wooden chests.

To achieve great things, one must first have the right tools. Though the competition wouldn't use spirit weapons, it was necessary to guard against others' treachery. This inner armor was a life-saving item. The treasure seal could be used to enhance his 'Armor Piercing Cone' set or the silver-threaded inner armor, both of which were excellent choices.

As for the rest, Zhuang Wudao didn't take anything, waving his sleeve: "The rest should be temporarily sealed. After the terms are agreed upon, let the brothers divide them. I have one condition: this turmoil is dangerous, and there might be a risk of extermination. It's best to make it clear to the brothers. If they don't want to risk their lives, let them leave!"

Though the North Hall called it a gift, Zhuang Wudao couldn't possibly keep it all for himself. These silver and goods might be the price of the lives of those present.

This matter was decided, but the people gathered in the main hall continued to discuss until late at night. They discussed how to recruit more soldiers and attract powerful warriors. Moving the contents of the dozens of wooden chests took another half an hour.

It wasn't until midnight that the people in the hall dispersed, leaving only Qin Feng and Zhuang Wudao.

"They are different from you and me. After decades of struggling in the city, they are afraid of poverty. They only see silver, women, and a little power. They don't care how long they will live, let alone the lives of their subordinates. How many people in the city are struggling to make ends meet? It's not hard to find people to send to their deaths. They might only want a peaceful life when they are old."

Qin Feng brewed a pot of tea, savoring it carefully. This was a habit he had developed three years ago, giving him the air of a wealthy man.

Zhuang Wudao secretly scoffed. The tea Qin Feng used cost only three coins per ounce, the cheapest available. It was amazing how he could enjoy it so much.

"I understand! I am different from them and from you."

Qin Feng laughed, "Yes, different! You fight in the market to get enough pills and silver to practice martial arts, using it as a stepping stone to enter the path of cultivation."

Xue Zhi and Lian Jiu were after silver and women, while Qin Feng aimed to rise to prominence and establish a family for his brothers, hoping to have some leisure money to support his old age and ensure his descendants wouldn't live like beggars.

Not everyone could have the talent of Zhuang Wudao to become a Qi Practitioner.

Though Qin Feng had a fifth-grade cultivation talent, he had self-awareness and no lofty ambitions like Zhuang Wudao. He never expected to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage; he only hoped to establish a family in Yuecheng.

Perhaps in a thousand years, it could become a great family like the North Hall and Gu Yue.

"Originally, after raising the banner, I planned to consolidate our strength and wait for a few months to see if there was an opportunity to expand our territory. But with the North Hall's move today, it's all changed. There might be some hidden dangers in the future—"

Zhuang Wudao's expression darkened, "I have put the brothers in danger."

"Don't talk about putting them in danger. Since we've decided to fight, we should be full of fighting spirit! If you're like this, you'll be swept away before you even start."

Qin Feng chuckled, "Actually, I think it's not bad. One reason is that I don't want you to venture into the Daoist path. The phrase 'wealth comes with risk' is genuinely heartfelt. If not for this, how many years would it take for us to rise? Though this is dangerous, it is indeed a good opportunity."

Zhuang Wudao still couldn't let go, "But the North Hall—"

Before he could finish, Qin Feng interrupted, "I never expected the North Hall to be reliable! I know these noble families can't be trusted! So our lives depend on you. If you don't want our Sword Robe Hall to be retaliated against and exterminated, you must achieve a good future in the Licheng Sect. With your protection, we won't fear the North Hall or Gu Yue."

Zhuang Wudao was moved, knowing that Qin Feng was trying to encourage him and lift his spirits, but he still felt a warmth.

In fact, there was no turning back now. Once Qin Feng negotiated with the North Hall, he would have to devote himself fully to preparing for the competition.

"I understand, I won't let the brothers down!"

After saying this, Zhuang Wudao didn't say more. His nature was to act rather than talk.

Just before leaving, Zhuang Wudao remembered something, "Today on the street, I saw a few vendors from Jade Bear Street. What's going on?"

"The Iron Knife Society increased the tax, and these few couldn't bear the burden, so they came to our territory to set up stalls, but were then driven away."

Zhuang Wudao raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing disapproval. How could this happen?

Qin Feng remained calm, sipping his tea, and casually threw a name card over with a throwing technique.

"The ones who drove them away were the Iron Knife Society. This is a challenge from Feng San. Whoever shelters them will be considered an enemy of the Iron Knife Society!"

Zhuang Wudao's expression became serious, then he sneered.

"The Iron Knife Society's influence doesn't extend to our Jade Wash Street."

"That's true, but the Northern City Inspection Office has also warned us not to let these few people ruin the street's appearance. The merchants on the street also disapprove."

Page AD starts

Page AD ends