Even in his twilight years, he swept through the chaotic army of ten thousand warriors!

"The Mo Dao..."

Ji Yan repeated the name, his eyes gradually brightening.

"Yes! The Mo Dao!"

Fearing that Ji Yan, a lifelong farmer, wouldn't recognize him, Ma Wu quickly drew a knife shape on the table with his hand, dipping it in tea.

"This thing has a blade over seven feet long, with the blade itself making up nearly half of it; it's the most powerful weapon for infantry combat!"

"This broadsword is the most powerful; with your strength, wield it and swing it..."

He didn't finish his sentence, only using three "tsk" sounds to express himself.

It's as if just imagining the scene is enough to bring a chilling aura to your face.

"I knew it! Asking you, Xiao Wu, to help me plan was the right thing to do!"

Ji Yan was also interested and wished he could have it right now, so he immediately asked.

"Xiao Wu, where am I supposed to forge this Mo Dao?"

Ma Wu understood that Ji Yan's mind was made up, so he stopped trying to persuade him.

"Where should I get a workout...?"

"If an ordinary martial artist wants to forge a good weapon, they can only go to Tianyuan Pavilion, but it is ridiculously expensive there."

He grinned as he spoke, "But we're different; we can use the leader's name to attack Erqi!"

Ji Yan frowned slightly, his face showing concern: "Using Liu Qi's name without authorization, isn't that against the rules?"

Ma Wu waved his hand dismissively and explained.

"What's the harm in that!"

"The soldiers in the army have different physical conditions and skills. The standard weapons of the infantry cannot withstand a few swings, so each garrison has a blacksmith shop."

"Ordinary weapons will suffice, but it seems you're not prepared to settle for anything less than what you have, so only a flag officer can order them..."

"The boss was just transferred here, and he hasn't used any of his three chances yet."

"As for your concerns, do you think I don't know what kind of person the boss is?"

"Didn't Six Flags lose its quota a couple of days ago? I was thinking of selling this quota to make a profit since he doesn't need it anyway."

He patted his chest and assured them, his tone resolute.

"Don't worry, as long as you don't cause any major upheaval within the Six Banners, everything within the Six Banners is easy to handle!"

"Just tell the boss later!"

After saying that, she picked up Sharpbeak, pulled Ji Yan along, and walked out.

"It's on my way!"

"Yesterday, the brothers from the Second Banner came over to inform us that our leader is new here and hasn't had time to report the weapon exchange to the brothers."

"I reckon it'll be almost done today, so let's go over and pick up the new weapons at the same time!"

Ma Wu kept talking the whole way.

Ji Yan also took the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the garrison.

Just like the places we passed along the way, most of them were actually empty courtyards.

These blue brick courtyards were originally allocated specifically for registered military soldiers to live in. According to the military regulations of the garrison, each banner had its own courtyard, complete with armor and weapons.

The original purpose was to allow soldiers to live in peace and guard the border, to cultivate land when there was no trouble, and to don armor when there was trouble.

But by the end of this dynasty, the world had become thoroughly corrupted and the rules had been broken—

Such is the way of the world: while some starve to death and sell their children, there are always others who are fat and bloated with food.

The banner officers had long since turned military farmland into private farmland through repeated manipulations, and the military households had long since become their tenant farmers, toiling away year-round on their private land.

The grain produced naturally did not go into the garrison's public granary, but only filled the pockets of these banner officials.

Having amassed immense wealth, they paved the way with money, colluded with county officials and local gentry, and monopolized grain shops, salt shops, pawnshops, gambling dens, and even brothels in the county town.

With their daily income soaring, they no longer cared about the old brick barracks in the garrison and moved to a large, secluded mansion long ago.

Just like when Ma Wu went to collect his quota, he went to Wang Qiguan's mansion. The casino where he was later detained was also run by Wang Qiguan.

He described it as having ornate beams and painted rafters, and a large number of servants.

As he said this, he seemed to remember something and chuckled to himself for a long time.

Ji Yan didn't ask; it was he who couldn't hold back and told Ji Yan on his own.

"Just a few days ago, the boss was transferred down, and he kept saying that the martial arts world is all about human relationships, so he treated several officers to meals, drinks, and even took them to brothels..."

"But how could that book-obsessed idiot know that the restaurant he invited was one that people used to avoid, and that the brothel he invited was actually owned by Wang Long himself..."

"He was even smug, thinking he had taken care of everyone, and even talked about blending in with the crowd..."

"They only went along with his act because he came from the county town, and they were giving him face."

"I heard that he only invited cheap girls to brothels, and even arranged for Zhou Cheng and Wang Long to be his accomplices."

"In the end, Wang Long couldn't stand it anymore and secretly arranged a store anniversary event to give away a few newly arrived young flowers for free, and that was the end of it..."

He chuckled, seemingly unable to resist thinking of Liu Zhe's confident smile.

Ji Yan didn't laugh; instead, he focused on something else.

"Immersed in books?"

"Xiao Wu, what does Liu Qi do again?"

"I've been here for three days, and I've only seen him once."

Ma Wu waved his hand when he heard this, looking completely unfazed.

"It's been about two months since he was transferred here."

"Don't even mention three days... in the last two months, he hasn't even shown his face five times!"

"He spends all his time immersed in those classic texts, and even claims that he doesn't have any rules, but he just doesn't have time to manage them."

"As for what he does..."

"When he was in the county seat, he was the teacher in charge of repairing cultivation techniques at the White Deer Academy..."

"As for how I ended up here, I have no idea..."

Ji Yan nodded repeatedly, his face full of interest.

"And what about you?"

"How did you meet Liu Qi?"

When Ma Wu was mentioned, he waved his hand, his face full of helplessness.

"You can call that old guy dull, but you also have to admit he's actually quite capable."

"I was originally a bandit from the mountains, born and raised there..."

"When we went to rob him, he immediately realized that the kung fu my father had practiced his whole life was wrong, and then he saved my father who didn't have many days left to live."

"My dad cried and begged me to take me in, saying there was no future in being a robber..."

He shrugged and said, "That's it!"

After leaving the garrison and heading west, passing through two streets, we finally arrived at our destination deep within the prosperous South Street.

"There we are!"

Upon hearing Ma Wu's voice, Ji Yan looked up.

The Wang family mansion!

Two heavy, vermilion-lacquered doors, studded with copper nails, and door knockers adorned with gilded animal heads. Two imposing stone lions, their eyes wide open, stand guard on either side of the entrance.

The vermilion gates and high walls seemed to isolate the hustle and bustle of the city from poverty, creating a world of its own...

Just as Ji Yan was feeling sentimental, Ma Wu abruptly turned his head around, making him look at the courtyard to the side.

"What are you looking at!"

"That's the residence of the Wang Banner officer himself. How could such a noisy matter as forging knives be done there?"

"We're going to the Second Banner Army supply depot next door; we can only use this side entrance!"