Chapter 85: Chapter 66: One Hundred Days of Knife Nurturing! Iron Beast Attack!_i
Mo Tie also arrived atop the high wall in no time, watching Chen Zhuang below with a somewhat grave expression. He had an inkling that the Black Cavalry Gang’s return before the new year’s arrival likely meant they were up to no simple task!
Third Chief Chen graces us with his presence, may I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?”
From atop the high walls, Mo Tie called out loudly.
Chen Zhuang did not respond, simply dismounted, carrying a heavy hammer, with four to five elite Black Cavalry Gang members closely following behind him.
Standing outside the gate of Black Iron Manor, Chen Zhuang spoke in a deep voice, “Open the gates! I have important matters to discuss with Villa Owner Mo!”
The voice wasn’t loud, yet everyone heard it clearly.
“This…” The people of Black Iron Manor hesitated.
“Open the gate! This door won’t stop me! Don’t force me to take matters into my own hands!”
Chen Zhuang’s eyes turned cold as he bellowed, his voice thunderous, carrying an awe-inspiring terror that seemed akin to a Heavenly God descending, causing an involuntary shiver in people’s bodies, along with a rising sense of fear and willingness to comply.
Years ago, when the Black Cavalry Gang was first established, Chen Zhuang was already a Martial Artist in the Divine Strength Realm. Now, after several years of grueling daily practice, bolstered by the wealth and resources plundered by the Black Cavalry Gang, he had advanced even further half a year ago, stepping into the Divine Bravery Stage with a Body Refinement Great Achievement.
At this moment, his unwavering presence was beyond doubt!
Mo Tie clenched his teeth, recalling the scene years ago when Chen Zhuang had smashed open the gate of Black Iron Manor with his hammer, knowing full well that the gates truly could not stop him.
“Open the gate and welcome Third Chief Chen!” Finally, Mo Tie had no choice but to issue the command.
“Creak!”
The gate opened, and Chen Zhuang, along with four Black Cavalry Gang martial artists, swaggered into Black Iron Manor. Members of Black Iron Manor along the way all had expressions of wariness and dread.
Upon meeting Mo Tie, Chen Zhuang said, “Bring out your manor’s roster! Gather all Black Iron Manor members; I have an announcement to make!”
His words were puzzling to the listeners.
But Mo Tie signaled with his eyes, and Director Liu could only nod and go to get the roster.
Director Liu brought the roster, and before he could say anything else, Chen Zhuang had already snatched the roster from his hands.
Chen Zhuang glanced at the roster, then swept his eyes across the gathered Black Iron Manor personnel, who were holding weapons and had wary expressions. After a moment, he frowned slightly and said, “The roster lists 127 people, why are only 126 present?”
Director Liu cautiously replied, “Someone took leave today and is not in Black Iron Manor.”
Chen Zhuang did not pursue the matter of the missing person. He looked around and announced loudly, “From today onward, Black Iron Manor will become a subsidiary of the Black Cavalry Gang, forging weapons for us!”
These words caused an uproar among those at Black Iron Manor.
“This… becoming a subsidiary of the Black Cavalry Gang… Isn’t this just like joining them?”
Everyone was stunned.
At this moment, Mo Tie could no longer restrain himself and quickly said, Third Chief Chen, we at Black Iron Manor have faithfully paid our annual dues.
Isn’t it inappropriate for you to do this?”
“Don’t worry, after Black Iron Manor becomes part of the Black Cavalry Gang, it will be converted into the Armament Department. You will still oversee and manage them, and furthermore, you won’t need to pay dues to the Black Cavalry Gang. On the contrary, the Gang’s compensation will not treat you unfairly; it may even be better than what you have now!”
Chen Zhuang said calmly.
Not long ago, the Black Cavalry Gang had annihilated the White Jade Gang, yet Shi Zijian was not satisfied with just this. Even though the Black Cavalry Gang had replaced the White Jade Gang, there was no guarantee that they would not follow the same fate as their predecessor, potentially being destroyed by another rising force.
Therefore, Shi Zijian had been consolidating his power, aiming to establish the Archer Camp and the Armament Department among others, to militaristically train his subordinates and create a truly elite force, ensuring that outside forces could no longer challenge them.
As for Black Iron Manor, renowned for weapon forging for decades and a longstanding establishment of Clearwater City, Shi Zijian decided to bring it under the gang’s wing, specifically to forge weapons and arrows for the Black Cavalry Gang.
“No… No way! I don’t want myself or my son to become bandits or robbers!”
A middle-aged man immediately refused excitedly.
Everyone knew that the Black Cavalry Gang was a gang presence that operated as robbers and bandits, aggressively appropriating from others. Joining the Black Cavalry Gang meant becoming one of them.
The Black Cavalry Gang was prosperous now, but the future was uncertain. If the day came when the Gang weakened or was eliminated by the official forces, they and their offspring would all be implicated!
“How dare you!”
A Black Cavalry Gang martial artist standing behind Chen Zhuang turned cold and swiftly advanced, grabbing the middle-aged man by the neck and pulling him out like a baby chick.
“Let go of Old Zhang! Don’t push us!”
The surrounding Black Iron Manor members were a mix of shock and anger, tightly gripping their weapons. They were but smiths, yet at this moment, each one of them was enraged.
“Enough! Everyone, stand down!”
A thunderous roar exploded overhead, it was Chen Zhuang. As a Divine Bravery Stage Martial Artist with unified Essence Qj Spirit, his authority was astonishing, and the sheer force of his shout darkened everyone’s vision. The rising anger in the hearts of the people was instantly quelled.
The Black Cavalry Gang martial artist also released the middle-aged man’s neck and obediently stood aside.
With an impassive face, Chen Zhuang looked toward Mo Tie and slowly said, “Villa Owner Mo, the Black Cavalry Gang cherishes talent and wishes to treat you with respect. But if you fail to recognize what’s good for you, then we’ll have to settle old scores. The batches of armor forged for the White Jade Gang were made by Black Iron Manor, weren’t they?”
At this, Mo Tie’s mouth twitched uncontrollably. Back then, the White Jade Gang had hired a group of smiths to forge some illegal armor, a fact Mo Tie had learned about afterward and instructed those involved never to discuss it with outsiders. Now, Chen Zhuang had brought this matter to light.