"What?"
Hearing Qin Zheng's words, Zhang Wei's thoughts snapped back, and he spoke with puzzled confusion.
This made Qin Zheng frown slightly.
As the man controlling the largest gang in Black Goose City, no stirring of wind or rustle of grass within the city should have escaped his notice.
Even if Qi Yan and the others had not been taken by him, he should have known who had taken them!
So Zhang Wei was putting on an act for him right now!
Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes, the chill in them growing even colder.
At the same time, the blade of the Ghost-Head Saber pressed ever closer to the skin of Zhang Wei's neck.
"Hey, hey, hey, Brother Qin, let's talk this over if there's something going on!"
"Don't get so worked up. Tell me what happened first—I can help you!"
"Did someone go missing? Don't worry, my Canoe Gang has many disciples. I'll have them help you search. Before long, we can scour the entire city!"
Feeling waves of coldness against his neck, Zhang Wei hurriedly spoke.
Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly and studied the expression on his face.
Several breaths later, the Ghost-Head Saber slowly lowered, and Qin Zheng said, "A few people I had been sheltering in the ruined temple east of the city."
"Before the bandits attacked the city, I settled them in a courtyard in the south of the city."
"When I returned today, I found that they were gone. There were broken bowls, leftover food, and bloodstains on the ground."
"Clearly, someone struck while they were eating and abducted them!"
Zhang Wei's expression also turned grave. He nodded and said, "Rest assured, Brother Qin. I'll gather the Canoe Gang disciples at once and help you find them!"
After saying that, he rose and called several branch leaders over. Once he had informed them of the matter, he continued, "Gather the gang's disciples and search the entire city!"
"I want them found in the shortest possible time! Do you understand?!"
The branch leaders immediately nodded in acknowledgment, then swiftly turned and left.
Qin Zheng remained standing where he was the entire time, watching everything Zhang Wei did.
Only after Zhang Wei turned back around did Qin Zheng say, "My apologies for what happened just now."
From the looks of it, this matter had not been Zhang Wei's doing. He did not seem to be acting either; it was quite possible that he genuinely knew nothing.
Zhang Wei shook his head and casually said, "You've had unpleasant dealings with my Canoe Gang before. It's only natural that you would suspect us first."
"These are small matters. Finding them is what truly matters."
Qin Zheng nodded and said nothing more, merely committing this favor to memory.
They were neither relatives nor friends, and Zhang Wei had even been intimidated and threatened by him. Yet he was still willing to help so readily; he could be considered a broad-minded man.
Although Qin Zheng knew that Zhang Wei was doing this only because he valued Qin Zheng's strength and wanted to earn a favor from him.
But in times like these, who would help others without seeking anything in return?
Of course, that old monk Chongming might be an exception.
Various thoughts flashed rapidly through Qin Zheng's mind.
"Brother Qin, come sit and rest awhile. My men have gone to search. There should be news before nightfall."
Zhang Wei invited Qin Zheng to sit at a table.
At the same time, he called for the servants in the hall to prepare food and wine.
"Brother Qin was truly valiant that day. You pursued the bandit leader Zhang Xiuwen alone and earned our deepest admiration."
Once Qin Zheng was seated, Zhang Wei looked at him and spoke with feeling.
Zhang Xiuwen was a martial artist who had broken through four great barriers and reached the Bone-Refining Realm, far stronger than any of them.
Yet such a vicious man had been sent flying with a single slash by the handsome, slender youth before him, dressed in coarse hemp clothes, and then relentlessly pursued.
"Brother Qin, might I ask whether Zhang Xiuwen—"
"Dead."
Qin Zheng answered in few, simple words.
Zhang Wei's pupils instantly contracted, his heart surging like stormy waves.
That was a Bone-Refining Realm powerhouse who had broken through four great barriers, capable of shattering three thousand jin with one punch!
And he had truly been killed by the man before him!
Then what realm was this man in? What kind of strength did he possess?!
For a moment, Zhang Wei inwardly rejoiced again and again over the decision he had made at Gathering Heroes Pavilion that day.
If he had truly become enemies with this man, the Canoe Gang disciples at Gathering Heroes Pavilion that day—including himself—would likely have already gone to meet the King of Hell.
"After I left to pursue Zhang Xiuwen that day, what happened afterward in Black Goose City?"
Qin Zheng turned and asked.
Perhaps he could find some clues from this.
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment before replying, "Brother Qin displayed tremendous might that day. Zhang Xiuwen fled in panic, drawing the bandits into a scattered retreat as well."
"We pursued while victorious and killed quite a few bandits, ultimately resolving Black Goose City's crisis."
"Afterward, Magistrate Gao summoned us to reward us, and the entire city celebrated."
At that point, he looked at Qin Zheng and said, "That day, everyone in Black Goose City had survived a great calamity, and all sides were celebrating. The city's oversight was much more lax."
"Could it have been that day?"
His meaning was clear. With the city's oversight relaxed that day, it had been the perfect opportunity for lawless elements within the city to commit crimes.
Qi Yan and the others, whom Qin Zheng had settled in the courtyard in the south of the city, were frail people without the strength to truss a chicken.
If someone had truly set their sights on them, there was a good chance they had acted at that time.
Qin Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly, then closed them and said calmly, "Let's wait and see."
He had already suppressed the anger and viciousness in his heart and could now calmly consider and examine the matter.
But that did not mean he was no longer angry or would let the matter rest.
He was merely suppressing his rage for the moment. Once he found those responsible, an even fiercer killing intent than before would erupt!
Seeing Qin Zheng's current state, Zhang Wei found it difficult to say anything more. He could only hope the culprits were ordinary street ruffians and hooligans.
If they were, killing them would be no great matter and would not lead to any repercussions.
But if the people he suspected had acted, then things would become troublesome.
Zhang Wei could sense that the man beside him intended to kill!
Time slowly passed.
Suddenly, Qin Zheng opened his eyes.
At the same time, a burst of noisy commotion suddenly came from outside.
Zhang Wei abruptly stood up. Then he saw several Canoe Gang disciples fly backward into the hall, smashing onto the ground and rolling to Zhang Wei's feet.
His face immediately darkened with rage, and he was about to stride out and see who was causing trouble.
But at that moment, several monks dressed in white robes supported a pale-faced monk and pointed at Qin Zheng as they asked, "Is it him?!"
The pale-faced monk was the very one Qin Zheng had sent flying with a single palm strike earlier.
The instant he saw Qin Zheng, a vicious, resentful hatred appeared on his face. "It's him!!"
Having confirmed Qin Zheng's identity, the monks in white robes declared domineeringly, "Benefactor, we monks chant scriptures and deliver the world; we are those who save the world!"
"Since you dared to injure us, you are one who has sunk beyond redemption. Today, we shall first send you to meet the Buddha!!"
As soon as they finished speaking, one of the monks shot forward. His palms, each as large as a cattail fan, immediately slammed down toward Qin Zheng's head!
Shing!!
Suddenly, a flash of saber light lit up.
Then a head rolled across the ground.
Qin Zheng stood up with a gloomy expression and said coldly, "What domineering monks."
"But do you know?"
"Qin is in a foul mood and very much wants to kill someone right now?!!"
Brothers, tomorrow is Tuesday—the day Qidian checks follow-up reading data to decide recommendations. This book's fate rests in your hands. I beg you all to help this little author tomorrow by reading through to the latest chapter and following along, please!
Before you continue