Tang Wen smiled and said, "I took some medicinal herbs from the warehouse, along with a few bottles of Transcendent Blood Marrow."
Elder Li replied, "Then keep them for yourself! Why bring them to me?"
Listening between the lines, there seemed to be a deeper meaning in his words.
After a brief pause, Tang Wen quickly processed the implication: Was he asking if I was confident in using the blood marrow to concoct medicine? Was he worried that if something went wrong, I might implicate him?
After some thought, he didn't commit fully: "I'm just being cautious. In theory, the two bottles I have should be enough for the medicine. If it's not, I'll come to you for more."
Translation: The chances are high, and there shouldn't be any unexpected issues.
Elder Li understood and stroked his beard, saying, "That's good. Let's call Commander Wu and have a meal together."
"Thank you, Elder."
The three of them entered another large room where a clear stream meandered through, keeping the temperature cool even in the scorching heat.
The room was adorned with pink and willow-green gauze draped over the pillars, creating a vibrant yet frivolous atmosphere.
Tang Wen was puzzled. Elder Li was of such an advanced age, yet his dining hall was decorated so extravagantly. What was the purpose?
He glanced at Commander Wu, who was already brimming with excitement, a smile on his face that needed no explanation—a look every man would understand.
Hmm?
Elder Li's household was quite particular, with each person having their own table, following a separate dining system.
"You are my trusted aides, so don't hold back!"
"Thank you, Elder!"
Tang Wen's premonition grew stronger.
Following Commander Wu's lead, he took off his boots, stepped onto the plush fur rug, and sat upright at the square table to the right of the main seat.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Elder Li clapped his hands three times.
A group of lightly dressed women entered in single file, carrying trays, teapots, and wine vessels.
Tang Wen instinctively counted them.
There were twelve in total. Three went directly to serve Elder Li at the main seat, while Wu Hao and Tang Wen each had three assigned to them.
The remaining three held musical instruments and sat in the center, beginning to play.
Since his transmigration, this was the first time Tang Wen had heard music.
"Xiao Taohong, come here!"
Opposite him, Wu Hao wrapped his arm around a woman's slender waist and called out her name.
Xiao Taohong?
Why did that sound like a stage name?
It seemed Commander Wu was indeed one of Elder Li's trusted confidants.
The women before them weren't stunningly beautiful, but they were certainly above average.
Tang Wen quickly assessed that their looks were comparable to the most attractive girls in his class back in school.
However, they exuded a charm that surpassed that of schoolgirls.
Though they were like domesticated chickens, they carried a hint of worldly allure.
Tang Wen naturally had no interest in such women.
But Elder Li and Wu Hao were thoroughly enjoying themselves, embracing the women without a care in the world.
"Little Tang, why are you so reserved? You're a man, after all!" Elder Li chuckled after taking a bite of an exotic dish.
Tang Wen smiled and replied, "I tend to get nervous when I have something on my mind. I'll relax and enjoy myself once I've completed my task."
"Good, good! Young people should know their limits."
After exchanging a few polite words, Elder Li and Wu Hao left him to his own devices.
Tang Wen engaged in sporadic conversation with the three women.
Before long, Elder Li left with a few women in tow.
Watching his hunched back, Tang Wen could only silently admire his vigor in old age.
Once Elder Li was gone, Wu Hao became even more unrestrained.
While busy with his own activities, he didn't forget to urge Tang Wen:
"These women, some of them are concubines, well-trained, don't miss the opportunity, Brother Tang!"
Tang Wen's hand holding the wine cup froze mid-air.
What?
These women were originally concubines?
You people in Mountain Chasing City really know how to have fun!
He glanced at Wu Hao: Something's off. Knowing they were concubines, you're still so enthusiastic. You're definitely up to something!
As if knowing what Tang Wen was thinking.
Wu Hao, while washing his face, muttered in a muffled voice:
"Not just Elder Li, but also his... you know."
Tang Wen instantly understood.
He was quite shocked.
Wait, how could I understand so quickly?
He put down the wine cup and buried himself in eating.
After the meal, without paying attention to Wu Hao, who was happily enjoying the "flower feast," and without disturbing Elder Li.
He silently left under the guidance of a maid.
Mounting his horse, Tang Wen pondered how to tame the "Water Sprite," a mutated beast he had never heard of before.
This matter was personally arranged by the Blackwater Gang Leader, indicating it was no simple task.
Hmm, the Gang Leader mentioned during the introduction.
The Water Sprite could build dams, dig tunnels, and salvage sunken ships.
It seems only the last one holds significant value.
Moreover, where are all the Beast Taming Masters in the city?
Where did they go?
Beast Taming Masters, though not strong individually, are skilled in taming mutated beasts.
Could they be taming some important Exotic Beast Clan?
But why would all of them be needed?
As he was thinking.
"Whack! Whack! Whack!"
"Ahhh~"
The sound of a whip lashing against flesh and piercing screams came from a roadside courtyard.
The screams came from within the courtyard.
Curious, Tang Wen noticed the courtyard wall wasn't too high.
He stood up on his horse to take a look inside.
Inside, a row of barely clothed slaves knelt on the ground, their bodies dripping with blood.
The blood fell to the ground, turning the yellow mud into a deep, reddish-brown.
Swish!
His eyes met those of the man wielding the whip.
The man, seeing Tang Wen's face and sensing his lack of imposing aura, immediately showed a sinister expression.
Tang Wen touched his nose and, before the man could curse, pulled out the Elder Token of the Blackwater Gang.
The man's face changed drastically, and he immediately lowered his head, not daring to look further.
Before Tang Wen could decide what to say.
The man suddenly roared, "It must be you useless slaves making too much noise, disturbing the master!"
With that, he sprang into action, his movements swift, displaying the skills of a first-class Martial Master.
Crack! Crack! The sounds followed one after another.
The slaves on the ground, their necks going limp, fell to the ground one by one.
"Master, are you satisfied?" He looked up, giving Tang Wen a cruel smile outside the wall.
You bastard!
Tang Wen's eyes turned cold.
But he quickly realized: This man isn't afraid of me?
Nor of the Blackwater Gang Elder the token represents?
"Haha, satisfied, how could I not be?"
Though he had already cursed the man's ancestors eighteen generations in his heart.
Tang Wen just tapped his toes, urging his horse to move forward.
Passing by the gate.
He glanced at it, Huang Residence.
So it's the Huang family, one of the three major families in the inner city, no wonder they're so arrogant.
Although those slaves might be better off dead than suffering and being abused, Tang Wen still felt a surge of anger.
Taking another look at the Huang family's mansion, he rode away.
The Huang family is the largest slave owner in Mountain Chasing City.
Not only can he not afford to provoke them, but even the Blackwater Gang can't afford to.
Tang Wen no longer traveled at a leisurely pace. He spurred his horse and galloped toward the inn.
"Little bitch! Where do you think you're running?"
From the mouth of an alley came the sound of a girl's scream, followed by the noise of a collision and a fall.
"Whoa!"
Tang Wen reined in his horse, causing it to rear up on its hind legs.
He narrowly avoided the girl's fragile body.
"What the hell? Huh?"
A bald man with a black tattoo on his scalp darted out from the alley and suddenly froze.
"Who are you?" Tang Wen calmly gripped the Elder Token in his hand.
The silver token gleamed brightly.
The tattooed man, who had been grinning ferociously, immediately composed himself and said respectfully, "So it's a member of the Blackwater Gang. I was just teaching a little girl a lesson."
"Sir, save me! Save me! He's trying to kidnap and sell me! Help, help!"
"Get lost!"
Without another word, the tattooed man turned and left.
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/TLGod
Thanks!