The invitation from the City Lord's Mansion?
Upon hearing this, Ke Luoda was momentarily stunned, and after a while, he opened his mouth and said, "Yes, that is indeed the case."
Why would he suddenly ask about this? Could it be that this guy's target is the City Lord's Mansion? What audacity!
A storm surged within Ke Luoda's heart. After so many years, someone actually wanted to make a move against the City Lord's Mansion that had ruled over Great Rock City for so long.
No wonder he had become a master at the Inner Strength level yet remained hidden, willingly lying low in the streets, waiting for an opportunity.
Li Qing, of course, was unaware of Ke Luoda's inner thoughts. He spoke, "When you attend the banquet, I will disguise myself as a member of your gang and accompany you."
"Alright, no problem!" As he said this, a drop of cold sweat appeared on Ke Luoda's forehead.
He agreed quite readily; there was no other choice. The situation was stronger than the individual, and with the other party's fist right before him, he could only comply.
Seeing that this Sand Alligator was so cooperative, Li Qing smiled again and asked, "What do you know about the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce? Tell me."
Are they planning to take action against the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce as well? Such ambition!
Though he thought this in his heart, Ke Luoda's response was still quite honest. He said, "As far as I know, the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce controls the economic lifeline of the entire city. The relationship between this chamber and the City Lord's Mansion has always been quite good. The money crystals in Great Rock City were jointly produced by the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce."
"The Red Fish Chamber of Commerce has an Inner Strength master who practices external martial arts, named Ge Wen. He is skilled with the sword and is not much younger than City Lord Qin Xiu. How much of his strength he can maintain is unknown."
"That's about it."
Upon hearing this, Li Qing showed a contemplative expression, habitually stroking his chin.
After pondering for a long time, Li Qing continued to ask, "What are your views on the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce? For example, the armored pigs they sell, and that so-called Blood Essence Pill, what do you think is going on with those?"
When Ke Luoda heard this, his eyes flickered slightly, and then he spoke, "About seven years after the sun disappeared, of course, this time is based on the bone age of some children I estimated."
"At that time, Qin Xiu had only been in charge of Great Rock City for two years, and a new order had already begun to take shape in the city."
"Meat was already quite scarce in the city; there wasn't even a single rat to be found!"
"It was around this time that the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce suddenly started selling armored pigs. Initially, they only supplied a small amount to the higher-ups of our gangs, but later the quantity increased, until today, the common people in the city can occasionally enjoy some meat."
The appearance of armored pigs coincided with the seven years after the sun disappeared.
Li Qing silently noted this in his heart and then asked, "Did anything special happen with the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce during that time? For example, did any important figures join?"
As Ke Luoda recalled, he instinctively shook his head.
Soon, he suddenly raised his head and said, "Oh right, I remember that year someone witnessed Ge Wen getting injured, and the injury was quite serious. He secluded himself for a long time before appearing in public as if nothing had happened."
As a martial artist, Ke Luoda's memory was quite good, allowing him to recall these events from so long ago.
Indeed!
The origins of the armored pigs, as well as the subsequent acquisition of beasts from the Age of Sunshine by the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, and that mysterious Blood Essence Pill.
It must have started changing from that year!
Ge Wen practiced external martial arts, and by that year he was already an Inner Strength master, in the prime of his life. As the president of the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, he should not have been lacking in meat.
At that time, who could have had the ability to injure a peak Inner Strength master?
From the relationship between the City Lord's Mansion and the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce, it should not have been City Lord Qin Xiu who injured him; both parties jointly ruled over Great Rock City and had no need to resort to violence.
He must have encountered an extraordinary person, someone capable of cultivating armored pigs, able to refine such strange pills as the Blood Essence Pill, and capable of injuring a peak Inner Strength martial artist. Li Qing's mind raced, and his breathing quickened.
"Huh!"
Finally, Li Qing let out a breath, suppressing some of his speculations about the Red Fish Chamber of Commerce.
"I will come to find you before the City Lord's birthday banquet."
"And about what happened today..."
Before Li Qing could finish his sentence, Ke Luoda immediately assured him, "Don't worry, I will definitely keep my mouth shut and ensure that there will be no leaks. I will also restrain the people in the gang."
He was certainly very aware of the stakes; offending a master at the Inner Strength level could mean death at any moment!
"Remember what you said." Li Qing glanced at the Sand Alligator before turning to leave.
Before exiting, he looked at the four people who had been slapping each other; they were basically collapsed on the ground, their cheeks swollen and cracked, with snot and blood streaming from their mouths.
They were just common bullies who oppressed the common people, and they deserved their fate.
Li Qing withdrew his gaze, stepping lightly with the Shadow Seeking Steps, and in a few agile movements, his figure vanished.
After Li Qing left, the Sand Alligator Ke Luoda shouted in a deep voice, "Get in here!"
City Lord Qin Xiu was going to hold a birthday banquet, and anyone could see that this was meant to be a peace offering.
After all, it had been many years since the City Lord's Mansion had held a birthday banquet, and to do so at this critical moment made the intention quite clear.
No matter what, they were the strongest visible force in Great Rock City, and they had to give some face.
Thus, the previously escalating tension in the city suddenly eased. The gangs that were on the verge of conflict and potential bloodshed all lowered their flags and ceased hostilities.
Great Rock City, North District.
Since the news of the birthday banquet spread, various figures had frequently come and gone at the imposing residence of the City Lord.
Finally, the time for the banquet arrived, and all the prominent figures in the city gathered here.
The True Martial Gang, having obtained a Blood Essence Pill, had gained another external strength master, and they were in high spirits these days.
"True Martial Gang's Kong Fei wishes City Lord Qin a long and prosperous life!"
The hearty congratulatory voice was full of vigor, steady and powerful!
Soon, a chorus of congratulatory voices followed.
"Great River Gang, Jia Dachun wishes City Lord Qin longevity and prosperity!"
"Fist Mountain Gang..."
Almost all the gang leaders in the city had arrived, and Ke Luoda of the Sand Alligator Gang was naturally among them.
Each gang leader who received an invitation could bring two people to the banquet; any more than that was not allowed.
Li Qing's expression remained calm as he silently followed behind Ke Luoda, making his way to the grand City Lord's Mansion.
For the first time in his life, the leader of the Sand Alligator Gang felt so uneasy.
Ke Luoda glanced back and then solemnly called out, "Sand Alligator Gang, Ke Luoda wishes City Lord Qin double blessings of fortune and longevity!"
(End of Chapter)