Zhaoyang County Government Office's main hall, just like Shengxin Residence before, County Lord Ren Feng sat in the leader's seat with a darkened expression on his face, while Tie Budong, Tan Gang, and Gao Cheng sat rigidly below, their expressions not only grim but also tinged with a hint of panic in their pupils.
Ren Feng looked down and scanned the three men, seeing the fear in their eyes, a sinister smile appeared on his face, and he spoke.
"That's exactly what it means. Although I am loath to admit it, what emanated from Hou Yuxiao at Shengxin Residence was indeed Gang Qi!"
"Impossible, impossible! That little beast, how old is he? A 25-year-old Martial Artist of the Gang Qi Realm, even if they were sect members of a major power, they wouldn't possess such talent!"
Tie Budong continuously shook his head while denying Ren Feng's words. Although Tan Gang and Gao Cheng did not speak, they nodded in agreement.
"So what you're saying is, the three of you think I'm lying?"
The sinister tone in Ren Feng's voice caused the three men's complexions to change, all hastily shaking their heads, but within their hearts, they found it hard to believe his words and continued to remain silent.
Seeing their expressions, Ren Feng knew that these people were not so easily fooled, and therefore he sighed and said, "Of course, seeing Gang Qi doesn't necessarily mean he has broken through to the Gang Qi Realm.
Solidifying blood into Gang Qi isn't something that can be achieved overnight. To completely convert the qi and blood in one's body into Gang Qi, even for disciples of major powers that possess Yuan Gang Secret Realms, takes at least a month, not to mention us ordinary people who can only rely on Yuan Gang Beads.
Back in my days at the outskirts of the Rakshasa Holy Sect, I saw the most talented senior brother take a total of six Yuan Gang Beads and three months of arduous cultivation to complete this process.
Therefore, Hou Yuxiao at Shengxin Residence might have deliberately shown his Gang Qi, aiming to intimidate me and the three of you!"
The three immediately breathed a sigh of relief, with Tie Budong taking the opportunity to step forward fervently and say, "My lord, if you knew that little beast was bluffing, why let him be so arrogant? As long as you lead, the three of us will surely follow, and we'll eradicate the Hou Clan completely."
Ren Feng glanced sideways at Tie Budong and snorted coldly, "Easier said than done. Whether that boy really is bluffing remains to be seen. If he has truly broken through the Gang Qi Realm, I admit I could possibly best him by a move or half, but capturing him would still be an impossibility. Offending a Gang Qi Realm Warrior for no good reason – I couldn't continue as County Lord then, could I? Could you three take responsibility?
Over the years, the Hou Clan has paid taxes to the county government without shortchanging a single fraction, and they have shown great respect toward me. From beginning to end, the Hou Clan has only had an issue with your three families, nothing to do with me.
Moreover, even if Hou Yuxiao was too presumptuous, after all, he is still my foster son. Why should I, Ren Feng, sacrifice my own future to help you deal with my foster son?"
After hearing all this, Tie Budong and the others' hearts skipped a beat. They exchanged looks, revealing an understanding.
After Ren Feng finished speaking, he picked up the teacup on the desk and took a small sip before closing his eyes and calming his heart, no longer speaking.
Having said his piece to this extent, if the three men still didn't understand, then they really would have lived in vain.
The three men below didn't speak; they just exchanged glances for a moment before Tie Budong clenched his teeth and respectfully walked up to Ren Feng, bowing and saying, "It's all due to my lack of consideration, without clarifying the words. If my lord could help the Flying Eagle Sect eliminate the Hou Clan, our sect will offer 20% of our yearly earnings to honor my lord from now on!"
"The Green Wolf Gang will do the same."
"Happy Forest likewise."
Although Tan Gang and Gao Cheng felt the proposition was exceedingly painful, they followed behind Tie Budong, expressing the same sentiment.
The Rakshasa Holy Sect, having jurisdiction over Yongzhou, levied taxes based on the power level, uniformly collecting from each.
Typically, the higher the power level, the lower the tax rate collected—recognition of strong powers on one hand, and on the other hand, more potent powers have higher earnings. Even with lower quota rates, the tax amount remains substantial, enough to be effective within the Holy Church.
For four minor forces like those in Zhaoyang County, the tax revenue quota is 40% of the yearly earnings. The earnings of the four forces are similar, each amounting to roughly forty thousand taels of silver, with 40% being sixteen thousand taels, and 20% thereby being eight thousand taels.
This perspective makes it clear why Tie Budong and the others felt such pain.
With a total annual income of only forty thousand taels, they were losing 20% right away. What's key is that apart from this, they had to traditionally offer Ren Feng three to five thousand taels each year, so this was just adding insult to injury.
However, considering that Hou Yuxiao, that little beast, was very likely to break through to become a Warrior of the Gang Qi Realm soon, despite the painful loss, the three men still decided to part with the money with gritted teeth.
Contrastingly, with a grin about to break across his face, County Lord Ren Feng rose to help the three men up, saying, "What are you three talking about? I, Ren Feng, am assigned by the Holy Church to oversee Zhaoyang. With a troublemaker like Hou Yuxiao infesting the county, even if you three don't mention it, I, Ren Feng, vow to eliminate this scourge for the people!"
This old fox, he had just mentioned that Hou Yuxiao was his foster son!
"Furthermore, this rogue is also my foster son. It is all the more my undeniable duty to take him down," he continued.
The three men, seeing Ren Feng's hypocritical demeanor, naturally wouldn't expose him. Stepping forward, Tie Budong asked, "My lord, how do you plan to deal with that little beast?"
Ren Feng's expression darkened again, as if recalling the humiliating scene at Shengxin Residence, anger flared in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Just wait and see. The protector appointed by the prefecture is about to arrive soon, and he has old ties with me. With a little help from him, dealing with Hou Yuxiao will be a breeze!"
"A protector? Our Zhaoyang County's protector is coming?" Excitement flashed in Tie Budong's eyes, while Tan Gang and Gao Cheng beside him showed a hint of displeasure.
Yongzhou as a whole, with its three circuits and eight prefectures, is governed by the Rakshasa Holy Sect. The Sect's governance is somewhat lax, setting up administrative officials to oversee counties, prefectures, and regions, while the Prison Admin Department supervises all officials within the state.
Positions like County Lord, held by Ren Feng, up to the County Magistrate and Prefecture Chief, are all administrative roles at the local level. Correspondingly, the Prison Admin Department divided its roles into three levels: a protector for each county, a Religious Protector King for each prefecture, and a Jia Lan to guard each prefecture.
Zhaoyang County had never been assigned a protector by the Prefecture for unknown reasons, whether due to lack of strength or something else. Hearing Ren Feng's intentions, it seemed that the County would soon receive a protector from the County Magistrate's office.
Whether it was the administrative chief or the protector of the sect, for local forces like the Flying Eagle Sect, Happy Forest, and the Green Wolf Gang, it was a heavy stone placed upon their heads by the Holy Sect, not to mention that their strength was superior. Even just the identity of being sent by the Holy Sect would make them revered in their daily lives.
Having the County Lord Ren Feng demanding a huge sum every year was already enough for them to bear. Now that a protector of the sect was coming, the three of them were naturally not happy at all.
At this time, Tan Gang could not help but express his doubt, "Won't you make a move yourself, sir?"
Ren Feng glanced at him and said, "I could make a move myself, but if that little beast really breaks through to the Gang Qi Realm, and I alone can't take him down, then you three wouldn't even be able to sleep peacefully!"
"Thank you, sir, for considering us."
"Sir is very thorough in his actions; I am impressed!"
"Indeed, being cautious is better. We will await the good news from you, sir."
The three of them were momentarily stunned. While they began to offer praises, a hint of disdain flickered in their hearts.
After all, isn't it just that he's getting on in years and afraid of death...
However, thinking of Hou Yuxiao's ruthless energy, the three's disdain for Ren Feng slightly subsided.
After all, they themselves were afraid of Hou Yuxiao; otherwise, they would not have paid Ren Feng!
......
Zhaoyang County was, after all, a small place. By the Hour of Hai, the four busiest streets were almost deserted. By Zishi, when the street lanterns went out, the whole county sank into a deep silence.
After the dark city fell silent, the cold wind swept through, making the streets seem desolate.
In the center of Pingyang Street near Shengxin Residence, there was suddenly a rustling noise from a street corner, followed by three or four childish voices rising in the cold wind.
"This territory is mine; none of you are allowed to come over!" Despite the fearful quivering in her voice, the little girl's tone contained an endearing resoluteness.
However, the one conversing with her clearly did not appreciate the poignancy in her words.
"You little wretch, you're looking for death. Beat her up."
After the dialogue ended, there was a flurry of beating sounds.
"Boss, she seems to be done for."
"Bad luck. I thought we could scavenge some leftovers from Shengxin Residence. In the middle of the night, seeing blood, let's go, move to another place!"
As three or four ragged figures disappeared from the street corner, only a frail body as small as a kitten was left behind, collapsed in a puddle, trembling intermittently as if a primal instinct for survival was signaling to the world that she was still alive, hoping for someone to save her.
Unfortunately, at this time and place, not to mention passersby, there wasn't even a stray cat or dog to be seen; no matter how much she trembled, it was futile.
On the second floor of Shengxin Residence, in a simply yet elegantly decorated boudoir, a girl dressed in blue sat cross-legged on a soft couch. Holding a sword in her left hand and a book in her right, she suddenly opened her eyes, her stunning, serene brows furrowing slightly as she revealed an expression of compassion and sighed.
"Peony, go save that little girl!"
"Miss, I'm on it."
The black-clad maidservant emerged from the shadows, ready to jump out of the window to rescue the little beggar.
"Wait!"
The blue-clad girl suddenly spoke up to stop Peony. She rose quietly, not letting go of either her short sword or the book, and walked to the window. Peering through the gap, she looked towards the direction of the little girl at the street corner.
At the corner, a figure in blue suddenly stopped in front of the little girl. Sighing softly, just like the other girl, the figure picked up the little girl and disappeared into the night.
"Doing good is still my true calling, it comes so naturally!"
The voice of the person in blue carried a self-mocking taunt with the breeze into the ears of the blue-clad girl, eliciting a beautifully curved smile on her lips.
The black-clad maidservant Peony, watching the blue figure disappear down the street, wore a curious expression. Tilting her head, she asked the blue-clad girl in bewilderment, "That was the person from Shengxin Residence during the day, right? This behavior doesn't quite match his reputation outside, does it?"
The blue-clad girl chuckled softly and gently said, "I told you, he's not as simple as you think. With just a Half-Step Gang Qi Realm cultivation, he has already glimpsed the way of virtues.
Who would have thought that such a small place as Zhaoyang County could produce such talent? It seems that my visit here was indeed worthwhile!"