Chapter 64

"Over a dozen knives in his body, he's already gone."

Wang Wu's face remained unchanged, expressionless: "Seven people died in this battle, Lian Jiu had the highest status among them."

His words carried a hint of indifference, as if he didn't care about Lian Jiu's death at all. However, Zhuang Wudao knew that this wasn't because Wang Wu was heartless, but rather that he had long been accustomed to life and death over the decades. People like them could be feasting and reveling one day, and the next day they might be buried in a mass grave. A lively brother from yesterday could be lying dead on the street today.

Even Zhuang Wudao himself, in just a few short years, had experienced several life-and-death moments and had seen off several brothers.

But despite this, he still felt a slight blockage in his heart. People have close and distant relationships. Lian Jiu had only been in partnership with them for a few days, and he didn't have much affection for him. However, when he scanned the crowd, Zhuang Wudao noticed that at least two of his old partners were missing.

"He brought it upon himself, going out alone to drink and carouse at such a time, he fell into an ambush. The brothers did their best; the Great Hall Master took seven knives trying to save him but still couldn't bring him back. Instead, he dragged down six more brothers. He didn't have the good fortune to enjoy this wealth!"

Xue Zhi sighed slightly, his expression sorrowful: "But our Sword Robe Hall has avenged him. None of those who ambushed him survived. The Great Hall Master has already sent a thousand taels of silver to his family and will take care of his descendants."

Seeing Zhuang Wudao silent, Xue Zhi smiled again: "We will handle this matter. Deputy Hall Master Zhuang, just focus on the competition. You don't need to worry about these things. Don't take it too seriously. Anyone who dares to mix in the streets of Yuecheng is risking their life for wealth. They have no regrets even if they die."

Perhaps because he owed Zhuang Wudao a favor and knew of his great future, Xue Zhi's words were full of comfort.

But Zhuang Wudao wasn't concerned about Lian Jiu's life or death. The man had indeed brought it upon himself and deserved to die. What troubled him was the loss of his two old brothers, which made his chest feel heavy.

His previous anger was because the Sword Robe Hall, with such a major event, didn't inform Qin Feng and the others. Now, hearing Xue Zhi's words, he realized that there was already an invisible chasm between him and the others in the Sword Robe Hall.

He would join Lichen and rise rapidly. Qin Feng and the others, however, would need to continue making a living in Yuecheng, dominating the streets. Qin Feng needed achievements to establish his authority and couldn't and wouldn't continue to rely on him.

Thinking this, Zhuang Wudao's anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of loss.

Qin Feng kept his eyes on Gu Yu, who stood with his hands behind his back next to Zong Shou, full of surprise and doubt. After a while, he shifted his gaze, smiled sadly, and changed the subject: "Our Sword Robe Hall has too few people, and controlling the three streets is quite difficult. As the head of the hall, my cultivation is too low to maintain order. This month, I plan to seclude myself and use the Blood Essence Pill to try to break through to the Qi Condensation stage. Brothers, you can also help me look for any Qi Condensation cultivators in the city who might join us. Although our Sword Robe Hall is not as strong as the Thunder Dragon Gang, we can still afford to support three to five Qi Condensation disciples. At that time, who would dare to touch our Sword Robe Hall brothers?"

Everyone in the hall was invigorated, showing excitement. They all knew that Qin Feng's cultivation potential was no less than Zhuang Wudao's, and he was two years older. A year ago, he was just a step away from the Qi Condensation stage. With the help of the Blood Essence Pill, he had a good chance of breaking through.

If they could recruit two or three more Qi Condensation disciples, and with the protection of the Northern Hall family, controlling the three streets would be easy. They could walk the streets of Yuecheng with confidence.

Qin Feng then looked at Wang Wu and Xue Zhi, about to ask them to take care of the hall's affairs while he was in seclusion.

But Zhuang Wudao shook his head and interrupted: "We can talk about your seclusion later. I have a business matter that might require your help. Can the hall spare two hundred brothers in the next ten days?"

Qin Feng was immediately stunned, his expression becoming serious. Wang Wu and Xue Zhi exchanged glances. Two hundred people were nearly half of the Sword Robe Hall's current strength. The business Zhuang Wudao mentioned was likely significant.

By "business," they meant nothing more than robbery and murder. Who was he planning to target?

Ma Yuan, however, had already guessed and rubbed his hands together excitedly: "Is it Zhuang Tong?"

※※※※

The night was deep, and two hundred miles outside Yuecheng, on the Song River, a four-story tower ship was sailing downstream with its sails fully spread.

Zhuang Xun stood expressionless behind the railing on the fourth floor, his face calm but his eyes filled with deep worry as he gazed into the distance.

—The sky was dark with clouds, and everything was pitch black, so he couldn't see much, but it made him feel slightly more at ease, though only slightly.

Zhuang Tong, leaning on a cane behind him, was full of confusion and anger: "Why leave now? Leaving your sister behind? Abandoning the family business of several generations?"

"Shut up! You ungrateful son, what do you know? Get back to the cabin!"

Zhuang Xun snorted coldly, suppressing his anger, wishing he could turn around and slap Zhuang Tong hard.

How could he leave his own daughter unless absolutely necessary? The mine veins that the Zhuang family had worked hard for generations, he wouldn't give up unless forced.

Since that day, there had been no news from the Thunder Dragon Gang or any other sources. But the lack of news was what made him fear.

Shen Quan had given up a street for no reason, and the Sword Robe Hall, where Zhuang Wudao was, had suddenly grown in power for no reason.

Not long ago, the East Boat Alley had been sealed off by the Northern Hall and Gu Yue families. No one knew what had happened inside, but after the incident, over two hundred bodies were carried out.

All the members of the Thunder Dragon Gang's Iron Knife Society who had participated in the event had disappeared. They were either silenced or sent elsewhere, making it impossible to investigate.

But Zhuang Xun had a vague idea that Zhuang Wudao had the backing of the Northern Hall family and held a high position. Even Shen Quan, who had received a bribe, had ignored the Zhuang family.

He had operated in Yuecheng for decades and could judge the city's situation from any hint. How could he not realize that the Zhuang family was in grave danger?

"Father!"

Zhuang Tong was still defiant, his face stubborn: "If Father is leaving, why marry Sister to Shen Quan as a concubine? If we have the Thunder Dragon Gang as a backing, why leave? I really don't understand! Is it because Shen Quan has some ulterior motive? Or has Father offended someone? Explain clearly, and I can help you plan."

Zhuang Xun's face twitched, and he sighed deeply: "It's not Shen Quan. That bastard is ruthless but keeps his word. I fear Zhuang Wudao. If we leave too late, our whole family might die at his hands. Even now, I am terrified."

Zhuang Tong was stunned. The person Zhuang Xun feared was the ruffian who had crushed his ankle?

He had been confined at home for days, but what had happened to make Zhuang Xun so afraid?

"Just a few days ago, Zhuang Wudao's Sword Robe Hall took a street from the Thunder Dragon Gang, and Shen Quan didn't even make a sound. The Iron Knife Society, with three Qi Condensation cultivators, is now gone."

Zhuang Xun's eyes grew even more troubled as he looked down. One hundred and twenty guards, all in armor, were crouching or sitting behind the ship's railings. Eighty six-stone bows were aimed at the river.

There were also two first-stage Qi Condensation disciples resting on the third floor. These didn't make him feel much safer, but the ship was from the Taifeng Shipyard, a business operated by the town's eunuch overseer. They had considerable influence on the Song River, and few pirates would dare to attack them. They were also known for their reliability.

If Zhuang Wudao were to attack on the river, he would have to be cautious. Sailing downstream, they would be eight hundred miles away, where Zhuang Wudao's influence in Yuecheng would be powerless against them.

But a moment later, Zhuang Xun's face turned pale. The ship's speed suddenly slowed, and looking back, he saw that the sails had been lowered by half. Not only that, but the entire tower ship had lost control and was drifting sideways in the river.

"What's happening?"

Zhuang Tong was alarmed, and then he heard several "thuds" as people jumped into the water from both sides of the ship. He instantly understood.

There were traitors on the ship! And they were likely from the Taifeng Shipyard, the people operating the ship!

A deep, resonant laugh echoed.

"Haha, Old Man Zhuang Xun, your Zhuang family has made a fortune, and now you want to leave? You are a significant figure, but you have offended the wrong people. Even if the Heavenly King were here, he couldn't protect you!"

"Everyone on the ship, listen up. We are the Blackfish Gang. We only want the money, not the lives. Those who surrender will not be killed!"

Zhuang Xun's face turned ashen as he looked around. Not far away, countless torches suddenly lit up.

Over twenty fast boats were approaching from all directions. It was impossible to know how many people were on them, holding over a hundred torches, their shouts shaking the sky.

In the distance, he saw several figures standing on the bow of the largest fast boat. In the middle was a short, stocky man holding a pair of black axes, with a beard like needles. He didn't recognize this man, but the two young men standing beside him made his heart ache. One was Qin Feng, and the other was Zhuang Wudao!

Zhuang Xun felt a heavy pressure in his chest, almost spitting out blood. His hand gripped the railing so tightly that the veins on his hand stood out, nearly crushing the railing.

Zhuang Wudao, however, was smiling slightly, talking to the stocky man beside him.

"Still impressive, Chief. You actually managed to intercept them here."

"Of course!"

The man was smug: "With your information, if I couldn't intercept him, how would the Blackfish Gang survive on this Song River? The people we planted in the Taifeng Shipyard were to find an opportunity for a big score! But will we really be safe afterward? The eunuch overseer's mansion might not make a fuss over this. But I heard that Zhuang Tong has a close relationship with Shen Quan of the Thunder Dragon Gang. I can't afford to offend him."

Qin Feng glanced at him coldly: "Why so many words? I'm only giving you three-tenths of the take, and there's a reason for that."