"Watch out!" The Governor shouted at Lin Xuan Qi to warn him.

But it was unwarranted.

Lin Xuan Qi was faster and more powerful than Magistrate Ho by many times.

Whoosh.

When Magistrate Ho swung his fist at Lin Xuan Qi, Lin Xuan ducked by lowering his body and he gave out a palm strike at Magistrate Ho's abdomen.

The Five-Element Qi penetrated through the skin and flesh of Magistrate Ho, and ripped through the innards of Magistrate Ho.

Lin Xuan Qi had used just enough Five-Element Qi to injure but not kill.

Drip.

Blood dripped down from the mouth of Magistrate Ho and his body fell onto the ground.

"Argh." This time, Magistrate Ho rolled on the ground with intense pain.

The Governor gave out a sigh of relief when he saw that Lin Xuan Qi was safe.

"Get him out of my sight." He glanced at his men and ordered them to bring Magistrate Ho away.

The dispensing of the charity porridge had to continue smoothly.

His men nodded their heads and proceeded to carry Magistrate Ho by his limbs.

By now, Magistrate Ho was unconscious from the pain and blacked out, giving them no resistance.

They proceeded to move him away from the area with much hassle.

With Magistrate Ho gone, the Governor had more work to be done, and he bid farewell to Lin Xuan Qi. "Master Lin, I shall ask my men to spread the news of the increase in the supply of the rice.

"I will pay you a visit soon to settle the aftermath of everything.

"But right now, I need to take over the Magistrate's Residence first and confiscate whatever money he had from corruption."

"I understand. Thanks for the visit here today, Governor." Lin Xuan Qi bowed to the Governor and said.

The Governor waved his hands, and his men followed him to get on their horses and left.

One of the men in the crowd saw what had happened and he ran off.

Lin Xuan Qi turned around and was surprised to see that Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin were behind him looking at him with a worried expression.

Even Liu Shi Shi had her belt sword out in her hand.

Xue Cong came up to him and said, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

"You need to call the physician?" Yue Jie also came and asked with a worried expression.

Yue Xin held onto his hand to check and see if there was anything wrong.

Behind her, Liu Shi Shi gave out a sigh of relief when she saw that he was alright without any wounds.

"Thank God I've learned some martial arts moves from Master Lee." Lin Xuan Qi shrugged and said with a smile.

Xue Cong, Yue Jie and Yue Xin didn't know the difference, and they bought his excuse.

Liu Shi Shi also thought that it was a normal palm strike and didn't suspect that it was something else, like a move of a cultivator.

Only Lee He Song knew what was up, but he kept quiet and nodded.

He was eager to learn more and get better at what Lin Xuan Qi had taught him and Zhi Yong.

"I will ask Auntie Sue to make some chicken soup to calm your nerves." Xue Cong said, and the others agreed, nodding vigorously.

Lin Xuan Qi wanted to say that he was fine, and that it would be a hassle, but the warmth and comfort from the chicken soup in such cold weather made him nod his head to it.

And if he was lucky, maybe he could get more warmth and comfort other than from the chicken soup.

Things couldn't get any better for him.

"Are there any more porridge left?" He asked.

Xue Cong glanced over at the porridge stalls and said, "There wasn't much left a few moments ago.

"It should be empty soon."

Lin Xuan Qi nodded his head and said, "Get ready to pack up. There is more work to be done."

He glanced over at the thirty new servants he had recruited for the day.

...

The man who had left the crowd was now at the Rice Merchant Association.

It was absolute chaos inside.

"What? Are you sure? Are you absolutely sure!" One of the rice merchants couldn't believe it when he heard the news of Magistrate Ho being stripped of his position.

"Then, what should we do now?" Another one of them said, and the wine inside his wine cup nearly spilled out of it due to his trembling hand.

"Yeah, what should we do now."

"Will the Governor come for us next?"

"We should think of something quick."

They chattered among themselves without a clue about what to do next.

Some of them glanced at each other and were ready to leave.

They thought that it would be better if they were back home.

It would be easier for them to make the decision to sell the stock of rice they had in their hands, before the price of the rice tumbled.

Without Magistrate Ho around, the Governor would pressure them to do it soon.

And even if the Governor doesn't do so, the increase in the supply of rice shall make the price of the rice fall eventually.

They weren't too deep into stocking up with the rice, and they could still survive if they acted quick.

"It's time we stick together.

"As long as we don't release the rice, the Governor can't do anything to us.

"He needs the peasants fed to prevent another rebellion."

One of the rice merchants, Master Su stood up to take the lead and said.

His friend Master Wu also stood up to support him.

Master Su glanced around and stopped his gaze onto those who were ready to sell off their stocks.

Those that were being gazed upon pretended to nod their heads and said, "Yes, we must stick around together so that we can survive."

The other rice merchants agreed and chimed in.

"Stick together and we shall prevail!"

"Stick together and we shall prevail!"

They shouted and raised their arms to bolster their courage.

However, when they shouted the slogan at the top of their lungs, most of them had their own ideas in their hearts.

Every one of them was an old sly fox.

And none of them would want to be the fool at the end of it all.

Master Su raised his arms and gestured to them to keep it down and they stopped.

"We shall monitor what happens tomorrow before we make a decision."

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