https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-24-The-Monk-s-Attitude-Seeking-Collection-/12984516/
Chapter 25: An Invitation from the River Transport Gang
Chapter 25: An Invitation from the River Transport Gang
After bidding farewell to the elder monk, Qin Zheng quickly returned to his small courtyard.
As usual, he began the routine of preparing medicine and cooking meat to replenish his vital energy.
With the uncertain situation outside the city, he needed to focus on healing his internal injuries.
Even if he couldn't advance to the next realm, he had to regain the ability to activate the third layer of the Bodhimanda Wisdom Technique.
With three thousand jin of strength, he could rival those in the Bone Tempering Realm who had broken through the four major gates.
No matter how powerful the bandits outside the city were, it was unlikely that they possessed strength beyond the Bone Tempering Realm.
In any situation, he would be able to handle it.
In the afternoon, a knock on the courtyard door interrupted his solitude. A goatee-wearing elder appeared, respectfully handing Qin Zheng an invitation.
Behind the elder were several servants, one of whom carried a tray filled with gleaming silver, ten taels per ingot, totaling thirty ingots.
Further back, two men carried a slaughtered pig, and another two carried a slaughtered cow. Others held various grains, flour, and oil.
A pig and a cow, worth three hundred taels!
It seemed that the second-in-command of the River Transport Gang was not a dim-witted fool.
They must have investigated Qin Zheng's strength and decided to put on this show.
"Young Hero Qin, our second-in-command said that the young master was impolite. He sends his thanks for your guidance."
"Please accept these gifts as an apology for the young master's rude words."
The goatee-wearing elder spoke with respect.
Qin Zheng accepted the invitation without refusal and instructed his servants to bring the meat and grains into the courtyard.
Recently, rumors had spread throughout the city, and citizens were scrambling for food, causing prices to soar. With these provisions, Qin Zheng wouldn't need to join the frenzy.
"Very well, I accept this apology. Tell your second-in-command that I, Qin, will honor the invitation."
The goatee-wearing elder smiled and nodded, then said respectfully, "Thank you, Young Hero Qin. We shall return with your reply."
"Go."
Qin Zheng waited until they left before closing the door.
Both the beef and pork were extremely fresh, evidently slaughtered not long ago.
The River Transport Gang oversaw river trade and, although they were a gang, they often interacted with merchants, adopting some of their business-like manners.
Qin Zheng opened the invitation and read its contents:
'My son's rudeness is regretted. A banquet is prepared at the Heroes Pavilion in the west of the city to make amends. Please grace us with your presence at the seventh hour tonight.'
Black Goose City.
The seventh hour.
As night fell, the western riverbank became the liveliest place in the entire Black Goose City.
People flooded in, and the area was brightly lit.
The tense atmosphere of the day seemed to fade away, as if everyone had forgotten about the bandits outside the city.
The scent of rouge and fine wine filled the air, intoxicating the place.
Rich men in silk and satin, scholars in their scholarly robes, all lingered here, captivated by the atmosphere.
Amidst this, Qin Zheng, dressed in a coarse hemp robe, stood out like a sore thumb.
Especially with the Ghost Head Saber strapped diagonally across his back, wrapped in coarse cloth, he drew even more attention.
But Qin Zheng's aura was now vastly different from when he first crossed over, and those around him dared only to glance curiously, not daring to say a word.
The Heroes Pavilion was not a building but a flower boat operated by the River Transport Gang.
The boat was twenty meters long and sixteen meters high, with eight floors, truly resembling a floating tower.
It was also the busiest gold-seeking place on the western riverbank.
People crowded the entrance and exit on the shore.
When Qin Zheng arrived, the goatee-wearing elder from earlier was already waiting.
Upon seeing Qin Zheng, he hurried over and said respectfully, "Young Hero Qin, I'm here. Please follow me."
Several servants followed behind the elder.
Qin Zheng nodded and followed the goateed elder into the boat house.
The first-floor hall was bustling with people, and a stage was set up in the center where a sensually dressed dancer performed.
All around were gold seekers and courtesans serving alcohol.
The air was thick with the strong scent of liquor and rouge.
Qin Zheng's face remained calm, his eyes showing no ripple of emotion.
"Young Master Qin, this way."
Following the goateed elder's lead, they went upstairs, reaching the seventh floor.
With each floor, the crowd thinned.
By the time they reached the seventh floor, there were no more guests, only the Canal Gang's disciples.
Upon entering a luxurious room, Qin Zheng finally saw the main person of this gathering.
A middle-aged man with a broad build and a shrewd look sat at the front.
Behind him stood a young man, one side of his face swollen and bruised, looking somewhat intimidating.
This was the same Canal Gang young master Qin Zheng had taught a lesson to earlier.
This must be the second-in-command of the Canal Gang.
On both sides sat several men with formidable auras and unfriendly faces.
They were likely the second-in-command's subordinates.
"Oh, so this is the famous butcher of Black Goose City?"
A voice sounded from the side.
Qin Zheng's gaze followed the voice.
It was a burly man sitting to the right of the second-in-command.
His muscles bulged, as if sculpted from stone, and he exuded a strong malevolent aura.
"What do you mean, Liu Duzhu?"
Opposite him was a slender middle-aged man who looked ordinary, but upon closer inspection, his hands were like jade, and his nails were as dark as ink.
"How could Zhang Duzhu not know? Other butchers slaughter pigs, cattle, and livestock, but this one kills people!"
The muscular man laughed as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, the entire room burst into laughter.
Seeing Qin Zheng being mocked, the rugged disciple standing behind the second-in-command revealed a trace of malicious satisfaction.
"Is it funny?"
Just then, a calm voice broke the atmosphere.
Everyone stopped laughing and turned to look at Qin Zheng.
"You don't think it's funny?!"
A chill appeared in the muscular man's eyes.
In an instant, a surge of malevolent aura emanated from him.
He was like a man-eating tiger, staring intently at Qin Zheng.
The second-in-command, seated at the head, showed no intention of mediating and instead watched the scene with interest.
His son, the second-in-command of the Canal Gang, was not someone anyone could teach a lesson to!
They had sent gifts to lure him into their lair, and now his life was in their hands!
This little executioner, relying on some unknown opportunity, had learned some martial arts and dared to be so reckless. Truly clueless!
Qin Zheng's calm gaze met the muscular man's, and then he looked at the second-in-command.
He hadn't expected to be set up like this.
It seemed he had been too naive.
Qin Zheng chuckled lightly, then took a step forward, activating his lightfoot techniques. In an instant, he crossed the room and stood before the muscular man.
Without hesitation, he struck with his palm!
The muscular man let out a cruel laugh, then shouted with a savage look, "Let me see how much strength your small frame can muster!"
At the same time, he extended his large palm towards Qin Zheng.
But his hand was like a weightless tree branch, and upon contact with Qin Zheng's palm, it was easily broken.
Qin Zheng's palm then landed on the man's head.
Bang!
His head exploded like a watermelon, splattering blood and brain matter!
"Not funny?" Qin Zheng withdrew his hand and spoke calmly.
The room fell into silence, and no one dared to make a sound.
(End of Chapter)
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