Longevity Martial Arts: Obtain Golden Affixes at the Start

"With Honglang here, who dares to step forward? Who... can step forward!"

This shout was completely different from the one given during morning practice.

At that time, he was just talking to thin air; although his voice was loud, it lacked some of the murderous intent.

At this moment, blood was indeed drawn. The sound waves reverberated throughout the courtyard, and several loose tiles on the courtyard wall fell down and shattered into pieces on the ground.

The Black Wind Sect disciples felt their heads explode with a buzzing sound, and they involuntarily staggered back two steps.

Seeing that the group was being suppressed, Hong Lang whispered a few words in Mo Qiushui's ear.

Mo Qiushui was taken aback at first, then nodded with some doubt.

Hong Lang announced loudly, "If you don't want to stay in Hengjiang County, you may leave. If you want to stay, each of you can receive twenty-four Blood Essence Pills next year!"

Everyone was somewhat surprised by these words.

Hengjiang County has a population of just over 10,000. After paying 80% of its tax revenue, it can only receive a reward of about 200 Blood Essence Pills.

If the six of them take 24 pills a year, that's 144 pills.

After deducting the portion that Hong Lang should have received, there certainly won't be much left.

Could it be that the magistrate, after working so hard all year, is only willing to keep such a small amount of Blood Essence Pills for himself?

The Black Wind Sect went to great lengths to associate with Mo Wentian, all for the Blood Essence Pill!

Upon hearing Hong Lang's words, the group instantly forgot about Han Chong's death.

Twenty-four Blood Essence Pills.

This number is like a hook, gripping their hearts tightly.

Logically speaking, in a small county like Hengjiang County, it would be quite good if a warrior under its jurisdiction received twelve Blood Essence Pills a year.

According to Hong Lang, doubling the supply of Blood Essence Pills means that the annual cultivation speed will be twice as fast as before, and the cultivation time can be greatly shortened.

How could anyone not be tempted? After all, in this world where strength reigns supreme, nothing is more reassuring than the improvement of one's power.

Mo Qiushui cleared her throat and said in a deep voice, "What County Magistrate Hong said is true. Since I dare to make this promise, if you are willing to stay, you will receive all twenty-four Blood Essence Pills, not one less."

Lai Ting slowly sheathed his sword: "Magistrate Mo, Lieutenant Hong, do you keep your word?"

"This county never goes back on its word," Mo Qiushui said without changing her expression.

Yan Yu, Yu Hao, and the others behind Lai Ting exchanged glances and also sheathed their swords.

The tense killing intent from just now was completely extinguished by the twenty-four Blood Essence Pills.

"Then Senior Brother Han..."

Hong Lang said calmly, "Han Chong led the attack on the government office and uttered words of treason. According to the laws of the Great Chu, he should be executed without mercy. If any of you want to speak out for him, you can draw your swords now."

Lai Ting quickly waved his hands: "No, no! Han Chong brought this upon himself, he has no one to blame but himself. We were all dragged into this by him, we had absolutely no intention of offending the magistrate!"

After he finished speaking, the people behind him nodded vigorously.

When a wall falls, everyone pushes it down; besides, Han Chong is already a dead man.

Lai Ting even felt that Han Chong's death was just right, because with one less person to share the Blood Essence Pill, wouldn't they get even more?

Hong Lang glanced at them and said indifferently, "That's good. I'll have Lao Liu draft a document later, stating Han Chong's crimes. You can sign and affix your fingerprints to it, and I'll submit it to the prefect so that this matter can be settled."

Upon hearing this, the relief on Lai Ting and the others' faces instantly froze.

Everyone cursed inwardly; this was practically forcing them to put their necks in nooses.

If you sign this document, you'll have to obey orders from now on. If you're not careful, this joint document will be dug up and you'll be labeled an "accomplice."

Hong Lang's move was even more ruthless than the kick just now; it was a move that killed the person and demoralized them.

Lai Ting's expression changed repeatedly, but in the end he didn't dare to utter a single word of "no".

For the Blood Essence Pill... Let's do it!

He gritted his teeth and said, "County Commandant Hong is right. Han Chong deserves his punishment. We are willing to sign."

The others echoed this sentiment.

Several people carried Han Chong's body and slunk out of the courtyard.

Liu Zhong immediately turned around and went back into the house to begin writing documents.

After the outsiders had all left, Mo Qiushui looked at Hong Lang with a complex expression in her eyes. She asked in a low voice, "County Commandant Hong, are you really going to give them twenty-four Blood Essence Pills?"

Hong Lang dusted off his wolf-skin coat: "The Black Wind Sect will break with the Prefect sooner or later. When that happens, why would we need to give them Blood Essence Pills? We're just keeping them calm for now."

Mo Qiushui asked, "What if there hadn't been a complete break?"

Hong Lang chuckled softly: "Even if there's no complete break, as long as they've signed the documents, what can they do if we don't give them to them afterwards?"

Mo Qiushui suddenly realized, and murmured, "So that's how it is..."

In the evening, Liu Zhong brought the documents to Hong Lang's desk.

"Signed?"

"They've all signed. All six people, not one missing." Liu Zhong handed over the documents.

Hong Lang took the document and examined it carefully: "Lai Ting, Yan Yu, Yu Hao, Jiang Shuo, Zhou Si, Zhu Ang..."

He tucked the document into his pocket: "With this, their lives are in our hands."

Liu Zhong nodded in agreement, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "County Commandant Hong, there is one more matter."

"explain."

"The Lin, Wang, Zhang, and Zhao families in the city sent word this afternoon that they would like to invite you to a casual meal."

"Invite me? Shouldn't they be inviting Magistrate Mo?"

Liu Zhong chuckled: "They went to invite him the day before yesterday, but Magistrate Mo didn't accept."

"So they turned around and came looking for me?"

"Exactly."

Hong Lang had spent some time in Hengjiang County and had some understanding of these four families.

Although they are called the four major families, they are actually just four powerful local families that have been operating for generations. Each has its own business, including grain shops, cloth shops, butcher shops, and restaurants. They are deeply intertwined and control most of the economic lifeline of Hengjiang County.

The former magistrate, Luo Heng, was able to empty the county government office; he would never have believed it without the help of these four families to dispose of the stolen goods.

"What time? What place?"

"Tonight at 7 PM, at Feiyue Tower."

Hong Lang nodded: "Okay, tell them I'll be there on time."

Liu Zhong responded and turned to leave, but was stopped by Hong Lang.

"Oh, right, call Wang Zhen and Wang Bao over."

Before long, the brothers Wang Zhen and Wang Bao entered the house one after the other.

Hong Lang took out the documents and a letter and handed them to Wang Zhen: "Send these documents and a letter to the county seat as quickly as possible and personally deliver them to Prefect Mo. There must be no delays on the way, and they must not pass through any other person's hands. Do you understand?"

Wang Zhen took the documents and letter, patted his chest, and said, "Don't worry, Magistrate Hong, my brother and I will travel through the night and won't make any mistakes."

The hour of Xu (7-9 PM).

Hong Lang changed into his purple robe and wolf-skin coat and arrived at Feiyue Tower.

Before I even reached the door, a middle-aged man in a silk robe strode up to me, his round face beaming with smiles, and he bowed respectfully from a distance.

"Oh, this must be Magistrate Hong! It's an honor to meet you! I am Lin Yuanzhou, and I've been waiting for you here for quite some time!"

Hong Lang glanced at him.

Lin Yuanzhou was in his early forties, fair-skinned, and looked like someone who had been pampered for many years. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, revealing the shrewdness unique to businessmen.

"Master Lin, you're too kind," Hong Lang returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Lieutenant Hong, please come quickly. The Wang, Zhang, and Zhao families have already arrived at the private room upstairs."