Chapter 22: Black Blood |
Tap tap tap...
In the broken alley, the sound of shattered roof tiles continued, and occasional wild barking could be heard.
Jiang Hui's movements were extremely clean and efficient, but having drunk alcohol and suffered severe injuries, his steps were obviously much slower.
Chen Qing's gaze was cold, his steps light as he quickly caught up.
Jiang Hui knew he couldn't shake off his pursuer, and immediately developed a desperate fighting spirit.
"Swish swish swish!"
The moment he flipped over a low wall, Jiang Hui suddenly threw back a spray of dark light.
Poisoned flying needles used the night's cover, directly targeting Chen Qing's face.
"Clang clang clang!"
He pushed off with his toes and leaped into the air, his blood-stained clothes fluttering like a bat in the moonlight, the through-arm boxing 'Mountain Crushing Style' already thundering out in mid-air!
Jiang Hui felt as if his five organs and six bowels had exploded, his body directly flying backward and rolling twice on the ground, a spray of blood gushing forth.
Chen Qing naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity, raising his blade and striding forward.
"Don't... don't kill me..."
Chen Qing's blade reflected Jiang Hui's deathly pale face. This Black Water Gang leader now looked like a dying dog, his fingers scratching ten bloody marks on the stone slabs.
Chen Qing didn't hesitate, directly slashing at Jiang Hui's neck.
"Puchi!"
Jiang Hui's eyes widened, he instinctively reached toward his neck, and under the moonlight one could see that terrifying crimson.
Thump!
Jiang Hui unwillingly fell down, breathing his last.
"Phew..."
Chen Qing shook the blood drops from his blade and efficiently collected his spoils of war, money pouch, jade pendant, hidden weapon bag... After confirming nothing was missed, his figure quietly melted into the night.
Returning home, Chen Qing ruthlessly burned the clothes on his body, then jumped into the river to bathe.
"This time was much more dangerous than last time. Peak obvious strength is indeed troublesome."
Especially facing an experienced and vicious expert like Jiang Hui.
After bathing, Chen Qing took a deep breath, then began counting tonight's harvest.
Silver ingots rolled and collided on the table surface, producing crisp sounds.
Chen Qing's fingertips played with the broken silver, roughly counting over fifty taels.
Chen Qing's heart stirred, "This silver is enough to last until the martial examinations."
Though these gang members couldn't be considered wealthy, they had small savings. If he targeted small gangs... but Chen Qing quickly dismissed this thought.
Though these gang lackeys weren't enormously wealthy, they were each fat sheep but shallow pools have many turtles, who knew which unremarkable hall had tough opponents hiding behind it that could take his life? Not to mention those intertwined networks of power, one careless move could bring catastrophic disaster.
"When possible to avoid taking action, absolutely avoid it."
Chen Qing stored the silver in a hidden compartment and slowly closed his eyes.
...
The next day, Constable He stepped into the Black Water Gang.
Corpses, corpses everywhere, scattered in all directions, in various forms.
Constable He's gaze looked toward the distance, where Jiang Hui's face was half-buried in a pool of blood, only the exposed eye frozen with an expression of disbelief and bewilderment.
"Bastards! Lawless!!" Constable He's voice suddenly rose, his bloodshot eyes sweeping over several pale-faced bailiffs behind him, "All of you open your eyes wide! Seal it! Immediately seal all exits! Don't let even a fly escape! Search! Search every inch for me! Dig three feet deep if necessary to drag out these lawless murderers!"
He waved his arms with violent force, "Daring to massacre an entire gang under my nose, this is slapping my face! Slapping the iron law of the government!"
His fists clenched tightly, nails digging deep into his palms.
The bailiffs were shocked by his sudden rage and hastily agreed.
It was just a small gang, changing batches every few days was normal.
They didn't know why their chief was so furious today.
He Kai was furious to the extreme, his money tree! His most stable and generous source of income in this territory.
Just like that, it was uprooted and slaughtered completely.
This wasn't just killing a few dogs he protected, it overturned his treasure bowl.
Cold light flickered in He Kai's heart, "If I find the murderer, I'll definitely skin him alive."
...
Early morning, golden sunlight filtered through the branches of the old locust tree, casting mottled shadows in the Chen family courtyard.
Old Master Chen sat on the blue stone steps, the sparks in his pipe flickering on and off.
Chen Jinhua leaned against the door frame, her face pale as paper, two dark circles under her eyes particularly striking.
This night, she hadn't closed her eyes even once.
"Why hasn't Xiao Heng returned..." her voice was hoarse, fingers unconsciously twisting her clothes, the fabric nearly worn through.
Second Aunt forced a smile beside her, "Eldest sister, don't worry, Xiao Heng is definitely finding ways to deal with it."
She offered a bowl of hot tea, but most of the tea spilled due to her trembling hands.
"Sigh!" Yang Tiezhu heavily sighed.
Chen Jinhua suddenly grabbed her husband's sleeve, her nails almost digging into flesh, "How about... how about we run away tonight?"
"Run? Where can we run to?"
Yang Tiezhu smiled bitterly, "You think those people are vegetarians? Right now there are definitely people watching at the alley entrance..."
Chen Jinhua trembled all over, tears filling her eyes.
Just then, the courtyard gate was crashed open with a "bang."
Chen Wen stumbled in, his face deathly pale as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Father! Eldest sister!" He was out of breath, "Something... something terrible happened!"
Old Master Chen frowned slightly, "What's the panic? Speak slowly!"
"Black... Black Water Gang..." Chen Wen swallowed saliva, "All dead! Not one left!"
"What?!" Second Aunt dropped her tea bowl, shattering it completely.
Chen Jinhua jumped up suddenly, then collapsed back down with weak legs.
Yang Tiezhu stared wide-eyed, as if he'd misheard.
Old Master Chen grabbed Chen Wen's arm, "Speak clearly!"
"I just saw county constables and coroners running to Hundred Flowers Lane..." Chen Wen wiped sweat, "Asked Wang Er and learned that the Black Water Gang was massacred last night. The murderer was extremely vicious and ruthless, leaving no survivors, even gang leader Jiang Hui died..."
"Wonderful!"
Chen Jinhua burst into tears of joy upon hearing this.
Yang Tiezhu was also extremely pleased, as if a sword hanging over his heart had heavily fallen but Old Master Chen narrowed his eyes, "Xiao Heng didn't return all night, and the Black Water Gang was wiped out..."
Chen Wen's Adam's apple bobbed, "Could it be Xiao Heng..."
"Creak!"
The courtyard gate was pushed open again.
Chen Heng sneakily poked his head in, seeing a courtyard full of people staring at him, instantly freezing in place.
Finished!
"Grand... grandfather..." Chen Heng stammered, "You're... up so early?"
Second Aunt rushed forward, "Did you do the Black Water Gang business?"
Chen Heng looked blank, "Black Water Gang... what business?"
"Shut up!"
Old Master Chen barked, quickly closing the courtyard gate and latching it, then turning to stare deadly at Chen Heng, his voice extremely low, "Tell grandfather the truth, the Black Water Gang's entire family was slaughtered, was it you..."
Chen Heng's mind went "boom."
The Black Water Gang was wiped out?
How could he have that ability?
But seeing his family's expectant looks, he was possessed to straighten his back, "I... I did look for Senior Brother Lin..."
The moment the words left his mouth, Chen Jinhua had already pounced to embrace him crying, "Xiao Heng! You saved Huiniang's life!"
He didn't dare take on a murder case.
Everyone present looked at each other.
They hadn't expected Chen Heng's senior brother to be so ruthless.
Chen Jinhua cried with snot and tears, "Xiao Heng, thank you so much this time. Without you, Huiniang's life would be ruined."
Yang Tiezhu was also full of gratitude, "Thanks to Xiao Heng this time."
Second Aunt was so proud her eyebrows nearly flew off, pulling at second uncle's sleeve.
Old Master Chen was also very pleased, for the first time showing some pride.
Chen Heng felt warmth in his heart and waved his hand casually, "Eldest aunt, this was just a small effort..."
Chen Jinhua wiped tears while saying, "Eldest aunt didn't know you were so capable!"
"Listen up, everyone."
Suddenly, Old Master Chen said seriously, "This matter must rot in your bellies, no one is allowed to speak of it outside..."
...
The next afternoon.
Chen Heng was still basking in his family's grateful admiration for his 'ability.' Not long after leaving Guangchang Martial Hall, he was blocked by two cold-faced bailiffs.
"Chen Heng?"
The lead bailiff's gaze was like a hawk's, scanning him up and down.
"That's me. What business do the officers have?"
Chen Heng's heart jumped, but he forced himself to remain calm.
"Come with us. Constable He has questions for you."
The bailiff's tone brooked no argument as they flanked his arms.
Chen Heng's face instantly paled, struggling, "Officers, I... what crime have I committed? I'm a disciple of Guangchang Martial Hall..."
"Stop the nonsense! You'll know when you get there!"
The bailiff applied more force, and Chen Heng didn't dare resist.
Soon he was brought to the interrogation room.
A secluded interrogation room in the back hall of the county office, dimly lit, the air filled with the smell of blood and mold.
He Kai stood with his back to the door, methodically wiping a bull-tail sword with white cloth, the blade gleaming coldly in the dim light.
"Constable, the person is brought."
The bailiff pushed Chen Heng forward.
Chen Heng staggered several steps, nearly falling, looking up to meet He Kai's slowly turning face.
That face showed no expression, eyes fixed deadly on Chen Heng, cold, cruel, with undisguised scrutiny.
"Con... Constable He?"
Chen Heng's voice trembled, his legs shaking uncontrollably.
"Chen Heng."
He Kai's voice was low and hoarse, "Hundred Flowers Lane, Black Water Gang, massacred clean last night. You know about this, right?"
Boom!
Chen Heng's mind went blank. He instinctively wanted to deny it, but his lips trembled, unable to utter a word.
"Speak!"
He Kai suddenly slammed the nearby wooden table, making the torture instruments clang and terrifying Chen Heng.
"I... I... I don't know, Constable!"
Chen Heng almost cried out, "Black Water Gang... they... they bullied my eldest aunt's family, I... I just wanted to find someone to put in a good word..."
"Put in a good word?"
He Kai sneered, slowly approaching, each step like stepping on Chen Heng's heart, "Find whom? Lin Chong from Guangchang Martial Hall? Spent twenty taels in 'tea money'?"
Chen Heng's whole body stiffened.
"And then?"
He Kai leaned to his ear, "Then your Senior Brother Lin showed his might and wiped out the entire Black Water Gang for you? Hmm?"
"No! It wasn't!"
Chen Heng was terrified, desperately shaking his head, "Senior Brother Lin... he only promised to ask around, didn't promise to take action! Really! I don't know who did it either! I... I couldn't pay the twenty taels yesterday, never even saw Senior Brother Lin! I was... I was hiding outside all night! Constable, please investigate!"
"Investigate?"
Murderous intent blazed in He Kai's eyes, "You think I'm a fool? You ask around about Black Water Gang, then they get uprooted! You tell me this is coincidence?!"
Before finishing, He Kai suddenly raised his foot, delivering a powerful kick to Chen Heng's chest!
"Puff!"
Chen Heng was like being struck by a heavy hammer, screaming as he flew backward, heavily hitting the cold stone wall. His throat sweetened and he spat out fresh blood.
He hadn't even seen how the opponent attacked.
A hidden strength master's angry strike wasn't something a martial hall disciple who'd just touched obvious strength's threshold could withstand.
"Waste!" He Kai spat, his face full of disdain and rage.
Looking at Chen Heng, he felt some doubt.
This kid was shaking like autumn leaves in wind, couldn't even take one of his moves, breath floating, steps light, just a chick who'd barely touched obvious strength's threshold. Forget killing Jiang Hui, even the other two Black Water Gang leaders could handle him.
He Kai reached a conclusion, this waste wasn't the murderer, he didn't even qualify to be the murderer.
Then who was the real murderer?
Lin Chong? Taking money to do the job? But for mere twenty taels, was it worth wiping out a gang with three obvious strength masters and possibly other power connections?
Guangchang Martial Hall's elite disciples weren't that stupid.
Other enemies? Black Water Gang was newly established, what deep grudges could they have?
Or some expert acting casually?
Forget whether it could be investigated, even if found, since they dared to act, they might not fear a county constable.
What if the opponent was a powerful dragon crossing the river, or... simply a "cleaner" for some inner city big shot?
His position meant nothing before real experts or nobles!
Continuing to dig deeper might not only bring trouble upon himself, exposing his dirty dealings with Black Water Gang, but might provoke people he shouldn't provoke.
Risk his future or even life for a dead Jiang Hui and some lackeys?
He Kai instantly calculated this clearly.
His hand gripping Chen Heng's hair unconsciously loosened somewhat.
The violence in his eyes receded like tide, leaving only calculation.
This waste was still a Guangchang Martial Hall disciple after all.
Guangchang Martial Hall was deeply rooted in Gaolin County, its master even a honored guest of certain inner city big shots.
"Hmph!"
He Kai threw Chen Heng's head away like discarding dirty rags.
Chen Heng's head hit the ground heavily, his vision blackening, nearly fainting.
"I suppose you wouldn't dare violate the law."
He paused, his casual tone carrying a warning, "The Black Water Gang matter will be handled by the authorities. Waste like you, go back to your martial hall and practice boxing properly, stop causing trouble outside, and don't... act clever, putting gold on your own face. If I hear again that you're meddling in things you shouldn't..."
He Kai didn't finish, just coldly "hmph."
"Scram!"
This word was like a pardon.
The two bailiffs immediately understood, roughly lifting the limp Chen Heng and dragging him like a dead dog from the cold interrogation room, directly throwing him on the cold stone steps outside the county office's back door.
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