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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter Yellow Sand Flag
As soon as Xinfeng's voice fell, Fire Lion's eyes darkened, gathering strength to guard against Xinfeng's attack. But at that moment, a distant horn sounded, deep and resonant, like the howling wind and sand.
Mad Bull was certainly no stranger to such a horn. He stiffened immediately. "They're coming!"
Xia Zhou and Lin Chuyu were startled by the sudden sound of the horn; it came too abruptly. However, their emotions quickly stabilized. Driven by curiosity, they approached the platform to look out. In the distance, they saw billowing clouds of dust accompanied by the sound of galloping hooves. They couldn't tell how many people were approaching, but the cups and bowls on the table trembled from the vibrations of the swift horses.
The rolling dust drew closer and closer. Lin Chuyu spotted a flag fluttering high in the wind. The distorted pattern on the flag depicted a yellow Sand Cave, which was the emblem of the Yellow Sand Gang, as its members resided within the Sand Cave.
Xia Zhou, unaware of the significance of the Sand Cave, looked at the flag curiously and asked, "Why does that flag look like a cave?"
Mad Bull also moved to the window to gaze outside. He was very familiar with the meaning of this flag. Upon seeing it, his heart sank. "That's the sand flag of the Yellow Sand Gang. The sand flag represents their authority; their leader has arrived."
A large wave of Sand Bandits halted just twenty paces away from Fire Cloud Residence. The dust gradually settled, and Xia Zhou counted no fewer than a hundred people. Even though Xia Zhou possessed Eight Desolation Needles, seeing such a large number made him feel quite tense.
They were on the second floor, and those dining on the first floor were terrified at the sight of so many Sand Bandits appearing. Their faces turned pale with fear. One patron, who had been drunk and red-faced moments ago, was now sober with fright and shouted, "That's definitely a sand flag! It's the Yellow Sand Gang's sand flag! What are they doing here with so many people?"
Another patron trembled in fear and exclaimed, "It really is people from the Yellow Sand Gang! Are they here to rob Fire Cloud Residence? We're doomed! Will they rob me too?"
Before any member of the Yellow Sand Gang took a step forward, many patrons on the first floor were already crying out in panic. "We're finished! We're finished! These Yellow Sand Gang members are incredibly ruthless; we're really done for this time!"
Someone shouted in a high-pitched voice, "Run! If you don't run, you'll die!"
The patrons on the first floor rushed out of Fire Cloud Residence in droves. There was only one way out, and they all trembled as they made their way toward the Yellow Sand Gang members. The gang members' gazes were fixed firmly on Fire Cloud Residence, not even sparing a glance at these patrons.
Seeing that the Yellow Sand Gang members ignored them, the patrons secretly felt relieved and hurriedly escaped past them.
Before long, the hall on the first floor was completely empty.
Lin Chuyu noticed that among those fleeing was also a figure from Fire Cloud Residence's staff. She exclaimed, "Even our staff are running away!"
Xia Zhou replied, "You know what they say: 'Birds of a feather flock together; when disaster strikes, each flies their own way.'"
Lin Chuyu couldn't help but laugh at Xia Zhou's remark. "That's not how that saying goes!"
Ji Zichen arrived at the platform and noticed a metal carriage behind the Sand Bandit. The carriage was made of fine iron, resembling an impenetrable fortress, suggesting that the leader of the Yellow Sand Gang was inside.
Xia Zhou's gaze was fixed on the iron carriage. "Isn't he afraid of dying from the heat sitting in there?"
Ji Zichen replied, "Dying from heat is better than being killed. A carriage like that is necessary for going out; it seems that the gang leader has many enemies."
Lin Chuyu chimed in, "Oh? Is he afraid of being killed? I thought he was trying to attract attention."
At that moment, members of the Yellow Sand Gang slowly moved toward Fire Cloud Residence. As they approached the entrance, someone lifted the curtain of the carriage and stepped down. This person appeared to be in his sixties, with a pale complexion, dressed in a fox fur coat despite it not being winter; clearly, the gang leader was unconcerned about overheating.
The gang leader was accompanied by two bodyguards as he ascended to the second floor, while other Sand Bandits waited outside. Upon reaching the second floor, he saw Xinfeng and Killer facing off against Fire Lion. The gang leader's eyes were sharp; if he weren't standing, Ji Zichen might have thought he was asleep.
The gang leader appeared very polite, his old face breaking into a kind smile. "I apologize, Master, for scaring away your guests. I've heard your Swallow Brew is excellent; I came to ask for two cups, and of course, I will pay."
Ji Zichen and Yu Ren had just returned to the hall when Lin Chuyu glanced at the gang leader. She felt a bit uneasy and whispered to Ji Zichen, "Brother Ji, he seems so friendly. Why do others fear him so much?"
Ji Zichen eyed the gang leader cautiously. Having experienced events in Tuxia Village, he held no good impressions of the Yellow Sand Gang. He quietly replied, "Don't be fooled by his appearance; a dog that bites doesn't bark."
Fire Lion noticed the Yellow Sand Gang leader's politeness and felt compelled to reciprocate. He forced a smile and said, "Cheng Gangzhu is too kind; how could I take your money? It’s my pleasure to have you here for drinks. However, my staff has been scared away by you all; please sit and rest while I prepare your drinks personally."
Cheng Gangzhu smiled gently and walked over to an empty table to sit down. "Master, what are you saying? You shouldn't have to do something like fetching drinks." He glanced at his bodyguards, who then stepped away.
Seeing Fire Lion standing awkwardly, Cheng Gangzhu smiled slightly. "Please sit; standing can be tiring."
After hesitating for a moment, Fire Lion finally took a seat across from Cheng Gangzhu.
Cheng Gangzhu cast a light glance at Xinfeng and kindly asked Fire Lion, "They’ve caused you some trouble, haven’t they?" The statement sounded almost like an apology.
Fire Lion certainly wouldn’t complain to Cheng Gangzhu or show weakness in front of him. He maintained a relaxed smile and said, "Not at all; we were having a great conversation."
Seeing Fire Lion still able to smile under such circumstances made Cheng Gangzhu admire his composure even more. Cheng Gangzhu shifted his gaze from Fire Lion to Xinfeng and lightly asked, "Have you discussed your purpose for this visit with Master?"
Xinfeng teased with a smile, "Yes, Master is quite ambitious; he wants to do everything himself without relying on others."
Cheng Gangzhu nodded slightly and smiled, praising Fire Lion, "Master, this is quite similar to me. If there are things we can do ourselves, we shouldn't trouble others. But sometimes, having help from others can yield twice the result with half the effort. You understand this principle, don't you?"
Cheng Gangzhu's eyes were calm, yet they held a sharp gaze fixed on Fire Lion. Fire Lion certainly understood Cheng Gangzhu's hint and replied slowly, "I understand."
Cheng Gangzhu scrutinized Fire Lion for a moment before slowly saying, "Those who know how to adapt to circumstances are truly wise. This old saying is the wisdom passed down by our predecessors. Sometimes, it’s beneficial for us to listen; it can be advantageous for ourselves."
At that moment, two guards brought over a jug of wine and respectfully poured a cup for both Cheng Gangzhu and Fire Lion.
Xia Zhou then inquired of Ji Zichen, "What’s the background of that gang leader?"
Ji Zichen, having heard rumors about the Yellow Sand Gang leader, replied, "His name is Cheng Wu. In his youth, he was a bodyguard. Once, while escorting goods, his entire team of fifty mysteriously died on the Yellow Sand Plain. Some say they encountered the Green Demon Eagle, but others claim he killed his own men and took the goods for himself."
"After that incident, no one saw him for three years. Then someone spotted him at Nansha Ridge; he was living in Nansha Stronghold. That stronghold is home to local bandits. The lord of Nansha City has sent troops multiple times to besiege it but has never succeeded. It’s said he secretly colluded with the lord of Nansha City and poisoned everyone in the stronghold on the night the stronghold's chief took a concubine."
Xia Zhou gasped in disbelief, "What kind of benefits did the lord give him to be so ruthless as to poison everyone?"
Ji Zichen replied, "Who would know such things? But after that incident, the Yellow Sand Plain suddenly had the Yellow Sand Gang."
Xia Zhou looked at Cheng Gangzhu's aged face and remarked, "I didn't expect this man to be so cruel."
Ji Zichen said, "A leader of a gang cannot be just someone with an empty title."
Cheng Gangzhu noticed Ji Zichen and Xia Zhou whispering from afar. He couldn't hear what they were saying but didn't mind. Although there was wine in his cup, he did not raise it; instead, he looked gently at Mad Bull.
Mad Bull stood silently with his head down. Cheng Gangzhu sighed softly and called out, "Mad Bull."
Mad Bull still did not lift his head; it was unclear whether he was afraid or felt guilty towards Cheng Gangzhu. Though he didn’t look up, he respectfully cupped his fists in greeting and said, "Leader."
Cheng Gangzhu chuckled lightly and said, "Mad Bull, you are no longer part of my Yellow Sand Gang; there's no need to call me leader."
Mad Bull was startled and immediately knelt down, saying, "Leader, I..."
Cheng Gangzhu shook his head with a smile and said, "Get up."
Mad Bull rose in a state of anxiety.
Cheng Gangzhu asked, "Do you remember what I used to tell you often?"
Of course, Mad Bull remembered. In the Yellow Sand Gang, Cheng Gangzhu held Mad Bull in high regard, not because of any redeeming qualities Mad Bull possessed, but because he was ruthless enough.
Cheng Gangzhu looked at Mad Bull and sighed deeply. "I used to tell you that life is short. When you want to do something, you need to act immediately. One should live for oneself."
"I remember," Mad Bull replied.
Cheng Gangzhu continued, "Do you also remember that I said when a person only cares about living for themselves, they will have no friends? When someone has no friends, they are not far from death."
Though Cheng Gangzhu's tone sounded very gentle, without a hint of blame, Mad Bull could not fail to perceive the implication behind his words. At that moment, Mad Bull raised his head high, showing no sign of guilt or humility.
He boldly stared at Cheng Gangzhu and said, "You’ve lived this long without friends too, haven’t you?"
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the hall changed dramatically. Cheng Gangzhu's gaze turned cold as he pointed at Mad Bull. In the blink of an eye, he moved swiftly; before Ji Zichen could grasp what was happening, Cheng Gangzhu had returned to his original position and sat down.
But at that moment, Mad Bull was writhing in pain, clutching his abdomen and kneeling on the ground.
Ji Zichen exclaimed in astonishment, "What did he do to Mad Bull? It happened so fast I couldn't even see clearly!"
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