Chapter 334: Calamity (Thanks to the Red Fortune God for the Silver Patron!)

Chapter 334: Calamity (Thanks to the Red Wealth God of My Destiny!)

A figure as massive as a bear slammed into the room, yet it did not stir the earth-shaking commotion Li Jun had anticipated.

Every step Huang Shi Lie took was silent, his tiger-and-bear frame moving with the stealth of a cat, a display of physical control that left Li Jun inwardly stunned.

At this moment, the second cigarette between Su Ce’s fingers had burned out, and he pinched the nearly extinguished butt to light another.

Just as the maidservant brought the newly added rice, Li Jun buried his head in his bowl, saying nothing.

“I am Huang Lie, junior, and I greet Senior Su.”

The burly man stood at the table, clasping his hands in a Ming-style greeting.

White smoke curled upward, obscuring Su Ce’s face.

His not particularly robust frame leaned forward, the arm holding the cigarette propped on his knee, his palm lifting slightly toward Huang Shi Lie.

“This is the Thousand Commander’s domain. You should address my official title.”

This demeanor reminded Li Jun of a certain person from the past.

In Chengdu Mansion’s Jiulong Street, the Hunshui Pao Ge Dao Ba Zi, Zhao Ding.

Huang Shi Lie’s expression remained solemn, “This commoner, Huang Shi Lie, greets the Zhen Fu Shi.”

“Wrong again. This old man is merely a Thousand Commander of the sinner’s district now.”

Li Jun, who had been picking at his rice, suddenly widened his eyes.

Indeed, in these times, anyone with a reputation was never simple.

But then Li Jun’s heart understood.

A legitimate martial sect master, how could he merely be a Thousand Commander of the sinner’s district?

Even during the height of the Jin Yi Wei under the Longwu Emperor, it would not be so exaggerated as to make a martial master a Thousand Commander.

Even a Zhen Fu Shi would be somewhat inappropriate.

This old Su must have many stories.

“It was my negligence. I did not know why you summoned me, sir. What are your orders?”

Despite being wrong twice, Huang Shi Lie’s face remained calm, showing no ripple, “Do you lack money or goods? With a single word from you, the Huang Shi Group will offer both hands.”

“You are somewhat perceptive.”

Su Ce was satisfied with his attitude, nodding, “But today, you must pay money and deliver goods. However, before I let you go, I have one more question.”

“Please ask, sir.”

“Why did your Huang Shi Group so brazenly kill a Jin Yi Wei Thousand Commander, especially during this old man’s council meeting? What is the meaning of this?”

Su Ce rolled the cigarette butt between three fingers, his icy eyes emerging from the drifting smoke.

“The New Year just passed, and you’ve sent me such a ‘gift.’ What, does your Huang Shi family intend to rebel and restore the country?”

The old man, before Li Jun, the victim, directly posed the question, leaving no room for Huang Shi Lie to retreat.

“The sun and moon illuminate all lands. Under the dragon banner, all are imperial subjects. The ten million people of the Wa District are blessed to receive the empire’s grace. Why restore the country? No one has the power to do so.”

Huang Shi Lie paused, then said in a low voice, “Recently, there have been many rumors targeting our four major companies on the surface. Did you misunderstand, Thousand Commander?”

“Since you’re not rebelling, explain to me what Huang Shi Xia Hu intends to do. Explain, who the hell gave you the nerve to touch my people?!”

A cigarette butt flew from his fingertips, drawing a orange-red line in the air before landing at Huang Shi Lie’s feet.

The sparks scattered and died in an instant.

“This matter has nothing to do with me.”

Huang Shi Lie’s head drooped slightly, his hands clasped in front of his chest unmoving.

No anger surged, no hidden blade revealed.

Li Jun’s gaze carefully scrutinized him, searching for any sign of unease in that rough face.

Alas, no matter how he probed, Huang Shi Lie remained as calm as a still lake, not stirring a ripple.

“The true situation of the Huang Shi Group, others may not know, but you, Thousand Commander, understand clearly. This so-called ‘East Master’ is merely a puppet pushed to the forefront.”

“Don’t rush to push yourself to the brink.”

Su Ce sneered, “According to the intelligence I have, Huang Shi Xia Hu is your confidant. Without your command, would he dare do this?”

“He is indeed my confidant.”

Huang Shi Lie did not evade this point, but his next words shifted, “But he is also someone else’s martial disciple.”

“Your meaning, the order to kill Yan Jun came from Huang Tian Men?”

Huang Tian Men?

Could there be a martial sect hidden within the Huang Shi Group?

Li Jun, who had been listening intently, froze mid-chew, swallowing a piece of meat without chewing.

The Huang Shi Group inherited the martial sects of the imperial homeland—a nearly open secret in the Jin Yi Wei.

But he had not expected the truth to be more than inheritance; a genuine sect was manipulating the group behind the scenes.

Do the Dao and Buddhist sects not know of this? Why would they tolerate Huang Tian Men’s existence?

Or was the Confucian sect deliberately leaving roots to provoke the other two?

A string of doubts surged in Li Jun’s heart, his mouth moving emptily, the taste like chewing wax.

Huang Shi Lie remained silent, answering Su Ce’s questioning with stillness.

“The entire martial sect, after the ‘Division of Martial Arts Under Heaven,’ most perished.”

Su Ce drew another cigarette, placing it at the corner of his mouth, then rubbed the tip with his thumb and forefinger to light it.

“The survivors became either others’ exotic pets or specimens in research labs. Some hid in dark corners, barely surviving, fearing discovery.

Su Ce laughed bitterly, “And some, like me, volunteered to be hounds to keep a life. But we were exiled from the imperial homeland, becoming rootless. Now, few of the martial sect remain alive. So, out of fellowship, I never touched Huang Tian Men.”

“Explain to me, what does Huang Qi Long, that old dog, intend to do, clinging to your side to suck blood?”

“He wants to live.”

Three words, heavy with meaning, came from Huang Shi Lie’s mouth.

“Since he wants to live, why not seek the Buddhist sect to restore his dissected organs? Why capture Yan Jun?”

Before Huang Shi Lie could answer, Su Ce continued, “He believes the genes of an independent martial sect can heal his wounds. Is this the foolish move of a farmer’s sect?”

Li Jun, holding his bowl, looked stunned, unable to hide the spreading anger in his eyes.

“My master’s injuries won’t last much longer. A drowning man will grasp even a straw. But this time, his actions crossed the line.”

As the words fell, Huang Shi Lie’s upper body suddenly sank, bending almost double at the waist.

“The empire has an old saying: A teacher for a day, a father for life. The father’s debt, the son shall repay. I am willing to atone for my master’s deeds.”

“Don’t play these old, stale tricks here.”

Su Ce’s tone was disdainful, “With a few words, you’ve shifted all blame to Huang Qi Long. If I kill you, would that not frame an innocent?”

"Was my willing submission, no one could blame Lord Qianhu."

Rong Shìliè, bent and bowed, knelt on the ground, his hands pressing against his thighs.

Only in such a posture did he dare lift his head, meeting Su Cè’s gaze.

"Let those in the court wearing crimson robes and Confucian ranks see the true effect of their educational policies. A martial artist of the fourth rank, yet he has learned the filthy schemes of the Confucians to perfection."

"My humble heart hopes the lord will understand."

"A child's heart or a wolf's ambition—we both know. The act has gone too far, and it grows tiresome."

Su Cè spoke coldly: "I don’t care if the one who wants to kill Yan Jun is Huang Tianmen or you. Rong Shìxiàhǔ is part of the Huangshi Group, so you can’t escape. I’ve brought you here today to give you two choices."

"The commoner listens respectfully." Rong Shìliè’s demeanor remained proper.

"The first path: rise now and return. Let Huang Qinlong and his crippled senior brothers and sisters stand up from their chairs, take their blades or guns. I’ll give you a night to prepare." Su Cè’s face radiated killing intent. "When the sun rises tomorrow, I’ll lead the entire Wokou area’s Jinyiwei to cleanse all your Huangshi Group’s forces, starting from this Jōdo Castle. See one, kill one!"

"The second path."

"The commoner chooses the second path!"

Rong Shìliè’s answer was so decisive that Li Jūn blushed.

"Why not hear what it is?" Su Cè couldn’t help but laugh, intrigued.

Rong Shìliè spoke solemnly: "The lord’s intent, the commoner has already grasped."

"So I’ve hit the mark? No wonder you’re Huang Qinlong’s disciple—you two are truly of the same vein."

Su Cè laughed openly, his mocking expression unmasked. "Since you’ve already planned this, why the theatrics just now?"

"One must understand the lord’s thoughts before daring to speak. If I oppose you, I’ll correct myself." Rong Shìliè replied with a smile.

His appearance was as before, his words like water.

A mighty warrior who seemed ready to spill blood at a word, yet his schemes ran deeper than the abyss.

Su Cè turned to Li Jūn; their eyes met, and the latter immediately nodded slightly.

"Take Huang Tianmen to apologize—will that suffice?"

"Not enough!"

Li Jūn wiped the remnants of rice from his mouth, and the bowl in his hand crashed onto the table.

"Did you hear that?"

Su Cè smiled wryly. "The aggrieved party disagrees."

Rong Shìliè extended his left hand into the feathered robe sleeve, retrieving a palm-sized box.

"Six-grade inner energy, the Chónglóu technique. This was my own preparation, a top-tier skill among six-grade inner energy."

Rong Shìliè emphasized, "Crucially, this martial art has no connection to the Huang Tianmen system—no risk of losing control."

"Rong Shìxiàhǔ nearly killed me. Now you offer this to brush it off—who do you think you’re fooling?"

Li Jūn narrowed his eyes, his voice hoarse, displaying the essence of false authority.

Perhaps it was the lingering scent of the meal or some other reason, but at that moment, only two words echoed in Li Jūn’s mind: truly fragrant.

"Higher-grade martial art injectors are all in Huang Tianmen’s hands, and Huang Qinlong has tampered with them. I believe Lord Qianhu wouldn’t want me to fool you with defective goods."

Rong Shìliè’s eyes never lingered on Li Jūn, always fixed on Su Cè.

"My master taught me a skill, leaving a hidden card. The decline of the martial sect isn’t without reason."

Su Cè seemed to agree, no longer hinting at Li Jūn’s extortion of Rong Shìliè.

Li Jūn licked his lips, eager to say, "Even without an injector, we could use silver taels!"

Qianhu has enough, but Baihu lacks!

But those thoughts could only pass through his mind.

For Li Jūn, eliminating this Huang Tianmen who coveted him and sought to slice him apart was the paramount priority.

"I’ll give you a month to bring Huang Qinlong’s head to Qianhu’s office. If time passes, we’ll have to take the first path."

"Understood."

Rong Shìliè crossed his hands over his abdomen, his kneeling form rising abruptly, bowing again to Su Cè before retreating five steps, then turning toward the door.

As his figure neared the door, a sudden, aged roar came from behind.

"Rong Shìliè!"

Xiong Lì froze; Rong Shìliè turned sharply.

Eagle eyes, wolf-like glances—a face full of malice collided with Li Jūn’s gaze.

In that instant, the overwhelming killing intent nearly engulfed Li Jūn, the primal fear’s scream enough to tear eardrums.

Seeing Su Cè’s silence, Rong Shìliè left without a word.

Only when his silhouette vanished completely did Li Jūn gasp like a drowning man, breathing heavily.

"What did you see?"

Li Jūn enunciated each word: "A disaster."

"Since you know he’s a disaster, why not wonder why I didn’t kill him outright?" Su Cè asked with a smile.

Li Jūn fell silent, lifting the bowl he had just overturned, gathering scattered rice grains back into it.

"Meals must be eaten one bite at a time, people must be killed one by one!"

"Some insight."

Su Cè’s aged face showed a hearty smile. "Though you’re only half right."

"What’s the other half?"

"This man isn’t easy to kill. A martial artist of the fourth rank in his prime, though a ‘forced prodigy,’ if he doesn’t wish to die, even I might not kill him."

Su Cè crushed the cigarette butt. "My genes are old. So, Rong Shìliè—I leave him for you to kill!"

At the same time, at the gate of the office.

"Qianhu’s stance is clear. Why follow me so closely, True Lord? Don’t you fear being implicated?"

Ming Wáng stopped, looking at Yu Cánghǎi beside him.

Yu Cánghǎi replied softly: "The reason, Ming Wáng, you know it well. Why ask?"

"Truly, no mercy?"

"I regret not risking entering Chongqing to kill him then, which led to today’s tiger-raising disaster."

Yu Cánghǎi’s face twisted with malice, the sword in his sleeve clanging.

Ming Wáng smiled slightly. "Yan Jun may be a tiger, but never a disaster. With you and me united, worry about solving him?"

"As long as Ming Wáng helps me avenge my son’s death, the great Osaka Castle will follow you."

Ming Wáng didn’t answer, only laughed loudly, stepping into the wind and snow first.

When their figures disappeared, Jiao Mu finally emerged.

He stared blankly at the howling snow outside, his face a picture of emptiness and bewilderment.

Snowflakes fluttered, the northern wind sighed.

Heavy snow blanketed the city, a vast expanse of white.

Wen Xi apologizes, during the zodiac year's lucky money and Hong Da's White Silver Alliance reward, could only update a 4000-word chapter. (Even I feel it's not enough, tears flow.)

Because recently facing the year-end inspection, so time to write is scarce. Please all the rudder holders understand.

However, after the 20th, Wen Xi will enter an accelerated update phase, striving to update!

Finally, thank you again to Hong Da's White Silver Alliance!