348 Discovering Some Dirt
Spring arrived and flowers bloomed, painting the world with vibrant hues.
Qin Huai stood on the pier, taking in the beautiful scenery. Thousands of boats sailed across the water, heavy with goods.
“Fifth Master, this is the qiqiao fruit from Nanhe Prefecture. It’s said to enhance comprehension abilities,” one of Qin Huai’s trusted aides approached, presenting a palm-sized purple fruit. “This fruit is worth one tael of gold. I reserved it especially for you.”
“Thank you.” Qin Huai patted the man’s shoulder. He bit into the fruit, savoring its sweet, sour, and crisp flavor, reminiscent of an apple. In truth, it was a purple apple.
A fruit that could genuinely enhance comprehension for one tael of gold? That was nothing more than a sales gimmick by greedy merchants, designed to swindle wealthy fools.
“Fifth Master, Leader has summoned you to the flower boat,” Zhou Cunzhong informed him from a distance.
“Understood.” Finishing the apple with a few more bites, Qin Huai made his way toward the flower boat.
Zhou Cunzhong followed alongside, striking up a conversation. “Fifth Master, do you recall the demon captured last month? The deputy manager of the Lin Gang?”
“I do.” Qin Huai responded nonchalantly. The incident had caused a stir across the outer city, with a demon infiltrating one of the four major gangs and seizing control. He had single handedly wreaked havoc within the Lin Gang, resulting in the demise of half of the six family heads.
“Leader’s summons might be in relation to that event,” Zhou Cunzhong speculated.
“Also, inquire around. Find out if anyone has emerged from the strange gas in the outer city,” Qin Huai instructed.
“Fifth Master, it may not be easy,” Zhou Cunzhong expressed his concerns.
Everyone in Qingzhou City feared the strange gas and avoided any association with it, for fear of being consumed. The topic of people disappearing into the city was taboo, rarely discussed.
Even the vanishing of the fourth master, Shao Mo, would have remained a secret if not for Zhou Cunzhong’s high position. Most disciples still believed Shao Mo was in seclusion.
“If it were easy, I wouldn’t need you,” Qin Huai retorted with a raised eyebrow.
“I understand, Fifth Master!” Zhou Cunzhong acknowledged, trembling slightly.
“And Fifth Master, regarding your request to identify city experts at least at the fifth-level bone pattern realm,” Zhou Cunzhong continued, “I’ve found two, but their realms surpass two full patterns, and they both possess the king’s force.” Zhou Cunzhong’s voice lowered, “Wang Gang and Xiong Yujie.”
“Are these two the great sect geniuses of Qingzhou City?” Qin Huai frowned.
“Yes. They emerged from the inner city, intending to eliminate the great demon…” Zhou Cunzhong quickly confirmed, “They were involved in the Lin Gang rebellion. However, since the incident, there have been no further sightings of them.”
“Understood.” Qin Huai rubbed his temples, piecing together the information he’d just received. The coincidences surrounding the mysterious disappearances were starting to align: two full patterns, king’s force…
“We need to tread cautiously,” he murmured.
Once they reached a secluded spot, Zhou Cunzhong lowered his voice. “Fifth Master, Yin Rongen’s habits have been thoroughly investigated. Every three days, he visits a subordinate named Ghost Hand Song A’san.”
Song A’san was a rare bone pattern realm expert within the Blood Poison Gang, a close ally of Yin Rongen. Their partnership was so well-known within the gang that ‘Yin and Song share a common fate’ was a popular saying.
“Did you know…” Zhou Cunzhong’s eyes flashed with surprise. “Song A’san’s wife is exceedingly beautiful.”
Qin Huai’s face lit up with understanding. “So, Yin Rongen and Song A’san’s wife…”
“Exactly,” Zhou Cunzhong confirmed with a chuckle. “I stumbled upon this information while trying to understand Yin Rongen’s patterns through Song A’san. I noticed Song A’san would leave the city every three days. I sent men to investigate, but they found nothing significant about his travels.
“It was only when I retraced my steps that I uncovered Yin Rongen’s secret,” Zhou Cunzhong said, sighing. “Yin Rongen is craftier than I thought. He’s been friends with Song A’san for decades, yet he stole his friend’s wife.”
Qin Huai maintained a poker face. None of the Blood Poison Gang leaders were virtuous men.
“Who else is aware of this?” Qin Huai queried.
“Fifth Master, rest assured. This granddaddy is trustworthy,” Zhou Cunzhong assured him, patting his chest.
Qin Huai’s gaze wandered into the distance, where several Blood Poison Gang members were carrying squirming sacks, their faces alight with anticipation. Nearby, several half-dressed sect members sat on wooden crates, gambling. Their hands were marred by gruesome scars, and they didn’t even have ten fingers.
A few bloody knives were embedded in the crate. Others lay by the warehouse, smoking tobacco, appearing as though they had ascended into an immortal realm.
“Don’t worry, Fifth Master. This secret is known only to us,” Zhou Cunzhong reassured, looking somewhat uneasy.
“Go ahead.” Qin Huai patted Zhou Cunzhong’s shoulder, then made his way onto the boat. The vessel was alive with chatter and the ceaseless clatter of dice.