Protection Fee

Shengtian City, Chiming Street, Green Mountain Martial Arts School.

Today, this normally deserted martial arts school was bustling with people. Figures of importance, big and small, filled the street to congratulate the old master, Xu Qingshan.

While Xu Qingshan was temporarily away, someone at Li Qing's table whispered, "Old Master Xu is quite something. I heard when he was young and strong, he took two concubines, but they never conceived after all these years. I never expected that after so long, this newly acquired concubine would actually get pregnant!"

"Heh, I heard before that he was desperate for an heir and that Old Master Xu had often beaten and scolded his wives and concubines for not conceiving."

"Is that so?"

Li Qing, sitting nearby, listened to these words with a slightly strange expression. He simply continued to eat and drink on his own, not joining the discussion.

Qi Kang, on the other hand, wore a look of schadenfreude. He had always disliked these martial arts school owners who exploited the common people.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses.

At the entrance of the martial arts school, Xu Qingshan, the guest of honor for this banquet, entered with a tall, thin man.

This man had an imposing presence, his eyes sharp and bright, his entire demeanor like the keen edge of a drawn sword.

Old Master Xu trailed half a step behind this man, his expression respectful and his demeanor humble.

"Young Brother Zhang Lai, please come in and take the main seat. Flying Cloud Martial Arts School must be quite busy lately."

This one sentence revealed the identity of their guest.

Flying Cloud Martial Arts School!

One of the three major martial arts schools in the city, controlling nearly a quarter of the underground forces in the capital.

As soon as Zhang Lai entered the martial arts school, Xu Qingshan led him to the main seating area. The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense as everyone else fell silent.

"Hahahaha, everyone, please eat and drink to your heart's content. This Brother Zhang Lai is one of the personal disciples of Flying Cloud Martial Arts School!" Old Master Xu immediately laughed heartily to lighten the mood.

However, the disciple from Flying Cloud Martial Arts School showed no amusement, sighing repeatedly, "Please, don't mention it. We at Flying Cloud Martial Arts School have been going to great lengths to find that Star-Plucking Bandit. We haven't had a moment's rest lately!"

Xu Qingshan quickly chimed in, "Alas, that Star-Plucking Bandit is truly wicked. Brother Zhang, your Flying Cloud Martial Arts School has worked so hard to maintain peace in the city; you must be exhausted!"

"It can't be helped. Who else but my Flying Cloud Martial Arts School's Cloud-Soaring Skill can keep up with that Star-Plucking Bandit's superior lightness skill? This thankless task naturally falls upon us disciples," Zhang Lai said, shaking his head. "However, for the peace of the city's residents, this hardship is nothing."

Upon hearing this, Qi Kang's impression of these martial arts school people improved slightly.

Li Qing, however, felt like laughing, as if he detected a completely different undertone in those words.

"Qi Kang, remain calm and composed when you're out and about. No matter what happens, don't get flustered," Li Qing quickly cautioned.

Qi Kang looked bewildered. He didn't understand why his master was suddenly lecturing him at this moment.

"Master, what do you mean by that?" Qi Kang pressed.

Li Qing replied, "I want you to be steady. Don't let your emotions get the better of you in every situation. Learn to be rational and control your feelings!"

Qi Kang was still confused by these words, but the next moment, the conversation between Old Master Xu and Zhang Lai drifted over, and Qi Kang finally understood his master's intention.

"Young Brother Zhang is truly noble. I heard that because of this matter, the protection fee on several nearby streets has increased?" Old Master Xu asked with a hint of confusion.

Zhang Lai took a sip of the strong liquor in his cup and nodded, "That is indeed the case."

"Then we on Chiming Street must also show our support. How about this: starting next month, Chiming Street will also increase its monthly protection fee by one tael of silver. Once the matter of the Star-Plucking Bandit is resolved, we will revert to the old fee." Old Master Xu announced.

Inside, the guests who were enjoying the banquet fell silent, the atmosphere so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Zhang Lai demurred, "Ah, how can this be? The monthly protection fee has always been agreed upon beforehand. How can it be increased on a whim? Besides, apprehending the Star-Plucking Bandit is our duty at Flying Cloud Martial Arts School."

But Old Master Xu immediately countered generously, "Regardless, Flying Cloud Martial Arts School is working tirelessly for the people of the city. Since other streets have increased their fees, Chiming Street will do the same. We only hope that the Star-Plucking Bandit can be apprehended soon!"

"Very well! Since Master Xu has this intention, I shall not refuse. We at Flying Cloud Martial Arts School will certainly capture this Star-Plucking Bandit as soon as possible!"

Thus, Xu Qingshan immediately seized the momentum and announced the matter.

He spoke a great deal of high-sounding words, about how the Star-Plucking Bandit's evil deeds disrupted the city's order, causing the people to live in constant fear.

And how Flying Cloud Martial Arts School tirelessly worked to address this, and from now on, the monthly protection fee would increase by one tael of silver. Once the Star-Plucking Bandit was caught, the fees would return to their original amount.

After finishing, Zhang Lai also offered words of thanks for everyone's support in front of the assembled guests.

Creak!

Qi Kang, sitting at the table, clenched his fists, his eyes turning slightly red.

The other guests present had extremely grim expressions.

After all, no matter how much the Star-Plucking Bandit disrupted order, it didn't directly affect them as merchants.

Normally, they treated the matter as mere gossip, something to amuse themselves with. They never imagined it would directly impact them.

"This..."

Someone wanted to speak but hesitated, unwilling to be the first to step forward.

An increase of one tael of silver per month meant twelve taels a year, which was not a small sum!

Furthermore, the Star-Plucking Bandit was elusive. Let alone capturing them, most people probably didn't even know what they looked like. Who knew when they would finally be brought to justice.

This meant that as long as the Star-Plucking Bandit wasn't caught, they would have to pay an extra tael of silver in protection fees indefinitely!

Who could accept this!

Qi Kang finally understood why his master had told him to calm his mind and learn to be composed when facing problems; it was because he had already foreseen the scene that was about to unfold.

Suddenly, Qi Kang's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He admired his master's foresight but was also disappointed. Disappointed that despite possessing great martial arts skills, his master did nothing in the face of such injustice.

So, Qi Kang lowered his head and remained silent.

Inside the martial arts school, someone finally spoke, but their words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"That's right, the heroes of the Flying Cloud Martial Arts School have indeed worked hard to ensure we have a peaceful environment to conduct business!"

"Exactly, I agree to increase the protection fee by one or two taels of silver every month!"

"I agree too!"

From the main seats, Zhang Lai smiled brightly and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you all for your support. Rest assured, these Star-Plucking Bandits won't be at large for much longer. With the Flying Cloud Martial Arts School here, you can all relax!"

The few people who chimed in were merchants who usually associated closely with the Green Mountain Martial Arts School.

Everyone else present looked at them with the expression of "one of us is a traitor."

It was clear that these individuals had received instructions beforehand and were here to play along with Zhang Lai and Xu Qingshan's act.

Li Qing, who was sitting at the seats drinking and eating, paid no attention to these matters. He continued to savor his food, detached from the unfolding events, as if he weren't the one who had to pay.