Digging Up Trouble on Tai Sui's Head

This item yields massive profits, but it is also an absolute taboo; once tainted by it, one faces total bankruptcy and the ruin of their family!

The government officially cracks down on this substance with extreme severity, so the fact that the White Horse Gang dares to engage in such trade shows just how brazen they are.

If they were to truly burn this place down tonight, they would be destroying not just the assets of the White Horse Gang, but one of their vital lifelines.

It might even draw the attention of the authorities.

At that point, the enraged White Horse Gang would surely act like mad dogs, sparing no cost to hunt down the culprits.

Even if they, the executors, acted with the utmost stealth, they would be highly likely to be exposed under the opponent's reckless and thorough investigation.

This is no longer as simple as teaching a minor leader a lesson; this is poking a hornet's nest.

Cannot burn it!

This thought flashed through Lin Qing's mind in an instant.

The twenty taels of silver Young Master Liu offered were to buy a lesson for Chen Bao, not to buy their lives to shake the very foundations of the White Horse Gang!

He immediately turned around, rushed out of the warehouse, and headed rapidly toward the area where Zhang Shun and the other two were stationed.

Fortunately, Zhang Shun also seemed to have noticed that the guard layout in this warehouse district was different from ordinary cargo areas—it was far tighter and more concealed.

He, too, harbored a sense of caution and had not yet moved to light the fire.

The other two were also still in the preparation stage.

Lin Qing found Zhang Shun, grabbed him, leaned into his ear, and whispered urgently, "Brother Shun, we cannot burn these; they contain Fortune Paste."

"What?"

Even someone as experienced as Zhang Shun felt his pupils constrict and drew a sharp breath upon hearing this.

He immediately understood the severity of the situation.

Soon, the other two were also summoned.

Upon hearing the words "Fortune Paste," the two martial arts hall disciples turned deathly pale and began to curse under their breath:

"Fuck! That Liu fellow is trying to lead us to our deaths!"

"No wonder he was so generous with the payment; the bastard is making us poke a tiger's ass."

Zhang Shun's face was as gloomy as water, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

He pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the warehouses before finally landing on a small shed at the very edge that appeared to be piled with discarded canvas.

"We cannot touch that filthy cargo."

"But we cannot leave the employer without an explanation, or we will break the rules and be unable to make a living in this trade in the future."

Zhang Shun pointed to the small shed: "Burn that one. There is nothing valuable inside, but it is enough to create chaos and cause Chen Bao some trouble; that will count as fulfilling our duty!"

The group had no objections and acted quickly, setting the small shed ablaze.

The dry wood and canvas caught fire instantly, and the flames soon surged upward, becoming exceptionally conspicuous in the dark night.

"Go!"

The four of them did not linger, retreating rapidly like ghosts along the pre-planned route and vanishing into the shadows of the alleyway.

Behind them, the wharf began to fill with the sounds of noisy crowds, shouts for firefighting, and the frantic, furious cursing of the White Horse Gang members.

The next day, the atmosphere throughout the Outer City became noticeably tense.

The White Horse Gang members were out in full force, acting like mad dogs as they went door-to-door, questioning and searching for clues about the arsonists from the previous night.

Areas near the wharf, such as Yongning Street, were treated as high-priority targets.

Lord Leopard led a group of his men, his face so dark it seemed ready to drip water, and stormed into the Benevolent World Hall.

"Lin Qing, you've heard about what happened at the wharf last night, right?"

Chen Bao stared fixedly at Lin Qing, attempting to find some telltale sign on his face.

Lin Qing was behind the counter organizing medicinal herbs; he looked up at the question with a blank expression: "Lord Leopard, what happened at the wharf?"

"I returned late from training at the martial arts hall last night and fell straight asleep; I haven't heard anything."

"Hmph, someone is bold enough to stir up trouble on the head of the Sha!"

Chen Bao sneered and stepped closer, his presence overwhelmingly oppressive.

"We've investigated. The person who set the fire has decent skills; the way they took down several of my brothers was clean and efficient, like someone well-versed in martial arts."

"One of my brothers even saw a man in black disappear near your house last night."

"Lin Qing, you are now a member of the Iron Wire Fist school; tell me, where exactly were you last night?"

The words carried a clear tone of probing and intimidation.

Lin Qing felt a chill in his heart, but his expression remained calm.

"Lord Leopard, your words make no sense. There are at least eight hundred people in Qingping County who are well-versed in martial arts, and there is more than one martial arts hall besides the Iron Wire Fist."

"I, Lin Qing, am just tending to my ancestral shop; business is finally picking up, and I am content living a peaceful life. Why would I take such a life-threatening risk?"

"Furthermore, if I truly possessed the ability to sneak into the docks and set a fire without anyone noticing, would I still be guarding this small shop in the Outer City, paying you monthly protection fees?"

His words were reasonable and logical, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

Chen Bao stared at him fixedly for a long while, unable to find any flaws.

Thinking of the reputation of the Iron Thread Fist Martial Hall, he ultimately dared not force the issue without any evidence.

"Hmph, you had better hope it has nothing to do with you!"

Chen Bao let out a cold snort and warned, "If I ever find out who had the guts to pull this stunt, I'll make sure they wish they were dead!"

Watching the backs of Chen Bao and his men disappear around the street corner, Lin Qing finally let out a slow breath, his back slick with a thin layer of cold sweat.

Although this operation had ultimately avoided the biggest minefield, the process had still been perilous.

It seemed that this kind of quick money from illicit work.

Required even greater caution in the future.

Unless absolutely necessary, it was best to stay away from it.

Arriving at the martial hall and seeing Zhang Shun safe and sound, instructing new disciples in their punches, the heavy weight in Lin Qing's heart finally lifted.

Seeing him, Zhang Shun took advantage of a break to walk over, a knowing smile on his face as he whispered, "It's over. The wind is blowing hard, but they won't be able to trace it back to us."

"This line of work has its own rules; we don't know each other's backgrounds, and only I, the middleman, know the truth. Rest assured, your senior brother won't cheat you."

After saying this, Zhang Shun pushed a small pouch into Lin Qing's hand.

Lin Qing accepted it without changing his expression, though his curiosity about Zhang Shun's identity grew even stronger.

This man was not only rich in combat experience and meticulous in his thinking, but he was also well-informed with extensive connections.

He was definitely more than just an ordinary martial hall disciple.

"Brother Shun, if there's another opportunity like this, we should really weigh the risks more carefully," Lin Qing said tactfully.

Zhang Shun chuckled, "I know, we nearly got caught this time. But don't worry, if there's truly safe, quick money to be made, I won't forget you."

Lin Qing hesitated for a moment before asking, "Brother Shun, you're well-informed. Do you know where the imperial court sent the last batch of conscripts, like my father's group, specifically?"

Hearing this, Zhang Shun's smile faded. He glanced left and right before lowering his voice, "I have heard people mention this. Most of those conscripted last time were laborers and garrison troops pulled from various regions, primarily sent to the front lines in You Province."

"I hear the fighting there is intense, the barbarians are incredibly fierce, and the situation isn't looking good."

You Province, the northern barbarians...

Lin Qing's heart sank.

Although he had anticipated it, receiving confirmation only made him worry even more about his father's safety.

In this world, human life on the border battlefields was as worthless as grass.