Chapter 110: Chapter 94: Who’s in Favor, Who’s Against?
Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
More than ten days had passed since the Huang Family was wiped out with lightning speed.
On this day, within the Cyan Wolf Water Stronghold, nestled in a hidden cove along the Qinglin River, the usual strict security had given way to a raucous, bustling clamor.
Nearly every Water Village Chief of any renown from the surrounding Changshan County Region was gathered here today.
Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was both feverish and tense. Everyone was whispering amongst themselves, the focus of their discussions invariably the shocking news that the Gao and Huang Families had recently been uprooted.
"Damn it all! How many years have the Gao and Huang Families been dug into Changshan? How could they be gone just like that? When I first heard the rumors, I thought it was just some drunken bastard spouting bullshit!"
A coarse, bushy-bearded man growled, chugging a mouthful of wine. His voice was a low rumble, and his face still held a hint of disbelief.
"Heh, who gives a damn about the Gao and Huang Families? Don’t forget the Black Snake Water Stronghold. Didn’t that bastard Chen wipe them out all the same?"
A gaunt man beside him added in a sinister tone.
"This Chen Sheng...is he really as fearsome as the rumors say? Taking down a Marrow Transformation Martial Master in just a few moves?" someone asked, skeptical.
"And how could it not be true?"
A chief who seemed better-informed lowered his voice. "My spy in the city reports that the man is ruthless and his strength is unfathomable. In front of him, an expert in the Marrow Transformation Realm probably wouldn’t last more than a few exchanges!"
"You’re bluffing, right? Don’t tell me that Chen Sheng has already broken through to the Innate Realm," a grim-faced Village Chief sneered, clearly unwilling to believe it.
A Marrow Transformation Martial Master might not count for much in the Prefecture City, but in the Changshan County Region, they were considered a major powerhouse.
Powerful enough to gather a following and establish a firm foothold in the Changshan Waters.
Any stronghold without a Marrow Transformation expert of its own was just a minor outfit, forced to live at the mercy of others.
"Believe it or not."
The previous speaker shook his head, his expression guarded. "The rumors might be exaggerated, but the Huang Family is well and truly gone. That part can’t be faked. It’s better to believe it, just in case."
"Old Ghost Zhang, if you really don’t believe it, then why has your Black Fish Stronghold been hiding in its shell like a turtle? You don’t even dare touch the fat sheep passing by anymore. Aren’t you just afraid of provoking that Slaughter God and bringing ruin down on yourself?"
Someone mocked him without reservation.
Old Ghost Zhang’s face flushed crimson. He opened his mouth to retort but swallowed his words.
He might talk tough, but he was terrified on the inside.
The Gao Family, the Huang Family, the Black Snake Water Stronghold... With one bloody cautionary tale after another right before their eyes, who would dare to provoke the Government Office at a time like this?
In fact, it wasn’t just his Black Fish Stronghold. For the past half-month, the dozen or so bands of water bandits around Changshan, big and small, had all but ceased their activities. They were all keeping their tails between their legs, terrified of becoming the next target for annihilation.
Feeling stifled, Old Ghost Zhang changed the subject. "Speaking of which, why did the Cyan Wolf Stronghold call us all here? That old fox Li Qianlang still hasn’t shown his cards."
"The way I see it, he probably wants to discuss how to deal with the Government Office."
"That’s possible. With the Black Snake Water Stronghold gone, the Cyan Wolf Stronghold is the most powerful. If he doesn’t take the lead, who will?"
The various chiefs chimed in, one after another, guessing the purpose of the gathering.
However, while they voiced their agreement, each was privately running his own calculations.
These were all wild, unruly men who lived by the blade. To get them to truly unite and follow orders was no easy feat. Even if they did join forces, they would insist that the powerful Cyan Wolf Stronghold be the one to take the brunt of the risk and do the heavy lifting.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Just as the discussion reached a fever pitch, a powerful voice boomed out.
Li Qianlang, Chief of the Cyan Wolf Water Stronghold, strode into the hall with a powerful, confident gait, flanked by several of his most trusted men. He was a tall man with a rugged face, his sharp, eagle-like eyes glinting as they swept across the room.
At the sight of him, the crowd fell silent, rising to their feet and clasping their hands in salute, addressing him by different titles:
"Li."
"Li."
"Chief Li!"
In the waters around Changshan, numerous factions of water bandits vied for power, but few ever amounted to a significant force.
Previously, the Black Snake Water Stronghold and the Cyan Wolf Water Stronghold had been the two dominant powers.
Now, with the Black Snake Water Stronghold destroyed, the Cyan Wolf Water Stronghold had seized the opportunity to absorb several smaller factions, becoming the undisputed, dominant power. That was why, upon receiving Li Qianlang’s invitation, these Village Chiefs hadn’t dared to slight him and had come without delay.
After a round of insincere pleasantries, Li Qianlang walked to the head seat. His gaze swept across the room before he got straight to the point.
"You’re all straight shooters, and so am I. I won’t beat around the bush. I’ve called you here today to discuss two things."
"The first is to discuss how we should respond to the Government Office’s increasingly aggressive extermination campaigns. I’m sure you’ve all felt the pressure. Since that Chen Sheng took his post, he first annihilated the Black Snake Water Stronghold, then swept away the Gao and Huang Families. Even the Yang Family has defected and surrendered to him.
The Government Office is riding high, and they’ve got us all gasping for air. In the last half-month, has anyone here dared to raid merchant caravans as openly as before?"
His words immediately drew a chorus of agreement.
"Chief Li is absolutely right. My boys have to be careful every time they go out now, terrified of running into the Government Office’s patrol boats."
"That’s right! We can’t live like this anymore."
"Does Chief Li have any brilliant ideas on how we might resist the Government Office together?"
Someone asked, seizing the opening, though he secretly thought, ’Just as I expected. With the Black Snake Water Stronghold gone, Li Qianlang wants to be the new top dog.’
"The specifics of how we join forces will require further planning."
Li Qianlang changed his tone. "But the main reason I’ve invited you all here today is for the second matter."
