The following morning at dawn.
Yang Ge saw off Yang Tiansheng and others from the city, and after giving numerous instructions, Yang Tiansheng led his elite men from the Ming Sect’s Qingmu Hall to rush towards Zhoushan Nansha Bay, shielded by the brilliant sunrise of early spring.
Once Yang Ge returned to the city alone, he casually pulled out a half-face demon mask from his bosom and fastened it to his face, then removed the grey cloth from his Cold Moon Treasure Sabre and hung the sabre at his waist.
In the midst of the jostling crowd, Gu Tong and others silently gathered behind him, shedding their disguises as they walked, revealing the embroidered robes and ox-tail dao swords worn beneath.
The closer they got to the Jiangzhe Commandery Marshal Office, the more embroidered-robed strongmen gathered behind Yang Ge...
The sudden appearance of a large group of embroidered guards in the streets immediately drew the attention of numerous pedestrians.
"Is that the Second Master?"
"Holy mother, it really is the Second Master!"
"Second Master, have you had breakfast yet? I just bought these steamed buns, and I haven’t even touched them."
"Don’t eat his steamed buns, make way, make way. Second Master, try the sesame cakes from the Liu family..."
Amidst a buzzing chorus of shouts, an increasing number of Jiangzhe locals scrambled forward, excitedly clamoring around them, utterly flustered.
News of Yang Ge’s return to Hangzhou had already spread throughout the city.
Everywhere in Hangzhou, visitors were urged to try the city’s sesame cakes, wontons, and steamed buns...
But it wasn’t until today that they finally saw Yang Ge.
The crowd swelled and boiled with excitement, everyone eager to push forward to see Yang Ge and to get a look at the young man who had tirelessly labored for their sake.
Surrounded by a sea of people, Yang Ge raised his left hand high and waved to the crowd, his True Qi amplifying his voice as he called out, "I’ve already had breakfast, and so have my brothers. Thank you all for your kindness; there’s no need to worry about me all the time. I’m doing well, and you all should also live well, take care of yourselves, dress warmly, provide for the elderly, and nurture the children... Yang Erlang salutes all the fathers and fellow villagers!"
He passed the Cold Moon Treasure Sabre to Gu Tong behind him and raised both hands in a fist-and-palm salute all around.
The crowd responded in unison, saluting Yang Ge with fists clenched: "Long life to the Second Master, may you rise to high positions..."
Escorted by the protective crowd, Yang Ge and his men stepped into the Jiangzhe Commandery Marshal Office one step at a time.
"What’s he here for?"
Jiangzhe Regional Commandant Chen Du, who had led his officials out to meet them upon hearing the news, felt a chilling sensation at the base of his neck at the sight of this scene.
He hadn’t fled with the Minister of Provincial Administration and the other civil officials, not because he wasn’t afraid of Yang Erlang or didn’t want to flee, but because he was a military officer charged with the duty to guard the land—he couldn’t flee, he dared not flee...
Now, seeing Yang Erlang coming with a saber in such a spectacular manner, Chen Du wished he could slap himself in the face, thinking, ’Told you to run, but you wouldn’t, now look at you, trapped... going to die, going to die, going to die!’
Seeing the smile in Yang Ge’s eyes fading as he entered the Marshal Office, Chen Du hastily braced himself and came forward to greet him with a bow and salute: "I am the Jiangzhe Regional Commandant Chen Du. I was unaware of Lord Yang’s arrival and failed to welcome you properly, please forgive me, Lord Yang."
"A respectful welcome to Lord Yang!"
All the officers also bowed and saluted in unison, none daring to meet Yang Ge’s gaze.
With such a scene, who would believe that every person present, even the lowest in rank, was at a higher level than Yang Ge before he rose to fame?
The leading Jiangzhe Regional Commandant Chen Du was even a senior second-ranked official!
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"Let’s talk inside."
Yang Ge dropped this indifferent phrase and walked straight past Chen Du, with Gu Tong and others with hands on their sabers following closely behind.
Chen Du stood up, shot a fierce look at his subordinates, meaning "hurry up and cover your tracks", then quickly followed Yang Ge’s footsteps.
But Yang Ge, as if he had eyes at the back of his head, spoke softly without turning his head: "My lords might want to take the time to check if the records of ghost soldiers, blood-sucking wages, involvement in smuggling, and extorting the Canal Transportation, are enough for a clan execution. If it’s not enough, I can send some evidence over to make up the numbers..."
His lightly floated words struck terror into all the officials of the Jiangzhe Commandery, causing them to break out into a cold sweat.
Chen Du felt his heart trembling like a lodged thorn, desperately squeezing out a stiff smile, and said with a laugh, "Lord Yang, what are you talking about? If you’re dissatisfied with me or anyone else, just say the word; I certainly won’t dirty your hands..."
Yang Ge: "Heh heh."
Chen Du: "Heh heh heh..."
Yang Ge strode into the Commandery Marshal’s main hall, with Gu Tong and others with their sabers standing outside the hall, leaving only Chen Du to follow Yang Ge into the hall, wiping sweat from his brow.
As soon as they entered the main hall, Yang Ge made himself comfortable in a chair and then softly uttered one word: "Sit."
Chen Du sat on the chair next to him with a forced smile, sitting upright with his back straight, barely touching the seat.
Yang Ge tilted his head, staring at him unblinkingly...
Chen Du, sweat beading on his forehead under Yang Ge’s gaze, dared not wipe it away and could only force a laugh, "Lord, is there something on my face?"
"There’s no flower on your face!"
Yang Ge replied with a laugh, "It’s just that you’ve been playing a bit too fast and loose..."
Chen Du reached for his sleeve to wipe away the sweat, not daring to respond, not daring at all!
Yang Ge’s smile faded as he said calmly, "You know what I’m here for in the south, don’t you?"
Chen Du quickly nodded: "Crystal clear, crystal clear..."
Yang Ge: ???
I haven’t even come up with the pretext yet, and you’re crystal clear about what?
He kept his expression neutral, continuing to bluff, "According to my original intention, this trip south would have swept away both big fish and small, so as to avoid multiple trips to Jiangnan..."