Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Confiscation
Han Yuan was no fool. He understood the meaning behind Du Qiuxu’s words.
The Fugui Gambling House likely had a shady relationship with the Bai Family.
Otherwise, he would not have been specifically sent to investigate it.
This mission was the answer Du Qiuxu was giving him.
When Han Yuan walked out of the Observatory’s main gate, ten members of the Black Death Guard were already waiting for him, clad in somber black armor with greatswords strapped to their backs.
"Lord Han."
"I am Chen Fei, captain of the Black Death Guard."
"From this point on, all operations are at your command."
A tall, powerfully built member of the Black Death Guard stepped forward, cupping his fist.
"Thank you all for your trouble."
"Next, we are going to raid the Fugui Gambling House in the city."
Han Yuan said in a low voice.
"As you command."
Chen Fei gave a fist-and-palm salute, his expression calm.
The Black Death Guard acted only on orders, never questioning the reasons why.
Soon.
Han Yuan led the ten members of the Black Death Guard, and they sprinted toward the Fugui Gambling House.
In Cangshui County Town, gambling houses were permitted to operate.
The prerequisite was obtaining a permit from the County Government Office.
Generally speaking, without tens of thousands of taels of silver to grease the right palms, this permit was incredibly difficult to obtain.
The Fugui Gambling House was one such establishment that possessed a permit from the Government Office.
As a result, the gambling house wasn’t tucked away in some remote alley but was brazenly situated on the bustling Xingchang Street.
Xingchang Street was one of the liveliest thoroughfares in the outer city, with a massive amount of foot traffic each day. Consequently, the gambling house’s business was booming; it was practically raking in money hand over fist.
Niu Jin was the big boss of the Fugui Gambling House. He was also an Inner Breath Martial Artist, known in the Martial World as Iron Bead.
This was because no matter where he went, he was always rolling two iron beads in his palm.
Just like any other day.
Niu Jin sat in a corner, his right hand rough and broad. In his palm, he rolled two apple-sized iron balls.
A smile involuntarily spread across his face as he gazed at the bustling scene within the gambling house.
"Master Niu."
"I didn’t bring enough money today."
"How about you lend me two hundred taels of silver for now?"
A young master, his mind clouded from losing, walked over and spoke bluntly.
His eyes were bloodshot, a hysterical madness within them.
"Young Master Zhou, it seems you’ve already mortgaged all of your family’s properties."
"You’re putting me in a difficult position..."
Niu Jin shook his head slightly.
"I still have my family’s ancestral home."
"It may be a bit dilapidated, but the land is large enough."
"It’s still worth two hundred taels of silver!"
The young master’s crimson eyes were fixed on Niu Jin.
"Alright."
"Take Young Master Zhou to the accounting office."
Niu Jin chuckled and called over a subordinate.
’With a fat sheep like this, I have to bleed him dry, squeezing out every last drop of value.’
Just then.
BANG!
A figure shot in like a cannonball, smashing heavily into a gambling table and sending the room into an uproar.
"Who dares to cause trouble in my Fugui Gambling House!"
Niu Jin hurriedly ordered his men to control the crowd as he walked toward the entrance.
The next moment.
A strong, burly figure with a long blade strapped to his back strode into the Fugui Gambling House.
"Is that... a Piyao Robe?"
"What’s a Demon Exterminator doing at the Fugui Gambling House?"
"Did Niu Jin offend the Observatory?"
The gamblers’ expressions shifted as they saw the man dressed in the Profound Black Piyao Robe.
’A Demon Exterminator...’
A trace of apprehension flashed through Niu Jin’s eyes.
’These Demon Exterminators are the worst kind of trouble.’
’But I’ve already greased all the necessary palms.’
’Why would the Demon Extermination Department still be coming after me?’
Niu Jin couldn’t understand it.
Nevertheless, he stepped in front of Han Yuan. "Sir, what business brings you here today?"
"My Fugui Gambling House is a legitimate business. I even have the permit issued by the Government Office."
’This man’s stance makes it clear he’s here to cause trouble.’
Niu Jin naturally had to claim the moral high ground first.
"You’re the owner of the Fugui Gambling House?"
Han Yuan asked coolly, looking at the big man before him.
"I am."
Niu Jin’s tone was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Excellent."
"Your gambling house is hereby shut down."
"And you... are under arrest."
Han Yuan said with a wide grin.
"Sir... are you joking?"
Niu Jin’s expression turned cold.
’Shutting down the Fugui Gambling House and arresting me in front of all these people...’
’How could I ever show my face in Cangshui County again?’
"What do you think?"
Han Yuan asked coolly, his eyes locked on Niu Jin.
Niu Jin snorted. "The Observatory doesn’t run Cangshui County. You can’t just arrest people as you please!"
"So, you’re resisting arrest?"
Han Yuan grew excited, even licking his lips.
"Hmph!"
"And what if I do?"
"What can one man like you possibly do to me?"
Niu Jin had made his way in Cangshui County for many years; his martial skill was naturally considerable.
He was confident that even if it came to blows, he wouldn’t lose to this Demon Exterminator.
"Then I can kill you in broad daylight with full justification!"
Han Yuan grinned.
The next moment.
He powerfully pushed off with his legs, transforming into a blur as he charged at Niu Jin.
"As if I’d be afraid of you!"
Niu Jin roared, circulating his Inner Breath as his right hand fiercely crushed the two iron balls.
The iron shards coated the surface of his palm as he unleashed a heavy strike!
This was the Iron Sand Palm he had cultivated for over twenty years. The Palm Force was tyrannical and ferocious, and even contained a trace of Fire Poison!
Once the Fire Poison infiltrated the internal organs, its victim would be all but crippled.
But in the next instant.
He felt a violent gale of air rushing toward him.
The gale was so ferocious it made his face sting, as if he were being battered by a colossal wave.
This was because his opponent’s power was so immense that it compressed the air into a Gang Feng!
When fist met palm.
BAM!
It was like the roar of a sledgehammer striking an iron plate.
Niu Jin’s palm was instantly pulverized.
The colossal force of the impact sent his entire body flying.
Before he could go far, Han Yuan’s right leg whipped up like lightning, striking Niu Jin squarely in the spine.
The kick launched Niu Jin into the air, and he smashed right through the roof.
Two breaths later, he came crashing back down.
THUD!
Niu Jin’s impact shattered the floorboards.
He vomited blood uncontrollably, his twisted body convulsing.
Everyone who saw this knew.
Niu Jin was already a dead man.
He was the kind of dead man that not even a miracle could bring back.
For a moment.
The Fugui Gambling House fell deathly silent.
No one dared to make a sound, terrified of drawing Han Yuan’s attention.
"All of you, get the hell out."
"And don’t even think about fishing in troubled waters by taking something that isn’t yours."
Han Yuan’s gaze swept across the gambling hall as he waved for everyone to leave.
As if any of the gamblers would dare; they all swarmed out of the gambling house.
However, Han Yuan had the gambling house’s enforcers stay behind.
Then, Han Yuan had Chen Fei bring his men in to seize the Fugui Gambling House’s assets.
Heavy wooden chests were carried out one by one, destined for the Observatory.
...
"Something happened at the Fugui Gambling House?"
Bai Muxin’s brow furrowed upon hearing the news.
"Master... it was Han Yuan who did it."
"He even killed Niu Jin by shattering his spine with a kick."
The informant reported.
"This retaliation... came swiftly indeed."
Bai Muxin let out a cold laugh.
Everyone in Cangshui County knew that the Fugui Gambling House was an enterprise of his Bai Family.
Raiding the Fugui Gambling House in broad daylight and killing Niu Jin was a clear and blatant move against the Bai Family.
But Bai Muxin also knew that this must have been Du Qiuxu’s intention.
