At noon the following day, in Canghe County.

More than ten riders galloped past, led by Yang Biao.

At this moment, his head was wrapped in white gauze, and dark red bloodstains seeped out from the gauze.

After leaving Yulu Tower, he didn't waste a moment and rode his horse straight to the county city.

The reason for the urgency was to spread the news of what happened in Hejian County.

Let those who need to prepare be prepared to face this storm.

The group's passing by had already been noticed by passersby.

Along the streets, many people were also peeking out of the teahouses.

"Wait, am I seeing things?!"

"What did you misread?"

"Were those people who just passed by from the Tiger Guard Hall?"

"Impossible! The people from Weihu Hall would be in such a sorry state?"

They're obviously from a local gang; they lost a brawl and came to their boss for help.

"That's possible!"

"That's utter nonsense. The leader is clearly Yang Biao, the third leader of the Tiger Guard."

His monstrous, mixed-blood horse—there were only a handful of them in the entire Canghe County!

"Hiss, it really is him, but what happened to him?"

"That's right! Wasn't there a rumor that he accompanied a high-ranking figure from the Spirit Sect on a trip?"

"What if we don't provide adequate hospitality and offend them, and they send us back home!"

"Shh, Fifth Brother, do you fucking want to die? Why are you shouting like that?"

The once noisy teahouse became quiet, and even when people talked, they tried to keep their voices down.

......

Canghe County, Dongcheng.

The dilapidated walls enclose nearly a thousand acres of land.

The main gate, made of brass, is nearly three zhang (approximately 10 meters) high.

Two iron cages were placed on either side of the main entrance.

The iron cages housed white-browed, fierce tigers with piercing eyes.

There weren't many martial artists stationed at the entrance.

But behind the high walls, one can clearly see a series of pavilions.

On the upper floor, a martial artist stood like a spear, his sharp gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Looking down from above, the line of sight can completely cover the blind spots of the wall.

In addition, in a corner of the attic, there were rows of steel crossbows, their bolts gleaming coldly, aimed at the door.

"roar!"

"roar!"

The sound of horses' hooves in the distance startled the tiger placed at the door.

The roar reverberated.

The martial artist standing at the door looked warily into the distance.

Inside the walls, in the pavilion, the guards also gripped the hilts of their swords.

The massive steel crossbow, its bowstring taut, seemed ready to fire at any moment.

"It's Third Master!"

Upon seeing who it was, the martial artist guarding the door shouted.

From the pavilion closest to him, a martial artist was signaling with flags.

The warriors who had been drawing their bows and arrows breathed a sigh of relief.

"Liu Zi, what's going on?"

Seeing this scene, Yang Biao asked with a puzzled look.

It should be noted that the sphere of influence in the entire Canghe Prefecture had long been fixed.

Whether it's a government office, a gang, a faction, or a sect, they all rely on Lingzong for their livelihood.

Even if there are conflicts in normal times, they will not escalate into a full-scale war.

Not to mention, bringing out those stockpiled ballistae.

That kind of thing isn't something that martial arts sects can possess.

The crossbow carts in Weihutang were all discarded by the garrison.

But the shady dealings involved certainly can't withstand scrutiny.

The fact that they put on such a grand display clearly indicates that Weihutang is facing a life-or-death crisis.

Yang Biao couldn't understand what had happened.

"Third Master, I thought you were dead!"

The martial artist guarding the door quickly stepped forward and took the reins.

"Death? Why would I die?"

"Third Master, this morning, Young Master An suddenly returned."

He said you were ambushed at the river dock and your entire army was wiped out.

Afterwards, the first and second leaders mustered their men and escorted Young Master An back to Tianyu City...

Damn it!

It almost moved me to tears.

I thought those two guys were there to avenge me.

Yang Biao was speechless after hearing this.

But upon further reflection, it seems quite reasonable.

It would be abnormal if those two guys turned back to save him.

After all, those two guys knew who that young master An was.

It was no secret that An Shao was protected by martial arts experts.

Even someone like him had to flee in disarray, so what is the mere Weihu Hall worth?

However, this doesn't seem to be a bad thing for me.

If Chang'an didn't die, then the blame for the Hejian dock incident will definitely be placed on him.

As for the Spirit Sect, they certainly won't back down.

After all, the Lingzong Sect has dominated Yuzhou for nearly a thousand years, and it will not back down because of Chen Xinchen.

And he himself could take the opportunity to go to Tianyu City and send back firsthand information about the Hejian Wharf.

Perhaps, I can even show my face in front of that important person.

If I'm lucky enough to catch that person's eye, I won't have to stay in Weihutang anymore.

"Third Master, what should we do?"

Seeing Yang Biao in a daze, Liu Zi stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

Having been in the underworld for so many years, he's no fool.

First, An Shao returned early in the morning, bringing news of Yang Biao's death.

Then, with the departure of the two leaders, the entire Weihu Hall went on high alert.

All signs indicate that Weihutang has gotten into serious trouble, and the other party is very likely to come knocking on their door.

Otherwise, An Shao wouldn't have run away.

The two leaders wouldn't necessarily run away with them.

Liu Zi knew even better that his status was too low, so low that he could only be cannon fodder.

Others can run, but he doesn't dare to.

After all, he couldn't afford the consequences of liquidation.

But Yang Biao's appearance gave him hope of escaping the vortex.

"Pack your things, head north!"

......

"Sir, Yang Biao, the third leader of the Tiger Might Gang, has already left the city!"

"His departure in such a hurry is truly baffling!"

After pondering for a moment, Li Junfang, the prefect of Canghe County, instructed, "Master Tang, spread the word that I have important business to attend to in the prefectural city."

All affairs, large and small, within the prefecture will be temporarily handled by the Prefectural Assistant!

After giving his instructions, Li Jun got up and left.

The prefectural governor's carriage soon headed towards the north gate.

......

"I've never heard of such a shameless person in the world!"

"That old scoundrel, how dare he just leave like that?"

"If he leaves, what will become of the three million people in the county town? And what will become of me!"

At the prefectural magistrate's residence, Han Ling was devastated upon receiving the news.

That old scoundrel Li Junfang is really going to get himself killed!

He naturally received news that the three leaders of Weihutang had absconded.

His strategy was the same as Li Junfang's: to run away.

But to my surprise, before I could even finish packing, that old scoundrel gave his orders.

Under these circumstances, Han Ling dared not run away.

If he runs away, that old scoundrel will cause trouble regardless of whether anything happens in the county town.

The best outcome I can hope for is to retire and return to my hometown.

Although he had amassed enough wealth, he knew very well that once he lost power, all that money he had accumulated would be nothing but a mirage.

Those wolves and tigers, who would show mercy to you?

"Master, Madam asked me to ask you if she could have another hour."

There are also some valuables like gold and silver that are inconvenient to carry..."

"This idiot, she thought it was a sightseeing trip?"

Tell her to pack her things quickly, take the money, and get back to her hometown immediately!

Han Ling almost roared as she interrupted the maid.

He quickly calmed down again.

Taking the banknotes was a way to have a backup plan.

Now, I'll have to face this storm myself!

Li Junfang, you old scoundrel, don't let me get the chance, or I'll skin you alive.