Chapter 139: Chapter 129: Managing Flower Square, A Group Without a Head
The bag was filled with silver coins and all sorts of valuables.
Wu Mengchan asked in pleasant surprise, "Brother, when did you get all this?"
"It was when I was clearing out the surrounding buildings."
It turned out that while Wu Liangchen was destroying the buildings next to the First-Class Restaurant, he had made a quick trip back to their small courtyard.
The courtyard was already on fire by then, but the blaze wasn’t too intense, so Wu Liangchen rushed into the house and grabbed their valuables.
"You two stay here for now. Don’t wander off."
After getting them settled, Wu Liangchen added a final reminder before he left.
"Understood," Yang Lian’Er replied, nodding seriously.
Wu Liangchen knew that Yang Lian’Er’s personality had changed drastically. She had matured a great deal. As for his sister, he had even less to worry about.
So he nodded, turned, and left.
Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, the woman in black named Ninyun approached him. She offered a slight curtsy and said, "Master Wu, Third Brother is awake."
Wu Liangchen was slightly surprised. "Oh? She’s awake already?"
"Yes. She asked me to inform you and to ask that you go see her once you were finished here," Ninyun said respectfully, her head lowered.
Though a little surprised by the speed, Wu Liangchen wasn’t entirely caught off guard.
After all, this Third Brother Xie was quite strong. Once the poison was cleared from the wound, it was only a matter of time before she woke up.
"Very well. Thank you, Miss Ninyun."
Ninyun’s face flushed red as she quickly bowed. "You’re too kind, Master Wu."
’This title still feels a bit awkward.’ But he couldn’t be bothered with such trivial details right now. Wu Liangchen quickened his pace and soon arrived at Moqin Pavilion.
The entrance and main hall of Moqin Pavilion were packed with people, all of them Third Brother’s subordinates.
Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, they automatically parted to form a path, their gazes a mixture of curiosity and gratitude.
The curiosity stemmed from the fact that many of them still didn’t know who Wu Liangchen was.
The gratitude was because they had heard what happened. They knew that if it weren’t for this young man, Third Brother would likely have been dead for some time.
Wu Liangchen paid no mind to their stares. He headed up the stairs—THUMP, THUMP, THUMP—and arrived at the quiet room on the second floor.
The room was quiet. Only the young man named Yan Feng stood guard by the door.
Upon seeing Wu Liangchen, he immediately stood, gave a slight nod, and then stepped out of the room.
CLICK. The door shut from the outside.
With the windows shut tight, the room was somewhat dim and filled with the smell of medicine.
Just then, a weak, hoarse voice came from the bed. "Is that Xiaowu?"
Wu Liangchen walked to the bedside. He saw Third Brother Xie leaning against the headboard, her face a waxy yellow. Even her once-bright, spirited eyes were now dull and lifeless.
When she saw Wu Liangchen, Third Brother Xie’s lips twitched into a pained smile.
"You were the one shooting the arrows by the river, weren’t you?"
"I was."
"Truly incredible. If you hadn’t intervened when you did, I..."
Before she could finish, Third Brother Xie broke into a violent coughing fit.
With each cough, a spot of crimson bloomed on the bandages covering her chest—a startling sight.
Wu Liangchen rushed forward, but there was nothing he could do.
Her external wounds were no longer a major issue, but the damage to her internal organs would require a long period of recovery.
After what seemed like an eternity, Third Brother Xie finally managed to stop coughing. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and let out a soft breath.
"Goddamn it, that hurt like a motherfucker."
Though it was hardly the time for it, Wu Liangchen couldn’t help but feel a little amused.
This was because Third Brother Xie had always projected an image of cold, hard stoicism—an impression so strong it could make you subconsciously forget she was a woman.
It wasn’t until this pained curse escaped her lips that a hint of feminine vulnerability suddenly emerged.
As if realizing she had said something out of character, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, and she quickly changed the subject.
"News just came in. Mo Daoyuan of the Beheading Gang is in league with Zhang Pengcheng of the Black Banner Camp. No wonder I felt the men who ambushed us at the riverbank didn’t seem like men of the martial world, but more like regular soldiers."
After delivering this long speech, Third Brother Xie had to catch her breath for a long moment before she could continue.
"And I hear that Zhang Pengcheng took two arrows. His life isn’t in danger, but he won’t be on his feet again anytime soon."
Wu Liangchen didn’t interrupt, simply standing by and listening quietly.
He knew Third Brother Xie hadn’t called him here just to analyze the situation.
Sure enough.
Just as he thought, Third Brother Xie spoke again, her voice weak. "Mo Daoyuan will never let this rest. Knowing him, he’ll seize this opportunity to incite Zhang Pengcheng to get directly involved."
"The Huangpu Guard has a rule that officials don’t meddle in the affairs of the martial world. But the situation has changed. The Great Yan dynasty is on its last legs, and every faction is making a move. Fewer and fewer people are adhering to the old rules."
"So, if I’m not mistaken, it won’t be long before they make their move, taking advantage of my severe injuries."
At this, Third Brother Xie looked up at Wu Liangchen, the effort clear on her face.
"That is the situation we’re facing. I asked you here because I need to ask a favor of you."
Wu Liangchen was silent for a moment before he slowly asked, "Why me?"
’Actually, Wu Liangchen had already guessed Third Brother Xie’s purpose on his way over.’
’She had laid so much groundwork, but what she really wanted to say could be boiled down to a single request.’
’She wanted to ask him to hold down the fort at Flower Square while she recovered, to fend off the Beheading Gang, the Black Banner Camp, and any other opportunistic forces.’
