Han Zheng sat across from Zhang Tianyang, his body involuntarily tensing up.
He didn't understand why Zhang Tianyang would appear here, could it really be just to eat marinated large intestines?
To eat was to eat, but with so many spots available around the stall, he specifically chose to sit directly opposite him and even said such an ambiguous remark; what was his intention?
Li Jingzhong had mentioned that Zhang Tianyang was somewhat dangerous and advised minimizing contact with him.
In fact, Han Zheng also knew without needing Li Jingzhong's warning; the aura exuding from Zhang Tianyang was just too dangerous.
But now, with Zhang Tianyang taking the initiative to sit across from him and start a conversation, Han Zheng couldn't just offend him and leave.
After deliberating for a moment, Han Zheng said gravely, "The affairs of this world have always entailed misfortune and fortune intertwined.
He ran away and gave up the marinated sauce pot, but without the ancestral marinade, what could he rely on to make a living?
Perhaps he and his descendants would lose their means of livelihood, ending up intertwined with poverty and eventually starving to death.
Now that he has died, at least he preserved the sauce pot, and his descendants might still be able to rely on this craft to get a full meal.
Greed isn't to be feared— who in this world isn't greedy?
What's fearsome is insatiable greed."
Zhang Tianyang burst out laughing, "Hahaha! How interesting, your perspective is more sincere than most.
Han Zheng, actually, in terms of seniority, I should be calling you a junior brother, since we are both disciples of the old teacher."
Han Zheng hurriedly responded, "I wouldn't dare presume to be your junior brother, sir. Please eat slowly, I will leave once I'm full."
Zhang Tianyang leisurely chewed on his marinated intestines and said indifferently, "Leaving after eating only half? I, Zhang Tianyang, am not some ferocious beast or evil wolf; what are you afraid of?
I came to remind you, although you haven't been exposed yet, it won't be long. The people from the Sanhe Gang are close to tracing it back to you."
Han Zheng tilted his head, displaying a puzzled expression, "What are you talking about, Sir Zhang? I don't quite understand."
As those words fell, Han Zheng instinctively glanced around.
At this time, the sky had already darkened, there were no other diners, and the stall owner was packing up, some distance away from them.
Han Zheng's meridians and blood were boiling tumultuously inside his body, although his appearance seemed completely calm, he could explode with ultimate power in an instant.
Seeing Han Zheng like a volcano ready to erupt, a trace of appreciation flashed through Zhang Tianyang's eyes.
Motionless as a mountain, aggressive as fire.
No wonder he managed to kill Feng Yuan cleanly and decisively.
This 'junior brother' of his was naturally suited to engage in martial arts confrontations.
"Don't be agitated, I mean you no harm.
Feng Yuan was no good, he had driven many families to ruin; killing him could be considered ridding the people of a scourge.
I came here just to warn you that Gao Kaiyuan takes this matter very seriously.
Feng Yuan was not his confidant, to be precise, he was an ally.
Now that Feng Yuan is dead, Gao Kaiyuan's strength in the Sanhe Gang is like losing an arm, he's not likely to let this go.
Gao Kaiyuan has been investigating this matter continuously, and he is close to tracing it back to you.
Of course, you can keep killing, but the more you kill, the greater the risk of exposure."
Han Zheng's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was racing.
Without Zhang Tianyang even saying, Han Zheng knew that killing Feng Yuan could only buy him some time, and sooner or later, he was likely to be discovered.
He just hadn't expected Gao Kaiyuan's progress to be so rapid, having traced it back to him in just two days.
Zhang Tianyang's purpose in telling him all this was also suspicious.
He didn't believe Zhang Tianyang mentioned it because they were both students of Li Jingzhong and thus out of special care for his 'junior brother.'
At that moment, Zhang Tianyang chucked, flicking a piece of broken silver to the ground in front of the stall owner.
"Fetch me a pot of wine; the rest of the money is yours."
The stall owner immediately rejoiced and hurriedly ran out with the silver.
Once there was absolutely no one around, Zhang Tianyang finally said, "Actually, I'm not interested in your feud with the Sanhe Gang. I came to remind you, really just as a simple reminder.
But besides reminding you, I'd like to make a deal with you. You help me with something, and I help block the Sanhe Gang's investigation for you; how about that?"
Han Zheng gently shook his head, "With your status, Sir Zhang, what am I able to help with if even you can't?"
"It's precisely because of my status that there are things I'm not suited to do."
Zhang Tianyang looked at Han Zheng with a smile that wasn't quite a smile, "My old teacher must have told you about my strength; aren't you curious why someone of my ability would be an arrest officer in Black Stone County?
Frankly speaking, even the position of Chief Constable of the State Mansion doesn't interest me."
Han Zheng hesitated for a moment but nodded.
Li Jingzhong had said that Zhang Tianyang could easily kill him if he wished, and he was definitely no match for him.
Therefore, Zhang Tianyang's strength is definitely at the peak of the Innate Realm, and his combat power far exceeds that of Li Jingzhong.
In a small county town like Black Stone County, the constables and arrest officers are essentially employed to maintain public order.
Having someone at the Innate Realm serve as an arrest officer is an underutilization of talent, let alone someone like Zhang Tianyang, who is a master at the peak of the Innate Realm.
As Zhang Tianyang chewed on braised intestines, he squinted and said, "I came to Black Stone County to serve as the Chief Constable because of the disturbance caused by the Smell Fragrance Sect."
"How could the Smell Fragrance Sect dare to target Southern Mountain when they haven't even completely taken over Huainan Road?"
"Logically, they shouldn't dare. The Smell Fragrance Sect, to put it bluntly, is just a cult sect, nowhere near capable of challenging the order of the entire Great Zhou.
Dividing their forces to Southern Mountain and attacking two ventures in Great Zhou simultaneously is suicidal. They don't have that kind of power.
The severe impact on Huainan Road is only because there was no preparation and the internal infiltration by the Smell Fragrance Sect, which led to the collapse of the court's defensive forces.
However, our people infiltrating the Smell Fragrance Sect have found out that someone in Black Stone County is conspiring with them, planning to surrender the county as a bridgehead for the Smell Fragrance Sect to enter Southern Mountain.
Although Black Stone County is just a small town, its geographical location is critical.
To take over Southern Mountain, one must first secure Jingzhou Prefecture; to secure Jingzhou Prefecture, one must take Black Stone County first.
If the Smell Fragrance Sect really gets hold of Black Stone County, Jingzhou Prefecture will be in danger.
Once Jingzhou Prefecture falls into the hands of the Smell Fragrance Sect, they will be able to spread their followers in all directions, gradually consuming Southern Mountain."
Zhang Tianyang pointed to himself and said, "Such matters need to be nipped in the bud, which is why the higher-ups appointed me as Chief Constable—to not scare off the snake but to secretly investigate who exactly is colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect.
It can be said that all the forces within Black Stone County are suspect, with the Sanhe Gang being the most suspicious; such lower-tier gangs lack principles and are the most likely to engage in such activities.
But the government officials in Black Stone County are too incompetent. I don't have the manpower to use, nor dare I expose my identity to start investigating directly.
The last person who came to investigate in Black Stone County ended up dead, his death shrouded in mystery.
Thus, I need someone to secretly stir up the situation in Black Stone County to facilitate my investigation into who is colluding with the Smell Fragrance Sect."
Han Zheng fell silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Lord Zhang, it's not that I don't want to help, but it's far too dangerous.
The Smell Fragrance Sect is a cult powerful enough to dominate the entire Huainan Road. I'm just a trainee of a martial arts hall. I cannot afford to offend the Smell Fragrance Sect.
For someone of my strength to get involved in such matters is like a tiny shrimp caught in a storm, liable to be torn apart in an instant.
Besides, even the previous investigator died; his strength was definitely stronger than mine. If I get involved, I may die even faster."
"The last person died because his identity was exposed, but you don't need to worry about that. You are Han Zheng, the trainee who grew up in Black Stone County. What identity do you fear exposing?
Moreover, I don't need you to directly investigate the Smell Fragrance Sect; you just need to muddy the waters of Black Stone County, and I will naturally be able to discern which power is suspicious.
Furthermore, you've killed Feng Yuan and have already made mortal enemies with the Sanhe Gang.
Although I do not know the exact grievances between you and Gao Kaiyuan, it is clear that once he finds you out, he certainly won't let you go."
After a moment of silence, Han Zheng said, "If I can't offend them, I can at least avoid them; I can just leave Black Stone County if it comes to that."
Zhang Tianyang looked at Han Zheng with a smile that was not quite a smile: "Junior brother, in truth, you and I are alike, both of us are of the wolf nature, determined to avenge our grievances!
Gao Kaiyuan won't let you off, and you have never thought of letting him off either.
If you were one to flee, you would have done so after killing Wang Xiong, not staying in Black Stone County. Would you really be content if you fled now?"
Han Zheng fell silent again.
Zhang Tianyang had a point; despite appearing calm, Han Zheng had a wolf-like nature, fiercely vindictive deep down.
As a child, Han Zheng's family wasn't wealthy; his parents always told him not to cause trouble, and being somewhat introverted, he was often bullied at school.
One time, severely bullied, Han Zheng almost stabbed the bully's eye with a pencil, his fierce demeanor startling everyone around him.
From then on, from elementary to junior high, Han Zheng remained reserved, but he was never bullied again.
In his past life, it was a peaceful society where fighting back against physical attack often led to mutual punishment.
Therefore, Han Zheng had kept his nature well hidden, always the good guy at the company, hardworking and forbearing.
But in this world? A world chaotic with demons, a world of survival of the fittest—if you don't devour others, they will devour you!
Thus, the nature deep within Han Zheng was inadvertently triggered.
Just like the first time he killed someone—as calm as a still pond, not the slightest bit uncomfortable.
The 'Han Zheng' of this life died under mysterious circumstances, probably crushed by a Buddha statue, but why Wang Xiong took him out of the city was key to his death.
This was a knot; unless it was untied, there would always be a nagging feeling in Han Zheng's mind.
Perhaps because, despite having taken over the body after transmigrating, some of this life's 'Han Zheng's' grievances and obsessions still lingered.
At that moment, Zhang Tianyang smiled and said, "It's normal for you to be apprehensive about trusting me, so here's what we'll do: I'll take you to meet someone, and after that, you can decide whether or not to agree to my request."
Saying this, Zhang Tianyang stood up and headed directly toward the city gate.
With no choice but to follow, Han Zheng reluctantly followed Zhang Tianyang out of the city, unable to completely offend him.
The braised intestine vendor returned holding a pot of wine, looked at the empty seats in confusion, and scratched his head.
After waiting a while with no sign of their return, he simply picked up the pot of free wine and happily closed his stall.