Zhang Yunfeng led his men on a two-day search across Siming County, but found nothing. Soon after, he returned with them to Yunyang Prefecture.
At the same time, he sent Chen Dagou's corpse back to the Five Dragons Gang.
Only a few days after returning to Yunyang Prefecture, Zhang Yunfeng took the initiative to visit Old Dragon Island.
Old Dragon Island lay dozens of li downriver from Yunyang Prefecture. It spanned dozens of li across, surrounded by continuous reed marshes and wetlands, with expansive waters and intricate channels. Only locals who knew the routes could navigate skiffs in and out through the waterways.
Owing to its unique terrain and aquatic environment, Old Dragon Island had become the headquarters of the Five Dragons Gang, home to nearly ten thousand permanent residents. The authorities in Yunyang Prefecture were powerless to control the island, leaving Gang Chief Chen Dalu as its true master.
Although Zhang Yunfeng was a company commander of the Iron Clothes Guard and a scion of the Zhang family, he still had to remain inside the cabin upon entering the island, accompanied by an escort assigned to keep him from peering at the waterways leading in and out.
Zhang Yunfeng maintained an impassive expression on the surface, but inwardly he was furious. A gang of common boatmen and coolies dared to put on airs before him...
For the sake of the Zhang family, Zhang Yunfeng could only endure the insolence.
Upon stepping onto Old Dragon Island, Zhang Yunfeng finally met Chen Dalu, Chief of the Five Dragons Gang.
This sixth-rank martial artist had graying hair and rough skin, and went barefoot, dressed in a black round-collared robe with a center closure. He bore a strong resemblance to Chen Dagou, but was taller and broader. Though plainly dressed, he carried an air of imposing, heroic dominance.
Even with the resentment in Zhang Yunfeng's heart, a single sweep of Chen Dalu's sharp gaze immediately stirred several degrees of awe within him. He knew very well that Chen Dalu's martial arts were exceedingly formidable, powerful enough to suppress his spirit and cow his courage with a mere glance.
Arrogant as Zhang Yunfeng was, he dared not act brazenly here.
He offered polite greetings and gave a detailed account of how Chen Dagou had met his death.
"The swordsmanship of Canglong Temple's Wuji is extraordinary, and his Daoist arts are also formidable. He struck suddenly and took the White Dragon Emissary's life. I, too, was utterly helpless in the matter."
At last, Zhang Yunfeng put on a helpless expression and said, "Chief, when it comes to a clash of sorcery and spells, it is ultimately inconvenient for me to step forward. This vengeance must be taken into your own hands..."
Chen Dalu stared coldly at Zhang Yunfeng. Naturally, he understood that the man wanted to borrow his knife to kill another.
Yet for an unordained Daoist priest to dare kill his younger brother—the branch abbey was acting far too brazenly!
If he did not eliminate that young Daoist, word would spread throughout the Jianghu that the Five Dragons Gang feared the branch abbey.
Wandering the Jianghu, a man lived and died by his face!
If everyone came to believe the Five Dragons Gang had grown weak, even stray dogs by the roadside would run up to take a bite.
Chen Dalu looked at Zhang Yunfeng and said, "I will certainly take this revenge. However, my brother rode out alongside you, only to be murdered. I ask the Company Commander to give me an explanation!"
Hearing the menace in Chen Dalu's tone, Zhang Yunfeng hurriedly said, "This matter began on my account. Whatever demands the Chief has, please feel free to speak them..."
Chen Dalu did not stand on ceremony, immediately demanding ten thousand taels of gold as well as three warehouses at the eastern docks of Yunyang Prefecture.
Naturally, Zhang Yunfeng could not agree to such an outrageous demand. A seventh-rank gu master was nowhere near that valuable!
Yet he could not afford to offend the Five Dragons Gang either. The gang controlled water transport and wielded considerable influence over Yunyang Prefecture. Killing Chen Dalu would not be overly difficult, but getting thousands of low-level boatmen to submit obediently would be a massive headache.
Taking all factors into consideration, the Zhang family's strategy toward the Five Dragons Gang was primarily one of conciliation and appeasement. Only when the Yunlong Branch Abbey was dealt with and the Zhang family was free of misgivings would it not be too late to consider replacing the gang's chief.
The two sides bargained for a long time before finally reaching an agreement: Zhang Yunfeng would pay five thousand taels of gold as compensation and see to Chen Dagou's lavish burial.
Zhang Yunfeng had only one condition—to receive Zhou Wuji's head.
It was not that he held deep personal hatred toward Zhou Wuji. Rather, he found Zhou Wuji exceptionally gifted, unyielding in his conduct, highly capable in his methods, and endowed with an elegant, peerless bearing. Most importantly, Zhou Wuji was eerily sinister; both Zhang Xinhu and Wu Di had died under bizarre, inexplicable circumstances.
Even Chen Dagou, a formidable seventh-rank gu master, had perished before him in an absurdly casual manner.
Facing such an uncanny opponent left Zhang Yunfeng bewildered and uneasy. Naturally, he intended to mobilize every available resource to eliminate the threat!
Getting the Five Dragons Gang to strike also served other calculations.
If the Five Dragons Gang killed Zhou Wuji, it would surely infuriate the Yunlong Branch Abbey. Once deep enmity was forged between them, the Five Dragons Gang would no longer be able to play both sides, which would greatly benefit the Zhang family.
After seeing Zhang Yunfeng off, Chen Hui, the Azure Dragon Emissary, asked Chen Dalu with a hint of worry, "Chief, are we truly going to kill Zhou Wuji?"
He lowered his voice to remind Chen Dalu, "Abbot Zhiyuan of the Yunlong Branch Abbey previously wrote to you specifically explaining this matter."
Zhiyuan was a fifth-rank ordained Daoist, essentially one of the strongest masters in Yunyang Prefecture. Behind him stood the powerful Arctic Sect. If even the southern Zhang family could not suppress such a mighty Daoist sect, the Five Dragons Gang truly could not afford to provoke them.
Demanding benefits from Zhang Yunfeng was fine, but actually going to war with the Yunlong Branch Abbey for such perks was far too unprofitable. Chen Hui dared not say so outright, so he could only drop subtle hints to keep the chief from acting on impulse.
Chen Dalu glanced at Chen Hui. Although this Azure Dragon Emissary also bore the surname Chen, his lineage lay outside the five mourning degrees; he could scarcely even be called a relative.
Chen Hui was rather handsome, educated, and refined in speech and manner, standing out prominently within the gang. He was capable, sharp-witted, and enjoyed considerable prestige among the lower-ranking members. Chen Dalu valued Chen Hui's abilities, but he disliked his cleverness.
The problem with clever people was that they calculated everything too clearly, which made them thoroughly irritating. The Five Dragons Gang earned its living in the Jianghu, where one's actions had to honor brotherhood and righteousness. If everyone calculated things too cleanly and precisely, how could the gang continue to function?
Displeased, Chen Dalu's expression darkened. He said harshly, "The Yunlong Branch Abbey considers itself orthodox Daoism, constantly suppressing and marginalizing our Five Dragons Gang, even labeling us as heretical outcasts. I have endured the branch abbey for decades. Now that there is an opportunity to overturn them, what is there to hesitate about?"
Chen Dalu paused before continuing in a fierce voice, "Besides, they killed my brother, yet Zhiyuan didn't even show his face, merely tossing over a casual letter. That greedy old Daoist doesn't take us seriously at all! Even if it costs me my old life today, I'll drag those Daoists to death!"
Seeing Chen Dalu's furious manner, Chen Hui secretly disagreed, but dared not speak further.
Sensing Chen Hui's cowardice and hesitation, Chen Dalu sneered, "The Arctic Sect can barely hold on within the Daoist world, and the Yunlong Branch Abbey relies solely on that old Daoist Zhiyuan to prop it up; they can't even suppress Golden Leaf Temple. Meanwhile, the Zhang family's power grows by the day. If we continue to sit on the fence at a time like this, the Zhang family will only view us as enemies. Whether for personal vengeance or the gang's future prospects, we can only choose the Zhang family!"
Chen Hui sighed deeply in his heart.
The Arctic Sect was an orthodox Daoist school with millions of disciples and devotees, presided over by a first-rank powerhouse. As the saying went, a centipede dies but never falls down. Even if the Arctic Sect had lacked outstanding talents in recent years and its prestige was not what it used to be, it was far from collapsing into ruin. Initiating a provocation against the Yunlong Branch Abbey carried terrifying consequences.
Yet with Chen Dalu so unyielding and resolute, Chen Hui dared not object; he could only nod in agreement.
Chen Dalu was reasonably satisfied with Chen Hui's obedient attitude. Softening his tone, he said, "I know the Arctic Sect is not to be trifled with. But we must take the lead here to prove our worth and secure sufficient benefits from the Zhang family. They killed Dagou, so we have a righteous pretext this time; even if a massive fuss is kicked up, we have grounds to stand on."
After a brief contemplation, he added, "Choosing to act against Zhou Wuji is also because this person is inconsequential. Killing him will not cause significant trouble, yet it demonstrates our toughness!"
Chen Hui could not help but nod. There was indeed some wisdom in those words.
Revenge would be taken, their boldness displayed, and the risk remained manageable. The chief had not lost his head after all!
Finally, Chen Dalu shifted the conversation: "This matter cannot be handled with great fanfare. Take two men to Siming County and deal with Zhou Wuji."
Chen Hui cursed silently. The old man was truly vicious, tossing such a thorny task onto his shoulders. Yet he dared not refuse, and could only say with an awkward expression, "Chief, I've investigated Zhou Wuji. The man's swordsmanship is extraordinary, and he has already slain a seventh-rank martial artist; he will definitely not be easy to deal with. Zhang Xinhu of Siming County was formidable, but simply for crossing Zhou Wuji, he vanished without a trace. There must have been an expert from the branch abbey acting secretly behind the scenes. Furthermore, Second Brother's White Dragon Gu was so potent, yet it still fell victim to this brat. That alone shows his prowess..."
Chen Dalu knew Chen Hui was shrinking from the difficulty. He said, "The sisters Xue Feihua and Xue Feixia of the Heavenly Ghost Sect are raising ghosts in the Siming Mountains. Years ago, they owed me a major favor. The Heavenly Ghost Sect despises the Arctic Sect above all else; given an opportunity to slay a rising star of the Arctic Sect, they will surely be willing. Moreover, with my token in hand, they will not dare refuse."
Hearing that he would have helpers, and that they were the sisters Xue Feihua and Xue Feixia, Chen Hui felt considerably relieved. Known as the Cold-Blooded Twin Fiends, those two women were renowned among the demonic cultivators of Yunyang Prefecture. Crucially, with those two women standing at the front, even if something went wrong, the blame would not fall on him.
After dispatching Chen Hui, Chen Dalu turned to Chen Yong, the Black Dragon Emissary, and asked, "How are things progressing on your end?"
"Yizhen came to the island earlier. I dared not cross paths with him, so I had to suspend the blood sacrifice," Chen Yong said. "Fortunately, Yizhen has left. With two or three more blood sacrifices, we will be able to refine that black flood dragon's remnant soul into the mother gu."
Chen Dalu nodded. "I sent Chen Hui to Siming County to muddy the waters precisely to keep the branch abbey's experts occupied. Seize the time..."
***
In early February, the oncoming breeze already carried hints of spring warmth.
Yang Shuling reclined on a lounger beneath the eaves of his house, a book in his right hand, occasionally glancing at the young disciples practicing fist forms in the courtyard.
As the largest martial arts school in Siming County, the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School already possessed a multitude of disciples. With Zhang Xinhu's oppressive presence gone, the number of apprentices in his school had multiplied several times over. Living such an idyllic life, Yang Shuling felt an indescribable contentment, waking each day in high spirits.
Toward the many apprentices under his tutelage, Yang Shuling was now willing to spare a few smiles. The disciples all knew their master's stern temperament, so no matter how relaxed and at ease he appeared, they dared not show the slightest slackness, training with utmost effort.
Yang Shuling brought a small teapot to his lips, took a sip of strong tea, and smacked his lips with deep satisfaction, feeling that life was simply too comfortable.
Suddenly, a servant hurried over from the back courtyard and whispered a few words into Yang Shuling's ear, instantly shattering his pleasant mood.
Yang Shuling instructed his eldest disciple to lead the apprentices in their training, then hurried after the servant to the rear courtyard.
Stepping into a wing of the rear courtyard, he saw his grandson, Yang Tieying, lying in bed, eyes tightly shut and breathing shallowly, his face veiled with a faint, dark vapor. The vigorous youth looked as though he was on the brink of death.
Experienced and knowledgeable, Yang Shuling recognized at a glance that his grandson had likely been poisoned. He had seen people bitten by venomous snakes before; their faces would turn black, and they would stop breathing in less than an hour.
Yang Shuling checked his grandson's pulse. With his modest medical knowledge, he could only determine that the boy was indeed poisoned; the pulse was scattered, floating, and weak, suggesting he might not last much longer.
The old man's face grew exceedingly grim. He questioned the two attendants, who knelt on the ground with ashen faces, unable to explain what had happened. They had accompanied Yang Tieying to the street for breakfast, returned immediately after eating, and then Yang Tieying had collapsed unconscious.
"Did you notice anyone suspicious?" Yang Shuling asked in a deep voice.
One attendant replied cautiously, "We did encounter two unfamiliar men, but we only brushed past each other without exchanging a single word..."
Yang Shuling fell silent in thought. His grandson had clearly fallen victim to a sneak attack. Could it be poison, a spell cast by a demonic cultivator, or a gu art? The Jianghu was rife with deceitful methods that were nearly impossible to guard against, and he could not determine what had afflicted his grandson.
He had no real enemies. For someone to go to such lengths against his grandson, they had to have a specific purpose.
Just as Yang Shuling was contemplating whether to seek out Zhou Wuji—since Daoist arts were profound, and Daoists were skilled in medicine and alchemy, perhaps he could save Tieying—an unfamiliar man's voice suddenly drifted in from outside: "Master Yang, pardon the intrusion."
Yang Shuling's expression darkened. He strode out of the wing, only to find a man standing in the courtyard. The man had handsome features, bronze skin, and wore a black robe, with a long saber slung at his waist. Relying on his martial artist's instinct, Yang Shuling could tell at a glance that the stranger possessed solid martial arts, likely having attained the level of hidden force.
Before Yang Shuling could question him, the man smiled and introduced himself: "I am Chen Hui, the Azure Dragon Emissary of the Five Dragons Gang."
Yang Shuling's heart sank. Martial arts at the hidden force level were nothing extraordinary, but the Azure Dragon Emissary of the Five Dragons Gang was terrifying. The Five Dragons Gang's gu sorcery was notorious throughout Yunyang Prefecture, striking fear even into ordinary folk at the mere mention of their name.
Having traveled the Jianghu, Yang Shuling had dealt with the Five Dragons Gang before. He knew their members were consistently overbearing, and their gu sorcery was secretive, insidious, and formidable.
Yang Shuling's thoughts immediately jumped to Zhou Wuji. More than twenty days ago, Zhou Wuji and Wuzheng had joined hands to slay a master of the Five Dragons Gang. Judging by this, the Azure Dragon Emissary Chen Hui had come to seek revenge on Zhou Wuji! But why had this fellow come looking for trouble with him instead?
Seeing Yang Shuling's shifting expressions, Chen Hui knew the seventh-rank martial artist had guessed something. He said with a smile, "Master Yang's grandson is only seventeen or eighteen, yet he is already approaching the hidden force realm. His future is boundless."
He paused deliberately before continuing, "What a pity that he was struck by my Azure Dragon Gu. Without my antidote, he will dissolve into a puddle of black sludge within seven days. Tsk, tsk..."
Yang Shuling was enraged, but with the other man holding his grandson's life in his hands, he dared not lose his temper. Moreover, the man was, after all, the Azure Dragon Emissary of the Five Dragons Gang. Zhou Wuji and his fellow disciples hailed from the Arctic Sect's branch abbey and could afford to disregard the Five Dragons Gang, but a solitary seventh-rank martial artist like him could not afford to provoke a gang tens of thousands strong.
Suppressing his fury, Yang Shuling cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Chen, there is no grievance between us. If you need something, just speak plainly. Why resort to this?"
Chen Hui smiled again. "Master Yang needn't be angry. As long as you do one thing for me, I guarantee your grandson will emerge safe and sound!"
"Please speak plainly, Mr. Chen," Yang Shuling said with a cold face.
"It isn't difficult. Go lure Zhou Wuji out, and you needn't worry about the rest," Chen Hui said leisurely. "Once the deed is done, I will certainly cure your grandson of the Azure Dragon Gu."
Yang Shuling's face turned iron-gray, caught in hesitant indecision.
He had previously set Zhou Wuji's bones, forging a bond of goodwill between them. Furthermore, Zhou Wuji was generous and principled in his dealings. For these reasons, Yang Shuling had been willing to draw closer to Zhou Wuji.
He understood very well that Zhou Wuji was deeply shrewd, resolute, and unyielding—a man of decisive slaughter. From what he knew, Zhou Wuji had already slain dozens of people over the past month. Figures like Zhang Xinhu had vanished mysteriously, a matter certainly linked to Zhou Wuji. Even the death of Chief Banner Officer Wu Di was connected to him.
Making an enemy of Zhou Wuji was far too perilous... One misstep, and his entire family could be wiped out.
Noticing Yang Shuling's hesitation, Chen Hui pointed a finger toward an attendant standing beside Yang Shuling.
The attendant suddenly went into violent convulsions and collapsed to the ground. In the blink of an eye, his face turned pitch-black and his eyes rolled back; he lay there shivering, desperate to scream, yet unable to utter a single sound.
Yang Shuling flew into a rage and barked, "What are you doing?!"
"Don't be agitated. I'm merely letting Master Yang see the power of the Azure Dragon Gu..." Chen Hui said casually.
Even as he spoke, black blood seeped from the attendant's seven facial orifices. The man ceased twitching, his breath extinguished.
Witnessing the terrifying lethality of the Azure Dragon Gu, Yang Shuling was struck instantly mute.
Chen Hui continued leisurely, "Once someone is afflicted with the Azure Dragon Gu, a single thought from me is enough to end his life. Master Yang, your grandson has a boundless future ahead of him, while Zhou Wuji is merely an outsider. Do you really need to think twice about how to choose?!"
Chapter 77