Tomorrow, I’ll Pay a Visit

"Damn it!"

After Gu Sheng defeated Li Yanshan, the gang leaders who had originally been wavering began to lose their resolve. From time to time, some small-gang leaders came over to pledge allegiance to Gu Sheng. Hong Zhenjie’s mentality shattered when he saw this, and he seethed with resentment.

Nearly half of the bandits collecting annual fees inside and outside Yicheng were affiliated with the White Horse Gang and paid their dues to it. Of the rest, half were core disciples directly under the White Horse Gang.

Anyone with eyes could see that after today, the formation of militia units and the suppression of bandits were inevitable. When that happened, the greatest losses would be suffered by the White Horse Gang, which had once been at the height of its power. Unfortunately, this matter involved the interests of most people in the city.

The Yicheng branch of the Yangzhou Salt Merchants Association was taking the lead, the Yicheng City Guard Office was backing it, and all the prominent figures in Yicheng had lent their support. Gu Sheng was using the general momentum to force the White Horse Gang into submission, leaving it no chance to bargain.

That was what angered Hong Zhenjie even more. In the other party’s eyes, he did not exist at all. Since entering the venue, Gu Sheng had not asked for the White Horse Gang’s opinion even once, blatantly ignoring him, the White Horse Gang’s young master.

"Since nobody has any objections!"

Gu Sheng laughed heartily. After sweeping his gaze around, he turned to Hong Zhenjie and asked, "Young Master Hong, what arrangements does the White Horse Gang have? Let’s be frank and stop beating around the bush. When will the White Horse Gang be able to completely clean up its ties with the bandits?"

"This matter is of great importance. I’ll have to return and discuss it with my father before making a decision."

Hong Zhenjie was furious, but with so many people watching and Gu Sheng having made his meaning clear, he could not fall out with him right then.

"For such a minor matter, there’s no need to consult Fourth Master Hong, is there?"

Gu Sheng pressed on. "Everyone knows that you’re the one in charge of the White Horse Gang now, Young Master Hong. If you hadn’t summoned Fourth Master Hong a few days ago to refute Master Liu’s proposal, he would still be in seclusion at White Horse Lake!

"Now that you and Third Master Liu are both here, don’t keep going in circles. Give me a clear answer. How much time will it take to deal with the White Horse Gang members who have committed crimes?"

"Heh~"

Gu Sheng kept forcing him, and Hong Zhenjie’s temper flared. He raised his head and shot back rudely, "Teng Qinghu, don’t push people too far. Do you really insist that I give you an answer right now?"

"That’s right!"

Gu Sheng nodded firmly. "Today, you must give me an explanation!"

Hong Zhenjie was so enraged that he simply tore off all pretense. "An explanation? Heh heh~ You country bumpkin, you’re taking yourself far too seriously. You want an explanation, do you?

"Fine, I’ll give you one!

"As for the militia, if the White Horse Gang doesn’t agree, you can forget about establishing it. If you want an answer, come to White Horse Lake and demand one from us. Let’s go~"

After delivering his threat, Hong Zhenjie called out to Liu San and several of his subordinates, preparing to leave.

"Wait!"

Gu Sheng’s voice came again. Hong Zhenjie instinctively turned around once more.

"Go back and tell Fourth Master Hong to gather everyone in the White Horse Gang!"

Gu Sheng looked down at Hong Zhenjie from his elevated position, his manner arrogant and overbearing. "Tomorrow at noon, I’ll personally pay him a visit. By then, the White Horse Gang’s affairs must have a conclusion!"

"I’ll be waiting for you. Let’s go~"

Hong Zhenjie exchanged a glance with Gu Sheng, and his body trembled involuntarily. He did not dare meet Gu Sheng’s eyes again. Feeling humiliated, he hurriedly turned and called out to the others before leaving without looking back.

Liu San and several White Horse Gang higher-ups followed him out. However, few noticed that before leaving, Liu San exchanged a glance with Liu Shui. Their relationship was clearly far from ordinary.

On the top floor of the Gathering Guest Inn, Gu Sheng stood alone, overlooking the streets and alleys in northern Yicheng. A surge of ambition to embrace the realm welled up inside him.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

Three knocks sounded on the door.

"Come in!"

Gu Sheng did not turn around. He merely called out, and after the door opened and closed, a figure arrived. If the prominent figures of Yicheng, who were drinking and feasting below, had seen this person, they would certainly have been shocked. It was none other than Li Yanshan.

"Uncle, are you all right?"

Gu Sheng turned around and politely cupped his hands toward Li Yanshan. Then he took a small wine gourd from the side and handed it over. "Just a small token of my appreciation!"

"How could I accept this?"

Li Yanshan was being polite with his words, but his hands were anything but slow. He reached out and weighed the wine gourd, his old face blooming like a chrysanthemum. His loss of face this time had been worth it.

"Qinghu, we’re all family here. I’m also Qingyu’s elder. There’s no need to be so polite!"

Li Yanshan continued with some more pleasantries before finally getting to the point. "Just now, my men discovered that Liu Shui sent people toward White Horse Lake. He really is suspicious!

"Do you need me to—"

Li Yanshan made a slashing gesture, indicating that he was willing to take action.

"No need!"

Gu Sheng shook his head. "It wouldn’t do to alert the enemy. We’ll make our plans after tomorrow. Until then, Uncle, you only need to keep watching Liu Shui and make sure he doesn’t cause trouble!"

"All right! Leave it to me!"

Li Yanshan nodded, then asked, "That old fox Fourth Master Hong is extremely cunning. Won’t it be too dangerous for you to go alone, Qinghu? For safety’s sake, I should bring some experts under me and go with you!"

"No need! I’m confident. You can go down first!"

Gu Sheng waved his hand and gave Li Yanshan a few more instructions.

The Nine Cauldrons World belonged to clans and sects. People of the same surname in the same region were more or less related by blood. The Li family was a prestigious clan in Yicheng, and it had some ties with Li Yanshan, the number-one expert in Yicheng after Fourth Master Hong.

Before Hong Zhenjie began causing trouble, Lord Li had already used some connections to reach a basic understanding with Li Yanshan. After Gu Sheng brought his people to Yicheng yesterday, he devised today’s plan. The most important part was to "kill one as a warning to a hundred."

That "one" was especially important. It had to be someone with an extremely high reputation in Yicheng. Li Yanshan was a suitable candidate.

However, Li Yanshan was no fool. He would not damage his reputation for no reason just to help Gu Sheng. In the end, the two of them had a very friendly sparring match. Gu Sheng used his full strength, faced the fully armed Li Yanshan with his bare hands, and captured him in fewer than twenty moves.

After demonstrating his might, Gu Sheng brought out Vermillion Fruit Wine to treat Li Yanshan’s injuries. He then tempted him with the benefits it offered, which led to what had happened earlier.

After Li Yanshan left, two people emerged from behind the room’s folding screen. They were the composed Teng Qingshan and the adorably dazed Chu Xin. Even now, the young girl still did not understand why Gu Sheng had made them stay behind the screen to watch everything.

"You may use that man at your discretion."

Gu Sheng spoke quietly to Teng Qingshan. He did not say Li Yanshan’s name outright. The protagonist before him was not stupid; a few subtle hints were enough. He and Chu Xin were about to leave, so Teng Qingshan would have to take charge of matters here.

"We’re leaving!"

After finishing his instructions, Gu Sheng put an arm around the still-confused Chu Xin, and the two of them left the loft together.

"A grand ambition to rule the world! It really is an enormous temptation!"

Standing where Gu Sheng had been, Teng Qingshan looked down at the vast city of Yicheng, his heart surging with excitement.