"Enough nonsense, I have my own way, let's go!" Long Ye scolded his subordinate sternly, seemingly extremely impatient, before hurriedly leaving the backyard with him.
At this moment, Long En had already carefully explained everything to Ruoxi, and slowly walked out of her room, gently closing the door behind him.
He had barely taken two steps down the steps when he suddenly stopped, one hand behind his back, and sternly ordered his two trusted guards, "While I'm away, you two must keep a close watch on Miss Ruoxi for me, not leaving her side for a moment. Not even a fly is allowed to enter the house. If even a single hair on Miss Ruoxi's head is missing, I will have you both beheaded without mercy. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this, the two guards looked at each other in disbelief, their eyes filled with terror. After a moment, they quickly clasped their hands in a fist and said, "We will obey Chief Long's orders and do our utmost to protect the young lady."
Only then did Long En seem to finally feel at ease and stride out of the courtyard.
After leaving the backyard, he went around to Long Ye's room in the west courtyard, hoping to give him some final instructions before leaving, but to his surprise, Long Ye was not there. So, he went straight to the training ground in front of Xiaolong Hall in the front courtyard.
As soon as I stepped into the extremely spacious courtyard of Xiaolong Hall, I looked around and saw that the huge square below the stone steps in front of Xiaolong Hall was filled with brothers dressed in red, wielding swords and spears, fighting hard on the training ground.
Seeing this, Long En felt a surge of satisfaction. With the opportunity to succeed seemingly within reach, he thought to himself that when he returned from meeting his old friends, there would surely be significant progress.
Suddenly, he spotted Long Ye there. At that moment, apart from everyone else who were busy making final preparations for the upcoming battle, only Long Ye and a seemingly unfamiliar face were whispering to each other under a pear tree in a corner of the courtyard, acting furtively as if they were talking about something.
So Long En pretended to cough twice, covering his mouth slightly: "Cough cough."
"Big brother? What brings you here? Is there something you need?" Long Ye was startled by the voice and quickly ended the conversation. He then made a slight gesture, and the unfamiliar subordinate immediately bowed his head in greeting, hurriedly walked around the two of them, and quietly retreated.
Just as they passed by Long En, the two of them glanced at each other without realizing it.
With decades of experience in the martial world, Long En seemed to have a vague feeling that there was something strange about this person's eyes and expression. As soon as he disappeared from his sight, Long En approached Long Ye and asked, "This person's face looks very cold. Is he new here? It's like I've never seen him before. Does he not need to practice martial arts?"
"Oh, him? He's a veteran of the Swift Dragon Society. He's usually given mundane tasks like guarding the back mountain, and only comes down occasionally to report. Because he rarely attends Swift Dragon Society gatherings and rarely practices with the brothers, he might seem a bit out of place, which makes Big Brother feel like a stranger to him." Long Ye glanced furtively at the man's departing figure, then gasped.
As Long En listened carefully and pondered to himself, he moved closer to Long Ye and put a hand on his shoulder.
The two of them strolled out the door together, walking along a wide avenue, slowly heading towards the stone gate outside.
As they walked, Long En earnestly instructed him, "Second brother, I heard that Emperor Jing has recently dispatched Prince Qin, Xuan Yuanhan, to apprehend and suppress various rebels. We must be even more cautious than before! The crucial moment is approaching, so we must not let those despicable spies infiltrate, or the Xiaolong Society will be in serious trouble..."
Before Long En could finish speaking, Long Ye arrogantly declared, "Hmph, that old Emperor Jing is a tyrannical and incompetent ruler who abuses cruelty. I heard that not long ago, because of the princess's marriage alliance, he almost had his most trusted envoy's entire family executed, causing the envoy to side with the Prince of Qin. He himself is only interested in seeking immortality, imposing exorbitant taxes and exploiting the people. Now it's not just officials forcing the people to rebel, but the emperor forcing them to rebel, leaving them no choice but to rebel. Don't worry, brother, as long as I, Long Ye, am in the Xiaolong Society, I'd like to see who dares to do such petty theft under my nose. I'll make sure they go in with a red knife and come out with a green knife, are torn apart by five horses, and die without a burial place."
Long Ye's words were all ruthless.
Long En, upon hearing this, advised him, "Second brother, I know you are brave and skilled in battle, but you must also know that a sword cannot solve all problems."
"Even so, there's still my eldest brother..."
Long Ye seemed to want to say something more, but Long En suddenly stopped and covered his mouth tightly. After a long while, he slowly released his mouth, then glared at him and said, "Second brother, some things are best left unsaid between us brothers behind closed doors. You know what's going on. Once we're out, you absolutely mustn't let a third person know, or the consequences will be unimaginable."
However, upon hearing this, Long Ye suddenly raised an eyebrow, turned slightly to him, and said casually, "I would never reveal such an important matter, but the beauty in the backyard doesn't know."
"Beauty...you already know?" Long En exclaimed in shock.
Long Ye snorted coldly and said angrily, "Hmph, Big Brother. I'm not trying to criticize you, but how could you do this? You've really disappointed the brothers. You always say that our Xiaolong Society is a righteous force, not those bandits and robbers. We can't bully men and women, we can't rob and plunder, we can't force women into prostitution, we can't rape or kidnap, we can't do this, and we can't do that... But why can you bring any woman you fancy back to keep her as your mistress, while we have to abide by all those so-called bullshit rules you set? Isn't this blatant 'only the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden to light lamps'? If this continues, where is your authority, Big Brother? Where is your credibility? Day after day, I'm afraid one day, Big Brother's position will be in serious jeopardy!"
Hearing this, Long En anxiously glanced at the sky; the sun was already high in the sky, and it seemed they would be too late if they didn't set off soon. He took a breath and finally said, "Second brother, our brotherhood is one of life and death, not something formed overnight. If you truly understand me, I need not explain myself. But if you don't, any further words from me today will be in vain. Alright, it's getting late, elder brother should depart. These next few days, the Xiaolong Society will have to work hard for you, second brother. Remember, do not harm those women in the slightest; do not bring trouble upon yourselves."
As soon as he finished speaking, Long En leaped onto his horse and galloped away through the imposing stone gate, raising clouds of dust.
Watching his tall figure recede into the distance, Long Ye narrowed his eyes and spat at the ground, "Pah!"
He then snorted coldly, raising an eyebrow as if he were talking to himself with great interest: "Hmph, 'A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman,' how can I not take advantage of such a free lunch? You won't let me move, but do you think I'll just obediently stay still? I'm going to make a move anyway, I want to see what you can do to me. You've been suppressing me for so many years, I've had enough, it's time to show you what I'm capable of."
"Come out!" As soon as he finished speaking, Long Ye called out to the mysterious person who had been hiding behind the stone door.
"Did you hear what Chief Long said just now?" It turned out that this person was the one who had been whispering with Long Ye just now. As soon as he approached, Long Ye asked arrogantly.
"Reporting to the Vice Chief, I heard everything clearly," the subordinate replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute and lowering his eyes.
"So, in your opinion, should this gang leader touch his beauties or not?" Long Ye asked as they walked back to Xiaolong Hall.
Upon hearing this, the subordinate paused for a moment, then replied after a brief thought, "The deputy leader has probably already made up his mind, so why bother asking for my opinion?"
"Sigh, you're usually so smart, sensible, and full of clever ideas, so why can't you see through this? It's not that I'm afraid... Ugh, you're so slow. Just say what you're told, stop with the nonsense." It has to be said that even now, Long Ye was still quite wary of this gang leader, otherwise he wouldn't be speaking so hesitantly, so reluctant to speak, and so lacking in confidence.
Back then, to achieve his grand ambitions, he dared to do something as heinous as abandoning his wife and children. What could he possibly be unwilling to give up or be reluctant to do? If I were to truly anger him because of this, I might not necessarily escape unscathed.
At this moment, the subordinate seemed to have finally mustered up his courage and said to him, "Since that's the case, then I'll be so bold as to speak. However, if I say anything incorrect, I hope the deputy leader will forgive me."
"Speak, speak!" Long Ye waved his hand, seemingly urging him anxiously.
The subordinate paused for a moment, pondered briefly, then took a deep breath and said softly, "In my humble opinion, it would be better for the Vice Leader not to provoke trouble with this. After all, Leader Long's prestige within the Xiaolong Society is the highest. If the Vice Leader crosses his line, he certainly won't let it go easily. At that point, just as Leader Long said before he left, the Vice Leader will truly be courting disaster! If the Vice Leader wants women, I have plenty of ways. I know there used to be many on the street near Wanjiao Pavilion in the south of the city..."
Before he could finish speaking, Long Ye seemed unable to listen any longer and angrily interrupted him, "Shut up! Don't say another word! Why can he do whatever he wants, while I, the gang leader, can only go to brothels to find those used and shabby women? Can't I even find a virgin to play with? Tell me... don't you even look down on me? Fine, get out! Get back to your back mountain right now and never come back! Get out..."
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