Gu Zhan's brows furrowed. "Just a gang brawl?"
Chen Fei replied, "Yes, so far no reports of ordinary civilians being affected."
Gu Zhan's brows gradually relaxed, and he said, "Since that's the case, then let's go investigate. Keep it to a warning mainly..."
Before he could finish, the sound of chaotic footsteps erupted outside. Chief Banner Ma Lang rushed in. When he saw Chen Fei was also there, he was briefly stunned, surprised: "Lord Chen, you received news too?"
Chen Fei nodded. "Is Lord Ma talking about last night's gang brawl?"
Ma Lang hurriedly shook his head. "No, I already sent people to handle that at daybreak. Initially, since it was only a gang fight and hadn't affected ordinary people, I didn't want to bother Lord Gu. But something else happened this morning, and now I really don't know how to deal with it. I had no choice but to come ask Lord Gu to take charge!"
Gu Zhan asked, puzzled, "What happened this morning?"
Ma Lang took a deep breath and said, "The major gangs of South City seem to have gone mad. There were several brawls last night—I was already handling them—but then, first thing this morning, some gangs even started fighting in broad daylight. Not only that, they've gathered a bunch of ruffians and thugs to roam all over the city.
By now, over forty restaurants and a hundred shops have reported being smashed up, and many people have come to file reports of being robbed in the streets. There are rice shops and meat stalls being forcibly bought or sold, and with so many pickpockets that I've already had to deploy people all over. It's chaos, Lord Gu—overnight, South City's law and order has completely fallen apart."
After finishing, Ma Lang took another deep breath and said, "Lord Gu, you're standing in for Hundred Households Gu, working yourself to the bone day and night. I shouldn't be bothering you, but it really is too chaotic now. You know my abilities—I'm at a loss. I can only ask for your help!"
Gu Zhan's expression grew grave, his pupils shrinking slightly.
"My lord," Chen Fei said, "This can't be a coincidence. Hundred Households Gu just left yesterday, and today things go wrong? And all in one night. Someone must be pushing things from behind!"
"Hmph," Gu Zhan snorted coldly. "There's definitely someone sabotaging things. Otherwise, how could so many gangs lose control at once?"
Ma Lang asked urgently, "Then, Lord Gu, who do you think's behind this?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Gu Zhan said. "We're surrounded on all sides now at the Hundred Households Office. But the only forces with this much power are the ones behind the Celestial Water Gang, and the Thousand Households Office. I can say for certain—it's the Thousand Households Office."
"Why?" Ma Lang asked, perplexed.
Gu Zhan said, "The forces behind Celestial Water Gang are complicated, from many sides, and can't be brought together so quickly. They wouldn't have dared to plot this in advance. When Hundred Households Gu was here, any small moves in South City would never escape his notice.
So, only the Thousand Households Office has the resources. Most Martial World Gangs have some connection, more or less, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Besides, only the Thousand Households Office could command all these Martial World Gangs in such a short time."
Ma Lang frowned. "So what's their purpose in doing this?"
Gu Zhan said coldly, "We'll know soon enough. For now, let's deal with what's in front of us."
Ma Lang frowned again and cupped his hands. "Lord Gu, I'm afraid this isn't easy to handle. It's too chaotic, too many gangs in the city. With just our few people at the Hundred Households Office, even if we arrest one by one, who knows how long it'll take!"
Gu Zhan waved his hand. "No need to make it so complicated. You should know where things are the worst, right?"
Ma Lang thought for a moment. "From the reports, most markets and roads in South City are in chaos. But the most serious trouble is around Nanping Street—there's already been blood shed there..."
Gu Zhan asked directly, "Whose turf is that?"
"White Rat Gang!" Ma Lang said. "That area's controlled by them. Their main 'businesses' are selling Netherworld Currency and pickpocketing. Already this morning over a dozen people have been injured there—a few might even be at risk of dying. It's all because when people caught pickpockets, those pickpockets just turned violent and snatched things openly!"
"Bold, aren't they. Fine, we'll start with them!"
Gu Zhan narrowed his eyes and said in a strong voice, "Lord Ma, gather all Embroidered Uniform Guard currently on duty at the Hundred Households Office, and bring all the gear!"
"Yes, sir."
Ma Lang cupped his fists and turned to leave immediately.
Chen Fei asked, "My lord, is this to set an example?"
Gu Zhan nodded.
Chen Fei said, "Then White Rat Gang is a fitting choice. They're a second-rate gang in Linjiang City—far below the likes of the Celestial Water Gang, but still well-known. They control nearly all the city's Netherworld Currency business.
The gang leader is Wang Bai—nicknamed the Flying White Rat. He's a Third Grade Martial Artist, not known for impressive combat records, but his Qinggong skills are unmatched in the Martial World. That Flying White Rat name comes from that; he used to run grave-robbing deals, then as he got older he started the White Rat Gang."
Gu Zhan gave a short, cold laugh. "Flying White Rat? A rat should be hiding underground. What's he doing out here in broad daylight?"
...
Nanping Street was famous in Linjiang City, one of its wealthiest streets—crisscrossed with alleys and busy markets.
Today, chaos spread along Nanping Street. Fights kept erupting everywhere, many shops being smashed up. Even those normally well-behaved ruffians, thieves, and pickpockets were scurrying around in plain sight.
In the center of Nanping Street, the busiest segment, there stood a large antique shop—White Rat Pavilion.
At this moment,
Inside a teahouse on the third floor of White Rat Pavilion, an old man with a full head of white hair sat drinking tea at leisure, gently counting the Buddha Beads in his hand, looking content.
This was Wang Bai, leader of the White Rat Gang.
Just then, the teahouse door creaked open, and a middle-aged man walked in—the shopkeeper of White Rat Pavilion.
"Boss," the shopkeeper cupped his hands, "Just got word—the Hundred Households Office is sending a large team of Embroidered Uniform Guards our way!"
Wang Bai slowly opened his eyes. "They've chosen to target me first?"
The shopkeeper said, "Some of our boys probably went too far—couple almost killed someone."
"No matter," Wang Bai waved it off. "Go fetch Gao Jun. We're just doing someone a favor, so it's up to him to clean up this mess."
The shopkeeper asked, "Boss, perhaps you should leave and lay low first? The Hundred Households Office is coming, and leading them is Gu Zhan—the so-called Little God of Slaughter."
"Little God of Slaughter? The one who killed Xing Kuan?" Wang Bai chuckled. "No need. I'm not like Xing Kuan who fought him openly. What's he going to do to me? With no proof or witnesses, would he dare behead me in broad daylight?"