Chapter 135: Snake Hag
The Fire Bear Gang's intelligence was naturally something Li Yan had gathered.
Not only because of this spell battle, but also because of Lu San's affair. These people had colluded with Qiao Sanhu, and they might well become enemies in the future.
The leader of the Fire Bear Gang was named Xiong BaoDong.
He came from Outside the Pass. His background was somewhat like Li Yan's family's: he was also descended from an old general who had fought in that battle, though not among those who had invaded the Icy Plains.
His father had been a frontier commander in the north. He had originally been forced into rebellion, but when the imperial army arrived, he suddenly changed sides and opened the pass.
That was one reason the rebellion was quelled so quickly.
Of course, although the imperial court rewarded such people, it was even more wary of them. As soon as the flames of war died down, it broke up their forces.
Some retired and returned home, while most were sent to serve in garrisons throughout the various provinces.
Though they were military officials, their posts were merely sinecures. Not only would they never have any chance of promotion, even their descendants would find it exceedingly difficult to rise above their station.
Xiong BaoDong was born into this atmosphere.
Living in Chang'an was no easy matter. His father's salary was only enough to keep the whole family fed and clothed. He remained depressed all day long, and before long, he drank himself to death on a winter night.
Xiong BaoDong had never been a good man. After learning his family's martial arts and growing up without anyone to restrain him, he quickly became a notorious young thug in Chang'an, bullying men and violating women, committing every