County Captain's Mansion.

The weather was cold, and snow was falling heavily.

A red clay stove was placed on the table, with a copper pot heating on top. Inside, water boiled furiously, and thin slices of tender red mutton quickly changed color as they were swirled through the boiling water.

Steam rose, and three people sat around the table, dipping ginger, garlic, and scallions in oil, accompanied by several jars of fine wine. They enjoyed the feast while watching the snow, delighting in the moment.

One of them was County Captain Han Lang, another was Third Young Master Huo Ziyi.

The third person was tall, with disheveled hair and a left-lapelled robe, upturned nostrils, and an ugly face. He was Hall Master Du Yinfeng of the Black Water Gang in Wu'an County.

Han Lang asked, "Hall Master Du, how is the establishment of the branch in Changze County? Is everything going smoothly?"

"Everything is going smoothly."

Du Yinfeng raised a glass of wine and said, "This matter is thanks in large part to County Magistrate Zheng and County Captain Duan. I hear they are both under Lord Han, so I toast to you, my lord."

"It's a small matter."

Han Lang laughed, "Duan Zhao was brought up by me, but for them to be able to take up office in Changze County, it's thanks to the work being done behind the scenes by Marquis Wu'an's Mansion. Third Young Master Huo also played a part in this."

"It's not worth mentioning."

Huo Ziyi raised his glass as well, and the three of them drank together.

Han Lang asked again, "I heard that a masked blade master appeared that night, with fierce sword skills, killing many of your gang. Are there any leads?"

"Since that day, this person seems to have vanished into thin air and has not appeared again."

Du Yinfeng shook his head and said, "Perhaps the Evil Wolf Gang hired this person and he fled after killing."

"I have left some more people in Changze County this time, including ten Ninth Grades and three Eighth Grades stationed there, so there shouldn't be any problem. Find an opportunity to abolish that Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall, and there will be no force in Changze County that can threaten us."

Han Lang nodded and said, "That's good. If there's anything you can't handle, remember to seek help from the County Government. I've informed Duan Zhao and the others, and they will assist at that time."

"Lord Han is so open-minded, another toast to you!"

Du Yinfeng and Han Lang raised their glasses and drank again.

Beside them, Huo Ziyi looked at the heavy snow outside, seemingly in low spirits.

Han Lang asked, "Third Young Master Huo seems to have something on your mind?"

"It's nothing."

Huo Ziyi said, "Hearing you mention Changze County reminds me of Chen Tang from Changze County. Damn, I failed twice with him, and he even joined the Cyan Dragon Bureau!"

Mentioning this matter, Huo Ziyi felt somewhat indignant.

"Forget it."

Han Lang laughed, "He's just a Ninth Grade, no need to worry about him. When the time comes, and we've accomplished great deeds, in Wu'an County, you can kill whoever you wish. There's no need to rush."

"You're right."

Huo Ziyi nodded, regaining his smile, and emptied his cup.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.

"Lord Han, something has happened!"

Two governmental officials ran in hastily, sweating profusely.

"What's the matter? Come in and speak."

Han Lang frowned, instructing the two officials to come in and talk.

He looked at one of the officials and asked, "Fan Xing, weren't you just with Duan Zhao in Changze County? Why are you back? Has something happened in Changze County?"

The official named Fan Xing nodded and said, "Lord Duan Zhao is dead, killed by the Cyan Dragon Guard!"

"What?"

Han Lang's expression changed, "What happened? Tell me in detail!"

Fan Xing recounted the events at the County Government Office verbatim.

"It's that Chen Tang again?"

Han Lang's face darkened, and with a loud bang, he slammed his hand on the table, enunciating each word, "The Cyan Dragon Bureau, too much!"

Huo Ziyi's eyes darted, and he said, "In my opinion, this doesn't seem like a directive from the Cyan Dragon Bureau. It's possible it was an action taken privately by the three of them. Since Chen Tang is from Changze County, he probably has a private connection with Meng Liangyu, which is why he stepped in to save someone."

"If there was a directive from the Cyan Dragon Bureau, Duan Zhao wouldn't have dared to resist."

Han Lang quickly calmed down after hearing this, sensing something amiss.

Duan Zhao obstructing the Cyan Dragon Guard's capture, he could understand.

But for Duan Zhao to be bold enough to draw his blade against the Cyan Dragon Guard?

Never mind Duan Zhao, even without any evidence or accusation, he wouldn't dare strike openly against the Cyan Dragon Guard.

Han Lang stared at Fan Xing and asked, "Did you see it clearly? Was it really Duan Zhao who struck first?"

"Yes."

Fan Xing said, "At that time, Chen Tang wanted to speak privately and stood close to Lord Duan. I suspect Chen Tang said something that provoked Lord Duan, causing him to lose control and draw his blade to injure Chen Tang."

Han Lang furrowed his brows tightly, puzzled.

Duan Zhao did not seem like someone so reckless and impulsive.

What could the other party have said to provoke him to draw his blade and injure someone?

Even if they had cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations, it shouldn't have been this way.

Du Yinfeng chuckled and said, "What kind of person is this Chen Tang? He should know that Duan Zhao is one of Lord Han's men, but he still killed him?"

Han Lang was stirred and recalled some information about Chen Tang, saying lightly, "Actually, this Chen Tang once had a grudge with your gang, and Young Leader Xiao also knows him."

"Oh?"

Du Yinfeng looked surprised and asked, "I truly didn't know about this, please tell me more."

Han Lang briefly narrated how a few months ago, Chen Tang stood up against injustice in Changze County, clashing with the Black Water Gang's Young Leader, and added, "As far as I know, the young girl that Young Leader Xiao fancied is currently living in his home."

"There's even such a matter."

Du Yinfeng stroked his chin, lost in thought.

"Lord Han, are you suggesting that I take action to help you get rid of him?"

Du Yinfeng, having been involved with the Black Water Gang for so many years, could roughly guess the intention behind Han Lang's words and hit the nail on the head.

Han Lang smiled and said, "It is indeed inconvenient for my men to take action."

"This matter is not without benefits for Hall Master Du. Getting rid of Chen Tang will make it much easier to deal with his family."

"If Hall Master Du takes that little girl away, and presents her when Young Leader Xiao comes next time, he would be overjoyed, and you would have achieved a great success."

Du Yinfeng chuckled.

It was precisely for this reason that he had been tempted earlier.

Du Yinfeng said, "My people from the Black Water Gang also can't easily make a move against the Cyan Dragon Guard. If exposed, it would be quite troublesome."

"Let those people outside the city come in, and I'll let the guards pass them through."

Han Lang said, "A few days ago, Chen Tang just killed many 'Snow Thieves' on his way to Wu'an County, forming a grudge. It makes sense for them to come into the city to seek revenge on Chen Tang."

"Just kill Chen Tang? What about the two Cyan Dragon Guards with him?" Du Yinfeng asked.

"Killing just him is enough."

Han Lang squinted, thinking to himself, "Cai Yin, since you killed one of my men, let me make you repay it. An eye for an eye."

Huo Ziyi said, "Chen Tang is not yet an official Cyan Dragon Guard, so killing him is manageable. Besides, his cultivation isn't high, and he's injured. There won't be any surprises. Wei Qun is Sixth Grade, Wang Yanli is Seventh Grade; your Snow Thieves probably can't handle them."

Du Yinfeng nodded and said, "Where does Chen Tang's family live, and who else is there?"

"I've investigated it all."

Han Lang said, "There are three other people in Chen Tang's family, apart from the little girl named Zhiwei. The other two are his uncle and cousin. By the way, I've seen his cousin at the training field once; she's breathtakingly beautiful."

"Oh?"

Huo Ziyi's eyes lit up, asking, "Are you serious, is she really that beautiful?"

"The word 'beautiful' almost seems too mundane for her."

Han Lang said, "His cousin always wears a veil when she goes out. To put it without exaggeration, if she walks down the street without her veil in Wu'an County, it would definitely cause a huge sensation!"

"Interesting, I would like to see for myself."

Huo Ziyi licked his lips.

Han Lang knew Third Young Master Huo all too well.

His greatest passion in life was women.

Many beautiful and decent women in Wu'an County had been victimized by him.

But the power of Marquis Wu'an's Mansion was so immense that even when taken to the County Government Office, nothing would come of it.

A few years ago, it even stirred up such a scandal that it reached the Capital City.

In the end, Marquis Wu'an stepped down from the Commander's position, and Li Yan from the Li Family came to serve as the Commander in Wu'an County.

It seemed like a demotion, but in fact, his title remained, and the foundation was untouched. Wu'an County was still under the control of Marquis Wu'an's Mansion!

Huo Ziyi said, "Hall Master Du, leave Chen Tang to you, and the three people in his family to me. At that time, I'll send the little girl to your gang."

Han Lang said, "When you take action, make it look like they're missing. This way, the case would be a mystery with no resolution in sight."

"When do we act? I'm getting impatient."

"Third Young Master Huo, I know you're eager, but don't rush. If you act on his family now, it will certainly alert him. If Chen Tang stays hidden in the Cyan Dragon Bureau, we won't have any opportunity."

"Alright, then we'll wait for him to return!"

The three agreed and toasted a drink.

...

Due to Meng Liangyu's severe injuries, he couldn't ride a horse.

Chen Tang hired a carriage to take him to Wu'an County, which significantly slowed them down.

By the time the news of Duan Zhao's murder reached Wu'an County, the four of them were still on the road.

Chen Tang initially wanted Wei Qun and Wang Yanli to return to the city ahead of time.

But they were concerned about encountering mishaps on the road, so they decided to escort all the way.

When the four arrived in Wu'an County, it was already the next evening.

Chen Tang first took the heavily injured Meng Liangyu to his own home.

The chubby old man chuckled, teasing, "What's the matter? Why are you in such a sorry state?"

Meng Liangyu remembered the old man had come specifically to give him a nudge back then.

Hmph!

Having known the chubby old man for a while, Meng Liangyu gave a wry smile and said, "Senior, please don't tease me."

"Old man, let him sleep with you tonight."

"Alright."

The chubby old man was about to agree but seemed to remember something and cautiously asked, "Do you snore in your sleep?"

"Huh?"

Meng Liangyu was taken aback by the question and shook his head, "I don't think so."

"That's good."

The chubby old man breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhiwei and Qingmu also busied themselves on the side, bringing clean water and gauze, ready to tend to Meng Liangyu's wounds.

Chen Tang said, "You rest here first. I'll return to the Cyan Dragon Bureau to get some medicine for you. The Golden Sore Medicine from the Cyan Dragon Bureau works quite well."

Although he carried some with him, it was far from enough.

Meng Liangyu was covered in wounds.

After temporarily settling Meng Liangyu, Chen Tang, Wei Qun, and Wang Yanli headed towards the Cyan Dragon Bureau.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.