The Ancient Pine Hall was one of the four halls of the Quicksand Gang, which became Quicksand Hall after Jiang Li took over the Quicksand Gang. So, Ancient Pine Hall also became one of the halls of the Sirius Gang.
Gu Tianqi used to be the Deputy Hall Master of Ancient Pine Hall and he was the Hall Master now.
"The State Lord," Jiang Li mumbled, then turned around and narrowed his eyes.
There were two people behind Gu Tianqi. One of them was someone Jiang Li didn't know, but the other one looked familiar to Jiang Li. It was Zhang Ling.
"Come in." Jiang Li asked the meches to let them in.
"Chief." Gu Tianqi bowed to Jiang Li after entering the compound.
"Chief Jiang, we're meeting again," Zhang Ling said with a smile.
"Haha." Jiang Li chuckled.
"Chief Jiang." Yang Zike, the State Lord, was wearing a green, elegant gown. He bowed to Jiang Li. "I'm Yang Zike, the State Lord of Yongan City."
"My Lord." Jiang Li sized up Yang Zike. He was handsome and he carried the power of a government official. "It's late already. Why are you here? Is there something urgent? Besides, if I remember correctly, the government office thinks I'm working with the Monsters. The City Guards even took all of the herbs we got."
"Chief Jiang, it's a misunderstanding. I was indeed too reckless." Yang Zike apologized and said, "You got a bum rap because of me. I hope you can forgive me."
"It's alright." Jiang Li waved. "If you really want to make it up to me, give me back the herbs that the City Guards took."
"Well…"
Yang Zike smiled wryly. "Chief Jiang, I can't command the City Guards. It isn't something easy to do."
"Haha." Jiang Li sneered. "Then, I really can't feel how sincere your apology is. Wang Yan, send them out." Jiang Li waved his hand.
"Yes."
After that Wang Yan and a few meches came up fiercely.
"Please forgive me, Chief Jiang." Yang Zike yelled in shock, "In fact, I'm here to talk to you about something important. I've already found who's working with the Monsters."
"Oh, who?" Jiang Li raised his hand. Wang Yan and the meches backed away and stood next to him.
"Dugu Huangcheng." Yang Zike said, "However, I don't have any proof yet. If not, I'll be able to report to the Royal Court and they'll send someone here to investigate."
Jiang Li raised his eyebrows, "Dugu Huangcheng is the City Lord of Yongan City. Why would he do that? What's in it for him?"
"Jiang Li, it's true!" Zhang Ling clenched his fists and said furiously, "I used to work for Dugu Huangcheng as well. He asked me to stay close to the State Lord to monitor him. When I found out Dugu Huangcheng is working with the Monsters, I couldn't believe it as well, but it's the truth.
"That's why you betrayed Dugu Huangcheng?" Jiang Li asked.
"That's right." Zhang Ling nodded seriously. His eyes turned red and were full of hatred. He yelled with a deep voice, "There's always been a feud between humans and the monsters. They eat humans, and humans kill them. My family died in their hands. I can't forgive Dugu Huangcheng for what he did. Dugu Huangcheng is an evil person. He must die."
"Zhang Ling, let me ask you something." Jiang Li suddenly said.
"Please." Zhang Ling calmed himself and hid his hatred in his eyes.
"How did you know I sent someone to go after you?" Jiang Li asked.
"Well…" Zhang Ling didn't answer.
"Chief, I told the State Lord about it. That's why Zhang Ling knew," Gu Tianqi answered the question for Zhang Ling. "Elder Wang asked the members to look for information about Zhang Ling. I heard that accidentally."
"Chief, our only enemy is Dugu Huangcheng. You should be on the same boat with the State Lord, so I told him about it," Gu Tianqi explained.
"Traitor," Jiang Li said coldly.
"Please forgive me, Chief Jiang," Yang Zike said.
Whoosh! Wang Yan had already come in front of Gu Tianqi, but her alloy dagger was blocked by Yang Zike.
Clang! It was a green iron pen that stopped Wang Yan's dagger.
"!!!"
Gu Tianqi swallowed hard and looked terrified.
"Go," Zhang Ling shouted.
"Yes, yes…" Gu Tianqi responded and ran away immediately.
Bang! In the silent night. A gunshot sounded. Jiang Li took the pistol of the Firearm Mech and pulled the trigger, but he didn't aim well and he only shot Gu Tianqi's knee.
"Argh!" Gu Tianqi covered his knee as he screamed and fell on the ground.
Whoosh! Wang Gang sped ahead and crushed Gu Tianqi's heart with a punch.
"Chief Jiang." Yang Zike was frightened.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Li looked at Yang Zike and said, "Do I have to ask for your permission to deal with a traitor? Or is Gu Tianqi someone you put in the Sirius Gang?"
"No." Yang Zike said, "You've worried too much."
"That's great." Jiang Li smiled.
"Chief, what happened?" Many members heard the gunshot. Wang Chao and Ma Han also came and stood at the entrance.
"Drag Gu Tianqi's body out and hang him at the door of the courtyard for three days. Tell all the other members this is what happens to a traitor," Jiang Li said.
"Yes, Chief." Ma Han then took Gu Tianqi's dead body away.
"Now, my Lord, it's time for us to talk." Jiang Li smiled.
"Sure…"
Yang Zike took a deep breath to calm himself down. "According to the intel I got, Dugu Huangcheng is the one who's working with the Monsters. I have no doubt that their soldiers have already hidden around Yongan City. The current situation isn't optimistic at all. We must first deal with the problems on the inside to solve the problem out there, so we need you to help fight against Dugu Huangcheng with us."
"Yes, no problem." Jiang Li nodded. "However, I have a condition."
"Please tell me, Chief Jiang." Yang Zike was thrilled.
"Give me back the herbs the City Guards took from me and I want a million taels of silver," Jiang Li said.
"It's… impossible," Yang Zike said. "Regardless of the amount of silver, Dugu Huangcheng has command over the City Guards and my orders are nothing."
"Then, we have nothing to talk about." Jiang Li shrugged.
"We can't do that," Yang Zike yelled.
"You're not sincere at all." Jiang Li shook his head. "You want me to help you, but you can't even do me a little favor. Then, what else do we have to talk about?"
"Jiang Li, do you really want to watch Yongan City being invaded by the Monsters?" Yang Zike shouted, "Do you know how many people will die by then?"
"Haha." Jiang Li snickered.