Zhang Yunfeng led her men to search Siming County for two days, but found nothing. She quickly returned to Yunyang Prefecture with her men.
At the same time, he also had Chen Dagou's body sent back to the Five Dragons Gang.
Not long after returning to Yunyang Prefecture, Zhang Yunfeng took the initiative to visit Old Dragon Island.
Old Dragon Island is located dozens of miles downstream from Yunyang Prefecture. It is an island covering dozens of miles, surrounded by continuous reed marshes and swamps, with vast waters and complex waterways.
Only locals who know the way can maneuver the light boat in and out of the waterways.
Due to its unique topography and water environment, Old Dragon Island became the headquarters of the Five Dragons Gang, with a permanent population of nearly 10,000.
Yunyang Prefecture was also powerless to control Old Dragon Island, and with the help of the Five Dragons Gang, Chen Dalu became the true master of Old Dragon Island.
Although Zhang Yunfeng was a centurion of the Ironclad Guard and a member of the Zhang Household, he still had to stay in the cabin when entering the island, with someone accompanying him to prevent him from spying on the waterways leading in and out of Old Dragon Island.
Zhang Yunfeng remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was furious. A group of boatmen and laborers were putting on airs in front of him—
For the sake of the Zhang Household, Zhang Yunfeng had no choice but to endure the other party's rudeness.
Upon arriving at Old Dragon Island, Zhang Yunfeng finally met Chen Dalu, the leader of the Five Dragons Gang.
This Sixth Rank martial artist had gray hair, wore a black round-necked, front-opening long gown, was barefoot, and had rough skin.
Chen Dalu and Chen Dagou looked alike, only Chen Dalu was much taller. Although he was dressed simply, he had a heroic air about him.
Even though Zhang Yunfeng was dissatisfied, a glance from Chen Dalu immediately instilled a sense of awe in her.
He knew very well that Chen Dalu's martial arts were so powerful that he could suppress his spirit and intimidate him with just a glance.
Although Zhang Yunfeng was arrogant, she dared not act recklessly here.
He greeted him politely and recounted in detail how Chen Dagou had died.
" The Wuji Swordsmanship of the Hidden Dragon Temple is formidable, and their Law Technique is equally powerful. They suddenly attacked and killed the White Dragon Envoy. There was nothing I could do about it."
Zhang Yunfeng finally said with a helpless expression, "Chief, it's not appropriate for me to get involved in such a magical duel. You'll have to avenge this yourself."
Chen Dalu stared coldly at Zhang Yunfeng, fully aware that she intended to use him as a tool to kill someone.
How dare a Daoist priest without a certificate kill his brother? The Lower Court is too arrogant!
If he doesn't get rid of that young Daoist, the news will spread and everyone will say that the Five Dragons Gang is afraid of the Lower Court.
In the world of martial arts, reputation is everything!
If everyone thinks the Five Dragons Gang is finished, even the dogs on the street will run over and bite them.
Chen Dalu looked at Zhang Yunfeng and said, "I will definitely avenge this, but my younger brother went out with you and was killed. I beg you, Commander, to give me an explanation!"
Zhang Yunfeng sensed the hostility in Chen Dalu's tone and quickly said, "This matter arose because of me. Chief, please state your demands—"
Chen Dalu didn't stand on ceremony and directly offered ten thousand taels of gold, plus three warehouses at the East Wharf of Yunyang Prefecture.
Zhang Yunfeng would never agree to such an outrageous condition; a Seventh Rank Gu Master isn't worth that much!
He also couldn't afford to offend the Five Dragons Gang, which controlled water transport and had a significant influence over Yunyang Prefecture.
Killing Chen Dalu wasn't too difficult, but getting thousands of low-level boatmen to obey was quite troublesome.
Considering various factors, the Zhang Household's strategy towards the Five Dragons Gang was primarily to win them over and appease them.
Only after resolving the issue with Cloud Dragon Lower Court will the Zhang Household have no more reservations, and then it won't be too late to consider changing the leader of the Five Dragons Gang.
After a long discussion, the two sides finally reached an agreement: Zhang Yunfeng would pay Chen Dagou five thousand taels of gold in compensation and give him Chen Dagou funeral.
Zhang Yunfeng had only one request: to get Zhou Wuji's head.
He didn't hate Zhou Wuji that much. He just felt that Zhou Wuji was extremely talented, had a strong and ruthless approach to things, and was also elegant and outstanding.
Most importantly, Zhou Wuji is very wicked; Zhang Xinhu and Wu Di both died inexplicably.
Even Chen Dagou, a powerful Seventh Rank Gu master, died in a very casual way in front of him.
This bizarre enemy left Zhang Yunfeng both puzzled and uneasy. He was determined to use every means at his disposal to eliminate this fellow!
There are other motives behind seeking Five Dragons Gang.
The Five Dragons Gang's killing of Zhou Wuji will inevitably greatly anger the Cloud Dragon Lower Court.
This created a deep-seated enmity between the two sides, and the Five Dragons Gang could no longer play both sides, which was very advantageous to the Zhang Household.
After seeing Zhang Yunfeng off, Azure Dragon Envoy Chen Hui asked Chen Dalu with some worry, "Chief, are we really going to kill Zhou Wuji?"
He whispered a reminder to Chen Dalu: "The abbot of Cloud Dragon Lower Court Zhiyuan, wrote to you specifically to explain this matter."
Zhiyuan is Fifth Rank ordained Daoist priest, and can be considered one of the strongest masters in Yunyang Prefecture.
Behind Zhiyuan lies the powerful Northern Pole Sect.
The Five Dragons Gang truly cannot afford to offend such a powerful Daoist sect that even the Zhang Household of Nan Commandery cannot suppress.
They had no reason to ask Zhang Yunfeng for any benefits, but they couldn't really afford to fight Cloud Dragon Lower Court for such a small gain. It wouldn't be worth it.
Chen Hui didn't dare to say it directly, but could only subtly remind the gang leader not to act rashly.
Chen Dalu glanced at Chen Hui. Although this Azure Dragon Envoy also shared the surname Chen, they were not even related by blood, and could hardly be considered relatives.
Chen Hui was quite handsome, well-educated, and had a refined manner of speaking and behaving. He was one of the most outstanding figures in the gang.
This man was efficient and quick-witted, and enjoyed considerable prestige among the lower-ranking members of the gang.
Chen Dalu valued Chen Hui's abilities, but he didn't particularly like Chen Hui's intelligence.
One problem with smart people is that they calculate too precisely, which is very annoying.
The Five Dragons Gang operates on the principles of chivalry and loyalty, and everyone is too calculating and calculating. How can a gang function if everyone is too clear-headed and calculating?
Chen Dalu was displeased, and his face darkened.
He said sternly, " The Cloud Dragon Lower Court considers itself the orthodox sect of Daoism, and it has been suppressing and ostracizing our Five Dragons Gang in every way, even listing us as an evil Outer Dao."
"I've tolerated Cloud Dragon Lower Court for decades. Now that I have the chance to overthrow Lower Court, what's there to hesitate about!"
Chen Dalu paused for a moment, then said sternly, "Besides, they killed my brother, Zhiyuan didn't even show his face. He just wrote a letter casually. This greedy old bastard doesn't take us seriously at all!"
"I'll risk my life today to kill these bastards!"
Seeing Chen Dalu's stern expression, Chen Hui was unconvinced, but dared not speak.
Chen Dalu saw Chen Hui's fear and hesitation, and he sneered, " The Northern Pole Sect is almost unable to survive in the Daoist community. The Cloud Dragon Lower Court can only be held up Zhiyuan the old bastard Zhiyuan, but it can't even suppress the Golden Leaf Temple."
" The Zhang Household, however, is growing stronger and stronger. If we continue to sit on the sidelines and watch from the sidelines at this time, we will only be regarded as enemies by the Zhang Household."
"Whether it's for personal revenge or for the future of the Five Dragons Gang, we have no choice but to choose the Zhang Household!"
Chen Hui sighed deeply in his heart!
The Northern Pole Sect is the orthodox sect of Daoism, with millions of disciples and believers, and even has First Rank expert presiding over it.
The saying goes, "Even a centipede with a hundred legs dies but does not fall down."
Moreover, the Northern Pole Sect has only lacked outstanding talents in recent years, and its influence has waned, but it is far from being in decline or ruin.
Provoking Cloud Dragon Lower Court will have dire consequences.
Chen Dalu dared not stop Chen Hui Dalu, who was so firm and resolute, and could only nod in agreement.
Chen Dalu was fairly satisfied with Chen Hui's obedient attitude. He softened his tone and said, "I know the Northern Pole Sect is not easy to mess with, but we have to take the lead to prove our usefulness and get enough benefits from the Zhang Household."
"They killed Big Hook, so we have a legitimate reason to fight this time, and we'll have something to say if things really escalate."
He pondered for a moment and said, "We chose to target Zhou Wuji because he's insignificant; killing him won't cause much trouble. On the other hand, it also demonstrates our firmness!"
Chen Hui nodded in agreement; those words were quite insightful.
The gang leader knew he had his revenge and wanted to make a name for himself, but the risks weren't too great.
Finally, Chen Dalu changed the subject, saying, "This matter shouldn't be made public. Take two men to Siming County and take care of Zhou Wuji."
Chen Hui cursed inwardly, thinking how wicked the old man was to entrust him with such a troublesome task.
He dared not refuse, and could only say with a troubled expression, "Chief, I have investigated Zhou Wuji. His Swordsmanship is superb, and he has even killed Seventh-Rank Martial Artist. He is definitely not easy to deal with."
" Zhang Xinhu from Siming County is quite formidable, but he disappeared without a trace simply because he opposed Zhou Wuji. There must be a powerful figure from the Lower Court secretly pulling the strings behind the scenes."
"Even my second brother's White Dragon Gu was incredibly powerful, yet this brat still caused his death. That shows how formidable he is—"
Chen Dalu knew that Chen Hui was hesitant, so he said, " The Xue Feihua and Xue Feixia sisters of the Heavenly Ghost Sect raise ghosts in Mount Siming. They owe me a great favor from many years ago."
" The Heavenly Ghost Sect despises the Northern Pole Sect the most, and if given the chance to kill the rising stars of the Northern Pole Sect, they would certainly be willing."
"And they wouldn't dare refuse my token."
Chen Hui was quite pleased to hear that there were other helpers, the Xue Feihua and Xue Feixia sisters.
These two women, known as the Cold-Blooded Twin Fiends, were quite famous among the Devil Cultivator of Yunyang Prefecture.
The key is that with these two women standing in front of him, even if something happens, it won't implicate him.
After seeing Chen Hui off, Chen Dalu asked Chen Yong, the Black Dragon Envoy, "How's it going on your end?"
" Yizhen has been to the island, but I dare not face him, so I have to suspend the blood sacrifice."
Chen Yong said, "Fortunately, Yizhen is gone. After two or three more blood sacrifices, we can refine the remnant soul of that black dragon into a mother Gu."
Chen Dalu nodded. "I sent Chen Hui to Siming County to stir up trouble, also to keep the Lower Court's experts occupied. You hurry up—"
In early February, the breeze already carried a hint of spring.
Yang Shuling lay on a recliner under the eaves, a book in his right hand, occasionally glancing at the group of young disciples practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
As the largest martial arts school in Siming County, Flying Eagle Martial Arts School already has a large number of disciples.
Without Zhang Xinhu's suppression, the number of his martial arts school's apprentices increased several times over.
Yang Shuling felt indescribably comfortable with this kind of life, Heavenly Capital.
Yang Shuling was also willing to give his many apprentices a smile.
Many apprentices knew that Yang Shuling was rigid in nature, so no matter how relaxed and leisurely Yang Shuling appeared, they dared not slack off in the slightest.
They all trained very hard.
Yang Shuling picked up the small teapot, took a sip of strong tea, and smacked his lips contentedly, feeling that this life was too comfortable.
Suddenly, a servant ran over from the backyard and whispered a few words in Yang Shuling's ear, instantly ruining his good mood.
Yang Shuling instructed his eldest disciple to lead the apprentices in cultivation, while he hurriedly followed the servants to the backyard.
Upon entering the back room, they saw their grandson, Yang Tie Ying, lying on the bed with his eyes closed and his breathing weak, his face covered with a faint layer of black mist.
This strong young man looked like he was about to die.
Yang Shuling, being knowledgeable and experienced, immediately realized that his grandson had likely been poisoned.
He had seen people bitten by venomous snakes before; their faces would turn black, and they would die within an hour.
Yang Shuling took his grandson's pulse. Based on his rudimentary medical skills, he could only conclude that his grandson was indeed poisoned. His pulse was scattered and weak, and he feared that his grandson would not last long.
The old man's face was unusually grim. He questioned his grandson's two attendants, who knelt on the ground, their faces ashen, but neither could explain what had happened.
They had just accompanied Yang Tie Ying to the street for breakfast, and after they finished eating, they came back, and then Yang Tie Ying fainted.
"Isn't there anyone conspicuous?" Yang Shuling asked in a deep voice.
A follower cautiously reported, "We did encounter two unfamiliar men, but we only exchanged a few words and didn't even speak."
Yang Shuling remained silent, his grandson clearly having been ambushed.
It could be poisoning, Devil Cultivator Law Technique, or even a Gu curse?
The ways of the martial world are so cunning and unpredictable that he couldn't figure out what was wrong with his grandson.
He had no enemies; the other party must have some ulterior motive for deliberately targeting his grandson.
Yang Shuling was wondering whether he should go to Zhou Wuji. The Daoist Law Technique were profound, and he was also skilled in medicine and alchemy; perhaps he could save Tie Ying?
Just then, a strange male voice suddenly came from outside. "Master Yang, excuse me."
Yang Shuling's face darkened. He strode out of the side room and saw a man standing in the courtyard. This man had a handsome appearance, a bronze complexion, wore a black long robe, and had a long knife tucked diagonally at his waist.
Based on his martial arts intuition, Yang Shuling could tell at a glance that the other party's martial arts skills were quite good, and should have reached the level of Hidden Force.
Before Yang Shuling could ask, the man smiled and introduced himself, "I am Chen Hui, the Azure Dragon Envoy of the Five Dragons Gang."
Yang Shuling's heart sank. The Hidden Force level of martial arts was nothing special, but Azure Dragon Envoy of the Five Dragons Gang, was extremely terrifying.
The Five Dragons Gang Gang's reputation for witchcraft and sorcery was renowned Yunyang; even ordinary people would turn pale at the mere mention of their name.
He had roamed the martial arts world and had dealt with the Five Dragons Gang. He knew that Lan, the leader of this gang, was always domineering, and that his witchcraft was mysterious, vicious, and extremely powerful.
Yang Shuling immediately thought of Zhou Wuji. More than twenty days ago, Zhou Wuji and Wuzheng joined forces to kill a master of the Five Dragons Gang.
Judging from this, it seems that this Azure Dragon Envoy Chen Hui has come to seek revenge on Zhou Wuji! But why is this family member causing him trouble?
Seeing Yang Shuling's constantly changing expression, Chen Hui knew that this Seventh-Rank Martial Artist must have guessed something.
He said with a smile, "Master Yang's grandson is only seventeen or eighteen years old, yet he's already close to the level of Hidden Force; his future is limitless."
He paused deliberately before continuing, "Unfortunately, he's been afflicted by my Azure Dragon Gu. Without my antidote, he'll turn into a black puddle within seven days, tsk tsk----"
Yang Shuling was furious, but since the other party held his grandson's life in their hands, he dared not retaliate.
Furthermore, the other party was actually the Azure Dragon Azure Dragon Envoy Five Dragons Gang.
Zhou Wuji and his group came from the Lower Court of the Northern Pole Sect, so they could disregard the Five Dragons Gang. But he, a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, couldn't be happy to have tens of thousands of followers in the Five Dragons Gang.
Yang Shuling, his anger palpable, cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Chen, we have no past grievances. Please just speak if you have something to say. Why be like this?"
!
Chen Hui laughed again, "Master Yang, there's no need to be angry. As long as you do me a favor, I guarantee your grandson will be fine!"
"Please speak frankly, Mr. Chen," Yang Shuling said coldly.
"It's not difficult. You just need to arrange a meeting with Zhou Wuji, and you don't need to worry about the rest."
Chen Hui said slowly, "After this is done, I will definitely remove the Azure Dragon Gu from your grandson's body."
Yang Shuling's face was ashen, and he hesitated for a long time.
He had previously set Zhou Wuji's bones, thus forging a positive connection between them.
In addition, Zhou Wuji is generous and meticulous in his business dealings.
For these reasons, Yang Shuling was willing to get closer to Zhou Wuji.
He knew very well that Zhou Wuji was a man of deep cunning, decisive and resolute, and could be described as ruthless and ruthless.
As far as he knew, Zhou Wuji had already killed dozens of Lan this month.
Oxygen, like Zhang Xinhu, has also mysteriously disappeared. This matter must be related to Zhou Wuji.
Even the death of Wu Di, the flag officer, was related to Zhou Wuji.
To be enemies with Zhou Wuji is extremely dangerous—if things go wrong, their entire uncle's family could be wiped out.
Chen Hui noticed Yang Shuling's hesitation, and pointed to a follower beside Yang Shuling.
The attendant suddenly convulsed and collapsed to the ground. In the blink of an eye, his face turned ashen, his eyes rolled back, and he lay there trembling, trying to call out but unable to utter a sound.
Yang Shuling flew into a rage and hissed, "What are you doing?"
"Don't get excited, I'm just letting Master Yang see how powerful the Azure Dragon Gu Cluster is," Chen Hui said calmly.
As he spoke, black blood seeped from the attendant's seven orifices, and Lan stopped convulsing and breathing.
Seeing how powerful the Azure Dragon Gu was, Yang Shuling fell silent.
Chen Hui then slowly said, "With Cong Lan poisoned by the Azure Dragon Gu, I can kill him with a single thought. Master Yang, your grandson has a bright future, while Zhou Wuji is just an outsider. Do you even need to think about the choice?!"
(The word count has been reached. I still owe Alliance Leader Yiyuchengqiu four more chapters, which will be made up later. Eight chapters in total. Please vote and subscribe. Thank you very much.)