Eavesdropping

Qingyang Town, the Grand Wealthy Restaurant.

In a private room on the far west side of the second floor, Yang Heng sat on a luxurious wooden stool, devouring the delicacies on the table.

He had ordered ten hearty dishes for this meal, including honey-steamed bear paws, tiger penis longevity soup, mushroom-stewed flying dragon, fiery beef, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

Bear paw with honey was a perfect match. The bear paw was springy and tender, and with the sweetness of the honey, Yang Heng's mouth watered. It was so delicious he felt like he could swallow his own tongue.

In a short while, Yang Heng was sweating profusely, his mouth slick with oil.

Just as Yang Heng reached for the roasted chicken on the plate before him, the conversation from the next room caught his attention.

After listening for a while, Yang Heng guessed the identity of the speakers from their voices.

Wang Ming and Master Zhang!

The soundproofing in the restaurant's private rooms was excellent. Even if guests were engaged in illicit activities inside, not a single sound could be heard from outside or in the adjacent rooms.

However, Yang Heng had undergone two Marrow Cleansing and Bone Scouring sessions, and today he had broken through to the Blood Strengthening Realm. His hearing had greatly improved, allowing him to hear the conversation in the next room as clearly as if they were talking right in front of him.

Yang Heng paused his eating and drinking, listening intently.

Adjacent Private Room.

Wang Ming and Master Zhang sat opposite each other at a table laden with seven or eight dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables. However, the quality of the dishes was clearly inferior to those on Yang Heng's table.

The two had made some adjustments to their appearances before coming here to eat and talk, making it impossible for ordinary people to see through their disguises. Even someone from the pharmacy wouldn't be able to identify them at first glance.

"Young Master, I've found out the date when the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy will be transporting medicinal herbs to Qinghe City. It's in three days!"

Master Zhang looked at Wang Ming and said respectfully.

"Mmm, Master Zhang, you've worked hard." Wang Ming nodded, a pleased expression on his face, and continued, "And the transportation route?"

"Don't worry, Young Master, I've got the route too." Master Zhang said with a fawning smile.

"Good, good, good! Master Zhang, you truly are an old hand at the pharmacy. Your efforts are truly extraordinary." Wang Ming laughed heartily, praising him repeatedly.

Then, Wang Ming's brow furrowed slightly, and he asked with concern, "How did you obtain such confidential information? Is there any chance of a trap?"

Master Zhang's expression turned serious as he explained, "Don't worry, Young Master. There will be no problem with the accuracy of the information, and its source is extremely reliable."

"This was told to me directly by someone close to Lei Xiong's subordinate.

Yesterday, he came to my room to see me for treatment. I took the opportunity to slip a soporific into his tea. After he drank it, he immediately lost his senses. I asked him whatever I wanted, and he answered everything.

That's how I easily extracted the information. Afterwards, he asked why he suddenly felt drowsy. I gave him some excuse, and he left without suspicion."

Master Zhang said with a smug look.

He hadn't expected to obtain the intelligence so easily.

He had been worried earlier, as the date for the herb transport was fast approaching, and he hadn't received any useful information.

At the last moment, it seemed heaven had opened its eyes and lent him a hand, allowing him to easily obtain this crucial intelligence.

As an old hand at the pharmacy, he could discern the truth of information at a single glance.

This information about the herb transport was definitely true; he was certain of it.

"Good, Master Zhang, you've handled this beautifully. The stronghold will never forget your contribution." Wang Ming, overjoyed, used respectful language towards Master Zhang, whose status was far below his own, showing how delighted he was.

According to the intelligence obtained, the medicinal herbs being transported by the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy to Qinghe City this time were extremely valuable, worth two thousand taels of silver.

Moreover, to ensure safety, they had specifically sent a message to the Medicine King Gang, requesting them to send two Blood Strengthening Realm Martial Artists to escort the shipment. The Medicine King Gang would also have Martial Artists provide backup along the route.

All of this was to ensure the safety of this batch of medicinal herbs.

Two thousand taels of silver was not much for a large organization like the Medicine King Gang.

However, the medicinal herbs were different.

These herbs were intended for the Medicine King Gang to refine pills that would increase cultivation, for their disciples to cultivate. They could not afford to lose them.

Gathering such a large quantity of precious medicinal herbs at once was not easy. If they were robbed, the supply of pills for the gang's disciples would be affected for a period.

This would lead to public outcry and unrest, which would be difficult to handle.

Martial Artists joined the Medicine King Gang for generous cultivation resources. For Martial Artists in the Blood Strengthening Realm and above, it was undoubtedly for the pills.

If these people worked hard for the Medicine King Gang, only to find that the promised benefits and treatment were greatly reduced, no one would be satisfied.

Once might not matter, but if it happened often, people's hearts would waver, sowing the seeds of future trouble. The Medicine King Gang could suffer heavy losses, and their territory and resources would be seized by other forces.

The higher-ups of the Medicine King Gang had also come from the lower ranks and understood the thoughts of the mid-to-lower-level disciples. Therefore, they strictly controlled the pills. Any disciple who met the requirements would receive their monthly allotment of pills without fail.

If anyone dared to hoard or short-deliver pills to the disciples, they would be reported immediately. The higher-ups of the gang would not show any leniency and would strictly follow the gang rules. First, their cultivation would be crippled, and then they would endure the torture of being cut six times.

If they died, their bodies would be fed to wild dogs.

If they survived, they would be expelled from the Medicine King Gang and left to fend for themselves.

It was precisely because of their clear rewards and punishments and strict adherence to gang rules that the Medicine King Gang had attracted many young Martial Artists in recent years. Their strength had grown steadily, making them one of the top three major powers in Qinghe City.

"With these medicinal herbs, the strength of our Black Wind Stronghold can advance another level. Master Zhang, you've made a great contribution!" Wang Ming was extremely excited, his expression fervent, pacing back and forth in the room.

"I dare not, I dare not." Master Zhang waved his hands repeatedly, stroking his thin mustache, his face radiant with a smile.

"Master Zhang, the stronghold will never forget what you've done for us. A letter arrived from the stronghold a few days ago stating that your esteemed young master has broken through to the Blood Strengthening Realm and has been appointed to the position of Great Leader."

"I'll start by congratulating you, Master Zhang. Your son is already a Martial Artist at the Blood Strengthening Realm in his early twenties. His future is boundless!"

"Ah?" Master Zhang was stunned by the sudden good news, his face filled with disbelief.

After a moment, he snapped back to reality, his face instantly turning red. He looked excitedly at Wang Ming and stammered, "Is... is it true?"

"Of course, it's true," Wang Ming replied with a smile.

Master Zhang could no longer sit still. He jumped up, grabbed the wine pot on the table, and chugged it down. Wine spilled from the corners of his mouth, soaking his clothes, but he didn't seem to notice, completely engulfed in overwhelming joy.

Seeing Master Zhang lose his composure, Wang Ming didn't stop him.

He was particularly happy today upon receiving intelligence about the pharmacy transporting medicinal materials, and he was very lenient with him.

He was friendly to anyone who could bring benefits to the stronghold.

He didn't even mind if they made an indecent gesture in front of him.

After a while, when the wine pot on the table was completely empty, Master Zhang finally sobered up.

Seeing his own loss of composure, Master Zhang looked apologetically at Wang Ming and said, "Young Master, just now I..."

Wang Ming waved his hand, interrupting him, and said with a smile, "It's only natural, I understand."

He paused, then continued, "Your retreat has also been arranged by the stronghold. Now, let me explain in detail..."