“Tongque Martial Affairs”, Yu Qing pondered the phrase, but could not figure out its meaning, so he simply asked directly: “I do not understand, what is it?” Not only him, but the others also looked utterly confused.
Tong Zaitian looked at everyone’s reaction and thought to himself, sure enough, they are a group of newcomers who do not even know about such a major event. He immediately explained: “It is not a thing, it is an event. The gang leader was right just now. Tongque Lake produces fish and shrimp, but the problem lies exactly here.” He wore a meaningful expression.
Fan Jiu hurriedly asked humbly, “How so?”
Tong Zaitian: “It is normal for waters to have fish and shrimp, but Tianji Mountain is different from the outside world. The terrain and weather of Tianji Mountain are complex, and some waterways even contain poison. No one knows what the immortals of the past threw in here. Waters with fish and shrimp like Tongque Lake are very rare, let alone some fish and shrimp being unique specialties of Tongque Lake that cannot be found in the outside world.
Tianji Mountain originally has scarce aquatic products. The unique lake resources of Tongque Lake mean that catching them is as good as making money, which is much more convenient than searching for treasures everywhere. Therefore, for a long time, various gangs mixing in Tianji Mountain have been fighting endlessly to seize control of Tongque Lake.
Even if someone occupies the territory, it is useless. The lake area is not small, and secret, indiscriminate fishing cannot be controlled. Under long-term large-scale fishing, the lake delicacies of Tongque Lake have gradually become scarce. The scarcity has led to higher prices, which in turn has made large-scale fishing even more severe, creating a vicious cycle.
It was not until decades ago, after Nie Rifu took control of Kulei City and directly intervened in Tongque Lake, that the abuses of Tongque Lake were swept away.
Tongque Lake is one of the few places in Tianji Mountain where Kulei City directly intervenes. However, Kulei City has always been unwilling to manage any forces, fearing trouble. Therefore, for places like Tongque Lake, they do not send people from Kulei City to manage it directly, but assign it to a gang. This designation process is the ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’.
It is also a selection process. It is impossible for just any gang to pop up and take over Tongque Lake. The capabilities of the gang must be considered. In a chaotic place like Tianji Mountain, without some capability, one cannot manage Tongque Lake well. In short, the major gangs that want to occupy Tongque Lake must undergo a competition.”
After saying this, he spread his hands, indicating that this was the situation.
However, the crowd was still unsatisfied. Yu Qing asked again: “Can any gang participate?”
Tong Zaitian: “To Kulei City, all gangs, big or small, are treated equally. There is no favouritism. Anyone willing to register at Kulei City can participate.”
Yu Qing asked again: “What kind of competition is it? Do they see which gang can fight?”
Tong Zaitian: “Martial prowess will certainly be taken into consideration by Kulei City, but it is definitely not the only factor. Being able to fight does not mean being able to control Tongque Lake well. After all, the strongest martial force in Tianji Mountain is Kulei City. After taking over Tongque Lake, with Kulei City backing them, there are probably not many who dare to challenge them directly with force.
As for how the competition is conducted, I do not know either. The competition method for each ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’ seems to be different. It is whatever topic Kulei City comes up with. Anyway, it is not an individual comparison, but a group competition between gangs.”
Speaking of this, he suddenly paused. He felt that Yu Qing’s reaction seemed a bit wrong, so he tentatively asked: “Gang leader, you are not thinking of participating in the ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’, are you?”
Yu Qing raised his eyebrows slightly and countered: “What if I participate, and what if I do not?”
“…” Tong Zaitian looked at him speechless.
The others, completely unaware of the gravity of the situation, were all looking at Tong Zaitian to see what he would say.
Tong Zaitian looked at everyone’s reaction again, and finally said with a mixture of crying and laughing: “Gang leader, it is not that I look down on our gang, but we really cannot play in matters involving such huge interests. We really cannot afford it.”
These words, let alone Yu Qing, even Mu Aotie showed a hint of disdain in his expression. Compared to their experiences, a mere Tongque Lake was nothing. They had played with much bigger things.
Yu Qing also chuckled, “How big can the huge interests be? Bigger than the Qilin Ginseng?”
Tong Zaitian said bitterly: “Obtaining a heavenly treasure like the Qilin Ginseng is no longer just about money, but if the matter of the Qilin Ginseng were made public, we would not be qualified to play either. The gangs participating in the ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’ are among the top gangs in Tianji Mountain, at least first-class gangs with hundreds of members. Their strength is imaginable. If our dozen or so people confront them, without the strength to resist, it would be no different from seeking death.
Gang leader, and everyone, since there is a ‘martial’ word in ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’, it will not be peaceful. People will die.”
He looked up at the group of ignorant people, with a serious and advisory expression.
Yu Qing fell silent. After serious consideration, he picked up the ancient notebook in his hand, shook it, and said slowly: “Regarding the various locations recorded here, why did I not mention other places, but specifically mention Tongque Lake? The hiding place of the Qilin Ginseng might be in Tongque Lake!”
“What?”
“In Tongque Lake?”
“How can you be sure?”
The crowd immediately exploded into a chatter like a disturbed nest.
Yu Qing also gave the answer: “There is an important clue on the temple wall carving, which is that the Qilin likes to eat fish and shrimp.”
Someone immediately questioned: “Gang leader, that refers to the Qilin. This is the Qilin Ginseng, which is a plant in its original form. Can it eat fish and shrimp?”
In response, someone immediately scoffed: “Who says plants cannot eat meat? Some eat flies and insects, and some even eat humans. Many plants grow better with a little corpse buried at their roots. Your argument is simply not worth refuting.”
Tong Zaitian, however, asked a question: “Gang leader, the waters of Tongque Lake are vast. Besides this one clue, are there any others?”
Yu Qing: “There are. Do you think I can say them out loud publicly?”
“Uh…” Tong Zaitian rubbed his nose and gave a dry laugh.
Under the shade of a tree on the edge of the desert, on the steps of the “Dang Zizai” shop, Nan Zhu sat there fanning himself with a large tree leaf. Except for the things Mu Aotie had delivered, he had not made a single business deal here.
He occasionally looked up at the nearby tree canopy, where Baili Xin was hiding and looking out. He felt she cared more about the safety of their fellow disciples than he did as the senior brother.
Baili Xin had no choice. The temperature in the desert during the day was too high. Staying in the desert for a long time to secretly observe was indeed exhausting, which was why she did this.
Suddenly, she leaped down from the tree canopy, darted swiftly to the front of the shop, and threw down a sentence before hiding inside: “The Scorpion Gang people are here.”
Nan Zhu immediately stood up, jumped onto the roof to look out, and indeed saw the Scorpion Gang members flying towards them. They did not visit his shop either, but left from a short distance away. He saw Yu Qing and Mu Aotie among them.
They are leaving. He quickly jumped down from the roof, crawled under the shop, retracted the support poles, and swiftly carried the shop on his shoulder to chase after them.
Baili Xin also crawled out again, chasing after them first to avoid losing track of them.
Along the way, Nan Zhu noticed a group of people passing him at high speed. He recognised them at a glance as members of the Flying Eagle Gang.
His speed carrying the goods was slow, and he was overtaken by the group. Over a hundred people rushed past him, and no one paid attention to this mountain porter.
After a life-and-death rush, late at night, Nan Zhu, carrying the shop, finally stopped. He stopped at the foot of the towering Kulei City and met up with the waiting Baili Xin. Although he was exhausted and sweating profusely, he still tried his best to put on a look that said, do not look at how fat I am, my body is very strong.
Seeing no trace of the Scorpion Gang around, he asked: “Where are they?”
Baili Xin: “They entered the city, and some of the Flying Eagle Gang went in too.” She reached out her hand actively. “Give me ten thousand taels.”
Nan Zhu faltered, but still neatly took out the money and gave it to her, asking: “Are you going in too?”
“Yes.”
“Then what about me alone? Do not worry, it will be fine. Just wait here. The Flying Eagle Gang would not dare to cause trouble in Kulei City.”
Baili Xin gave no response, turned around swiftly, bought a “Yi Ri Fang” flower at the entrance as qualification to enter the city, and then disappeared.
Nan Zhu, who watched her leave in a daze, felt very helpless. However, looking back at his shop, he immediately regained his energy. He had a batch of goods to sell, and he had to figure out a way to turn them into money and put them in his own pocket.
Baizhang Courtyard, the most prosperous place in Kulei City.
After the Scorpion Gang members arrived, Yu Qing immediately pulled everyone to a corner and whispered: “Everyone disperse. Remember to help gather some information. Do you remember I mentioned before about seeing a mountain porter acquiring the Three-Legged Crow?”
Everyone nodded one after another, but did not understand the meaning.
He explained: “It is truly a coincidence. According to the records on the temple carvings, there is a connection between the Qilin and the Three-Legged Crow. I now want to find the Three-Legged Crow. You understand what I mean, right?”
Everyone suddenly realised. Tong Zaitian’s eyes flickered, not expecting this gang leader to reveal another clue.
Fan Jiu said: “Do not worry, gang leader. We will not forget such an important matter.”
Yu Qing: “Do not be conspicuous when gathering information, to avoid arousing suspicion. Take the flowering period of the ‘Yi Ri Fang’ as the limit. Everyone, whether you have news or not, wait here to meet up.”
“Alright.” The gang members agreed and dispersed one after another.
Watching these people leave, Yu Qing could not help but sigh. More than a dozen people entering the city meant over a hundred thousand taels of silver in expenses. Although it was said to be counted as gang expenses, it was actually coming out of his own pocket. However, there was no other way. If one does not pay to get things done, it probably will not work.
With no one else around, Mu Aotie muttered: “How likely do you think it is that they can find news about the Three-Legged Crow?”
Yu Qing: “Having more people asking is better than having fewer. The Flying Eagle Gang has even more people. If they can find relevant news, Duan Yunyou was able to give me the notebook, so news of the Three-Legged Crow is naturally not a problem.”
Mu Aotie: “No wonder you refused to deal with that traitor.”
“The Flying Eagle Gang has so many people, and they are all more familiar with this place than we are. It would be a waste not to use them.” Yu Qing sneered, turned around, and said: “Let us go, to find out what exactly this ‘Tongque Martial Affairs’ is all about.”
Regarding the details of the “Tongque Martial Affairs”, Tong Zaitian only knew the general idea, and it was all hearsay. The specifics were not clear to him.
In addition, the gang members did not agree with participating in the “Tongque Martial Affairs”.