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

Chapter 169 Gift Giving

The meal lasted until late 9 PM, by which time the food on the table had gone cold, and the wine had been refilled four or five times.

When the banquet ended, Wei Zhenghong personally escorted them downstairs.

At the entrance of Qingfeng Tower, two rows of large red lanterns were still lit, illuminating the area as brightly as day.

A night breeze blew by, causing the lanterns to sway gently and cast flickering shadows on the ground.

Wei Zhenghong held Su Bai's hand tightly. His palm was warm and slightly sweaty.

"Lord Su," he said with a smile, "it is my honor to have you here today. If you ever need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to ask, and I will do my best to help."

Su Bai nodded and said calmly, "Patriarch Wei, you're too kind."

Wu Shixun stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Lord Su, please wait. I will visit you again another day."

Xie Yulang also clasped his hands in greeting, his smile beaming, "My lord, I, Xie, will treat you to drinks another day!"

Wan Youcai and Zhou Fulai also said goodbye one by one, their faces full of smiles.

Su Bai released Wei Zhenghong's hand and mounted his horse. Once seated, he looked down at the group of people.

They stood in the brightly lit area, their smiles more sincere than the last, their eyes shining with more fervent light than the last.

But Su Bai knew that behind those smiles lay speculation, probing, and careful weighing of options.

He withdrew his gaze and gently spurred the horse's flanks.

The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone slabs, the sound particularly clear in the quiet night.

After walking a few dozen steps, he suddenly reined in his horse and looked back.

At the entrance of Qingfeng Tower, Wei Zhenghong and his companions still stood there, watching him leave. In the bright light, their shadows stretched long and thin, casting several distorted black streaks on the bluestone slabs.

They remained standing, motionless, as if confirming that he was truly gone.

Su Bai's lips curled up slightly, forming a faint smile.

His submission was genuine, and his test was also genuine. But the gifts he gave were real—a pledge of allegiance, a bribe. From now on, as long as he doesn't hold a knife to their throats, they won't willingly jump out to their deaths.

As for the future—

Su Bai withdrew his gaze and gently squeezed his legs together.

The sound of horses' hooves rang out again, gradually fading into the depths of the night.

It was already late at night when they returned to the Zhenfu Division.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone slabs in the courtyard, giving them a faint silvery frost.

The window of the signing room was still lit, and the dim candlelight shone through the window paper, casting a warm patch of light in the courtyard.

As soon as Su Bai dismounted, a figure came out from the signing room to greet him.

It is Tang Dingzhen.

He was wearing a black official uniform with his collar slightly open, clearly showing signs of impatience from waiting for so long.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Su Bai, and he quickly stepped forward, asking in a low voice, "Sir, how was it?"

His voice carried a mix of urgency, anticipation, and an indescribable nervousness.

Su Bai did not answer, but walked straight into the signing room.

Tang Dingzhen followed behind, his gaze falling on the bulging thing in Su Bai's arms, which seemed to be stuffed with something. His eyes lit up, but he didn't ask any questions and simply followed him into the house.

Inside the signing room, candlelight shone brightly. The official documents on the desk were still spread out, and the tea in the teacups had long since gone cold, clearly indicating that Tang Dingzhen had been waiting for quite some time.

Su Bai walked to the desk and put the things he was carrying on the table.

Brocade boxes, brocade pouches, scrolls, ginseng boxes, and bundles were placed on the desk one by one, making sounds that were sometimes light and sometimes heavy.

Tang Dingzhen's eyes widened in disbelief.

He stared blankly at the pile of things, his mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

Then he stepped forward, reached out and picked up the brocade box, opened it and glanced at the pair of jade pendants, which gleamed warmly in the candlelight. A corner of the silver note underneath was visible, with the numbers clearly legible.

His hand trembled, and he almost dropped the brocade box.

He quickly put down the brocade box, picked up the brocade pouch, untied the silk thread, and took out the pair of jade discs.

Under the candlelight, the jade disc was smooth and lustrous, gleaming with a faint bluish-white light.

He swallowed hard, put down the jade disc, and then opened the scroll. The scroll unfolded to reveal a landscape painting, its brushstrokes rich and vibrant, conveying a profound and distant atmosphere.

Although he didn't understand painting, he could tell from the yellowed paper and the white jade scroll end that it was no ordinary piece.

Finally, he picked up the square box made of rosewood and opened the lid.

A faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air.

His hands trembled as he looked at the century-old ginseng, which was as thick as a baby's arm.

"My lord—" He looked up at Su Bai, his voice trembling, "This, this is—this is too extravagant!"

Su Bai didn't reply, but simply sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. The tea had long since gone cold and tasted slightly bitter, but he drank it calmly.

Tang Dingzhen carefully placed the items one by one, as if she were holding some fragile treasure.

After he finished, he took a step back, his gaze sweeping over the pile of gifts before looking at Su Bai, hesitant to speak.

Su Bai put down her teacup and looked up at him: "What do you want to ask?"

Tang Dingzhen hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and asked in a low voice, "Sir, what do they mean by this?"

Su Bai leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "What do you mean? Toll money."

"Toll?" Tang Dingzhen was taken aback.

Su Bai looked at him calmly: "The Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang have been wiped out. They can't figure out my background, and they don't know who I'll deal with next. Sending some things is a way to sound them out and get acquainted with them. As long as I don't touch them, they won't touch me."

Tang Dingzhen nodded thoughtfully. After thinking for a moment, he cautiously asked, "Then—does Your Excellency intend to take action against them?"

Su Bai glanced at him.

That glance was so faint, as if it were nothing at all.

Tang Dingzhen's heart tightened, and just as he was about to speak, Su Bai stood up and walked to the window.

The moonlight streaming through the window cast a long shadow of him. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the night outside, remaining silent for a long time.

Tang Dingzhen stood there, not daring to utter a sound.

After a long silence, Su Bai finally spoke, his voice calm: "Why bother with them?"

Tang Dingzhen was taken aback.

Looking out the window, Su Bai continued, "The reason the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang were able to be destroyed is because they did indeed commit crimes, oppress the people, act tyrannically, and have lives on their hands. The Garrison Command had sufficient reason to take action against them."

He paused, turned around, and looked at Tang Dingzhen.

Moonlight streamed in from behind him, casting shadows over his face, revealing only his eyes. Those eyes were calm as still water, yet they inspired awe and fear.

"But the Wei family, the Wu family, the Xie family, the Wan family, and the Chamber of Commerce Alliance—they're all doing legitimate business, and there's nothing to hide. Even if there were something, it wouldn't be something that could be uncovered overnight. Taking action rashly would only force them together, which would only make things more complicated."

Tang Dingzhen nodded thoughtfully.

Su Bai walked back to the table and sat down again. He picked up his teacup, only to find that the tea had gone cold, so he put it down again.

"Besides, do you think they came here today because they genuinely want to back down?"

Tang Dingzhen was taken aback: "You mean, sir—"

"They're under pressure from Fengshan County," Su Bai interrupted him, his gaze slightly narrowed. "The previous official has been dead for so long, yet Fengshan County hasn't sent anyone to take him back, instead allowing me, the 'temporary' one, to secure my position. This is abnormal in itself."

He paused, then continued, "Fengshan County is putting pressure on them. They dare not cause trouble at this critical juncture—if they anger the county and it sends down a truly capable person, they will be in even more trouble. Rather than taking risks, it's better to appease me first."

Tang Dingzhen suddenly realized, her eyes lighting up: "So they—after weighing the options, decided that maintaining the status quo with the adults is the best course of action?"

Su Bai nodded.

Tang Dingzhen clicked his tongue, the tension on his face fading, replaced by an indescribable expression. He suddenly smiled, a smile containing a mix of emotion, admiration, and relief.

"Sir, that's a brilliant move—" he exclaimed sincerely. "You neither push them too far nor let them figure out the truth, you just leave them hanging. They're uncertain, so they won't dare to make any rash moves."

Su Bai did not respond.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the pile of gifts.

In the candlelight, the brocade boxes and jade discs gleamed with a warm luster.

He reached out and picked up the brocade box, opened it, and glanced at the pair of jade pendants inside. The jade pendants lay quietly on the dark red velvet, their surface as smooth and lustrous as solidified cream.

He closed the box and looked again at the century-old ginseng, the landscape painting, the brocade, and the pair of jade discs.

He accepted these gifts with a clear conscience.

If we don't accept it, they will become more uneasy and suspicious.

They were relieved to accept the gift, knowing that it meant they were willing to maintain the status quo and wouldn't break off relations.

Just the right amount of deterrence, just the right amount of balance.

This is what he needs right now.

He looked away and stood up.

"These gifts should be registered, recorded, and stored."

Tang Dingzhen quickly replied, "Yes!"

Su Bai walked to the door and suddenly stopped. He didn't turn around, but simply said with his back to Tang Dingzhen, "Starting tomorrow, take stock of the Golden Knife Alliance and Blood Knife Gang's assets."

Tang Dingzhen was taken aback: "Industry?"

Su Bai turned around and looked at him: "Although the two gangs have been wiped out, their shops, fields, and houses are still there. According to the law, these things should be confiscated. But how to deal with them after confiscation is up to us."

Tang Dingzhen's eyes lit up.

Su Bai continued, his voice calm, as if he were talking about something ordinary: "Those shops, those in good locations, can be rented out, and the rent goes to the Zhenfu Division. Those fields can be distributed to the families of the constables to cultivate, and some rent can be collected. Those houses can be converted into residences for the constables, or simply sold and the proceeds divided."

He looked at Tang Dingzhen, his gaze calm: "Go and take stock of how many brothers are in need of financial assistance. After the assets are disposed of, prioritize distributing them to them."

Tang Dingzhen was stunned.

He stared blankly at Su Bai, his eyes wide open, his mouth agape but no sound came out. His lips trembled, and his eyes were slightly red.

After a long pause, he finally found his voice, a voice so hoarse it was almost unrecognizable: "My lord—this—"

Su Bai waved her hand, interrupting him: "Go ahead."

Tang Dingzhen stood still and gave Su Bai a deep look.

In that glance, there was gratitude, admiration, and something else indescribable—as if something had taken root in his heart.

Then he clasped his hands tightly and bowed deeply to the ground.

"Yes, sir!"

He turned and left, his steps steady and powerful, carrying an unprecedented determination.

Su Bai gazed in the direction he had left, her eyes calm as still water.

Use interests to bind people's hearts.

This was a principle he understood even before he transmigrated.

Why didn't those constables dare to fight against the gangs before?

Because it's not worth it.

Why risk your life for a salary of just a few taels of silver a month?

If I die, what will happen to my family?

If they get injured, who will take care of them?

It's different now.

With the Golden Knife Alliance and Blood Knife Gang's assets divided up, they had hope for the future.

Those shops, fields, and houses no longer belonged to the Zhenfu Division, but to them.

Anyone who tries to touch these things is tantamount to attacking their very lifeline.

At that point, they will fight desperately on their own without his orders.

Su Bai withdrew his gaze and looked out the window.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone slabs in the courtyard.

A night breeze blew by, rustling the leaves of the old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard and casting dappled shadows on the ground.

He suddenly remembered the invitations he had received during the day.

Gold-flecked stationery, meticulous wording, and a humble demeanor.

Soft clothes?

No, it was a test.

But he was satisfied with the result of the test.

Next—

His eyes flickered slightly.

He has to go to the Qishan Mountains.

According to a treasure map found by the Blood Blade Gang, there seems to be some treasure in Qishan. The treasure map was found in Liang Yan's secret room, hidden in an iron box that was locked.

He was right beside Tang Dingzhen when she picked the lock. The picture was yellowed and brittle, with some damage at the edges, but the mountains and rivers on it were still clearly visible. The Qishan Mountains, three hundred miles north of Qingyuan County, are deep in the mountains and forests, rarely visited by people.

It is said that there is something extraordinary there.

Since he had nothing to do for the time being, he planned to go and take a look.

Under the moonlight, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, forming a faint arc.

Qishan.

A treasure.

interesting.

The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Su Bai sat down in the signing room.

A faint light shone through the window paper, illuminating the room in a dim light.

The candle on the table still burned its last flame, flickering in the morning breeze. He spread out official paper, dipped his brush in ink, and began to write a letter.

The pen tip landed on the paper, making a soft scratching sound.

The ink spread across the rice paper, transforming into neat small characters detailing the process of annihilating the Golden Knife Alliance and the Blood Knife Gang, the post-battle handling, the number of spoils, and the imprisonment of prisoners—all written clearly.

Everything that needed to be written was written, and nothing that shouldn't have been written was mentioned. The wording was precise, the logic was clear, and the balance was just right.

After finishing writing, he put down his pen, picked up the official document, and read it again. As the morning light gradually brightened, it shone on his face, revealing a pair of calm, still eyes.

He nodded, folded the document, put it in an envelope, and sealed it with sealing wax.

"Someone come here."

A servant immediately entered from outside the door and bowed.

Su Bai handed over the envelope: "Send it to Fengshan County by express horse, urgently."

The constable accepted it with both hands, solemnly replied, "Yes!", turned and strode away, his footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.

Su Bai stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the constables in the courtyard had already begun their busy day.

Some were sweeping, some were practicing martial arts, and some were carrying things in and out. Their movements were much lighter than usual, and their faces were full of unprecedented energy.

According to regulations, county-level military commanders must report to the prefecture when they suppress gangs.