From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

in the courtyard.

Jiang Cong hurriedly left the classroom, his demeanor chilled by the pent-up anger in his chest.

As soon as he reached the corridor, he saw those wooden chests filled with gleaming silver coins, shining brightly in the sunlight, looking particularly dazzling. He thought about how he had just been humbled and courteous inside, only to have his request not granted, but instead left with a huge sum of money. A feeling of resentment welled up inside him.

Jiang Cong felt increasingly resentful as he thought about it.

When the stewards saw him come out, their expressions were unfriendly. They hurriedly stepped forward to serve him. "Second Master?" Before they could even ask a question, they were shoved aside with a wave of their sleeves.

"Load all these silver chests onto the cart and head back to the mansion."

His voice was cold and hard, with a hint of barely suppressed resentment. He thought to himself, "If I can't get the Yang Stone back, then so be it. As for the Silver... Damn it, I'm not leaving!"

"Move it, move it back?"

The stewards looked at each other, wondering how the conversation had gone. But when they saw Jiang Cong's extremely bad expression, they immediately guessed what had happened and began to carry the boxes.

"What are you doing? What are you doing!"

Do they all want to rebel?!

As soon as Lin Jizhi saw them start to lift the box, he immediately darted forward to block their way and roared, "You think you can just take it back after you've already paid the yamen's respects? Do you really think my constables' quarters is your Jiang family's backyard?" Cao Wanhai followed suit, standing there with his hand on his sword, exuding an imposing aura.

"snort."

Jiang Cong ignored him and reached out to get into the car.

In that very instant:

"Zheng—"

A sharp, clear sound rang out.

Jiang Cong felt a chill on the tip of the wind beside his ear, and a dark light shot out from inside the classroom, so fast that it was impossible to see where it came from.

"Click."

When he came to his senses, the black knife was stuck in a silver box.

The blade was deeply embedded in the wood, leaving only the hilt sticking out, vibrating incessantly with a buzzing sound.

The Jiang family members were all taken aback.

They hurriedly stepped back, the managers' faces turning ashen; if that knife had landed on them, they would be dead.

Jiang Cong's gaze was sharp as a knife as he stared straight at the entrance of the classroom.

Then Zhu Hong stood on the steps.

The sunlight fell on him, making his figure appear very steady and giving him an air of authority that could not be underestimated.

"Second Master Jiang".

Zhu Hong spoke, his voice not loud, but each word clear and resonant in the ears of everyone in the courtyard: "If Second Master Jiang wants to leave, then go ahead. But these things," he glanced indifferently at the silver box nailed shut with a knife, his tone calm, "I'd like to see who dares to move a single one."

Jiang Cong's expression was sinister.

"The generous gift is Yang Stone, and the silver from Jiang Prefecture is too much to ask for. We won't send it any further."

"There's no reason not to send it." Zhu Hong slowly walked to the silver box, reached out and grasped the hilt of the knife, and with a gentle pull, the black knife came out easily.

He stood there, knife in hand, looking at Jiang Cong, and said calmly:

"Whether you send it or not, anything that lands on the grounds of the yamen becomes the yamen's public property. What belongs to the yamen belongs to the Prefect. If Second Master Jiang wants to take it back now, it is taking public property from the yamen and showing contempt for the Prefect." He paused, slowly sheathed his sword, his tone still calm.

"Such behavior is a grave offense according to the law."

If Second Master Jiang insists on his own way, don't blame me for disregarding propriety and arresting him, so he can spend his days in prison with Jiang Feng.

Jiang Cong's knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white, as if he wanted to tear him to pieces.

But then he thought that if things really got out of hand and violence broke out, he would definitely not be the one to suffer, and would instead be like a lamb entering a tiger's den. So he gave Zhu Hong a cold look, said nothing, and turned to get into the car.

"drive!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage curtain was violently flung off and fell over him.

Seeing this, the Jiang family members all understood immediately and quickly took their positions. The driver tightened the reins and cracked the whip, while the clansmen carrying the chests quietly stepped back, leaving the silver chests behind. The stewards also lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound, crowding around the carriage and hurrying away.

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with the neighing of mules and horses.

As dust rose slightly, Jiang Cong, filled with resentment, disappeared through the gates of the police station in the blink of an eye.

"Hehe, Master Zhu."

Seeing the Jiang family scatter like birds and beasts, Lin Ji immediately stepped forward and laughed loudly, "That slash you threw just now was truly domineering! It scared them so much their faces turned green." As he spoke, he nudged Cao Wanhai beside him with his elbow:

"Cao Heizi, don't you think so?"

Cao Wanhai scratched his head after being challenged like that, and said in a muffled voice, "No, it doesn't sound like he's scared, it should be said that he's angry, really angry."

Zhu Hong simply smiled faintly and did not reply.

He hung the black knife back on his waist, turned around, and looked at the pile of silver chests. He slowly said, "Ji Zhi, Brother Cao, I'd like to trouble you two to put all this silver and Yang Stone into the treasury and register it."

"Alright!"

Lin Jizhi and Cao Wanhai responded loudly.

Zhu Hong turned and went back to his quarters. Wang Zhenshan was standing by the window, arms crossed, watching the figures moving about in the courtyard. Lin Jizhi and Cao Wanhai were directing their hired helpers to carry boxes, their shouts rising and falling.

"How does it feel?"

Wang Zhenshan suddenly spoke, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window.

Zhu Hong nodded slightly:

"fine."

"What are your plans for the future?" Wang Zhenshan asked casually without turning his head.

Zhu Hong remained silent for a moment.

"Boss," he finally spoke softly after a long pause, "what do you think... the Jiang family will do next?"

Wang Zhenshan turned around and looked straight at Zhu Hong with piercing eyes.

A slow smile curved his lips, a smile that was half playful and half serious. He said, "If gifts won't work, then I'm afraid we'll have to resort to force."

Zhu Hong nodded slightly.

"We share similar views."

Wang Zhenshan reached out and gently patted the young man on the shoulder, his tone neither too loud nor too soft, yet revealing a seasoned wisdom: "You'd better be on your guard from now on. The Jiang family has lost both their wife and their army this time."

He paused for a moment:

"That pent-up anger needs to find a place to vent."

Zhu Hong did not respond.

He raised his hand, took the black knife from his waist, gently placed it on the table, and then picked up the cotton cloth on the corner of the table and slowly wiped the blade.

one more time.

His movements were unhurried, as if he were doing something mundane, yet his fingertips applied slight pressure, polishing the blade's cold gleam until it became even brighter.

"Boss."

Zhu Hong suddenly stopped.

He looked up at Wang Zhenshan, his eyes showing little emotion but a ruthless glint: "This time, I want to strike first."

Wang Zhenshan showed no surprise whatsoever, and simply asked:

"What are your plans?"

Zhu Hong paused, gently sheathed the black sword, stood up, and said, "Kill." Just one word, yet it was filled with murderous intent.

Wang Zhenshan remained silent, simply watching him quietly.

Zhu Hong gazed at the deepening twilight outside the window and slowly said, "I've thought it through. Anyway, the registrar said the Prefect doesn't care how things are done, as long as the Jiang family is completely silenced. So," he paused slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, his voice deepening:

Why listen to gossip all the time?

Wang Zhenshan frowned at first, then after thinking for a long time, his brows relaxed and he smiled: "Okay."

……