After bidding the old monk farewell, Qin Zheng quickly returned to his little courtyard.
Then, as usual, he brewed medicine, cooked meat, and circulated his blood and qi.
The situation outside the city was unclear now, so it was best to heal his internal injuries as quickly as possible.
Even if he could not raise his realm, he at least needed to be capable of activating the third level of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill again.
Three thousand jin of strength was enough to rival a Bone Tempering Realm martial artist who had broken through four major barriers.
No matter how formidable the bandits outside the city were, there should not be anyone beyond the Bone Tempering Realm among them.
That way, no matter what happened, he would be able to deal with it.
That afternoon, there came a knock on the courtyard door. A Goateed Man appeared and respectfully handed Qin Zheng an invitation.
Behind the Goateed Man stood several servants.
The lead servant carried a tray piled with gleaming silver ingots, thirty in all, each worth ten taels.
Farther behind them, two men carried a freshly slaughtered pig, while another two carried a freshly slaughtered ox.
Several others carried rice, flour, grain, and oil.
One pig, one ox, and three hundred taels!
It seemed that the Canoe Gang's Second Boss was not some muddleheaded fool.
The other party must have investigated his strength before arranging this display.
"Young Hero Qin, our second-in-command said that the young master was immature and thanked you for teaching him a lesson."
"These things are the young master's apology for speaking disrespectfully to you."
The Goateed Man spoke at that moment, his tone respectful.
Qin Zheng did not refuse. He accepted the invitation, then turned and had the ox, pig, and provisions carried into the little courtyard.
Rumors had been spreading throughout the city recently, and the common folk were scrambling to buy up food and supplies. With these things, he would not need to join them in fighting over overpriced grain.
"Fine. I'll accept this apology. Go back and tell the Second Boss that Qin will attend the banquet on time."
The Goateed Man smiled and nodded, then respectfully said, "Thank you, Young Hero Qin. We shall return and report back."
"Go."
Qin Zheng nodded. Only after the group left did he close the courtyard door.
Both the beef and pork were exceptionally fresh, clearly from livestock that had only just been slaughtered.
The Canoe Gang controlled river trade. Although it was a martial world faction, it mostly dealt with merchants.
Thus, its way of doing things carried a little more of a merchant's flavor.
Qin Zheng then opened the invitation and read its contents.
"My son behaved rudely. I have specially arranged a banquet at the Gathering Heroes Pavilion in the west of the city. At dusk tonight, I shall await your arrival."
Black Goose City.
Dusk.
As night fell, the riverbank in the western part of the city became the liveliest place in all of Black Goose City.
Crowds surged through the streets, while lanterns shone brightly.
The daytime tension had vanished here, as though everyone had forgotten about the bandits outside the city.
Amid the swallows and warblers, the distinctive fragrance of rouge mingled with the rich scent of fine wine, intoxicating the senses.
Wealthy men dressed in brocade and silk, as well as scholars in blue robes, lingered here and forgot to leave.
At that moment, Qin Zheng, clad in coarse hemp clothing, looked utterly out of place among them.
Especially since a Ghost-Head Saber wrapped in rough cloth was slung diagonally across his back, making him stand out all the more.
However, Qin Zheng's bearing was entirely different from when he had first crossed over. The people around him only dared cast curious glances his way, not daring to say anything.
The Gathering Heroes Pavilion was not a building, but a pleasure boat operated by the Canoe Gang.
The vessel was twenty meters long and sixteen meters tall, with eight levels of pavilions built upon it. It truly resembled a towering building sailing across the water.
It was also the most crowded gold-devouring den along the entire western riverbank.
People flowed endlessly through the entrance and exit by the shore.
When Qin Zheng arrived, the Goateed Man who had visited him that morning was already waiting there.
The instant he spotted Qin Zheng, he hurried over and respectfully said, "Young Hero Qin, I am here. Please follow me."
Several servants followed behind the Goateed Man.
Qin Zheng nodded, then followed him into the ship's pavilion.
The first-floor hall teemed with people. A stage had been erected in the center, where scantily clad dancers performed.
The surrounding area was filled with lavish spenders and courtesans who accompanied them in drinking.
The thick smell of wine and rouge permeated the air.
Seeing this scene, Qin Zheng's expression remained calm, and not the slightest ripple stirred in his eyes.
"Young Hero Qin, this way."
Guided by the Goateed Man, they climbed floor after floor until they reached the seventh level.
With every floor they ascended, the number of people dwindled.
By the time they reached the seventh floor, there were no longer many guests. Everyone present was a member of the Canoe Gang.
Then, after entering a luxurious large room, Qin Zheng finally saw the host of this gathering.
A broad, fat middle-aged man with shrewd features sat at the head of the room.
Behind him stood a young man whose cheek was swollen on one side, crimson and bruised, making for a rather frightening sight.
It was the Canoe Gang's young master whom Qin Zheng had taught a lesson earlier that day.
This man must be the Canoe Gang's Second Boss.
On either side sat several people with formidable auras and hostile expressions.
They were presumably the Second Boss's subordinates.
"Well, well, isn't this Black Goose City's most famous butcher?"
At that moment, a voice rang out from the side.
Qin Zheng followed the sound with his gaze.
The speaker was a burly man seated to the Second Boss's right.
His muscles bulged all over, as if his body had been piled together from slabs of flesh, and dense Killing Intent radiated from him.
"Helmsman Liu, what do you mean by that?"
Opposite him sat a lean middle-aged man who appeared utterly ordinary. Yet upon closer inspection, one could see that his hands were like jade and his fingernails as black as ink.
"Does Helmsman Zhang not know? Other butchers slaughter pigs, oxen, and livestock. This one slaughters people!"
The muscular man said with a grin.
At those words, the entire room erupted in laughter.
Seeing Qin Zheng being ridiculed, the pampered young man standing behind the Second Boss wore a flash of delight upon his venomous face.
"Is it funny?"
But then, a calm voice sounded, shattering the atmosphere.
Everyone instantly stopped laughing and turned their eyes toward Qin Zheng.
"You don't think it's funny?!"
A trace of coldness surfaced in the muscular man's eyes.
In an instant, Killing Intent poured from his body.
He resembled a man-eating tiger, staring fixedly at Qin Zheng.
The Second Boss, seated at the head of the room, showed no intention of mediating. Instead, he watched the scene with great interest.
The son of the Canoe Gang's Second Boss was not someone just anyone could discipline!
He had sent some gifts and lured the man here. Now that Qin Zheng had entered his lair, whether he lived or died was naturally for him to decide!
This petty executioner had stumbled upon who knew what kind of opportunity and learned a bit of martial arts, yet he dared act so wildly. He truly did not know the immensity of heaven and earth!
Qin Zheng looked calmly at the other man, then shifted his gaze to the Second Boss seated at the head of the room.
He had not expected to be led around by the nose.
It seemed he was still somewhat too innocent and naive.
Qin Zheng suddenly chuckled. Then he stamped his foot, activated his movement skill, and flashed dozens of steps in an instant, arriving before the muscular man.
Immediately afterward, he brought down his palm!
The muscular man gave a savage grin, then shouted cruelly, "Let me see just how much strength that scrawny body of yours has!"
At the same time, he extended his fan-sized palm to meet Qin Zheng's strike.
But—
His hand was like a weightless tree branch. The instant it touched Qin Zheng's palm, it snapped.
Qin Zheng's palm continued downward and struck the man's head.
Bang!
Like a watermelon bursting apart, red and white splattered everywhere!
"Not funny."
Qin Zheng withdrew his hand and spoke flatly.
The entire room fell deathly silent. No one dared make a sound.
Before you continue