With a knife on his neck, Ma Kuo had no choice but to calm down.
He waved his hand and asked the others to put down their weapons. He looked straight at Chu Xiu and said, "Tell me, how did you know about us?"
Chu Xiu said calmly, "I guessed it. Master Ma's Kung Fu is pretty good. I can tell that you're not from an unorthodox background. And judging from your behavior, although you look like bandits, you're very obedient. You don't have the sloppiness of ordinary bandits. Moreover, Stronghold Master Ma mentioned the two words' Qilian 'last time. This makes people even more suspicious. Other than the Qilian Iron Cavalry of the Thirty-Six Bandits of the Northern Lands, bandits and Qilian together, I really can't think of anyone else. "
Ma Kuo smiled bitterly and said, "Damn it, I didn't keep my mouth shut."
In fact, although Chu Xiu said that he had relied on these detailed observations, he was actually able to confirm the identity of the other party because the original plot mentioned information about the 36 Northern Bandits.
Small fights were called bandits, but when they were developed to the extreme, they would become great bandits who would plunder the world!
There were three great powers in the world, Northern Yan, Eastern Qi, and Western Chu. Their strength was similar now, but a few decades ago, Northern Yan was extremely weak. It was attacked by Eastern Qi and Western Chu together. It couldn't even manage its external affairs, let alone its internal affairs.
In troubled times, bandits rose up. In the Northern Yan Kingdom, groups of bandits quickly grew and became the 36 Northern Bandits. They were so powerful that they even dared to rob the Northern Yan imperial court and the major sects in the Jianghu.
But later, Northern Yan rose again. It was said that the 36 Northern Bandits also offended the Northern Yan martial arts sect, the Northern Snowfall City. They were defeated by the Northern Yan imperial court and the Northern Snowfall City. The leaders of the 36 Northern Yan were either killed or crippled. They were no longer a threat.
In the original plot, there was news that the 36 Northern Bandits had appeared in Wei County. It was because of this news that Chu Xiu could confirm Ma Kuo's identity.
Chu Xiu removed his saber and said calmly, "I know your background, Chief Ma, but I didn't announce it. Chief Ma should know my sincerity now, right?"
Ma Kuo rubbed his neck and mumbled, "Your blade is indeed fast, but if the distance was any further, I wouldn't have given you the chance to get close to me!"
Ma Kuo put on a brave front and asked, "What do you want to trade with my boss? You can tell me first. "
Chu Xiu said in a deep voice, "I know the whereabouts of the leader of the Qilian iron cavalry of the Thirty-six Great Bandits, 'Red Faced Heavenly King' Pang Hu! I wonder if this information is enough for us to trade? "
Ma Kuo was shocked and shouted, "Do you really know where the First Master is? You're not lying to me? "
Chu Xiu said indifferently, "Bring me to see the person behind you. He will naturally be able to tell whether what I said is true or false. Moreover, I won't dare to lie when I get there."
Ma Kuo thought for a while and said, "Alright, then come with me. My boss is at the Northern Mang Mountain. It will take a few days to get there."
The Northern Mang Mountain was originally just a mountain range, but the mountain range in the middle was slightly smaller. The Tong State Prefecture was located in the middle, so the locals in Wei County called it the Northern Mang Mountain and the Southern Mang Mountain.
Chu Xiu was currently at the Southern Mang Mountain, which led to the Southern Mountain Mining Area. The Northern Mang Mountain was located in the north of the Tong State Prefecture, which led to the Yan Kingdom.
Ma Kuo brought Chu Xiu all the way to the Northern Mang Mountain. It took them five days to reach the Northern Mang Mountain by taking shortcuts.
In the Northern Mang Mountain, a sizable stronghold appeared in front of Chu Xiu. There were tall watchtowers around it, and it looked much more formal than Ma Kuo's stronghold.
Ma Kuo explained, "After we came to Wei County, my boss built a stronghold here. But just in case, we have a small group of people scattered outside, just like my stronghold."
Ma Kuo whistled a few strange sounds, and immediately a few bandits came to him. They cupped their hands and said to Ma Kuo, "Boss Ma, how come you have time to come back today? Who is this guy? "
Ma Kuo said, "An acquaintance. I will bring him to see the boss first."
The bandits nodded and left. Obviously, Ma Kuo had enough prestige here that he was worth the trust of these bandits.
After arranging a meeting room for Chu Xiu, Ma Kuo left immediately. Obviously, he was going to see the person behind him.
Chu Xiu was not in a hurry. He quietly drank his tea. After a while, Ma Kuo walked in with a tall and muscular man who was also in his thirties. He had a leopard's head and a pair of round eyes.
This man was much stronger than Chu Xiu. He had reached the Blood Condensation Realm, and from what Chu Xiu could see, he had even reached the peak of the Blood Condensation Realm. He was only one step away from the Xiantian Realm.
The man looked at Chu Xiu, and a fierce aura came from him. He said in a deep voice, "So you are the one who said you know where the boss is?"
Ma Kuo quickly said, "This is Boss Han Bao. He used to be one of the boss's personal guards."
Chu Xiu stood up and cupped his hands. "Yes, I am. Chu Xiu greets you, Boss Han."
Han Bao waved his hand and snorted. "Don't talk nonsense. Tell me what you want. Of course, don't even think about asking for too much. Otherwise, I can pry the boss's information out of your mouth! "
Chu Xiu shook his head. "Boss Han, you don't need to scare me. Actually, I didn't plan to trade this information with you. Now, I will tell you as a gift. As far as I know, after the boss was injured by the Northern Yan Imperial Court, Pang Hu has been hiding in the barren mountains and forests of Liaodong County in the north. He is recovering his strength and wants to make a comeback. "
Chu Xiu did not lie to them. In the future, this' Scarlet-Faced Heavenly King 'Pang Hu had indeed caused some trouble for the Northern Yan Imperial Court after he had recovered his strength. Unfortunately, it was only a small problem and was easily resolved by the Northern Yan Imperial Court.
Han Bao was puzzled. "You are not lying to me? There were people from the Northern Floating Snow City who participated in the extermination of the 36 Bandits. The Northern Floating Snow City is in the north. Why would the boss continue to stay in the north? "
Chu Xiu said indifferently, "The barren mountains and forests of Liaodong are uninhabited. Neither the Northern Floating Snow City nor the Northern Yan Imperial Court will enter it. Only some herb gatherers enter occasionally.
Boss Pang Hu only wants to recover his strength, not to expand his power. This place is perfect for him.
Moreover, you all should have heard of the saying that it is dark under the lamp. Even your own people did not expect that Pang Hu would stay in the north, let alone the Imperial Court and the Northern Floating Snow City.
If Boss Han doesn't believe me, you can send someone to Liaodong County to take a look. There must be a secret signal that Boss Pang Hu left for you. From here to Liaodong County on horseback, it will take about a month. "
Han Bao's expression softened after hearing this. He cupped his fists at Chu Xiu and said, "If we can really find the boss, I, Han Bao, will owe you a favor. Tell me, what do you want?"
Chu Xiu didn't say what he wanted. He asked instead, "After we find Boss Pang Hu, what are you going to do?"
Han Bao said matter-of-factly, "Of course I'm going to bring the people from the stronghold to seek refuge with the boss."
Chu Xiu shook his head and said, "That's not right. Boss Han, the Head Pang Hu is currently recuperating. There's no point in seeking refuge with him. Instead, your actions will increase the risk of exposing the Head Pang Hu. So I can guarantee that after the people you send meet the Head Pang Hu, the Head Pang Hu will definitely let you stay in Wei Prefecture for the time being and listen to his orders. So what you need to do now, Boss Han, is to accumulate money and cultivation resources in Wei County to prepare for the future rise of the boss. "
Han Bao's eyes flickered. He was a boorish man. When he followed Pang Hu, he was just an ordinary guard, loyal and courageous.
However, he wasn't an idiot. Although Chu Xiu's words sounded nice, he wouldn't just believe the words of an outsider like Chu Xiu.
Han Bao asked directly, "Chu Xiu brat, why are you so considerate of me? Although your Chu clan only has a bit of influence in Tong Province, you are still a local tyrant. Don't tell me you want to join our Northern Thirty-Six Bandits? "
Chu Xiu said in a low voice, "What I want is very simple. I don't want to make a deal with you, Boss Han. I want to cooperate, a long-term cooperation."
"Cooperation? What kind of cooperation? "
Chu Xiu pointed at the Shang Mang Mountain outside and said, "Wei County is a lawless area. The Northern Yan rule over Wei County in name only, so there are bandits running rampant in Wei County. Even in this Shang Mang Mountain, there are probably dozens of groups of bandits. However, these bandits have gone too far. They rob and kill, showing no mercy to the traveling merchants. "
Han Bao sneered, "We are bandits, and they are merchants. Why should we show mercy to them?"
Chu Xiu shook his head and said, "But it is precisely because of this that the merchants are afraid of the bandits that they don't take the small paths in Shang Mang Mountain. Instead, they take the main road. Although it is time-consuming, it is safe. Or they arrange for a large number of guards to accompany them so that the bandits can't make a move. As more and more of these situations occur, the business of bandits in Shang Mang Mountain will decrease. "
Han Bao frowned. Even the Northern Thirty-Six Bandits of such a large scale had people specially assigned to come up with plans and strategies. He really hadn't considered these things before. Han Bao couldn't help but ask, "Then what should we do?"
Chu Xiu said in a low voice, "Nothing can be accomplished without rules. If there are no rules, then we will make them! The traveling merchants can enter and leave Shang Mang Mountain as they wish, but they have to pay a portion of the money. After Boss Han receives the money, you can take the initiative to escort the merchants out of Shang Mang Mountain. Anyone who has any designs on the merchants will be enemies with Boss Han. When the rules are set, and Boss Han's reputation spreads, the traveling merchants will take the initiative to pay you. "
Han Bao thought for a while and said, "Then wouldn't I be enemies with all the bandits in Shang Mang Mountain?"
Chu Xiu said indifferently, "It is enough for the entire Shang Mang Mountain to have one voice. Boss Han, don't you have the confidence to deal with those mobs?"
Han Bao laughed sinisterly and said, "Of course I do! If it weren't for my injuries, I would have dealt with that bunch of trash long ago. "
Chu Xiu looked at Han Bao in surprise. It seemed like this person's peak strength was at the Innate Realm. He had misjudged him.
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