Chen Tang only had a bow on his back, without any arrows.
The arrows at the training ground all had special markings, making them inconvenient to use. It would be easy to find a few in Changze County.
He stood close to the corner of the wall and listened for a while. Once a team of guards passed by, Chen Tang swiftly climbed over the wall and started stealthily moving toward the city walls.
Upon reaching the side of the city wall, Chen Tang hid in a corner, not in a hurry.
He took the long knife from his waist and tightly strapped it to his back to prevent it from shaking or hitting the wall and making noise, which might attract the attention of the guards while climbing.
After carefully checking and ensuring everything was fine, Chen Tang began climbing up the wall, sticking to the corner.
At this moment, the night was deep.
Thick clouds covered the moonlight, and Chen Tang pressed himself against the city wall, almost blending into it, like a stone brick on the wall.
Adding to that, the Gecko Wall-Climbing Technique included mantras to adjust breathing and heartbeat, allowing Chen Tang to hang on the wall with his breathing and heartbeat slowed down.
Not to mention those far away, even if someone passed directly under the city wall, they wouldn’t detect him.
Unless the guards below specifically looked up at his position, they would not notice anything unusual.
Chen Tang carefully climbed up the wall, moving slowly, and occasionally stopping when he heard patrolling guards above.
Once at the top of the wall, he moved quickly, crossing over and slowly descending, disappearing into the night.
Arriving at the forest he visited during the day, Chen Tang was stunned on the spot.
The Thunder Leopard was gone!
He had tied it there earlier.
This place wasn’t far from Wu’an County and the main road, so wild animals wouldn’t venture here. There wasn’t any blood around, just some chaotic hoofprints, making it difficult to discern the direction.
"Thunder Leopard!"
Chen Tang called out a few times into the surroundings.
The forest was dark, with no response.
Seems like he would have to run there himself.
With his stamina, he could indeed run to Changze County, but it would certainly be exhausting, and he might not make it back tonight.
Chen Tang took down the wine gourd from his waist, planning to take a sip before setting off.
Just as he uncorked it, he heard a strange noise from behind.
A shadow suddenly darted out from the forest, lightly tapping its hooves, snorting. Upon seeing Chen Tang, its eyes filled with joy and excitement—it was the Thunder Leopard.
"I called, and you didn’t come out. You show up once you smell the alcohol."
Chen Tang chuckled in frustration, patting the Thunder Leopard’s neck. "Do you only recognize booze and not people?"
The Thunder Leopard seemed a bit embarrassed, lowering its head and constantly nudging Chen Tang’s cheek, while sneakily eyeing the wine gourd.
"No drinking today, tomorrow you’ll drink to your heart’s content."
Chen Tang mounted the horse, riding the Thunder Leopard, galloping towards Changze County under the cover of night.
...
Black Water Gang.
Sub-Pillar Leader Cong Qingyi sat in the center of the hall, with two others sitting alongside him. They were two stewards who had come from the Commandery’s hall of Wu’an County a few days ago.
Officially, stewards are a rank below the sub-pillar leader, but these two were from the Commandery’s main hall and both were Eighth Grade martial artists, superior to Sub-Pillar Leader Cong Qingyi!
These two stewards had come from the main hall for two reasons: because in recent days, four gang members of the Changze County sub-pillar headquarters had died.
On the other hand, it was for tonight’s banquet.
Tonight, County Magistrate Sun would personally host a feast at Qingyun Tower in the county government, inviting Black Water Gang’s Sub-Pillar Leader Cong Qingyi and Evil Wolf Gang’s Leader Gou Ying to discuss the future issues concerning the two major gangs in Changze County.
The deaths of the four gang members also needed to be addressed.
"Reporting to the Sub-Pillar Leader, Steward Fang, Steward Qi, the brothers have all been arranged."
A Black Water Gang guard came in and said, clasping his fists.
Cong Qingyi nodded slightly and said, "Go on, we will move soon."
Steward Fang frowned and asked, "Brother Cong, are you worried about any unexpected events tonight?"
Steward Qi appeared calm and said, "From what I know, the Evil Wolf Gang’s Gou Ying is already scared and, after tonight, plans to disband the Evil Wolf Gang, yielding all of Changze County’s territory."
Cong Qingyi said, "If he’s genuinely that perceptive, that’s good. I’m just worried; the people of Qian Country are inherently cunning, don’t underestimate any trickery!"
"Hmph, the Evil Wolf Gang is just a Ninth Grade. How much trouble can they cause?"
Steward Fang sneered, scoffing.
Cong Qingyi shook his head slightly and said, "Don’t forget, the three Chief Constables of Changze County are all Ninth Grade."
"Are you implying..." Steward Qi’s expression changed slightly.
Cong Qingyi said, "The Evil Wolf Gang was a local gang in Changze County, operating for years, deeply entangled with County Magistrate Sun and the three Chief Constables in mutual benefits."
"If the Evil Wolf Gang disbands, they will lose a significant amount of income, and they might not take it without a fight."
Steward Fang’s face turned dark, slowly saying, "If they dare to plot against us, tonight we’ll eradicate the Evil Wolf Gang and, amidst the chaos, take out County Magistrate Sun and those Chief Constables!"
"Indeed."
Steward Qi also nodded and said, "Then, we can frame the Evil Wolf Gang for it. Just have the Young Leader operate a bit, get a sensible county magistrate in, and Changze County will be completely under our control."
"Hm."
Cong Qingyi said, "I’ve just ordered the brothers to gear up and wait outside the county government. If anything happens, they’ll signal with fireworks and charge in!"
"By the way, what’s the deal with the four deceased brothers?"
Steward Fang frowned and asked, "They were all veterans from Black Water Country who survived the battlefield, experienced in combat. Gou Ying shouldn’t be capable of killing them, right?"
"I don’t know. I’ve been investigating this matter without any leads."
Cong Qingyi said, "I suspect there might be a master backing the Evil Wolf Gang, which is why I invited the two of you to oversee, just in case."
Steward Qi said, "This is our Black Water Country’s first step through the Three Thousand Snow Ridges into Pingzhou. Changze County is crucial, and we must be cautious and not make any mistakes."
...
Evil Wolf Gang.
Gou Ying paced back and forth in the hall, looking agitated and restless.
"Leader, at this point, don’t worry too much."
Steward Liu advised, "County Magistrate Sun has already hinted to us that Black Water Gang is determined to take over Changze County and will not tolerate a second rival force. If we have an all-out battle with them, there’s no chance of winning, and the brothers are likely to face disaster."
"Since County Magistrate Sun is mediating, we should give up gracefully. It’s like doing Black Water Gang a favor, which might come in handy in the future."
Gou Ying exhaled a long breath.
After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "I know that, but I’ve worked hard with the brothers in Changze County for many years, and now we have to give it up willingly; it’s truly unbearable."
Protector Hu Wan said, "Leader, good things come to those who wait. If Gou Dai can secure a Ninth Grade in Wu’an County, we’ll have two Ninth Grades and rise again someday."
Gou Ying nodded.
Unfortunately, his child was too disappointing; pursuing Mei Yingxue with no success. If they could have allied with the Mei Family through marriage, they might stand against Black Water Gang.
"Let’s go to Qingyun Tower!"
Gou Ying waved his hand.
Like he’d thought of something, Steward Liu suddenly said, "Should we have the brothers follow us?"
Hu Wan frowned, "It’s unnecessary, right? After all, it’s in the county government, and County Magistrate Sun is personally involved. Would Black Water Gang dare to make trouble there?"
Gou Ying squinted his eyes, saying in a deep voice, "Have the brothers bring their gear and guard outside the county government. After all, those Black Water Gang people are from an alien race, naturally ruthless and unpredictable, we better be prepared."