Earthworm Centipede

The Gathering Hall was brightly lit.

Over forty men stood guard outside the hall. They were veteran bandits of the mountain, commonly known as 'Old Brothers,' highly trusted by Cao Long. They wore the thickest cotton-padded jackets, ate the most delicious meat, and wielded the finest weapons, enjoying preferential treatment in all aspects.

Second floor.

Two men sat in the hall, with eight burly men standing guard on either side below.

"Three thousand taels?"

"The harvest in the latter half of the year wasn't good, so that's all there is."

"I'm afraid the patron won't be pleased."

"Black Wind Stockade has over two hundred brothers to feed, and Cao has no choice."

Zhang Yu moved slowly along the eaves, approaching a window. He carefully peeled back the bandage and peered through the small opening.

The man who called himself 'Cao' was around forty years old, with a sallow complexion and a long beard.

Seated opposite him was a middle-aged man resembling a scholar, dressed in a blue robe with a round collar. Before him lay three silver notes, and his expression was one of displeasure.

The scholar in the blue robe continued, "Master Huang occupies the medicinal gardens and tea plantations around Cloud Mist Mountain. His annual income is said to be over seventy to eighty thousand, yet he only pays Black Wind Stockade two thousand taels in rent. Isn't that too little?"

Cao Long picked up his teacup and chuckled, "Old Huang has the Shennong Gang backing him. As long as the patron eradicates those venom-wielding scoundrels, I wouldn't mind increasing the rent thirtyfold."

The scholar in the blue robe sneered, "Don't forget your place. You dare to set conditions for the patron? Do you think you've grown enough feathers just by subduing those fifty convicts? Believe it or not, whether you're a dragon or a worm is entirely up to the patron's whim!"

The eight burly men stepped forward in unison, drawing their long sabers with a 'clang.' An aura of elite soldiery emanated from them.

Cao Long chuckled lightly, "Master Tang, in front of the patron, Cao is always a worm. But worms need to eat, and they can't just be dead worms. How can a dead worm help the patron make money?"

Master Tang sneered, "You'd better not be playing any tricks. Don't forget how you became the stockade leader."

"I won't forget, I dare not forget."

Cao Long took out a silver note from his sleeve, placed it under his teacup, and slid it towards the scholar in the blue robe with a smile. "Cao is an honest man, and even more so with friends. It's been eight years, Master Tang, you know me."

Master Tang picked up his teacup, took a sip, and cleared his throat. "It seems Stockade Leader Cao indeed has difficulties. Then... after I return, I shall report this to the patron?"

Cao Long smiled, "It's late, the weather is cold, and the mountain roads are treacherous. Master Tang and these brothers should rest at my humble abode for the night. I will find two top-quality foot warmers for you all to enjoy yourselves, how about it?"

Master Tang glanced around, seeing that the eight followers were somewhat tempted. After all, who would venture out in the dead of winter without any benefit? He chuckled, "Stockade Leader Cao, with so many brothers, two foot warmers won't suffice."

Cao Long burst into laughter, "I meant two foot warmers per brother. Of course, Master Tang is in good health and can handle four."

"Oh, really? Tang didn't know his body was so robust. Then I shall gratefully accept."

The two men exchanged laughter. Cao Long escorted Master Tang and his entourage to the door and arranged for their reception. He returned to his seat, his expression gradually turning grim. After a moment, he clapped his hands, and two men entered from outside.

One was a crude warrior named Li Zhong.

The other was a scholar in a white robe named Chen Xiulun.

Cao Long asked them, "What do you think?"

Li Zhong extended his palm and gestured downwards. "In my opinion, we should eliminate Master Tang! The terrain of Cloud Mist Mountain means even the constables from Bailuo County and the local militias wouldn't be able to do anything! Moreover, the collusion between officials and bandits is unsavory, and the patron might not dare to resort to force."

"Eliminate Master Tang?"

Cao Long pondered, tempted. He then looked at the middle-aged pedantic scholar who had almost starved to death the previous winter and sought refuge at Black Wind Stockade. He was one of the few educated men in the stockade and sometimes offered terrible advice.

"Master, what do you think?"

Chen Xiulun stroked his beard. "Leader Li's words have some merit. However, in my humble opinion, it is too hasty. The patron has great influence and deep roots in Bailuo County. To completely fall out with him would be equivalent to cutting off official support."

Li Zhong sneered and cursed, "Damn it! Five to six thousand taels a year, eighty percent of the stockade's surplus, just to buy official support?"

Chen Xiulun chuckled lightly, "The sage said, 'Leave a line in all things, and you may meet again in the future.' Whether this five to six thousand taels is worth spending, the stockade leader knows best."

Cao Long was torn, unable to make up his mind. He just felt a pang of heartache remembering the three thousand taels in silver notes.

Chen Xiulun guessed some of the stockade leader's thoughts and said, "Stockade Leader, two days from now is your fortieth birthday. Why not invite Master Huang and the leaders of the surrounding mountain stockades to gather at Black Wind Stockade and receive some gift money to compensate for the loss?"

Li Zhong laughed, "Master Chen's idea isn't bad, I think it'll work! Especially Master Huang, we must make him bleed properly."

The three agreed and dispatched their subordinates down the mountain to deliver invitations. Cao Long felt slightly relieved.

Zhang Yu withdrew his gaze from the window. He had heard clearly; Black Wind Stockade seemed to be backed by an official from Bailuo County. The ostensible leader, Cao Long, was merely a puppet.

"Officials and bandits are one family, as it has always been."

"It seems this 'Earth-Drilling Centipede' has other intentions and is unwilling to be a puppet. As for that patron, he even dares to deceive his own subordinate, Master Tang. He likely lacks any truly effective means to deter Cao Long."

A dark shadow leaped from the second floor, landing precisely in the backyard. Just as he was about to leave, he noticed a massive stone block by the well, weighing at least four to five hundred jin.

"Judging by Cao Long's breathing and demeanor, he doesn't seem to possess profound internal energy."

Zhang Yu looked around; no one was present, so he wasn't in a hurry to leave. He walked to the stone block and exerted force with both arms, but it didn't budge at all.

"Could Cao Long truly be a reincarnation of King Xiang, possessing innate divine strength?"

He lowered his stance, channeling his internal energy into his meridians. His face turned red. With great effort, he managed to move it half a step, only to hear a faint sound from within the stone block.

"There really is something fishy!"

Zhang Yu fumbled for a moment and found a pin. After pulling it out halfway, iron sand immediately poured out from the hole. He understood immediately and put the pin back in place.

"So it was a deception. The stone block is hollow, filled with iron sand."

Twenty miles outside Cloud Mist Mountain, in a dilapidated temple.

"Envoy."

Two Wild Wolf Gang disciples patrolling outside the temple saw Zhang Yu return and quickly clasped their fists in greeting.

"Have you set up any sentries?"

"Reporting, sir. One in the trees, one in the woods, using the gong as a signal."

"Good, continue your patrol."

Entering the temple, over thirty Wild Wolf Gang disciples rose to greet him.

"The Envoy has returned."

"Envoy..."

"Envoy..."

The Martial Saint Temple's scheme to kill Zhao Huaien, forcing Peng Canghu back in Black Pine Forest, and then leading these surviving embers of the Wild Wolf Gang out of desperation to the south of Pingyang Prefecture had already earned Zhang Yu prestige.

"You've worked hard, Envoy. Have a goose leg."

Liu Dachui, with his thick skin and tough flesh, had his back wounds scab over after applying the wound medicine. He sat by the campfire, roasting a goose leg, and smiled, offering it to Zhang Yu when he saw him approach.

"How is your injury?" Zhang Yu accepted the goose leg without ceremony and began to chew heartily.

"Don't worry, Envoy. My martial nickname, 'Iron Head Wolf,' wasn't given for nothing. If you give the order, Envoy, and tell me who to chop, Old Liu will chop them! It won't delay anything."

The iron pot on the campfire was steaming hot. Zhao Xia scooped out some 'Drunken Ox,' poured it into a ceramic bowl, and handed it to Zhang Yu, saying softly, "Envoy, have a drink to ward off the chill."

Zhang Yu took the wine and drank it in one gulp.

Liu Dachui looked at the two of them, a smile appearing on his face.

When Big Brother Zhao was alive, his greatest wish was for his daughter to find a good husband. The Young Gang Leader was already twenty-two this year.

Over the years, Zhao Xia had managed the gang's affairs on one hand, and on the other, ordinary men hadn't caught her eye, leaving her a grown woman.

Liu Dachui thought to himself, The Envoy is handsome, skilled, and strategically brilliant. He'd be a good match. Judging by the Young Gang Leader's demeanor, she might have some feelings, but she's too reserved. The fish will swim away. Old Liu needs to find an opportunity to add some fuel to their fire!

Zhao Xia chuckled, "According to what the Envoy said, Cao Long was just a fake."

After finishing his wine and meat, Zhang Yu wiped his mouth and continued to speak to the two of them, "Cloud Mist Mountain has steep terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack. There are also many tea gardens and medicinal gardens nearby. If managed well, we'll have no shortage of money and grain."

"Black Wind Stockade on the mountaintop is an existing foundation. As long as we take it, we won't have to wander around this winter."

After he finished speaking, he saw them both staring at him and asked, "What are your opinions?"

Zhao Xia's eyes sparkled, "We'll listen to the Envoy."

"I agree with this... this brilliant plan!"

Liu Dachui saw them looking at him and panicked for a moment, almost blurting out, "I agree with this marriage!"