Chapter 25: An Invitation from the Canal Gang! (Please add to favorites)

Having bid farewell to the old monk, Qin Zheng quickly returned to his own courtyard.

Then it was business as usual, boiling medicine and meat, circulating his qi and blood.

The situation outside the city was somewhat unclear now, so it was best to heal his internal injuries as quickly as possible.

Not to mention advancing his Realm, he at least wanted to have the ability to activate the third layer of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique once again.

The strength of 3000 jin was enough to rival someone who had broken through the fourth major barrier of the Bone Training Realm.

If the bandits outside the city were formidable, it was unlikely there would appear someone beyond the Bone Training Realm.

With this in mind, no matter what situation arose, he would be able to handle it.

By the afternoon, the courtyard door was knocked, and a goateed old man appeared, respectfully handing Qin Zheng an invitation.

Behind the goateed old man, there were also several servants.

The one in the lead carried a tray full of shiny silver, ten taels each, totaling thirty pieces.

Further back, there were two men carrying a hog that had been slaughtered, and two carrying a slaughtered ox.

Several others held grains and oils in their hands.

An ox and a hog for 300 taels!

It seemed that the second-in-command of the Canal Gang was not a muddle-headed fool.

The other party must have investigated his strength, so that was why they had put on such a show.

"Young Master Qin, our second-in-command said that, the young master was ignorant, we thank you for the lesson taught."

"These things are for the impolite words that the young master said to you."

The goateed old man also spoke at this time, saying respectfully.

Qin Zheng did not refuse, taking the invitation, turned around, and let the people bring the cattle, sheep, and grain into the courtyard.

It was just right; lately, rumors were rife in the city, and the people were panic-buying supplies. With these things, he didn't have to compete for them at high prices.

"All right, I'll accept this compensation. Go back and tell the second-in-command, Qin will surely attend the appointment on time."

The goateed old man smiled and nodded, then respectfully said, "Thank you, Young Master Qin; we will now return to report."

"Go ahead."

Qin Zheng nodded, and after the group had left, he then closed the door.

Both the beef and the pork were extremely fresh, clearly just freshly slaughtered.

The Canal Gang controlled the river commerce, and though a martial force, they often interacted with businessmen.

Therefore, their actions carried the scent of traders.

Qin Zheng then opened the invitation to check its contents.

'The child was impolite; we have arranged a banquet in your honor at the 'Hall of Heroes' in the western part of the city, tonight at the Hour of the Dog, we await your esteemed presence.'

...

Black Goose City.

Hour of the Dog.

Night had fallen, and the western riverbank of the city became the liveliest place in all of Black Goose City.

The crowd surged, and the lights shone brightly.

At this moment, the tense atmosphere of the daytime was gone, and it seemed as though the people had forgotten the bandits outside the city.

Amidst the sounds of merriment, the distinctive fragrance of rouge mingled with the aroma of fine wine, intoxicating the senses.

The wealthy dressed in silks and satins, as well as scholars in simple gowns, lingered here, reluctant to leave.

At this time, Qin Zheng, dressed in plain hemp clothing, seemed out of place as he walked among them.

Especially with the Ghost Head Greatsword wrapped in coarse cloth slung across his back, he stood out even more.

However, Qin Zheng's demeanor was now completely different from when he had just transmigrated, and the people around him only dared to look on with curiosity, not daring to say anything.

The 'Hall of Heroes' was not a building, but a flower boat operated by the Canal Gang.

The whole boat was twenty meters long and sixteen meters high, with eight stories built upon it, indeed resembling a tall building moving upon the river.

This place was also the busiest Gold Treasury on the entire west riverbank of the city.

At the entrance and exit on the riverbank, the crowd was bustling at this moment.

When Qin Zheng arrived, the goateed man from this morning had been waiting there early.

Upon seeing Qin Zheng, he immediately came up at a trot and said respectfully, "Young Master Qin, I've been waiting here for you, please come with me."

Behind the goateed man were a few more servants following.

Qin Zheng nodded, then followed him, entering the boat building.

In the first-floor hall, the crowd was pouring in, and a stage had been set up in the center, where dancers in sexy outfits were performing.

The area was full of Gold Spenders and courtesans keeping them company.

The heavy scent of alcohol and rouge wafted through the air.

Witnessing this scene, Qin Zheng's expression remained calm, his eyes unfazed by even a ripple.

"Young Master Qin, this way, please."

Guided by the goateed man, they went up the stairs one after another, arriving at the seventh floor.

With each level ascended, the number of people dwindled.

By the time they reached the seventh floor, there were no other guests to be seen, only the disciples of the Canal Gang.

Then, after entering a luxurious large room, Qin Zheng finally saw the man who was central to this gathering.

Seated in front was a corpulent, shrewd-looking middle-aged man.

Behind him stood a young man with half of his face swollen and bruised a violent red, which gave him a somewhat frightening appearance.

This was the son of the Canal Gang whom he had disciplined earlier today.

Presumably, this man was the second-in-command of the Canal Gang.

There were several individuals of impressive bearing and unfriendly countenance seated on both sides.

They must be the subordinates of the second-in-command.

"Oh, is this not the most famous butcher of Black Goose City?"

At that moment, a voice came from the side.

Qin Zheng's gaze followed over to its source.

There sat a burly man to the right of the second-in-command.

His muscles bulged, as if constructed entirely of muscle mass, his presence emanating an intense murderous aura.

"Hey, what do you mean by that, Master Liu?"

Opposite him was a slender middle-aged man who seemed unremarkable and ordinary, but upon closer inspection, one could see his jade-like hands with nails as dark as ink.

"Doesn't Master Zhang know that other butchers kill pigs, cows, and livestock, while this one kills people!" replied the muscular man with a laugh.

At these words, the entire room erupted into laughter, everyone letting out their mirth.

Seeing Qin Zheng mocked, the spiteful face of the brat standing behind the second-in-command momentarily brightened with satisfaction.

"Find it funny?"

However, just then, a calm voice interrupted, breaking the original mood.

All laughter abruptly ceased as everyone turned their gaze toward Qin Zheng.

"You don't find it funny?!" demanded the muscular man, his eyes flickering with a cold glint.

A violent aura immediately radiated from him.

He was like a man-eating tiger, fixing a fierce stare on Qin Zheng.

The second-in-command sitting at the head of the room seemed to have no intention of mediating but rather watched with interest.

His son, the vice-leader of the Canal Gang, was certainly not someone just anyone could discipline!

Baiting someone with gifts, luring them into his lair, he naturally had the final say over life and death!

This little Executioner, relying on some chance opportunity, having learned a bit of martial arts, dared to be so insolent, truly absurd!

Qin Zheng calmly met the man's gaze and then looked toward the second-in-command seated at the head of the room.

He hadn't expected to be played like this.

It seemed that he had still been too naive.

Qin suddenly let out a light chuckle, then with a step, his Qinggong activated, and in an instant, he traversed dozens of steps to appear in front of the muscular man.

What followed was a swift palm strike!

The muscular man smirked viciously, then with a face full of cruelty he shouted, "Let me see how much power your scrawny body has!"

As he spoke, he too extended his fan-sized palm toward Qin Zheng's.

But...

His hand, as light as a drifting twig, was snapped upon contact with Qin Zheng's palm.

Qin Zheng's hand then continued its descent, landing on the man's head.

Boom!

It burst open just like a watermelon, with a spray of red and white!

"Not funny."

Qin Zheng withdrew his hand, speaking indifferently.

In the entire room, silence prevailed, with no one daring to make a sound.