Chapter 83: Letter, Silver Armor Guard

"Ma Ye, the matter at Kuai Hua Village has been settled. But what should we do with the girls we rescued?"

That night, in Ma Gu’s residence in the Big Market, Xiao Tian reported.

"What do the girls themselves wish?" Ma Gu asked.

"Most of them weren’t kidnapped—they were sold into the copycat trade by their own parents or husbands. So they don’t want to return to their old homes. They’re asking you, Ma Ye, for a way to survive."

Ma Gu paused, then said, "Keep a few here in the Big Market to help with work. The rest—send them to the Cloth Shop. Old Li said recently he’s short on hands. If I send him so many people, he won’t have any excuse to keep bothering me."

"Yes," Xiao Tian agreed. The Cloth Shop was full of women—perfect for placing these girls.

"There’s one more thing, Ma Ye. Besides the money we found, we recovered these two items from Kuai Hua Village." Xiao Tian pulled two books from his sleeve and handed them over.

Ma Gu took them, his expression flickering with surprise. "Secret manuals?"

He flipped through them. Both were Qi Xue Jing martial arts techniques—one called Zhai Xin Hand, the other Du Lang Fist.

"The Black Wolf Gang’s Nine Deputy Leader, known as Zhai Xin Lang—this must be the foundation of his reputation."

"Yes. We found these in Zhai Xin Lang’s bedroom, right in plain sight. The pages are frayed, as if he’s read them countless times. Clearly, he was deeply devoted to mastering them."

"Devotion? What good is that? He couldn’t even scratch Lu Xiao Langjun’s clothes when he faced him. Utterly useless." Ma Gu sneered.

He remembered well—Lu Qing had wiped out nearly the entire village, yet not a single mark marred his body. Just a few specks of blood on his clothes.

Zhai Xin Lang hadn’t even come close to threatening him.

"Indeed," Xiao Tian said. "I asked the girls who were there. They said Zhai Xin Lang was defeated in a single clash—he fled in terror. He was no match at all."

"Such a prodigy," Ma Gu sighed, truly shaken. "I thought his talent in cultivation was extraordinary. But to see such mastery in combat style… this is beyond belief."

He couldn’t comprehend how Lu Qing had achieved such a gap in strength. Zhai Xin Lang was an old veteran, long past the initial stages of Qi Xue Jing, honed through years of refinement. Yet he’d been crushed utterly, from start to finish.

How had Lu Qing done it?

Ma Gu felt his mind struggling to keep up.

"I never expected Lu Xiao Langjun to be so merciless," Xiao Tian murmured, recalling the scene in Kuai Hua Village—the rolling heads, the blood-soaked ground. He still felt ill.

He’d never imagined that the gentle, courteous Lu Qing—so humble and kind—could unleash such a terrifying ferocity. The way he slashed through enemies, head after head…

Now, a deep respect, bordering on awe, stirred in Xiao Tian’s heart.

Ma Gu thought of the same scene. As a Jin Gu Jing-level warrior, he’d seen battle before. He’d shed blood. But even in all his years of warfare, he’d never witnessed such a massacre in a single night.

He shook his head, forcing the gruesome images from his mind.

"Alright. Keep these manuals here for now. They’re Lu Xiao Langjun’s spoils. Once I’ve tallied the money from the village, I’ll deliver them to him myself."

"Ma Ye, what should we do about the Black Wolf Gang?" Xiao Tian asked. "Cutting off Kuai Hua Village’s income—they’ll surely send someone to investigate."

He was worried. The Black Wolf Gang was dangerous—far stronger than Ma’s own faction. If they clashed, Ma Gu’s people wouldn’t survive the pressure.

"Handle it? We don’t need to," Ma Gu said calmly. "The Wei Family Grand Manager values Lu Xiao Langjun deeply. He won’t let anything happen to him. I’ll write a letter tonight. You’ll ride out immediately—deliver it to the Wei Family Residence. The rest will be taken care of."

Xiao Tian’s eyes lit up. So Ma Ye had already planned ahead.

That night, Xiao Tian galloped out on a fast horse, arriving at dawn just as the city gates opened. He handed the letter to the gatekeeper of the Wei Family Residence.

When the Wei Family Grand Manager received it and read it, his expression shifted—surprised.

He paused, then took the letter to a quiet courtyard. There, a black-bearded middle-aged man in martial training robes was slowly practicing his forms.

"Master," the Grand Manager said respectfully, "there’s an urgent matter requiring your judgment."

"Oh? What could be so serious that even you are uncertain?" the man replied, still moving through his form.

"It’s about Chen Laodaifu’s disciple."

The man stopped abruptly, his movements halted. He turned, eyes sharp. "What happened?"

"This letter was just delivered by Ma Gu’s messenger." The Grand Manager handed over the sealed note.

"Ma Gu? The former branch member of the Ma family—almost expelled?" The man took the letter, frowning.

"Yes. He’s the same Ma Gu who hosted Master Zi’an during his travels. It was his warning that saved the young master’s life, getting him to Chen Laodaifu in time for treatment."

The man nodded, then opened the letter. As he read, his brow furrowed.

"Is this true?" He looked up.

"I haven’t verified it yet, but Ma Gu wouldn’t lie about something like this."

"Then the Black Wolf Gang has overstepped—seriously." The man’s voice hardened.

"Shall I send men to… eliminate them?" the Grand Manager asked cautiously.

The Wei Family had the power to erase a gang like the Black Wolf Gang in a single night. And he knew the master disliked such lawless behavior.

The man studied the letter, then said, "Send a warning. Tell them to back down."

"Master…?" The Grand Manager blinked. That wasn’t like the master’s usual approach.

The man didn’t explain immediately. Instead, he held up the letter.

"Does this letter mention the boy—Chen Laodaifu’s disciple?"

"Yes. It was Lu Xiao Langjun who stayed up all night, brewing medicine, saving Master Zi’an’s life when he was brought to Chen Laodaifu’s."

"Remarkable," the man said, a rare note of admiration in his voice. "A boy with such a killing edge. He slaughtered nearly a hundred villains in one night. In all of Cangzhou, I can’t think of another like him."

The Grand Manager remained silent. He’d seen Lu Qing every day in the Half Mountain Courtyard—but never imagined such ferocity beneath his calm demeanor.

When he first read the letter, he’d even doubted if the name was correct.

More importantly, the boy’s cultivation progress shocked him.

He remembered when he’d left the Half Mountain Courtyard—Lu Qing had only just entered Qi Xue Jing.

And now? He’d slain Zhai Xin Lang—someone who’d refined his Qi Xue Jing for years, already at the stage of solidified Qi and blood.

"Earlier, you suggested The Lady of the Wei Family send gifts to this boy, didn’t you?" the man asked.

"Yes. I saw Lu Xiao Langjun often while tending to Master Zi’an. His talent was extraordinary—truly a rare young prodigy. I thought it wise to build goodwill with him."

"Your judgment was sound. He truly is a rare talent."

The man paused, then added, "But even geniuses need pressure to grow. Let the Black Wolf Gang remain. Let them be his grindstone."

"I understand, Master."

The Grand Manager bowed, finally grasping the master’s intent.

"Dismissed. Arrange it."

The Grand Manager left, first summoning guards to give orders, then writing a reply. He handed it to Xiao Tian, who was still waiting outside.

As Xiao Tian rode back toward the Big Market with the reply, on the other side of the city, the Wei Family Residence’s side gate opened.

A detachment of riders emerged, forming a line and heading west.

"Is that the Silver Armor Guard?"

"What’s going on? Why would the Wei Family send them out?"

"The last time the Silver Armor Guard moved, it was when Wei Shao Ye was injured. Is he out again?"

"Nonsense. His wound hasn’t healed yet—how could he be sneaking out?"

"Then what’s this about?"

The Wei Family Residence was the most powerful force in the city. Their every move was watched closely by every faction.

Now, the sight of the Silver Armor Guard—so rare, so imposing—sent shockwaves through the city.

"Look! They’re heading west!"

The news spread like fire.

The western district was the city’s most chaotic—densely packed with all manner of people, from merchants to outlaws, factions vying for control.

And now, the Silver Armor Guard—elite, feared—was riding straight into it.

Every faction’s spies tensed.

The Silver Armor Guard was exclusive to the Wei Family. Each member was at least Jin Gu Jing—equal to a top-tier warrior in any other faction.

Yet in the Wei Family, they were just guards.

This was no ordinary force. This was a symbol of absolute power.

Even the county magistrate had to submit a formal request before meeting the Wei Family head—only if the family’s mood was favorable.

Now, seeing such a detachment move into the west district—everyone knew something was happening.

Then, they stopped.

Before a building.

"Chun Yue Building?"

Everyone froze.

Chun Yue Building—Cangzhou’s most famous brothel.

Why would the Silver Armor Guard come here? Was some noble playing games with courtesans?

But then—

The lead guard, still mounted, bellowed without dismounting:

"Black Wolf! Come out!"

Black Wolf?

The entire city fell silent.

The Silver Armor Guard had come not for a noble, but for the leader of the Black Wolf Gang.

Now, every eye was fixed on the building.

Inside, a massive man—tall, lanky, covered in black hair, a deep scar across his face—stood stunned.

"The Silver Armor Guard… for me?"

"Brother!" Three other men burst into the room. "What’s going on? Why is the Wei Family’s Silver Armor Guard here?"

The other deputies of the Black Wolf Gang.

"I don’t know!" Black Wolf stammered, panic rising.

He searched his mind—had they done anything to offend the Wei Family?

But he’d been inside the compound all along. No trips outside. How could he have provoked them?

"No way," he whispered. "I’d never dare."

The other deputies shared his fear.

Yes, they ruled the west district—called themselves one of the three major gangs.

But against the Wei Family? They were nothing.

Even if they had ten lives, they wouldn’t dare cross such a power.

"Should we go out?" one asked.

"Have we got a choice?" Black Wolf said bitterly.

They were trapped. The guards were at the gate. Escape was impossible.

"Perhaps it’s not as bad as we think," the Second Deputy Leader said. "They’re not breaking in. They’re calling out. There’s still room to negotiate."

The others perked up.

The Wei Family wouldn’t have sent the Silver Armor Guard so formally if they meant to kill them.

They’d have stormed in already.

"Fine," Black Wolf said, gritting his teeth. "I’ll go."

He trusted his Second Deputy Leader’s judgment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end