Robbery for money, or for sex?

The river widened gradually in the morning light, with the outline of the pier faintly visible in the distance.

After several days of sailing, the territory of Qingzhou was finally in sight.

Wang Tong rowed the oars, slowing the boat a little.

He glanced back at Lu Shaoyou, who was sitting cross-legged, and said, "Young man, Dragon Snake Crossing is just ahead. This place is considered the outskirts of Qingzhou, but it's no longer peaceful."

"The ones controlling this stretch of water are the Giant Whale Gang."

Lu Shaoyou opened his eyes, his breath long and steady. "The Giant Whale Gang?"

Wang Tong nodded. "That's right. They have many men and are very overbearing. All boats that arrive here have to pay a toll, otherwise, they won't be able to land safely."

"Since you're new here, if they demand it, just tolerate it for now. Don't get into conflicts easily. This Dragon Snake Crossing is a mix of fish and dragons, not a good place."

He paused, then added, "Especially the Blood Saber Sect. Their methods are ruthless and merciless. If you really have a grudge against them, you must be very careful. They are truly desperate characters."

Lu Shaoyou hummed in acknowledgment. "I've noted it."

The sailboat slowly approached the pier.

The pier at Dragon Snake Crossing was not much smaller than the ferry crossing in Yun Yuan County, but it was even more chaotic.

Many boats were moored haphazardly along the shore, and some scruffy-looking men carried goods back and forth, their shouts rising and falling.

As soon as they docked, before the gangplank was even secured, seven or eight burly men armed with short clubs and carrying curved sabers surrounded them.

The leader, with a ferocious scar across his face, was about thirty years old. His triangular eyes gleamed greedily as he sized up Lu Shaoyou and Wang Tong.

"New boat? Do you know the rules?" The scarred man tapped the side of the boat with his short club, making a dull thudding sound.

Wang Tong hurried forward, took out some silver fragments from his pocket, and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, please make way. We are just passing through. This is a small token of our appreciation."

The scarred man took the silver and weighed it in his hand. He curled his lip. "Just this much? Are you trying to send away a beggar? This boat, and this kid, two people, at least this much!" He held up five fingers.

Wang Tong looked troubled. "Sir, we run a small business..."

Lu Shaoyou took out a small silver ingot from his pocket, about five taels, and tossed it over. "Is this enough?"

The scarred man caught it, and a hint of satisfaction appeared on his fleshy face. "You know what's good for you! Get lost!" He waved his hand, signaling his men to move aside.

Wang Tong sighed and said to Lu Shaoyou, "Young man, this is as far as I can take you. Be careful. This place, Qingzhou, is dangerous step by step. Think twice about everything."

Lu Shaoyou nodded. "You too, be safe."

After parting with Wang Tong, Lu Shaoyou set foot on the land of Dragon Snake Crossing.

The town was not large, and the streets were paved with bluestone slabs, but many were damaged. The shops on both sides were sparse, and most of the pedestrians were people from the Jianghu with vigilant expressions, or ordinary folk hurrying along.

He looked for an inn.

The inn was not large, but the lobby was filled with people sitting in groups of three or five, talking loudly.

"Did you hear? The Black Water Hall and the Three Rivers Gang had another shootout on West Street. Quite a few people died!"

"Tsk, what's so new about that? In Qingzhou, when does anyone not die? The other day I saw people from the Blood Saber Sect hack down someone who wasn't paying attention right on the street, and the government didn't even dare to fart!"

"If you ask me, the Giant Whale Gang is the most imposing. Who in Dragon Snake Crossing dares not give them face?"

Lu Shaoyou chose a corner to sit down, ordered some food and wine, and listened in silence.

The conversations of these Jianghu guests gave him a deeper understanding of the chaos in Qingzhou.

He had barely taken a few bites when he noticed several unfriendly gazes falling upon him.

He subtly glanced with the corner of his eye and saw that they were the Giant Whale Gang men from the pier, including Scarface Zhang.

They were now sitting in another corner of the lobby, pointing at him and sizing him up with impunity.

"Brother, that kid is alone, and he looks tender and fair-skinned. He was so generous with his money at the pier just now, he must have plenty more on him!" a sharp-faced, monkey-like man whispered to Scarface Zhang.

Scarface Zhang licked his lips, and greed flashed in his triangular eyes. "Hmm, judging by his attire, it's bulging. He's probably a fat sheep. Send a couple of brothers to keep an eye on him and see which room he's staying in."

"Tonight, we'll loosen his muscles."

"Heh heh, Brother is wise!" Several subordinates let out low chuckles.

Lu Shaoyou heard all of this and sneered inwardly. He never sought trouble, but if someone foolishly provoked him, he didn't mind sending them on their way.

After finishing his food and wine, he asked the waiter for a room.

Seeing him go upstairs, Scarface Zhang immediately gave his subordinates a look. Two men quietly followed him up, noted the room number, and returned to report to Scarface Zhang.

"Second floor, Room Tian Zi B. Brother, that kid doesn't seem very alert."

Scarface Zhang chuckled sinisterly. "Alert! What's the use of being alert? When you're in our Dragon Snake Crossing, even dragons have to coil up! When it's the third watch and everyone is asleep, we'll make our move."

"Remember, be quick and quiet, don't make too much noise. Get the goods, and deal with the person cleanly!"

"Yes, Brother!"

As the night deepened, the town of Dragon Snake Crossing gradually quieted down, with only a few dog barks occasionally breaking the silence of the night.

Inside the inn room, Lu Shaoyou sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, but in reality, he was listening in all directions.

He had already noticed the subtle sounds of prying outside the door, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a cold arc.

"Knock, knock." A very light knock on the door.

No one answered.

A moment later, a faint click sounded from the door, as if the lock had been jimmied.

Then, the door was silently pushed open a crack.

Five shadowy figures slipped in, their movements practiced and swift, clearly indicating they were professionals.

Leading them was Scarface Zhang, a gleaming short knife in his hand.

"Kid's sleeping pretty soundly," one of the thugs whispered, the faint moonlight filtering through the window vaguely illuminating a lump under the covers on the bed.

Scarface Zhang made a gesture, signaling his men to spread out and surround the bed.

He himself approached the bedside step by step, raising the short knife in his hand, ready to give the person on the bed a surprise.

Just as he was about to strike, the room's lights blazed on, and a calm voice suddenly spoke, "You gentlemen visit so late, uninvited. What business do you have?"

Scarface Zhang and his men turned in shock at the sound.

There, by the room's table, sat Lu Shaoyou, perfectly composed, holding a cup of still-warm tea. He was looking at them with a half-smile.

"You... you weren't asleep?" Scarface Zhang's voice was tight, his grip on the knife unconsciously tightening.

Lu Shaoyou set down his teacup and slowly stood up. "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Go ahead, are you here for money, or for me?"