Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System-Chapter 41: Gang

"After Big Saber Hong disbanded his mountain stronghold, some of his men bribed their way into the good graces of the Government Office and formed a small gang in North City. My butcher shop and the other stores on Wine Street have all received extortion letters from them these past few days. They’re demanding we hand over more than seventy percent of our monthly income. Tell me, isn’t that just driving us to our deaths?"

Butcher Hu sighed.

Chu Lingguang glanced at the extortion letter. It was indeed tyrannical and cruel.

’But these guys who formed a gang in North City... must have some power and backing if they can bribe the Government Office. Butcher Hu is really overestimating me. I’m not even a Martial Scholar yet. How could I possibly help with something like this?’

So he said, "Hu, the powers in the Jianghu are tangled and complex. If this isn’t handled properly, angering them could backfire. Why don’t you go ask my master? See if he has any ideas."

"I already went to him this morning. Master Guo doesn’t want anything to do with it, which is why I came to you."

Butcher Hu looked distressed.

Chu Lingguang looked troubled. ’He knew it must be because of the Big Saber Hong incident that Master Guo is unwilling to interfere in this kind of conflict again. Besides, if the people who founded the gang in North City really are Big Saber Hong’s former subordinates, how could Master Guo live with himself if he got involved again?’

’If even Master Guo won’t touch it, how could I dare?’

He could only refuse, saying, "Hu, I can’t help you with this. Why don’t you try the Government Office? Lord Xu just took office; maybe he can seek justice for you."

"That... I suppose."

Butcher Hu was taken aback, then nodded stiffly.

He was a smart man. He knew that if he kept pestering Chu Lingguang, not only would he not get any help, but he would also earn Chu Lingguang’s disdain. The relationship they had worked so hard to build might be ruined today.

"Take care, Hu."

"Mm, the bandits have all come down from the mountains. You should head back early, too."

After the two said their goodbyes, Chu Lingguang returned to Liu Family Gully. He took a cold bath, sat on his bed, and began practicing his Breathing Technique again.

This wasn’t the first time Chu Lingguang had heard that things had become unstable in Baiyang County and Qinghe County since Big Saber Hong disbanded his bandits. He just hadn’t expected that some of them would be able to forge connections with the Government Office, quickly establish a foothold in North City, and start collecting protection fees from the merchants there.

’If it were just a single bandit, I could have helped Butcher Hu. But to deal with a whole gang... even if I became a Martial Scholar, or even a Martial Arts Scholar, I wouldn’t necessarily have the confidence for that.’

’I know that rejecting Butcher Hu this time has created a rift between us. But that’s just how it is. I’m too weak right now; I have to think of myself first.’

The next morning, Chu Lingguang went to the Martial Arts Hall to train again, continuing his practice of the Heavenward Force. After a while, Hei Hu arrived with his father, Master Hei, to see Guo Wei.

The father and son spoke with Guo Wei in the reception hall for a while.

In the end, Master Hei left with a note, looking very satisfied.

Chu Lingguang was very curious about why Master Hei had come to see Guo Wei so early in the morning, but it wasn’t his place to ask. So he pretended not to have noticed anything, lifting his Stone Lock and wandering back and forth near Hei Hu.

Hei Hu couldn’t hold it in and said, "A Big Saber Gang has appeared in North City, and they even tried to collect protection money from my family! I took my Iron Spear and brandished it around North City all last night, but my dad was still worried. He insisted on coming to Master for a note to prove I’m his disciple, to show those Big Saber Gang guys."

"Hmph, once I pass the examination to become a Martial Arts Scholar, I’ll definitely drive this whole gang of thugs out of Baiyang County."

Hei Hu seethed with righteous indignation.

"Your father was just worried the Big Saber Gang would interfere with your training, Senior Brother. You shouldn’t misunderstand his intentions."

Chu Lingguang was lost in thought.

’Hei Hu is Master Guo’s disciple. When his family is being bullied, it’s perfectly reasonable for him to come and ask for help. But Butcher Hu is an outsider. I can’t just ask Master Guo to write a note for him to show the Big Saber Gang, like Hei Hu did.’

’First, Master Guo is helping Hei Hu out of the affection between a master and disciple. If I were to use that same sentiment for Butcher Hu, it would make Master Guo think I don’t value our relationship.’

’Second, using a favor from Master Guo to earn a favor from Butcher Hu would also be disrespectful to Master Guo.’

’Most importantly, if Master Guo had been willing to help Butcher Hu, I wouldn’t have needed to ask. He would have solved the problem himself when Butcher Hu came to see him.’

’I can’t overstep the bounds of these social customs and Favors.’

’I certainly can’t use Hei Hu’s method to solve Butcher Hu’s problem.’

’Nor can I plead with the Big Saber Gang on Butcher Hu’s behalf in my capacity as Master Guo’s disciple. That would also provoke Master Guo’s resentment and make it seem like I was just flaunting his reputation.’

With his current abilities, this matter seemed unsolvable. So Chu Lingguang stopped agonizing over it and focused on practicing his Heavenward Force on the side.

After dinner that evening, Chu Lingguang returned to Liu Family Gully.

He was about to take a cold bath and continue practicing the Tidal Breathing Technique when he suddenly heard a commotion. He went outside to look and saw people gathering at the entrance to Liu Lishi’s home.

They were all relatives of Liu Lishi.

The last time, after Liu Quan became Tie Zhennan’s disciple, Liu Lishi had a front tooth knocked out by Guo Wei, and Guo Fang had splashed manure around his courtyard. The entire family’s reputation in Liu Family Gully was in tatters. They went to the county town to hide for a few days, and everyone thought the Liu family was moving away. But less than a month later, they moved back.

Slowly, everyone forgot about the incident with Liu Quan. As Tie Zhennan gained merit for suppressing bandits and Liu Quan was given important responsibilities, Liu Lishi’s status in Liu Family Gully also grew higher and higher.

Chu Lingguang found it strange. It was almost dark, so what was Liu Lishi gathering his clan relatives for? Usually, if there was a dispute with the neighboring village over water for the wheat fields, Liu Lishi would rally everyone in Liu Family Gully, and most people would respond for the sake of a good harvest.

’This time he’s only gathering his own family. Who are they going to fight?’

"Quan and a few of his senior brothers are waiting for us in North City! Let’s hurry up!"

"Dammit, our Liu Family worked so hard to get two shops on Wine Street. Our whole family depends on those two shops to eat. If the Big Saber Gang doesn’t want to let us live, we’ll fight them to the death."

"Let’s go! Time to fight!"

Liu Lishi led a large procession of his kinsmen as they charged toward North City.

Chu Lingguang finally understood.

When Liu Quan became Tie Zhennan’s disciple, Liu Lishi had received a sum of silver taels. A few months ago, he opened two shops on Wine Street, and life was getting better day by day. He never expected a Big Saber Gang to appear in North City and shatter the peace.

To deal with this, Liu Lishi had actually called Liu Quan back from Qinghe County.

Now he was gathering his relatives to go and back up Liu Quan.

Chu Lingguang thought for a moment and decided to follow them to have a look. He mainly wanted to see what kind of Kung Fu Liu Quan had learned after following Tie Zhennan for over half a year, and how strong he had become.