Chen Jianghe finished practicing boxing in the backyard of the martial arts school and was preparing to return to his own courtyard.
As soon as they reached the alley ahead, two figures appeared silently.
Both of them were wearing black clothes and carrying standard long knives on their waists - exactly what Green Dragon Guard was wearing.
Chen Jianghe paused in his steps, and his right hand quietly dropped to his waist.
"Young Hero Chen." One of them, Green Dragon Guard, took a half step forward, cupped his fists and saluted, his tone was respectful but tough, "If you have an invitation from the gang leader, please step forward and say it."
Chen Jianghe glanced at the two people, and then glanced at the towering courtyard walls on both sides of the lane.
"Gang Leader Xiao?" His voice was calm.
"Exactly." Green Dragon Guard nodded, "The gang leader told me to be sure to ask Young Hero Chen to show his favor. The place is not far away, just in the Listening Waves Pavilion's private room. Tea has been prepared."
Chen Jianghe was silent for a moment and nodded slowly. "Lead the way."
"Young Hero Chen Please."
Two Green Dragon Guards, one behind the other, protected Chen Jianghe in the middle. They seemed to be respectful, but in fact they were blocking all possible escape routes for him.
Chen Jianghe's expression remained unchanged, but several thoughts had already passed through his mind.
Xiao Qing is looking for him now, the purpose is self-evident.
Listening Waves Pavilion, the innermost private room on the third floor.
Pushing open the carved wooden door, the interior is elegantly furnished, with a touch of sandalwood burning.
Xiao Qing was sitting alone behind the tea table by the window, lowering his head and playing with a set of purple sand tea sets.
He did not wear the black brocade robe today, but changed into moon-white regular clothes. He was less austere as a gang leader and more elegant as a scribe.
Seeing Chen Jianghe come in, Xiao Qing raised his head with a gentle smile on his face, "Young Hero Chen, please sit down."
Chen Jianghe cupped his fists. "Gang Leader Xiao."
He sat down on the futon opposite Xiao Qing, with his back straight and his eyes calm.
Xiao Qing did not beat around the bush, picked up the purple clay pot and poured a cup of tea for Chen Jianghe. The tea soup was clear yellow and had a refreshing aroma.
"Young Hero Chen is a young talent. He broke through at the age of eighteen and defeated Zhao Family, the genius Zhao Litian. Now he is a famous animal Yilin."
Xiao Qing pushed the tea cup in front of Chen Jianghe and said in a sincere tone, "Xiao loves to make friends with young heroes most in his life. I have taken the liberty to invite you today. I hope you won't be surprised."
Chen Jianghe picked up the tea cup and took a sip. "Guild Leader Xiao is overly praised. This junior has little cultivation and dare not be a hero."
"Too modest." Xiao Qing shook his head and looked directly at Chen Jianghe, "A wise man doesn't speak secretly. Xiao invited Young Hero here today because he wanted to ask - Young Hero, would you like to join me, Green Dragon Gang?"
He paused, and without waiting for Chen Jianghe to reply, he continued, "If you nod, Green Dragon Gang, the position of deputy gang leader will be vacant. The monthly schedule will be as you said, and the training resources will be supplied. Below the third floor of the library in the gang, young hero can browse at will. In addition——"
Xiao Qing took out a palm-sized black jade token from his arms and placed it gently on the tea table.
The front of the token is embossed with Green Dragon, and the back is engraved with the Chinese character "Ling" in ancient seal script, surrounded by cloud patterns and faint brilliance.
"This is Green Dragon Token." Xiao Qing's voice slowed down, but the words were clear, "Those who hold this order can mobilize all Green Dragon Guard in Yilin County, and their authority is second only to Xiao. When you see the order, you will see the gang leader, and no one in the gang dares to disobey it."
Position of deputy gang leader, monthly rules, library authority, Green Dragon Token----
This bargaining chip is not unimportant.
Chen Jianghe's eyes fell on the black jade token and he looked at it for three breaths.
Then, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Xiao Qing: "Guangzhu Xiao loves me so much, and this junior is afraid. But - this junior learns from Xingyi, and the martial arts school is home. The master has not recovered from his serious injury, and the senior brothers are busy working. The martial arts school and the escort agency are in a difficult time. It would be unjust to abandon the master and enter Green Dragon Gang at this time."
Xiao Qing The smile on his face remained unchanged, but there was an imperceptible coldness in his eyes.
"Young hero attaches great importance to love and righteousness, Xiao admires him."
He said slowly, "Of course, those who follow the general trend of the world will prosper. Xingyi Martial Arts Hall The young hero knows the current situation better than Xiao. Master Li The injury has not healed, Young Gang Leader Su has a broken arm and needs support, and the martial arts disciples have no livelihood - the building is about to collapse, and it is difficult to support a single tree.
Why should a young man with so much talent be trapped in a corner and sink with this sinking ship?"
He leaned forward slightly, his voice was low, and he said with an undeniable seductive power, "Join me Green Dragon Gang, you can get resources, you can gain authority, and you can protect the people you want to protect. In the future, if the young hero improves his cultivation, he will be this Yilin County person. By then, wouldn't it be much easier to go back and take care of the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall than struggling to support it now?"
Chen Jianghe Silence.
Xiao Qing's words seem to be sincere, but in fact they are heart-breaking.
He is forcing Chen Jianghe to make a choice, whether to guard Xingyi Martial Arts Hall, which is about to overturn, and be trapped here to death, or to climb to a higher branch and gain a way out.
Very realistic and cruel.
Chen Jianghe picked up the teacup, took another sip, and then spoke slowly, "What gang leader Xiao said is indeed true. However, the kindness of a teacher is like a mountain, and the sect is like a brother or sister. It makes me feel uneasy to abandon him at this time."
He paused, put down the teacup, and said in a sincere tone, "This matter is of great importance. I need to think it over before making a decision. I hope Gang Leader Xiao will give it a few days of grace."
Xiao Qing stared at Chen Jianghe for a long time.
Then, he suddenly smiled.
The smile was very light, but it made Chen Jianghe feel an inexplicable feeling in his heart.
"Okay." Xiao Qing nodded and took the black jade token back into his arms, "Xiao is waiting for good news. Three days later, Green Dragon Gang will hold a banquet in the main hall, waiting for the young hero to come."
Chen Jianghe stood up and clasped his fists. "Junior, take your leave."
"Walk slowly." Xiao Qing nodded and watched Chen Jianghe exit the private room.
The door closed gently.
The smile on Xiao Qing's face faded little by little, and finally turned into a cold indifference.
He picked up his cup of cold tea and drank it in one gulp.
"I don't know how to praise you." He whispered to himself, with a cold light in his eyes, "Since you can't use it for me--then you can't keep it."
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, two people came out from behind the screen inside the private room.
It is Zhao Wuji, and the owner of the Zhenlei Martial Arts Hall - Lei Zhenshan.
"Gang Leader Xiao has good tricks." Zhao Wuji stroked his palms with a sarcastic smile on his face, "The position of deputy gang leader, Green Dragon Token----such a bargaining chip, even I am tempted by it. It's a pity that this kid has no luck."
Xiao Qing glanced at him, did not answer, and turned to Lei Zhenshan: "Master Lei, did you hear what you just said?"
Lei Zhenshan's face was as heavy as water, his eyes were red, and the aura around his body fluctuated slightly due to suppressed anger.
He stared firmly in the direction Chen Jianghe left.
"I heard it." Lei Zhenshan's voice was hoarse, with deep-seated hatred, "This boy----must die."
Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed. "Gang Leader Xiao, in this case, it's not as good as us----"
"No need."
Lei Zhenshan interrupted him.
He slowly turned his head and looked at Zhao Wuji and Xiao Qing, his red eyes filled with overwhelming murderous intent and determination.
"Lei Xiao is my most proud disciple and my Zhenlei Martial Arts Hall's hope for the future."
He spoke every word, full of hatred, "His cultivation has been ruined, his tendons have been severed, and he will never be able to meet again in this life Martial Dao----This hatred is irreconcilable."
He took a deep breath, and the aura around him suddenly became restrained, but even more dangerous, like a volcano about to erupt.
"I, Lei Zhenshan, will personally take revenge for this."
Zhao Wuji frowned. "Master Lei, although that kid has just entered Huajin, his actual combat is so weird that even Li Tian——"
"Zhao Family Lord, there is no need to say more." Lei Zhenshan waved his hand and said firmly, "I have made up my mind. Tonight, I will go and take his life. He is just a young man who has just entered Huajin. What does it matter?!"
After that, he ignored the two of them, turned around and strode towards the window on the other side of the private room.
Open the window and let the night breeze flow in.
Lei Zhenshan's body swayed and flew out of the window like a night owl. After a few ups and downs, he disappeared into the vast night.
In the private room, Zhao Wuji and Xiao Qing looked at each other.
"This old thing----" Zhao Wuji shook his head.
Xiao Qing picked up the teapot again, poured himself a cup of hot tea, and said calmly, "It's okay to let him try. If he can succeed, it will save us a lot of trouble. If he can't succeed - we can also explore the bottom of Chen Jianghe."
Zhao Wuji nodded, with a cold flash in his eyes. "That's what Gang Leader Xiao said. But - just in case, should we make some preparations?"
Xiao Qing took a sip of tea and said in a calm voice, "That's natural."