A person sacrifices himself to become a saint in a chaotic world of martial arts.

Chapter 166 Other Forces of the Paper Tiger

With Su Bai's destruction of the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang.

Not only the other six major forces were also in turmoil.

Some small and medium-sized forces also began to panic.

In a small martial arts school in the south of the city, the owner sat in the backyard, gazing blankly at the moon in the sky.

He was surrounded by a group of disciples, and one of them asked in a low voice, "Master, the Zhenfu Division has wiped out two families. Will they come after us as well?" His voice trembled.

The curator didn't speak, but simply shook his head, very slowly.

he does not know.

In a security escort agency in the north of the city, the chief escort was discussing something with several trusted confidants.

Someone suggested sending a generous gift to the Zhenfu Division to express their gratitude, and a list of gifts was even drawn up.

Some people say there's no rush, let's see how the six major powers react first, and the nail that sticks out gets hammered down;

Some people were worried, fearing that if the city gate caught fire, the innocent bystanders would be affected, and they were so anxious that they almost squeezed the water out of their teacups.

The head镖师 listened to their argument without saying a word, only gripping his teacup tightly until his knuckles turned white.

And those small fry who used to follow the eight major powers and get a share of the pie—the casino owners, the loan sharks, the protection collectors—are now cowering in their own territories, not daring to utter a sound.

Some people hid in their houses, not daring to turn on the lights, sitting in the dark; others leaned over the walls, straining their ears to listen to the sounds on the street.

Some people hide their valuables in cellars for emergencies.

They are all waiting.

The reactions of the six major powers.

Let's see what that young man named Su Bai will do next.

We're also waiting for an answer—

Is the Zhenfu Division really about to undergo a major upheaval this time, or will it be all bark and no bite, just like it was twenty years ago?

In the night breeze, these questions drifted through every street and alley of Qingyuan County, like invisible dark clouds weighing on everyone's heart.

Even the wind carrying a sense of unease.

In the courtyard of the Blood Blade Gang's headquarters, torches were still burning, crackling and sending sparks flying.

The constables continued their work, their footsteps still hurried, and their shouts still echoed. The boxes were carried out one by one, loaded onto carts, and the carts rattled as they were transported towards the Zhenfu Division.

The prisoners were led out in a string, heads down, staggering, disappearing into the night—some looked back, their eyes filled with complex emotions.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone slabs, onto the busy figures, and onto the thick-backed broadsword still nailed to the doorpost at the entrance.

The red silk fluttered and rustled in the night wind, while the blade trembled slightly, emitting a very soft "humming" sound, as if it were telling a story.

Su Bai stood at the entrance of the main hall, watching all of this.

His gaze swept over the busy constables, their faces glistening with sweat, smiles, and an unprecedented light.

A glance at the bowed prisoners made them look as if their bones had been removed, leaving them listless and dejected.

A slash swept across the large knife nailed to the doorpost, leaving dark bloodstains on its surface, before finally landing on the gray-white wall.

The azure sky, the drifting white clouds, and the undiminished moonlight.

He suddenly laughed.

It was faint, subtle, lasting only a moment; the corners of her lips turned up slightly before returning to calm, disappearing from her serene face. But that smile had indeed been there, like a fleeting ripple in the moonlight.

Then he turned and walked back to the main hall. His back was tall and steady, and every step he took was firm and resounding.

The tea on the table had gone cold, and the snacks remained untouched, not even a corner was touched. The box of martial arts manuals was still on the table, neatly arranged, the books stacked as if cut with a knife.

He sat back in his chair, closed his eyes, and began to organize the martial arts techniques he had collected that night. His breathing was steady and long, and his face was calm as still water.

Outside the courtyard, the moonlight was like water, and the torches burned brightly.

Busy people are still busy, and the night is still long.

On the third day after the Blood Blade Gang was destroyed, the invitation was delivered to the Zhenfu Division.

It was a cloudy afternoon. Lead-gray clouds hung low over the county town. There was no sunshine or wind, and the air was heavy with the impending storm.

Su Bai sat in the signing room, with three gold-flecked invitation cards on the desk in front of him.

The invitations were delivered in turn by the servants, each one placed on a tray and presented to him respectfully.

At this moment, three invitation cards are lined up in a row, with mahogany trim and exquisite stationery, gleaming with a noble dark gold luster in the dimly lit room.

The bottom right corner bears the private seals of the Wei, Wu, and Xie families respectively—the Wei family's seal is in seal script, simple and dignified; the Wu family's seal is in clerical script, square and rigorous; and the Xie family's seal is in running script, elegant and unrestrained.

The three vermilion marks, like three drops of congealed blood, fell onto the gold-flecked stationery.

There was also a simpler invitation card next to it, sent by the Chamber of Commerce Alliance.

The paper used for the calligraphy was plain Xuan paper, without any gold flecks or borders, but it was folded neatly and the edges were pressed down with meticulous care.

The post has a line of small print in the bottom right corner: Respectfully presented by Zhou Fulai of Zhouji Cloth Shop.

The handwriting was neat but somewhat restrained, and the ink was a bit too dark, as if the writer had used too much force when writing.

"My lord, these families are all here." Tang Dingzhen stood at the lower end, a playful smile on his face. He tucked his hands into his sleeves, leaned forward slightly, and smiled from ear to ear. "The Blood Blade Gang was just wiped out, and the invitations have already arrived. They're afraid of being a step too late."

Su Bai didn't reply, but simply picked up the top invitation from the Wei family, flipped it open, and glanced at it.

There was a very slight rustling sound when the stationery was unfolded, and a faint scent of ink wafted out.

The handwriting is neat and orderly, each stroke written with extreme care, revealing a deliberate respect. "Wei Zhenghong's own handwriting"—these four characters stand out prominently at the bottom of the signature.

The wording is humble, filled with polite phrases like "I've long admired you," "It's a pleasure to meet you," and "I've prepared a small feast." Every word seems to be measured, neither overly warm nor impolite.

Finally, it was specifically noted that the venue was Qingfenglou, the most famous restaurant in Qingyuan County, and the third-floor private room was to be entered by invitation only. The words "entry by invitation only" were written in slightly smaller characters, as if they were added on purpose, showing a careful and thoughtful touch.

He put it down, then picked up the Wu family's.

The handwriting of Wu Shirong, the head of the Wu family, is largely the same in content.

The date was written with extra force, and the ink even bleeds a little.

The Xie family's invitations were more elaborate.

As soon as the letter was unfolded, a faint sandalwood scent wafted out, neither too strong nor too weak, just right.

The calligraphy, written by Xie Yulang, the third young master of the Xie family, is elegant and unrestrained, carrying a touch of youthful exuberance, but the wording is more enthusiastic than that of the Wei and Wu families.

At the end, he made a special mention of "I have long heard of Lord Su's talent at a young age, and I regret that I could not have met him sooner." The three words "regret that I could not" were written with particular ease, as if he wanted to express a sincere sense of regret through his handwriting.

The Chamber of Commerce's visiting card was the simplest, containing only a few words and the most humble wording.

However, Zhou Fulai added at the end, "Whenever you have time, my shop will be at your service." The meaning was quite clear: the Chamber of Commerce dared not compete with the other businesses for priority, but only hoped to be ranked.

This sentence was written in a very small size, as if squeezed into a corner, conveying a humble earnestness.

Su Bai put down the four invitations together and looked up at Tang Dingzhen. His expression was calm and composed, showing no emotional fluctuations.

What do you think?

Tang Dingzhen chuckled, took half a step forward, and his smile deepened: "My lord, is there any need to look? You've already given in."

.

As he spoke, his right hand unconsciously gestured in the air, as if he were describing something. "After the Golden Knife Alliance and Blood Knife Gang were wiped out, those other families were worried. They couldn't figure out the details of the master, and they didn't dare to confront him directly. So they had to hold a banquet to test the waters."

He paused, then added with a hint of schadenfreude: "In the past, these families would never have taken the Zhenfu Division seriously."

When our people walk down the street, their guards and servants look down on them and don't even glance at them.

Now, they're all rushing to send out invitations, afraid the adults won't grant them the honor.

Su Bai didn't speak, but simply leaned back in his chair.

The bamboo backrest of the grand master's chair leans slightly backward, emitting a soft creaking sound.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table, once, twice, three times, with a steady rhythm, as if he were measuring something.

Tang Dingzhen is right, this is admitting defeat.

But behind the act of yielding lies a test, a probe, and a weighing of options.

He destroyed the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang; those other factions couldn't possibly remain indifferent.

Instead of joining forces to fight back, they rushed to host banquets and feasts—what does this mean?

This shows that they are unsure of his background, don't know where he came from, and have no idea who he will target next.

Rather than confronting him head-on, let's sit down and have a drink to see who this new deputy constable really is.

Su Bai picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea was cold, slightly bitter at first, but he tasted a hint of sweetness in the aftertaste. He put down the teacup, the light flickering faintly, as if he were pondering something.

"What times do they usually schedule meetings with?"

Tang Dingzhen immediately replied, clearly having memorized the date: "The Wei family's date is tonight, the Wu family's is tomorrow night, and the Xie family's is the day after tomorrow. The Chamber of Commerce hasn't specified a date yet; they're just waiting for your convenience, sir."

"Then tonight it is." Su Bai put down his teacup, stood up, and said, "Let's go to the Wei family first."

He rose very quietly, the armchair barely making a sound. He walked to the window and stood with his hands behind his back.

Tang Dingzhen responded, hesitated for a moment, then took half a step forward and lowered his voice, saying, "Sir, should we bring a few people with us?"

""

Su Bai glanced back at him, her gaze calm: "What are you doing bringing people with you?"

Tang Dingzhen paused for a moment, then gave an awkward laugh and rubbed his hands together: "This subordinate was afraid—what if—"

"There's no 'what if'." Su Bai turned his head and looked out the window. "If they really wanted a trap, they wouldn't have chosen Qingfeng Tower as the location. It's the liveliest place in Qingyuan County, with people coming and going. If something happens, they won't be able to escape responsibility."

Outside the window is the courtyard of the Zhenfu Division.

In the courtyard, several bailiffs were sweeping fallen leaves, their bamboo brooms making a rustling sound as they swept across the bluestone slabs.

They swept the floor while chatting and laughing, their faces beaming with an unprecedented smugness—the kind of triumphant pride that made them walk with an air of superiority.

Ever since the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang were destroyed, the constables of the Town Pacification Division have become like completely different people.

He walks with his back straight, speaks louder, and even his sweeping movements are full of vigor.

Yesterday, an old constable remarked to Tang Dingzhen that after working in the Zhenfu Division for twenty years, this was the first time he felt comfortable wearing his official robes.

Su Bai withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Have the brothers perform their duties as usual tonight, patrol as needed, and rest as appropriate. I'll go alone."

"Yes." Tang Dingzhen clasped his hands in response, turned around and strode away. His footsteps faded into the distance along the corridor, eventually disappearing in the direction of the courtyard gate.

Su Bai stood by the window, watching his departing figure, a slight smile curving her lips.

Soft clothes?

interesting.

As the sun began to set, Su Bai left the Zhenfu Division.

He changed into casual clothes, a moon-white long robe, a matching silk sash around his waist, and a pair of blue cloth shoes.

His attire made him look less like a decisive chief clerk and more like a young scholar going out to visit a friend.

He strolled slowly along East Street.

The streets were lined with shops, cloth shops, grain shops, general stores, and teahouses, one after another.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the roof tiles, bathing the entire street in a golden-red hue.

The streets were bustling with people: vendors carrying loads, women with baskets, and children chasing and playing.

Su Bai walked at a leisurely pace, occasionally glancing at the shops along the roadside, but mostly just looking ahead.

People recognize him from time to time.

The people's reactions were quite interesting. They were first stunned, then their eyes flickered, and then they lowered their heads and hurriedly walked away, pretending not to have seen anything.

Some people stood at a distance, watching and whispering amongst themselves.

Su Bai ignored him and continued walking forward.

Qingfeng Tower is located in the middle of the most bustling East Street in Qingyuan County. With its three-story flying eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, it is the most magnificent building in the entire county.

Just as dusk was falling, two rows of large red lanterns in front of the building were already lit, hanging in strings under the eaves, illuminating the entire building as if it were daytime.

The entrance to the building was bustling with people coming and going.

There were wealthy merchants dressed in silk, scions of noble families with jade pendants hanging from their waists, singing girls holding pipa, and waiters carrying food boxes.

As soon as Su Bai approached, a sharp-eyed waiter at the door immediately came to greet him.

The young man was in his early twenties, wearing an indigo brown shorts and a white apron around his waist, with a professional smile plastered on his face.

He strode forward, bowed deeply, and said with a beaming smile, "Is this Lord Su? Master Wei has been waiting for you in the private room upstairs for quite some time. Please come in, sir!"

His voice was extremely polite, and he bowed very low as he spoke, but his eyes couldn't help but glance upwards, quickly assessing Su Bai with curiosity, awe, and a hint of barely concealed nervousness.

Su Bai nodded and followed the waiter inside.

The first floor is the lobby, where a dozen or so tables of guests are scattered. The sounds of clinking bowls and chopsticks, drinking games, and laughter mingle together, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

As soon as Su Bai entered the room, the voices seemed to be choked and instantly fell silent.

Dozens of eyes turned to them simultaneously, some with curiosity, some with scrutiny, and some with apprehension.

Su Bai remained expressionless and followed the waiter upstairs.

The staircase was made of mahogany, its creaking sound particularly clear in the suddenly quiet lobby. From time to time, guests would peek out from the corridors on the second and third floors, their gazes fixed on Su Bai as if trying to see right through him.

The news spread really fast.

Su Bai's lips curled slightly, but he didn't turn around. He simply followed the waiter up to the third floor.

The third floor was much quieter than the downstairs. The corridor was covered with a dark red carpet, which made no sound when you stepped on it.

On both sides were private rooms, their doors tightly closed. Occasionally, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses could be heard from inside, but they were muffled by the heavy doors.