Repelling the Firewood Gang

As this thought occurred, Gu Chang'an spoke, his voice low and resonant like clanging iron:

"I don't know how Zhang Qiang died. If you insist on making a move—"

His eyes sharpened, and his hand rested on his saber's hilt, a cold glint flashing.

"Then don't blame me for being impolite."

The air suddenly grew heavy.

"Kid, you're too arrogant!"

Someone in the crowd roared, drawing a short saber and lunging fiercely at Gu Chang'an!

Gu Chang'an's gaze flickered. He didn't move, but the saber's light arrived first—

"Clang—!"

He drew his saber sharply, the cold light like a flowing silk ribbon.

After a resonant clang, the attacker's short saber flew from his hand, his fingers falling to the ground, blood gushing.

"Bang—!"

Then, he let out a muffled groan and collapsed, unable to get up for a long time.

"Ah—!"

He clutched his bleeding hand, wailing in pain.

One move to defeat the enemy.

The entire alley fell silent.

The faces of the Firewood Gang members changed. They tightened their grips on their weapons, some shifting their feet as if to attack again, the atmosphere on the verge of exploding.

"Stop!"

Liang Biao raised his hand. His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a hammer blow, instantly suppressing everyone's murderous intent.

He narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Gu Chang'an, a slow smile spreading across his lips:

"Good fellow—"

"As expected, you're a trained fighter."

"Your draw is fast, your force is steady, you disarmed him in one move, your technique is ruthless and efficient."

He slowly took two steps forward, his gait light, but his tone suddenly turned grim:

"My cousin Zhang Qiang, though a scummy dog, lived and jumped around for over a decade. Yet he died without even a complete corpse."

"You say you don't know how he died, I—don't believe you."

Gu Chang'an looked at him, slowly raising his saber, the tip pointing to the ground, his voice like ice:

"Whether you believe me or not, I won't let anyone bully me."

"If you truly want revenge, then try me. See if you... have the ability."

This statement shocked everyone.

The smile on Liang Biao's face gradually faded. His eyes seemed to rake over Gu Chang'an like knives, but in the end, he didn't give the order.

He wasn't afraid, but he knew it wasn't the right time.

The situation in Nanning County was tense. If a life was taken now, even with the Firewood Gang's deep roots, they would still suffer severe consequences.

Liang Biao was no fool.

Even if this young man before him was likely the killer of Zhang Qiang, he understood that if a life were truly taken here now, The Firewood Gang wouldn't benefit; he himself might be brought down by Nanning's law.

Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, a creaking sound was heard, and a courtyard gate nearby opened.

An old woman with white hair trembled as she walked out, her voice hoarse but firm:

"He's a good child. Whenever our family lacked firewood or rice, he helped carry it back without complaint."

She said this, stubbornly standing in front of Gu Chang'an.

Then, another small courtyard door opened. A thin middle-aged man walked out, leaning on a cane.

"He helped me to the doctor's. He's my savior. If you want to touch him, you'll have to get past me first."

Suddenly, neighbors from all around came out of their doorways, some carrying brooms, others holding woodcutter's sabers. Though none were trained fighters, they stood tall, their faces resolute.

"If your Firewood Gang has any sense of justice, go to the authorities. Don't bully a child at the alley entrance!"

"No matter how run-down our alley is, it's not a place for you to run roughshod!"

"..."

Due to the overwhelming requests from our readers, we are now introducing a VIP ad-free membership feature.

Click to view.

The crowd's voices, increasingly agitated, began to overpower the Firewood Gang.

The Firewood Gang members' faces turned ugly. They stared at the group of poor refugees they usually looked down upon, who had suddenly rendered them unable to move.

At that moment, a stern voice rang out:

"Firewood Gang members, do you dare to kill someone in broad daylight?"

The crowd parted, and a burly man holding a longbow walked out.

He wore hunting attire, a bone knife at his waist, frost at his temples, and his eyes were as sharp as a falcon's. He was none other than Liu Hong, one of the leaders of the Hunter Gang.

Liu Hong glanced at Liang Biao and snorted:

"Our Hunter Gang doesn't cause trouble, but we aren't afraid of it either. If you want to touch him, you'll have to get past me first."

"Besides, if you truly believe this child killed your people, you can report it to the County Office. Why surround his home?"

Liang Biao looked at the crowd, whose hearts were with Gu Chang'an, and with the Hunter Gang now involved, he knew he couldn't act today.

He stared intently at Gu Chang'an, his gaze as cold as a venomous snake's, and said word by word:

"Good... Very good. Gu Chang'an, is it?"

"You remember this for me--"

"Don't go out alone from now on... Otherwise, I will personally chop you to pieces."

After speaking, he fiercely flicked his robe and turned, swinging his black ebony iron staff with a dull thud.

The other Firewood Gang members, though unwilling, dared not disobey. They could only sheath their knives and disperse, retreating into the dark shadows at the end of the alley under everyone's watchful eyes, slowly disappearing at the street corner.

The night wind gradually subsided, and the tense atmosphere at the alley entrance relaxed.

Gu Chang'an watched them leave, but a shadow darker than the night flickered in his eyes.

He murmured in a low voice, with a ferocity he had never known before:

"Firewood Gang, huh..."

"You're finished. I'm coming for you."

A moment later, he sheathed his knife and cupped his hands in a bow to the neighbors, saying in a deep voice:

"Thank you all for speaking up for me today. Chang'an remembers this."

The old woman quickly waved her hands:

"Child, you should leave quickly. Don't come back tonight. The Firewood Gang is unreasonable, they might even have people ambushing you."

Another person advised:

"Now that you've offended them, why not go somewhere else to lie low? There are plenty of places to hide outside, and the Firewood Gang won't find you."

Gu Chang'an, however, shook his head, his tone firm:

"No need."

"I am already part of the authorities. From today onwards, I am officially a constable."

The crowd was stunned, and then an exclamation erupted.

"Chang'an, you've become a constable?"

"That's wonderful! Now our alley has a backer!"

Liu Hong also smiled and walked forward, patting Gu Chang'an's shoulder heavily:

"Kid, you're amazing. If you ever can't continue down this path, the Hunter Gang's doors are always open to you."

Gu Chang'an cupped his fists in return: "Thank you for your kindness, Brother Liu. Since I'm wearing the black uniform now, I must protect the people of this neighborhood."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly smiled and said loudly:

"Now that I've become a constable today, and with everyone's help, why don't I treat everyone to a meal!"

"Tonight, at Old Wang's restaurant at the street corner, the drinks are on me!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd was first stunned, then burst into laughter.

"Then we must have a few extra drinks!"

"I love hearing that! Let's go, let's go!"

"We won't go home until we're drunk tonight!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Gu Chang'an strode towards the alley entrance. His seemingly thin and young back now appeared as steady as a mountain.

From this day forward, he was no longer just a refugee.

He was a constable of Nanning County.

If you find this book to your liking, please add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

At the request of many readers, VIP membership with ad-free viewing is now available.

Click to view