The Heavenly Court is gone, I don't want to be a True Lord.

He Xiao naturally emerged 'unharmed'.

Zuo Qi glanced at Feng Yuan but said nothing.

Yang Nuo didn't say anything, as if Feng Yuan's matter wasn't important, but just shouted at his subordinates.

"The Green Robe Gang has been causing trouble for years, and you haven't noticed anything? Feng Yuan, take men to raid the Green Robe Gang's property. If a criminal escapes, you'll be held accountable."

He smiled and pulled Zuo Qi into the main hall of the government office, dismissing those around him, and his smile faded.

"The matter with the Green Robe Gang ends here. What do you think?"

A death has occurred, and in full view of everyone; trouble is inevitable.

Zuo Qi said softly, "I will not take a single penny of the items confiscated from the Green Robe Gang's property; they will all belong to the Public Affairs Office."

Yang Nuo simply squinted at Zuo Qi, "What exactly is your purpose in coming to the dock?"

This Yang Nuo is strange; he's very wary of Zuo Qi.

Zuo Qi suddenly remembered the list of experts from Fushan City that he had seen at Feng Yuan's house before. Was that the list Yang Nuo had?

Who is this list prepared for?

There might be something significant going on behind this person's back. I'll have to tell Lin Yuchan about it next time I see her.

"Is it inconvenient to say?"

Yang Nuo asked again.

"It's related to the water ghost. A noble person in the Lin family needs the water ghost's essence. My brothers and I are quite capable, so we'll do some things for our master."

Yang Nuo nodded upon hearing this, unsure whether to believe it or not.

Zuo Qi didn't care. He was only interested in the water ghosts at this dock, and he didn't want to bother with any of these people.

Today's act of making an example of him will deter those so-called gangs and lackeys of the government from provoking him again.

……

Chunniang was very grateful to Zuo Qi and wanted to say something.

He Xiao waved his hand and just smiled at Zuo Qi, "Brother Qi, you're getting stronger and stronger."

Zuo Qi didn't react much. Ni Heng turned to Chunniang and said, "Sister-in-law, we brothers are sworn brothers, so let's not stand on ceremony. Brother Qi doesn't like it, and I don't want to hear it either."

Chunniang nodded vigorously.

The crowd in the distance watched Zuo Qi and his group with mixed feelings.

The fishing gang, which was on par with the Green Robe Gang, was also watching from a distance.

The leader of the fishing gang was named Li Bo. He looked at Zuo Qi with complicated eyes. He had been fighting with the Green Robe Gang for many years, but he never expected that Chang Kun would fall like this.

His feelings at this moment were very complicated, a mixture of happiness and a sense of shared sorrow.

"We still have a Green Stone Treasure Fish in the gang; we'll send it over tomorrow."

Because of the fish market incident, the fishing gang had previously planned to retaliate. He didn't know if Zuo Qi knew about it, but he couldn't afford to offend Zuo Qi, so he sent a precious fish as a gesture of goodwill.

The group returned to the small courtyard by the river.

Ni Heng whispered, "Brother Qi, I found a total of over a hundred taels of silver with the Green Robe Gang."

Zuo Qi nodded. Confiscating property was something only the government could do; he wasn't confiscating property.

He turned around and found Sun Bao, and asked Ni Heng to take out ten taels of silver.

"Ah Bao, you did a great job, this is to thank you."

When Sun Bao saw Zuo Qi again, he was no longer as calm and composed as before. Rumors were spreading all over the streets that Zuo Qi had stormed the Green Robe Gang in a fit of rage for He Xiao. Faced with such a ruthless person, how could he, a lowly fisherman, dare to act as before?

"Qi... Brother Qi, that's not what I'm talking about..."

Zuo Qi looked at him, "So what do you want?"

The voice was flat, and Sun Bao felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. In that indifferent tone, he seemed to hear the echo of death.

"I...I want to be with you."

Zuo Qi was taken aback at first, then suddenly smiled and nodded, "Okay, from now on you will work with Xiao Heng. He is reckless, while you are meticulous, so you can keep an eye on him."

Sun Bao was overjoyed and was about to bow down when Zuo Qi stopped him.

He smiled and saw Sun Bao off. As for Wang Xiaoer, Ni Heng would handle it.

After carefully considering the potential consequences of his actions that day, and determining that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks, Zuo Qi stopped thinking about it and refocused his attention on hunting the water ghosts.

The other side of the river has been sending supplies over these past few days, and once it rains, they should be able to reap a good harvest.

He was really looking forward to it.

……

late at night.

Yang Nuo left the dock alone and waited quietly in front of a reed bed.

After a long while, a bird call that sounded like a partridge came from the sky.

A figure in black emerged from the reeds. The person was dressed in black, with large joints and calloused hands, typical of a farmer.

"Greetings, Lord Yang."

Yang Nuo gave the newcomer a complicated look and said, "Please give my regards to your village head."

The newcomer revealed a mouthful of yellow teeth and chuckled.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Is something wrong?"

"Several members of the Lin family came to the dock and killed Chang Kun of the Green Robe Gang. I don't know if they're after me. Could you help me find out their purpose?"

The man narrowed his eyes, a fierce glint flashing in them. "What are you asking about? I'll take care of them for you."

Yang Nuo shook his head slightly, "They were using the Lin family's guest credentials. If they die at the dock, the Provincial Administration Commission will intervene. I can't hide it."

The man gave Yang Nuo a deep look, and Yang Nuo met his gaze calmly.

He saw through Yang Nuo's deeper purpose: to find out if the Lin family also had their people.

Yang Nuo had retired from the Six Doors. Having worked there for many years, he naturally had some connections. After thinking about it, he finally nodded.

After all, Yang Nuo seemed a bit scared, and it was only right that they needed to keep him calm and appropriately demonstrate their strength.

"Rest assured, Lord Yang, leave this matter to us. Also, the longevity powder for this month will be delivered on time. We hope that Lord Yang can break through the barrier soon and return to the Six Doors."

Yang Nuo's pupils contracted slightly; the other party did not deny that the Lin family had their people.

Some thoughts were suppressed once again.

……

"Brother Qi, how did you find this place? It's really great."

Ni Heng looked at the small platform in front of him with excitement. Although it was surrounded by jagged rocks, it was relatively flat and there was no need to worry about it being completely submerged by the rising tide. In a relatively flat area, there was a closed space enclosed by wood, containing something that could be used to start a fire.

He Xiao smiled and said, "This place is indeed nice. From now on, this will be our holy land for hunting water ghosts."

"Let me explain the arrangements first. We've caused quite a stir this time, and the Lin family might send someone over. We need to leave someone at the fish market. Xiao'er, how about you stay there?"

Ni Heng is a bit impulsive, and Zuo Qi is worried about him.

When hunting water ghosts, the big red ones can help.

This arrangement is the most reasonable.

He Xiao nodded.

Ni Heng excitedly said to He Xiao, "Don't worry, Brother Xiao, you'll get your Water Ghost Spirit."

"You should mind your own business. You failed the second attempt at the challenge, you're really embarrassing me and Qi-ge."

Ni Heng: ...

Zuo Qi ignored their banter and found a place to start practicing his skills.

Since buying things from the black market, his cultivation has made significant progress. After consuming Black Yuan Powder and the meat of the treasure beast, his bone-refining qi and blood have accumulated to thirty-two levels, and his bone tempering progress is about twenty percent complete.

What surprised Zuo Qi even more was that the Ice Sea Fist Seal was not unable to be cultivated due to the lack of ice beads. Although the cold energy was insufficient, it was slowly nourished by blood and qi, and the cultivation of the Ice Sea Fist Seal also reached the first level of perfection.

He guessed that the cold air was probably the shackle that prevented the Ice Nether Fist Seal from advancing to the second level.

His combat strength has increased significantly, as can be seen from his battle against Chang Kun.

"Once my bone tempering reaches over 70% and my Ice Nether Fist Imprint breaks through to the second level, coupled with my innate divine strength, I might not be without a fighting chance against someone at the third level."

Zuo Qi thought to himself.

In addition, he will soon accumulate 100 Heavenly Fortune Points again. In the early stages, he does not plan to continue accumulating them, as his foundation is still shallow and he should prioritize improving himself.

That night, Zuo Qi, Ni Heng, and several dogs slept at the foot of the cliff.

He did not fall asleep, but only dozed off, while simultaneously using the breathing techniques of Jin Yi Gong to nourish his internal energy and blood.

Listening to the sounds of Ni Heng practicing his martial arts outside, it's clear he's been working really hard lately.

The failure to pass the test was a significant blow to him.

The next day, before dawn, Ni Heng was heard shouting loudly.

"Brother Qi, it's raining!"

Zuo Qi jolted awake, flipped himself up, and looked at the surging river.

A fierce wind raged, and water vapor rose from the river, turning into thick fog, obscuring the water's surface. Several mastiffs lay prostrate on the ground, their eyes sharp.

Ni Heng led out the fat pig he had bought for 3,600 coins, stabbed it with a knife, and blood gushed out instantly. He collected the blood and poured it into the river.

He quickly retreated to Zuo Qi's side.

Zuo Qitian opened his eyes and glanced at Ni Heng out of the corner of his eye.

"Cultivation requires a balance of activity and rest; don't overexert yourself. You are not a burden."

Ni Heng was taken aback at first, then whispered, "I just wanted to help you..."

Zuo Qi did not answer, because he saw some movements that did not resemble fish appearing beneath the surface of the water mixed with pig's blood.

That is…

Water ghost.