The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1410 726: Pressing Closer (Part 2)

Inside the cargo box, there was nothing but piles of yellow sand and rocks, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.

Given their identities, the members of the Cao Gang naturally didn't dare to obstruct them easily. They led them around the water pavilion stained black by oil residues, and then a fortress-like building constructed from enormous shipwrecked keel and rough slabs appeared in front of them.

This was "Shunfeng Hall", the headquarters of the Cao Gang in the Capital.

Even before approaching, the air became turbid and stagnant.

The salty taste of the water mist, the smell of silt from the river bottom, the pungency of poor-quality tobacco, and a faint metallic blood scent mixed together to form a unique "aroma".

The light inside the gate was dim, illuminated by whale oil lamps hanging from the corridor columns.

The dim, flickering flame barely lit up the scene inside the hall:

The main hall was exceptionally spacious, with unpolished wooden beams supporting a high roof, and the beams adorned with web-like ropes and various models of iron anchors, oars, and detached rudder wheels, resembling a menacing jungle, exuding a heavy sense of oppression.

On the dark cabin wall hung a huge "Cao River Nine Veins Map".

The water ripples meandered in the map, with all sorts of markings scattered like stars, symbolizing the vast network controlled by the Cao Gang.

Beneath the walls on both sides stood dozens of bare-chested, tough Cao Gang warriors.

Most of them were shirtless, exposing iron-like, knotted muscles and crisscrossed scars.

Their gazes were sharp as hooks, vigilantly scanning the crowd.

The dominance of the Northern water overlords was immediately apparent.

Luo Mingzi, wasting no time on pleasantries, said in a deep voice, "If Leader Hong is not here, is there someone who can speak on his behalf?"

Before his words fell, a bald man quickly walked out from a side door, his face full of smiles as he cupped his hands in salute: "Daoist Luo, long time no see, I am Xue Li of the Cao Gang, and the leader is waiting for you two inside."

Hong Zhenyue wants to see them?

Upon hearing this, Luo Mingzi was a bit surprised.

Though he was of the Mystic Sect, now holding a significant position, the General Leader of the Cao Gang, Hong Zhenyue, was no ordinary person, being a half-step Grandmaster proficient in Cao Gang's Mystic Sect Techniques, on par with the masters of the Taoist sects.

From the various government offices in the Three Provinces and Six Ministries to the pugilistic world factions, all treated him with respect.

For him to personally host them, it wouldn't be a simple matter.

Though puzzled inside, the two maintained their composure, showing no sign of it.

Soon, they were led into another side hall in the rear.

Differing from outside, the air here was much fresher, with the scent of sandalwood incense wafting around.

Before a large pear wood round table, a burly, tower-like middle-aged man was boiling water for tea.

With every gesture, each muscle seemed to contain vigorous strength.

His features were rugged and weathered; an old, centipede-like scar ran from his left cheek diagonally across to the depths of his neck, disappearing beneath the standing collar of his dark satin short jacket, tied with a gold-embedded jade belt, and a finger ring of rich green on his thumb, calm and mellow.

He was the Cao Gang's General Leader, known as the "Nine Rivers Dragon King", Hong Zhenyue.

"Greetings, Senior."

Luo Mingzi lightly swept the stone stool with the horsetail whisk and after sitting down, said, "Senior Hong, who has long resided in the Deep Pool, this junior is here to seek your help in locating several missing children..."

While speaking, he had briefly explained the situation.

This matter, impossible to hide from the Cao Gang's inquiry, was better met with openness.

"Oh?"

Upon hearing, Hong Zhenyue's expression remained unchanged, but while pouring tea for the two, he said, "Daoist Luo suspects our Cao Gang?"

"This matter could not have been our doing; the century-old gang rule foremost prohibits 'involvement with children's goods!' This iron rule is engraved on the headquarters' River Stele; violators face three cuts and six holes, and are sunk into the canal!"

Saying this, he then smiled and said, "Nevertheless, this matter can be investigated for you, Daoist, as long as it entered the Capital via the canal, there'll inevitably be flaws. Xue Li, go on."

"Yes, General Leader!"

The Cao Gang expert, Xue Li, who had brought them, immediately took his leave.

"Thank you, Senior." Luo Mingzi and his companion quickly bowed in gratitude.

"It's my duty."

Hong Zhenyue nodded and took a sip of tea, then said, "I heard Daoist, you have quite a good relationship with Mr. Yan from the Academy?"

So that's what it is...

Luo Mingzi suddenly realized, it was about the steam engine.

This device has now become the focus of the Divine State, and everyone wants a share.

Currently, they're busy capturing demons, but in the Capital, feasts are continuously held, all planning over this matter.

With this in mind, he tentatively asked, "What does Senior Hong mean by this?"

"We would like to ask Lord Luo for assistance in making a connection."

Hong Zhenyue spoke directly, "The slots at the Academy haven't been finalized yet. I've heard there are some Great Craftsmen among the ship workers there. I want to send a few people to apprentice, to learn shipbuilding skills."

"And the steam engine, I've heard it can drive wooden wheels forward?"

Luo Mingzi hesitated for a moment, "I can help make the connection, but Mr. Yan is quite busy, and whether he'll agree to meet, I can't guarantee."

"Hahaha, that's enough."

Hong Zhenyue seemed in a good mood, "I've heard it's customary to donate silver to the Academy? I'm not a stingy person. When I see Mr. Yan, I will make sure to satisfy him..."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bald man named Xue Li hurried over.

"Caught him?" Hong Zhenyue asked casually.

However, Xue Li was sweating profusely, bent down, clasped his fists, and said, "Reporting...reporting to the Squad Leader, several ships have been off lately. Our old ship worker mentioned hearing a child's cry faintly from the cabin while he was repairing a ship."

Hong Zhenyue's face stiffened, his expression turned cold, "Who is it?"

"It's Cui Mazi."

Bald man Xue Li lowered his head and clasped his fists, "It's Cui Mazi's ship."

"Where is he?" Hong Zhenyue continued to ask.

"He's already fled."

Bald man Xue Li knelt down with a thud and replied in a trembling voice, "He took leave to go home three days ago, but this morning a brother spotted him at a Gambling House in Shuangqiao Town, with the smell of incense on his sleeve. It is said that he secretly worshipped at a Maitreya Sect sacrilegious shrine!"

Snap!

Hong Zhenyue's face darkened, and the tea cup was crushed into powder.

"Damn Maitreya Sect! Damn Cui Mazi!"

As he spoke, a gust of wind suddenly rose in the room, inadvertently revealing Hong Zhenyue's aura.

"Sorry for the spectacle, Daoist."

He slowly stood up, "Our Cao Gang has a tradition of several hundred years, the first rule of discipline is: the commodity of children, touch it and your hands will rot, touch it and your body will rot, yet someone dared to defy this, ruining a hundred years of good reputation by the hand of a mere fool."

"Pass the order, everyone is to find him. I will personally skin him alive!"

"Nine Rivers Dragon King" was furious, mobilizing all the pugilistic world members around the Capital.

The Cao Gang had many members, and nearly all porters at the docks followed their orders.

In no time, everyone was looking for "Cui Mazi."

"Have you seen Cui Mazi?"

"He was at the Gambling House two days ago, don't know where he got the silver."

"Let's go!"

In the tea shed outside the city, a short farmer watched as the Cao Gang men left, quickly pulled down his straw hat, got onto the official road, and seeing no one around, pushed through the bushes and into the mountain.

He was sweating all over, yanked off his hat, and was the escaped Japanese spy "You Er."

As the sky darkened and the sunset waned, he hurried for twenty miles, plunging into the Chaotic Burial Mound in the West Mountain.

The smell of rotting leaves and grave soil filled the air, owl cries intermittently sounding like ghost wails.

Passing through waist-high wild grass, a dilapidated villa appeared in the mountain hollow.

With fallen tiles and decaying beams, the door hung askew, a sight unknown to whom.

He knocked three short and two long, sidestepping into the courtyard.

Inside the broken main hall, several dim green phosphorus fire lamps flickered, casting shadows of over twenty figures seated like stone statues.

The one at the head was the coffin attendant Yu Yiyuan.

Half his face was hidden in shadow, scars appearing even more sinister under the phosphorus light, two Wodao swords at his waist exuding cold air.

Several Japanese were discussing beside him.

"Toyotomi Hideyoshi spares none, there's no place for us in the Divine State..."

"With that monkey's nature, not a single family member will survive."

"What do you think, how much is this 'Divine Artifact' blueprint worth if we go overseas?"

"Dharma Master! The daimyo of Jiuzhou Island also lack such weapons! We should fight our way back, why stoop to others?"

As they spoke, seeing "You Er" enter, they all fell silent.

"You Er" swallowed a gulp, knelt and kowtowed:

"Dharma Master, Immortal Zhao asked me to ask you, have you made your decision..."