Internal and External Troubles

The citizens of Luyang City were skeptical of the "Peacekeeping Joint Defense" that Du Ge spoke of. But when the corpse of He Yuan'an from the Divine Fist School was hung up, and Gao Yong and others stood smiling beside Feng Qi, promising to jointly maintain and protect Luyang City's public order, everyone believed.

After all, these were already the largest factions in Luyang City.

And Feng Qi, in just one night, had convinced them to join the peacekeeping alliance, proving to everyone with his actions that he not only had the heart to protect Luyang City but also the strength to do so.

Just as Du Ge thought, some people didn't need evidence; they just wanted a satisfactory outcome.

Especially when Du Ge brought out large baskets of gold and silver, compensating all victims double, and promising to double the compensation again if similar incidents occurred. The apprehension everyone felt towards him suddenly vanished.

What "Celestial Demon"?

"Celestial Demon" referred to others; Feng Qi was their "Celestial Demon," their benevolent lord...

There was nothing money couldn't buy.

That day.

The signature contract of the Peacekeeping Alliance was posted on Luyang City's notice board, announcing the responsibilities and obligations of the Peacekeeping Joint Defense to everyone.

The five major sects established patrol teams, patrolling the city day and night to resolve any sudden incidents;

For grievances and injustices, one could seek help from any organization within the Peacekeeping Alliance. If not resolved promptly, one could directly appeal to the Peacekeeping Gang. The Peacekeeping Gang would send people to resolve the issue and deal with the dereliction of duty by alliance members;

In the process of maintaining justice, all confiscated wealth, besides compensating victims, would have a portion deducted by the Peacekeeping Gang for its normal operational expenses. However, all financial expenditures would be regularly disclosed to the public;

The Peacekeeping Gang would regularly recruit aspiring youths from the populace to join the Peacekeeping Gang, jointly maintain justice, and provide food, lodging, and basic martial arts training...

Each point was listed. The Peacekeeping Gang quickly replaced the Luyang City government in the hearts of the people.

Moreover.

With the Peacekeeping Joint Defense, the night raids on civilians ceased.

Every citizen of Luyang City had smiles on their faces, praising the Peacekeeping Gang and Feng Qi, creating a scene of prosperity.

Feng Qi became a revered figure, his attributes skyrocketing.

After Qiu Feipeng and others were incorporated, no one intercepted Qiu Feibao, Li Chao, Lou Yuexiang, and other hall masters who were outside the city. These individuals were apprehended the day they returned. Persuaded by Qiu Yuanlang himself, they smoothly joined the Peacekeeping Gang and began the process of handing over the former Iron Palm Sect's various industries to the Peacekeeping Gang.

After the Feng Family members were rescued, Feng Shiren attempted to leverage their past relationship to gain power within the Peacekeeping Gang. However, Feng Qi rebuked him with the excuse of maintaining fairness, telling them to start from the bottom and crushing the Feng Family's hopes of taking shortcuts.

Seeing Feng Qi wielding absolute power in Luyang City, Feng Shiyi finally understood that the tables had turned. The Feng Family could no longer reach Feng Qi, and what Feng Qi said was true: relying on the Celestial Demon could indeed make a family prosper. It was a pity the Feng Family didn't have the destiny for it...

Luyang City was vibrant and renewed, but within the Peacekeeping Gang, a somber mood prevailed.

The faces of middle management like Liu Cheng and Gao Yong rarely showed smiles.

"Leader, if Qiu Muqian persuades Master Tong, they should be back in the next day or two. Should we make preparations? Master Tong is one of the seven great experts of our time..." Liu Cheng paused. "Of course, with the Leader's martial arts, he naturally doesn't fear Tong Shihong. But the Divine Fist School has countless experts. If they are determined to target the Peacekeeping Gang, with our skills, I fear we won't be able to cope. We have too few experts in the Peacekeeping Gang, and besides, Qiu Feipeng and the others might not be genuinely loyal..."

He glanced at Wang San beside Du Ge and said, "Even if they were genuinely loyal, as long as Mr. Wang is present, they wouldn't be able to exert their full combat effectiveness."

"It's not just the Divine Fist School we need to worry about, but also the sects behind us," Ding Wanjie said with a wry smile. "Once the news of Luyang City spreads, the few of us will likely be treated as traitors. No sect would allow such a thing to happen; it's digging at their roots!"

"Exactly! We can't suppress the Luyang City matter at all," Nie Nong said. "The day before yesterday, several of my subordinates escaped Luyang City, presumably to report to their sects. Perhaps in a few days, the main sects will send people to eliminate us."

"It's the same on my end," Gao Yong frowned. "Leader, with three temples, five sects, two gangs, and one family, a total of eleven top sects. The Peacekeeping Gang has provoked six of them, offending half the martial world. Even the Martial Saint Qiao He didn't dare to be this reckless back then..."

Gao Yong and the others were tied to the Peacekeeping Gang's warship by Du Ge's series of maneuvers. They couldn't get off, and they didn't dare to run. Thinking of the enemies they would face next, they were all worried to death, unable to even cry.

"So, you regret joining the Peacekeeping Joint Defense?" Du Ge asked, looking around at them with a smile.

Regret?

Did you give us any choice?

It was you, the villain, who forcibly tied us to the Peacekeeping Gang. You made it sound like we joined willingly?

If time could be rewound, the moment I saw that invitation, I should have run back to my sect immediately, without even meeting you...

The crowd looked at Du Ge, wanting to retort but not daring to. They all lowered their heads, expressing their resistance through silence.

Du Ge shook his head and asked, "How do you think my skills compare to those top experts?"

Still no one spoke.

"Daoist Gao, you speak," Du Ge called out.

"Better, and then some," Gao Yong said, glancing at Du Ge. In just two or three days, Du Ge's speed had become increasingly faster. During training, his eyes could barely keep up with the opponent's moves.

"And what if Wang San is there to suppress them?" Du Ge asked again.

"We'd win for sure," Gao Yong said.

"Then it's settled. What are you still afraid of?" Du Ge said.

"But two or three experts can't support a sect!" Nie Nong couldn't help but say. "Hall Master Wang's divine abilities are indeed strange, but the Luyang City matter has already spread. If they make a move again, they'll target Wang San first."

"I'm not afraid of them."

Wang San had adopted a new cultivation method. He always carried a box with him, filled with ice. Inside, several disembodied hands or hearts, whose owners were unknown, were kept chilled. He would often flaunt them in crowded places, displaying them to spread his notorious reputation as a yandere.

If it were just him, he would have been beaten to death long ago.

But operating under the banner of the Peacekeeping Gang, and with the protection of their enforcers, he acted with impunity, fearing no harm. Currently, he still held the second-ranked position in the simulation arena.

This was something he never dared to dream of when he first obtained his keyword. Now, he had decided to wholeheartedly follow Feng Qi.

"You all are simply too timid. Whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world. We are doing righteous work, what are you afraid of?" Du Ge shook his head. "I've thought of everything you've thought of. In fact, before you arrived, I already sent out joint investigation invitation letters to the major sects, explaining the dangers of the Celestial Demon and inviting them to cooperate in investigating Celestial Demon sightings in various regions, nipping the unrest in the bud. With Taotie as our witness, as long as they understand what's right, they won't make things difficult for us."

Seeing the hesitant expressions of the crowd, Du Ge smiled and continued, "I know what you're worried about. I've also helped explain your situation. You are only joining the Peacekeeping Joint Defense, not the Peacekeeping Gang itself. You are essentially still members of your original factions, so talk of betrayal is baseless…"

Are you serious?

You're trying to fool the sect leaders like children?

Gao Yong and the others stared with disbelief. This was pure provocation, as if you were afraid we wouldn't die fast enough!

"I know, the Peacekeeping Gang's standing isn't high enough, and my words might not garner enough attention," Du Ge looked at Liu Cheng and said seriously, "Didn't Qiu Muqian invite the old sect leader Tong Shihong? I will find a way to persuade him to join the Peacekeeping Gang. We can't let the righteous cause of Maintenance/Protection struggle. The Peacekeeping Gang indeed needs some old-school experts to anchor it."

Phew!

Upon hearing Feng Qi's words, everyone present simultaneously let out a sigh of relief, their hearts temporarily at ease.

After all.

Everyone present had personally experienced Du Ge's persuasion methods. Tong Shihong joining the Peacekeeping Gang should be a done deal.