Chapter 83 Blackwater Port, Selling Beasts (Seeking First Subscription)
At this point, the Qi had condensed into a lake, which was extremely powerful.
This level of strength is already quite remarkable. This vital energy circulates within the body, resisting external evils, enhancing spirit, and providing numerous benefits.
Suddenly inspired, Li Xian condensed his Qi and threw a punch, unleashing the Four Directions Fist Technique. The more Qi he channeled, the stronger his punch became, and the more powerful it was.
He concentrated his Qi into his fist and punched the tree.
His bones were tough and his muscles strong. With this punch, the tree trunk dented, the bark cracked open inch by inch, and the heartwood was exposed.
The snow on the trees has fallen to the ground.
"His martial arts skills have improved again."
"Let's give this a try!"
After resting for a moment, Li Xian gathered his Qi and unleashed his fist technique again. Surprisingly, one fist split into several fists, with multiple fist shadows, as if several giant hands had grown out of thin air, which was quite mysterious.
Qi comes from Wu Zhong.
Qi flows towards Wuzhong.
Qi and martial arts complement each other, revealing their extraordinary nature. The way of martial arts is infinitely varied, captivating people throughout their lives and bringing them endless joy.
...
...
Village entrance.
"Grandpa, what brings you here?"
Heihe Village experienced heavy snowfall last night.
There was a lot of snow on the road. Uncle Fu, old and frail, leaned on a cane and wore a thick coat. He was calling on the villagers to clear the snow and open up the road.
While they were busy, they saw Li Xianchao coming this way.
Uncle Fu couldn't hide his surprise, saying that he hadn't seen Li Xian for some time. Now that he saw him again, he felt that Li Xian had grown quite a bit taller.
He looked like a young boy.
His skin was very fair, but not effeminate; he had a refined and handsome appearance.
The villagers, being farmers, didn't really know whether it was "good-looking" or not. They just felt that the guard looked rather pleasing to the eye, and instinctively wanted to take a few more glances.
"Uncle Fu, are you clearing the snow?" Li Xian asked with a smile.
“Yes,” Uncle Fu said, pointing to the side. “There’s an old ox in the village. Out of old affection, we wanted to let it live a little longer. But… but this year’s harvest is really bad, and there’s not much grain left.”
"There was really no other way, so I had to take it to the city to buy some. Buying some rice and grain will help us last a little longer."
"It will be better when spring comes next year."
Uncle Fu looked sadly at the old ox in the village.
The old farmer and the old ox shared a deep mutual respect.
Li Xian said, "It just so happens that I'm going that way too."
"Oh." Uncle Fu asked, "Sir, are you also going to Blackwater Harbor?"
“That’s right.” Li Xian nodded.
He had hunted tigers, deer, and leopards, and had eaten all their meat. But the hides, bones, teeth, and claws could be sold for a high price.
"That's wonderful! With you by our side, we're no longer afraid of the tiger!" Uncle Fu was overjoyed and extremely grateful, adding:
"Grandpa, I've never met such a kind person as you."
"Tell me, you hunted the game and then thought about sharing...sharing some with us? This...this..."
Li Xian shook his head and said, "It's alright, I can't finish it all, there's no use in keeping it."
At that time, the dynasty was in turmoil, and Heihe Village was even poorer, with land but no water, and was often ravaged by Shanfeng Village.
Every household was suffering from hunger and thirst, which was truly pitiful.
Li Xian knew he had no power to save the world, but he did have a compassionate heart. After enjoying his meal, he generously shared the remaining food with the villagers.
A few mouthfuls of deer soup and a few bites of animal meat saved some lives, preventing several people from starving or freezing to death.
But it was still a drop in the ocean. Li Xian felt a pang of regret, but had a clear conscience.
...
Blackwater Port is located on the upper reaches of the Blackwater River and is the territory of the Blackwater Gang.
The old ox walked slowly, taking one step at a time.
The villagers who accompanied the group couldn't bear to look at the old ox, and sobs could be heard from time to time.
Oxen can plow fields, are extremely intelligent, and can be companions for decades. Ordinary families only sell their oxen when they have no other choice.
"Old ox, old ox."
"I'm so sorry."
Uncle Fu wiped away his tears.
The old ox seemed to understand, and let out a "moo," with some moisture appearing at the corners of its eyes.
Li Xian packed the tiger, deer, and leopard skins into a coarse cloth sack and carried it on his back.
The village chief, Uncle Fu, led the group, which included seven or eight young men. Although they were going to the city for the market, the journey was tedious and devoid of any joy.
Li Xian didn't know where Blackwater Town was, so he followed the group and didn't walk very fast.
On the way, I couldn't help but think:
“Blackwater Harbor is Blackwater Gang territory, so I must be extremely careful.”
"But I suppose it's alright since they don't know what I look like."
...
It took more than an hour to walk.
As more pedestrians arrived, stalls spontaneously formed on the patch of yellow mud, creating a small market. There were vendors selling vegetables, clothes, and even prostitutes…
As you continue along the road, you'll find a bluestone path, and houses and pavilions rise all around... Several imposing buildings, no less impressive than anything you've seen in this life or the next.
"Uncle Fu, please take your leave now."
When Li Xian arrived at the bustling city, he bowed and said goodbye.
Blackwater Port was built along the river and was very prosperous, with thriving transportation, trade, and river cargo.
The Blackwater Gang ruled the river, and the profits they made were considerable.
"If it weren't for the Blackwater Gang, the people in this area who rely on the Blackwater River for their livelihood would be living much better lives."
"However... how is that possible?"
"The Blackwater Gang is wiped out, but the Redwater Gang and the Greenwater Gang will appear. This Blackwater River is so rich, it's a huge piece of meat, and someone will always be eyeing it."
Li Xian messed up her hair and smeared some wall plaster on her face.
He was dressed in plain clothes when he went out, and apart from his tall stature, he was not particularly noticeable.
After turning a corner, you'll see a large hall with its entrance wide open, flanked by two black lions, and a plaque that reads "Blackwater Gang".
Legend has it that these two black lions were originally from the bottom of the river. When they were pulled up, they already had the shape of a lion. After being carved by craftsmen, they became even more lifelike and showed their domineering presence.
"What an eye-catching stone lion!"
Li Xian nodded in approval and peered inside. The guards shouted, "What are you looking at? Look again and I'll gouge your eyes out!"
"Get lost."
"become."
Li Xian quickly left. He found it amusing; Zheng Xuezhang had come to demand someone but suffered a crushing defeat, and now that he himself had delivered himself to their doorstep, he was being rudely told to leave.
The Great Wu Dynasty was characterized by a dense network of rivers.
The Blackwater River was so wide that the opposite bank could not be seen, and it was estimated that the river was more than several miles wide.
There were many boats on the river.
The Blackwater Gang's boats were conspicuous, being black with large black lotus flowers embroidered on their sails. Boats passing through had to pay a toll to cross the river, and boats coming to trade had to pay an additional transaction fee.
"How domineering! Such a style."
Li Xian looked around for a moment and suddenly spotted a large ship.
It was magnificent, like a giant sea beast. He had excellent hearing and vaguely heard cries. Looking up, he saw a sail made of human bodies.
The number of people is countless.
These people had their limbs cut off, and then black rods were inserted into them, fixing them together like grasshoppers strung on a string.
"Brother, what have these people done to deserve this treatment?"
Li Xian asked a merchant at the port casually.
The vendor said, "Sigh, what else could they possibly do but go against the Blackwater Gang?"
"There are probably a thousand or so people up there. Some don't pay taxes, some owe rent, some can't repay their loans, some are disliked by the gang, and some have committed crimes or betrayed the gang."
"Look, the one at the top, that man is named Yang Cheng. He was one of the Thirteen Banner Bearers, but he betrayed the gang, so he's been hung up here too."
Li Xian looked into the distance and recognized it in an instant.
"The Blackwater Gang is truly ruthless!"
(End of this chapter)
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