Chapter 91: Halting The Chaos, Thunder Fire Golden Whip
And those black shadows who were waiting for an opportunity to strike, as if receiving some desperate message, immediately retreated, merging back into the deep darkness.
A silent puff of gunpowder smoke thus dissipated.
San Dezi and Scarred Liu looked at each other in bewilderment.
Zheng Shicheng is dead?
What happened tonight?
“You two stay alert here and don’t wander around. I’ll be right back.”
Chen Shun’an immediately wall-crawled like a thief, casually grabbing a few fleeing black shadows, giving them a brief beating, and soon learned the news he wanted.
Bewitching Bay exploded.
Literally exploded.
Even if Zheng Shicheng had a body cast in copper and iron, he was blown into several pieces. The Guo Lu Society Hall Master found the remains, pieced them together, identified the identity, confirmed that Zheng Shicheng was deader than dead, and then left.
It was said that some prominent figures also died at the scene.
But everyone kept it under wraps.
And the Golden Snake Trading Company’s ships were also engulfed in a sea of fire.
One was completely destroyed, one was saved from the fire in time but left with only a charred frame, and another remained intact with no major damage.
Now at Bewitching Bay, the air was filled with a thick, stinking ‘fragrant scent’.
The river water bubbled like it was boiling, with black paste fire rolling in the boiling water, steaming up white smoke.
Onlookers who got close, righteous folks from the common people who came to fight the fire, and government runners all felt dizzy and disoriented, not knowing what heaven and earth were.
Some said those were smuggled Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste.
The river water foamed, with large numbers of fish and shrimp poisoned to death. Fishermen on both banks and people who depended on this river for their livelihood would probably suffer for some time.
Chen Shun’an was both delighted and shocked to hear this news.
The delight goes without saying.
The shock…
Wasn’t the Golden Snake Trading Company the fleet that Li Mansion had hastily assembled a few days ago by selling off family assets and true skill, bribing officials in various ways, and teaming up with the Caobang Money Dragon Head?
How did it get connected to smuggling Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste and Zheng Shicheng?
A feeling of melancholy suddenly rose in Chen Shun’an’s heart, about how human affairs are unpredictable and karma hard to fathom.
It seemed Li Mansion had been used by someone.
Chen Shun’an sighed.
“Sigh, Master Li will probably have another sleepless night…”
Chen Shun’an returned to Chaodou Hutong and informed Scarred Liu, San Dezi, and the others of the news.
After hearing the news, San Dezi and Scarred Liu were shocked but also somewhat suspicious.
Brother Chen had just said everything was fine afterward, and now it really was fine?
Did Brother Chen foresee it?
San Dezi and Scarred Liu muttered a couple of times.
It must be a coincidence; he was just comforting us earlier.
We overthought it.
……
Mountains follow the plains to their end, the river flows into the vast wilderness.
The Divine Might Purple Thunder Cannon returned to stillness, disassembled into several sections, repackaged neatly, and quietly placed on the ground.
A group of Guo Lu Society heroes stood in the wilderness, lifting their heads.
At this moment, the moonlight shone brightly on the ground, the stars in the sky twinkled dazzlingly, as if the sky curtain had been scorched through.
Though everyone had varying injuries, they all breathed a collective sigh of relief, feeling a great burden lifted.
Although the process was bumpy with frequent twists and turns, it was finally over.
Money Grabber said gravely, “Everyone rest for a while, don’t contact each other for now, stay in various places in the Capital Region, and wait for word from the palace. Remember to spend the silver frugally and best find some livelihood to do yourselves.”
Money Grabber was like a family patriarch, earnestly advising.
Yi Zi Hall Master said in a muffled voice,
“I’ll go clean up the loose ends. Those bastards who’ve been impersonating our Guo Lu Society identity and strutting around these days should pay the price… Money Grabber, give me another two thousand silver taels as intelligence-gathering funds.”
Money Grabber immediately got anxious: “You’re going to play the big spender and treat again! Pick some Second Meat Shops or small teahouses, stay away from restaurants!”
Yi Zi Hall Master frowned and said, “Don’t be so namby-pamby and stingy…”
“It’s easy for you to say since you’re not the one in charge and don’t know the cost of oil and salt. This money was earned through my blood and sweat!”
The two argued here.
Bai Manlou coughed, spat out a mouthful of bloody foam, and looked at Xiao Qingchou, saying,
“Do you need to make a trip back to the county?”
Xiao Qingchou’s face was deathly pale, almost colorless, and he nodded, saying,
“Entrusted by someone, I have no choice but to go.”
Bai Manlou and Xiao Qingchou were the only two in the entire Guo Lu Society whose fate was related to the Seven Kills.
Only they could wield this immortal fate, but they also suffered backlash, with qi and blood depleted and lifespan overdrawn.
Bai Manlou had the Seven Kills Driving the Blade Pattern.
Killing the king who drives the carriage, the anger of a common man: success brings nobility and glory, failure brings danger.
Xiao Qingchou had the Kill Invitation Food Control Pattern.
Subduing kill with virtue: success brings literary nobility, failure brings backlash.
The two complemented and restrained each other.
Bai Manlou said, “Why not entrust someone to send his wife and child to Shu Land, so the family can reunite, better than being separated.”
Xiao Qingchou said, “Sigh, we’ve already implicated others; how can we force good people into prostitution and make that innocent child live a life of licking blood from the blade.”
Bai Manlou sneered, “Once in the Martial World, one’s body is no longer one’s own. Your womanly mercy will only harm their whole family.”
Xiao Qingchou sighed and said, “Let them decide for themselves. During this time, I’ll stay in Wuqing County, teach him martial arts, and that will repay the kindness.”
Bai Manlou said no more. The two packed up briefly, changed their appearances and clothes, disguised themselves, and prepared to leave.
Suddenly someone remembered Red Fifth Master and asked,
“Where’s Red Fifth Master?”
“Don’t worry. Even if we die, Red Fifth Master will live well.”
“Alright, let’s withdraw!”
“Brothers, until we meet again!”
“Until your grandpa, say less inauspicious stuff. Once we’re free, we’ll drink, and Money Grabber foots the bill.”
“Hahahaha!!!”
Gathered, they are a ball of fire; scattered, they are stars across the sky.
The group of Guo Lu Society heroes immediately scattered in all directions, their backs gradually blending into the moonlight on the horizon.
Just like when they came.
……
Firecracker debris covered the street, barely leaving any ground visible.
Li Dongyang, Dou Dou, Zhang Wangyue, and a few other mischievous kids squatted at the alley entrance, rummaging through the debris for unlit firecrackers.
At this time, a man wearing a treasure-blue gauze straight robe, with a kindly face, about forty or fifty years old, walked toward the alley entrance.
This alerted San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and the others.
Chen Shun’an was sitting; upon seeing the newcomer, he couldn’t help narrowing his eyes.
The man saw quite a crowd gathered at the alley entrance, including two third-rate martial artists and one second-rate expert, and was momentarily stunned, not expecting this place to be a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair.
The man cupped his hands to everyone, introduced himself, and stated his purpose.
Then he walked to Li Dongyang, affectionately patted his head, and smiled,
“Good boy, call me Second Uncle Xiao.”
With that, the man took out a family letter and a token, handing them to Li Shi.
Li Shi wept with joy.
Li Dongyang, in a daze, called out “Second Uncle Xiao.”
Seeing this, San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and the others lowered their guard and warmly invited Old Xiao to sit and have tea.
Chen Shun’an eavesdropped for a bit.
It turned out this man was Li Dongyang’s father’s brother-in-arms from a life-and-death friendship, met on the road south while performing opera.
Named Xiao Jichang, he was from Shu Land.
A few days ago, Xiao Jichang came to the Capital City to sell rice, transporting grain produced locally in Shu Land to the Capital City.
This time he would stay in the Capital City for several months, and after winter, buy some autumn pear paste and Capital Eight Pastries to sell in the south.
Xiao Jichang leaned down and asked Li Dongyang,
“Kid, your Second Uncle came in a hurry and forgot to bring you a meeting gift. Tell me, what gift do you want?”
“His Second Uncle, don’t be so polite! Treat it like your own home, come often!” Li Shi quickly pulled Li Dongyang over.
Xiao Jichang insisted and kept asking.
Li Dongyang’s eyes darted, and he suddenly said,
“Second Uncle, I want to see the Thunder Fire Golden Whip! Set it off for me!”
Xiao Jichang looked puzzled; San Dezi smiled and explained briefly. Old Xiao then realized and gave an embarrassed smile,
“Your Second Uncle doesn’t have that kind of skill; I’m not an immortal who can conjure it out of thin air. Alright, I have some matters; I’ll come again in a few days.”
Li Shi personally escorted Xiao Jichang to the main street.
Old Xiao cupped his hands to everyone and turned to leave.
But for some reason, Xiao Jichang always felt that the little old man surnamed Chen sitting on the lounge chair, with a smiling face, was looking at him with a strange gaze.
Staring intently, as if seeing right through him.
“He wouldn’t be another dragon or tiger in hiding… haha, no way, I’m overthinking it…”
Xiao Qingchou was somewhat puzzled and subconsciously touched his human-skin mask.
Seeing Xiao Qingchou leave, Chen Shun’an withdrew his gaze, took a sip of tea, and silently sighed in his heart,
“Truly, no book without coincidences.”
Whoosh~
Bang!!!
Suddenly, with a long whooshing sound through the air, the night sky over Wuqing County was abruptly lit up.
A firecracker called ‘Golden Basin Fishing the Moon’ trailed a bright red flame straight into the clouds and exploded in mid-air.
Not to mention the kids; even adults like Wan Niang watched with great interest. San Dezi and the others couldn’t help walking to an open spot on the street.
At this moment, above were the bright moon and fireworks, nearby the cool breeze and good friends.
The time was perfect, with a faint fragrance from the hair.
Chen Shun’an’s head rested on Wan Niang’s soft abdomen. Though he hadn’t drunk, he suddenly felt intoxicated, his whole body light and floating.
Wan Niang was pulled by San Dezi’s wife to watch the sky full of fireworks. Wan Niang turned back and glanced at Chen Shun’an.
Chen Shun’an stood up, tapped out his pipe, and smiled,
“You go ahead; I’ll go to the bedroom to get more tobacco.”
……
Xiao Qingchou walked with his head down, through the bustling crowd, and soon saw Bai Manlou standing in front of a shop called Ju Xing Zhai.
Bai Manlou’s expression was extremely strange: sometimes struggling, sometimes dazed, sometimes filled with righteous indignation, sometimes despondent…
He stood at the entrance of Ju Xing Zhai, his hand gripping the long sword hidden in his sleeve, clenching and unclenching repeatedly.
“Little Bai the Second, what’s wrong?”
Xiao Qingchou frowned and asked, then followed Bai Manlou’s gaze into Ju Xing Zhai.
Ju Xing Zhai had a large storefront, a big courtyard with front and back sections, connected by several rooms used as the shop, displaying various bizarre lamp fixtures.
There was a large screen wall blocking outsiders’ view, but one could vaguely see the backyard with side rooms furnished with large communal beds or small kangs.
The beds or kangs were covered with reed mats, along with various warm fleece blankets, and smoke trays placed on the blankets.
Taigu lamps burned brightly.
One after another, corpses like maggots lay on the beds and kangs…
Puffing clouds and mist, faces ecstatic, oblivious to heaven and earth.
“Old Xiao, should we kill them?”
Bai Manlou turned back in confusion to look at Xiao Qingchou.
Bai Manlou’s voice was half-crying, half-laughing.
“But how to kill them all? Kill them all clean?”
Xiao Qingchou faintly heard a crisp breaking sound.
Bai Manlou’s qi was in turmoil, his strength fluctuating wildly.
That was the sign of belief shattered, Dao Heart collapsing, no longer able to support his spirit, qi, and energy.
Xiao Qingchou’s face was anxious as he said,
“Fool! Killing is just a means, not the end! Overturn heaven and earth and set it right again, pierce the firmament and mend it anew. Kill one person to intimidate a hundred; after killing Zheng Shicheng, the other corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants who want to dabble in paste fire will have to think twice!
Hasn’t the marrow-erosing drug Hibiscus Paste Fire now degenerated into ordinary Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste? Isn’t that the greatest proof?!”
Bai Manlou’s expression was still struggling.
Whoosh~
Bang bang bang!!!
Suddenly, an exceptionally brilliant firework exploded in the sky.
Thousands of golden sparks, ten thousand rays of purple light.
Like silver snakes dancing in the air, or the great sun rising high, making all the lights in Wuqing County pale in comparison.
“Wow! Thunder Fire Golden Whip, Mom, they set off the Thunder Fire Golden Whip!”
“Weird, didn’t the old temple keeper say there wasn’t enough niter and gunpowder this year to set off the Thunder Fire Golden Whip?”
“No, this Thunder Fire Golden Whip looks a bit different from previous years, seems bigger and more spectacular? Improved?”
The people on the street buzzed with discussion, all looking up at the sky, their pupils reflecting the fiery trees and silver flowers.
Bai Manlou stared blankly at the Thunder Fire Golden Whip. For some reason, it was as if vast, purging purple thunder that purged evil thoughts and distractions exploded by his ear.
His spirit suddenly rallied a bit.
The confusion in his eyes gradually cleared.
“Killing to protect life, cutting karma not people. My Bai’s way lies in the sword, in wielding the sword; as for the result…”
Bai Manlou stroked the long sword in his hand, seemingly enlightened.
And that nearly collapsed Dao Heart finally stabilized.
Moments later, Bai Manlou and the relieved Xiao Qingchou strode away, soon vanishing from sight.
But before leaving, Xiao Qingchou turned back, glanced at the Thunder Fire Golden Whip in the sky that was gradually extinguishing and being overshadowed by other fireworks, somewhat puzzled.
“They really set off the Thunder Fire Golden Whip? But this explosion looks a bit like the Divine Might Purple Thunder Cannon? Never mind, perhaps it’s divine protection, fulfilling Li Dongyang that child’s wish.
Hmm, it’s also the wish of many people.
