Magistrate's Invitation, Hero's Invitation! (Seek Follow-up Reads!)

The news that the garrison outside the city was surrounded by bandits quickly spread throughout Black Goose City.

Aside from the constable Xu Weisai, the eighteen constables sent by the yamen were all killed by the bandits with their sabers and thrown into the Black Rock River west of the city. Later, they were discovered and recovered by fishermen.

In an instant, Black Goose City, which had been calm and peaceful, was once again thrown into turmoil!

Compared to the previous rumors, this time the bandits' sabers were practically hanging over the gates of Black Goose City!

They were hanging over the necks of the citizens within the city!

For a time, everyone in the city felt unsafe.

Some wealthy households with some resources began to hire martial artists at great expense to protect them, intending to leave Black Goose City and seek refuge elsewhere.

However, when the bodies of over ten people from the first wealthy household were neatly arranged in front of the gates of Black Goose City the next day.

The wealthy households within Black Goose City immediately abandoned the idea of seeking refuge elsewhere.

It was clear that Black Goose City had been surrounded by those bandits, and anyone who tried to leave would be killed by them first!

Under this display of killing to establish authority, the atmosphere in Black Goose City became even more somber.

With the garrison outside the city besieged and nearly half of the yamen constables killed.

Black Goose City no longer had the strength to deter the bandits.

If this continued, as soon as the bandits realized the weakness within Black Goose City, they would likely break through the city gates and flood in.

At this moment, Black Goose City was like an unarmed person.

And the bandits surrounding it were like wolves guarding the perimeter.

With just one lapse in attention, they would be torn to shreds.

East of the city, in a dilapidated temple.

Everyone was no longer as relaxed as before; like the outside, the atmosphere had become much more oppressive.

"How many more days can the food I brought last?"

After finishing his meal, Qin Zheng asked Qi Yan.

Ever since he encountered the fishmonger that day and heard the news he spoke of.

Qin Zheng immediately sensed the danger and made a large purchase of rice, flour, and meat.

But no matter how much food there was, it couldn't last with so many people, nor could it keep up with his own high consumption during martial arts practice.

Qi Yan hesitated for a moment before replying, "If we maintain our current portions, it should last about three more days."

"However, Brother Qin, you are a martial artist and cannot lack meat. We don't need to eat as much."

"If we are frugal, we should be able to make it last five days."

Currently, Black Goose City was in a state of panic. The city gates and river routes were blocked by the bandits outside, making it impossible to transport grain into the city.

As a result, everyone in the city was scrambling to hoard food, and grain prices had become very high, making it almost impossible for the poor to afford to eat.

Qin Zheng nodded upon hearing this, then said, "No need to be frugal, I still have food. I'll go get it later."

The food in the small courtyard to the south of the city had been finished, but he had plenty of silver, enough to buy more.

After he finished speaking, Qi Yan didn't object and quietly listened to Qin Zheng's arrangements.

As for the other children, they were sensible enough to understand the crisis in the city.

They knew that this big brother in front of them was their reliance at this time.

Therefore, every time they ate, they would deliberately eat less, leaving more for Qin Zheng.

Although they didn't understand the difference in strength between martial artists, they knew that only by eating enough could they have the strength.

Qin Zheng then went to the open space in front of the dilapidated temple and began circulating his qi and blood again.

Without internal energy cultivation, relying solely on external martial arts was a long and arduous process of refining from the outside in.

One couldn't be impatient, nor could one be lazy; diligent practice every day was essential.

Fortunately, the quality of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill was very high, and the efficiency of circulating qi and blood with its thirteen movements exceeded Qin Zheng's expectations.

At this moment, he could clearly feel that with each completed movement and circulation of qi and blood, his internal body became stronger.

If this continued, even without internal energy, it might only take a few months to advance to the Muscle-Refining Realm again.

Half an hour later, Qin Zheng slowly concluded his practice.

Unlike before, when his entire body's qi and blood surged, emitting white smoke and heat.

Now, when he circulated his qi and blood, there was no outward sign of any abnormality.

After reaching the peak of Skin-Refining, one could control the pores of the skin and prevent the essence from leaking out.

Therefore, although the qi and blood surged within his body like a great river, outsiders could not detect any movement.

"Brother Qin, drink some water."

As usual, after he finished his practice, Qi Yan brought him a bowl of water.

After expressing his thanks, Qin Zheng drained the water in the bowl.

He then returned the bowl to Qi Yan and said, "You all stay safely inside the temple. I'll be back soon."

His reputation had already spread. In Black Goose City, no one would dare interfere with the temple now.

Would anyone be foolish enough to provoke a ruthless individual who could silence the Canoe Gang, all for a few beggars and a woman?

No sane person would think that way.

Therefore, Qin Zheng no longer worried much about the safety of those inside the dilapidated temple.

Qi Yan nodded and also reminded him, "Be careful."

Qin Zheng slung the ghost-head saber, wrapped in rough cloth, over his shoulder and stepped towards the exit of the temple.

However, just as he was about to step out the main door, his brow furrowed slightly, and he stopped.

"What's wrong?" Qi Yan asked.

Qin Zheng shook his head and slowly walked to the front of the temple.

At that moment, a yamen runner also appeared at the main entrance.

His gaze first swept into the temple. Upon seeing Qin Zheng, his face immediately broke into a fawning smile.

"Master Qin!"

Since his reputation had spread, everyone who spoke to him now called him "Master Qin."

Qin Zheng nodded and then asked, "What is it?"

At this juncture, having the yamen approach him meant it could only be trouble.

As expected, after he finished speaking, the yamen runner glanced at the people inside the temple and then loudly announced, "Master Qin, Magistrate Gao requests your presence!"

As he spoke, he also took out a scroll from his embrace and respectfully handed it to Qin Zheng.

Qin Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly. He took the scroll and opened it.

The contents were an invitation issued in the magistrate's name, broadly inviting martial arts experts in Black Goose City to gather at the yamen that very night.

This type of invitation was also known as a Hero's Invitation.

Qin Zheng's eyes flickered with thought, but his expression remained unchanged. He nodded and replied, "Please tell Magistrate Gao that Qin Zheng will arrive on time."

A smile then appeared on the yamen runner's face.

"Then, Master Qin, I shall take my leave."

The yamen runner clasped his fists in a bow and slowly retreated.

Qin Zheng stood rooted to the spot, looking at the scroll in his hand, his eyes filled with contemplation.

With the garrison outside the city trapped and half the yamen constables gone, the official power within Black Goose City had clearly been weakened to its absolute limit.

Therefore, the yamen of Black Goose City had obviously turned their attention to the various factions and martial arts experts within the city!

This was a powerful force that did not belong to the official yamen, but it was not to be underestimated!

However, the bandits outside the city were all desperate outlaws, and engaging them was an extremely dangerous affair, one where a single misstep could mean death.

He wondered how many factions and how many experts would agree to this.