You're Strong But Now You're Mine
Chapter 134 - 133: Crimson Blood Young Master Qin Le Yin

Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Crimson Blood Young Master Qin Le Yin

"Of course not!"

Le Yu waved his hand with a laugh: "You’re joking, patriarch, I was obviously joking earlier, I don’t even dare to kill a chicken, how could I want to kill someone?"

Qin Leyin smiled but remained silent.

"Moreover, whether I want to or not, I don’t have the capability," Le Yu looked at Qin Leyin’s hair with a tone of admiration: "Not to mention others, just with you, patriarch, I can’t even win against you."

The Crimson Blood Lord, Qin Leyin, was naturally investigated early on by Jing Zhengwei, both because he was undeniably the next patriarch of the Qin Family and because he was related by marriage to Jing Zhengwu—if others might be allies, Qin Leyin was inevitably an enemy, so how could Jing Zhengwei not pay attention?

Furthermore, among the younger generation in Xuanzhu, the only one who could instill fear in Jing Zhengwei was Qin Leyin right in front of him!

Yes, Jing Zhengwei was not afraid of his brothers vying for the patriarch position, not afraid of the talents from the other four major merchant associations, only afraid of Qin Leyin. Because he knew, in the vast Xuanzhu County, apart from him Jing Zhengwei, Qin Leyin was the only merchant descendant who dared to practice the forbidden battle technique!

Most people in Huyao have black hair, Qin Leyin’s red hair was naturally not innate, but the result of practicing a forbidden battle technique. Despite investigating for years, Jing Zhengwei never found out exactly what battle technique Qin Leyin practiced, only finding two records of Qin Leyin’s battles—yet these two incidents made Jing Zhengwei completely unwilling to confront Qin Leyin!

Bloody!

Both times Qin Leyin acted, he left nearly indelible bloody marks, and when Jing Zhengwei investigated, he even found a piece of shredded flesh like cotton!

Terror!

Brutality!

Even though Jing Zhengwei never knew what battle technique Qin Leyin practiced, he vaguely realized in his heart that the forbidden battle technique Qin Leyin practiced was likely more cruel and powerful than his own Qin Sun Harmony Technique!

There’s a clear distinction between forbidden battle techniques and ordinary ones: ordinary techniques are not judged by hierarchy but simply differ; the hierarchy always pertains to the martial artist themselves; however, forbidden battle techniques are different, they do have hierarchy.

Firstly, martial artists of the same realm, whether forbidden or ordinary, naturally, forbidden martial artists are stronger—why else would one learn a forbidden battle technique?

Secondly, among martial artists practicing forbidden techniques, the more torturous the technique, the stronger they are!

All forbidden techniques without exception have the trait of intense hypnosis, because fundamentally techniques are results of martial artists twisting reality through spiritual power; thus, the more intensely spiritual power is stimulated, the stronger the distortion.

The best and most common method to stimulate spiritual power is, of course, pain.

Historically, some ’white-haired overnight’ and ’dawn enlightenment’ legendary martial artists were due to unspeakable spiritual pain, their spiritual power attempting to distort and even alter reality, resulting in many legendary stories that could never occur again.

’Crossing the Tribulation’ also leverages pain to stimulate spiritual power. When a martial artist faces a tribulation they don’t wish to confront, continuously suffering pain, eventual success leads to feedback of clarity, significantly boosting the martial artist’s spiritual power.

In comparison, the superiority of Huyao’s tribulation-crossing system can be seen: it includes both pain and joy, challenges and success, hence its widespread promotion until now.

And the Qin Sun Harmony Technique undoubtedly uses pain too: rejecting human desires, envisioning oneself as approaching the ascetic sages.

Hidden Sword Technique is the most terrifying—Le Yu learned from Yin Sound that Sword Concealers do not start by hiding the light; rather, through a process of ’Light Injection’ over dozens of days, Sword Concealers suddenly ’enlighten,’ capable of accommodating light, moving in darkness.

This so-called ’enlightenment,’ rather than achieving the revered acupoint clearance through self-destructive techniques of battle, is more likely a consequence of overwhelming pain, distorting reality with spiritual power, transforming oneself into a light-concealing person.

The more painful, the stronger the distortion.

Honestly, Jing Zhengwei feels the Qin Sun isn’t extremely painful.

Though he was tortured into abnormality, in his heart he knows, within the realm of forbidden battle techniques, Qin Sun should be the lowest of forbidden techniques, and naturally, its effect is also the weakest.

Improving qualification and intelligence, fearless of pain, resistant to blades... all Qin Sun’s advantages are directly overshadowed by Hidden Sword’s ’darkness invincibility.’

In Huyao Dynasty over two thousand years, only the Hidden Sword Technique was officially banned, not without reason.

Although he didn’t know what kind of technique caused hair color to change to red, Jing Zhengwei dared not provoke this forbidden technique involving physical transformation.

"Why belittle yourself," Qin Leyin said lightly, "Zhengwei, your strength is recognized. Though aided by others, being able to escape a dark alley blockade proves you’re a warrior who risks life and death."

"Whereas here..." Qin Leyin tapped the table: "Most are merchants fearing death, you kill them like chickens."

Le Yu was about to speak when Ting Chaozao suddenly shook a bell. The sound it emitted was peculiar, not harsh, but penetrating, echoing like a magic tune in everyone’s mind, making them momentarily forget their thoughts.

Once the sound ceased, everyone snapped back to their senses, with the VIP hall eerily silent.

The Soul-Stabilizing Stone Bell... Le Yu blinked his eyes, this was the Ting Family’s unique secret technique, briefly distracting all listeners by stimulating their spiritual power through the bell’s sound. Though hardly useful in battles—its prerequisite was listeners not engaging in combat since focused spiritual power renders the Soul-Stabilizing Stone Bell ineffective.

However, he felt strange about this tool, shaking the bell while others are unprepared to cause distraction, then... Yikes, they say the Ting Family prospered by leeching off others... could it be... Tsk tsk tsk.

"Since everyone is here, let’s start the meeting," said Ting Chaozao calmly, "I won’t say much, everyone has gathered due to the factory district riot incident days ago. There’s evidence the arsonists are not ordinary workers, but Backlight Particles trying to incite the masses."

"To defend our property, we need to form an autonomous patrol to handle night vigilance, and the responsibility for forming the patrol falls on us twenty people."

Someone asked, "Why not let the Patrol Execution Guard handle it?"

Quan Xin, spinning chopsticks, laughed: "The Patrol Execution Guard is short on manpower; they also have to guard the security near Jinyao Gate’s markets. If brought over here, the markets might be the next victims!"

Still confused, someone asked, "Then pay them to hire more people!"

Always snacking on seeds, Luo Zhen couldn’t help but scoff: "If we’re paying them to hire people, why attach to the Patrol Execution Guard at all? Wouldn’t it be better to hire them directly?"

At that point, everyone gained sudden realization, understanding why the Silver Blood Association wanted them, the second-generation talents, to form a mere patrol team—this was a strategic move to construct merchant power!

In this light, despite the attacks on the factory district being disastrous, it provided a beneficial opportunity for the Silver Blood Association to pressure the Governor’s office, securing more private militia formation rights!

Though the Governor, the Executive Officer, and the Heyang Army Governor are Silver Blood members, they don’t fully support merchants—no one is foolish; they wish to enjoy benefits brought by merchants, yet simultaneously limit their power.

Heyang Army officers have predominantly been civilian offspring; most in the Governor’s office hail from upright Literary Academy students; few merchant offspring govern in other counties in Dongyang District...

The Ting Family is most sensitive to this—most of their manufactured weapons must be sold to the Heyang Army and Governor’s office. Although they can arrange to keep some for themselves, the sheer comparison in firearms numbers is enough to extinguish merchants’ rebellious hearts!

Merchants attempt to grasp the scepter, while those in power continuously wish to exploit and control merchants!

Merchant associations indeed possess private militias, yet these forces are untrained, unable to formally purchase weapons; even Jing Zhengwei’s short-barreled shotgun had to be custom-made... good enough for home defense and oppressing civilians, but against regular troops, household guards are mere rabble.

If they can form a purely Silver Blood-controlled, fully armed independent force, it signifies a remarkable leap in Silver Blood’s power!

Silver Blood wants them in charge, hoping they can firmly seize control of this force!

"We can form a 150-man patrol team," Ting Chaozao said, "divided into three major units, each with one captain and one deputy; each major unit splits into two middle units, each having a middle unit leader; and each middle unit subdivides into two small units, led by small unit leaders."

"Small unit leaders will be selected from excellent soldiers; we are responsible for the positions of captain, deputy, and middle unit leaders, totaling twelve positions."

"In principle, all twelve of these positions should be taken by us. However, not everyone among you wants to take on this mess. Additionally, I require anyone assuming a specific role to follow orders, be responsible punctually, and ensure they can gain the allegiance of the soldiers—whether by spending money or using force, the result must be that we can completely control the patrol squad."

Ting Zhaozhao shook the bell again, this time many people were prepared and did not lose focus.

"The importance of the patrol squad and what our alliance signifies, I won’t elaborate on these," Ting Zhaozhao said indifferently. "Those without interest or ability can sit aside, those with ability should volunteer, but I remind you—the achievements you make in the patrol squad represent not just the present, but also the future."

The room was silent for a moment, then someone immediately raised a hand, "I want to be a squad leader."

"Me too!"

"I also..."

People aren’t foolish; they naturally understand what it means to hold a position in the patrol squad—gaining control over an independent force while also having the chance to form good relations with other business elites!

In a way, it’s like having served together, carried the guns together!

Although merchants only see profit, they also know friendship is the best catalyst for profit: because both sides can trust each other, they can exchange resources and get rich together!

The six squad leader positions were quickly divided up, leaving only three captain and three vice-captain positions.

These six positions were naturally reserved for the internal distribution among the five major merchants.

"I’ll be the captain." Ting Zhaozhao said calmly, "Jianbo, you be my vice-captain."

The taciturn Lan Jianbo nodded, indicating no issues. Everyone respected that the son of the Silver Blood Association president would be captain.

Quan Xin chuckled, "Then I’ll be a captain too."

Quan Xin’s uncle is Quan Yuan, the governor of Dongyang district, and him being a captain was something no one dared to object to.

Luo Zhen spat out a melon seed, "I also—"

"I think Jing Zhengwei is also suitable to be a captain."

The VIP lounge suddenly went silent, with everyone looking at the Blood Prince Qin Leyin, many with a hint of disbelief in their eyes.

However, Qin Leyin said calmly, "On the day of the attack on the factory district, Jing Zhengwei was the first to bring people to Half City for rescue and firefighting. In terms of enthusiasm, responsibility, and ability, doesn’t he have the qualifications to be a captain?"

Le Yu blinked, looking at the family member beside him who was speaking eloquently, his brows furrowing—could this be the so-called praise to kill? Deliberately putting me on the spot?

That Luo Zhen obviously isn’t a good person, spitting melon seed shells messily. Qin Leyin purposely elevating me to offend Luo Zhen, his intentions are sinister!

As expected, a man feared by Jing Zhengwei, a casual sentence brings me trouble, so I ought to—

"Alright."

Luo Zhen spread his hands at this moment and said, "Then let Jing Zhengwei be the captain. Quan Xin, go be vice-captain, I want to be captain."

"Get out! Properly be my vice-captain, later when I ask you to leave, you’re not allowed to walk!"

"Damn! Last time in Xiangxue Sea, who forgot money and borrowed from me!?"

"Who’d be so embarrassing? Certainly not me, I’m very wealthy."

"Damn it..."

"Then I’ll be Jing Zhengwei’s vice-captain."

The VIP lounge went silent again, Ting Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow, "Does anyone else have objections?"

Some people initially showed interest in the vice-captain position, but after glancing at Qin Leyin and Le Yu, they immediately abandoned the struggle, adopting an expression of watching the spectacle.

Who doesn’t know Qin Leyin is Qin Yueshi’s eldest brother?

Who doesn’t know Qin Yueshi is the fiancée of Jing Zhengwu?

Who doesn’t know Jing Zhengwu is contending with Jing Zhengwei for the patriarch’s position?

Now Qin Leyin becomes Jing Zhengwei’s second-in-command, what’s the intention?

Is he betting on both sides, or seeking an opportune moment to act?

"So it’s preliminarily decided this way, recruitment affairs are handled by the Ting Family. Once other matters are completed, I’ll notify you about providing funds." Ting Zhaozhao stood up, "Today’s meeting ends here. The expenses you incur at the Celestial Court today are on me, please enjoy without reservation on behalf of my family, I have things to attend to and must leave first. Meeting adjourned."

"Goodbye, Second Young Master."

"Goodbye, Young Master Ting."

As everyone bid farewell to Ting Zhaozhao, Le Yu was still bewildered. How did he suddenly become a captain, how did Qin Leyin suddenly become his vice-captain, how...

His shoulder was patted, he turned his head, and saw Qin Leyin standing up too.

"I need to leave too, oh, and I still owe you an answer."

Le Yu finally came to his senses and asked, "Who is the mastermind behind sending Yitian Gang to ambush me?"

"It’s me."

"Ah?"

"To be precise, my sister wanted me to find a way to kill you, and the reason she made such a request must be related to your brother," Qin Leyin said casually. "However, if speaking accurately, it’s still me, because I planned the whole process. I never expected that you would have such a hobby of playing battle cards."

"Actually, I also know a bit about battle cards. When we meet next time, I’ll bring some decks; if you’re interested, we can play a few games. Well then, Jing Zhengwei, see you next time."

Watching the elegant figure of this Blood Prince disappear at the doorway, Le Yu still hadn’t come to his senses.

He was the mastermind behind sending someone to kill me?

He became my vice-captain?

He invited me to play cards?

This is troubling, Le Yu’s face darkened as he rubbed his brow—I forgot to ask which faction’s deck he uses.