Chương 30: The Four Great Experts of Yellow Leaf Town

Yellow Leaf Town. The group didn't stay together after entering the town. Song Que handed his cart over to Old Zhong, asking him to take it to Zhong Hui to handle, while he himself wandered around the streets casually. Looking at the blacksmith shop with its doors wide open, the clanging of metal ringing out endlessly just as before, Song Que sighed emotionally at how fast time flew. Reigning in his thoughts, he stepped inside. This time, there were no blind fools stepping up to cause trouble.

Seeing his fine attire, the burly guards at the door all smiled brightly and welcomed him in. Just then, the shop assistant, who had been resting his head on the counter in boredom, spotted Grandee Song. His eyes immediately lit up as he trotted over:"Young Master, please come in!" He enthusiastically pulled out a chair and poured tea before asking:"Young Master, is there anything specific you wish to buy? Our little shop's quality is renowned throughout the entire region!

How about this lowly one helps you pick out a fine sword? It would absolutely complement your majestic bearing perfectly!" Now this is human speech! This is how you do business! Grandee Song felt incredibly refreshed. Remembering his two visits here, the treatment was truly worlds apart. But it wasn't hard to figure out why. Over the past year, he had grown significantly taller, and his high-quality clothes were neat and crisp.

Furthermore, his face had been micro-adjusted by the Tesseract's muscle enhancements, making him exceptionally handsome. Anyone who saw him would have their eyes brighten. As long as they weren't blind, they would know this was a dashing, noble young master. Who would dare offend him? Taking a comfortable sip of tea, he said slowly:"A junior in my family wants to practice the saber. Help me pick out a good saber, not too heavy. Also, get me a dagger. That will be all." So straightforward! Two items sold instantly!

The assistant's eyes crinkled with joy as he hurried off to prepare the goods. Looking at the items laid out on the table, Song Que felt quite satisfied. The dagger was identical to his own, and the saber was thin, curved, and about eighty centimeters long—perfectly suited for Li Xin. Nodding, he asked the assistant, "Mm, these will do. Settle the bill." Tycoons are just this straightforward!

The assistant smiled so wide his mouth almost split:"For these two items, this lowly one will charge you twenty-five taels of silver." Ironware is damn expensive! Song Que was secretly shocked. But since his money came easily, he didn't feel the sting when spending it. He generously pulled out the silver and paid. Seeing the silver, the assistant's eyes shone brightly. He hastily took the money and used a cloth sack to wrap the two items for Grandee Song.

Nodding in satisfaction, Grandee Song asked casually:"The last time I was here, the assistant wasn't you, was it?" At the beginning of the year, the previous blacksmith assistant had been severely punished for his involvement in the theft of highly valuable goods. Thanks to his connections, he managed to keep his life, but his job was gone. This new assistant had practically been hit on the head by a pie falling from the sky. Snagging such a cushy, lucrative job naturally left him overjoyed.

Hearing someone ask about it, he felt like he had found an outlet to gossip and spilled the whole story:...

"And that's why, since over half a year ago, this lowly one became the new assistant here. It's perfectly normal that you find my face unfamiliar, Young Master, since you rarely visit." See? Offend Grandee Song, and even the heavens won't spare you! Song Que nodded in satisfaction, finding this kid very pleasing to the eye. He tossed him a loose piece of silver and asked with a smile:"Waiter, let me ask you. Are there any casinos open in town right now?

This Young Master traveled all night, and my hands are itching. I want to scratch this addiction a bit." With money in hand, the assistant became even more enthusiastic toward this Lord. Nodding like a pounding garlic pestle, he said:"Yes, yes, Young Master! Let this lowly one call someone to show you the way!" Saying that, he called over one of the burly guards, stuffed a few copper coins into his hand, and whispered something. The guard smiled brightly and eagerly stepped forward to lead the way.

Hearing there was money to be made, Grandee Song was extremely satisfied and followed energetically. The casino was quite empty in the morning. The great Oscar-winning Actor Song had to utilize 120% of his acting skills to secretly stash over thirty taels of silver into his Storage Space. Under the casino boss's reluctant and dark gaze, he left empty-handed. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Taking some time to buy a few new sets of clothes and some candies and preserves, Song Que felt he had everything he needed, so he headed back to the Zhong residence first. By now, everyone at the Zhong residence was very familiar with Song Que, and he greeted each of them warmly. Seeing that the Zhong brothers weren't home and the supply carts hadn't returned yet, he left his goods there, asked Old Zhong to load them onto his cart, and quickly went back out to find Zhong Hong....

Brother Hong was living quite glamorously lately. Occasionally receiving some money from Song Que for running errands, his life had become quite comfortable. Right now, Brother Hong was leading a whole gang of lackeys, roaming the streets and alleys all day, eating, drinking, and partying to their hearts' content, forgetting the heavens and the earth. Old Zhong was absolutely sick with worry over this. Yellow Leaf Town was small, so Song Que found him easily.

Currently, Zhong Hong and his gang were sitting at a street-side tea stall, cracking peanuts, drinking tea, and boasting loudly.

"Brother Hong!" Hearing the familiar voice, Zhong Hong was overjoyed and hurried forward to greet Song Que. Slinging an arm around his shoulder, he shouted to his fair-weather friends:"Song Que! You came to town today?! Brothers, this is my sworn brother! Quickly, call him Brother Song!" The group of lackeys had very sweet mouths. They chorused "Brother Song!" in unison without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

Rubbing his nose, Song Que smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, teasing:"Brother Hong, congratulations on your recent promotion and rising status!"

"Haha, Brother jokes! It's just a few brothers who share the same mindset gathering together, that's all." Zhong Hong didn't get mad, simply laughing it off. He knew his own limits. This bunch of fair-weather friends was fine for mutual flattery and boosting egos, but if they were to actually fight for territory, they could forget about it. Relying on the fact that his older brother was in the Iron Blade Society, the local gangs ignored his little street crew.

But if they ever tried to claim a street and collect protection fees, someone would beat the crap out of them in seconds. Song Que didn't care about this either. Many tasks were actually more convenient to handle through Zhong Hong's lackeys. They might not have any real skills, but their network for gathering information was incredibly well-connected. He came here today precisely to ask for their help. He smiled and said:"Brother Hong, I need you to look into a few things for me."

Toward Song Que, Zhong Hong felt immense gratitude. He hurriedly patted his chest and guaranteed it. The lackeys also eagerly chimed in:"Brother Song, just give the order! We know every big and small matter in this town like the back of our hands!"

"That's right! Brother Song, just ask!"

"Then I'll thank you brothers in advance. I need you to look into two things for me. First, a person. He's called Butcher Zhu, sells pork, and lives in Wutong Alley near the South Gate. I want to know all his information: how many people are in his family, how he treats others, everything."

"Second, I want to raise an eagle. Please keep an eye out for me. An eaglet would be best." Hearing this, Zhong Hong smiled:"I thought it was something major! Don't worry, Song Que, I'll handle this beautifully for you."

"Pockmark Luo, doesn't your family live near the South Gate? I leave the investigation to you. As for the rest of you, keep your ears open. If anyone is selling an eagle, report to me immediately!"

"Brother Hong, Brother Song, don't worry! I've heard of this Butcher Zhu. I'll go back, ask the neighbors, and report back in detail!" a stick-thin lackey in the group stepped forward and accepted the task. The rest of the group also enthusiastically voiced their agreement. Song Que looked at them and nodded. This group knew Yellow Leaf Town far better than he did; their work wouldn't be too slow. He pulled ten taels of silver from his shirt and handed it to Zhong Hong:"Then I'll trouble you brothers.

Brother Hong, take this. If someone is selling an eagle, buy it for me. If this isn't enough, you can ask Brother Hui for more." Zhong Hong hurriedly refused:"That's too much! Three to five taels is more than enough!"

"Consider the change as me treating you brothers to drinks. I'll trouble everyone to help me investigate. I'll be back a few days after the New Year."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony! What are you waiting for? Thank Brother Song!" Zhong Hong pocketed the silver and barked at his lackeys. Receiving such a massive windfall, the group of lackeys was energized and roared at the top of their lungs:"Thank you, Brother Song!"...

"Don't worry, Brother Song, we'll definitely satisfy you!" Song Que smiled and nodded. Just then, a commotion erupted on the street, and a massive crowd of people began running toward the east gate. Quick-eyed and fast-handed, Zhong Hong spotted an acquaintance and hastily grabbed him. The man was in a hurry and naturally got angry, ready to throw a punch. But seeing it was Zhong Hong, he lowered his hand.

The two whispered for a moment before the man sprinted off again, leaving Zhong Hong returning with a face flushed with excitement.

"Huge news! The Guild Master of the Iron Blade Society, Liang Jing, and the Gang Leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Feng Han, have scheduled a duel at the east gate! Let's hurry! If we're late, there won't be any spots left!" The whole group instantly boiled over with excitement, lifting their legs and sprinting off. Song Que was also very curious; he wanted to know how his current strength compared to these martial arts gang leaders. So, he hurriedly followed. Yellow Leaf Town, East Gate.

The city gate was absolutely packed. Those inside who were even a second late might not even be able to squeeze out. With Song Que clearing the path, Zhong Hong's group casually parted the crowd and found a fairly decent observation spot. In the clearing, about ten meters in front of the city gate, stood a group of burly men gripping sabers and clubs. They glared vigilantly at the crowd, preventing anyone from taking even a half-step forward.

Behind them stood a large mass of burly men, divided into two groups standing far apart on either side. Their attire and insignias were distinct; they were clearly members of the two rival gangs. In the center of the clearing stood two men, hands clasped behind their backs, facing each other. One was dressed in a refined green robe, sporting a neat mustache, looking like a scholar or a great Confucian master.

The man opposite him had the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear; he wore black clothes, leaving his muscular arms bare, his face fierce and intimidating. One look was enough to tell he was not to be trifled with. Zhong Hong immediately introduced them to Song Que:"The one in the green robe is the Guild Master of the Iron Blade Society, Liang Jing. The one in black is the Gang Leader of the Black Tiger Gang, Feng Han.

These two, along with the Gang Leader of the Axe Gang, Xiong Qing, and the Chief of the Military Armory, Lu Ji, are considered the Four Great Experts of Yellow Leaf Town." At that moment, a voice boomed from the top of the city gate, loud as a massive bronze bell, making everyone's ears ring:"Liang Jing, Feng Han! Today, I will serve as your witness. Remember to honor your words: whoever loses must leave Stone Street and is forbidden from sending people to cause trouble!

Otherwise, don't blame me for not giving you face! Is that clear?!"

"I, Liang, have no objections."

"I, Feng, have no objections." In the distance, the two men answered simultaneously with booming voices that almost drowned out the clamor of the crowd, transmitting clearly into everyone's ears.