bookpub Chapter 63 Children
Chapter 63 Children
Yin Ruyu had previously been most impressed by the boy in front of her named Liu Sheng.
She originally worked as a constable and had seen countless people.
Based on her experience in judging people, generally speaking, if a person is good-looking, then they may not be smart.
Unexpectedly, this handsome young man, with calm and composed demeanor, offered advice and assigned tasks, employing both orthodox and unorthodox methods to achieve victory, much like a general firmly seated in the center of the army.
Even though they had already made up their minds, they ended up circling back to the topic.
They didn't assign her any tasks, and even claimed that she was in charge.
It can be said that he gave himself a lot of face.
Such talent has emerged.
What a pleasant surprise!
"Could he be an officer in the rebel army?"
Yin Ruyu guessed, already harboring the intention to befriend them. Previously within the family, only a few collateral relatives, such as Yin He, were considered her own.
Although Yinhe was loyal and had some talent in martial arts, he lacked wisdom.
Normally, she still needs to handle the many affairs and intrigues within and outside the family herself.
She thought that Liu Sheng was clear-headed, thoughtful, and adept at both the orthodox and the unorthodox.
This is quite rare among martial artists.
If I could get this person's help, I probably wouldn't need to come to Crescent Moon County to avoid trouble.
Judging from this person's scheming abilities, he could even help her return to the Yin family in Shazhou openly and legitimately, thus solidifying the family's position. He could even help her rise to the position of head constable in Shazhou!
"What is his martial arts level?"
It was only then that she realized...
I was thinking too far ahead.
She quickly discussed the final details with everyone, based on the plan proposed by Liu Sheng.
With the details finalized, everyone prepared, changed into their gear, agreed on a signal, and set off together.
The rescue team went to help the children.
……
Crescent Moon County, southwest corner of the city wall.
It was past midnight, and the night was deep.
Dark clouds obscured the moon, and the occasional slivers of dim moonlight illuminated the mottled surface of the city wall.
Inside the abandoned dyehouse courtyard right next to the city wall, weeds grew rampant, and the doors and windows of several dilapidated mud houses were askew. The air was filled with a musty smell that had lingered for years.
However, in stark contrast to its dilapidated appearance is...
Inside the courtyard, however, shadowy figures filled the air, creating a sense of oppression. Dozens of Black Fox gang members were scattered along the inner side of the courtyard wall and in the shadows of the rooftops.
Most of them remained silent, their eyes scanning the darkness outside the wall warily.
Deep inside the courtyard, there is a brand-new secret room made of blue bricks. The door to the secret room is connected to a long passageway, which is only wide enough for two people to pass at the same time.
More than ten people, dressed in simple leather aprons and with bamboo tubes hanging from their waists, were the fearsome poison water team, guarding the entrance to the tunnel.
Inside the sealed room, the dim light of an oil lamp cast flickering shadows, illuminating three figures sitting on a broken wooden box.
It was Fox Jesse, the leader of the Black Fox Gang, and his two eighth-rank hall masters—Fox Fourth and Fox Seven.
The gang leader, Fox Jessie, wore a seemingly ordinary brocade robe, but which was actually lined with fine iron plates. He was playing with two iron balls in his hands, making a "crunching" sound as he squeezed them.
"Fourth brother, wait until the fourth watch of the night, when it's quiet outside, and deliver this batch of 'goods' to Shazhou City right on time, overnight."
The "goods" that Fox Jesse mentioned were undoubtedly the children being held captive in the basement of the secret room.
His voice was hoarse and low as he continued to instruct, "The person who will meet you is outside the South Gate; they have the governor's token. Remember, keep your hands and feet clean, and don't make any mistakes."
The one named, Fox Fourth, was a short, stocky man.
Hearing this, he asked in confusion:
"Boss, isn't it too hasty to send them away like this? We haven't raised enough money from Shazhou yet! Besides, that woman from the Yin family is injured, so she probably won't have the guts to come."
Fox Aqi, who was almost dozing off, was a little annoyed when he heard that there was work to do in the middle of the night and he couldn't sleep, but he didn't show it.
So he took over the conversation, his tone slightly obsequious:
"Fourth Brother is right, Chief. You know this passageway outside. Our Poison Water Team has sealed it off; even a god couldn't get in! Even if that woman brings reinforcements and fills the gap with lives, they absolutely can't break through!"
Fox Jesse opened his triangular eyes, a cold glint flashing in them, and swept them over the two of them. The hand that was holding the iron ball stopped.
He lowered his voice and scolded:
"What do you two lazy idiots know? If you can't raise the required amount, at most you'll get a smaller reward, but if word gets out and Yin Ruyu gets desperate, do you think the Yin family of Shazhou is someone to be trifled with?"
At this point, Fox Jesse paused.
The image of a sheep-headed man dressed in the robes of a governor came to mind.
His voice was even colder:
"That lord of Shazhou personally selected this batch of 'boys,' and the county magistrate only relayed the order from the middle. This batch of 'goods' cannot be allowed to go wrong in our hands. We must get rid of it first and deal with it after this storm has passed!"
Fox Fourth and Fox Seven exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of fear in each other's eyes.
They had no idea what the "that person" the gang leader was referring to really meant.
But when they heard the gang leader say that the county magistrate was just relaying the order, they realized with shock that this official was a truly powerful figure who could decide their life or death.
There's more to this than meets the eye!
Fox Seven reacted the fastest, immediately bowing:
"The leader is truly wise! It was my oversight; we should have sent this batch first!"
Fox Fourth followed suit: "This subordinate is foolish, but will follow the leader's orders without fail and will not make any mistakes!"
In truth, Fox Jessie knew that what the two hall masters said made sense.
But that's how the art of managing people works. You always have to find an opportunity to pretend to be profound, to explain that you have connections with important people, and then use that as leverage to give your subordinates a warning.
Now that the reprimand is over, it's time to offer some benefits.
Fox Jessie's expression softened slightly. He took out two precious medicines carefully wrapped in yellow silk from the wooden box under his seat and tossed them to the two men respectively.
"This is a 30-year-old wild ginseng, which I obtained from my master. It is quite helpful for breaking through to the next realm. Do your job well, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
Fox Fourth and Fox Seven took the silk package and felt its slight weight. They could smell the unique medicinal fragrance of the old ginseng even through the silk.
Their faces showed surprise and greed.
Previously, the leader only gave them 10-year-old ginseng and lingzhi every month. After taking them, it was already the limit to stabilize their current eighth-grade cultivation level.
In Crescent Moon County, only the three major families have stable channels for this 30-year-old precious medicine, and perhaps only their leaders can still bring it out.
For these eighth-rank martial artists who have an urgent need for qi and blood and medicinal power, this is like sending charcoal in snowy weather.
"Thank you for your guidance, Boss!"
The two thanked each other in unison and carefully put the precious medicine wrapped in silk cloth close to their bodies.
Fox Jesse stood up and flicked non-existent dust off his clothes:
"Seven, go prepare the convoy for the second half of the night. Fourth Brother, you stay here and keep watch, paying attention to the messages from the sentries outside, in case that woman tries to cause trouble again. Remember, keep your eyes peeled!"
"yes!"
The two men solemnly accepted the order.
Fox Jesse said no more, turned and walked to the corner of the secret room, opened the stone door, revealing a dark cellar entrance that stretched downwards.
A stronger musty smell, along with the faint sound of a child sobbing, came from below.
He bent down and crawled inside, then closed the stone door.
They were clearly not at ease.
They went down to count the children again.
Ah Qi also left, and at this time, only Fox Fourth and the Poison Water team members remained guarding the entrance to the secret chamber passage.
One of the team members watched as Fox Fourth took out the precious medicine from his pocket again, touching it again and again through the yellow silk cloth.
I absolutely love it.
As this team member watched Fox Lao Si's actions, the longing for the old ginseng in his eyes was almost overflowing.
In this chaotic world, especially for martial artists and gang members struggling at the bottom, precious meat and medicine that can enhance their strength are more attractive than gold and silver.
His longing gaze was naturally noticed by Fox Fourth.
Fox Fourth walked over, patted the bowing and scraping Poison Water team members on the shoulder, and said, "Keep up the good work. The boss said that as long as you're willing to risk your life, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future!"
The team member was thrilled to hear this, but he still made a bold request:
"Fourth Master, could you please show me your precious medicine and broaden my horizons?"
Fox Lao Si became wary and put the old ginseng back into his arms, as if afraid that the team member would take it and swallow it in one gulp.
Even if a few whiskers are damaged, it's still not good!
So Fox Brother Four calmly refused:
"This isn't mine; it belongs to our Black Fox Gang. As the head of the gang, I only have the right to use this precious medicine for one month, so I have no right to show it to you."