Deterrence

The night deepened.

In Nanning County's North Street, the "Wang Ji Building" was brightly lit, red lanterns hanging high, and the scene below was exceptionally lively.

Today was different from usual. Refugees, vendors, and hunters from the entire street had gathered, with hot soup simmering and earthenware wine pots being passed around one after another.

The shop was filled with long tables, where neighbors and common folk sat around, their laughter and chatter filling the air. The long-lost liveliness heated the usually quiet alley until it felt as scorching as fire.

Gu Chang'an, wearing the newly acquired dark tunic and a standard long saber at his waist, sat in the seat closest to the window.

As he poured wine for an old man at the table's edge, he glanced up.

He saw Liu Hong in the crowd, speaking to the owner. Soon, Liu Hong walked over, carrying a pot of aged yellow wine.

"Little Brother Gu, you handled yourself admirably today. I'll toast you." Liu Hong raised his cup with a smile, his face filled with open admiration.

Gu Chang'an picked up his wine bowl and gently clinked it with Liu Hong's. "Brother Liu has saved me from trouble many times. Chang'an also toasts you with a bowl."

The two of them drank their fill, the wine warming them from the inside out.

Liu Hong wiped his mouth and put down his bowl. "Did you suffer any losses against Chai Biao today?"

Gu Chang'an shook his head calmly, his gaze slightly heavy. "If it weren't for my status, I would have dealt with him myself today."

Liu Hong laughed heartily, but a hint of solemnity appeared in his eyes.

"Little Brother, you need to be careful. Although Chai Biao isn't a ranked martial artist, he holds a significant position within the Firewood Gang. His brother is the 'Left Protector' of the Firewood Gang and a Ninth Rank martial artist. If they truly set their sights on you, they won't give up so easily."

Gu Chang'an looked up, his voice as steady as water.

"I was just about to ask Brother Liu, how much do you know about the Firewood Gang?"

Liu Hong paused. Seeing Gu Chang'an's calm yet sharp gaze, he was secretly surprised.

This kid is so young, yet he acts like an old soldier who has seen countless battles?

He lowered his voice and said, "The Firewood Gang, to put it bluntly, originated from a bandit den. They started as roving bandits and later, with the help of an outsider Taoist priest, established themselves in Nanning County and gradually took root."

"Later, this Taoist priest was granted amnesty by the County Magistrate and founded the Firewood Gang in Nanning County."

"Currently, all underground transactions, black market smuggling, and several casinos in Nanning County are basically under their control."

Gu Chang'an said gravely, "That Taoist priest, is he their gang leader?"

"Precisely," Liu Hong nodded.

"No one has ever seen him fight, but legend has it that this person is very powerful."

"How many Protectors and Hall Masters does the Firewood Gang have?"

"Hmm. The Left and Right Protectors respectively manage punishment and finance. The Punishment Hall specializes in killing, and the Finance Hall handles the accounts."

"There are a total of ten Hall Masters in the Firewood Gang, each overseeing specific districts and affairs. Chai Biao is one of them, a former thug, ruthless and cruel."

A glint of coldness flashed in Gu Chang'an's eyes as he continued to press.

"Do you know how many ranked martial artists they have in their gang?"

Liu Hong was taken aback. He frowned, seemingly not expecting Gu Chang'an to be concerned about the number of ranked martial artists rather than the total manpower.

Does he not care about ordinary people, but only ranked martial artists?

He put down his wine cup and said in a low voice, "Few people ask about that... Have you trained before?"

Gu Chang'an merely smiled faintly, not answering.

Liu Hong pondered for a moment and said, "According to the information our Hunter Gang has gathered over the years, the Firewood Gang has at least seven or eight Ninth Rank martial artists. As for their leader..."

He lowered his voice and held up three fingers. "He should be an Eighth Rank."

Gu Chang'an listened quietly and nodded.

"...Thank you."

His soft thanks, spoken calmly and without a ripple, seemed to fall like a stone into a well, steady and powerful.

Liu Hong looked at him, falling silent for a moment.

He suppressed his surprise and changed the subject. "Let's not talk about this for now. Today is a big day for your promotion. Come, let's drink! We'll toast you – with you watching over us from now on, our neighborhood can rest much easier."

"Alright," Gu Chang'an raised his bowl and smiled.

The wind picked up outside the window, the night as dark as ink. Inside the building, the sound of drinking grew louder, the aroma of hot soup filled the air, and rough bowls of clear wine were passed around one after another.

Late at night, in the western part of Nanning County, a secluded courtyard.

High walls stood tall on all sides, and the Firewood Gang's black flag with red flames was planted on the rooftops.

The main hall was brightly lit, the air thick with the smell of smoke and alcohol. A large wooden table was piled with teacups, wine pots, and several plates of cold meat.

Liang Biao sat in the main seat, his face ashen and his eyes like a wolf's, exuding a fearsome killing intent.

He clutched his wine bowl and took several gulps, the rage in his eyes still unquenched.

"Hall Master, that kid is too arrogant! He actually attacked in front of so many people and dared to threaten you!"

A burly subordinate with a thick beard slammed the table, gnashing his teeth.

"Exactly! Zhang Qiang was your cousin, and after he died so long ago, no one was held responsible..."

"Now that we've finally found a lead, that kid is openly provoking our Firewood Gang on the street. He clearly doesn't take us seriously!"

"I say, we should just have someone take care of him tonight, chop him down with a knife, and see if he can still talk tough!"

"..."

The men spoke one after another, their anger rising, and they had already regarded Gu Chang'an as a mortal enemy.

Liang Biao did not speak immediately, merely gripping his wine bowl, his brow deeply furrowed.

He knew better than anyone in his heart: the speed of that kid's draw and the ruthlessness of his strike were by no means comparable to an ordinary refugee.

If they wanted to deal with him, they would need to bring more men.

At that moment, a black-clothed gang member from outside strode in. He walked to the front of the hall and reported in a low voice:

"Hall Master, there's new information."

"Speak."

"That Gu Chang'an... is not simple."

Liang Biao's brow twitched. He tapped the rim of the wine bowl twice with his finger, a cold glint appearing in his eyes:

"How is he not simple? Could it be that he has some backing?"

The man nodded, his tone low and clear:

"He's a constable from the County Office. He officially took office today, and Li Hongye personally brought him into the yamen and assigned him his duties."

"And..." the man paused, "he's a Ninth Rank martial artist, capable of fighting Yellow Wolf Lu Kai."

The hall fell silent.

A ranked martial artist, even if only Ninth Rank, was not someone ordinary people could contend with.

However, Liang Biao was unfazed. Although he was not a ranked martial artist himself.

His brother was, and his brother had already killed no less than five Ninth Rank martial artists.

His combat power was extremely formidable.

"More importantly--" the man whispered, "according to intelligence from our informant, his master is Li Tianfeng."

"Li Tianfeng? That Li Tianfeng?"

Liang Biao finally spoke, his voice low, tinged with disbelief.

"Li Tianfeng of the Sky Wind Martial Hall."

Liang Biao suddenly stood up, his wine bowl shattering on the floor with a "crack."

"Li Tianfeng of the Sky Wind Martial Hall?! Are you sure?!"

"Absolutely certain."

The air grew heavy, and the men in the hall fell silent, their expressions shifting.

This Li Tianfeng was no simple figure.

He was a peak Eighth Rank martial artist.

Even their gang leader wouldn't dare to say he could defeat him with 100% certainty.

Someone asked in a low voice, "Hall Master... should we continue to keep an eye on him?"

Liang Biao's face flickered between green and white. He gritted his teeth for a few moments before finally throwing his hand out and cursing, "Keep an eye on my ass!"

He turned and sat down, exhaling heavily. The killing intent on his face vanished, but his brow was clouded with gloom.

"This Gu Chang'an... not only is he a trained fighter, but he also has official status, and Li Tianfeng is backing him."

"If this escalates further, our entire Firewood Gang will be stripped bare in Nanning."

A subordinate whispered, "What about Zhang Qiang's revenge..."

"Shut the hell up," Liang Biao glared at him coldly.

"The man's been dead for a month. Digging up old grudges now will only bring trouble upon ourselves."

"Pass my order--from now on, avoid that kid. If he actively causes trouble, we are not to act rashly, understand?"

"Yes..." Although the men were indignant, they also understood that Liang Biao's decision was the right one.

Liang Biao narrowed his eyes and murmured in a low voice, "This kid... he's probably going to soar in the future."

The lights in the hall flickered, and everyone's expression was complex.