Chapter 45 Excessive Bullying

It took just one day to handle everything—it went smoother than expected.

On the following day, Gu Erniu took Gu Sheng for a stroll around the town. Between listening to storytelling sessions, he picked up some trinkets for his wife and child.

It was only then that Gu Sheng noticed.

Canghe County wasn’t as peaceful and prosperous as it had seemed when he first entered the town.

In some remote alleys, there were plenty of pale and emaciated people. Begging, theft, and even street brawls were not uncommon.

"So, the glitz and glamour are but a facade; darkness exists everywhere."

Gu Sheng’s heart chilled as he became aware of the many gangs running rampant in the city. The reality for the lower-class citizens was far from ideal.

To avoid trouble, Gu Sheng decided not to venture outside anymore. Instead, he found a spot in the secluded courtyard and focused on practicing archery.

Now, his proficiency in Perfect Archery had reached around 10%. Breaking through to a higher level required relentless daily effort.

On the third night.

Gu Dajiang and his son hurried back, their hurried manner barely hiding their excitement. Gu Sheng could still sense a faint joy emanating from Gu Xiaojiang.

These past few days.

The father and son left early and returned late, stirring Gu Sheng’s curiosity about what they were up to.

However, he restrained himself well, knowing that some things were better left unasked to avoid inviting trouble.

That evening.

Gu Renxu announced that the procurement had been completed and that they would return to the manor the following day. Many of the manor’s residents showed expressions of reluctance.

Canghe County was undoubtedly worlds apart from Gu’s Manor.

Fortunately, Gu Sheng kept himself grounded. If one’s abilities were insufficient, staying in the city would only lead to suffering, where one might get devoured whole, flesh and bone.

It was better to bide his time and develop slowly back at Gu’s Manor.

...

Next day.

At the break of dawn.

The convoy from Gu’s Manor slowly departed from Canghe County. Empty handcarts on the way in were now fully loaded, mostly with essential supplies unavailable in the manor—these were always the priority during procurement trips.

With the donkey carts and handcarts occupied, Gu Sheng and another had no choice but to walk alongside.

The journey on the way in was quicker, but the return trip would likely take until sunset to reach Gu’s Manor. The residents displayed mixed emotions; for the most part, their faces carried smiles of joy as they conversed about their experiences in the city over the past few days.

However, Gu Sheng sharply noticed a few manor residents were missing.

He understood.

Some might have deliberately seized this opportunity to stay in the city, while others could very well have been abducted.

Gu Renxu’s expression remained unchanged, nor did he linger to wait for anyone. He was accustomed to this—such occurrences were common during each trip to town—and it was unfeasible to search for every soul.

"It seems... even one of the Martial Artists is gone?"

Gu Sheng’s observations were meticulous, and his intuition told him that the Martial Artist’s disappearance was related to whatever Gu Dajiang had been preoccupied with these past few days.

His heart sank, and he quietly heightened his vigilance.

The convoy pressed forward.

No one seemed excessively tense.

On the inbound journey, the group had encountered mountain bandits while passing Bull Mountain, which caused some trouble. The return trip, however, promised smoother sailing.

The sun steadily rose, the autumn breeze howled, but nothing could prevent the sweat from dripping off the laborers and manor residents.

As the convoy passed Bull Mountain.

The group walked while engaging in quiet discussions. Some were still immersed in the aftermath of their city escapades—especially a few hunters who had visited the brothel, their expressions revealing obvious revelry, their smiles suggestive, clearly lost in their own world.

Suddenly.

A coarse laugh erupted from the woods, jolting everyone.

"Gu Dajiang, my friend, what a coincidence—meeting again!"

Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes and looked ahead.

A burly man wielding a Wolf Fang Club strolled out lazily, followed closely by a group of mountain bandits armed with blades, swords, and strong bows. They all looked over mockingly.

Gu Dajiang furrowed his brow but soon forced a smile and cupped his hands in greeting:

"So, it’s Leader Wang Chong. Indeed, a coincidence. Pardon us if we’ve disturbed you gentlemen—we’re just passing through. The convoy from Gu’s Manor will be on its way shortly."

After speaking, he cupped his hands again apologetically and motioned for the group to hurry along.

Facing such ruthless mountain bandits who could make even Gu Dajiang bow his head, the manor residents dared not look up and promptly quickened their pace.

However.

Wang Chong’s Wolf Fang Club lowered, blocking the path.

Gu Dajiang’s heart sank, his expression darkened a little as he said:

"Leader Wang, what is the meaning of this? We already paid the toll on our way in. By the rules, you should allow us passage on our way back."

Wang Chong let out a sly chuckle. His shirt was half-open, revealing his muscular chest and a thick patch of chest hair. As he laughed heartily, his muscles rippled with an imposing presence.

"Rules? Ha! I don’t care what the old rules were around here. Now that I’ve taken over, everything works according to my rules!"

"In Yun Province, toll fees are mandatory both ways!"

Gu Xiaojiang’s temper flared. He finally couldn’t contain his anger and shouted coldly:

"We don’t abide by such rules in Canghe County! My father has already shown you respect—you better not push your luck!"

Gu Dajiang’s expression changed slightly as he hurriedly shielded Gu Xiaojiang.

Wang Chong’s tiger eyes widened, exuding a murderous aura.

"A mere brat dares to be insolent!"

"Forgive my son’s ignorance, Leader Wang. I apologize on his behalf,"

Gu Dajiang endured his anger and said.

"But indeed, there is no such rule in Canghe County."

"So, what you’re saying is that Brother Dajiang doesn’t want to be friends with me, Wang Chong?"

Wang Chong’s eyes narrowed dangerously, an ominous glint rising as he gestured slightly. Behind him, the sound of bowstrings being drawn tight filled the air.

The Martial Artists and hunters from Gu’s Manor instantly tensed, gripping their weapons tightly and urging the residents to find cover.

Gu Sheng, who had been closely observing the situation, already had his bowstring drawn to a full moon. An arrow rested ready, prepared to unleash a meteor-like shot should the need arise.

Gu Dajiang teetered on the brink of an outburst, simmering rage burning within him.

The usually cautious man, now pushed to his limit, was nearly ready to erupt over this humiliation.

But then, he remembered the few Blood Strengthening Pills he carried.

His fury quickly subsided.

"The Blood Strengthening Pills cannot be lost. Better to concede for now and plan retaliation once we regroup the warriors in the manor. I’ll make sure this shameless bandit pays the price!"

Engaging in a fight now would be reckless. Besides, his son’s presence further heightened his vulnerability.

The tension was palpable, like a taut bowstring on the verge of snapping. The air grew heavy with the possibility of imminent bloodshed.

The residents of the manor were frozen with fear, feeling as if the sky was about to collapse.

Gu Sheng felt the steady weight of the three arrows coated with Black Blood Powder on his back. Though it gave him a sense of calm, his eyes remained locked firmly on the opponent, calculating the best target to strike.

The oppressive atmosphere hung over them.

Finally.

Gu Dajiang exhaled deeply, his voice trembling and hoarse:

"Fine! Today, I, Gu Dajiang, will make friends with Leader Wang Chong. Here’s one hundred taels—please enjoy some wine with your men."

He refrained from making retaliatory threats; doing so now would only provoke the other side further. It was wiser to wait until reinforcements were mobilized—then they’d see who triumphed in the end!

Gu Renxu handed over one hundred taels, clearly uneasy as this was the first time he’d encountered such troublesome bandits.

One of Wang Chong’s men took the silver.

Wang Chong raised his brow with a sneer.

"One hundred taels was the toll for your way in. Now that you’ve packed such a full load, there’s an additional toll for the goods themselves—another fifty taels!"