"Wan Jing. A pleasure to meet you, Brother Zhu."
"Hua Wenhua. Brother Zhu, your bearing is extraordinary. Your reputation is truly well-deserved!"
...
A group of young people came forward to offer their greetings one by one.
Zhu Ju had no idea that despite rarely leaving home, he had developed quite a reputation in Leping County.
The way the group looked at him was as if they were gazing upon a long-admired idol.
"You all flatter me."
He gave a wry smile and cupped his hands.
"I am truly unworthy!"
"Brother Zhu, you're too modest," Leng Xing said, waving his hand.
"Elder Zhu came from humble beginnings, yet he established himself in the Prefecture City and made a great name for himself through his own efforts. His life is the stuff of legends. Who in Leping County doesn't know of him?"
'Ah, so it's my father's reputation,' Zhu Ju realized.
"Come on!"
"Let's not block the door. We can talk inside."
The group entered the tavern. The first thing that caught their eye was a temporary high platform, upon which knelt two young people dressed in mourning clothes.
"Roxue! Ping Jian!"
Recognizing the two, Hex Leshan couldn't help but cry out in shock. Leng Xing and the others also looked horrified.
"It's them."
"I heard that out of the forty-seven members of the Ping Family, only the two of them survived that night."
"Those bastards from the Black Tiger Gang... they all deserve to die!"
...
"Everyone." At that moment, a tall, slender middle-aged man wearing a formal headwrap and a cotton robe descended from the upper floor. He cupped his hands and said,
"My apologies for keeping you waiting. I have been discourteous."
"Not at all!"
"Steward Shen, you are too kind."
...
"He's the steward for the Lord County Magistrate. He's also a relative from the County Magistrate's own family, so his position is rather special," Leng Xing explained in Zhu Ju's ear.
"The Lord County Magistrate dislikes mundane affairs. For the past few years, this steward has handled nearly all matters, big and small, for the County Yamen."
In other words, the acting County Magistrate.
Zhu Ju nodded slowly.
"I have gathered you all here today for a reason I'm sure you have already guessed." Steward Shen paced over to the high platform and let out a long sigh as he looked at the two young people kneeling on the ground.
"In less than a year, the Black Tiger Gang has repeatedly stormed the county seat, showing no regard for the Court's authority or the County Yamen's soldiers. They have annihilated two families, taken nearly a hundred lives, and committed monstrous crimes. This is utterly intolerable!"
WAAA...
Before he could finish, the little boy on the platform burst into loud sobs, kowtowing as he cried.
"Sirs and brothers," Ping Ruxue said, raising her head to reveal a pale, bloodless face.
"My family has met with misfortune, slaughtered by vicious brigands. Now, only my younger brother and I have been spared. For days, the scenes from that night have haunted my dreams. I am filled with such hatred..."
"I implore you all to avenge the Ping Family! Roxue is willing to serve you like a beast of burden in gratitude. If this life is not enough, I will continue in the next!"
"Avenge us!"
"Avenge us!"
She kowtowed heavily, and the hard wooden platform actually splintered under the force of the impact. In the blink of an eye, her face was a bloody mess.
This scene made all the young people in the audience turn pale, their eyes filled with sympathy and pity.
They were all peers from the same county seat. Even if they weren't close, they knew each other. It was hard not to feel for her in this situation.
Even the adults sighed and shook their heads repeatedly.
"Everyone."
Steward Shen's expression grew grave as he shouted,
"I'm sure everyone understands that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. None of us wants to follow in the Ping Family's footsteps, do we?"
"As long as the Black Tiger Gang remains, none of us will know a day of peace!"
"Steward Shen," one person began,
"We all understand the reasoning. But the Black Tiger Gang appeared three years ago, and the County Yamen has been trying to suppress them for three years."
"But the result..."
He spread his hands.
"Three years ago, the Black Tiger Gang was nothing. Three years later, they dare to storm the county seat and slaughter entire families."
"Oh?" Steward Shen's expression darkened.
"Brother Ge, are you questioning the County Yamen's effectiveness in suppressing the bandits?"
"I wouldn't dare," the man said, cupping his fists with a sarcastic tone.
"I just think the Black Tiger Gang is different from the bandits of previous years. Otherwise, why would they get stronger the more they're suppressed?"
"Brother Ge, you are mistaken," a refined, middle-aged man said, cupping his hands from a distance.
"In my opinion, it is precisely because of our negligence and inaction these past three years that the Black Tiger Gang has been allowed to grow so powerful."
"If we had been ruthless from the start and cut out the root of the problem, this year's tragedy would never have happened."
"Zhou Yangyun," Leng Xing said.
"Patriarch of the Zhou Family."
The two great families of Leping County were the Zhou Family and the Sunx Family. Zhou Ye, whom Zhu Ju had met before, was a member of the Zhou Family.
"Patriarch Zhou is absolutely right," Steward Shen nodded.
"You all know full well what suppressing bandits has been like in past years. Ordinary bandits are one thing, but the Black Tiger Gang is clearly not to be trifled with."
"However!"
His voice grew stern as he declared loudly,
"Next year is when the Lord County Magistrate's term ends. His Lordship will not allow his tenure to be plagued by bandits. He has summoned you all here today to gather our strength and unite our people to annihilate the Black Tiger Gang in one fell swoop."
"To this end, the County Yamen will contribute five thousand taels of silver for this campaign. The head of every bandit can be exchanged for ten taels of silver!"
Five thousand taels!
Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow.
The expressions of the others in the hall also shifted slightly.
In some people's eyes, five thousand taels was still not much for a bandit suppression campaign, but it was far more than usual.
This meant the County Yamen was probably serious this time!
"Ahem!"
Patriarch Zhou Yangyun of the Zhou Family cleared his throat twice and raised a hand.
"The Zhou Family will contribute two thousand taels to the campaign."
A murmur swept through the hall.
The hall immediately broke out into low whispers.
"The Zhou Family is putting up money too? And two thousand taels right off the bat! Are they really planning to wipe out the Black Tiger Gang?"
"It's more than likely."
...
"Brother Zhou," the middle-aged man surnamed Ge who had raised doubts earlier said with a frown,
"The weather is freezing and the mountains are sealed by snow. No one knows where the bandits are gathered. I'm afraid this isn't a good time to suppress them."
"Ge Mubo," Leng Xing introduced as usual.
"He's in the herbal medicine business. Brother Zhu, you've probably heard of him."
Zhu Ju nodded. Since he ran a pharmacy, he naturally had dealings with the Ge Family and their herbal medicine business.
"It is precisely because the weather is freezing that the bandits won't come out; they'll be holed up in their den," Zhou Yangyun replied.
"That's what gives us the chance to wipe them out in one go!"
HISS... Someone sucked in a sharp breath. The others exchanged glances, a fervent light appearing in their eyes.
"Brother Zhou, do you know where their den is?"
"That is not a matter for light discussion." Steward Shen waved his hand, cutting off the conversation. He spoke in a grave voice,
"All you need to know is that the Lord County Magistrate is fully committed to this campaign and is determined to succeed."
"Excellent!"
someone shouted.
"The Sunx Family will also contribute two thousand taels!"
Sunx Liancheng, Patriarch of the Sunx Family, a Martial Artist at the Inner Qi Realm.
"Excellent!"
A pleased expression appeared on Steward Shen's face as he cupped his fists to the crowd.
"Now that the Zhou and Sunx Families have pledged their donations, I ask all of you here to also open your purses generously."
"This act is not only for the peace of our county, but also to comfort the spirits of the dead in heaven."
Waaa...
At the perfect moment, Ping Ruxue and Ping Jian burst into tears.
Heeding the call of the two wealthy families, everyone present pledged their amounts, to be paid in full within three days.
There were also those who didn't offer money, like the Martial Arts Halls and Escort Agencies, but they promised to dispatch their experts to assist in the campaign.
Zhu Ju took a look.
The pledges ranged from one or two hundred taels to three to five hundred. Few offered more. He also put himself down for two hundred taels.
'Money flows like water!'
'If it weren't for the resources from the Otherworld supporting me, the silver I have on hand would be almost gone by now.'
"Steward Shen."
Someone asked curiously,
"When will the campaign set out?"
"The Black Tiger Gang has spies planted in the city. To prevent leaks, it is not convenient to disclose that information for now," Steward Shen said, shaking his head.
"But rest assured, this campaign will surely restore peace to Leping County."
...
"Roxue."
Leng Xing said, gesturing.
"This is the third young master of the Zhu Family, Zhu Ju."
"Young Master Zhu." Ping Ruxue curtsied.
Her features were delicate and her figure graceful; she was a first-class beauty. Now, with the scar on her forehead exposed and her complexion pale and listless, she had a fragile, broken quality that inspired pity.
"Miss Ping."
Zhu Ju cupped his hands. "With the County Yamen and the wealthy families all contributing money and effort, they will surely be able to avenge your family."
"I hope so," Ping Ruxue said with a sad smile.
"I have long heard of the prosperity of Hejian Prefecture and that its young talents are beyond compare to those in our small county. Seeing Young Master Zhu today, I know those words to be true."
"You jest," Zhu Ju said, shaking his head.
"I have failed in my literary studies and have no Talent for Martial Arts. I cannot compare to all of you."
"Haha..." Leng Xing laughed heartily.
"Brother Zhu, you are too modest!"
"Roxue." He took a step forward and said in a low voice,
"My mother wishes to see you."
"Your mother..." Ping Ruxue's brow furrowed slightly. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, then excused herself and left.
"Roxue is engaged to Leng Xing, but with the Ping Family in its current state, the Leng Family is probably unwilling to go through with it," Hex Leshan whispered in Zhu Ju's ear.
"I heard the Leng Family plans to make her the concubine of Leng Xing's second uncle. It's truly..."
"Shameless!"
He looked indignant.
Hmm?
Zhu Ju was taken aback as well.
Making her Leng Xing's concubine would be understandable, but his second uncle's concubine? What was that about?
*
*
*
Time passed.
As the cold winds blew, the snow fell heavier and heavier. Before they knew it, the end of the year was approaching.
During the mourning period, they couldn't hang up lanterns and decorations, making the Zhu Mansion seem especially desolate compared to other places.
"Young Master."
"Be careful not to catch a cold."
Seeing Zhu Ju push open the door and step out, Elder Qin quickly grabbed a cloak and went to meet him.
"Elder Qin, I'm not a child anymore," Zhu Ju said with a smile, but he still took the cloak and draped it over his shoulders.
His gaze then fell upon a figure leaping about ceaselessly in the courtyard.
"Ma Xun is practicing his Martial Arts again."
"Yes," Elder Qin nodded.
"Young men have a lot of energy with no outlet. I just let him practice more."
"Young Master." Ma Xun heard the noise, stopped his movements, and knelt on one knee, declaring loudly,
"My master told me that everything I have was given to me by you, and that I must obey the Young Master's orders in the future."
"Mm," Zhu Ju nodded with a faint smile.
"Has your Cultivation improved?"
"Yes!" Ma Xun replied.
"I've mastered the moves of the Yin Wind Saber, and I successfully achieved Entering the Realm the day before yesterday."
'He's already Entered the Realm? That's fast!'
"Not bad," Zhu Ju said.
"Although your age isn't ideal for starting Martial Arts, to achieve Entering the Realm in such a short time shows that your Talent is not poor."
"Later, take five taels of silver and buy yourself something you need. It's a reward from me."
Ma Xun was overjoyed. "Thank you, Young Master!"
"You may go," Elder Qin said, waving his hand and chiding,
"Showing off after a little achievement."
"Elder Qin," Zhu Ju said, strolling forward.
"You don't need to be so cautious. I'm also happy that Ma Xun's Cultivation has improved. I won't... be upset by it."
"Yes." Elder Qin bowed his head.
"Yes."
He was just afraid that Zhu Ju would be displeased.
After all, Ma Xun's Cultivation was advancing by leaps and bounds, while Zhu Ju himself had made no progress. The comparison was bound to be disheartening.
Little did he know...
CRACKLE! POP!
Back in his bedroom, Zhu Ju stretched his body, and a dense series of cracks, like a string of firecrackers, immediately sounded.
Tendon and Bone Resonance!
Thirteen Body Refinement, Second Realm—the Tendon and Bone Realm!
And with the mastery of the Tendon and Bone Realm, a vast amount of Qi Blood surged forth and merged into his Qi Blood Martial Arts, causing his Cultivation in the Blood Coagulation Realm to advance by leaps and bounds as well.
'With a Qi Blood Burst, I should have the strength of the Vital Organ Realm. A typical warrior at Great Success in Entering Strength would likely be no match for me. And with the help of Qi Blood Martial Arts, reaching Great Success in External Training is just around the corner.'
'Elder Qin really is overthinking things.'
...
"HYAH!"
"WHOA..."
Dozens of sturdy horses trod through the snow, appearing amidst a stretch of mountains.
The Sunx Family Patriarch, Sunx Liancheng, reined in his horse, frowning at the forest ahead as a look of doubt crossed his face.
"Report!"
A scout rushed back from the front, shouting,
"There are no bandits on the mountain, but there are traces of their activity! It looks like they were still here two days ago."
"They were here two days ago? Where did they go now?" Sunx Liancheng was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed drastically.
"Quickly!"
"Back to the city!"