The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 58: Calculating the Heavens is Easier than Calculating People

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Calculating the Heavens is Easier than Calculating People

"So ruthless, who did this?"

Sha Lifei heard it and was somewhat incredulous.

Even Li Yan furrowed his brows.

Annihilating an entire family was a major taboo in the pugilistic world!

The conflict between both parties was merely a matter of interest. Even though they had already fallen out, they still adhered to the rules of the pugilistic world and wouldn’t challenge the limits set by the government.

Don’t be fooled by the current uproar. There was a possibility they might still reconcile one day.

Therefore, he deliberately claimed he wanted to assassinate the Left Minister to act reckless and avoid getting too deeply involved with the Zhang father and son.

What family friendship? When it came to betrayal, such words wouldn’t be mentioned again.

How did trouble arise after just one day of leaving?

The Zhang father and son wouldn’t be so foolish, right?

"That’s exactly the problem!"

Manager Wan shook his head and clicked his tongue, "No one knows who did it. It was only discovered because the nearby residents noticed something wrong in the morning and reported it to the authorities."

"The whole family, along with a few direct disciples in attendance, had their throats slit, and the weapon used was a Guan Mountain Blade!"

Li Yan frowned, "A bladesman?"

"Who knows?"

Manager Wan scoffed, "Everyone knows bladesmen are hired hands. If they don’t want to reveal their identity, they can easily plant evidence. Anyway, it’s not hard to get a Guan Mountain Blade."

"Today, people from the Zhou Family stormed the Zhang Martial Arts Hall, demanding the culprit be handed over. Naturally, the Zhang family would not admit to it, and now both sides are at an impasse."

"The key problem is Zheng Xianhuai’s identity. The government wanted to turn a blind eye, but now they’ve had no choice but to get involved."

Li Yan nodded, also recalling Zheng Xianhuai’s identity.

Zhou Family’s Eight Vajras, each with different statuses.

Zheng Hebei and Yuan Qu controlled two major gangs in the city, specializing in collecting money for the Zhou Family and handling dirty work that couldn’t be taken to the surface.

Wang Yao operated a medical facility, treating injuries for the Zhou Family and two other gangs, and often provided free consultations to gain a good reputation.

Zhou Peide was mainly responsible for the operation of the Zhou Family Martial Arts Hall.

The remaining four Vajras held chief positions at the largest escort agency locally and served as instructors at the Divine Fist Association, teaching martial arts to villagers.

These people were influential in both the black and white worlds, forming the Zhou Family’s network of interests.

Zheng Xianhuai was one of the instructors in the Divine Fist Association.

No matter how you calculate it, he held a semi-official status.

Xianyang’s government couldn’t ignore the matter even if they wanted to.

Sha Lifei spoke speechlessly, "The Zhang father and son would have to be insane to target him."

Manager Wan nodded, "Who says otherwise? But things have gotten to this point, and even Zhou Pan is finding it difficult to manage. There’s already been bloodshed on the streets during the day."

"To quell the incident, the court also tacitly acknowledged that it was a bladesman’s doing. Currently, government officials are searching everywhere, and Brother Li is also one of the suspects."

"Earlier this morning, officials searched Wendao Temple, claiming you were escaping punishment and planning a manhunt, but later were stopped by Arrest Officer Guan Wanche and left it unresolved."

Sha Lifei was instantly anxious when he heard this, "Isn’t this blatantly framing us, trying to dump a bad reputation on us!"

Manager Wan shook his head, "There’s no choice. Once the government gets involved, regardless of whether there’s evidence or not, the best option is to avoid entering the city for now."

"Everyone should stay put here. Once the commotion settles, I’ll personally testify for you and clear the matter."

"Then we must thank you, Old Brother Wan."

"It’s what should be done among friends in the pugilistic world."

Manager Wan replied courteously, then ordered people to bring food and arrange accommodation for them. Finally, he got busy dismantling that Thunderstruck Wood.

Inside the room, the three looked at each other.

"It’s a good thing we left early."

Sha Lifei said with lingering fear, "If we had left a day later, we would’ve been caught and thrown into jail by the officials at dawn. Then, with the Zhou Family playing dirty tricks, an autumn beheading would be inevitable!"

Li Yan and Wang Daoxuan nodded in agreement.

They, who mingled in the pugilistic world, were well aware of the nature of those officials. To make up for their lack of results, they’d do anything.

Under the current circumstances, finding out who the real culprit was no longer mattered.

The most important thing was whether they could offer an explanation and quash the incident.

At that time, to clear their names, the Zhang father and son might act as if nothing happened.

And they would unjustly die in prison.

"Let’s lay low for a few days."

Li Yan mused, "I suspect someone orchestrated this, possibly intending to create chaos and sow discord for their own gain."

"There’s no telling if they’ll make another move..."

Although this incident had occurred, the three weren’t particularly worried.

Such was the world they lived in; who didn’t have a few enemies? Besides, they had already planned to watch from the sidelines, so they might as well stay in Shangyi Village to recuperate for a while.

Moreover, after not sleeping all night, the three hastily ate and retired early to rest with the lamp turned off.

Naturally, in the pugilistic world, one must always be cautious.

All three slept in their clothes, taking turns to keep watch...

...

The candlelight dimmed, and the sound of a woman sobbing continued.

Zhou Bai lay on the bed, though he was already awake, his face was pale, and he stared blankly at the beam in the ceiling as if he were dead.

His heart was indeed dead.

Since childhood, he bore the title of genius, surrounded by flattery, and was arrogant, thinking that after one glorious victory in the ring, he could travel the pugilistic world and make a name for himself.

At the foot of Songshan in the Central Plains, the martial atmosphere was strong with masters abound...

The chief escorts in Jinzhou’s agencies all had exceptional skills...

In Jiao State, Xiangxi, Jiangnan... Strange talents were emerging from both the bright and dark Eight Gates.

Listening to these stories since childhood had filled him with yearning.

Yet now, it was all for naught.

He became a cripple who couldn’t even manage to urinate while standing!

A plump woman sat by the bed, wiping her tears. She was his biological mother, Madam Jia.

And Zhou Peide stood by the door, his face gloomy. Hearing the woman cry, he became irritated and scolded, "Crying, what use is it?"

If he had remained silent, it would have been fine; but at his reprimand, Madam Jia, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, leapt up, screaming, "You old thing, our son’s been beaten like this and you say nothing, yet come here to vent on me!"

As she spoke, she lunged to scratch him.

Madam Jia of the Zhou Family was known for being shrewish and cunning, always gaining and never losing an advantage in Xianyang City.

Zhou Peide, holding in anger, got his face accidentally scratched by Jia, immediately became enraged and slapped her hard twice.

Madam Jia was slapped to the ground, beating her chest and wailing.

Zhou Bai, annoyed by the quarrel, snapped back to his senses, his face flushed, veins bulging on his forehead, as his trembling hands clutched the quilt tightly, glaring at Zhou Peide through clenched teeth and said,

"Father, avenge... avenge me!"

"Don’t worry, Bai’er, I’ll definitely take that kid’s head for you!"

Zhou Peide’s eyes burned with malice as he turned and left.

Leaving the courtyard, Zhou Peide hadn’t walked far before being stopped by a patrolling disciple, who carefully bowed his head, "Third Master, where are you going?"

Zhou Peide coldly responded, "Do I need to report to you wherever I go?"

The disciple, embarrassed, quickly apologized, "Please don’t blame me, Third Master. It’s just that with Uncle Zheng’s recent incident, the Master ordered us to stay alert at night; no one’s allowed out."

"I have important matters to attend to, get out of the way!"

Zhou Peide pushed the disciple aside and hadn’t walked far before turning back to threaten, "You’d better pretend you didn’t see me, or you know the consequences of talking!"

"Yes, Third Master."

The patrolling disciple grimaced but dared not speak further.

Zhou Peide snorted and left through the side door of the Zhou Family Mansion, disappearing alone into the night.

He moved quickly and arrived at a residence in no time.

The residence was well-lit, it was Yuan Qu’s place.

Disciples were already stationed outside, and after a message was passed, Yuan Qu quickly came out to personally escort Zhou Peide into the courtyard.

Zhou Peide’s expression was somber, and without wasting words, he sat directly at the main seat after entering the hall, speaking coldly, "So, did you find anything?"

Yuan Qu hesitated a bit, "We did find some clues, but the matter is rather tricky..."

"What is it, spit it out, why hesitate!"

Zhou Peide slammed the table furiously, rebuking him.

Truth be told, he looked down on Yuan Qu, and even more so because the latter indirectly caused Zhou Bai’s injury. It was a wonder he didn’t strike him.

But there was no choice; Zhou Peide controlled the martial arts hall.

Since the disciple he sent out was discovered, he completely lost track of Li Yan and his group’s whereabouts. As a last resort, he sought out Yuan Qu.

"Yes."

Yuan Qu wiped the sweat off his forehead, quickly bowing, "The news came from Taixing Transport."

"Zhou Senior must know that Taixing Transport has never gotten along with us and has been in cahoots with Old Man Zhang and his gang. So, I planted someone there."

"Today, the informant found out that those three rented horses to Chunhua County for unknown purposes, and now they’ve returned, hiding in Shangyi Village outside Xianyang City."

"Then go capture them!"

Zhou Peide shouted angrily.

Yuan Qu smiled wryly, "Senior, please calm down. Shangyi Village is no ordinary place. Manager Wan of ’Wensheng Pavilion’ is not just a Mystical Sect craftsman involved with Taixuan Orthodox Sect, but also an elder of the Xianyang Craftsmen Guild."

"Things are chaotic enough already. Although the Craftsmen Guild seems unremarkable, they hold many experts. If we drag them into this as well, the Master would not forgive us."

Hearing this, Zhou Peide also furrowed his brows.

The Craftsmen Guild belonged to the "Eight Professions" among the Five Elements and Eight Professions in the pugilistic world, overseeing carpenters, stonemasons, and bricklayers in the city.

These people seemed to be business-minded, harmonious for the sake of prosperity, but Zhou Peide knew some secrets—many Mystical Sect members were within, making them hard to provoke.

If they went into the village to demand people and were denied, they’d have no recourse.

Moreover, seeking revenge after a fight in the ring wasn’t reasonable to begin with.

With these thoughts, Zhou Peide couldn’t help but frown, coldly staring at Yuan Qu, "I know you have plenty of tricks. Since you brought this up, you must have a way."

"This..."

Yuan Qu glanced around and, after waving his disciples away, whispered, "There is a way. If it succeeds, we can not only avenge but also give the Craftsmen Guild no reason to interfere. It’s just a matter of whether Senior dares."

Zhou Peide chuckled bitterly, his eyes full of righteous indignation, "At this point, there’s nothing I wouldn’t dare to do."

Yuan Qu spoke softly, "I know a high-level Magic Veins practitioner. If he acts, he can lure Li Yan out of the village and then have bladesmen ambush him, ensuring he dies without a burial place."

"But this high-level practitioner’s price isn’t low."

Zhou Peide cast a cold glance, "How much is needed? I’ve saved up some money over the years, and I have a treasure protecting the house. If it succeeds, I can also give it to him."

"He doesn’t want money."

Yuan Qu whispered, "He desires... boys and girls!"