Late at night, at the inn.
Jiang Che lay on the bed with his eyes closed, resting. But on closer inspection, one would notice that his sleeping posture was rather peculiar, utterly unlike that of an ordinary person.
That was right. Even as Jiang Che rested, he was still cultivating the stance technique of Savage Bull Strength.
Though sacrifice could fast-track the process and directly use up his lifespan to save cultivation time, he never slacked off in his daily practice. The more his cultivation improved, the less the sacrifice would cost.
Bang!
A sudden gust of wind blew open the window. Jiang Che's closed eyes snapped open, and he swiftly drew the long blade hanging by the bedside. A hint of killing intent flickered in his gaze as he swept his eyes around the room.
Whoosh.
With a soft breath, the candle in the room was lit. Its dim yellow glow illuminated the entire chamber, allowing Jiang Che to see everything clearly. His heart immediately tightened.
Because a figure was sitting at the table, staring calmly at Jiang Che.
Cao Gang Leader Kou Yuansheng!
The two met each other's eyes, neither saying a word.
Jiang Che's gaze shifted slightly. The tension on his face quickly vanished, replaced by a faint smile.
"Why did Gang Leader Kou come by so late without even giving notice? You gave Jiang quite a fright."
"I was afraid that if I had given notice, there would have been more than just you waiting for me here." Kou Yuansheng's expression was cold, and a dangerous aura faintly seeped from his eyes.
"What are you talking about, Gang Leader Kou? Could it be that I would harm you?"
Jiang Che set down his blade as though he could not see the chill on Kou Yuansheng's face. Instead, he warmly picked up the teapot, poured him a cup, and set it before him.
"Cold tea has its own flavor too. Would Gang Leader Kou like a taste?"
"Does Commander Jiang not intend to explain what happened today?" Kou Yuansheng ignored Jiang Che's tea entirely and went straight to the point with a question.
When he had first heard that Jiang Che had caused a scene at West City Dock, he had not believed it.
Jiang Che had only accepted his gifts a few days ago. How could he turn around and fall out with him so quickly?
Yet—
That was exactly what he had done. Not only had he turned hostile, he had seized an entire shipload of Cao Gang goods, and done so in full view of everyone. It was practically an open declaration of war against the Cao Gang.
At the time, he had been furious beyond measure. But after thinking it over, he felt that there might be some hidden circumstances involved. That was why he had held back on the surface and secretly come to see Jiang Che.
He wanted to see what kind of flowers Jiang Che could talk into existence.
"As for what happened today, even if Gang Leader Kou had not come looking for me, I had intended to meet with you in person." Jiang Che 'hesitated' for a moment before speaking thoughtfully.
"Meet me?"
"That's right."
"Now that we have met, say what you have to say."
Kou Yuansheng said in a low voice.
Jiang Che rose to his feet and paced around the table as he spoke.
"This matter began the day before yesterday. Since I accepted Gang Leader Kou's things, how could I be the sort of person who takes what he is given and does nothing? After settling my affairs, I personally met with Captain Zhu.
"I recommended that he meet Gang Leader Kou. I had thought the matter was as good as nailed down, but instead... Captain Zhu rebuked me."
At this point, Jiang Che revealed an expression of unspoken difficulty.
"Rebuked you? Aren't you Captain Zhu's confidant?"
Kou Yuansheng said coldly.
"Precisely because I am his confidant, he rebuked me. He said I was feeding from the bowl while smashing the pot, and even suspected that I was colluding with you, which was why I recommended you to him." Jiang Che furrowed his brow.
"Colluding with me? What does Captain Zhu mean by that?"
Kou Yuansheng frowned as well, finding it rather strange.
Ever since Zhu Sheng had taken office as the captain of Yanggu County, he did not seem to have offended him at all. That was why he had specifically sought out Jiang Che to arrange an introduction.
"You must have heard that before Captain Zhu took office, his family was ambushed by the bandits of Crouching Tiger Mountain. This enraged Captain Zhu greatly. At the beginning of his tenure, he publicly announced to the county's many officials—
"That he would purge corruption from the administration and sweep away the bandit scourge."
"This..."
Kou Yuansheng hesitated.
Jiang Che continued.
"In Captain Zhu's eyes, Crouching Tiger Mountain is hidden deep in the mountains, yet it never lacks grain, fodder, or military equipment. Someone must be trading with them in secret, and the Cao Gang is the most likely suspect. Tell me, should Captain Zhu not be enraged?"
He stared at Kou Yuansheng and questioned him solemnly.
Kou Yuansheng fell silent.
Because Jiang Che's guess was correct. The Cao Gang did indeed have close dealings with Crouching Tiger Mountain, and they were one of the Cao Gang's greatest allies.
"This matter... has nothing to do with the Cao Gang."
After a long silence, Kou Yuansheng finally spoke.
"It does not matter whether you say so. Captain Zhu has already made up his mind about this."
"What should be done, then?"
Kou Yuansheng's expression darkened. If the Cao Gang were targeted by a county captain with real authority, their days ahead would be difficult. Though he and the county magistrate had joined forces to drive away the previous county captain—
That did not mean they could also drive away Captain Zhu.
They were local powers, true enough, but they could not go too far.
And through the course of their conversation, Jiang Che had seized the initiative. He put on an expression as though he were considering the Cao Gang's interests and said gravely,
"This matter is not without room for maneuver."
"How?"
"As long as Captain Zhu can be made to understand that the Cao Gang has no collusion with those bandits of Crouching Tiger Mountain."
"This..."
"But while that may be easy to say, it is difficult to do. And Captain Zhu's three fires as a newly appointed official have not yet burned out. If the Cao Gang cannot endure it and chooses to resist Captain Zhu, I cannot guarantee how far matters will escalate."
"Must we simply sit still and await death?"
Kou Yuansheng fixed his gaze on Jiang Che. He had fought his way out of the underworld. Though he had grown accustomed to a life of comfort and privilege, the habits in his bones had not changed. If Zhu Sheng truly went too far in bullying others, it was not as though he lacked the power to resist.
"Of course not. With me mediating between you, Captain Zhu will not go too far. But there are certain things I must do openly, just like today. If I had not gone to cause a scene—
"Captain Zhu would naturally have doubted my loyalty. Brother Kou, you must understand my difficulties too."
Jiang Che wore a helpless expression, as though he too had been forced into this.
Kou Yuansheng did not know whether he believed Jiang Che's explanation. He merely said,
"Let today's matter pass, then. But when do you intend to return the goods you seized?"
"This matter is simple to explain, yet difficult to handle..." Jiang Che revealed a troubled expression.
"Speak plainly."
"As long as Captain Zhu gives the word, you can send someone to take those goods away at any time. But the problem is that Captain Zhu has not spoken, so I do not dare return them to you."
Jiang Che spouted a pile of nonsense to brush him off.
"Is there really no way?"
"There is a way."
"Speak."
"Captain Zhu is currently in urgent need of certain things. If Gang Leader Kou can help gather them, and I mediate from the middle as well, then resolving these grudges should not be difficult."
Jiang Che smiled faintly, ready to shear the Cao Gang sheep for all it was worth.
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