The Martial God who started at Mantuo Manor

Page 174

"That is not bad……"

Yin Tianzheng let out a long, long breath, as if to expel all the pent-up frustration in his chest. "This is already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune."

He closed his eyes, his face filled with painful struggle. A moment later, he opened his eyes again, his eyes now filled with determination and ruthlessness.

"Pass on my order!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

"First, maintain strict secrecy. No one is allowed to divulge a single word of what happened in the hall today. Anyone who violates this rule will be executed!"

"Second, gather all personnel outside the canal. Do not investigate or explore, and do not allow them to approach any ships on the canal!"

Let's pretend nothing ever happened!

Yin Yewang suddenly raised his head, looking at his father in disbelief: "Father! My sister, she..."

"Shut up!"

Yin Tianzheng interrupted him sharply, "Your sister's life is a life, but aren't the lives of thousands of my Sky Eagle Sect members also lives?"

"Aren't the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang lives too? I, your father, understand this better than you do!"

He walked up to Yin Yewang, looked down at him, and a hint of heartache and disappointment flashed in his eyes.

"The fault lies with us in this matter."

If you're going to snatch food from a tiger's mouth, you have to be prepared for the tiger to bite off your claws.

Right now, we can't force the issue.

He said slowly, "Prepare a generous gift."

Tomorrow morning, I, as your father, will personally go to that ship to pay my respects to this hero, Wang Meng.

"We're not going there to demand people back."

Yin Tianzheng's voice was as cold as the winter ice in Jiangning Prefecture.

"We're going to...apologize."

"Yes... Father!"

There's something I'm not sure if I should say!

Yin Tianzheng slowly turned around, looking at his son, waiting for what was to come.

"Wang Meng!"

That Wang Meng!

Yin Yewang's voice calmed down, "He...he used to be a member of my Holy Church!"

Four or five years ago, he was on Bright Peak, a... a follower of that vile woman Dai Qisi!

"What did you say?"

This news was like pouring boiling oil into a raging fire!

The anger that Yin Tianzheng had just managed to suppress with reason instantly reignited throughout his body in an even more intense way!

His hawk-like eyes suddenly narrowed, shooting out a terrifyingly cold light!

Dai Qisi... Wang Meng... marriage proposal... grain transport... kidnapping people...

All the seemingly isolated events were viciously linked together in that instant by an invisible, poisonous thread!

This is no longer a simple conflict in the martial arts world caused by the recklessness of children!

This is clearly a long-planned conspiracy!

Yin Tianzheng, however, was no longer angry.

The anger in his eyes was replaced in just a few breaths by a more terrifying calm, like that of ancient ice.

He slowly walked back to the main seat and brushed aside the broken pieces of the table.

He got it.

Since the other party dared to use grain transport ships to set up a trap, it was clear that they knew he wouldn't dare to defy public opinion.

The attempt to seize the territory by stealth has failed.

Su Su's capture proves that the other side was prepared.

This could be a dead end.

A deadly trap specifically designed for him, the White-browed Eagle King.

The key to solving this deadlock... Yin Tianzheng's gaze slowly fell on the purple marriage proposal letter that his son had tossed aside.

For the first time, his face revealed a weariness that was almost humiliating and unfathomable.

"Father, then we..."

Yin Yewang also realized the crux of the matter, and his eyes flashed with murderous intent: "This is clearly a trap!"

"Why don't we turn the tables and gather our forces..."

"Shut up."

Yin Tianzheng slowly raised his hand, interrupting his son. His voice was eerily calm.

"go."

"Go find that woman."

Yin Yewang was suddenly taken aback: "Which woman?"

"The Purple-Robed Dragon King, Dai Qisi."

Yin Tianzheng spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his frozen teeth: "Since she dared to come and deliver the letter, she must not have gone far."

Find her and, in a polite manner... 'invite' her to the main altar.

"father!"

Yin Yewang was shocked. "You want to see that traitor?"

She and Wang Meng are clearly in cahoots; inviting her here would be like inviting a wolf into the house.

"idiot!"

Yin Tianzheng finally cursed out loud, but his voice was weak and hoarse: "It's precisely because they're in cahoots that I want to see her!"

The one who tied the knot must untie it; to rescue someone from the tiger's jaws, we must first talk to the hunter who raised the tiger!

"Go."

He waved his hand, as if he had used up all his strength.

"If she doesn't want to come."

Tell her that the marriage proposal she made has been approved by my Sky Eagle Sect.

But I want to see my daughter come back safe and sound first!

A strong river wind swept across the hundreds of giant ships sailing south.

After arriving at the Yangtze River outside Jiangning Prefecture, the fleet slowly adjusted its course, sailing in an orderly fashion like a group of tamed giants into the Qinhuai River, a tributary.

The fleet's resupply stop in Nanjing was an important part of Wang Meng's plan.

Thousands of people drifted on the water for more than half a month. People needed to rest, boats needed to be repaired, and the consumed food and fresh water needed to be replenished as fully as possible in this southern metropolis.

In an instant, the Qinhuai River wharf, which was usually bustling but still orderly, was completely in an uproar.

"Lower the sails!"

Drop anchor!

"Board cleared!"

"Make way! Make way!"

"Build a springboard!"

Hold on!

"Keep yourselves calm, everyone!"

On the ship, the captain and the heads of various security escort agencies were shouting and directing their crew members and temporarily hired laborers.

The massive anchor, with its iron chain attached, plunged into the murky river with a "clatter," sending up a spray that filled the air.

The heavy gangplank, dozens of meters long, was lifted by a dozen strong men. Accompanied by heavy shouts, one end was placed on the gunwale, and the other end was placed steadily on the stone steps of the dock.

The first to get busy were the shirtless laborers with tanned skin.

Like a silent swarm of ants, they lined up to walk onto the gangplank, carrying the bulging grain sacks they had purchased from the grain shops on the shore onto the ship one by one.

Sweat quickly soaked their backs, glistening in the sunlight.

The deep, rhythmic "Heave-ho, heave-ho" chants, mixed with grain dust, became the most powerful background sound on the dock.

Hired, the bodyguards from various security companies, with their weapons at their waists, patrolled the docks in groups of three or five.

A group of Beggar Clan disciples, dressed in patchwork robes and carrying wine gourds or dog-beating sticks, could no longer contain themselves and rushed off the boat with laughter and merriment.

After spending so much time on the water, they cheered and jumped for joy as soon as their feet touched solid ground; some even rolled around on the spot.

They strolled in twos and threes, arms around each other's shoulders, into the busiest tavern by the dock, shouting for the best Shaoxing wine and the largest portion of braised beef. Their unrestrained laughter added a touch of chivalrous spirit to the busy dock.

In stark contrast to them was a group of Emei disciples gracefully disembarking from another large ship.

They were all young women, dressed in light blue Taoist robes, carrying long swords, with beautiful faces but cold and aloof expressions.

Unlike the Beggars' Sect disciples who scattered, they marched in neat rows led by an older female warrior, ignoring the surrounding noise and the astonished glances from others.

They walked straight to a quiet teahouse that had already been booked out not far away. Their steps were light and their postures were upright, like a group of fairies who did not eat the food of this world, completely out of place in this mundane dock.

But no matter who walks down, the famous Qinhuai River remains the same as it has been for thousands of years.

Painted boats glide along the river, accompanied by the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments. Restaurants and teahouses line both banks, with their upturned eaves, bracket sets, and red lanterns hanging high.

Scholars in long gowns talked loudly by the river, while ladies in veils, surrounded by maids, leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance. The air was filled with the fragrance of cosmetics and the aroma of delicacies.

On one side of the river were grain ships carrying the hopes of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Xiangyang.