Chapter 365: Chapter 210: Increased Lifespan (2)

A short while later, at the Celestial Break Gang’s headquarters.

The gang members all greeted him one after another. Cheng Zongyang summoned only Zhao the Seventh, Li Xian, and Chen Eryun, and they entered Li Lu’s room to check on the situation. The other captains remained outside, waiting.

But because of He Shujun, several of the captains had been killed.

Inside the room, Li Lu was still unconscious from his injuries. His arms had already been bandaged by a Doctor. With Xiao Bing dead, the only ones left to make decisions were the three of them.

This time, Cheng Zongyang had no intention of sending Li Lu to the small market hut for treatment. After all, it wasn’t a life-or-death situation like before.

His arms were broken, but Cheng Zongyang had brought an ointment from Zhang Jinquan, one specifically for Martial Artists’ injuries like broken limbs.

He first handed the medicine he’d brought to Li Xian and said:

"This is Bone Healing Ointment. It works wonders on fractures. Apply it evenly to both of his arms, then bandage them well. Wait five days before changing the dressing. Use up the entire portion over three applications."

"Yes, yes, thank you, my lord," Li Xian said gratefully, cupping his fists.

He knew very well that the medicines Cheng Zongyang provided were no ordinary things. Last time, his uncle’s injuries had been even more severe, yet he had recovered in just a few days.

Cheng Zongyang then asked, "How many of the contracted Martial Artists died this time?"

Li Xian immediately replied, "Including Hall Master Xiao, six in total. These were all stationed at the headquarters. The others were mostly out on assignments and managed to avoid the disaster."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. ’That matches up.’

"Alright, you handle the aftermath. Apply this medicine to your uncle first. We’ll talk in the main hall later so we don’t disturb Gang Leader Li’s rest."

Everyone nodded.

After leaving the room and seeing everyone gathered in the courtyard, Li Xian immediately said, "Everyone, disperse. Get back to your duties."

"Yes, Hall Master," the captains all replied before departing.

「The Main Hall」

Li Xian went to have the Doctor change the dressing, then returned to the main hall.

Once everyone was gathered again, Cheng Zongyang began to give his instructions.

"Li Xian, your hall is in charge of the gang’s various affairs. We have now dealt with the He Family. You will take full charge of what comes next. Reclaim all of the He Family’s resources. I will have Zhou Zhendong assist you."

"Yes, my lord," Li Xian replied with a cupped-fist salute. He had absolutely no objections to Cheng Zongyang’s commands.

Everyone present knew that even if Gang Leader Li Lu were here right now, he would still have to obey Cheng Zongyang.

It was just that Cheng Zongyang rarely interfered.

Cheng Zongyang looked at Zhao the Seventh. "Zhao the Seventh, continue to gather intelligence on the movements of the other three families. Even though we have reached a business agreement, one can never be too careful. Pay close attention."

The Earth Demon Hall was responsible for intelligence, so it was naturally his responsibility.

"Yes," Zhao the Seventh also replied with a cupped-fist salute.

As for Chen Eryun’s Wind and Cloud Hall, its responsibility was the gang’s business affairs, so there wasn’t much to say at the moment. Chen Eryun had already arranged everything that needed to be done; he was just waiting for the County Town’s economy to return to its normal cycle before launching his plans.

However, the farmers’ market proposed by Li Yihuo, to be located beneath the city wall in West City, had now been handed over to the Wind and Cloud Hall to manage.

This sort of place was well-suited for a gang to manage. A commercial market by day and a ghost market by night—they could control it all.

Thinking of this, Cheng Zongyang looked at Chen Eryun. "The farmers’ market should be the quickest project to get off the ground, right? If there are any problems, tell me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Eryun immediately answered, "Yes, my lord. The Ministry of Works Hall has used a work-for-relief program and has nearly finished constructing both the north and south markets.

"We’ve planned for eight hundred stalls. Following the Chief Shopkeeper’s instructions, we have systematically organized them, separating stalls by size, by goods—wet or dry—by smell, and by proximity to drainage channels. There are no problems at the moment. If we need more stalls in the future, we will expand."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "As long as you have it under control. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask the Chief Shopkeeper. As I just said, the Xu, Qiu, and Ding families have already reached an agreement with us. You have a free hand to do what you need to in West City. Don’t worry about them causing trouble."

Chen Eryun cupped his fists. "Yes, my lord."

Only then did Cheng Zongyang say, "Hall Master Xiao has died in battle. The gang must take responsibility for his family. But do you have a candidate in mind for the new Hall Master?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

As the gang’s combat hall, the Zhenwu Hall naturally needs a leader with sufficient strength, one whom everyone can respect.

But the gang was built from nothing, its members all promoted from the ranks of ordinary people in a short amount of time. Their strength couldn’t be considered that great.

The gang’s development and the improvement of its members’ strength both required time.

Hearing this, Li Xian and the other two exchanged a glance and shook their heads. Chen Eryun, however, spoke up:

"My lord, this subordinate suggests we hold a martial tournament within the Zhenwu Hall to select the new leader. That way, everyone will be convinced of their merit."

But Zhao the Seventh added, "That method could work, but management is also an issue. The new leader can’t just be a good fighter."

Chen Eryun fell silent.

Few of those present, or even in the entire gang, were literate, let alone capable of management.

Xiao Bing hadn’t known how to manage either; he simply followed Li Lu’s orders.

To put it simply, he was a blunt instrument—he struck wherever he was told to strike.

Cheng Zongyang nodded in agreement with Zhao the Seventh’s words.

"A Hall Master can’t be someone who just rushes into things hot-headedly. They must also have some management skills. The three of you are all quite good. That’s why we cannot be careless in this selection."

If a Hall Master loves to brawl and has courage but no strategy, then they are nothing more than a brute.

Li Xian cupped his fists and asked, "Does my lord have a candidate in mind?"

Cheng Zongyang glanced at him and said flatly, "No. You make the initial selection. If I find someone suitable, I will let you know."

"Yes."

With his instructions given, Cheng Zongyang did not linger any longer and prepared to leave.

’The external threat is resolved. Internal matters can be handled slowly. There’s no need to rush anymore.’

However, just as he reached the front courtyard, he happened upon Lu Wushuang, who was being stopped by a gang disciple. Lu Wushuang looked anxious, but she didn’t dare act rashly.

When she saw Cheng Zongyang, her eyes lit up, and she quickly called out, "Cheng Zongyang, it’s me!"

"Insolent!" Zhao the Seventh, who had followed from behind, bellowed. "Is the lord’s name something you can shout so casually?!"

"That’s enough." Cheng Zongyang shot Zhao the Seventh a weary look. "You make me sound like I’m not even a person."

Zhao the Seventh chuckled. "My lord, your status is different. Naturally, you must be shown respect."

Cheng Zongyang ignored Zhao the Seventh’s flattery and walked over to Lu Wushuang. When he was near, he asked, "Were you looking for me?"

Lu Wushuang nodded. A hint of hesitation appeared on her fair, pretty, and youthful round face. Finally, she asked in a low voice, "That matter... how did it turn out?"

Cheng Zongyang paused for a moment, then quickly recalled what she was referring to and nodded slightly.

"It’s been resolved. He Shujun is dead. But your father... was also killed by He Shujun. He likely plotted against your father some time ago, planting something in his body. Your father had been feeling unwell before, hadn’t he?"

’These words, half-truth and half-lie, would be easier for her to believe.’

’Only He Shujun knew that I was the one who killed her father, but Lu Wushuang will never know that.’

Although she had already prepared herself mentally, upon hearing the final confirmation, Lu Wushuang pressed her lips together and bit her lower lip, trying to control her emotions. But tears betrayed her efforts, sliding silently and uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She nodded slightly. She recalled that her father had indeed been feeling unwell over the past few days. He had been sick on the night of the incident, too.

But she had never imagined it was all part of a long-running plot by He Shujun.

"There’s no need to discuss the specific methods," Cheng Zongyang said. "Your father’s body is still at the He Family estate; you can go and retrieve it." As he spoke, he observed Lu Wushuang’s black martial attire. She had the air of a swordswoman.

Suddenly, he found himself staring at Lu Wushuang for a moment. ’This girl is also a Ninth Grade Martial Artist...’

An idea suddenly formed in Cheng Zongyang’s mind.

’Perhaps she could be a candidate for the Zhenwu Hall?’

’The girl is smart, and being an Entry Grade Martial Artist at only fifteen or sixteen proves she has decent Talent for Martial Arts Training. With the right resources, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to improve.’

But the girl was still grieving, so it wasn’t the right time to bring this up. He turned to Li Xian and said:

"When you have a moment, personally escort Miss Lu to retrieve Patriarch Lu’s body. Give him a proper burial."

Li Xian, who was standing beside him, cupped his fists. "Yes, my lord."

"Thank you."

Lu Wushuang managed to get her emotions under control. She wiped her red-rimmed eyes and looked at Cheng Zongyang, a hint of gratitude visible within her grief-stricken gaze.

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly and turned to leave.