Lingering Problems, Part Two

2024-07-31

Lingering Problems, Part Two

"You!" The other companions were startled, and the way they looked at Song Changming changed.

The old madam of Spring Breeze Garden recognized Song Changming at once. As though she had seized upon a savior, she hurried forward and tearfully pleaded.

"Master Song, you must uphold justice for me! With them causing such a scene, I can't even keep this business running."

"You're from the Patrol Guard Headquarters!" The burly man leading the beating caught the implication and narrowed his eyes.

"I am Wang Liuzi of the Nine Bends Society. My men were ignorant just now and offended you. Please forgive us."

As he spoke, the group intended to leave first.

There was not much reverence for the Patrol Guard Headquarters in their words. They simply could not openly tear off all pretense.

"Did I say you could leave?" Song Changming swept his gaze over them and spoke blandly.

Wang Liuzi shot Song Changming a sidelong glance, his face turning cold. Neither salty nor bland, he said, "Not long ago, we were drinking with Captain Qian. If you want to arrest us, go ask whether your Patrol Captain agrees first.

"Don't mistake my courtesy for weakness!"

An imposing air radiated from Wang Liuzi. He was clearly a martial artist, and his status within the Nine Bends Society was likely not low. Otherwise, he could not have come into contact with a Patrol Captain from the Patrol Guard Headquarters.

If Song Changming had merely been an ordinary patrol guard, he would likely have found himself in a difficult position now.

Yet Song Changming did not buy it. Once he confirmed that they were members of the Nine Bends Society, he planted a foot on the unconscious man and slowly said,

"If I want to arrest you, why would I need such trouble? If you don't want your crimes to pile up another charge, lie flat on the ground willingly."

Wang Liuzi's face immediately darkened, fury blazing in his heart. A mere patrol guard dared to act so wildly before him.

If this had been a year ago, when the Nine Bends Society had not yet grown so powerful, they might not have dared openly defy the Patrol Guard Headquarters. They would only have dared to do something in the shadows.

But now, as the gang grew ever stronger, the arrogance of its members also rose higher and higher.

Things they had not dared do before were no longer necessarily off-limits.

"Fine! I'd like to see how you plan to arrest me!" In his rage, Wang Liuzi actually drew his blade at Song Changming.

The meaning of that act was entirely different.

"Have they already become this lawless?" Even Song Changming was somewhat surprised.

Drawing a blade against patrol guards and other law enforcement officers in broad daylight, before so many witnesses, was a grave crime. It was not something that could be washed clean with a few words and some compensation.

This concerned the authority of the Patrol Guard Headquarters, and even the entire government.

Song Changming's gaze sharpened. He took a step forward, drew his blade with his right hand, and slashed forward.

Wang Liuzi heard only the crisp clash of blades. A cold glint appeared before his eyes, then vanished in a flash.

Only afterward did Wang Liuzi belatedly realize that his right hand holding the blade had vanished along with the weapon.

The severed wound at his wrist was smooth and flawless, blood continuously gushing from it.

In a daze, the excruciating pain began relentlessly assailing his nerves.

Wang Liuzi twisted his face and was about to let out a miserable howl when Song Changming flipped his blade and struck him with its flat.

"Shut up."

Under that overwhelming force, Wang Liuzi ultimately failed to make a sound. His body fell stiffly to the ground.

Song Changming then swept his gaze over the other members of the Nine Bends Society.

"Are you lying down or not?"

This time, the Nine Bends Society members did not dare waste another word. They obediently pressed their faces to the ground.

Not long after, the patrol guards on duty arrived after receiving the news.

"Captain Song!"

"Take all of them back and throw them into the cells. And him too—treat his wound. Don't let him die." Song Changming pointed at Wang Liuzi, who lay on the ground with his hand severed.

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, in the private room, Zhou Sixin and Liang Chuanshan could not hear very clearly, but they had witnessed the entire affair. In particular, Song Changming's fierce slash made Zhou Sixin, the Capital City Patrol Captain, light up with interest. "I have to say, little brother Song's blade skill is anything but ordinary." Zhou Sixin clicked his tongue in praise.

"Brother Zhou has a keen eye. Changming's blade skill has already reached mastery." Liang Chuanshan smiled.

"How old is he?"

"He just turned twenty."

"A promising talent indeed!" After hearing this, Zhou Sixin could not help but take another look at Song Changming in the main hall.

"So that's why Director Liang promoted such a young man to Patrol Captain!"

Liang Chuanshan gave a hearty chuckle.

At this time, after dealing with the mess outside, Song Changming returned to the private room and recounted the identities of the troublemakers and everything that had just happened.

The smile on Liang Chuanshan's face vanished at once.

The Nine Bends Society was now a thorn in his heart. So long as it remained unpulled, he would not have a day of peace.

"Hmph, this Nine Bends Society is actually this arrogant and unrestrained!" After hearing everything, Zhou Sixin slapped the table and snorted coldly.

Song Changming immediately glanced at Liang Chuanshan.

Sure enough, Liang Chuanshan promptly picked up the matter he had previously discussed with Zhou Sixin.

"Brother Zhou, as I said before, I am determined to destroy the Nine Bends Society, and I do not wish to drag it out for too long. However, I have only just taken over the Patrol Guard Headquarters and have yet to gain full control. The manpower I can mobilize is also somewhat insufficient."

Liang Chuanshan drained the wine in his cup in one gulp and pretended to speak with a headache.

Zhou Sixin was also a shrewd man. Having struggled his way through the General Directorate for many years, he had more or less guessed Liang Chuanshan's meaning before Liang Chuanshan had even finished speaking.

"Director Liang, if you need anything from me, just say it."

"I hope Brother Zhou can lend me a hand in private." Liang Chuanshan no longer beat around the bush and stated the purpose of this banquet outright.

"In private..." Zhou Sixin pondered for a moment, but did not readily agree.

Liang Chuanshan immediately continued, "Rest assured, Brother Zhou. There may be no merit in this matter, but once it is done, I will certainly prepare a generous gift to thank you."

Upon hearing that, Zhou Sixin immediately waved a hand. "What are you saying, Director Liang? With the friendship we share in private, how could I accept that from you?"

Listening from the side, Song Changming noted that although Zhou Sixin spoke politely, he still had not completely agreed.

"Friendship is friendship. I cannot let Brother Zhou work for nothing."

As Liang Chuanshan spoke, he took a small brocade box from his sleeve and slowly pushed it before Zhou Sixin.

"This is a small token of my regard. Once the matter is done, there will only be more, never less."

Seeing that Zhou Sixin still had no intention of taking it, Liang Chuanshan simply opened the brocade box for him.

Inside lay more than ten glittering gold coins, neatly arranged. The words Zhou Sixin meant to use to decline caught in his throat, and he could no longer quite say them.

Song Changming also saw those gleaming gold coins.

They were Great Han gold coins. Though there were not many, a single one was worth more than a hundred silver coins!

It had to be said that Liang Chuanshan was paying a heavy price to secure this Capital City Patrol Captain's private assistance.

All to ensure that the coming operation to destroy the Nine Bends Society would be foolproof!

This concerned whether he could firmly hold the Director's position he had only just obtained. He could not afford not to take it seriously.

The drinking session continued until deep into the night before Liang Chuanshan finally saw off Zhou Sixin, who departed thoroughly satisfied.

Inside the carriage, Liang Chuanshan, who had been reeking of alcohol, regained much of the clarity in his eyes.

Song Changming, beside him, had drunk only a few cups from beginning to end.

"This Zhou Sixin is an old fox too. He won't release the hawk until he sees the rabbit. No amount of friendship is as useful as money and silver." Liang Chuanshan gave a soft snort and spoke in an even tone.

"But if we can make a big haul from this Nine Bends Society, the money will come back."

(End of Chapter)