A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 189 - 52: The Fourteenth Guild, Fleeing Through the Night (Part 2)

"I really can't beat them!"

The skilled fighters offered by the family couldn't defeat Ninghai Zen.

He himself couldn't beat Bai Qi.

He had to endure for the time being!

... 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

...

"Young Master He..."

Ding the Second approached with a fawning expression, only to receive a hard slap in the face.

"Your father just died and you're rushing to sell slaves, what a devoted son!"

Thinking of Feng Shao Ling's death in Black River County, and knowing that the entire brokerage would be shaken, He Jingfeng was still infuriated and kicked him once more.

This seventh young master of the He family's elder branch had some training, his muscles were strong, and he kicked the frail Ding the Second into a rolling gourd.

"Hurry up and bring out the servitude contracts! Brother Bai's brothers are my close friends too! Are you blind to sell them off to a distant kiln for hardship!"

Ding the Second fell with a bruised and swollen face, who would have thought he'd get beaten twice in less than an hour.

He was really unlucky that day.

"That jinx! Bringing misfortune to me..."

He dared not blame the Broker Feng Family of Yihai Prefecture, nor the Pawnshop He Family, so he could only secretly curse the damned Ah Xie!

"Servitude contracts, I have them, Young Master He. How many do you want to buy? These…all signed are lifelong contracts, bundled for three hundred taels of silver, at your disposal, how's that?"

Ding the Second cried out in pain, embarrassedly got up, and was steadied by two strong servants in front of He Jingfeng.

Slap!

Another hard slap!

This time it was heavy, leaving Ding the Second seeing stars.

"You filthy swine! You even dare to ask me for money!"

He Jingfeng was furious:

"If you had really sold off Brother Bai's brothers, would your head still be on your neck now? This young master spared your life, yet didn't settle the score with you! And you dare to reach out…"

Slap! Slap! Slap—

He Jingfeng gave hard slaps deftly with both hands, turning Ding the Second's face into a pig's head.

Finally, the latter pleaded with tears:

"Young Master He… I don't need money, don't need money!"

He Jingfeng, usually not fond of fighting, relied on breathing exercises and medicinal herbs, felt somewhat tired and waved his hand saying:

"Uncle Yang, gather those servitude contracts and burn them all! A family fallen into disrepute, still signing lifelong contracts to sell themselves, lawless! The fisheries operated by my He family only use temporary contracts!"

The so-called temporary and lifelong contracts, the former refer to employment terms with a fixed duration, as short as three years or as long as ten;

The latter means servitude for life, for both descendants and offspring.

Generally speaking, only noble families kept private slaves, numbering in thousands, signing lifelong contracts.

Even at the Fish Market and Wood Market Fire Kiln, selling oneself was mostly via temporary contracts.

Uncle Yang's five fingers exerted force, his fingernails sharp like blades, tearing the servitude contracts into shreds.

The Ding family servants, marked with grass signs on their heads, seeing this scene, their numb expressions revealed a hint of vitality, repeatedly bowing to He Jingfeng, calling him a benefactor.

This seventh young master of the He family's elder branch, who often heard people calling him uneducated, unrestrained, and arrogant, rarely saw anyone express gratitude towards him.

"It's indeed worth following Brother Bai! He is so righteous and altruistic, benefiting from his reputation, I too can gain a good name!"

He Jingfeng felt greatly pleased in his heart, but upon remembering Feng Shao Ling, who only had a strong mouth, he began to feel a headache.

The longer that guy stayed in Black River County, the harder it was for him to sleep soundly.

The patriarch of the Feng Family was truly muddled, sending the only child of the elder branch to Black River County, wasn't this like putting fish and shrimp from the river into the oil pot?

...

...

In the mansion where Feng Shao Ling was staying, a young servant came back with a few gilded invitations, reporting unhappily:

"Young Master, the shopkeeper of Donglai Tower said the shop is too small to accommodate such a distinguished guest, unable to hold wealth.

Also, at the Broken Blade Sect, Divine Hand Sect, and Celestial Eagle Martial Arts Hall, I couldn't even get in the door; they all claimed the masters were sick, recovering, or visiting relatives, just no time…"

Smash!

The teacup hit the ground and shattered into pieces!

Feng Shao Ling's face twitched:

"The three major families of Black River County have been established for years, and how long has it been? Not even half a year, and that Bai fellow has taken control of everything?

Chai Market, huh? Even Song Lin doesn't show my Feng Family any respect?"

The servant lowered his head, staring at his feet:

"Mr. Song did meet with me personally, but he said he had a headache and couldn't handle the wind, promising to come another day. He's not coming this time."

Feng Shao Ling wanted to smash the teacup again, but found it was empty. His fists clenched with a crackling sound:

"Well! As long as Bai doesn't nod his head, everyone keeps their heads down! The three major families used to compete and pay attention to our Thirteen Guilds, but now with Bai Qilang, they all wear the same trousers!

What is this? Is Black River County planning to open a new door? Becoming the Fourteenth Guild of Yihai Prefecture?!"

Upon careful consideration, he realized that Bai really seemed to have that capability!

He Jingfeng willingly became his follower, didn't even bother to reclaim the fishery's ferry, Fire Kiln Master Li accepted him as an apprentice, and the remaining Chai Market couldn't stand on its own, naturally not an opponent.

Unknowingly, Black River County was truly taking Bai Qilang's surname!

"Old Feng, why such a big temper? At odds with He Jingfeng again?"

Zheng Heng strode into the front hall, a smile on his face. He had just returned from Wagang Village, having a pleasant chat with the two Kiln Masters, Lu Shiping and Chao Sanjing.

With hundreds of large and small shops in the Weapon Craftsman Guild of Yihai Prefecture, only Hongming and Baisheng were worthy of the title of craftsmanship king.

Their Zheng family had a good relationship with Baisheng. If they could take down Hongming, not only could they cut a limb of the Zhu Family, but they could also strengthen their own influence.

Kill two birds with one stone!

"Brother Zheng, you're finally back, that Bai guy is bullying people, completely disregarding the Thirteen Guilds!"

Seeing Zheng Heng in high spirits, Feng Shao Ling immediately poured out his grievances.

"The guy is indeed arrogant!"

Zheng Heng frowned slightly. Who among the powerful families of Black River County, upon meeting the prominent families of Yihai Prefecture, wouldn't show full respect?

"But right now, he's strong. When spring comes and the tax collectors go to the countryside, there are ways to handle him. In the end, he's just a fishery boss, unlike us with widespread connections, able to use the government office to do things."

Feng Shao Ling's anger dissipated, and he clapped his hands, laughing:

"Brother Zheng, you've got it right! He's acting high and mighty with us because the Thirteen Guilds deeply fear Ninghai Zen's vicious reputation. But Dragon Court doesn't care about this. Killing tax collectors is akin to rebellion. With his family to consider, how dare Bai try to be arrogant again!

Brother Zheng, you truly are wise and resourceful! Tonight, I'll be the host. Though others don't show me, Feng Shao Ling, any face, it doesn't matter! Anyway, I despise those country bumpkins. Having Brother Zheng drink with me is enough!"

Zheng Heng, hearing this, looked slightly embarrassed and quickly said:

"Old Feng, I... I'm privately in touch with the Fire Kiln. If I attend your banquet and Bai Qilang finds out, whispers and slander will ruin the matter.

Another day, I'll definitely be there, but let's leave it for now."

...

...

At night, Feng Shao Ling sat alone at home, drinking in frustration. He never imagined that even Zheng Heng, from the same prominent family of Yihai Prefecture, would have to look at Bai's face?

"They're spineless! I insist on being the tough one! Simply setting the stage and acting the play, let's see if we can make enough noise, if the momentum is big enough!

I just don't believe that top to bottom in Black River County will be as solid as a rock!"

Feng Shao Ling's eyes were bloodshot. As the only heir of the Feng family's main branch, he had never suffered such grievance. A grand banquet with invitations sent out, and not a single person attended.

He drank a pot of fine wine cleanly, and the slight drunkenness made his head dizzy. Just as he was about to bathe and sleep, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Seemingly a hundred people with chaotic footsteps intersecting; looking up, half of the sky glowed crimson.

"What's happening?"

Feng Shao Ling was puzzled.

"Reporting to Master. That Bai Qilang has gathered a crowd, armed with torches, and is currently searching for remnants of the Red Eyebrow Bandits."

The servant inquired for a moment, then quickly reported back.

"I heard outside that the Red Eyebrow Bandits harmed the son of the Zhu Family in Yihai Prefecture. With esteemed guests from the Feng and Zheng families in Black River County, Bai Qilang, as a training deputy, has no choice but to ensure peace and tranquility, hence the overnight crackdown..."

Feng Shao Ling, whether blown sober by the cold wind or shocked awake, instantly sobered up:

"Zhu Shou Rang was clearly beaten to death by Bai... He's using this as an excuse, with a large entourage, what are they planning? Coming for me? He Jingfeng did say, this guy is fierce, seeking revenge without delay..."

His throat bobbed twice, the more he thought, the more alarming it became. Bai Qilang creating such a huge scene for no reason was obviously muddying the waters. If he suddenly died inexplicably, it could be blamed on the Red Eyebrow Bandits.

"Arrogant! Too arrogant! No respect for law and order!"

Feng Shao Ling's face turned slightly pale, sweat beading on his forehead. He paced back and forth a few times, listening to the increasingly turbulent sounds and ever-brighter night sky, unable to remain calm.

A moment later, he looked at the servant standing below the platform and said coldly:

"Take off your clothes!"

"Huh?"

The servant clasped his hands to his chest, somewhat flustered.

He was just a runner, not a scholar's attendant!