The next day.
Using his injury as an excuse, Zhao An stayed in the small courtyard to practice his saber and consolidate his Internal Breath.
In truth, the wound on his head had almost healed. The Female Physician's medicine really had been worth every penny. In just two more days, he could remove the bandages and return to normal.
"Brother Zhao, I heard some merchant caravans that came into the city saying the fighting in Anxi is fierce. The court hasn't sent enough military pay, and troops stationed in quite a few places have rebelled."
In the small courtyard, Li Gou'er munched on dried peanuts and mentioned it casually.
"The Moon People have attacked again from the west. It feels like there's war and chaos everywhere," Zhao Chunzi said when he heard that.
"Ah, it's no big deal. The fighting's still a long way from our Xiding Province—not even close. The locals will suffer a little, and the officials will scrape the land clean, and then they'll have enough military pay. Isn't that how it's always been?" Li Gou'er said, unconcerned.
"What really makes the court—and that Great Wu emperor—lose sleep are those separatist feudal lords. They're the real root of the trouble!" Li Gou'er said each word with great conviction, leaving Zhao Chunzi utterly dumbfounded.
"Go on," Zhao An said. He had finished practicing his saber and sat down too, wiping his upper body as he spoke.
"Brother Zhao, that's about all I know. I heard it from those merchant caravans from other places and at the taverns," Li Gou'er said with a sheepish grin, scratching his head.
He really only knew a little of the surface. How could a street thug like him possibly understand the state of the whole realm?
Drawing on his related memories, Zhao An had gained a rough understanding of the Great Wu Dynasty he now lived in.
Great Wu had been founded six hundred years ago and ruled by force of arms. It had nineteen provinces, and now it stood on the brink of collapse, buffeted by wind and rain.
Within its borders, feudal lords carved out their own territories, powerful clans rose up, and starving rebels took up arms. Every province was in turmoil.
On top of that, foreign enemies threatened the realm.
The Barbarian Tribe lay to the north, the Moon People to the west, and the Gu Witch Sect roamed the south. There was hardly a peaceful place anywhere.
By comparison, Xiding Province, where Zhao An lived, was doing fairly well. At least the royal banners atop the city walls weren't changing hands every month, and the province remained under the authorities' control.
"Once that damn emperor gets overthrown, I'm afraid it'll be a case of one emperor after another—next year, it might be my turn." With the doors closed, Li Gou'er joked without a care.
Then he looked at Zhao An and let his imagination run wild. "Brother Zhao, you're so fierce. Why not lead us into the army and become a general? Then we can raise troops and march on the imperial city to snatch that throne!"
"Boring." Zhao An picked up a peanut and gently squeezed it between his fingers. Its shell cracked apart.
"Three thousand beauties in the harem," Li Gou'er said with a cheeky grin.
Zhao An raised his brows. "That's the only good part."
As they chatted, a young man wearing a Tiger Head Gang badge at his waist suddenly knocked and came in.
"Master Zhao, the Python Gang went to Two Wells Alley again today and took over your territory!"
At those words, Li Gou'er and Zhao Chunzi sprang to their feet.
For gang members like them, nothing was more taboo—or more sensitive—than having someone take their turf.
That was why Xu San's death last time hadn't been undeserved.
Taking territory and crossing into someone else's patch only invited trouble. It could easily turn into a fight to the death.
"Brother Zhao, I'll go grab our weapons!" Zhao Chunzi said at once.
Li Gou'er came to his senses and thought one step further.
"Brother Zhao, could Xu Donglai be deliberately luring you over there?"
"Could be." Zhao An thought it over briefly, then stood, took up his saber, and headed out.
He didn't care much about the so-called territory in Two Wells Alley. He was going there partly because it was a chance to replenish his Soul Slaves, and partly because he wanted to test his current fighting ability.
Two Wells Alley rang with shouts and angry curses.
A group of Python Gang members wielding short clubs were kicking in doors from house to house, demanding protection money.
"Great heroes, we already paid this month's protection money to the Tiger Head Gang. We really, truly have no money left," an old man pleaded, kneeling with a bitter face.
"The Python Gang's collecting now. If you can't pay, we'll sell your daughter to a brothel!" A thug from the Python Gang smashed the old man to the ground with a club, then reached for the woman in the house.
In a ramshackle little house, a handsome young man watched through the window as the Python Gang wreaked havoc, his expression cold.
"Stop staring. You'll bring them over here," a woman in the house whispered.
Seeing his mother tremble with fear, Shen Pan clenched his fists and tried to reassure her. "Mother, don't be afraid."
Just then, the wooden door was kicked open, and two Python Gang members barged inside.
"Thought hiding in your house would keep you safe..." One of them had just begun to threaten them when the other grabbed him.
His eyes fell on the pale blue-green practice uniform the young man wore.
"May I ask if you're a disciple of Master Zheng's Martial Academy?" the gang member asked. His tone had already turned polite without him realizing it.
"Mm." Shen Pan nodded expressionlessly.
"Misunderstanding. We've offended you; please don't take it to heart, young brother. My name is Li Qing. Let me treat you to a drink another day to make amends." As he spoke, he pulled his companion backward toward the door.
"Brother Qing, why do we have to..." His companion looked puzzled.
"Because it's not worth it. He trains at Master Zheng's Martial Academy, so we'd better not provoke him. No sense inviting trouble over a few copper coins," Li Qing said.
They were used to bullying ordinary poor folk, but this one trained in martial arts too. If they pushed him too far, they might get killed instead.
Li Qing was an old hand in the gang and knew all about picking on the weak.
He had just stepped out of the ramshackle house when a sudden whoosh sounded from the side.
Before he could react, someone kicked him flying. He landed headfirst in a water vat.
"What are you doing!" The other Python Gang member flew into a rage, but in the next instant, a slap sent him soaring into the air. He hit the ground and didn't move.
As if sensing the gaze of someone in the ramshackle house, Zhao An turned his head and met the young man's eyes.
The young man looked about seventeen or eighteen. His skin was somewhat dark and sallow, but he stood straight and had handsome features.
He held his fists at his sides, his eyes carrying a sharp edge.
Li Gou'er, who had come along, also noticed the martial artist's uniform Shen Pan wore and looked rather surprised.
"I didn't expect that Shen Boy would get into Master Zheng's Martial Academy. He sure got lucky."
Lianjiang City had many Martial Masters who ran academies to teach fist and leg techniques. As their student bodies grew, their influence and foundations gradually grew as well.
Among them, Master Zheng's Martial Academy was one of the better-known schools in the Outer City.
The gangs, big and small, wouldn't lightly provoke its disciples.
Zhao An looked away, paying little attention to the young man in the ramshackle house.
The other wasn't a Red Name or a White Name, just an inconspicuous, colorless figure. Zhao An had no interest in learning more about him.
His gaze settled on the Python Gang members milling about. They were all gray names, too.
They noticed Zhao An's arrival as well, and one of them immediately shouted:
"Zhao An's here!"
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