A Chance Encounter with Dog Lord Again

Second floor of the small building.

Extreme Yin stepped out of his room. He was about to give the young men in the side rooms their morning lesson when he spotted Song Wen working in the herb field.

He also clearly observed Song Wen's vigorous state of blood and vitality.

Extreme Yin's spirits lifted.

It seems the pills I refined last time were extremely successful. This boy's body has recovered so quickly. I must begin refining another batch as soon as possible.

Extreme Yin thought to himself.

In his excellent mood, he could not help but say, "Song Wen, it seems your body has recovered well. As your master, I am deeply gratified. When you have the time, take more walks outside. It will greatly benefit your recovery."

After saying that, Extreme Yin did not wait for Song Wen's reply and left with brisk steps.

Song Wen watched Extreme Yin depart, feeling somewhat puzzled. He had no idea what had gotten into that old schemer today to make him so excited.

By the time he finished the miscellaneous work in the herb field, the sun was nearly overhead. Song Wen felt hungry again. After washing himself, he left the Heavenly Baleful Gang.

Having glimpsed a chance at survival, Song Wen was in a good mood and decided to treat himself.

The Heavenly Baleful Gang wielded enormous influence in Salt City. Many industries tied to the people's food, clothing, housing, and travel were inextricably linked to the Heavenly Baleful Gang.

Especially the shops near the Heavenly Baleful Gang—anything even slightly large-scale basically belonged to the gang.

Song Wen did not want to eat on Heavenly Baleful Gang territory, so he went straight to a roadside stall.

The stall was tiny, nothing more than a stand set up beside the street, with three tables placed along the roadside.

Some cooked meat was displayed at the stall, and it looked fairly good. Business was poor, with all three tables empty. Song Wen picked a seat at random and sat down.

The stall's owners were a young couple. The husband was preparing ingredients while the wife cleaned the tables.

Seeing a customer arrive, the young woman hurried her movements and asked, "Customer, what would you like?"

"Bring me plenty of meat, stir-fry two vegetable dishes, and add a large bowl of noodles," Song Wen said.

"Certainly, please wait a moment."

The young woman's face brightened at his words.

There were five people in their family: her parents-in-law above them and a three-year-old child below. They relied entirely on this small stall to survive, but business was poor, and their lives were extremely impoverished.

It was not hard to tell from Song Wen's clothes that he was not short of money.

Moreover, judging from the way Song Wen ordered, he was a generous man. They should be able to make a decent amount from him.

The couple began bustling about. The young woman sliced braised meat while her husband lit the stove and prepared to cook.

Before long, the young woman brought over two plates of braised meat.

"Customer, please eat first. The rest will be ready shortly."

The braised meat tasted good, and Song Wen quickly finished both plates before him.

At that moment, the young woman came over carrying a tray with noodles and stir-fried dishes on it.

"Bring two more plates of braised meat."

"Certainly, customer." The young woman set down the noodles and dishes, then left with a smile.

Just as Song Wen was eating heartily, three more men came to the stall and sat at an empty table beside him.

Since Song Wen had his back to the three men, he did not see their faces. Nor did he pay them much attention, merely taking them for ordinary passersby.

The three men also ordered braised meat and some food. The young woman quickly brought it over to them.

The three ate quickly, devouring everything on the table like a whirlwind.

"Burp!"

One of them let out a full burp, rose to his feet, and said, "Let's go."

The other two stood as well and headed outside.

Seeing that the three had finished eating and were about to leave, the young woman wiped the grease from her hands on her apron and hurried in front of them with a smile on her face.

"Customers, the meal comes to one hundred and forty-two copper coins."

The lead man showed no intention of paying. His malicious gaze roamed over the young woman's body, lingering especially on her full chest before finally settling on her delicate face.

"Yo! This little lady is quite a looker."

The other two men broke into lewd laughter.

"Dog Lord has a good eye. She does have some looks."

"Little lady, follow our Dog Lord from now on. We guarantee you'll eat well and live well. You won't have to brave the wind and sun or show your face in public doing this lowly work anymore."

"Ha ha ha..."

Song Wen, who had been eating with his head lowered, turned when he heard the words "Dog Lord." He discovered that the three men were Gou Hang and his two underlings.

A surge of anger rose in Song Wen's heart.

If Dog Lord had not deceived him back then, he would not have joined the Heavenly Baleful Gang, fallen into Extreme Yin's hands, or been poisoned by the Seven-Day Gut-Severing Powder.

Gou Hang noticed Song Wen staring at him and turned to look. He did not recognize Song Wen immediately, only finding him somewhat familiar, though he could not recall where they had met.

After becoming Extreme Yin's personal disciple, Song Wen's clothing and appearance had improved greatly. He no longer looked like the shabby figure he had once been.

At that moment, frightened by the three men's frivolous words, the young woman hurriedly retreated and hid behind her husband, who had rushed over to help.

The stall owner shielded his wife behind him, wearing a fawning smile. "Three heroes must be joking. My wife is plain and ugly. How could she possibly catch your eyes?"

The stall owner's words drew Gou Hang's attention away from Song Wen. The lewd smile vanished from his face, replaced by a vicious expression.

"Look carefully. I'm with the Heavenly Baleful Gang. Eating at your roadside stall is already doing you a favor, and you dare ask me for money?"

The stall owner's face filled with bitterness. One hundred and forty-two copper coins was a substantial sum for a poor family like theirs, enough to feed them for several days.

But power spoke louder than reason. He had no choice but to bow his head.

The stall owner bent at the waist and said ingratiatingly, "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Customers, please be on your way."

Gou Hang gave the stall owner a disdainful look. "At least you know what's good for you."

With that, he turned and prepared to swagger away with his two underlings.

Song Wen stared coldly at the three figures.

Other than Extreme Yin, Gou Hang was the person he hated most.

Now that Song Wen had Extreme Yin backing him, though Extreme Yin was merely using him to test medicine, he would never easily allow anything to happen to Song Wen.

Song Wen could completely use Extreme Yin's name to do something excessive.

Even if he killed Gou Hang and the other two in the street, the Heavenly Baleful Gang would not dare trouble him.

At that thought, viciousness rose in his heart.

Song Wen's right hand reached for the dagger tucked inside his boot.