Colluding with Bandits, This City Lord Is Truly Wicked!

"Common folk..."

Li Yan muttered the words to himself, immediately understanding.

It was the common folk who had stormed the Shangguan Family that day, which led to someone hiding among them to abduct Shangguan Xiyun and ambush Shangguan Feiyun.

If they could control the common folk once, they could do it a second time.

The attack on the Shangguan Family was a minor issue, but if they orchestrated a larger scheme, the entire Dongjiang City would fall into chaos. If this matter reached the imperial court, it would be a huge problem for both him and the Shangguan Family.

"This matter requires careful consideration. I'll walk around the city during the day and see if I can gather any information before making a judgment?"

Li Yan thought for a moment and shook his head, "That's not ideal, we don't have enough time."

"How about this, we split up. I'll handle the Fierce Wind Bandits. You need to quickly figure out the situation in the city and devise a solution."

Mo Cheng pondered for a moment and quickly understood, "Alright, I'll take care of this. Dongjiang City isn't far from the Western Frontier military camp. Once I understand the situation here, if things go south, I'll mobilize troops. With just two thousand elite soldiers here, Dongjiang City won't fall into chaos!"

With a decision made, Li Yan left again as dawn broke, turning and departing in the dim morning light.

Deep beneath the City Lord's Mansion, in a vast ice cellar, Huang Lingyan slowly concluded his cultivation after a night of meditation.

His North Wind Chilling Art was at a critical juncture. Once he overcame this hurdle, he would break through to the Ninth Level of Meridian Opening and enter the ranks of Gathering Qi.

At that point, Shangguan Liuyun would be nothing. With his cultivation, he could make Dongjiang City submit obediently.

As he emerged from the cellar, a subordinate quickly reported, "City Lord, we have a distinguished guest."

"Hmm... they've come quite quickly. It's fine, have the person wait in the side hall. I'll go have breakfast first."

"Yes."

A moment later, when Huang Lingyan arrived at the side hall, a scholar in a Confucian robe was already pouring tea for himself.

Upon seeing Huang Lingyan arrive, the scholar calmly stood up, adjusted his robes, and cupped his fists in a salute, "Bai Xiushi Liu He, greetings City Lord Huang."

"Oh, you are Bai Xiushi Liu He?"

Bai Xiushi Liu He was quite well-known in the martial arts world of Great Wu. His martial arts weren't particularly strong; at nearly fifty years old, he had only just reached the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation. What truly made the martial world remember him was his silver tongue.

He was well-read and skilled at reading, excelling at picking out arguments and twisting words.

In verbal disputes, he could often turn black into white and right into wrong, shifting unfavorable situations to his advantage, thus conquering his opponents without a fight.

"Indeed, it is I, Liu. I never expected that I, a mere scholar, and my humble reputation could reach City Lord Huang's ears."

"Hahaha, your reputation is far from humble. Your mouth is famous throughout Great Wu... Tell me, what brings you here today?"

"Hahahaha, City Lord, you are straightforward, and I shall not beat around the bush. I, Liu, have come today as a persuader to discuss a business deal with the City Lord."

"Oh? A persuader... are you delivering a message for Wang Dingtian?"

Upon hearing this, Liu He's eyes narrowed slightly. This City Lord was indeed not as lazy as the rumors suggested; he was a cunning and sharp individual, definitely not easy to deal with.

He cupped his fists again, "City Lord, please don't misunderstand. I, Liu, merely had some past dealings with Wang Dingtian. This time, I'm here to repay a favor and negotiate some matters with you on his behalf."

Glancing at Liu He, Huang Lingyan chuckled, "Mr. Liu, you jest. Whatever it is, feel free to speak plainly."

"If that's the case, I shall be direct..."

In truth, the entire incident originated with Shangguan Xiyun. After an accidental encounter, Xu Sanqiang, the third leader of the Fierce Wind Bandits, developed an infatuation with the young lady of the Shangguan Family and began pursuing her.

However, given the status of the Shangguan Family, how could they possibly look favorably upon Xu Sanqiang? This led to Xu Sanqiang's direct attempt to abduct her.

Although Xu Sanqiang was dead, Wang Dingtian intended to take the woman back alive, as he was the instigator of all this.

Since his third brother couldn't capture the woman, he, as the elder brother, would do it. He would then have the woman bear a child and adopt it into the Xu family, thus fulfilling his brotherly affection.

"As long as the City Lord truly hands over Shangguan Xiyun, the Fierce Wind Bandits will be your loyal subordinates from this day forward. You will receive thirty percent of all future plunder. If there are times when you find it inconvenient to act, the First Leader will also act on your behalf."

After hearing this, Huang Lingyan's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within them.

What was Shangguan Xiyun's status? How dare a mere bandit leader covet her? It was already a sign of the Shangguan Family's mercy that Xu Sanqiang had lived this long.

Now that Xu Sanqiang was dead, Wang Dingtian still harbored ambitions?

A toad lusting after swan meat!

Shangguan Xiyun's beauty was not only in Dongjiang City but was considered top-tier throughout Great Wu. Let alone Wang Dingtian, Huang Lingyan himself had harbored desires for her for a long time.

However, in the past, his focus had been on seizing control of Dongjiang City, and his mind wasn't on such matters.

But now, as long as he could take down the Shangguan Family, Shangguan Xiyun would inevitably become his plaything. How could he possibly hand her over to someone else?

However, he still needed the Fierce Wind Bandits now, and he needed Wang Dingtian to keep Shangguan Liuyun in check. Directly refusing would not be wise.

Thus, Huang Lingyan chuckled, "First Leader Wang and his brothers indeed share a deep bond. This matter is not difficult. Once the Shangguan Family falls, Shangguan Xiyun can be handed over to the First Leader. However, before that, we will need the First Leader's full support to help me deal with the Shangguan Family."

"Hahahaha, City Lord Huang, rest assured. The First Leader has already dispatched his men to constantly monitor merchants who have contact with the Shangguan Family's shops."

"Once we sort out these connections and seize them, the Shangguan Family will no longer be a threat."

"Then I hope you can complete this matter as soon as possible."

Afterward, the two exchanged opinions on various matters before Liu He rose to take his leave.

Outside the City Lord's Mansion, Mo Cheng was aimlessly wandering, searching for any suspicious clues.

Just then, Mo Cheng happened to see Liu He emerging from the City Lord's Mansion.

"Bai Xiushi Liu He? What is he doing here?"

As Mo Cheng pondered this, he quickly followed.

Not long after, in a dark alley, Mo Cheng saw Liu He meeting with someone. Although the person was dressed as a civilian, the bandit aura they exuded was hard to conceal.

"This is... a Fierce Wind Bandit?"

"Hmph... The esteemed City Lord is actually colluding with bandits. If that's the case, then there's no need to let you live!"

After a cold snort, Mo Cheng turned and left.

Earlier, while wandering around town, he had used some spare silver to gather information from beggars and had a basic understanding of the city's situation.

The incident where the commoners stormed the Shangguan Family was instigated by Xu San from the city. Xu San was an elder in the city with considerable influence, but he had recently become close to Huang Lingyan and was now blindly following him.

Now that these details were confirmed, there was no need to wait any longer.

The place he was heading to now was the Xijiang Great Camp. The commander of the garrison there was an old subordinate of his from the General's Manor. He could find an excuse to request some troops, and once the soldiers entered the city, there would be no further trouble within its walls!