Beating the Grass to Startle the Snake

Wei Tuo stared at the corpse of Scarface Zhang on the ground, the muscles in his face twitching uncontrollably once more.

The seven or eight gang members he had brought with him now looked at Lu Shaoyou with eyes that had shifted from initial anger and disdain to deep apprehension.

"Captain Wei, can we talk about sincerity now?" Lu Shaoyou struck the ground with his Qi Mei Cudgel, the muffled thud making everyone's hearts skip a beat.

Wei Tuo took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. He forced a smile back onto his face, "Young brother speaks his mind quickly, I like that! Tell me, what sincerity do you want?"

Lu Shaoyou held up two fingers, "First, I want one person, Li Mo. He is the Young Master of Black Wind Village. I received news that he might have defected to the Blood Saber Sect in Qingzhou."

"Li Mo? Black Wind Village?" Wei Tuo frowned slightly, as if recalling something. "I've heard of Black Wind Village, a small den of thieves in Yun Yuan County, not worth mentioning."

"However, if this Li Mo really connected with the Blood Saber Sect, then he does have some capability."

He looked at Lu Shaoyou, "Are you looking for him for revenge?"

"A deep-seated hatred that must be avenged," Lu Shaoyou replied calmly, but the killing intent contained within seemed to lower the surrounding temperature by several degrees.

Wei Tuo nodded, "Alright, I, Wei Tuo, will help with this! As long as he is within Qingzhou territory, even if the Blood Saber Sect protects him, I will find him for you! However, the Blood Saber Sect is powerful, and I will need time."

"I can wait," Lu Shaoyou said. "My second condition is that I want Captain Wei to help me spread a message."

"What message?" Wei Tuo's interest was piqued.

"Spread the word that Black Wind Village in Yun Yuan County has been wiped out by an unknown righteous individual, its Grand Chieftain Li Batian killed, and not a single soul left alive in the village," Lu Shaoyou said slowly. "The wider the message spreads, and the faster, the better."

Wei Tuo's eyes flashed with surprise after hearing this. He stared at Lu Shaoyou, as if trying to discern something from his face, "Young brother, is this... beating the grass to startle the snake?"

"More than that," Lu Shaoyou's lips curled into a cold smile. "I want some people who hide their heads and tails to know that I have arrived. I also want to see how murky the waters of Qingzhou truly are."

Wei Tuo fell silent.

He had initially thought Lu Shaoyou was just a martial artist with high skill and a reckless bravery coming to Qingzhou for revenge.

But now, it seemed this person not only had unfathomable strength but also a meticulous and ruthless mind.

Spreading this message would, first, serve to intimidate Li Mo, making him a startled bird.

Second, it would test the Blood Saber Sect's reaction, seeing if they would protect Li Mo.

Third, it was a declaration to all the forces in Qingzhou about the presence of this outsider.

"Young brother, your methods don't seem like those of someone solely seeking revenge," Wei Tuo suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with probing intent. "By making such a public display, aren't you afraid the Blood Saber Sect will come for you directly?"

Lu Shaoyou met Wei Tuo's gaze, "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come to Qingzhou. Captain Wei, you just need to tell me if you'll help with this or not."

"Hahaha!" Wei Tuo suddenly burst into laughter, "Help! Of course, I'll help! Young brother's enemies are my enemies! Young brother's affairs are my affairs!"

His thoughts raced: this person was powerful, decisive, and had a potential conflict with the Blood Saber Sect.

"If I can win him over, or perhaps utilize him, it would be greatly beneficial for controlling Dragon Snake Crossing, and even for increasing my influence within the Giant Whale Gang."

As for the risks... fortune favors the bold!

"However," Wei Tuo's tone shifted, "Young brother, forgive my bluntness, but is your conflict with the Blood Saber Sect solely because of one Li Mo?"

Lu Shaoyou knew he was probing his background, and replied calmly, "Currently, yes. Whether there will be others in the future depends on how the Blood Saber Sect acts."

"I understand," Wei Tuo nodded, seemingly satisfied with this answer. "Young brother, as a start to our cooperation, I will also reveal some information to you."

"Oh?" Lu Shaoyou looked at him with curiosity.

Wei Tuo slowly began, "The Blood Saber Sect's dominance in Qingzhou relies on more than just the Blood Saber Ancestor. They have ten main halls openly, and each hall master is a Super First-rate martial artist."

"As for the Blood Saber Ancestor, he rarely appears in the martial world anymore. These days, his two sons manage the Blood Saber Sect. Both of them are extraordinary, with immense power, and countless experts have died at their hands."

He stared intently at Lu Shaoyou, as if trying to see something, but he was disappointed. Lu Shaoyou remained expressionless the entire time.

Wei Tuo continued, "Once this message of yours spreads, if the Blood Saber Sect truly intends to protect Li Mo, they will undoubtedly make a move. At that time, you might not just face Li Mo, but the entire Blood Saber Sect."

"So what?" Lu Shaoyou retorted.

Wei Tuo was momentarily choked by his retort, then gave a wry smile, "Young brother truly has extraordinary courage. However, I still want to remind you, a pair of fists cannot fend off four hands, and even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. The waters of Qingzhou have drowned more than one fierce dragon crossing the river."

"Thank you for your reminder, Captain Wei," Lu Shaoyou said. "But I've always disliked passively waiting. Since I'm coming, I might as well make some noise."

Wei Tuo looked at Lu Shaoyou, thinking to himself: Is this kid truly insane or genuinely confident? What is his background?

He pondered for a moment, finally making up his mind, "Alright! Since young brother has such boldness, I, Wei Tuo, will play along with you! I accept these two conditions!"

He turned to a stern-looking man behind him, "Ma Liu, handle this immediately! Spread the news of Black Wind Village's destruction throughout Dragon Snake Crossing. Within three days, I want both land and water routes in Qingzhou to know about this matter!"

"Yes! Captain!" The man named Ma Liu bowed in acceptance, took a deep look at Lu Shaoyou, and quickly departed.

Wei Tuo added, "As for Li Mo's whereabouts, I will mobilize all the informants in the gang to investigate. Once there is news, I will inform young brother immediately."

"I appreciate your efforts, Captain Wei," Lu Shaoyou clasped his hands in a bow.

"You're too kind, young brother," Wei Tuo waved his hand, his smile seeming more genuine, "From now on, you are my friend! If you need anything here at Dragon Snake Crossing, just ask!"

His tone shifted again, "I see young brother has also been disturbed tonight. Why not stay at my sub-station for a night? So I can fulfill my duties as a host."

Lu Shaoyou glanced at the corpse on the ground, then at the kicked-in door, "That would be good, I will impose upon you then."

He knew that Wei Tuo wanted to further win him over, and also to keep him under surveillance.

However, he didn't mind.

Wei Tuo was overjoyed, "Someone! Arrange a good guest room for young brother! And clean up this place!"

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

Wei Tuo personally led Lu Shaoyou toward the outside of the inn, saying as they walked, "Little brother, rest assured, though I, Wei Tuo, am not a good person, I will always keep my promises."

"However, Qingzhou is a mixed bag, and the Blood Saber Sect has eyes and ears everywhere. You need to be very careful when you act."

Lu Shaoyou sneered inwardly. Wei Tuo appeared enthusiastic, but every word he spoke was an attempt to probe and hint.

He replied verbally, "I understand."

He vaguely sensed that Wei Tuo's agreement to cooperate was not simply due to admiration for him; there must be deeper calculations behind it.

This so-called cooperation felt more like the beginning of a mutually beneficial arrangement.

However, Lu Shaoyou didn't mind.

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

As for Wei Tuo's schemes, as long as they didn't cross his bottom line, he was happy to cooperate.

If Wei Tuo wanted to use him as a pawn, then it would depend on whose methods were more skillful.

As the night deepened, the hustle and bustle of Dragon Snake Crossing gradually subsided.

But an invisible undercurrent, caused by Lu Shaoyou's arrival and the news about to spread, began to surge beneath this chaotic ferry town.

Lu Shaoyou lay on the bed in the room Wei Tuo had arranged, his eyes tightly closed. He appeared to be asleep, but his mind was racing, reviewing everything that had happened today.

"Blood Saber Sect... Li Mo..." he murmured to himself, a murderous intent flashing and disappearing in his eyes.

At the same time, in Wei Tuo's study, the lights were blazing.

"Helmsman, that kid... he's not simple," a confidant whispered, his face still showing traces of fear.

Wei Tuo held his teacup but didn't drink. He simply watched the tea leaves floating in the cup. "More than not simple. So young, terrifyingly skilled in martial arts, decisive in his actions, and with such a deep mind."

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

Wei Tuo put down the teacup, a cryptic smile appearing on his lips.

"Help? Of course, we'll help."

"Doesn't he want to beat the grass to startle the snake? We'll help him lure the snake out."

"I want to see how big a splash he can make when he clashes with the Blood Saber Sect."

"Does the Helmsman mean... to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight?"

"No." Wei Tuo shook his head. "It's to drive a wolf to devour a tiger. The Blood Saber Sect has become increasingly arrogant over the years, and they've long wanted to encroach on the Giant Whale Gang's business on the waterways."

Having such a sharp blade delivered to his doorstep, it would be foolish not to use it.

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Pass down the order to keep a close eye on this kid. I want to know his every move. Also, investigate the news about Li Mo as quickly as possible."

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

"Yes, Helmsman!" The confidant bowed and retreated.

Wei Tuo sat alone under the lamp, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the tabletop.

"Lu Shaoyou... quite interesting..."