Night Watch (Part 1)

There really are fewer people.

Wei He immediately noticed that at least a third of the people in the courtyard were missing.

"I haven't paid much attention lately, what's going on?" he asked, walking to a corner with Ouyang Zhuang to begin their fixed practice for the day.

However, while preparing his things, he still looked around curiously.

The people in the courtyard had a strange silence and anxiety about them.

Ouyang Zhuang glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, then leaned in and whispered.

"I heard from a senior sister that most of them are senior brothers who are stuck and can't break through."

"But that wouldn't explain why they'd all leave at once?" Wei He knew that in this courtyard, if one couldn't break through for a long time, they had to consider finding another way to live, especially since they had to pay tuition fees every month.

Although for them now, this tuition wasn't much, the problem was that he still had to spend most of his time training and practicing, leaving very little time to earn money.

As he got older, just sitting around and consuming resources wasn't a sustainable plan.

Therefore, many people would take on part-time jobs outside, just like him, Wei He, who also worked part-time at the Yonghe Escort Agency for the Cheng family.

"I heard that Hong Family Fort outside the city is recruiting soldiers with excellent treatment and benefits. Those who perform outstandingly can directly become Squad Leaders or Platoon Leaders," Ouyang Zhuang exclaimed with a click of his tongue.

"It's said that all Squad Leader-level personnel are provided with special medicinal meals that can greatly replenish Blood Essence, and they also receive direct guidance from more powerful experts for breakthroughs."

Wei He understood.

It was understandable that those old-timers who had been stuck for a long time would leave. After all, twenty was the peak age. Once that passed, physical strength would slowly decline, and it would be too late for everything.

Speaking of which, he was also about to celebrate his eighteenth birthday.

"How good can medicinal meals be? You still have to risk your life," Wei He admonished. Seeing the envy in Ouyang Zhuang's eyes, he quickly urged him to practice.

Ouyang Zhuang was restless all day, completely unable to focus on his training. Wei He, however, maintained a steady mindset, practicing his moves, refining his skin, and resting as usual.

This matter didn't disrupt his rhythm at all.

However, after Ouyang Zhuang mentioned it, he also became curious about how powerful the experts in the army truly were.

As evening approached and they were about to finish, Cheng Shaojiu finally arrived late. He had spent the entire day handling matters for his family's escort agency.

Wei He wanted to ask, but since Cheng Shaojiu hadn't said anything, he figured there was a reason he wasn't telling him, so he wasn't in a hurry.

With his Blood Essence about to reach completion, his biggest task was to quickly accumulate enough to break through directly.

Cheng Shaojiu entered the courtyard and was surprised to see fewer people inside, but someone quickly explained the situation to him.

He pondered for a moment and went into the inner room, seemingly to say something to Old Zheng.

A short while later, he came out and beckoned to Wei He.

"Little He, are you done?"

"Almost," Wei He nodded, hanging the sweat towel from his neck onto the rack behind him, and walked over.

"Brother Cheng, what's up?"

As their relationship grew closer, he and Cheng Shaojiu had started using more familiar and affectionate terms.

"It's nothing. Accompany me to the Inner City for a stroll later." Cheng Shaojiu patted Wei He's shoulder, then quickly withdrew his hand in disgust.

His palm was covered in Wei He's sweat.

"The Inner City?" Wei He paused. He had never been to the Inner City before.

"You haven't been? It's fine, brother will take you to see the world!" Cheng Shaojiu revealed a slight smile.

"Okay," Wei He replied concisely. The reason he hadn't been to the Inner City was partly because he had always heard that the expenses there were extremely high, and partly because he lacked the time and energy.

After tidying up, Wei He gave Ouyang Zhuang a few instructions about his training, then showered, changed his clothes, and got into his family's carriage with Cheng Shaojiu.

The carriage drove towards the entrance of the Inner City.

The Inner City and the Outer City were essentially two separate areas.

The Inner City was isolated by a high wall, essentially a city within a city, completely detached from the outside.

The two entered through the entrance, which was also a small city gate. After entering, Cheng Shaojiu didn't wander around but found a three-story restaurant to go up to.

The restaurant was called Hundred Flowers Tower. The name was common, but the style was somewhat different.

As Wei He walked in, there was a young girl, about sixteen years old, standing by every table. Dressed in a white skirt, with bare shoulders and legs, she was a feast for the eyes, dedicated to pouring wine and serving food for the guests.

"How is it? Hehehe, today brother will open your eyes!" Cheng Shaojiu proudly patted Wei He's shoulder and led him to a window seat.

A waiter immediately came over.

This waiter was also different; it was a charming woman, but she looked at least twenty-five years old. She wore a tight-fitting red dress, appearing plump and alluring, further sparking the imagination.

Cheng Shaojiu quickly and expertly ordered a few dishes. Then he looked at Wei He.

"What do you want? Some wine?"

"No. It's better for us practitioners to drink less," Wei He had been busy accumulating Blood Essence recently, fearing any external factors that might affect him, so he didn't dare to drink casually.

"It's fine if you don't drink, just bring us a pot of Nine Yun Green Tip," Cheng Shaojiu waved his hand grandly and instructed.

"Yes, young master. Would you like to have a familiar girl come serve you?" the woman in the red dress asked with a smile.

"No need, my brother and I are fine eating by ourselves," Cheng Shaojiu waved his hand.

The woman quickly went down, disappearing down the second-floor staircase until she was completely downstairs. Only then did Cheng Shaojiu retract his gaze, which had been subtly fixed on her.

He picked up his teacup, intending to take a sip to moisten his dry throat, but found that the tea hadn't been served yet, and immediately put it down.

"Sigh," he let out a long sigh.

"Brother Cheng, why are you sighing?" Wei He asked curiously, looking around. With young women serving, a table full of delicious food and wine, and both fine wine and beautiful women, what could possibly be troubling him?

"Little He, you and I have been in Feiye City for a long time and rarely go out. You don't know the current situation," Cheng Shaojiu said softly, his brow furrowed.

"I specifically came tonight and booked a table in advance. The purpose was to witness whether the person entering the city from Hong Family Fort, the rumored Tiger Hunter Hong Daoyuan, truly lives up to his name."

"Hong Family Fort? Hong Daoyuan?" Wei He was confused. Weren't they here to relax? Why did it suddenly turn to the Hong family?

Cheng Shaojiu saw Wei He's confusion and continued to explain, "Last night, soldiers from Hong Family Fort clashed with the tax inspection team from the Seven Families Alliance. The tax inspection team suffered seven dead and one injured. The injured one fled back to report to the Ou Family of the Seven Families Alliance.

Now, the Seven Families Alliance and Hong Family Fort have become tense. The two sides don't know how they're negotiating, but Hong Family Fort is said to be sending the strongest of their younger generation, Tiger Hunter Hong Daoyuan, into the city to meet with the City Lord, Lord Ou Chen."

"What does that have to do with us?" Wei He was speechless.

"You don't understand. Hong Family Fort has been secretly raising private troops in recent years, and their power is growing more and more obvious. Their intentions have long been blatant, and the public massacre of the tax inspection team is an example.

But the Seven Families Alliance doesn't dare to completely fall out with them. Out of fear, both sides have compromised. I estimate that this is Hong Family Fort sending Hong Daoyuan into the city as a show of force."

Cheng Shaojiu whispered.

"A show of force?" Wei He suddenly felt that the problem was a bit big.

If it could escalate to the level of a demonstration, and if it were true, then this Hong Family Fort might have rebellious intentions at any moment.

"Let's wait. According to the agreed time, it's coming soon, very soon. About another quarter of an hour," Cheng Shaojiu glanced at a dripping water timer not far away.

The timer was sealed inside a large piece of glass, preventing outsiders from touching it. Black stone basins were arranged like steps, each containing water that dripped down from the edge.

Wei He, who had been diligently cultivating, had never felt such curiosity before.

Outside Feiye City, it seemed to be a completely different, chaotic world.

Hong Family Fort was a powerful deterrent that protected the peace around Feiye City, and Hong Daoyuan, known as the strongest of the younger generation.

What level and existence was he?

This made him involuntarily curious.

"People from the Three Gangs and Two Sects have also arrived," Cheng Shaojiu suddenly said in a low voice.

Wei He was startled and followed his gaze.

At the corner of the staircase on the second floor of the restaurant, teams of people were filing up towards the third floor.

These people came in waves, wearing unified gang attire and carrying gang markings. They were a group of men in black.

These men in black were all strong and broad-shouldered, clearly not to be trifled with.

The men in black had a small white mountain pattern on their right arms.

"Those are people from Shanchuan Gang. The one leading them is at least a Black Mountain expert," Cheng Shaojiu introduced.

"People from Shanchuan Gang usually don't operate in our district. They are roughly divided into White Mountain, Black Mountain, and the highest level, Green Mountain. White Mountain is for ordinary gang members, but you need to be careful with Black Mountain. They are at least skilled fighters who have broken through Blood Essence once."

Wei He's heart grew solemn, and he nodded repeatedly.

He noticed that among the group led by the leader, there were three people with Black Mountain embroidered on their sleeves.

Besides the Shanchuan Gang, there were some smaller gangs. Cheng Shaojiu briefly introduced them and then stopped mentioning them.

They were all here to watch the excitement, just like them.

This was Wei He's first time interacting closely with other gang forces.

He had always been focused on his cultivation, ignoring outside affairs. This time, he was the closest he had ever been to the Three Gangs and Two Sects.

"Don't worry, the Three Gangs and Two Sects don't dare to act presumptuously even in the Inner City. This is Seven Families Alliance territory. Apart from Hong Family Fort, no other force dares to cause any trouble. Do you really think the Ou Family wouldn't kill people?" Cheng Shaojiu said calmly, as if it were commonplace.

Wei He understood, but at the same time, he became curious about the true armies and family powers of this era.

Even for them, who lived in the outer city, just consuming a little bit of Blood Essence could allow them to break through to the first level of Blood Essence.

Then the disciples of the Seven Families Alliance in the Inner City, with their far superior conditions, what heights could they reach?

And what level was Hong Family Fort, which made the Seven Families Alliance so wary?

Wei He suddenly became quite expectant and curious.

He suddenly understood Cheng Shaojiu's thoughts.

Or rather, it would be difficult for any martial artist to miss this scene.

After all, Hong Family Fort had always been known for keeping to itself.

"They're here!" someone suddenly exclaimed in a low voice.

"Junior Sister, that is the Tiger of Feiye. He is the strongest of Feiye's younger generation!"

Wei He looked over when he heard the exclamation and found that at some point, at a table in front of them, two young people in green robes with swords had taken their seats.

The man was handsome and tall, with a strong and slender build.

The woman wore a white veil, and her beautiful eyes seemed to ripple with water.

The two had been sitting silently without any sense of presence. It was only when they stood up and looked out the window that Wei He realized their location.

But at this moment, Wei He didn't have the time to observe them closely. Faint sounds of clashing weapons and horses' hooves striking the ground could be heard from below the window.