The Foundation Is Set

Du Ge looked up.

Wang San's arm, clutching the knife, was stained red with blood, the Willow Leaf Knife long since dropped to the ground.

At this moment, he was like a madman, holding Qiu Yuanlang's head and venting his emotions. His one good hand tore open Qiu Yuanlang's bandages and clawed wildly at his wound, "Why? I clearly gave you a chance..."

Qiu Yuanlang let out a pained roar and struggled, his face filled with terror. Like a frightened child, he struck Wang San's lower back again and again, struggling incoherently, "No, let me go, you demon, let me go, let me leave..."

Qiu Feilong raised his saber and charged at Wang San, to save his father.

Seeing Qiu Feilong, Wang San's eyes turned red. He suddenly raised his hand, lifting Qiu Yuanlang to block himself. He grinned menacingly, "Darling, are you going to kill me too?"

Wang San had sustained internal injuries from Qiu Yuanlang's blows. He opened his mouth, and blood filled it.

This terrifying sight, amplified by Fear of the Delicate, scared Qiu Feilong out of his wits. His father was being used as a shield by Wang San, and his hand involuntarily loosened. Clang, the saber fell to the ground. "No!"

Seeing the favorable situation ruined by Qiu Feilong, Du Ge was furious. He grabbed Feng Zhong's neck and launched a backstab, charging rapidly towards Qiu Feilong.

Bang!

He kicked Qiu Feilong more than five meters away. Blood sprayed out in mid-air as he fell to the ground. After a few struggles, he immediately fell unconscious, his life or death unknown.

Affected by Fear of the Delicate and with his wound torn open by Wang San, Qiu Yuanlang was in pain and fear, and also fell unconscious.

Seeing this, all the Iron Palm Sect members who had rushed forward to surround Wang San froze on the spot.

They looked at Du Ge and Wang San in terror, trembling, not daring to move or run.

The common folk who had been crying out about their grievances earlier dared not approach, watching from afar.

Du Ge released Feng Zhong's neck and walked over to take Qiu Yuanlang from Wang San's hands, raising him high. "Maintenance/Protect justice with thunderous methods. Villagers, do not be afraid. The Qiu father and son who disrupted our event's order have been captured by us.

Qiu Yuanlang is the former leader of the Iron Palm Sect, a renowned first-rate master in the martial arts world. Now he is like a rag, toyed with in my hands. Qiu Feilong, who trained for over thirty years in Martial Arts, couldn't even last one round against me. What do you still fear? That these two good-for-nothings will rise again and dominate your destiny?

You were right to be worried when I had a sword to his neck, but now, he is half dead. What do you still fear?

You should fear your own lack of spirit, fear your weakness in not daring to believe in justice.

If I am here and you still dare not save yourselves, who in this world will save you in the future? Villagers, do not let my righteous heart grow cold. Today, I will put away my sword. I will leave Qiu Yuanlang here and see who dares to save him.

Come, those who harbor hatred, those who have courage, come back. I will help you seek justice. Let us Maintenance/Protect justice to the end..."

"Liu Cheng, stop pretending to be dead over there. Come Maintenance/Protect order, and find someone to see if the Qiu father and son can still be saved?" Without the need to hold Qiu Yuanlang at sword-point, Du Ge's confidence surged. He threw Qiu Yuanlang onto the table and sat behind it with a commanding presence. "What are you standing around for? Form ranks, hear the cases. From now on, there are no more Supreme Elders. I am the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang."

The former Iron Palm Sect members, acting as yamen runners, were stunned by Du Ge's aura. Each of them, carrying their short cudgels, hurried back to their posts, quickly restoring order.

Han Zuo and Qiu Muqian, using the excuse of apologizing, were discussing countermeasures in Luyang City and had not yet returned. Qiu Feilong was also unconscious. On the scene, only Liu Cheng remained among the Iron Palm Sect's high-ranking members. Their eyes met from afar, and Liu Cheng's heart trembled. He obediently walked back and, facing Du Ge, knelt on one knee and cupped his fists. "Liu Cheng, Hall Master of the Hidden Dragon Hall of the Peacekeeping Gang, greets the Leader."

This was an act of surrender!

Du Ge's eyes lit up. Indeed, threats alone wouldn't get things done. Keeping Qiu Yuanlang alive had given them a false sense of control over the situation, leaving them a sliver of hope for a comeback.

Only by cutting off their thoughts and leaving them with no retreat could this force truly be used for him.

Wang San, though unintentionally, had done a good deed.

Of course, it was a different time then. Yesterday, he hadn't had the strength to suppress everything. Without Qiu Yuanlang, that tool, they would have already been hacked to pieces.

Spider-Man was right: with great power comes great influence.

"Good." Du Ge walked around from behind the table and personally helped Liu Cheng up. "You are right. There is no more Iron Palm Sect. From now on, there is only the Peacekeeping Gang. Liu Cheng, the Peacekeeping Gang is born for the sake of justice in the world. We don't need flying dragons or hidden dragons. From this moment on, you are the Hall Master of the Justice Hall of the Peacekeeping Gang."

Whoosh!

Liu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and knelt again. "Liu Cheng thanks the Leader for not holding past grudges. From today onwards, Liu Cheng is willing to serve the Leader, day and night, to his death."

"No, not for me, but for justice in the world, for martial arts peace." Du Ge helped him up again, raised his hand, and said fervently, "Let us together dedicate ourselves to justice, peace, order, faith, ideals, and all that can be Maintenance/Protected for the sake of beauty, until death."

How awkward!

At that moment, a tiny trace of regret flashed through Liu Cheng's heart. But at this point, he was committed. Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile. "Yes, Leader."

The sudden turn of events had frightened the common folk. Even though Du Ge had quickly brought the situation under control afterward, the villagers were still watching, not daring to come closer.

Du Ge decided to ignore them and turned his gaze to the Iron Palm Sect members. "And you. I know many of you have made mistakes and are worried about punishment.

But no one is perfect, just as gold is not pure. When the beam above is crooked, the beam below will also be crooked. Growing up in the foul environment of the Iron Palm Sect, it's inevitable you'd be influenced by them. At birth, human nature is good. Who is born evil? Most of you, because of this world, if you don't bully others, others will bully you. Over time, you went down the wrong path. This is not your fault.

Therefore, I have decided to give you a chance to repent. For the mistakes you've made, unless they were extremely heinous, I will try my best to compensate the victims with money for the harm caused.

But I hope that in the future, you will turn towards the light, be upright and truly good people, the kind who are praised on the street, not pointed at with shame."

A commotion arose among the former Iron Palm Sect members, whispers and murmurs exchanged.

"Well said."

From the crowd, someone shouted.

Following that, shouts, cheers, and applause erupted, forming a continuous wave.

Du Ge raised his palm high, then lowered it. The scene returned to silence. He surveyed the Iron Palm Sect members. "I know what you're worried about? Afraid you won't have a livelihood following me. But I am the Celestial Demon. Money is the last thing I value. Moreover, I didn't build the vast fortune of the Iron Palm Sect. I can guarantee you that as long as you sincerely support the Peacekeeping Gang, everyone's previous monthly pay will be doubled."

He paused. "You help me Maintenance/Protect justice, and I will Maintenance/Protect you, protect your safety, and ensure you have food and clothing."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The Iron Palm Sect members, who had not committed many evil deeds, quickly wavered. Soon, someone stepped forward. "Leader, I am willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and serve the Leader."

"I am also willing to serve the Leader."

"I'm willing too."

More and more people stepped forward.

Circumstances were stronger than individuals. They weren't Qiu Yuanlang, they didn't have his foresight, nor were they Hall Masters or Incense Masters from above. They didn't have much savings to begin with, and if they left the Iron Palm Sect, they'd have nowhere to go.

Feng Qi promised to absolve them of their crimes and increase their pay. Why wouldn't they stay? It didn't matter who they worked for.

Du Ge swept his gaze over the crowd, a smile on his face. "Good, good, good. I knew most people had justice in their hearts, they just lacked an opportunity. Liu Cheng, after today's public trial, re-register everyone..."

Thanks to "Fire Burning Eyebrows" for the accompanying dishes and "Shamen Shi 1" for their Alliance Leader support. When "Fire Burning Eyebrows," a patron, became an Alliance Leader before, the chapters were released on schedule, and I didn't add author's notes. I had planned to thank them when the book went on sale. I didn't expect "Shamen Shi 1" to become an Alliance Leader again yesterday. If I don't say anything now, it would seem ungrateful. The Imperial Guard thanks both Alliance Leaders for their support. I'll add more chapters for you once the book is officially on sale. ^_^!