"'Bone-Paring Knife' Zhu Tu Fu, 'Death Rush' Cui Yan, 'Evil Man' Zheng Zhi … What are these people planning by gathering in Qing 'an Prefecture?" MIngzhu's brows furrowed slightly as she murmured.
The names she mentioned were all infamous in Jianghu. They despised the government, disregarded the law, and regarded human life as nothing more than grass. However, their martial arts were extremely high, and it was difficult to trace them. Wanting to capture them and bring them to justice was as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Moreover, the imperial court and the Jianghu had always maintained a delicate balance. It was not to say that they did not interfere with each other, but as long as these people did not raise flags to rebel or do some extremely evil things, the imperial court would not put in any effort to encircle and suppress them. As for the disputes in the Jianghu, the local authorities actually turned a blind eye.
However, in recent days, countless people from the jianghu and underworld had gathered in Qing 'an Prefecture. Before they had even entered the city, they had all disappeared. She would never believe that they did not have any ulterior motives.
She had practiced martial arts since she was young and was no stranger to the matters of the jianghu. These people were extremely powerful. If they really gathered together and caused trouble, they would probably have to mobilize the garrison in the prefectural city to quell it.
"In the next few days, have your subordinates keep a close eye on their areas of jurisdiction. If there is anything out of the ordinary, report to me immediately," she said lightly as she put down the document in her hand.
"Yes, Boss, I will go and remind them now."
Liu Yiyi, who had been promoted to the head captain of the third squad of bailiffs, had a solemn expression. He saluted her and immediately retreated.
Only MIngzhu and a scribe were left in the hall.
Those people would not have gathered here for no reason. They had to figure out their intentions. In fact, the imperial court had always been worried about people like them, especially when it came to such a large-scale event, so they paid even more attention to it.
MIngzhu had a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she spoke again, "Investigate the purpose of those people and report to me as soon as possible."
"Your Highness, do not worry. I will do it immediately."
When the young scribe heard this, he stood up, bowed, and quickly disappeared.
… …
… …
Ten miles away from the prefectural city, at a roadside teahouse beside the official road.
"Pah! I have roamed the pugilistic world for so long, but I have never tasted such disgusting tea! " Beside a table by the roadside, a bald man with grease stains on his face spat out the tea in his mouth.
"Waiter, get your ass over here!"
After hearing the man's thunderous voice, the shop assistant with a white towel on his shoulder hurriedly ran over and asked with a face full of smiles, "What can I do for you, sir?"
The bald man smashed the teapot on the table and said angrily, "Change a pot of good tea for me. If you still use that kind of trash to fool me, I will smash your broken teahouse!"
"Sir, this is already our most …" The waiter explained helplessly. However, he saw the man's face turn fierce, and he immediately swallowed the rest of his words.
This teahouse was located in the wilderness. Other than the passersby and merchants, there were also many Jianghu people. The waiter had been serving tea here for some time and knew their temperament. If they did not agree with each other, they would smash this small teahouse. It was definitely not just to scare him.
"Sir, please wait a moment. I will immediately change it for you."
The waiter smiled apologetically as he said this. This time, he would probably have to bring out the best tea that the shopkeeper had kept hidden. Otherwise, he might not be able to get past this evil man.
There were many passersby resting in the teahouse. Seeing this, many people frowned. However, it was best not to cause trouble when they were outside. Moreover, the bald man did not seem to be someone to be trifled with. Even if they were angry, they did not dare to say anything.
The waiter quickly brought out a pot of good tea. This time, the bald man did not make things difficult for him. He scolded, "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit." After finishing the tea, he stood up and walked outside.
The waiter's eyelids twitched and he hurriedly chased after him. "Sir, sir, please wait a moment …"
"What else do you want?" The bald man turned around and glared at him.
"Sir, you, you haven't paid for the tea …" The waiter said timidly.
"Haha!" The bald man laughed a few times. He pulled out two boning knives from his back and stabbed them into the wooden table. The tips of the knives pierced through the table. The evil man held the handles and said, "What did you just say? I didn't hear it clearly. Say it again?"
"No, it's nothing. Sir, please take care …" The tip of the knives was suffused with a cold light. The waiter shivered and immediately hid far away. He no longer dared to mention the tea money.
The bald man pulled out the boning knives and left after laughing a few times.
Inside the teahouse, a young man looked at his companion with dissatisfaction and asked, "Why did you stop me just now?"
The man beside him smiled bitterly and said, "Junior Brother, being outside is not like being in the sect. You have to be careful … Did you see the two boning knives just now? If I'm not wrong, that person is …"
After hearing the man's words, the young man's expression softened a little. However, he still glared fiercely in the direction that the evil man had left.
"A good martial arts world has been turned into a mess by this kind of person. Hateful, really hateful …"
"Shh, Junior Brother, lower your voice. Don't let others hear you. It hasn't been peaceful here these past few days …"
The man lowered his voice so that others could no longer hear him.
On a mountain road somewhere.
A man with thin cheeks and a gloomy expression clapped his hands and said coldly, "With only this much ability, you still want to learn how to rob others. What kind of mountain bandits are you? Go be a ghost …"
On the ground in front of him were two famous bandits. However, their necks were twisted strangely to one side. Their faces were filled with fear and they had stopped breathing long ago.
With two bangs, the man kicked the two corpses to the side of the precipice. He looked left and right before his figure quickly disappeared on the mountain road.
In another place, beside a stream, a figure hidden in a thicket looked at the women washing clothes by the stream with a lustful gaze. His eyes flickered with light.
After a moment, the glimmer of light receded. Only a regretful voice could be heard, "How can a village girl from the mountains compare to the young ladies of the city? Forget it, let's get down to business first."
The short and stout dwarf with a fat head and big ears looked at the stream again before reluctantly withdrawing his gaze. He turned and walked deeper into the forest.
… …
… …
For the ordinary people of Anxi County, the past few days were extremely ordinary winter days. The gloomy weather lasted for a few days. Countless people were looking forward to the early arrival of the first snow of this winter. Auspicious snow indicated a bumper harvest in the coming year, and only then would they have a good harvest in the coming year. After experiencing a drought, they couldn't bear any more torment.
However, it was not easy for the bailiffs and citizens of the government and county government.
Within the prefectural city, everyone was on high alert. They followed the orders of their superiors and did their best to search for suspicious people within the city. They were extremely cautious.
The people of the jianghu near Qing 'an Prefecture also had the same feeling. Occasionally, they would hear some news and rumors from remote teahouses and restaurants. They could faintly feel that Qing' an Prefecture would not be peaceful in the next few days.
… …
… …
The isolated Willow Leaf Village was as quiet and peaceful as ever. After Sister Ruyi paid her respects to her father, she stayed in the village for a day. The next day, she returned to the prefectural city with Li Yi.
"Second Uncle's words make sense. My husband should practice more martial arts." Liu Ruyi said with a smile after hearing Li Yi tell her about yesterday's events.
Li Yi curled his lips. It was easy for an old man to say that. He had practiced martial arts often, but he had not made much progress. Until now, he had not felt the existence of zhenqi. He was also very helpless about this …
"Ruyi, take brother-in-law and Xiao Huan back to the city first. I have forgotten something and need to return to the village." On the way down the mountain, Liu Ruyi suddenly said when they were almost halfway down.
Liu Ruyi turned her head, looked at her, and nodded.
Seeing the three figures disappear at a corner of the mountain path, Liu Ruyi turned around and looked at a low slope that they had just passed.
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