Chapter 83: The Letter and the Silver-Armored Guard

"Master Ma, everything has been taken care of at Kuaihuo Village. But what should we do with the rescued girls?"

It was night, and Xiao Tian was reporting to Ma Gu at his residence in Dajie.

"What are their wishes?" Ma Gu asked.

"Most of these girls were either kidnapped or sold by their own parents or husbands into the village. Therefore, they don't want to go back to their original homes. They're hoping that Master Ma can give them a new lease on life." Xiao Tian replied.

Ma Gu pondered for a moment and said, "Then let's keep a few here in Dajie to help out, and send the rest to Buzhuang. Old Li mentioned that they were short-staffed recently. With so many people, he shouldn't bother me again anytime soon."

"Yes."

Xiao Tian also thought it was a good idea.

Buzhuang was mostly run by women, so these girls would fit right in.

"There's one more thing, Master Ma. We found something else besides a lot of money and valuables at Kuaihuo Village."

Xiao Tian took out two books from his pocket and presented them to Ma Gu.

Ma Gu's eyes widened in surprise as he took the books. "Secret manuals?"

He flipped through the pages and realized they were two Qi and Blood Realm martial arts manuals.

One was called the Heart-Plucking Hand, and the other, the Poison Wolf Fist.

"That Black Wolf Gang's ninth boss, known as the Heart-Plucking Wolf, must have relied on these martial arts." Ma Gu commented.

"Yes, we found these secret manuals in the Heart-Plucking Wolf's bedroom. They were placed in a noticeable spot, and the pages were well-worn, indicating that he often studied them diligently." Xiao Tian explained.

"Diligently my foot! It didn't help him against Brother Lu at all. Brother Lu didn't even have a scratch on his clothes." Ma Gu scoffed.

Previously, Ma Gu had observed that Lu Qing had practically slaughtered everyone in Kuaihuo Village, yet he didn't have a single wound on him, only some bloodstains on his clothes.

It was evident that the Heart-Plucking Wolf hadn't posed any threat to Lu Qing.

"Indeed. I asked the girls who were there, and they said that the Heart-Plucking Wolf was defeated and fled after just one exchange with Brother Lu. He was no match for him." Xiao Tian added.

"My young friend Brother Lu is truly extraordinary. I thought he only had an incredible talent for cultivation, but I didn't expect his mastery of martial arts to be so remarkable as well." Ma Gu sighed.

He was genuinely astonished by the strength Lu Qing had displayed.

As a Qi and Blood Realm warrior himself, and having cultivated for many years, Ma Gu couldn't fathom how Lu Qing, at the same cultivation level, could be so far beyond the Heart-Plucking Wolf, who had years of experience in the Qi and Blood Realm.

The disparity in their strengths was so vast that Ma Gu struggled to understand how Lu Qing had achieved such a level of prowess.

While one's innate talent could explain their cultivation realm, it didn't account for their combat experience.

However, from the battle traces in the village, it was clear that Lu Qing had utterly crushed the Heart-Plucking Wolf from start to finish.

How had he done it? It was truly incomprehensible.

Ma Gu felt his brain wasn't quite up to the task of understanding Lu Qing's abilities.

"I never expected Brother Lu to have such a heavy killing intent, either." Xiao Tian said, recalling the gruesome scene of rolling heads in Kuaihuo Village.

He couldn't reconcile the gentle and humble Lu Qing he knew with the ruthless killer who had decapitated so many without hesitation.

As a result, Xiao Tian now felt a mix of awe and fear toward Lu Qing.

Ma Gu, too, felt a bit uneasy as he thought about the carnage in Kuaihuo Village that night.

As a Jin and Bone Realm expert, he had been through many battles and had taken lives, but the number of people Lu Qing had killed in one night far surpassed his own count over the years.

Shaking his head, Ma Gu cleared the grim images from his mind.

"Alright, I'll keep these manuals here for now. They are Brother Lu's spoils of war. In a couple of days, after we've tallied the money found in Kuaihuo Village, I'll deliver it to him personally." Ma Gu said.

"Master Ma, what should we do about the Black Wolf Gang now? They'll definitely send people to investigate after losing their source of income from Kuaihuo Village." Xiao Tian asked, his concern evident.

The Black Wolf Gang was a force to be reckoned with, more powerful than the Ma family, and Xiao Tian worried about the consequences if the two sides were to clash.

"There's no need for us to respond. That Wei family's chief steward values Brother Lu so much that he wouldn't want anything to happen to him. I'll write a letter tonight, and you'll deliver it to the Wei residence. After that, we don't need to worry about anything else." Ma Gu assured him.

Xiao Tian's eyes lit up as he realized Master Ma had already planned ahead.

Chapter: The Black Wolf Gang

That very night, Xiao Tian rode off on a swift horse.

He arrived at the city gates just as they were opening at dawn and delivered the letter to the gatekeeper of the Wei residence.

When the chief steward of the Wei family received the letter and read it, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

After a moment's thought, he took the letter and went to a quaint courtyard, where a middle-aged man with a long black beard was practicing a slow-moving martial arts routine. The steward bowed respectfully and said, "Sir, there is a matter that requires your attention."

"Oh? What is it that even you cannot handle?" The middle-aged man asked as he continued his routine.

"It's regarding the disciple of that Chen elderly physician."

Upon hearing this, the black-bearded man slowly came to a stop, his fists poised in mid-air.

"What about him?"

"There's a letter here from Ma Gu of the Ma family." The steward handed over the letter.

"Ma Gu? The one from the Ma family's side branch who was almost expelled?" The black-bearded man took the letter.

"Yes, the same Ma Gu who hosted Young Master Zi'an during his travels. It was also thanks to his reminder that Young Master was sent to Elder Chen in time for treatment." The steward explained.

The black-bearded man nodded and opened the letter to read.

As he read, his brows furrowed.

"Is what's written here true?"

After finishing the letter, he looked up.

"I haven't investigated yet, but Ma Gu wouldn't dare lie about something like this." The steward replied.

"Then, the Black Wolf Gang has truly overstepped their bounds." The black-bearded man said, his brow still furrowed.

"Should I send someone to... take care of the Black Wolf Gang?" The steward asked tentatively.

With the Wei family's influence, erasing a small gang like the Black Wolf Gang would not be difficult.

And he knew that his master would not tolerate such behavior.

The black-bearded man looked at the letter in his hand and said, "Go warn the Black Wolf Gang to tone down their activities."

"Master..." The steward was taken aback.

This decision didn't seem to fit his master's usual style.

The black-bearded man didn't immediately explain. Instead, he waved the letter in his hand and asked, "The young man mentioned in this letter is Chen elderly physician's disciple, right?"

"Yes. When Young Master was first sent to Elder Chen, it was this Lu Qing who stayed up all night preparing medicines that saved Young Master's life."

"A truly murderous young man! To slay nearly a hundred villains in one night, such murderous intent is rare even in all of Cangzhou." The black-bearded man praised.

The steward remained silent.

He, too, had not expected this side of Lu Qing.

During their time at the mountain villa, he had seen Lu Qing every day but had never imagined that he could be so decisive and ruthless in battle.

When he had first read the letter's contents, he had even wondered if Ma Gu had written the wrong name.

More importantly, Lu Qing's progress in martial arts had surprised him.

He recalled that when they had left the mountain villa, Lu Qing had just entered the Qi and Blood Realm.

And now, in such a short time, he had defeated and killed the Heart-Plucking Wolf, a seasoned warrior in the Qi and Blood Realm.

"I remember that you suggested sending gifts to that young man, didn't you?" The black-bearded man asked.

"Yes, when I was taking care of Young Master at Elder Chen's, I often saw that Lu Qing. He is intelligent and talented in martial arts cultivation. I believed him to be an exceptional young talent, so I suggested to the lady of the house that we foster a good relationship with him." The steward explained.

"Your eye for talent is commendable. Indeed, he is a rare talent."

The black-bearded man thought for a moment, then praised again, "However, even geniuses need pressure to grow faster. Let's leave the Black Wolf Gang be for now, to serve as a whetstone for that young man's growth."

"I understand."

The steward finally grasped his master's intention.

"Alright, you may go and make the necessary arrangements."

After the Wei family's chief steward left, he summoned the family guards and gave them instructions. He also wrote a reply for Xiao Tian, who was still waiting outside, to take back.

As Xiao Tian rode back to Dajie with the reply, a squad of guards in silver armor rode out from the side gate of the Wei residence, heading west.

"Are those the Wei family's Silver Armor Guards?"

"What's happening? Why has the Wei family dispatched their Silver Armor Guards?"

"The last time I heard of the Silver Armor Guards being dispatched was when the Wei family's young master was in trouble. Could it be that young master has snuck out again?"

"Nonsense! As far as I know, the young master is still recovering from his injuries. He wouldn't have the energy to go gallivanting!"

"Then what's the reason for this dispatch?

Chapter: The Silver Armor Guards

The Silver Armor Guards were exclusively affiliated with the Wei family, and it was said that each and every one of them possessed at least the strength of the Jin and Bone Realm. In other influential families of the county seat, those with such power would be central figures. Yet, in the Wei family, they were mere guards.

This spoke volumes about the Wei family's status; they were truly above everyone else, and no force dared to provoke them. Even the County Master had to send an invitation in advance if he wished to meet the Wei family head, and even then, it depended on the latter's mood.

Now, seeing the Wei family dispatch a squad of Silver Armor Guards, the various forces couldn't help but be astonished.

"Look, the Silver Armor Guards are heading west!"

When they saw the guards' destination, everyone was stunned once more.

The western part of the city was notoriously chaotic, a place where all sorts of people mingled. It was a complicated web of influences and characters.

The fact that the Silver Armor Guards were heading there immediately sparked curiosity and concern. Especially for the few forces based in the western part of the city, this development made them extremely nervous.

They couldn't be sure if the Silver Armor Guards were coming for them.

Under the watchful eyes of the various forces, the Silver Armor Guards made their way to the western part of the city and eventually stopped in front of a building.

"Spring Moon Tower?"

Upon seeing their destination, everyone was perplexed.

Who didn't know about the Spring Moon Tower? It was the most famous brothel in the county seat.

But why were the Silver Armor Guards here? Was there a dignitary inside indulging in carnal pleasures who needed their protection?

However, the next moment, everyone realized they were wrong.

The leading Silver Armor Guard didn't even dismount from his horse. He shouted, "Black Wolf, get your ass out here!"

Black Wolf?!

Upon hearing this shout, everyone was stunned yet again.

They never expected that the Silver Armor Guards had come to the Spring Moon Tower for its mastermind, the boss of the Black Wolf Gang, Black Wolf himself.

At this point, everyone wore expressions of anticipation, eager to witness the unfolding drama.

Especially the other forces based in the western part of the city, they were delighted to see their rival in trouble.

They didn't know how the Black Wolf Gang had offended the Wei family, but as fellow western-based forces, they weren't exactly friendly with each other.

Now, seeing the Black Wolf Gang daringly provoking the mighty Wei family, a behemoth, they couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.

At that moment, inside the Spring Moon Tower, a burly man with long arms and legs, a hairy chest, a prominent scar on his face, and a fierce countenance, was standing there in astonishment.

"The Silver Armor Guards are here for me?"

"Boss!" At that moment, several men rushed into the room. "What's going on? Why are the Wei family's Silver Armor Guards here to see you?"

They were the other leaders of the Black Wolf Gang.

"I don't know!" Black Wolf replied anxiously.

He quickly racked his brains, trying to think of any recent incident that might have offended the Wei family, but he drew a blank.

"Then, why are the Silver Armor Guards here, demanding to see you?" The second-in-command asked.

"How the hell would I know! I've been with you guys in the gang lately, and I haven't even left the western part of the city. How could I have offended the Wei family? And even if I had the guts, I wouldn't dare to!" Black Wolf said, his voice filled with panic.

He was usually the intimidating one, but now, he had lost his composure.

The other leaders were equally perplexed.

While it was true that their Black Wolf Gang was quite influential in the western part of the city, claiming to be one of the three major forces, compared to the Wei family, they were insignificant.

Even if Black Wolf had a thousand times the courage, he wouldn't dare to offend the Wei family.

"What do we do now? Can we even go out?" one of the leaders asked.

"Do we have a choice?" Black Wolf replied with a bitter smile.

The others fell silent.

Indeed, the Silver Armor Guards were already at their doorstep. Even if they wanted to escape, it was too late.

"Maybe things aren't as bad as we think," the second-in-command said. "The Silver Armor Guards came aggressively, but they didn't directly break in. Perhaps we still have room to negotiate."

"Second Brother's right." The other leaders' eyes lit up.

Given the Wei family's dominance, if the Black Wolf Gang had truly offended them to the core, the guards wouldn't be standing outside, demanding to see Black Wolf. They would have barged in and captured him already.

"Alright, I'll go out," Black Wolf said, taking a deep breath and mustering his courage. He trusted the second-in-command's judgment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end