Stirring the Grass to Startle the Snake

Wei Tuo looked at Scarface Zhang's corpse on the ground as it gradually turned cold, and the muscles in his face twitched uncontrollably once more.

The seven or eight gang members he had brought now looked at Lu Shaoyou with none of their initial anger and disdain, only deep wariness.

"Branch Master Wei, can we discuss sincerity now?" Lu Shaoyou drove the Qi Mei Cudgel into the ground. The dull thud made everyone's hearts jump.

Wei Tuo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart as he squeezed out a smile again. "Little brother, you speak plainly. I like that! Tell me, what sincerity do you want?"

Lu Shaoyou held up two fingers. "First, I want someone—Li Mo. He was the Young Master of Black Wind Village. I received word that he may have sought refuge with the Blood Saber Sect in Azure Province."

"Li Mo? Black Wind Village?" Wei Tuo frowned slightly, as though recalling something. "I've heard of Black Wind Village. A petty den of bandits in Yun Yuan County, hardly worth mentioning."

"Still, if Li Mo truly managed to attach himself to the Blood Saber Sect, then he has some ability."

He looked at Lu Shaoyou. "You're looking for him to avenge yourself?"

"A blood feud as deep as the sea must be avenged." Lu Shaoyou's tone was calm, but the killing intent within it seemed to lower the surrounding temperature by several degrees.

Wei Tuo nodded. "Fine, I'll help you with this! As long as he's within Azure Province, even if the Blood Saber Sect is protecting him, I'll drag him out for you! But the Blood Saber Sect is powerful. I'll need time."

"I can wait," Lu Shaoyou said. "My second condition is that Branch Master Wei spread a piece of news for me."

"What news?" Wei Tuo was intrigued.

"Say that Black Wind Village in Yun Yuan County has been destroyed by an unknown righteous hero. Its chief, Li Batian, has been executed, and not even chickens or dogs were left alive in the stronghold." Lu Shaoyou spoke slowly. "The farther it spreads, the better. The faster, the better."

A trace of surprise flashed through Wei Tuo's eyes. He stared at Lu Shaoyou as if trying to read something from his face. "Little brother, are you... stirring the grass to startle the snake?"

"More than that." A cold curve touched Lu Shaoyou's lips. "I want certain people who hide their heads and show their tails to know that I've come. And I want to see just how muddy the waters of Azure Province really are."

Wei Tuo fell silent.

He had originally thought Lu Shaoyou was merely a reckless man with formidable martial arts, relying on a bellyful of hot blood to come to Azure Province for revenge.

But now, it seemed this man was not only unfathomably strong, but also meticulous and ruthless in his schemes.

Spreading this news would, first, intimidate Li Mo and turn him into a bird startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

Second, it would test the Blood Saber Sect's response and see whether they would protect Li Mo.

Third, it would announce to every force in Azure Province that this fierce dragon crossing the river had arrived.

"Little brother, these methods of yours don't seem like those of a man solely bent on revenge." Wei Tuo suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of probing. "Making such a grand display, aren't you afraid the Blood Saber Sect will come straight for you?"

Lu Shaoyou met Wei Tuo's gaze. "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come to Azure Province. Branch Master Wei, you only need to tell me whether you'll help with this or not."

"Hahaha!" Wei Tuo suddenly threw back his head and laughed. "Help! Why wouldn't I help? Little brother's enemies are my enemies! Little brother's affairs are my affairs!"

His thoughts raced. This man is powerful, decisive in action, and has a potential conflict with the Blood Saber Sect.

If I can win him over or make use of him, it will greatly benefit my control over Dragon Snake Crossing, perhaps even strengthen my voice within the Giant Whale Gang.

As for the risks... wealth and honor were sought amid danger!

"However," Wei Tuo abruptly changed the subject, "little brother, forgive my bluntness, but is your conflict with the Blood Saber Sect truly only because of one Li Mo?"

Lu Shaoyou knew he was probing for his background and answered mildly, "For now, yes. Whether there will be anything else in the future depends on what the Blood Saber Sect does."

"I understand." Wei Tuo nodded, seemingly fairly satisfied with the answer. "Little brother, as the beginning of our cooperation, I'll share some information with you as well."

"Oh?" Lu Shaoyou gave him a curious glance.

Wei Tuo spoke slowly. "The Blood Saber Sect rules Azure Province through far more than just one Blood Saber Patriarch. They openly possess ten halls, and every hall master is a Super First-rate martial artist."

"As for the Blood Saber Patriarch, he has rarely moved about the martial world in recent years. Usually, his two sons manage the Blood Saber Sect. Those two are no ordinary men either. They are immensely strong, and countless experts have died at their hands."

His eyes burned as he stared at Lu Shaoyou, seemingly trying to discern something, but he was disappointed. From beginning to end, Lu Shaoyou remained expressionless.

Wei Tuo continued, "Once your news spreads, if the Blood Saber Sect truly intends to protect Li Mo, they will surely make a move. By then, you may be facing not merely Li Mo, but the entire Blood Saber Sect."

"So what?" Lu Shaoyou asked.

Wei Tuo choked on that retort, then gave a bitter smile. "Little brother, your courage is indeed extraordinary. But I still have to remind you: two fists cannot defeat four hands, and even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. This pool called Azure Province has drowned more than one fierce dragon crossing the river."

"Thank you for the reminder, Branch Master Wei," Lu Shaoyou said. "But I have never liked waiting passively. Since I've come, I must make some noise."

Wei Tuo looked at Lu Shaoyou and thought to himself, Is this kid truly mad, or does he really have something to rely on? Just where did he come from?

After pondering for a moment, he finally made up his mind. "Fine! Since little brother has such boldness, I, Wei Tuo, will play this game with you! I accept both conditions!"

He turned toward a tough-looking man behind him. "Ma Liu, go at once! Spread the news of Black Wind Village's destruction throughout Dragon Snake Crossing. Within three days, I want both the waterways and roads of Azure Province to know of this!"

"Yes, Branch Master!" Ma Liu bowed to receive the order, gave Lu Shaoyou a deep look, and hurried away.

Wei Tuo added, "As for Li Mo's whereabouts, I'll mobilize every informant in the gang to investigate. The moment there is news, I'll notify you at once, little brother."

"Many thanks, Branch Master Wei." Lu Shaoyou clasped his fists.

"You're too polite, little brother." Wei Tuo waved his hand, the smile on his face becoming several degrees more sincere. "From today onward, you are a friend of mine, Wei Tuo's! In Dragon Snake Crossing, if anything comes up, just speak!"

Then he shifted the subject. "I see you've had quite a disturbance tonight, little brother. Why not rest for the night at my branch hall? It will also let me show a little hospitality as your host."

Lu Shaoyou glanced at the corpse on the ground, then at the door that had been kicked apart. "Very well. Then I'll impose upon you."

He knew Wei Tuo wanted to draw him in further, while also keeping him under watch.

But he did not care.

Wei Tuo was overjoyed. "Men! Arrange the best guest room for little brother! Clean this place up as well!"

Several gang members immediately stepped forward, efficiently dragging away the corpse and cleaning up the bloodstains.

Wei Tuo personally led Lu Shaoyou out of the inn. As they walked, he said, "Little brother, rest assured. I, Wei Tuo, may not be a good man, but anything I promise, I will certainly accomplish."

"It's only that Azure Province is a mixed bag of fish and dragons, and the Blood Saber Sect has eyes and ears everywhere. You must be extra careful in your actions."

Lu Shaoyou sneered inwardly. Wei Tuo seemed enthusiastic, but every sentence was a probe or an insinuation.

Out loud, he replied, "I understand."

He vaguely sensed that Wei Tuo had agreed to cooperate for far more than simple admiration. There was surely a deeper scheme behind it.

This so-called cooperation was more like the beginning of mutual exploitation.

But Lu Shaoyou did not care.

What he needed now was precisely a local power like the Giant Whale Gang to help him stir the stagnant waters of Azure Province.

As for Wei Tuo's schemes, so long as they did not touch Lu Shaoyou's bottom line, he was happy to play along.

If Wei Tuo wanted to use him as a spear, then they would have to see whose methods were sharper.

The night deepened, and Dragon Snake Crossing's clamor gradually subsided.

Yet an invisible undercurrent, stirred by Lu Shaoyou's arrival and the news soon to spread, began to surge and breed beneath this chaotic ferry town.

Lu Shaoyou lay on the bed in the guest room Wei Tuo had arranged, his eyes tightly shut. He appeared to be asleep, but his thoughts raced as he reviewed everything that had happened that day.

"Blood Saber Sect... Li Mo..." he muttered, and a flash of killing intent passed through his heart.

At the same time, Wei Tuo's study was brightly lit.

"Branch Master, that kid... he's no simple matter." One trusted subordinate spoke in a low voice, still wearing traces of alarm on his face.

Wei Tuo held a teacup without drinking from it, merely watching the tea leaves rise and fall in the cup. "He's far more than no simple matter. So young, yet his martial arts are frighteningly high. He kills with ruthless decisiveness, and his thoughts run so deep."

"Then... are we really going to help him?"

Wei Tuo set down his teacup, a cryptic smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Help him. Of course we will."

"Doesn't he want to stir the grass and startle the snake? Then we'll help him lure that snake out."

"I want to see just how big a wave he can raise when he fights the Blood Saber Sect."

"You mean... sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight?"

"No." Wei Tuo shook his head. "It is driving the tiger to devour the wolf. The Blood Saber Sect has grown more and more rampant these past years. They have long wanted to make a move against our Giant Whale Gang's business on the waterways."

With such a sharp blade delivered right to our door, it would be a waste not to use it.

He paused, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "Pass down the order. Keep a close watch on that kid. I want to know his every move. Also, investigate Li Mo's information as quickly as possible."

"I want to see just how much patience he has, and... how much value."

"Yes, Branch Master!" The trusted subordinate bowed and withdrew.

Wei Tuo sat alone beneath the lamp, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop in a rhythmic sound.

"Lu Shaoyou... interesting..."