Mother and Daughter

A moment later,

Wang Sheng drew back his fists, slowed his breathing, and let out a long breath of foul air.

"Senior Brother, when I was young, I heard a story. A band of bandits gathered in the mountains and caused trouble. The imperial court attacked them for a long time without success, so it changed tactics and offered them amnesty, sending them to deal with another band of bandits. In the end, the plan succeeded. One group was wiped out, while the bandits who had accepted the amnesty were greatly weakened and later poisoned with wine bestowed by the court."

A flicker of surprise crossed Luo Zhengwen's eyes. "Junior Brother, are you talking about the Martial Alliance?"

"Hahaha, Senior Brother, don't let your imagination run wild. I only mean that bandits are bandits, and officials are officials. Sometimes, the two cannot be confused."

"As for that trial, I am weak and lacking in strength. I am absolutely no match for Da Chong. Going up the mountain would be no different from throwing my life away. Senior Brother, please refuse on my behalf."

Wang Sheng shook his head, said a few more words, then bid Luo Zhengwen farewell and left.

Wang Sheng had far too many matters to handle. Even his martial training required him to seize every moment, and he planned to leave Ershui City afterward. He could not be bothered to cultivate such connections.

Luo Zhengwen watched Wang Sheng's departing back, his eyes thoughtful.

He understood what Wang Sheng meant.

Those who walked the jianghu used martial strength to defy prohibitions. Jianghu forces were, by nature, opposed to the authorities. If the Martial Alliance was weakened this time through fighting the rebel army, the imperial court might well stab them in the back afterward.

"But when one is in the jianghu, one cannot act as one wishes!"

Even though Luo Zhengwen understood Wang Sheng's meaning, the Luo Family's businesses were all here. With a century of accumulated foundations, how could they leave so easily?

Luo Zhengwen returned to that small circle and informed Li Hu and the others that Wang Sheng was unable to help.

"Hmph, Junior Brother Luo, I told you Wang Sheng was no good, but you refused to believe me. If he had the cheek to beg you to help him complete the trial and join us, I might have had to teach him a lesson or two—let him know exactly how much he weighed, and stop him from swaggering around outside under our name. Now it seems he at least knows his place."

A sharp-featured woman wearing light makeup snorted. Her name was Wei Lingqin, the eldest young lady of the wealthy Wei Family. She simply could not imagine that Wang Sheng, a man with a Low-grade Physique and the son of servants, could ever amount to anything.

It was an obvious prejudice.

Wei Lingqin did not truly understand Wang Sheng.

But she was the Wei Family's eldest young lady. If Wang Sheng had possessed a High-grade Physique, she might have endured it. Yet he had a Low-grade Physique. Among the Wei Family's servants, such aptitude was too common to count. Wei Lingqin herself regarded those servants as utterly lowly.

Thus, Wei Lingqin could not stand seeing someone fit only to be a servant in her household daring to stand beside her, lowering her status.

"Senior Sister Wei is right. I just don't know why Senior Brother Luo took such a liking to that brat. Could it be that Senior Brother Luo has a taste for men? Hahaha!"

Fang Mingguang wore a faint smile as he spoke casually.

"Junior Brother Fang, disaster comes from the mouth."

Luo Zhengwen gave Fang Mingguang a cold glance.

"Yes, yes!"

Fang Mingguang cursed inwardly. The Luo Family was powerful, so he could only bow his head.

"Actually, Junior Brother Wang Sheng is quite hardworking, and he is a good person too. It is just a pity that his physique and family circumstances are both too poor."

Wei Yu spoke a fair word for him.

Leaving behind the bustle of the martial academy, Wang Sheng strode toward the Golden Bull Gang.

The Ox Residence.

Inside the main hall.

Ox Cyclone wore silks and stood with his hands behind his back. With all that fat on him, he truly looked like a wealthy squire.

"Protector Wang, I originally intended to make a move against the White Tiger Gang. But unfortunately, I am taking my fourth concubine this month. You know how it is—on joyous days, blood must not be shed."

"So I have decided that this month will not do. Next month, I must arrange a birthday celebration for my wife's family to soothe her feelings. So let's do it the month after next."

Looking at Ox Cyclone's oily, shiny face, Wang Sheng could no longer see the fierce, murderous appearance he had worn when charging into battle a few months ago.

Wealth truly did nourish a man.

But a land of tenderness was also a hero's grave.

"Very well, Gang Leader. I shall take my leave first."

Wang Sheng cupped his hands and was about to depart.

"Wait. Protector Wang, you are one of the old hands of our gang. I heard you still live in that old house on Loach Street, without anyone to wash your clothes or cook your meals."

"How about this? I'll arrange for a young woman to go over. She can cook for you and warm your bed. Wouldn't that be nice?"

As Ox Cyclone spoke, he did not allow Wang Sheng a chance to refuse, instead ordering a servant outside to fetch Madam Li.

"Gang Leader, I only entered the Bright Force realm not long ago. Martial training consumes an enormous amount, and I have no spare wealth at home. How could I afford to support someone?"

Wang Sheng's expression turned solemn as he firmly refused.

"That is not how you should look at it. How much food can a woman possibly eat? On the contrary, with a woman around, you will surely be able to drink a few more mouthfuls of milk in comfort."

"Hahaha! Protector Wang, you are so young—don't tell me you are still a virgin? Once you understand the pleasures between men and women, you will be hooked."

"I'm telling you, this young woman is a famous little beauty in our gang.

"She was originally Protector Li Wu's daughter. Protector Li died last month after suffering a deviation in his martial training. The mother and daughter he left behind became targets of others' designs, so they came to me seeking protection. If I had not already promised to take my fourth concubine, then in another two months, Madam Li would have become my fifth concubine!"

Thinking of the beauty's appearance, Ox Cyclone gave a lewd chuckle.

"Li Wu!"

Wang Sheng was somewhat surprised.

Li Wu and Zhao Tun, the two protectors, had once sought him out after the Earth Dragon Gang was destroyed and shared a drinking bout with him.

Their general meaning had been that Wang Sheng had performed too well, causing old protectors like them to lose face.

So Li Wu and Zhao Tun had half-persuaded and half-threatened Wang Sheng, telling him not to be so fond of showing off.

At the time, Wang Sheng had money and was eager to take medicine and train. He had endured them for the moment, intending to settle accounts with them one by one after his cultivation greatly improved.

But he had not expected Li Wu to suffer a deviation and die so soon.

And his daughter had even become Wang Sheng's maidservant.

A maidservant, that was all.

Ox Cyclone had not mentioned any ceremony for taking a concubine. That meant she was being sent over as a maidservant, perhaps even as a female slave.

Just as Wang Sheng hesitated over whether to settle Li Wu's debts upon his daughter,

the servant outside brought Madam Li and her mother, Madam Li Qin, in.

"Fuck, these are mother and daughter?"

Ox Cyclone's eyes widened as he was the first to curse!

He had only seen Li Wu's daughter come to seek his protection, never Li Wu's wife.

He had even been somewhat curious then. Li Wu was dead, so why had his wife not come forward? Why had his daughter come instead?

But now that he saw them,

this Madam Li Qin had been raised by Li Wu into soft, tender refinement. Her palm-sized face was utterly pitiable and lovely. Though she was over thirty, she looked remarkably similar to her daughter—and was three parts more beautiful, with an added mature charm. She seemed bashful and timid, yet carried a tantalizing allure!

"Thank you, Gang Leader, for making this happen! Your subordinate is deeply grateful."

Wang Sheng hurriedly expressed his thanks.

Ox Cyclone wanted to go back on his word and was thinking of how to say it when Wang Sheng directly took one of them in each hand and swiftly led them out of the Ox Residence.

"His grandmother's, this Protector Wang was willing the moment he saw them!"

"That bastard Li Wu! No wonder he never let his lawful wife appear in public. She is even prettier than my wives and concubines. He deserved to die—he probably died on that woman's belly!"

Ox Cyclone cursed nonstop, feeling utterly miserable inside.