Invitation from the Canoe Gang! (Seeking Collections)

After bidding farewell to the old monk, Qin Zheng quickly returned to his small courtyard.

Following his usual routine, he brewed medicine and cooked meat, circulating his qi and blood.

The situation outside the city was currently uncertain, so it was best to heal his body as soon as possible.

Even if he couldn't advance his realm, he at least needed to regain the ability to activate the third level of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill.

Three thousand jin of strength was enough to rival experts in the Bone Tempering Realm who had broken through the fourth major hurdle.

No matter how powerful the bandits outside the city were, they wouldn't exceed the Bone Tempering Realm.

This way, he would be able to handle any situation that arose.

It wasn't until the afternoon that the door to his courtyard was knocked. A goatee old man appeared, respectfully handing Qin Zheng an invitation.

Behind the goatee old man were several servants.

The one in front held a tray laden with gleaming silver ingots, each weighing ten liang, totaling thirty ingots.

Further behind, two men carried a slaughtered pig, and two others carried a slaughtered cow.

Several more individuals carried rice, flour, oil, and other staples.

A pig and a cow for three hundred liang!

It seemed the second in command of the Canoe Gang wasn't a brainless fool.

The man had clearly assessed his strength, which was why he had arranged such a display.

"Young Hero Qin, our Second Helmsman said that the young master was ill-behaved and thanks you for your guidance.

These items are the young master's apology for his disrespectful words."

The goatee old man spoke respectfully.

Qin Zheng didn't refuse. He accepted the invitation and turned to have the cattle, sheep, and grain brought into the courtyard.

With rumors spreading throughout the city and people hoarding food and supplies, having these provisions meant he wouldn't have to compete for food at inflated prices.

"Alright, I accept this apology. Tell the Second Helmsman that I will arrive on time for the appointment."

The goatee old man smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Young Hero Qin. We shall return to report."

"Go ahead," Qin Zheng nodded. After they left, he closed his door.

Both the beef and pork were extremely fresh, clearly from recently slaughtered animals.

The Canoe Gang managed businesses along the river. Although they were a martial arts force, they mostly interacted with merchants.

Therefore, their actions carried a certain business-like flair.

Qin Zheng then opened the invitation to examine its contents.

'My son was rude. I have specially prepared a banquet at the Gathering Heroes Pavilion in the west of the city. I await your arrival at the xu hour tonight.'

Black Goose City.

Xu hour.

As night descended, the riverbank west of the city became the most bustling area in all of Black Goose City.

Crowds surged, and lights blazed.

At this moment, the tension of the day had vanished. It seemed everyone had forgotten about the bandits outside the city.

Amidst the lively atmosphere, the scent of rouge mingled with the aroma of fine wine, creating an intoxicating ambiance.

Wealthy individuals in fine silks and scholars in blue robes meandered through the area.

At this time, Qin Zheng, dressed in coarse linen, walked among them, appearing completely out of place.

Especially with the ghost-head saber wrapped in coarse cloth slung across his back, he seemed even more distinct.

However, Qin Zheng's presence now was entirely different from when he first transmigrated. The surrounding people only dared to cast curious glances, refraining from saying anything.

The 'Gathering Heroes Pavilion' was not a building but a pleasure boat operated by the Canoe Gang.

The boat was twenty meters long and sixteen meters high, with eight floors of pavilions, truly resembling a tall building sailing on the water.

It was also the biggest money-spending establishment along the entire west riverbank.

At the entrance and exit points along the bank, crowds were already gathered.

When Qin Zheng arrived, the goatee old man who had visited him that morning was already waiting.

Upon seeing Qin Zheng, he immediately jogged over and respectfully said, "Young Hero Qin, I am here. Please follow me."

Several servants followed behind the goatee old man.

Qin Zheng nodded and followed him into the boat-pavilion.

The first-floor hall was bustling with activity. A stage had been set up in the center, where scantily clad dancers performed.

The surroundings were filled with patrons spending lavishly and courtesans accompanying them.

The strong smell of alcohol and rouge permeated the air.

Qin Zheng's expression remained calm as he witnessed this scene, not a ripple disturbing the depths of his eyes.

Young Hero Qin, this way please.

Following the goatee man's guidance, they ascended the stairs one by one, reaching the seventh floor.

With each floor they climbed, the crowd thinned.

By the time they reached the seventh floor, there were hardly any customers left, only disciples of the Canoe Gang.

Next, after arriving at a luxuriously appointed large room, Qin Zheng finally saw the main players of this gathering.

Seated at the very front was a middle-aged man, broad and stout, with a shrewd expression.

Behind him stood a young man, half his face swollen and bruised a vivid red, looking rather frightening.

It was the young master of the Canoe Gang whom Qin Zheng had disciplined earlier that day.

He must be the second-in-command of the Canoe Gang.

And seated on either side were several individuals with imposing auras and unfriendly expressions.

They must be this second-in-command's subordinates.

"Well, well, isn't this the most famous butcher in Black Goose City?"

At this moment, a voice sounded from the side.

Qin Zheng's gaze followed the sound.

He saw a large man seated to the right of the second-in-command.

His muscles bulged as if sculpted from pure muscle, and a thick aura of malevolence emanated from him.

"Ah, Helmsman Liu, what do you mean by that?"

Opposite him sat a lean middle-aged man. He appeared ordinary at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one could see his hands were like jade, and his fingernails were as black as ink.

"Does Helmsman Zhang not know? Other butchers kill pigs, cows, and livestock. This one kills people!"

The muscular man said with a laugh.

Upon hearing this, the entire room erupted in laughter, everyone chuckling aloud.

Watching Qin Zheng being mocked, a trace of schadenfreude appeared on the resentful face of the fop standing behind the second-in-command.

"Is it funny?"

Just then, a calm voice broke the prevailing atmosphere.

Everyone immediately stopped laughing and turned their gaze towards Qin Zheng.

"You don't think it's funny?!"

A cold glint appeared in the muscular man's eyes.

Instantly, an oppressive aura radiated from him.

He looked like a man-eating tiger, fixated on Qin Zheng.

The second-in-command, seated at the head of the table, seemed to have no intention of intervening and watched the scene with great interest.

His son, the second-in-command of the Canoe Gang, certainly wouldn't tolerate just anyone disciplining him!

By sending some gifts and luring the person here, into his lair, he could naturally dictate their life and death!

This insignificant executioner, relying on some unknown fortuitous encounter to learn some martial arts, dared to be so presumptuous. Truly ignorant!

Qin Zheng's gaze remained calm as he looked at the muscular man, then shifted to the second-in-command at the head of the table.

So, I was set up after all.

It seems I was still a bit too naive and innocent.

Qin Zheng suddenly let out a light chuckle. Then, with a stomp of his foot, he activated his Qinggong, instantly covering dozens of steps and appearing before the muscular man.

Immediately, he brought his palm down!

The muscular man sneered, then roared with a cruel expression, "Let me see how much strength this little body of yours still has!"

At the same time, he extended his palm, as large as a bushel basket, to meet Qin Zheng's palm.

But—

His hand felt as light as a swaying branch; it was broken the moment it made contact with Qin Zheng's palm.

Qin Zheng's palm continued its descent, striking the man's head.

Bang!

It burst open like a watermelon, splattering red and white everywhere!

"It's not funny."

Qin Zheng withdrew his hand and stated calmly.

The entire room fell into a deathly silence, no one daring to utter a sound.