Chapter 469: Who Wants to Destroy the Jiang Xiang Gang

Xiao Zhenggong directly asked Shen Jingye, "Give us a straight answer: are you going to replace the balancer?"

Shen Jingye still wore a gentle smile and said earnestly, "Zhenggong, you're overthinking it. We have indeed encountered some difficulties in our work, but all difficulties have solutions. Of course, the higher-ups did provide some feedback regarding certain tasks. The last time you went to Wuqin Village for investigative work, your performance wasn't entirely satisfactory."

Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Did I do something wrong in Wuqin Village? Security Commissioner Liu Guocai arranged some food and drinks. You wouldn't hold me accountable for such a trivial matter, would you?"

Shen Jingye shook his head. "I don't know what dealings you have with Liu Guocai. The main point is that this matter ultimately yielded no results."

"What results do you want?"

"Our original intention for establishing a balancer was to achieve equilibrium with Neizhou on common interests. However, after you went to Wuqin Village, you didn't establish any contact with Neizhou."

Xiao Zhenggong replied, "You can't blame me for that, can you? I already told you what happened. There was a plague on Sage Peak, spread by the Greenwater Beggar Sect. You might not know what kind of people the Greenwater Beggar Sect are, but if I hadn't left then, I would have certainly lost my life there!"

Shen Jingye sighed. "The higher-ups' opinions on your work aren't just about that one incident. Neizhou recently attacked Moxian Shop. I don't know if you received news about that?"

Xiao Zhenggong said, "Neizhou occasionally takes action against Prou Province; you're well aware of that, aren't you?"

Shen Jingye nodded. "We are very clear about the conflict between Neizhou and Prou Province. To balance the needs of all parties, we are willing to give up some of our interests in Prou Province. However, we hope Neizhou doesn't always act unilaterally. It would be best to have some communication with us beforehand to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and friction. We hope all conflicts between both sides can be effectively resolved in Prou Province, this buffer zone, rather than allowing misunderstandings to escalate conflicts and lead to direct confrontation between us and Neizhou."

Xiao Zhenggong seemed to understand Shen Jingye's meaning. "So, you think I haven't contacted Neizhou enough?"

Shen Jingye nodded. "We do have that consideration."

Xiao Zhenggong stood up and said, "Alright, then I'll make another trip to Prou Province, relay your thoughts truthfully to Sage Peak, and also check on my own sect while I'm there."

Greenwater City, Lu Family Bookstore.

Li Banfeng selected some old newspapers.

The supplements of these old newspapers contained stories from the Flying General Camp, all mentioning Flying General Zhao Xiaowan, describing tales of upholding justice and eliminating evil. Corresponding news articles were also on the front page of the newspapers. The stories were well-written and exciting, but the news was brief.

For instance, the recently destroyed Luo Yu Pass branch of the Jiangxiang Gang: the planning before the battle, the fighting between the two sides, and the post-battle cleanup were all described in great detail in the stories. However, the news itself was only a few words: "The Luo Yu Branch of the Jiangxiang Gang was destroyed, its headquarters ruined, and its disciples suffered heavy casualties..." "Heavy casualties" again. How many died? How many were injured? Where was the branch leader? Dead or injured? The news didn't clarify.

This matter needed to be inquired about at the newspaper office, and they also needed to investigate.

Li Qi had chosen the newspapers and was asking Boss Lu for the price when he suddenly felt a vibration in his chest.

Boss Lu seemed to notice Li Banfeng had something urgent and quickly said, "Boss Li, I'll have the newspapers delivered to Xiaoyao Dock for you shortly. Please go ahead and attend to your business."

Li Banfeng thanked him, left the bookstore, found an alley, and answered his phone.

Luo Zhengnan said from the other end of the line, "Seventh Master, Xiao Zhenggong is coming to Prou Province. I want to go into hiding for a couple of days."

Li Qi frowned. "Why are you hiding from him?"

"I'm not afraid of him myself, but he's coming with an outer-province identity this time, and I'm afraid of implicating you..."

"What's there to be afraid of from an outer province? If anything happens, come find me at Xiaoyao Dock. I'd like to see if he dares to touch you."

After hanging up, Li Banfeng returned to Xiaoyao Dock, where Youtao had been waiting for a long time.

"Shan Zhumei received news that the Flying General Camp plans to destroy the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters in three days."

The Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters was in Greenwater City. The new leader, Yao Zhiyi, was a sixth-level cultivation master, and it was said he also cultivated emotional arts to the fifth level. He had two fifth-level cultivators and fifteen fourth-level cultivators, with about a hundred skilled subordinates. How did Li Banfeng know all this so clearly? Because he had long intended to attack the main headquarters himself. But now, the Flying General Camp was about to strike first.

Youtao said to Li Banfeng, "This is good news. The Jiangxiang Gang is notorious for its evil deeds; they should have been wiped out long ago. I told A-Mei that if this succeeds, I'll reward her handsomely."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and said, "It's good news, but it's also strange."

Youtao asked, puzzled, "How is it strange?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and asked, "Besides documenting events, does Shan Zhumei have any other tasks in the Flying General Camp?"

Youtao shook her head. "What other tasks could she possibly have? She has many flaws, a bad temper, is timid, and her cultivation isn't high. She can't accomplish anything else."

Li Banfeng said, "But how could someone so un-useful know so many secrets?"

Youtao was stunned. Hearing Li Banfeng, she realized the matter was indeed peculiar.

For Li Banfeng, the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters wasn't particularly strong in terms of individual power, but it had a large number of members. This gang was notorious for its cunning and ruthlessness, so to take them down, the attack had to be sudden, without giving them time to prepare. The Flying General Camp was somewhat high-profile in its actions, but not to the extent of letting a mere scribe know the operation plan in advance.

While he was still contemplating, Qin Tianjiu arrived at Xiaoyao Dock.

Qin Tianjiu had now been exceptionally promoted to Silver Seal, becoming a prominent figure in the Three Heroes Sect. He didn't need to avoid anyone when coming to Xiaoyao Dock; Great Golden Seal Shen Jinzhong was elevated by Li Banfeng, and Qin Tianjiu's importance stemmed from his connection with Li Qi.

"Brother Qi, our Great Golden Seal just received news this morning: in three days, the Flying General Camp is going to attack the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters. Those scoundrels from the Jiangxiang Gang deserved to die long ago. The Great Golden Seal asked me to inquire if you'd like to join in the attack?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and said, "Tell your Great Golden Seal to investigate the Flying General Camp's origins again. Make sure to inform me once you have any news. Tell him not to rush into getting involved in this matter."

The Three Heroes Sect also received the news? If the Jiangxiang Gang wasn't on guard after things had escalated this far, it would truly be ridiculous. Wait. Was Xiao Zhenggong returning to Prou Province for this matter?

Xiao Zhenggong got off the train and first went to the Security Bureau. In terms of official rank, Liao Zihui was above Xiao Zhenggong, but Xiao Zhenggong held the status of a balancer, so Liao Zihui was naturally polite to him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Zhenggong brought up the crisis the Jiangxiang Gang was facing.

Liao Zihui was prepared: "Regarding the recent series of incidents involving the Jiangxiang Gang, we have given them high priority, established a special working group, formulated a work plan, clarified responsibility targets, and effectively implemented various work measures..."

Xiao Zhenggong patiently listened to Liao Zihui finish his rambling, had lunch at the Security Bureau, and then went to the main headquarters in the afternoon. His return created quite a stir. The Jiangxiang Gang seemed to have made full preparations, and the Flying General Camp's operation should have been delayed as a result.

Even Shan Zhumei was somewhat concerned about whether she should continue writing the draft. But Xie Mengjiao again sent Shan Zhumei a message: "The operation remains as planned. Tell her to hurry up and write, aiming to finish the draft on the same day the news breaks."

Li Banfeng became increasingly confused by the situation. "Youtao, stay at Xiaoyao Dock these next few days. Don't go looking for Shan Zhumei."

Youtao asked, "Brother Baisha, is this Zhao Xiaowan real or fake?"

Li Banfeng shrugged his eyebrows. "I think she's fake."

"I think she's real!" In the Lu Family Bookstore, He Jiaqing selected a stack of old newspapers and asked Boss Lu for the price.

Boss Lu smiled. "Why do you think this Zhao Xiaowan is real?"

He Jiaqing replied, "Because she's fighting the Jiangxiang Gang! The Flying General is a great hero, punishing evil and upholding justice. It makes perfect sense. The Jiangxiang Gang are all villains, robbers who steal from others. I hate robbers the most!"

Boss Lu nodded. "So, you've been robbed by the Jiangxiang Gang?"

"I was robbed, and I still hate them when I think about it. I'll get my revenge eventually!"

He Jiaqing left, carrying the newspapers. He started smiling as he walked. While smiling, he muttered to himself, "Xiao Zhenggong, revenge will be exacted very soon!"

That evening, Li Banfeng received an invitation: Xiao Zhenggong invited Li Qi to a banquet at the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters the next day.

Qin Tianjiu specifically came to Xiaoyao Dock to warn Li Qi: "Brother Qi, you absolutely must not go. This Xiao fellow has no good intentions. Everyone knows what the Jiangxiang Gang is like. They're about to face utter destruction and are desperate for help. This time, Xiao Zhenggong sent out dozens of invitations, but no one in Greenwater City paid him any mind. They don't want to be ambushed by him, nor do they want their reputations ruined because of him."

Li Banfeng looked at the invitation, smiled, and said, "It wouldn't be right not to go. Master Xiao and I are old acquaintances, after all!"

Qin Tianjiu was stunned. "Brother Qi, did you know Xiao Zhenggong before?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes, a life-and-death friendship!"

At the Jiangxiang Gang's main headquarters, Xiao Zhenggong was going through a roster, making marks next to each name.

Leader Yao Zhiyi whispered beside him, "There are two brothers who are very loyal to the branch, competent in their work, and tight-lipped. I'd like to keep them."

Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Which two?"

Yao Zhiyi pointed to two names on the roster.

Xiao Zhenggong nodded, drawing a circle next to each of the two names.

After reviewing the roster, Xiao Zhenggong walked through the headquarters from front to back. Although the Jiangxiang Gang was a second-rate sect, its main headquarters was quite grand, with five small buildings, a lake in the middle, and a forest by the lake. Some people also called this place Jiangxiang Garden.

Xiao Zhenggong sighed and said, "When my father was still alive, I told him not to put too much effort into appearances. A tall tree catches much wind; it's not a good thing. Tell the brothers to memorize all the routes so they don't go the wrong way at a crucial moment."

Yao Zhiyi smiled. "Don't worry, our own headquarters, we definitely won't get lost."

Xiao Zhenggong followed Yao Zhiyi to the rockery by the lake. Inside a cave, he twisted two stone cones, which opened a door, and they descended a staircase into the basement.

Xiao Zhenggong looked around the basement and asked, "When did this place get here?"

"Last night!"

Xiao Zhenggong laughed. "Such a large space, to be able to fit under the lake like this... If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."

Yao Zhiyi nodded. "I didn't believe it either before, but seeing it scared me quite a bit!"

Xiao Zhenggong instructed, "Tomorrow, when you enter, you must find the precise time. From now on, there will be no Jiangxiang Gang. If you arrive late, don't say I didn't care about your lives."

Yao Zhiyi said, "Don't worry, there will definitely be no mistakes with this."

After a tour of the basement, Yao Zhiyi pushed open a hidden door on the wall, and a wave of imposing presence rushed out. Yao Zhiyi's body trembled involuntarily. Xiao Zhenggong told Yao Zhiyi to leave first and guard the rockery, as he had something to discuss privately with the person in the hidden room.

After Yao Zhiyi left, the famous detective Daboyins emerged from the hidden door and stood before Xiao Zhenggong.

"Gang Leader!" Daboyins bowed deeply to Xiao Zhenggong.

Xiao Zhenggong nodded. "You've been through a lot these past few days."

Daboyins lowered his head and said, "Serving the Gang Leader is my greatest honor."

Xiao Zhenggong didn't particularly like Daboyins's tone. He spoke towards the hidden door, "You'll have to endure here for a while longer before the plan succeeds. Can you hold out?"

A woman's voice came from inside: "General, you worry too much. When there was no food, we could survive half a year by eating wild cats. Now that we have food and drink, what's there to not endure?"