Chương 183: Qinghe in Turmoil

New Fierce Tiger Gang. Before even approaching the headquarters, Song Que saw quite a few gang members appearing and disappearing along the street. Raising his hand to stop them from coming out to salute, he felt quite satisfied with the current security arrangements. This is what a major gang should look like! Waiting until people crash the gates without daring to make a move, relying on the bosses to resolve everything—what's the point of that?! I might as well open a kindergarten!

Seeing Boss Song arrive, the two guards at the gate hurriedly bowed:"Greetings, Gang Leader!"

"Mhm, no need for formalities." Smiling and nodding, Song Que and Xiong Ba walked straight inside. After a few steps, they saw Nie Feng and several others coming out to welcome them after receiving the news.

"Young Master!"...

"Young Master Song!"...

"Gang Leader!"

"Big Brother, you're here!" The forms of address were completely chaotic, but Song Que didn't mind, nodding to everyone one by one.

"Haha, everyone, no need for such formalities! A'Xin, you're looking more spirited by the day! It seems my decision to send you to the Fierce Tiger Gang for training was absolutely correct!"

"Hehe, Big Brother, these past few days I've learned a lot from Big Brother Nie, Big Brother Shen, and the other big brothers!"

"Very good! Keep working hard!" Seeing that Li Xin's personality had become a bit more steady, Song Que nodded in satisfaction:"Let's go inside to talk."

"Yes!" Entering the Discussion Hall, he called for someone to serve fragrant tea before slowly speaking:"Where did Brother Hong go?"

"Young Master, Zhong Hong had some matters to attend to outside earlier. He should be back in a bit. Do you need me to send someone to call him?" Hearing the question, Nie Feng stepped forward and explained. Song Que shook his head upon hearing this:"No need for that. Since he isn't here, I'll trouble you with this matter, Old Nie. Later, have someone find a group of workers to dig a lake at Plum Manor for me, roughly around two acres in size. Also, build a room next to it for me.

It doesn't need to be exquisite, but it absolutely must be sturdy and secluded."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Have there been any problems in the Gang these past few days?"

"Young Master, everything is fine! After the news of you fighting the 'Breeze Sword' Zhu Yinming to a draw spread, the number of people coming to pay their respects has increased significantly! Outsiders also show our Fierce Tiger Gang quite a bit of respect! Many people implicitly want to join! However, the cultivation of these people isn't low; we would need to offer high positions to recruit them. Brother Shen and I haven't dared to make a decision on our own.

We were originally planning to return to Plum Manor today to report to you!" Nie Feng said happily.

"Haha, very good! It seems you and Brother Shen have worked hard these past few days, Old Nie!"

"Young Master Song exaggerates. It is all part of my duty." Shen Ziming shook his head, not daring to claim credit. Although with his abilities he would be heavily relied upon wherever he went, to be trusted with a heavy responsibility here before even establishing an inch of merit was different! Furthermore, Song Que's implication last time was clear: the Fierce Tiger Gang would entirely be handed over for him to manage in the future!

Old Shen couldn't help but feel a sense of 'a warrior dying for one who truly understands him'.

"Old Shen, you don't need to be so modest! I see everything you do. In the future, you guys can make decisions on these matters yourselves! Just inform me afterward; there's no need to be so troublesome."

"Thank you for your trust, Young Master Song!" Shen Ziming cupped his hands gratefully. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

"Anyway, Plum Manor needs some time for renovations, so I'll be staying at the Gang for the next few days. Choose a day and send out invitations to those people for a gathering here; I will personally step forward to recruit them!"

"Yes, Young Master (Young Master Song)!" Nie Feng and Shen Ziming happily cupped their hands and accepted the order. Right at this moment, a travel-worn and weary Zhong Hong walked in from outside. Seeing Song Que, his eyes lit up and he called out:"A'Que, you're here!"

"Haha, Brother Hong, where have you been working hard today?"

"Don't even mention it! The city is a mixed bag of dragons and snakes right now; it's annoying me to death!"

"Oh? I wonder what happened again?" Zhong Hong casually found a chair and leaned back exhaustedly before continuing his grumbling:"It was a minor issue at the blacksmith shop that required Old Fan and me to make a trip." Hearing this, Song Que's expression hardened slightly:"What kind of matter required both of you to go over?!"

"It was nothing serious. I've already resolved it." Seeing Brother Hong's evasive gaze, his suspicion grew heavier! If the matter was as simple as he claimed, it wouldn't have required two Hall Masters to be present simultaneously! Song Que, displeased, asked in a deep voice:"Brother Hong, explain it to me clearly!" Seeing Song Que's expression, Zhong Hong knew he couldn't hide it from him.

He hesitated for a moment before recounting the whole story:"It was Su Wu, the newly appointed Vice Hall Master of the Lingjiang Gang's Qinghe Docks. He used the excuse of coming to our Gang's blacksmith shop to buy weapons. In the end, not only did the deal fall through, but he also nitpicked and disparaged our items as worthless! Furthermore, he destroyed several sabers and swords in the shop! Upon hearing the news, Fan Yiwang and I had to immediately rush over to handle it."

"Bang!" Song Que's eyes turned icy! He slammed his hand heavily on the table and growled:"Truly bullying people too far!" What kind of goods were in the blacksmith shop? One look was enough to know! Ever since the former manager Lin Min was exiled by him to the Black Iron Stronghold, that place had shifted to only selling ordinary sabers and swords, ironware, and offering repair services! A Fifth-Grade martial artist going there to look for items—wasn't that just looking for trouble?!

It seems the Lingjiang Gang still hasn't given up on me! Even with Old Du tangled up in worldly affairs right now, he hasn't forgotten to find trouble for me! Such 'affection' is truly rare! Tap... tap... tap... The entire Discussion Hall was dead silent, save for the rhythmic tapping of Song Que's fingers on the table. No one made a sound to interrupt his thoughts. Right now, Boss Song's mind was racing, weighing the strength between himself and Old Du! His side was definitely weaker—that went without saying!

He was calculating his chances of escaping if he faced Du Ruhui and a group of Lingjiang Gang experts! Currently, everyone's eyes were fixed on the Lingjiang Commandery! No matter how bold Old Du was, he wouldn't dare attack him openly right now! If he wanted to come, it could only be a secret sneak attack like last time! Nowadays, Song Que's martial path was progressing rapidly, and his physical strength had reached the power of 8 Bears!

Moreover, he had Xiong Ba and Nie Feng, two individuals comparable to Fifth-Grade martial artists! If they were well-prepared and led dozens of Fierce Tiger Gang experts to block a wave of Du Ruhui's attacks, it shouldn't be a problem! After that, I'll naturally summon that bald monk Hui Wu to uphold justice for me! Thinking of this, Boss Song felt somewhat relieved and quickly made a decision.

"What is the current situation of the Lingjiang Gang's Qinghe Hall?"

"Young Master, currently, a Lingjiang Gang Elder named Chu Tianqiu, a Sixth-Grade martial artist, is temporarily acting as the Hall Master at the Qinghe Docks. Below him, the Vice Hall Master Su Wu you just mentioned is managing things on his behalf." Nie Feng immediately stepped forward to explain. Hearing this, Song Que's face showed no emotion. He merely nodded indifferently and asked:"Do these kinds of incidents happen often in the Gang?"

"Young Master, this is the first time someone from the Lingjiang Gang has caused trouble! But previously, there were quite a few newly arrived foreign martial artists who had some friction with us; ultimately, everything was settled smoothly."

"Hehehe! It seems a bunch of people with eyes higher than their heads think our county city gangs are easy to bully! Old Nie, tell me everything in detail!" Following Nie Feng's recounting, Song Que finally understood that the city had been far from peaceful these days! Even a faction with their prestige, the Fierce Tiger Gang, had people eating free meals and staying for free at the Ye Lai Inn! What was worse, there were even people who dared to gamble at the Golden Deer Casino, lose, and refuse to pay!

Reaching into Boss Song's pockets for money—that is unforgivable! If the Fierce Tiger Gang was in this state, the other factions weren't doing any better, and were in fact far more miserable! Old Tie of the Golden Snake Gang lived in constant fear, frequently being extorted and scammed! Even the Yun family's Cloud Sea Pavilion was subjected to forced buying and selling! Truly, the world today is overrun by ghosts and monsters!

"Where are the people from the Six Doors in the city?"

"Young Master, the Six Doors won't interfere in these matters! Besides, they already moved to the Lingjiang Commandery two days ago to continue their investigation." It seems they, like Hui Wu, received the news beforehand that the old thief 'Blood-Robed' had fled, and are currently in pursuit! Since there are no more top experts in Qinghe City, Boss Song felt it was time to let these martial world vagabonds know who is the host and who are the guests here!

Song Que's eyes gradually turned cold:"Old Nie, go out and gather our manpower! Brother Hong, have someone find out where that guy Su Wu is right now! Assemble the Gang's upper echelon and await my orders!"

"Yes! Young Master!" Before Nie Feng could speak, Xiong Ba, like a shark smelling blood, excitedly grabbed his Heavenly King Hammer, stood up, and roared loudly. Zhong Hong:...

"Brother Hong, you don't need to worry. Just go and investigate. I have considered everything." Seeing Zhong Hong hesitating to speak, Song Que instructed him in a tone that brokered no argument. Ultimately unable to sway his mind, Zhong Hong turned and went out to have someone gather information. Before long, the upper echelon of the Fierce Tiger Gang, leading dozens of underlings, set out from the main gate in a massive and mighty formation!

Quite a few people who feared the world wasn't chaotic enough saw this scene and excitedly cheered, pulling their friends along to follow them! That momentum was incredibly grand and magnificent!