Dug combined persuasion with pressure, mercy with might. With a bodhisattva's heart, he wielded thunderous methods and quickly stabilized the situation in the Iron Palm Gang.
The physician from last night was summoned again to examine the old gang leader and his son's injuries. As he examined them, he muttered, "Keep this up and they'll be crippled. Why go this far? Wouldn't it be better to cherish your own bodies?"
Dug walked up to the physician and asked, "Doctor, can Gang Leader Qiu still be saved?"
"Gang Leader Qiu is strong. He can be saved, but he'll need at least two years of recuperation to recover." The physician glanced at Dug, fear flashing through his eyes, but he still answered honestly. "Even if he survives, the old gang leader's Martial Arts will never return to their former state."
"Save them. Do everything you can. You must keep father and son alive. Without the old gang leader, there would be no Peacekeeping Gang today. Feng Qi is no villain. He upholds justice and has no intention of committing such acts as murder and robbery. The old gang leader misunderstood me!" Dug looked regretfully at Qiu Yuanlang, then clasped his fists to the physician. "Doctor, you must save the old gang leader. I want him to see that the Iron Palm Gang he built through such hardship has not fallen apart. It has merely changed its name, and under my protection, it will grow ever more prosperous."
How could he say such blatant lies with a straight face? Saving them was clearly to keep Qiu Yuanlang's children in check! The physician's eyelids twitched involuntarily. He sighed helplessly. Though he had seen through everything, the most important thing for a physician who wanted to live long was to mind only his own business. He lowered his head and began treating Qiu Yuanlang and his son's wounds. "I will."
On the other side, Liu Cheng had people carry over chest after chest of gold and silver. The lids were thrown open, displaying their glittering contents before everyone. The Iron Palm Gang controlled river transport, so money was the one thing it never lacked.
Money Makes the Devil Push the Mill; money could make people cry injustice.
Since ancient times.
Being wronged and victimized had always torn families apart and ruined lives. Becoming rich through it was unprecedented.
But the people of this world had long suffered oppression. Apart from those like the lame old man, who bore deep and bitter hatred, silver was the best thing for everyone else. It could soothe every wound.
Besides, Dug, decisive and ruthless in killing, had publicly acknowledged himself as the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang. Clearly, he was not simply here to earn a reputation and leave. That gave them an enormous sense of reassurance.
The townspeople who had been frightened away earlier surged back in droves, and there were even more of them than before.
Dug cheerfully resumed playing the role of an incorruptible magistrate, weighing out gold and silver for the victims and enjoying the benefits brought by Peacekeeping.
"Old Yuan, did you see it clearly?" the Beggar Gang's seven-bag elder asked the middle-aged beggar beside him. "What movement technique did Feng Qi use when he kicked Qiu Feilong away?"
The beggar called Old Yuan had kept his eyes on Dug the entire time. He shook his head. "Elder Ding, if even you couldn't see it clearly, then I certainly couldn't. My vision blurred, and he was already there. Could he truly be some demon? Fortunately, it was the Iron Palm Gang that provoked him. If he had truly come for us, then in our Luyang City branch, aside from you, Elder, I'm afraid no one would have escaped his deadly hands."
"You think too highly of me. Even Qiu Yuanlang fell into his hands. How could I possibly defeat him?" Elder Ding's expression was exceptionally grave, though he also felt immensely fortunate. "Still, with his skills, he probably wouldn't care about a tiny branch like ours."
"Even if he did, he wouldn't dare provoke us, would he? After all, we're the greatest gang in the world. Even by sheer numbers, we could bury him alive," Old Yuan said.
"The Iron Palm Gang had plenty of people. Did they bury him alive?" Elder Ding snorted. "Qiu Yuanlang's life and death are uncertain, the gang is leaderless, and yet such a massive Iron Palm Gang was Changing Face after just a few words from him. Once Martial Arts reaches his level, numbers can no longer kill him. I was still doubtful about whether they were Heavenly Demons before, but now I'm seventy or eighty percent certain."
"Exactly. No normal person could do what they did. That one beside Feng Qi who plays with people's hearts is like a madman." Old Yuan said, "And Feng Qi as well. He may seem to be buying people's loyalty, but what he does defies common sense. When Martial Saint Qiao He rose to prominence, the people he befriended were all martial sects. But Feng Qi acts for ordinary people. What benefit can he gain from that? When danger comes, can these common folk help him? I'm afraid only the maintenance he speaks of can explain everything he does. Even if he wants to become emperor, he must first gain the support of the Three Gates and Five Sects!"
"Feng Qi's attribute is maintenance. Then what is the attribute of that madman who toys with people's hearts?" Elder Ding said. "And who was the person he would rather release Qiu Yuanlang to capture? That person should be a Heavenly Demon too! Old Yuan, we know too little about Heavenly Demons. Send someone to investigate the Feng Family and find out exactly what background these Heavenly Demons have..."
"I understand." Old Yuan nodded, shouldered his dog-beating staff, and turned to leave.
After thinking for a moment, Elder Ding headed toward the Taishan Sect's representative. The Iron Palm Gang had undergone a drastic upheaval. Whether Feng Qi truly was a Heavenly Demon or not, he felt that this fire would eventually reach him. He needed to discuss matters with the sect representatives stationed in Luyang City and prepare in advance.
Luyang City.
Qiu Muqian and Han Zuo soon learned what had happened at the Iron Palm Gang.
When she heard that Qiu Yuanlang had once again suffered grave injuries, Qiu Muqian's face went pale. Her body swayed, and she gritted her teeth. "Incompetent fools who only ruin everything."
Han Zuo remained silent.
"Hall Master Han, can I trust you?" Qiu Muqian calmed herself and looked at Han Zuo.
"Third Miss, this life of Han's was saved by the old gang leader. How could Feng Qi's few words of provocation drive a wedge between us?" Han Zuo said. "Give your orders, Third Miss. Even if I must risk being flayed alive, I will bring the old gang leader back."
"My father and eldest brother are in Feng Qi's hands. Going back now would be walking into a trap." Qiu Muqian steadied herself and said, "Feipeng and Hall Master Yan were sent by my eldest brother to the Feng Family to learn the situation. By now, they should be returning. Intercept them on the road and do not let them return to the Iron Palm Gang. After joining them, find a way to intercept Hall Master Lou and Hall Master Li, especially Feibao. Feibao is impulsive by nature. I'm afraid he'll panic over rescuing Father and fall into Feng Qi's hands as well. There are few people at headquarters. As long as we control the forces outside, Feng Qi will be unable to continue swallowing up the Iron Palm Gang. Then we'll still have a chance to fight."
"I understand." Han Zuo nodded, then asked, "Third Miss, what about you?"
"I'll go to the Divine Fist Gate to seek Gate Master Tong. He and Father are old friends. With his help, we'll have a better chance of rescuing Father." Qiu Muqian said, "Before I return, no matter what Feng Qi does, do not interfere. Let him make whatever mess he wants. Remember, you must wait until I return."
Han Zuo hesitated for a moment. "But the old gang leader..."
Qiu Muqian lightly bit her lip and glanced toward the Iron Palm Gang. "Before Feng Qi gains control of the entire Iron Palm Gang, he won't let my father die. Just do as I say."
After discussing several more details, the two abandoned the gang members in the city and set off separately.
Leaving aside Qiu Muqian, who had gone to seek reinforcements, Han Zuo had barely traveled ten li after leaving Luyang City when he intercepted Qiu Feipeng and the others returning from the Feng Family. There was only one official road between the Feng Family and Luyang City.
Not only had they returned themselves, they had also captured Feng Shiren and several key members of the Feng Family. Feng Shiren and the others had their acupoints sealed and were stuffed into a carriage, each one hanging his head in misery as though mourning his parents.
Feng Jiu, meanwhile, sat inside the carriage, stuffing himself with food and drink as though he wanted to burst his stomach. He had no time to speak.
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