Annexation

Translator: CinderTL

Xu Sanyan arrived at the western district of Taian City, where the Yelang Society's base was located. A large group of swordsmen were busy cleaning up the corpses scattered on the ground. Song Qian sat in the main hall, a severed head placed on the table beside him—it was the head of the Yelang Society's leader.

"The deputy leader has arrived."

"Greetings, Deputy Leader."

The gang members around him saluted, their eyes filled with a hint of admiration. This was what a leader should do—unlike Song Qian, who did nothing all day, leaving his subordinates struggling to make ends meet.

After this battle, the Guanshan Blade Society would firmly establish itself in Taian City. From now on, they would have their own business.

Xu Sanyan nodded in response to the crowd.

Earlier in the day, Xu Sanyan had already discussed matters with Song Qian. Xu would take care of annihilating the Yelang Society, while Song would handle the rest. In return, Xu would provide the gang with five thousand taels of silver each month.

Xu Sanyan wasn't sure how much profit smuggling salt could bring, but he figured five thousand taels would be more than enough.

Song Qian agreed. He had no idea how much smuggling salt could earn in a month, but five thousand taels was a substantial amount—enough to maintain the gang's daily operations and even expand into other ventures.

"Is it settled?" Song Qian stood up and asked.

"Yes, thank you for your trouble, Leader." Xu Sanyan glanced at the head with its wide-open, unseeing eyes.

Song Qian couldn't hide his smile as he patted Xu's shoulder. "Haha, well done! I'll send more brothers to assist you."

"Alright." Xu Sanyan didn't refuse. He then turned and asked, "By the way, why haven't I met Deputy Leader Song?"

Deputy Leader Song was the other leader of the Guanshan Blade Society. Judging by the name, he must be related to Song Qian in some way, but Xu Sanyan had yet to meet him.

"Oh, he's occupied with other matters and won't be back for a while." Song Qian didn't elaborate.

Xu Sanyan nodded and didn't press further. "The Yelang Society must have quite a few treasures. I'll take the precious medicines, and the rest will go to the gang. How does that sound?"

Song Qian didn't hesitate. "No problem. You're the one who made this possible. It's only fair."

The two of them entered the Yelang Society's treasury, where stacks of silver and numerous jade artifacts and paintings were stored.

Song Qian's heart raced uncontrollably. With these resources, the Guanshan Blade Society's strength could rise to a new level.

Xu Sanyan had no interest in those items. He went straight to the cabinet and picked up two wooden boxes. Opening them, he found two precious medicines.

Tucking them into his robe, he turned to Song Qian and said, "I'll head back now. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the details with Master Zhao. I'll leave the rest to you, Leader."

Song Qian's face was full of smiles. "Alright, take care, Brother Xu."

Xu Sanyan nodded and left.

Back at home, he swallowed the two precious medicines, and his Vitality once again increased by two points.

"Fourth Master, you're back?" The voice of Madam Wu, the leader's wife, came from outside the door.

Xu Sanyan opened his eyes. "Yes, what is it?"

"I've found a precious medicine for you."

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow, remembering that she had mentioned buying one for him last time. He hadn't expected her to actually do it.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, and Madam Wu stepped inside. Her voluptuous figure swayed as she moved, clad in a tight-fitting dress that accentuated her curves. She wore a pair of red-patterned boots, and her face was lightly powdered, giving her a shy and charming appearance.

Though she was in her thirties, her face was still beautiful, and her figure was undoubtedly attractive.

"Fourth Master, here you go." Madam Wu handed him the wooden box.

Xu Sanyan opened it and found a precious medicine inside.

"Haha, Madam, you've put so much effort into this. How should I reward you?"

Madam Wu leaned close to his ear and whispered, "What do you think…?"

As she spoke, her warm breath tickled his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. Xu Sanyan couldn't resist wrapping his arm around her waist. "Then let me make you feel good…"

Before he could finish, his lips were sealed.

...

The next morning.

Xu Sanyan sat in a chair, sipping tea, when Wang Laizi rushed in. "Leader, you called for me?"

"Yes, I'm planning to hand over Master Zhao's business to you. Any problems?" Xu Sanyan took a sip of tea.

"Me?" Wang Laizi was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized the immense opportunity before him. His heart raced as he struggled to believe that such a fortune had fallen into his lap.

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. "Any issues?"

"N-no, none at all! I'll handle it perfectly, without a single mistake!" Wang Laizi quickly patted his chest in assurance.

"Good. Go find Master Zhao. He'll arrange for someone to meet with you."

"Yes, sir!" Wang Laizi suppressed his excitement and left.

Xu Sanyan thought for a moment and then turned to Big Yellow Tooth. "You go with him."

"Got it, Fourth Master."

Big Yellow Tooth naturally understood his role—Xu Sanyan didn't fully trust Wang Laizi and wanted him to keep an eye on things.

Xu Sanyan swirled the teacup in his hand, planning his next move. Eliminating the Yelang Society was just the first step. He needed to let Song Qian taste the benefits while solidifying his own authority within the gang before moving forward.

Next, he planned to target the Moon Gazing Pavilion, though it would require some maneuvering.

The Yelang Society and Zhao Zhongyang were merely in a business partnership. As long as the business wasn't disrupted, Zhao wouldn't care even if the partner changed.

But the Moon Gazing Pavilion was different. It was the private property of a certain influential figure. Touching it would be equivalent to declaring war on the person behind it.

Xu Sanyan wasn't afraid. As far as he knew, the Moon Gazing Pavilion was backed by the Assistant Magistrate, a ninth-rank official—the lowest in the bureaucratic hierarchy.

However, the Assistant Magistrate held significant power in Taian City, acting as the third-in-command. He managed the city's accounts, assisted the Magistrate, and oversaw part of the patrol duties.

The reason Xu Sanyan chose him as a target was that he lacked military strength.

Apart from the County Sheriff, all officials in Taian City were civil servants with limited personal cultivation and no troops under their command. As long as Xu Sanyan could placate the Sheriff, there wouldn't be any issues.

On the other hand, the White Horse Gang had its leader, who was on the verge of entering the Celestial Being Realm, and the Ginseng Gang had several Inner Qi Realm martial artists. If pushed too far, Xu Sanyan wouldn't be able to handle them.

After much thought, the Moon Gazing Pavilion was the most suitable target.

As for stopping his plans—that was out of the question. Xu Sanyan needed precious medicines and had to improve his cultivation.

If he had the Foundation Establishment cultivation and could refine the Blood Demon hidden in Dafeng Town, everything would be much simpler. Unfortunately...

In the afternoon,

Xu Sanyan headed west. The former Yelang Society base had now become a branch of the Guanshan Blade Society. Many burly men crowded inside, arguing noisily.

As Xu Sanyan stepped through the gate, the courtyard immediately fell silent, and everyone bowed in greeting.

"Deputy Leader."

"Greetings, Deputy Leader."

...

Xu Sanyan nodded and scanned the crowd. His eyes fell on the bearded man from before, and he pointed at him. "What's your name?"

"Subordinate Wang Gang," the bearded man stepped forward.

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow. The name sounded familiar—had he heard it somewhere?

"You, come with me."

Wang Gang clasped his fists. "Yes, sir."

The two of them walked down the street, and Xu Sanyan said, "Take me to the County Sheriff's residence."

"Understood."

Wang Gang didn't ask any questions and simply led the way.

The County Sheriff was the second-in-command of Taian City, in charge of the city's soldiers and patrolmen. His authority was second only to the Magistrate, though the two didn't directly control each other—the Magistrate merely outranked him by half a grade.

The imperial court wouldn't allow one person to control both civil affairs and military matters.

When they arrived at the County Sheriff's residence, Wang Gang stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a moment, a voice called out from inside.

"Who is it?"

Xu Sanyan replied calmly, "Guanshan Blade Society, Xu Sanyan. Here to discuss some business with Master Zhu."

(End of the Chapter)

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