Chapter 130: Power Overwhelming!
The White Feather Hall was still brightly lit after nightfall.
Countless men with knives patrolled in their uniforms.
Clearly, the annihilation of the Cavalry Camp had put all the disciples of the White Feather Hall on alert.
Hall Master Xie An personally ordered: disciples should reduce unnecessary outings in the near future and focus on defending and patrolling Water Lantern Town and the Blood Ridge Black Market.
Fortunately, in the past year, Xie An's governance had been effective, sweeping away the lazy and idle habits of the disciples. Now, in the face of crisis, everyone did not panic.
A painted boat at the wharf of Water Lantern Town.
By the window on the second floor, Xie An, Lin Yun, Wang Xiang, and Zhang Lin sat together, with tea, melon, fruit, and snacks placed on the table. However, none of them had any appetite, their eyes fixed on a row of willow trees on the shore.
Behind that row of willow trees was a large, hidden mansion, with lights faintly visible.
Except for Xie An, the other three, who knew what had happened, could not help but feel very uneasy at this moment.
"Old brother, the death of Chen Qing and the annihilation of the Cavalry Camp… everyone is very sad, but now… what should we do?" Zhang Lin took the initiative to pour a cup of tea for Xie An, breaking the silence first.
Xie An said, "What are your thoughts? It doesn't matter, we are all our own people, just speak your mind."
Zhang Lin said, "If it were ordinary bandits who dared to strike such a heavy blow against our White Feather Hall, we would have gone to settle the score with them without saying a word… But… the ones who did it this time are the Corpse Refining Hall. Remnants of the former Eternal Life Sect. We are not strong enough to do what's needed."
Lin Yun also said, "I have been on duty in the Blood Ridge for more than ten years, and I have never seen the Corpse Refining Hall show such claws. I'm afraid… the annihilation of the Cavalry Camp is just the beginning. The coming storm is likely to be even more terrifying, and we need to consider the future."
Wang Xiang's answer was simple: "Anyway, everything I have was given to me by the boss. Wherever the boss tells me to go, I'll go. I don't think as much as you guys do."
Although what Wang Xiang said was useless nonsense, it made Xie An feel a lot more comfortable.
Xie An brought everyone on a boat trip here tonight, partly to monitor Cuiwei Residence, and partly to discuss countermeasures with everyone.
He naturally wouldn't expect Wang Xiang to provide any ideas, so he asked Lin Yun, "Brother Lin, you seem to have something unfinished."
Lin Yun hesitated for a moment and said, "Although Chen Qing, the Wolf Gate Master, has also been involved this time, but… to be honest, Chen Qing Wolf is not one of us after all. If it really comes to a dilemma, he may not abandon our White Feather Hall. Only the few of us are our own people who share weal and woe, and we cannot completely pin our hopes on Chen Qing Wolf. We need to leave a way out for ourselves."
Xie An held the teacup in both hands, turned his head to look at the waves on the Huai River outside, and the towering rain curtain, and murmured, "Brother Lin's consideration is right. I remember that the original intention of forming the White Feather Hall was an agreement between the County Office and the Tiger Wolf Gate, right?"
Lin Yun said, "That's right. The County Office initially gave the Tiger Wolf Gate room to develop, without listing it as a black gang. And it allowed the White Feather Hall to control the wharf, gambling houses, and black market business here. But the White Feather Hall also undertook the task of defending against the Corpse Refining Hall. This is an agreement reached in black and white by the higher-ups. And because of this, the fate of the White Feather Hall has been determined. Once things continue to deteriorate, I am worried that the higher-ups will ignore our life and death and forcibly order us to fight against the demon men."
"Hall Master, on the surface, it seems that we have no way out. The way out needs to be sought by ourselves."
Xie An felt very depressed.
At Xie An's age, he wouldn't be so hot-blooded as to lead people to fight the Corpse Refining Hall to the death.
That's not fighting to the death, that's sending people to their deaths.
Not to mention that Xie An had never seen the true power of the Corpse Refining Hall, but judging from the various signs at present, he could know the horror of the Corpse Refining Hall.
This Hall Master is not easy to be.
Before coming to the Blood Ridge Black Market, he just wanted to find a place to develop steadily. After all, Xie An was old at the time and had no way to get ahead. Joining the Blood Ridge Black Market at that time was undoubtedly the right choice.
It's just that later, all kinds of accidents happened, and it wasn't Xie An's intention… but he just gradually sat on the position of Hall Master.
Unexpectedly, after sitting for less than two years, the Corpse Refining Hall, which had been stable for hundreds of years, suddenly showed its claws.
This matter made Xie An very uncomfortable.
He couldn't develop steadily.
Moreover, Chen Qing's death… the annihilation of the Cavalry Camp. Xie An still wanted to do something, and he felt a bit of hatred in his heart.
Seeing that Xie An didn't speak, Lin Yun said, "Hall Master, if you have made up your mind. I, Lin Yun, can give up the Blood Ridge Black Market, which I have been guarding for many years. I will follow the Hall Master's arrangements."
Xie An looked at Lin Yun gratefully, "Don't worry. Chen Qing Wolf went to the County Office to find Magistrate Wen. Tomorrow, Chen Qing Wolf should take action against Cuiwei Residence, let's see what happens first. If… the Corpse Refining Hall really has further actions, and the higher-ups don't care about our life and death… and insist that we fight the bandits head-on, I will make a decision. Three brothers, don't go out alone recently, and don't provoke anything. You need to be extra careful."
The three of them nodded one after another, expressing their support for Xie An.
Finally, Xie An said, "You stay here and keep an eye on every move of Cuiwei Residence. Once there is any abnormality, report to me at the Hall immediately. I'm going to see Chen Qing's wife and daughter. Chen Qing is dead, and his wife and daughter must not have any accidents."
Leaving a sentence, Xie An bid farewell in a hurry.
Although Xie An felt that the crisis was heavy and his ability was not enough to cope with the crisis that might arise next, he still had to do what he could.
After visiting A Wei and Xiao Qing, Xie An returned to the central courtyard, closed the door, and sat cross-legged to ponder.
Yu He still represented Xie An to go out to comfort the various branch helms and appease people's hearts. These were routine operations, and Xie An didn't think much about it, but began to consider the current situation.
In the end, Xie An found that there was nothing to think about.
It depends on whether Chen Qing Wolf can kill Young Master Li of Cuiwei Residence tomorrow and deter the Corpse Refining Hall a little, so that the Corpse Refining Hall will delay its next actions. So as to give himself more time to develop.
As for the rest… it's useless to think about it.
Since this is the case, Xie An simply swept away the distracting thoughts in his heart, and began to sit down and practice the Bright Jade Skill.
"The fusion degree of the Longevity Destiny has reached 9/10000. Let me see how effective the Bright Jade Skill is."
Now Xie An had already reached the Great Achievement of Fetal Breathing Skill early, and he easily entered the state of minor meditation. According to the mental method of the Bright Jade Skill, he began to circulate the heat.
Buzzing.
The heat radiated, traveled all over the body, and returned to the Zi Palace.
In the past, it would take at least a quarter of an hour to complete such a cycle.
But now, it can be completed in a quarter of an hour.
Before, these feelings were not obvious.
It is estimated that the feeling is obvious because the fusion degree of the Longevity Destiny has been improved.
Xie An thought, if he pushed the Bright Jade Skill to the extreme, and then used the Heavy Mountain Saber to fight, the power would be multiplied.
But the problem is… Xie An now needs to be in a cross-legged meditation state to run the Bright Jade Skill. Once he is distracted, or the body leaves the cross-legged state… the Bright Jade Skill will be interrupted.
Not to mention using the Bright Jade Skill in battle.
The ideal is beautiful, and the display is cruel.
However, Xie An increasingly felt that the blessing effect of the Bright Jade Skill was becoming more and more obvious, and the stamina seemed to be getting bigger and bigger…
…
The next day, at Si time in the morning.
Xie An, who was sitting in meditation, was suddenly awakened by a burst of noise, which made him unable to enter the meditation of the Bright Jade Skill, so he simply got up to wash up.
Just then, Yu He came back.
"Master. You are up."
"Yu He, you are back. What's the noise outside?"
"Chen Qing Wolf is back, and Magistrate Wen is also here."
Hearing that Wen Zaiqing had also come, Xie An hurried to speed up his washing, and then dressed neatly with Yu He's help. During this time, Yu He told the detailed situation outside.
It turned out that Wen Zaiqing learned that the Cavalry Camp of the Tiger Wolf Gate had been annihilated, and personally led a group of yamen experts to help. He said that he wanted to take action against Cuiwei Residence. He also said that Wen Zaiqing wanted to come in for questioning.
Hearing this news, Xie An felt very excited.
This undoubtedly gave Xie An a little more confidence in the fate of the White Feather Hall next.
Dressed neatly, Xie An hurried to open the door.
I saw six or seventy men wearing broadswords and other weapons standing neatly outside. Half of them were wearing the uniforms of the Tiger Wolf Gate, each with strong energy and extraordinary strength. The other half were wearing yamen uniforms, each wearing a broadsword, very imposing.
And standing at the front was impressively Chen Qing Wolf… and Wen Zaiqing in official robes.
Such a grand display made Xie An feel a little overwhelmed. He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Lord Wen, Sect Leader Chen, please come in. Yuhua, make tea."
Entering the main hall, Wen Zaiqing took the seat of honor on the upper right, while Chen Qinglang naturally sat in the secondary position on the upper left. As for Xie An... he could only sit in a side seat.
Wen Zaiqing was a student of the Nanyang Prefect and a Jinshi in both civil and military affairs during the Jingtai reign, making him extraordinary.
Wen Zaiqing was a martial artist but possessed the refined air of a scholar. After taking a sip of tea, he said, "Sect Leader Chen has told me everything. Baiyutang has been stationed here in place of the government, assisting in the defense against the demon people of Dayin Mountain. Now that you have suffered this misfortune, I, as the local official of Qingwu County, will naturally not ignore it. However, as this matter is of great importance, I must verify it myself. Hall Master Xie, please tell me the details of what happened."
His words were objective, and he was not pretentious.
Perhaps because he had met Xie An at Tang Family Fort, Wen Zaiqing was even more amiable.
Xie An recounted the events in detail, not forgetting to particularly emphasize Chen Qing's bravery at the end.
After listening, Wen Zaiqing sighed repeatedly and slammed the table in anger, "How dare these petty heretical demon people cause trouble under my jurisdiction! They are simply heinous, not putting the imperial court in their eyes. How can I tolerate them?"
Xie An felt relieved, "Thank you, Lord Wen, for your sympathy towards the Baiyutang brothers."
Wen Zaiqing said, "Hall Master Xie, rest assured. Your Baiyutang is assisting me in defending against the demon people. The affairs of Baiyutang are my affairs.
For many years, the Corpse Refining Hall has been lurking in Dayin Mountain, never emerging. Now, they dare to show their claws. I must give them a thunderous blow, so they will understand to retreat."
Saying that, Wen Zaiqing slammed the table and stood up, "Sect Leader Chen, this time, let us work together with one heart to sweep away the demon people's nest at Cuiwei Residence."
Chen Qinglang seemed to have been waiting for these words, "I am willing to follow Lord Wen's orders."
"Then we should not delay. To prevent the demon people from escaping, let us set off immediately." Wen Zaiqing stepped out the door, his aura high-spirited, "Hall Master Xie, please lead the way."
"Lord, please. Sect Leader, please."
Xie An personally led the way to the Shuideng Wharf, found Lin Yun, Zhang Lin, and Wang Xiang, and asked them about the movements at Cuiwei Residence last night. The three said there had been no activity.
Wen Zaiqing then ordered, "Surround Cuiwei Residence and do not let anyone escape."
More than seventy elite experts acted in response, surrounding the entire Cuiwei Residence. Because the commotion was great, it attracted countless onlookers from the surrounding villagers.
"Hey, isn't that Magistrate Wen? Why has he brought people to our Shuideng Town today?"
"I heard that the Baiyutang cavalry camp in Gu Po Village was wiped out yesterday. Hundreds of cavalry experts were all killed. They say it was done by bandits from Dayin Mountain. Lord Wen has come to suppress the bandits."
"The bandits of Dayin Mountain deserve to be suppressed. Lord Wen is a righteous official."
"With Lord Wen protecting our land, we can live in peace."
"..."
Wen Zaiqing did not isolate the masses, obviously intentionally.
He wanted to achieve some political success during his term, so that the villagers could see it, making it convenient to spread his good name.
Xie An also felt that there was nothing wrong with it. It was a good thing for officials to care about their reputation.
Moreover, with Chen Qinglang and Wen Zaiqing taking action together, Xie An, as the Hall Master, breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the fate of Baiyutang... might not be so bad.
"Sect Leader Chen, Hall Master Xie, and everyone, follow me in to suppress the bandits!"
Wen Zaiqing took a three-foot Qingfeng sword handed to him by his subordinate and kicked open the courtyard door, "Slaughter the bandits for me!"
With a crash,
A group of people surged in.
Xie An, who followed in, saw four silver corpse old men sorting white deer blood essence in the courtyard, not caring at all about the arrival of the crowd. Under the eaves, a young man with a black mole between his eyebrows was reading a book, and a maid was squatting beside him, brewing tea for the young man.
Wen Zaiqing pointed his sword at the young man, "You are the official's son who came from out of town. At first, I took your identity into consideration and gave you convenience. But I didn't expect you to collude with the bandits of Dayin Mountain and massacre the Baiyutang cavalry camp. You are extremely sinful. Men, capture him. If he dares to resist, kill him without mercy."
Clang!
The constables drew their knives one after another, preparing to charge.
"Who dares to touch our young master?!"
The maid suddenly stepped out, her aura surging, heat flowing, and with one palm, she sent more than ten knife-wielding constables flying.
"Slaughtering my son and daring to resist. So what if you are an Inner Force Martial Master? Do you really think I, Chen, am easy to bully?" Chen Qinglang stepped out, his body releasing surging heat.
Seeing that the two sides were about to fight,
The black-mole young man suddenly put down the book in his hand and glanced at Wen Zaiqing arrogantly, "Wen Zaiqing, student of the Prefect, passed the civil and military imperial examinations in Nanzhou Gongyuan in the ninety-sixth year of Jingtai, obtaining the title of Jinshi in both. Have you forgotten who gave you your official hat?"
Wen Zaiqing snorted coldly: "I am an official of the imperial court, eating the imperial court's salary, and loyal to His Majesty the Jingtai Emperor. Even if you are a prominent young master from Nanzhou, you cannot violate the laws of the imperial court. According to the laws of the imperial court, I can execute you."
"The laws of the imperial court? What a righteous official."
The black-mole young man snorted coldly, then took out a brocade box from the nearby table and threw it to Wen Zaiqing, "Look at what's inside before you speak."
"No matter what's inside, no matter who you are connected to behind the scenes, I will selflessly...". Wen Zaiqing said righteously as he opened the brocade box.
The next moment, Wen Zaiqing could no longer speak, but instead, his eyes widened, he trembled, and his face turned pale.
"Lord Wen!"
Chen Qinglang realized something was wrong and hurriedly called out to Wen Zaiqing.
But Wen Zaiqing covered the brocade box with a trembling hand, and then his entire spirit seemed to have been drained, and he slowly knelt on the ground, holding the brocade box in his palms with both hands.
"I, I'm sorry, I... offended!"
"Lord Wen!" Chen Qinglang exclaimed, but Wen Zaiqing seemed unable to hear, slumped and dejected.
Everyone in the audience was stunned.
You must know that in the past many years, they had all believed that Wen Zaiqing was a righteous and good official, eliminating malpractices, treating the people kindly, and hating evil like an enemy. Unexpectedly, at this moment, he actually...
Xie An's heart also beat violently, feeling that... this time, the matter of Dayin Mountain was more serious than he had imagined!
Chen Qinglang was an experienced veteran, and at this moment, he also realized the horror of the matter.
Wen Zaiqing's teacher was the Nanyang Prefect, a fourth-rank official.
That is to say, officials below the fourth rank would not make Wen Zaiqing like this... then the background of this young man in front of him was probably above the fourth rank.
Slowly, Chen Qinglang also knelt down, trembling.
He was just the sect leader of a Jianghu sect. In Qingwu County, he still needed to rely on Wen Zaiqing's breath, let alone the existence above the fourth rank... Any finger of such a big figure could make the Tiger Wolf Sect disappear into smoke, and also make his Chen Qinglang's entire family perish.
He simply couldn't afford to provoke him.
Hey.
The black-mole young man slowly got up, left his seat, walked to Wen Zaiqing, took the brocade box, and said coldly: "A mere seventh-rank county magistrate is not even an ant in my eyes. I won't kill you because you are an official of the imperial court. But you, Chen Qinglang, won't be so lucky."
Saying that, the black-mole young man handed the brocade box to the maid next to him, walked to Chen Qinglang, and directly slapped Chen Qinglang hard in the face.
Pa!
The crisp sound resounded throughout the audience.
Chen Qinglang was slapped to the side, the skin on his face was torn, and blood flowed out.
"Qingyu, bring the knife."
Qingyu handed over a knife, and the young man took it and said to Chen Qinglang: "You trespassed in my residence. Cut off your arm. This matter will be over. You are a lowly commoner and would dirty my hands. Do it yourself."
Ding.
The broadsword was thrown in front of Chen Qinglang.
Chen Qinglang was prostrate on the ground, his body trembling.
He was the sect leader of the Tiger Wolf Sect, dominating Qingwu County for thirty years, and he was also a close friend of Wen Zaiqing. When had he ever suffered such humiliation?
He turned his head to look at Wen Zaiqing.
Wen Zaiqing wailed, "Brother Chen, if you don't want your entire family to be exterminated, if you don't want the Tiger Wolf Sect to be destroyed, then... do as he says!!"
Ah!
Chen Qinglang suddenly wailed, picked up the broadsword with his right hand, and slashed down on his left hand.
The black-mole young man snorted coldly, "A group of ignorant ants, today I will make you understand the principle of being slaves with your tails between your legs in front of me. Get out!"
Xie An clearly saw blood splattering, a bloody severed arm falling to the ground, the fingers still wriggling. Looking at the black-mole young man again, he saw a cold and arrogant smile.
