Undercurrents Surging

Autumn had arrived, and with winter not far off, the caravans from beyond the pass were withdrawing one after another.

The well-established Tongda Trading Firm was no exception.

At dusk, dust billowed along the northern imperial road. Accompanied by the trembling of the ground, a massive procession galloped in from the direction of the frontier.

At the head of the formation were over a hundred black-armored cavalrymen. Both men and mounts were clad in heavy armor, exuding a murderous aura, with fresh, undried blood staining their plates.

Following them were dozens of rhinoceros pack beasts, standing nearly ten feet tall and carrying heavy cargo crates. Over a hundred horse-drawn carriages trailed at the rear, their curtains drawn tight.

The entire group numbered no fewer than five hundred people, each possessing vigorous vitality; even the weakest among them had an aura more formidable than the late Sun Qing. When a dozen or so of their gazes swept across the forest, it felt as if invisible blades were cutting through the air.

The procession moved at great speed, reaching the open campsite three miles outside Linshan Town in no time.

The advance party had already erected fences and tents, and the two groups merged rapidly.

"Commander Xu has returned!"

"The cargo is complete. We dealt with three groups of alien tribes on the road."

After a brief exchange, the large force poured into the campsite.

Well-trained caravan staff began unloading cargo, settling the pack beasts, and pitching more tents.

Small squads were dispatched to set up overt and covert sentry posts around the perimeter of the camp.

They had to wait here for inspection by the border army. This had been the rule in the Northern Frontier for decades: any large caravan entering the pass must first be screened by the border army to prevent the smuggling of contraband or the infiltration of spies from beyond the pass.

The campsite quickly became bustling.

A staff member beat a brass gong, shouting along the imperial road: "The Northern Frontier's Tongda Trading Firm has returned! The market opens in three days—furs, medicinal herbs, ores, and exotic treasures from beyond the pass, we have it all!"

The voice carried across the fields, and the news spread like the wind.

In nearby villages and the bian fort, bold hunters and farmers poked their heads out to take a look.

Meanwhile.

In the backyard of an inconspicuous grocery store in the northern part of Linshan Town, the entrance to a cellar was uncovered, revealing a set of stone steps leading downward.

At the end of the steps was a secret chamber.

Candlelight flickered in the room, illuminating five figures wrapped in wide black robes.

They were gathered around a stone table, upon which a map of Yang Province and its surrounding terrain was spread out.

The candlelight cast their shadows against the stone wall.

Eerily, each person's shadow showed two overlapping outlines: one was human, while the other was a distorted, ghostly phantom...

North of the town, at the end of Fushun Street, in the backyard of the Wild Wolf Gang headquarters.

Gang leader Zhou Hang sat upright in his grand armchair, his expression grim.

He was around forty years old and a martial artist in the bone tempering step of the body forging realm. He had originally been a student at a martial hall in the provincial capital, but after suffering a disaster while hunting beasts in the Northern Frontier ten years ago, he had narrowly escaped with his life and settled down here.

Through ruthless tactics, he had annexed smaller gangs and grown to become the leader of the Wild Wolf Gang. On the surface, he assisted with public security, while secretly controlling the gray market; he was already a man of status in the town.

He had experienced the return of Northern Frontier merchant caravans many times before. He did not find it surprising; in fact, he even felt a sense of anticipation, hoping for some gains.

However, the fact that someone in the gang had disobeyed his orders and acted on their own was a different matter.

This was a blatant disregard for his authority as the gang leader. It would be strange if he were in a good mood.

"Why did Hall Master Sun take men with him?" Zhou Hang asked in a cold voice.

The gang members below braced themselves and replied, "Hall Master Sun took ten men out to conduct some 'business.' By all accounts, they should have returned long ago."

"What kind of business?"

"Before noon, we received news that some hunters from Luming Fort had killed an alpha wolf and were heading back after purchasing a large amount of medicinal supplements. Hall Master Sun heard this and took the men to intercept them..."

Zhou Hang slammed his hand onto the armrest. "Idiots! Are hunters who can afford a large quantity of medicinal supplements ordinary people? Where did the news come from?"

The steward whispered, "We checked. It originated from Yuelai Teahouse. The one spreading the news was You Biaozi, a guard for Lei Jun of the Leiming Martial Hall."

"Lei Jun..." A flash of anger crossed Zhou Hang's eyes. "Is that little brat trying to use my Wild Wolf Gang as a blade? And Sun Qing, that brainless fool, actually walked right into it."

"Gang leader, could Hall Master Sun and the others..."

"They are likely in grave danger." Zhou Hang was decisive. He stood up and paced the hall a few times. "Recently, the town has been in turmoil, and medicine is in short supply. Those hunters were able to purchase supplements from Duobao Pavilion.

Either they possess considerable strength themselves, or there is someone behind them. To hold a VIP token—Sun Qing and his men have kicked a steel plate."

He suddenly stopped and swept his gaze over the people in the hall. "Pass on my order: Sun Qing has been expelled from the Wild Wolf Gang as of several days ago for embezzling gang property, colluding with outsiders, and betraying the gang. His actions have nothing to do with us. Spread the news immediately so everyone in town knows."

"Gang leader, this..." A subordinate looked stunned.

"Do it!" Zhou Hang commanded sharply. "Duobao Pavilion has military backing. Anyone who can hold a VIP token is extraordinary; do not bring disaster upon this gang.

Additionally, send men to the secluded areas near Luming Fort, such as Old Pine, to investigate quietly. If you find any bodies, dispose of them cleanly. Leave no traces."

"Yes!"

The men acknowledged the order and retreated.

Zhou Hang stood alone in the hall, looking out the window, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair.

"The Lin family was just slaughtered, and the Leiming Martial Hall has taken a fall, yet people are still daring to stir up trouble." He muttered to himself, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes.

"The Northern Frontier caravan is right outside the town, and there are too many people here who live by the blade. These waters are bound to get murkier... I need to make plans early..."

West of the town, at the Tongfu Inn.

In a quiet guest room on the second floor, the windows were tightly shut.

"Big Brother, the main force of the Northern Frontier's Tongda Trading Firm has returned and is camping just outside the town. Judging by their formation, there are no fewer than five hundred men, and quite a few experts among them."

"Damn it!"

Zhao Tianhu, a burly man with a thick beard, listened to his subordinate's report. Upon hearing this terrible news, his face grew increasingly grim, and he slammed a fist onto the table.

"They couldn't have come back earlier or later; they just had to pick this moment!"

He had been ordered by the mountain stronghold's chief to lead a team of elite brothers into Linshan Town in separate batches, all to figure out the secrets of the Leiming Martial Hall and avenge the brothers who had been ambushed and killed in the mountains a while back.

That was a bond forged in life and death; blood debts had to be paid in blood.

But this sudden influx of a large merchant caravan, packed with experts, would undoubtedly complicate the situation in town several times over. It was highly likely to cause complications and disrupt his plans.

"Listen to me, all of you," Zhao Tianhu said, his gaze sweeping over the five or six trusted leaders in the room as he lowered his voice. "The current situation is not optimistic. There are all sorts of monsters and demons in that caravan, so we must keep our heads down.

Starting tomorrow, everyone is to pose as ordinary hunters or farmers. Buy supplies and gather information in small groups.

Focus on keeping a close watch on the Leiming Martial Hall. Figure out their daily comings and goings, their routes, and the reality of their defenses.

Remember, look only—do not act! If anyone can't control their hands or their crotch and ruins this, don't blame me, Zhao Tianhu, for being heartless!"

"Understood, Big Brother!" The men replied with solemn nods.

"Once we've figured it all out, we'll strike with thunderous force." A fierce light flickered in Zhao Tianhu's eyes. "We will make the Leiming Martial Hall pay for their blood debt!"

As night began to fall, Qin Meng returned to his small courtyard.

Smoke curled from the kitchen, and the warm scent of meat and millet rice wafted through the air. Since their household had become increasingly well-off, they had meat at every meal, drawing the envy of their neighbors.

Hearing the courtyard gate, Shen Qiuyue came out wearing an apron, her eyes filled with tenderness. "Meng, you're back just in time. Dinner is ready."

The table was filled with a rich spread: fresh green stir-fried wild vegetables, a milky-white wild pheasant and mushroom soup, and in the center, a plate of steamed demon salamander meat that was glistening white and fragrant. Beside it were stir-fried snake meat, smoked venison, and a steaming bowl of golden millet rice.

Qin Meng washed his hands and sat down. He took the bowl Shen Qiuyue had filled for him and ate heartily, pairing it with the tender, smooth demon salamander meat. As the demon salamander meat entered his stomach, it turned into a warm current that spread to his limbs and bones, nourishing his body.

Shen Qiuyue also picked up her bowl to eat.

She had recently been practicing basic martial arts with Qin Meng, so her physical stamina and appetite had both increased. However, she was thin-skinned by nature, so she kept her head down, eating in small bites and occasionally glancing quickly at Qin Meng, her cheeks flushing slightly.

After the meal, Qin Meng helped clear the dishes, and the two of them washed up by the well in the courtyard.

Moonlight like water spilled over the figures standing side by side, serene and tranquil.

After washing up, they returned to the bedroom.

Qin Meng blew out the oil lamp, and darkness descended. He reached out an arm to pull the warm, soft body beside him into his embrace. Shen Qiuyue trembled slightly, then obediently nestled against him.

In the darkness, breathing grew rapid, and clothing rustled as it fell away. Soon, the sounds of rhythmic impact and suppressed gasps began, weaving together into the most intimate melody of the night.

After the tenderness, Qin Meng took a jade-green bead from the bedside.

Under the moonlight, the bead glowed with a gentle luster, with emerald clouds swirling within; it was stunningly beautiful.

Shen Qiuyue let out a soft cry. As her fingertips brushed against it, she felt a cool, smooth texture, and a sense of comfortable vitality slowly radiated outward.

At this moment, there was a slight movement in the corner. Xiao Xue, the little fox, had raised its head at some point, its emerald eyes staring straight at the green bead, filled with curiosity, its furry tail swaying gently.

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