While Pan Long was thinking, two or three Giant Whale Gang members in fitted outfits painted with giant whales arrived with a large group of people carrying all sorts of tools.
They took out a blueprint and, following its design, began carving lines and words into the open ground. Pan Long glanced over curiously and caught sight of the blueprint. It divided the area into sections, each assigned to a different organization.
Were they laying out the grounds in advance?
He found it rather interesting. The Giant Whale Gang's approach reminded him of large events in his previous life, like sports meets.
At those events, grids were often drawn across the square so that each group could stand in its own section, neat and orderly, everything clear at a glance.
Seeing his interest, He Ping ran over to ask. He soon returned and explained, "Branch Chief Ren reported the situation here to headquarters a while ago. After discussing it with the major gangs of Yi Province, headquarters drew up a blueprint. Each organization gets its own spot so things won't turn chaotic when the time comes."
Pan Long nodded and walked over openly.
It was hardly a secret. Surely there was no harm in taking a look.
Sure enough, the gang member holding the blueprint made no attempt to hide it. Instead, he readily handed it to Pan Long and even explained a few things.
It seemed everyone knew Pan Long was the key figure in this treasure hunt.
According to the blueprint, the Giant Whale Gang had claimed the broadest, most convenient position facing the great river. Beside it stood the imperial court's contingent and several well-known righteous organizations. A few spots especially suited to ambushes had also been assigned to these more upright groups.
By contrast, organizations with