"Ha ha ha..."
Suddenly, a string of deafening laughter erupted from behind the screen, shaking everyone to their core like thunder.
Everyone's gaze instantly focused there, as if drawn by an invisible force. A formidable, imposing man with an axe strapped to each side of his back strode out from behind the screen. Slapping his hands together, he loudly praised, "Absolutely marvelous! Truly a sight to behold!"
"Th-That's not the third-in-command of Black Wind Stronghold, 'Black Whirlwind'?"
Old Master Zhuang shuddered all over, his expression changing drastically. His voice was tinged with undisguised fear and unease. He had clearly recognized the identity of this uninvited guest.
"What?! Someone from Black Wind Stronghold actually showed up here?!"
"How is that possible? This banquet was hosted at the invitation of Chief Escort Zhao of Fuwei Escort Agency. How could a villain from Black Wind Stronghold be here?!"
Everyone present, from the finely dressed merchants and local gentry to the heroes of the other Three Escort Agencies, wore expressions of disbelief.
An air of tension and unease immediately filled the room.
The sudden appearance of people from Black Wind Stronghold had undoubtedly tossed a huge stone into this already turbulent gathering, stirring up a thousand waves.
At some point, the doors of Moon Invitation Tower had been quietly shut.
Zhao Zhicheng suddenly said coldly, "Meng Qingshan, all we wanted today was to kill this corrupt official with our own hands. I never expected you'd come right to our doorstep. As the saying goes, 'Heaven's gate stood open, but you wouldn't enter; hell had no door, yet you came right in.' Ha ha ha..."
At Zhao Zhicheng's words, the county magistrate trembled all over. He silently cursed his bad luck: Secretary, that rotten idea of yours is going to ruin me!
Meng Qingshan remained