At the East Gate, refugees began withdrawing from the city.
The yan constables and soldiers stared in astonishnt. Just monts ago, these refugees had been like wolves, ready to tear them apart. Now, they had suddenly retracted their claws, ek and obedient, lining up to leave the city.
Under the commands and intervention of the Yulong Gang disciples, many who had stord hos and shops were dragged out and shoved back into the queue exiting the county.
“Thank you, Hall Master Wangchuan, for your tily assistance!”
“Constable Leng owes you a favor.”
A constable with several tears in his clothes wiped rain from his face and approached Wangchuan.
Only then did Wangchuan recognize him—it was none other than Leng Wuya, one of the constables who had stood beside He Feiying.
“So it is Constable Leng.”
Wangchuan cupped his hands with a faint smile.
“You’ve had a rough ti.”
“Sigh.”
“Natural and human disasters are unavoidable.” Leng Wuya gave a bitter laugh. “I almost thought they would tear
apart just now. Who would have imagined that ordinary, obedient citizens could beco so terrifying when driven mad?”
“If this rain does not stop,” Wangchuan said gravely, “we will still face serious trouble. Once resentnt accumulates—especially when people lack food and feel their lives threatened—there will be an even greater eruption.”
“The County Magistrate has already considered this,” Leng Wuya replied. “He is contacting the clan leaders of several major families, ordering them to erect more rain shelters overnight and cook more porridge to calm both the refugees inside and outside the city.”
“He also plans to request firewood and charcoal from wealthy households, though in weather like this… it will be difficult.”
“If there is any need for the Yulong Gang, Constable Leng, do not hesitate,” Wangchuan said. “Huishui County is where we make our living. For us to do business peacefully, Huishui must remain stable.”
“Hall Master Wangchuan is farsighted indeed,” Leng Wuya said with admiration. “You have already helped imnsely. But I still hope you can assign so n to help maintain order and deter unrest among the refugees outside the city.”
“As we should.”
Wangchuan gestured toward Qin Ming and Lin Xun.
“That is Hall Master Qin Ming and Helm Leader Lin Xun. They can gather the brothers from Rong County’s hall. With them assisting, we will surely stabilize matters tonight. Let us hope the families deliver the porridge and shelters quickly.”
“That would be excellent.”
Leng Wuya was overjoyed.
Soon enough, Qin Ming and Lin Xun assembled over a hundred Inner and Outer Disciples.
The County Magistrate acted swiftly as well.
Craftsn carried timber and canvas outside the city to build shelters overnight.
Several prominent families set up porridge stations within the city, arranging dozens of large iron cauldrons.
The yan dispatched over a dozen physicians to treat those who had caught chills, brewing dicine both inside and outside the city.
Gradually, the refugees cald.
…
CRACK!
Lightning split the sky.
In a ruined temple outside the city, a blazing bonfire dispelled the cold.
More than a hundred ferocious bandits gathered inside.
In a corner, over a dozen half-clothed won wept softly.
Upon the offering table beneath the mountain god statue sat seven or eight severed heads. Anyone from Rong County would recognize them—the County Magistrate, the Chief Clerk, several constables, and even a clan patriarch.
Below the offering table lounged three n, drinking heavily from wine jars, young won in their arms. From ti to ti, they fondled them, letting out lewd laughter.
Not long ago, they had ambushed Rong County’s Magistrate’s convoy, slaughtered all the guards, and abducted the female relatives. The young won now in their arms belonged to prominent families.
“Hahahaha!”
“Exhilarating!”
“Finally killed those irritating constables! That damned magistrate deserved it! Hahaha! Feels good!”
“A toast to the brothers!”
“To the boss!”
The ruined temple was a den of demons.
BANG!
The door burst open.
Soone stumbled inside, drenched and disheveled, shouting in panic:
“Bosses! Bosses! Sothing’s happened!”
All eyes turned toward him.
It was a forr helm leader of the Green Bamboo Gang—a full-fledged Martial Artist.
He rushed before the three bosses.
“When we attacked the Yulong Gang’s convoy, we were suddenly ambushed by a group from Huishui County! They had too many n. We lost many brothers! We couldn’t seize their goods!”
SMASH!
Before he finished, a wine jar shattered against his head.
He scread as shards and wine drenched him. A flicker of resentnt flashed in his eyes before disappearing.
“Trash!”
“You couldn’t even handle such a small task! No wonder your Green Bamboo Gang was wiped out by the Yulong Gang!”
The one who struck him was Boss Li—yellow teeth bared, eyes vicious.
He rose abruptly.
“Yulong Gang!”
“Just a bunch of river ducks! Once on land, how can they still strut? Co on! The brothers have eaten and drunk well. Let’s head to Huishui County and et this so-called Yulong Hall!”
“Boss Li.”
“Don’t be hasty.”
Another man called out from behind. His hair was disheveled, chest exposed, eyes gleaming with calculation.
“This Huishui Hall is far more famous than Rong County’s.”
“Oh?”
Boss Li turned.
“Old Wang, what do you know?”
Another bandit, clearly a First-Rank Martial Artist, added:
“Old Wang is right. Boss Li, you’ve just arrived. The Hall Master of Huishui has killed the head of Blackwind Stronghold, Feng Shaoguang of the Qingyi Sect, and Elder Snake of the Five Poison Sect!”
“What?!”
Boss Li inhaled sharply.
“Elder Snake was a Third-Rank expert! He died in such a small hall? What rank is this man?”
He himself was only Second-Rank and knew Elder Snake’s reputation.
“Only First-Rank,” Old Wang said. “But his archery is formidable. Elder Snake died under his arrows.”
“In such heavy rain, what good is archery?” Boss Li’s confidence returned slightly upon hearing the man was only First-Rank.
“Do not rush.”
Old Wang’s eyes glead.
“The refugees from Rong County have all fled to Huishui. The longer this drags on, the more people gather there. Right now, Huishui County is a giant powder keg—one spark, and it will explode.”
“We can do this…”
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