As the days slowly passed, all of Shaoyang City grew increasingly tense and heavily guarded. Even ordinary people could sense the grave, solemn atmosphere.
Every day, warriors from all over Lieyang Commandery—and even from other commanderies—poured into the city in droves.
Of course, the Five Ghosts Gate disciples were the ones who were hardest to miss. Fights and killings continued in the streets and alleys almost without pause.
Along with this came news that a rare treasure had appeared in Shaoyang City. It spread far and wide, drawing ever more warriors to the city.
"A rare treasure in Shaoyang City? And someone saw a beam of treasure light shoot into the sky and stretch for several miles?"
Riding a gray donkey, Fang Yuan listened to the wildly exaggerated rumors and laughed in spite of himself.
"Of course it's true!"
Traveling with him was a seven-foot-tall man whose muscles bulged all over like a savage ox.
"My brother said it with his own mouth. It's truer than pure gold!"
The man carried a Great Axe as big as a door panel, and looked quite imposing. "I've taken a liking to you. Why not join our Niutou Mountain gang? We eat meat in big chunks, drink wine from big bowls, and split up gold and silver by the scales. What could be better? Hahaha!"
"Heh, Brother Wang, you're too kind. My Martial Arts are shallow, so I'd better pass."
Fang Yuan rolled his eyes inwardly. He hadn't expected this simple-minded fellow to be a bandit chief.
They'd met by chance on the road and were traveling together to Shaoyang City. The man's full name was Wang Fugui—a name that sounded prosperous just hearing it.
From what he'd said, Niutou Mountain was a major force in Lieyang Commandery and seemed to have quite