Kou Yuansheng Demands Accountability!

Late at night, at the inn.

Jiang Che lay on the bed, eyes closed, resting. But if one looked closely, they would notice his sleeping posture was unusual, completely different from ordinary people.

That's right, while resting, Jiang Che was also practicing the basic stance of Savage Bull Strength.

Although he could speed things up through sacrifice, directly using his lifespan to save cultivation time, he wouldn't slack off on normal days. The more his cultivation grew, the less the cost of sacrifice would be.

Bang!

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew open the window. Jiang Che's closed eyes snapped open, and he swiftly drew a long saber hanging by the head of his bed. A hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes as he scanned his surroundings.

Hoo.

A soft sigh, and the candle in the room was lit. The dim yellow light illuminated the entire room. Jiang Che saw everything in the room and his heart immediately tightened.

Because a figure was sitting at the table, staring at Jiang Che with a calm expression.

It was Kou Yuansheng, the leader of the Cao Gang!

The two exchanged glances, speechless.

Jiang Che's gaze shifted slightly, the tension on his face quickly disappearing, replaced by a smile:

"It's late at night, why didn't you announce yourself, Leader Kou? You startled me."

"I was afraid if I had announced myself, you wouldn't be the only one waiting for me here." Kou Yuansheng said with a cold face, his eyes still carrying a hint of danger.

"What are you talking about, Leader Kou? Do you think I would harm you?"

Jiang Che put down his saber, seemingly unfazed by Kou Yuansheng's coldness. Instead, he intimately picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Kou Yuansheng, placing it in front of him:

"The herbal tea tastes good too. Have a taste, Leader Kou?"

"Doesn't Commander Jiang plan to explain what happened today?" Kou Yuansheng ignored Jiang Che's tea, directly cutting to the chase and questioning him.

When he first heard that Jiang Che had caused a disturbance at the West City pier, he didn't believe it.

Jiang Che had only received his things a few days ago, how could he turn around and betray him so quickly?

As it turned out...

Not only did he betray him, but he also seized a ship's worth of Cao Gang cargo, and in broad daylight. It was a clear declaration of war against the Cao Gang.

He was furious at the time, but later he thought about it and felt there might be some hidden circumstances. That's why he outwardly suppressed his anger and secretly met with Jiang Che.

He wanted to see what excuse Jiang Che could come up with.

"Regarding today's events, even if you hadn't come to find me, Leader Kou, I was planning to meet you myself." Jiang Che said after a moment of 'hesitation', pondering.

"Meet me?"

"Yes."

"We've met now, so speak your mind."

Kou Yuansheng said in a deep voice.

Jiang Che stood up and paced around the table as he spoke:

"This matter dates back to the day before yesterday. Since I accepted your things, Leader Kou, I'm not the kind of person who takes things and doesn't do anything. After finishing my trivial matters, I personally met with County Lieutenant Zhu.

I introduced you to him. I thought it was a sure thing, but it turned out... I was reprimanded by County Lieutenant Zhu."

At this point, Jiang Che put on a difficult expression.

"Reprimanded? Aren't you County Lieutenant Zhu's confidant?"

Kou Yuansheng said coldly.

"Precisely because I am his confidant that he reprimanded me, saying I was disloyal and suspected me of colluding with you, which is why I introduced you." Jiang Che frowned.

"Colluding with me? What does County Lieutenant Zhu mean by that?"

Kou Yuansheng also frowned, finding it strange.

Since Zhu Sheng took office as the County Lieutenant of Yanggu County, he didn't seem to have offended him. For this reason, he had specifically approached Jiang Che to seek an introduction.

"You must have heard that before County Lieutenant Zhu took office, his family was ambushed by bandits from Crouching Tiger Mountain. This greatly angered County Lieutenant Zhu, and upon taking office, he immediately announced to the county officials.

He intended to rectify the administration and clear out the bandits."

"This..."

Kou Yuansheng hesitated.

Jiang Che continued:

"In County Lieutenant Zhu's view, Crouching Tiger Mountain is hidden deep in the mountains, yet it never lacks provisions and military supplies. There must be someone secretly trading with them, and the Cao Gang is the most likely candidate. What do you think, should County Lieutenant Zhu be angry?"

He looked at Kou Yuansheng and asked in a deep voice.

Kou Yuansheng fell silent.

Because Jiang Che's guess was not wrong. The Cao Gang and Crouching Tiger Mountain indeed had close ties, and the latter was one of the Cao Gang's biggest allies.

"This matter... has nothing to do with the Cao Gang."

Kou Yuansheng said after a long silence.

"You don't get to decide. County Lieutenant Zhu has already made his ruling on this matter."

"Then what should we do?"

Kou Yuansheng's expression was grim. If a powerful County Lieutenant targeted the Cao Gang, their future would be difficult. Even if he and the County Magistrate had managed to drive away the previous County Lieutenant.

That didn't mean they could drive away County Lieutenant Zhu as well.

They were the local power, that was true, but they couldn't push things too far.

During their conversation, Jiang Che had gained the upper hand. He put on a show of considering the Cao Gang's interests and said gravely:

"This matter isn't without room for negotiation."

"What do you mean?"

"As long as County Lieutenant Zhu knows that the Cao Gang has no connection with those bandits on Crouching Tiger Mountain."

"This..."

"But this is easier said than done. Moreover, County Lieutenant Zhu's 'new broom sweeps clean' phase isn't over yet. If the Cao Gang can't tolerate it and resists County Lieutenant Zhu, I can't guarantee how things will escalate."

"Are we just supposed to sit here and wait for death?"

Kou Yuansheng stared at Jiang Che. He had risen from humble beginnings. Although he was now accustomed to a life of comfort, his fundamental nature hadn't changed. If Zhu Sheng truly pushed them too far, he wasn't without the means to resist.

"Of course not. With me mediating, County Lieutenant Zhu won't go too far. But there are some things I have to do publicly, just like today. If I didn't cause trouble.

County Lieutenant Zhu would naturally doubt my loyalty. Old Brother Kou, you have to understand my predicament."

Jiang Che wore a helpless expression, as if he were also being forced.

Kou Yuansheng didn't know if he believed Jiang Che's words, but he said:

"We'll let today's matter pass. But when do you plan on returning the goods you seized?"

"This matter is both simple and difficult..." Jiang Che looked troubled.

"Just say it directly."

"As soon as County Lieutenant Zhu gives the word, you can send people to retrieve these goods anytime. But the problem now is that County Lieutenant Zhu won't speak, and I don't dare return them to you."

Jiang Che's string of words was a mere evasion.

"Is there really no way?"

"There is a way, but..."

"Speak."

"County Lieutenant Zhu is currently in urgent need of some items. If Gang Leader Kou can help find them, and I can mediate from here, I believe resolving this conflict won't be difficult."

Jiang Che smiled faintly, preparing to squeeze the Cao Gang for all they were worth.

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