Sunlight streamed through the windows of the Pengyang County Government Office onto the blue brick floor.

In the back hall, Magistrate Liu Guancai sat on a carved wooden chair, with a tea table covered with red silk in front of him. The aroma of tea filled the air, but the atmosphere was like the calm before a storm, making people feel a little tense.

Across from him, Wang Dejun leaned back lazily in his chair, his hands folded over his stomach, his gaze wandering, seemingly indifferent to the county magistrate before him. Although his clothes were disheveled, he exuded a strong aura.

Liu Guancai picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and pondered to himself.

The man before him was Wang Dejun, the most powerful bandit in Pengyang County. If he wasn't careful, he might even kill him, the county magistrate.

Setting down his teacup, Liu Guancai tried to soften his tone: "Wang Dejun, bandits are rampant in Pengyang County, and the people are full of complaints. As the most powerful force, it's time for you to rein yourself in."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dejun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a disdainful smile, followed by a cold snort.

"Restrain yourself? Haha, Magistrate Liu, do you know how I rose from a cripple to where I am today, with over five hundred brothers under my command? If I were to restrain myself, how would my brothers ever stand up for themselves?"

Liu Guancai's heart tightened as he sensed the growing tension in the air.

He clicked his tongue, trying to quell Wang Dejun's anger: "You, Wang Dejun, are rich and powerful. The businesses in the city are more or less related to you. You should also consider the government's interests."

Wang Dejun's face instantly darkened, and he slammed his hands on the table, the wooden table making a crisp sound as if announcing his anger.

"Of all the money I earn, 20% goes to you, Liu Guancai, and 30% goes to Prince Ning, Qian Kun. I also have to support so many of my men. Who the hell has ever thought about me?"

Liu Guancai felt a sense of oppression and knew things were going badly. He quickly reached out to comfort Wang Dejun, saying, "If you don't restrain yourself, Prince Ning might send troops to wipe you out. Don't forget who supported you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dejun's expression instantly became complicated, with anger and unease intertwined on his face.

He frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes, as if he was considering Liu Guancai's words.

Seeing this, Liu Guancai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to raise his voice: "If it really comes to that, I'm afraid even your brothers will be implicated. A wise man knows when to yield; don't send yourself to the guillotine."

Wang Dejun tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a dull sound, as he pondered deeply.

A moment later, he raised his head, his gaze sharp as a knife, and stared directly at Liu Guancai: "You think I'm afraid of Prince Ning? I, Wang Dejun, have fought my way up to this point, and I consider the world my home. How you deal with it is your business. Trying to use me to clear your name is wishful thinking!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Guancai shook his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, and feigned a sigh, saying, "Then you, Wang Dejun, can only leave it to fate. If the Prince of Ning's army arrives, don't blame me."

Wang Dejun snorted coldly, his eyes revealing a hint of disdain: "Let Prince Ning send troops if he wants, I'm not afraid."

After saying that, he turned and left with steady steps, appearing calm and composed, but he was somewhat apprehensive inside.

Outside the county government office, Wang Dejun's brothers, who were waiting for him, all stood up and surrounded him as they walked toward the south gate, like a pack of hungry wolves following closely behind him.

Upon seeing this, the people on both sides of the street hurriedly avoided it, their faces filled with fear and helplessness.

People whispered among themselves, their voices barely audible: "He's from the county government again. This Pengyang County government is practically Wang Dejun's home."

An old man shook his head, looking helpless, as if he was sighing for his fate.

"Yes, I wonder how much bribe he gave the magistrate this time," another commoner chimed in, shaking his head in agreement.

Just then, a man slowly stepped forward from behind, pointed at Wang Dejun, and asked with a smile, "Is this Wang Dejun?"

The people quickly pressed his arm down, afraid that Wang Dejun would notice, and whispered a warning: "Don't let anyone see, or you'll lose your arm."

The man smiled slightly, a sinister glint in his eyes, and said softly, "Thank you."

After saying that, he and his guards quietly walked in the direction Wang Dejun had left.

Chen Zhennan and Yan Shiyu quietly followed behind Wang Dejun and his bandits. Chen Zhennan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a low voice, "Did you hear what the people said just now?"

Yan Shiyu nodded, a ruthless glint in his eyes, and a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, as if he had already made up his mind.

"I heard that. I'll kill him tonight and get rid of this menace."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan hurriedly shook his head helplessly: "Why kill him? No rush, we can use him. Send someone to investigate what Wang Dejun was doing at the county government. Also, have the brothers disperse and join these bandits to monitor all the movements of various forces. I want to unite them together."

Yan Shiyu was taken aback, a hint of doubt rising in his mind. He asked, "Why unite these bandits? Wouldn't that just make Pengyang County even more chaotic?"

"When dogs fight, they have to be about the same size. What's the point if one is big and the other is small?" Chen Zhennan's lips curled into a faint smile, his eyes flashing with a sinister light.

As they spoke, the two quietly followed Wang Dejun and more than a dozen of his bandits out of the south gate.

Just as they stepped out of the south gate, forty or fifty masked men dressed in black suddenly sprang out from both sides of the city wall, their menacing demeanor clearly indicating they were prepared.

Chen Zhennan was shocked. He had thought these people were coming for him, but to his astonishment, they drew their swords and surrounded Wang Dejun. The swords flashed and their cold light was menacing.

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