After the local ruffians from the Sand Crocodile Gang left, Miao Qi immediately relayed the news he had recently gathered to Li Qing.
“A birthday banquet? They’re even inviting the prominent leaders of the gangs to attend?”
Li Qing instinctively rubbed his chin, seriously contemplating the implications behind this matter.
First of all, the idea of a birthday banquet was certainly nonsense. In this era, shrouded in darkness for so long, who could even remember their own birthday?
As expected, this banquet should be a gathering to resolve grievances, bringing together those who could speak on behalf of their gangs to ease tensions. As the lord governing the entire Great Rock City, he certainly wouldn’t want to see the city descend into chaos again.
However, since they were inviting all the notable figures in the city, it indicated that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce would also receive an invitation.
With this thought, Li Qing’s mind became more active.
“Miao Qi, do you think I count as a notable figure in Great Rock City?”
Upon hearing this, Miao Qi suddenly felt awkward. He scratched his head, unsure how to respond:
“Uh, well…”
It wasn’t entirely Miao Qi’s fault; it was just that Li Qing was too low-key. As a master of internal strength, he had done nothing since entering the city, instead choosing to work as a blacksmith!
If he were a normal person, the first thing upon entering the city would likely be to pay a visit to the lord’s mansion and the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce. Even if he didn’t make a grand entrance, at the very least, he would pay his respects to someone.
Having a reputation would make things relatively easier; at least those local ruffians wouldn’t dare to provoke him.
Li Qing reflected for a moment.
Was he being too cautious?
He quickly dismissed that thought. His goal was to investigate the peculiarities of the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, so it was indeed most suitable to remain in the shadows!
“Miao Qi, since the lord’s mansion is inviting the leaders of the major gangs, the Sand Crocodile Gang will surely receive an invitation as well, right?” Li Qing casually asked.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Miao Qi replied, “That’s beyond doubt. Although the Sand Crocodile Gang isn’t large, its leader is at least a master of external strength, so they will definitely be on the invitation list!”
“Moreover, the vast majority of those receiving invitations won’t refuse, as the lord’s mansion has publicly stated that they will provide several jars of aged wine to entertain the martial artists!”
Wine is a fine thing. Although Miao Qi had never tasted it, the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce occasionally held auctions where the wine that appeared could sell for astronomical prices.
In this era, most wines were remnants from the previous age. However, the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce had claimed they were working on brewing wine that belonged to this era.
They said that, but who knows if it’s true?
“I see,” Li Qing replied thoughtfully.
That day, the blacksmith shop closed its doors early.
On Shibao Street, the location of the Sand Crocodile Gang’s main hall.
Despite having a master of external strength as its leader, the Sand Crocodile Gang could only barely occupy three streets in Great Rock City.
After all, the lord’s mansion was the largest force, and they would certainly impose fewer restrictions on these minor factions.
Otherwise, if the entire city were divided among these gangs, how would the common people survive?
As Miao Qi had said, the leader of the Sand Crocodile Gang, Ke Luoda, also received an invitation from the lord’s mansion.
“Heh, a birthday banquet?” Ke Luoda scoffed, the deep scar on his nose shifting slightly.
“Can Qin Xiu still remember his own birthday? That old man is getting on in years; he’s truly afraid of chaos breaking out in the city.”
Nevertheless, he thought, this gathering was still worth attending.
Ke Luoda, the Sand Crocodile, although born in the dark age, had drunk wine once or twice, and the taste of it made him feel slightly intoxicated whenever he recalled it. In this era, wine was undoubtedly a precious commodity.
“Boss, boss, you must stand up for us!”
“We were attacked! It seems he’s also a martial artist!”
Outside the hall, several cries soon rang out.
Hearing this, Ke Luoda furrowed his brow slightly. He shook the thick shoulder pads behind him and began to ponder whether the gang had offended someone they shouldn’t have recently.
They hadn’t gone on a wolf-hunting mission to rob other gangs’ prey, and even further back, that was even less likely.
In the eyes of other forces in the city, the Sand Crocodile Gang was considered relatively neutral and orderly.
“Get in here,” Ke Luoda said in a deep voice.
Soon, four local ruffians sauntered in, their cheeks swollen and red, with clear handprints visible on their faces.
Seeing this scene, Ke Luoda’s expression darkened.
The Sand Crocodile Gang was at least a notable faction; although these ruffians were indeed no good, as the saying goes, one must consider the owner when beating a dog!
Having his subordinates beaten like this was akin to slapping his own face.
“Speak, what happened?” Ke Luoda asked in a deep voice.
Quickly, the four of them spoke one after another, half-concealing and half-exaggerating their account.
In their words, Li Qing’s actions were utterly heinous, and he arrogantly disregarded the Sand Crocodile Gang.
“Boss, you don’t know, that blacksmith Li is truly despicable; he’s only been in the city for such a short time and dares to be so rampant.”
“Yeah, if this goes on, Great Rock City will probably be named after him!”
“I’ve never seen someone so arrogant in my life!”
“…”
As a gang leader, Ke Luoda naturally wouldn’t take their words at face value. He had a rough idea of how much truth there was in their claims.
But still, as the saying goes, one must consider the owner when beating a dog; this matter couldn’t just be brushed aside.
“Don’t act rashly. I’ll send someone to investigate what kind of person that blacksmith is.”
“For the next few days, you all behave yourselves and don’t stir up trouble.”
As soon as Ke Luoda finished speaking, the four ruffians with swollen cheeks immediately became excited.
“With the boss taking action, we’ll definitely make that blacksmith regret it!”
“Exactly!”
However, Ke Luoda shook his head. He absolutely wouldn’t act rashly before investigating clearly.
If that blacksmith named Li was merely a mediocre martial artist, he wouldn’t mind teaching him a lesson or two and seeing if he could recruit him into the gang.
But if the other party had reached the realm of external strength, then he would have to think long and hard.
Because offending a martial artist of the same level was not something he would take lightly; if it came to that, he might end up having to beat them himself.
It was one thing to stir up trouble and act tough in front of the common people, but if he truly attracted too much trouble, he wouldn’t show any mercy.
“Alright, you all can leave. I’ll make a decision once I find out the blacksmith’s background.”
Ke Luoda waved his hand, but before the four ruffians could leave, a clear and bright voice suddenly rang out!
“No need, Boss Ke, if you want to investigate anything, I’ll personally tell you all about it.”
(End of Chapter)