Wan Hua City, Shuiguang Town.
"This is Shuiguang Town."
Lin Sheng stood atop the tallest stone tower in the town, his gaze sweeping across the small area. With his eyesight, he could get a general sense of the town's situation with a single glance.
This was a small town covering two to three hundred li. Although not large in area, the town's population was not numerous, numbering only a few thousand households at most.
However, it was rich in a medicinal herb called shuiguang grass.
The reason he came here was that a few days ago, he received a task from within the Sect assigning him to be stationed here to oversee the collection of shuiguang grass.
The business of collecting shuiguang grass was originally owned by the Meng Family, wealthy merchants in Wan Hua City.
It was only recently that the Seven Forms Sect took over from the Meng Family.
Because Wan Hua City is currently in constant turmoil.
First, there was the conflict over the beast mine in Yunshui Mountain. Not long after the conflict was finally settled, the Crimson Whale Hall, one of the four major powers in the city, was unexpectedly wiped out by the Prefecture Yamen overnight.
Furthermore, with the increasing intervention of the Imperial Court within the city, all aspects have been affected. While overall there are pros and cons, for the class powers within the city, it is undoubtedly more detrimental than beneficial.
Especially now that water transport is severely affected.
Channels for things like shuiguang grass, which largely rely on external sales, have been greatly impacted. Therefore, the wealthy merchants and large households in the city have basically started selling off such industries.
Even more so, some seem to have realized something and have already begun relocating their industries.
The Seven Forms Sect, seizing the opportunity, has frequently acquired industries, purchasing over a dozen such properties like the shuiguang grass within a short period, seeming to want to improve the Sect's financial situation through this method.
These industries were respectively assigned to the Disciples within the Sect to manage, and unfortunately, he was on the list for the second batch.
He was also happy with this arrangement. Staying outside the city at this time was not a bad thing.
For him, it was just changing his cultivation location. Although this was outside Wan Hua City, the distance between the two was not far. At his pace, a full sprint would only take half an hour.
Soon, he arrived at the town's station.
The station was not large, just a slightly wider courtyard. There were seven or eight inner Disciples inside, and over thirty outer Disciples.
Adding him, the number of Seven Forms Sect members in this Shuiguang Town was less than 40.
Although the number was not large, the population in this Shuiguang Town was not high, so these people were enough.
"Who goes there? This is the Seven Forms Sect's territory. Idlers, leave quickly."
Lin Sheng's appearance quickly attracted the attention of the Disciples at the station, and someone immediately frowned and shouted.
However, after seeing Lin Sheng's attire clearly, they immediately seemed to realize something, and a respectful expression appeared on their faces.
"It turns out to be Senior Brother Lin of Qingniao Yard. I am Huang Feng of White Elephant Courtyard."
The person who spoke was a burly and tall man. From his attire, he was indeed a Disciple of the White Elephant Courtyard.
"You know me?"
Although they were both Seven Forms Sect Disciples, he had not been in the Sect for long, and his usual activities within the Seven Forms Sect were mostly within the Qingniao Yard. Therefore, apart from the Qingniao Yard Disciples, not many Disciples from other yards should know him.
"I once saw Senior Brother Lin when I was with Senior Brother Lu Tie on Da Cui Peak for a Garrison mission."
The man named Huang Feng said with a smile, explaining.
"So that's how it is."
Lin Sheng nodded.
"Where is Senior Brother Lu Tie?"
"Senior Brother Lu Tie went to the beast material industry over at Guquan Mountain a few days ago."
Huang Feng scratched his head and said with a simple smile.
"Guquan Mountain? That's quite far. Alright, Master Huang, gather all the Seven Forms Sect Disciples in the town."
"Okay, Senior Brother Lin, I'll go now."
Huang Feng responded and hurried away. Before long, he had gathered all the Seven Forms Sect Disciples in the town.
After recognizing the faces, Lin Sheng asked Huang Feng to take him to see the shuiguang grass.
shuiguang grass is a plant somewhat similar to Star Dew Grass, but it does not have the cold poison attribute. Of course, it also has no effect on the spiritual level, but it is an auxiliary ingredient for refining blood enhancement pills.
After a brief understanding of the situation in Shuiguang Town, he lost interest.
The task of collecting and processing shuiguang grass naturally did not require him to handle it, but was done by specialized herb collectors. He and these Seven Forms Sect Disciples were only responsible for protection and supervision.
As the person in charge of this industry, he basically did not need to handle the daily trivia.
Even if it were given to him, he would be too lazy to manage it, only leaving it to Huang Feng and a few other inner Disciples to manage. After instructing them not to disturb him unless there were unsolvable problems, Lin Sheng found a spacious residence in the town that day and resumed his closed-door cultivation.
...
On the other side, Wan Hua City, East District.
The continuous flower boats, which were originally a major feature of the city, had long since disappeared.
Inside the White Dragon Gang hall.
Crack—
"This is too much, it's simply too much. After so many years, the Prefecture City hasn't interfered much with the affairs of Wan Hua City. Why is it that as soon as Wan Jianghai arrives, he stirs up such chaos, not only banning water transport but also clearing out our flower boat business in one fell swoop..."
Shi Kai, the second boss of the White Dragon Gang, slammed the wine cup in his hand onto the ground. Usually calm, his face was now flushed and his eyes bloodshot, clearly enraged to the extreme.
The other mid-to-high level members of the White Dragon Gang in the hall saw the second boss in this state and were all silent, not daring to breathe.
"Brother, could it be that we just have to watch the foundation of the White Dragon Gang be destroyed little by little like this?"
Shi Kai looked up at the first boss above and said in a deep voice.
Shi Yan, sitting at the highest position, remained silent for a long time, his eyes tightly closed, the two stone balls he was playing with rubbing against each other with a clicking sound.
After a long while, he finally opened his eyes. His complexion was also not good, as gloomy as if it were about to rain.
"Second Brother, I have asked someone to inquire about Wan Jianghai's situation. This person only entered the Divine Transformation Realm half a year ago, but his age is only sixty-five. This shows that his talent is even stronger than Zhang Songbai, who only entered the Divine Transformation Realm at seventy."
"Moreover, this Wan Jianghai comes from a military background and is very strong in actual combat. I'm afraid he is not much weaker than the current Zhang Songbai. How could such a person be someone we can afford to provoke? Especially since his background is quite extraordinary, his Family also has considerable strength in the Grand Capital."
"In the eyes of such a person, our White Dragon Gang is probably not much stronger than ants. I know what you mean, Second Brother, but are you aware that if we dare to lay hands on the Imperial Court forces behind their backs, what awaits us will probably not just be the loss of some industries?"
"Brother..."
Hearing this, Shi Kai opened his mouth, wanting to say something to refute, but found that he couldn't speak at all. He wasn't a fool, and naturally knew that his Brother was right. It was just that their White Dragon Gang had always acted domineering and ruthless, always bullying others. When had it ever been someone else's turn to shit and piss on their heads?
And it was happening again and again, which made his heart restless and caused him to erupt.
After a long while, he finally calmed down, his flushed face returning to normal, and he sat back down in his seat.
His gaze swept over the other White Dragon Gang members in the hall, then he waved his hand.
"You all go down first."
"Yes, Second Boss."
Everyone bowed and withdrew.
Only Shi Kai and Shi Yan remained in the entire hall.
"Brother, I understand what you're saying, but are we just going to stay like this? There are still thousands of brothers in the gang. If this goes on for too long, I'm afraid our gang won't be able to hold on, especially since the flower boats were swept away recently. There was a lot of our accumulated savings from many years on them. Why don't you and I hide our identities and try to get those savings back first?"
At this time, with only the two brothers left, Shi Kai finally spoke in a low voice.
He still hadn't given up his original plan.
He was usually in charge of those flower boats, so he had put a lot of his savings on them. When they were suddenly swept away, and even the boats were confiscated, he almost vomited three liters of blood when he heard the news.
However, to his surprise, upon hearing his words, Shi Yan shook his head slightly and decisively rejected his proposal.
He had originally thought that his Brother was just worried about too many people being present, but now it seemed that was not the case.
"Second Brother, no matter what, we absolutely cannot make any moves against the Imperial Court. Otherwise, you and I will be in absolute danger."
Shi Yan sighed and said slowly.
"According to the information I had someone investigate, this Wan Jianghai is a madman. Provoking him at this time is absolutely not a wise move. I know you have suffered a great loss and are unwilling, and I also understand that we cannot just sit and wait for death."
"But not acting against the Imperial Court does not mean we cannot act against others."
"Brother, you mean..."
Hearing this, Shi Kai's eyes lit up, as if he realized something.
"That's right. In this Wan Hua City, besides the Imperial Court, there are quite a few wealthy households and merchants, especially the Seven Forms Sect and the Fang Family, these two forces."
A cold smile appeared on Shi Yan's face, and he said lightly.
"There are indeed quite a few merchants and wealthy households in Wan Hua City, but if anything is detected, it will be difficult for us to gain a foothold in Wan Hua City in the future."
"Hmph... Second Brother, at this point, are you still thinking of gaining a foothold in Wan Hua City? The situation between the Northern Yan and South Qi is unclear. With the Prince Yan's domineering nature, conflict is very likely to break out. And although Nanli Prefecture is not adjacent to our Linjiang Prefecture, there is only Tiannan Prefecture between them."
"Coupled with the fact that Linjiang Prefecture has now gotten a plague god like Wan Jianghai, this Wan Hua City is no longer a good place. Instead of staying here and being slowly peeled and devoured by that Wan Jianghai, it is better to simply leave. Although the White Dragon Gang has many members, as long as you and I, the brothers, are here, where can't we rise again?"
When he said this, the smile on Shi Yan's face became even colder.
Hearing this, Shi Kai was stunned in place, having not expected his Brother to have already made such a decision.
It should be known that the White Dragon Gang was built up by their three brothers from humble beginnings to its current renowned status.
It was the fruit of nearly half their lives' efforts. Even at this point, he had never thought of abandoning the White Dragon Gang.
After being stunned for a long while, he quickly reacted, a ruthless look appearing on his face.
"Brother, you are right. This is indeed a good idea. As long as everything is properly arranged, then leaving Linjiang Prefecture, without the White Dragon Gang, at most we'll just have another Red Dragon Gang or Black Dragon Gang. This world is so big, isn't it up to us brothers where we want to go?"
Mid-sentence, Shi Kai paused and said in a low voice.
"However, this matter still needs to be carefully considered. It's best to determine the retreat route before starting, and the people who act should preferably be trustworthy."
"Don't worry, I have already prepared. Several years ago, I secretly had people purchase some industries in Haichuan Prefecture. As for the manpower, you don't need to worry. That old fellow Red Hair secretly trained so many experts. Although I am not as crazy as him, I have also secretly trained many experts and death warriors. I originally did this to prepare for my Breakthrough to the Divine Transformation Realm."
Now is just the right time. These things will be done by them. Even if someone fails and is captured, they absolutely will not expose anything in a short time..."
"Oh!? That's excellent."
Hearing this, Shi Kai was overjoyed.
He didn't expect his Brother to be so prepared, so the matter could be started soon.
"Second Brother, this matter is known only to heaven and earth, you and I. It must not be leaked. After making a huge profit from this, you and I will leave. As for this White Dragon Gang, it will be left behind to bear the consequences..."
"Brother is absolutely right..."
Soon, two cold smiles echoed in the hall, finally returning to silence.
...
Linjiang Prefecture City.
Prefecture Yamen.
As the violent institution of the Prefecture City, the Prefecture Yamen stood majestically, with green bricks and black tiles, upturned eaves, and a magnificent and solemn Aura.
In front of the gate stood a pair of fierce beasts, resembling tigers and lions, with their heads held high and eyes like torches. Although they were stone carvings, they exuded a sense of majesty that made people dare not look directly at them.
Inside the main hall, the desk was placed high, and behind it was a giant landscape screen.
The light inside was slightly dim, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the window lattices, illuminating the official seal and documents on the desk.
What was surprising was that in such a solemn place, the person sitting in the highest position in the main hall was a middle-aged man in armor, looking like a military officer.
The middle-aged man had a fair complexion. Although there were a few white hairs on his head, his skin was smooth and tender, even more delicate than a woman's.
His eyebrows were narrow and slanted upwards, his eyes were deep and gloomy, his gaze like an arrow, as if it could easily pierce into others' hearts. His nose bridge was high, and a cold smile hung on the corner of his mouth, revealing a rather uncomfortable look of contempt.
Slap...
The man threw down the letter in his hand, slightly moved his neck, and crossed his hands.
The letter spread out on the desk had only a few lines of words, among which only a few short words were heavily marked with ink.
Negotiation failed, war.
"War..."
The middle-aged military officer slowly chewed on this word, a look of fervor and anticipation appearing in his eyes.
"After so many years, it should have been like this long ago. We should have wiped out South Qi back then. The world should be exclusively dominated by Great Yan..."
The slightly low and fanatical voice fell into the ears of Liu Tianci, who was standing on one side below the hall. However, he just kept his eyes down, not saying a word, his body standing as straight as a spear.