A handsome monk in flowing white robes, with red lips and white teeth.
Just as Qin Zheng looked over, the monk happened to raise his head and look at him as well.
"Amitabha. Benefactor, we meet again."
A kindly smile appeared on the monk's face as he nodded at Qin Zheng.
Qin Zheng's eyes flickered, and he returned the gesture with clasped hands.
This monk actually recognized him?
Although he had seen him in the eastern part of the city earlier that morning, the monk had had his eyes closed while chanting sutras. He should not have noticed him.
Could it be that after Qin Zheng walked past, he opened his eyes and saw Qin Zheng's back?
As Qin Zheng thought this, he remembered the Ghost-Head Saber on his back and found an explanation.
With that saber, he was indeed hard to mistake.
"So Young Hero Qin knows Saint Monk Wuchang?"
Seeing this, Advisor Liu immediately asked with a smile.
"I saw him in the east of the city this morning."
Qin Zheng nodded and replied.
"Excellent, excellent!"
Advisor Liu's smile widened. After arranging for everyone to take their seats, he turned to the dancers and musicians nearby and said, "Louder! More lively!"
Then he looked back at the crowd and said with a smile, "Everyone, Magistrate Gao will be here shortly. Let's have some wine and enjoy the performance first!"
"Good!"
"No rush, no rush!"
"..."
The crowd chimed in.
Qin Zheng could only go along with the flow and watch the dancers performing on the stage.
It had to be said that Magistrate Gao had truly fine taste.
The dancers on the stage were all stunning beauties, their skin smooth as congealed cream.
As they twisted and turned, every glance shone; each smile and frown was enough to stir the heart.
During this time, Qin Zheng noticed that the monk in white had his eyes shut, silently reciting sutras as though he did not wish to see such a sensual scene.
He had heard that Buddhism had eight precepts. This was quite a rule-abiding monk.
Qin Zheng merely glanced over them before shifting his gaze away.
After waiting until the song had ended, Qin Zheng's ear twitched. He then slightly turned his gaze toward a certain direction.
Several breaths later, a somewhat plump figure came hurrying over, panting for breath.
Upon seeing everyone, he clasped his hands and said with an apologetic expression, "I arrived late and neglected all you heroes. I shall punish myself with a cup first!"
As he spoke, he walked to the seat of honor at the head of the table, picked up a wine cup, filled it, and drained it in one gulp.
"Magistrate Gao is too courteous!"
"Magistrate Gao needn't do this!"
"..."
With the magistrate's arrival, the atmosphere instantly rose to its peak, growing boisterous beyond measure.
This was also Qin Zheng's first time seeing the chief official of Black Goose City.
He did not look as old as Qin Zheng had imagined. He could even be called rather young, likely no more than thirty-something.
Only, his eyes were rather narrow and long, giving him a somewhat gloomy air that made him seem difficult to get along with.
Moreover, Qin Zheng's five senses had been enhanced far beyond those of ordinary people.
At this moment, he caught the scent of a woman's rouge on Magistrate Gao, along with an indescribably disordered fragrance.
His brow immediately furrowed ever so slightly.
Everyone had been waiting for him here, and the urgent matter he spoke of was going to do that?
And inside the government office, no less.
No wonder he had taken eighteen wives and concubines. He truly was a ravenous ghost for women.
As Qin Zheng thought this, Magistrate Gao took his seat. Advisor Liu hurriedly called out, "Everyone, please begin the feast."
Then he looked toward the stage, raised a hand, and shouted, "Keep the music going! Keep dancing!"
The atmosphere immediately grew even more heated.
The banquet lasted nearly half a shichen.
Though none of those present lacked food or clothing, they were all martial artists with astonishing appetites.
Thus, while everyone ate, the cooks continuously brought up more dishes.
Once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, servants came forward to clear the tables, and only then did the expressions of the crowd turn solemn.
"I presume everyone is already well aware of Black Goose City's situation, so I need not repeat myself at length."
"I invited everyone here today precisely because of this matter."
Magistrate Gao cleared his throat, swept his gaze across those present, and spoke.
As those words fell, the scene became utterly silent. Even breathing could be heard.
Everyone looked at Magistrate Gao, waiting for what he would say next.
Everyone present understood the government office's intentions, but it depended on how much sincerity the government office could offer to make them willingly risk their lives.
"The bandits outside the city are arrogant beyond measure. They have trapped the garrison led by Captain Ji in the mountains, and they even hacked eighteen constables from my office to death before throwing them into the river."
"What you may not know is that the bandits' leader, Zhang Xiuwen, has already sent me a letter of warning."
"He said that if Black Goose City's gates remain closed for three days, they will bring their army here and smash through the gates!"
"And when that happens, they will allow their army to loot the city for three days!"
"Tell me, these lawless scoundrels actually dare to call themselves an army? They even dare to claim they will break through Black Goose City's gates and let their army plunder the city for three days!"
Magistrate Gao's voice rang out slowly, gradually rising until he was filled with righteous indignation, his entire face flushed red. He was clearly enraged to the extreme.
Upon hearing this, the expressions of those present suddenly sank, turning grave.
Every industry within Black Goose City, without exception, was basically theirs.
If the bandits entered the city and looted wantonly, they would be the ones to suffer the greatest losses.
Although every household had quite a few gang disciples, compared with the bandits capable of trapping the garrison in the mountains, they still fell far short.
After Magistrate Gao's words, among the people who had originally intended to hear the government office's offer before making a decision,
some had already begun considering how to keep the bandits outside the city.
Qin Zheng did not say a word, merely watching everyone in silence.
"I invited you all here today to discuss a way to resolve this matter."
"You are all the pillars of Black Goose City. Without you, Black Goose City would not be so prosperous."
"But likewise, if Black Goose City falls, I fear none of you will live as comfortably as before."
As Magistrate Gao spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd.
"Why does Magistrate Gao not write to the imperial court for aid?"
Just as his gaze was about to land on Qin Zheng, a voice rang out.
Qin Zheng turned and saw that it was Zhang Wei, the chief of the Canoe Gang, who had spoken.
The others also turned their eyes toward Magistrate Gao.
The chief official of Black Goose City shook his head and continued, "Since this matter began, I have written no fewer than thirty letters to the imperial court requesting reinforcements."
At this point, his expression instantly darkened. "Yet right now, every single one of them is sitting neatly beside my desk!"
Everyone's eyes narrowed at once.
"There are several master archers among those bandits."
At this moment, Advisor Liu spoke, explaining it to those who had not understood.
"So we can only rely on the strength within the city—rely on all of you!"
Magistrate Gao looked at everyone and continued, "If you are willing to act, the bandits outside the city will certainly be no problem!"
"My government office will not be stingy. Any force that participates in driving off the bandits will be exempt from taxes for three years!"
"Any individual who participates in driving off the bandits will be rewarded with one thousand taels of silver by the government office!"
His expression was solemn as his gaze fixed tightly on the crowd.
Just as the scene fell into silence,
a figure in white slowly rose to his feet.
"Amitabha! Leave this matter to Rebirth Temple."
Before you continue