However, before the Green Snake Gang disciple could even touch the longsword, a burst of energy shot out from between Chu Qinghe's fingers.
Such a sudden turn of events might not even catch a martial artist of ordinary second-rate skill level off guard.
Not to mention this Green Snake Gang disciple.
There was almost no time for the Green Snake Gang disciple to react before Chu Qinghe struck his acupoint with his energy.
As the acupoints were struck, the Green Snake Gang disciple's body immediately stiffened and he was unable to move.
The Green Snake Gang disciple's hand was still two inches away from the long knife on the table.
Faced with the immobilized body, the Green Snake Gang disciple's eyes narrowed.
"Damn it, wasn't this guy supposed to be just an ordinary person? How could this be?"
As he cursed inwardly, the Green Snake Gang disciple, realizing Chu Qinghe was no ordinary man, became even more terrified and hurriedly said, "Master Chu... no, Master Chu, I was blind and ignorant, I have offended you, please have mercy, please have mercy..."
After lingering his gaze on the Green Snake Gang disciple who was constantly begging for mercy for a few moments, Chu Qinghe gently shook his head.
To be honest, Chu Qinghe actually found the other party's arrogant and unruly demeanor more pleasing to the eye.
Now, this situation made Chu Qinghe feel like he was the one bullying someone.
After suppressing the strange thought in his mind, Chu Qinghe slowly said, "I'll ask you a few questions, and you'll have to cooperate."
Upon hearing Chu Qinghe's words, the Green Snake Gang disciple's expression froze for a moment, but he immediately nodded rapidly like a chicken pecking at rice, and said in a low voice with difficulty, "Please ask, I will definitely cooperate."
He seemed terrified that if he hesitated even a second longer, he would suffer the same fate as the three Green Snake Gang disciples on the ground.
Seeing this, Chu Qinghe asked, "How long have you been in the Green Snake Gang?"
Green Snake Gang disciple: "It's been three years."
Chu Qinghe: "What position do you hold in the Green Snake Gang now?"
Green Snake Gang disciple: "I have no official position; I am just an ordinary disciple."
After asking two questions, Chu Qinghe asked the crucial one.
Do you have connections?
After saying that, Chu Qinghe thought for a moment and changed his question, "Do you have any connection with the leader of the Green Snake Gang?"
The Green Snake Gang disciple standing nearby said with a bitter face, "How could I have such good fortune? What does it have to do with the gang leader? I had to spend ten taels of silver to get into the Green Snake Gang."
As he spoke, the Green Snake Gang disciple glanced at the several Green Snake Gang members on the ground who were unable to move and whose mouths were bleeding profusely. His heart tightened and he begged for mercy again.
"Master Chu, this time I was blinded by greed. Young Master Chu, please just let me go. I promise I will never dare to appear in front of you again."
Hearing what the Green Snake Gang disciple said, Chu Qinghe did not respond, but muttered softly, "No background? That's good, saves trouble."
After all, nepotism is always a troublesome thing.
If this person has any connections or background within the Green Snake Gang, then after this incident, the Green Snake Gang will definitely not let it go unpunished.
After dealing with these guys, Chu Qinghe might have to make a special trip to the Green Snake Gang.
Otherwise, with a hostile force watching over him in Yushui City, Chu Qinghe would feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Unless it's a permanent solution, and the Green Snake Gang is dealt with as well.
But if these people in front of you have no connections or background, then things are much simpler.
Even if I were to deal with these four Green Snake Gang disciples, the Green Snake Gang probably wouldn't have any intention of retaliating.
Having confirmed these things, Chu Qinghe glanced at the Green Snake Gang disciples in front of him and suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, aren't you worried that doing this kind of money-grabbing business will bring trouble to your Green Snake Gang?"
In this world, the martial arts world and the imperial court are said to be clearly distinct, but in reality, after hundreds of years, they have long been intricately intertwined.
Every place often has two orders.
One type is the order that is overt.
One is the order behind the scenes.
The overt order is the imperial court.
Behind the scenes, of course, lies the underworld.
There are some things that are inconvenient to resolve even when the imperial court intervenes.
Therefore, over the centuries, the martial arts world and the imperial court have formed a unique system in this world.
Every city and even every village would divide its annual tax revenue into two portions, whether it was commercial tax or civilian tax.
Of these, seven were sold to the imperial court.
The remaining 30% was divided among various factions within the martial arts world.
Lower-level factions, on the other hand, need to supply the higher-level factions that manage their respective regions every month.
As for how much tax the lower-level forces need to pay, that is determined by the top power in that region.
For example, Wudang requires its subordinate forces to pay 50% of the monthly tribute.
If we split it in half, everyone's happy.
Some of the harsher ones might even demand that 70% or 80% be handed over.
And this money will ultimately flow into the top powers in that region.
This Yushui City is located in the southwest of the Ming Dynasty, and the top power stationed here is the Yihua Palace in Xiuyu Valley.
The Green Snake Gang and Iron Fist Sect, second-rate forces in Yushui City, had to hand over half of their monthly allowance to the Hengshan Sect, a second-rate force responsible for their respective jurisdictions.
Then it is handed over to a higher-level first-class power.
However, Hengshan Sect is one of the Five Sacred Mountains Sword Sects.
The Five Mountains Sword Sect and the Sun Moon Sect have been at odds for centuries.
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