abnabooks Chapter 14 Trouble
Chapter 14 Trouble
These heartless businessmen!
Mo Zheng walked out of the weapons shop, cursing and swearing.
It's so dark, so incredibly dark!
Not only are weapons sold illegally, but so are goods they acquire illegally.
He specifically inquired about the price of Yu Yang's precious sword and found that, like the pawnshop, they could offer 900 taels to buy it. However, if they were to sell it themselves, the starting price would be 1,500 taels!
If the price is too high, people would rather not accept it.
"This old man has to pay for the shop rent, the stockpiled goods, and the meals for all the chefs and waiters. I have to make some money, no matter how much." These were the old shopkeeper's exact words.
Mo Zheng simply ignored him. He made six hundred taels in one transaction. Such a large profit was enough to buy two nice courtyards in Shangyin County!
Doggy, he'll learn weapon forging someday too!
He couldn't afford a longsword for martial artists entering the country, because he also needed to buy throwing knives.
Using telekinesis to attach to a longsword and directly increase its power is the most basic method of application. However, using fine needles or throwing knives to kill enemies not only allows for manipulation in mid-air, but also makes the attack unpredictable and difficult to anticipate, yet its power is greatly increased.
Last night, if he had had a sharp throwing knife, he wouldn't have been in such a difficult fight.
Mo Zheng just didn't expect to encounter an inbound martial artist.
After witnessing the elusive movements of He Xiong, the Silver Seal Constable of the Six Doors, Mo Zheng felt extremely insecure about his own safety. If someone could appear silently beside you, they could also silently cut off your head.
Therefore, now that we have the means, we naturally need to prepare our trump cards for survival.
Throwing knives are also very expensive.
Although smaller than a sword and made with less material, the throwing knives used by martial artists are, according to the weapon shopkeeper, forged from a mixture of purple mountain copper and refined steel. They are incredibly sharp and can even penetrate the defenses of a first-tier demon beast. Each knife costs five hundred taels of silver.
He bought two swords, plus a longsword made of refined steel, for a total of two hundred taels of silver. That was the one thousand two hundred and five taels of silver he had just taken from Yu Yang, and in the blink of an eye, he only had five taels left.
Even before becoming an inbound martial artist, Mo Zheng had already felt the malice this world held towards them.
I heard that they also need to purchase soft armor, martial arts techniques, elixirs, and so on. I'm afraid the martial artists entering the country are also extremely short of money.
No wonder Yu Yang became a notorious bandit, killing and robbing people everywhere.
These are just the weapons of martial artists who have entered the country. They are made of rare minerals mixed with refined steel. In the old shopkeeper's words, those martial arts masters' weapons are made entirely of rare minerals, and any one of them can sell for tens of thousands of taels of silver!
It's so dark, so incredibly dark!
Despite the criticism, they still buy things without hesitation.
He knew in his heart that, facing a martial artist like Yu Yang who had entered the realm, and a powerful demonic beast like the Black Horned Leopard, without a good weapon in hand, his only options were to run or wait to die.
No matter how much money you have, it's still just an external thing.
It's like my heart is bleeding when I spend too much on material things.
With his last five taels of silver, Mo Zheng returned home. He ate and rested, and his life was uneventful. Neither Yu Yang's matter nor the threat from the Black Sand Gang made any move, as if these things had never happened.
Unable to practice martial arts due to physical limitations, Mo Zheng began practicing manipulating throwing knives using his mental powers.
In his previous life, he used throwing knives as his weapon, and now he was extremely adept at using them.
call out!
With a thought, his mental power, like a pair of invisible hands, instantly hurled the flying knife.
The two throwing knives transformed into two streaks of cold light, constantly intertwining and changing their trajectories in the air, making them unpredictable. With a whistling sound, they instantly pierced through a huge black rock in the backyard used for testing strength.
Clang clang...
Amidst the clanging of metal, countless sparks flew as the two throwing knives pierced the black stone back and forth, leaving numerous knife holes in the blink of an eye!
Bang!
An explosion rang out, and the half-person-high black rock shattered into countless fragments that scattered in all directions.
The two throwing knives flew back to Mo Zheng's hands silently. The dark blades gleamed with a faint purple light, and the sharp edges were piercingly cold, yet they were completely unharmed.
There's a reason why these weapons are expensive.
Mo Zheng sighed inwardly.
If it were the same two-tael silver longsword as before, it would surely break after a couple of swings.
"Xiao Zheng! Is that you? What are you doing?!"
Hearing the commotion, Wang Yumei, who was taking care of the children in the front yard, rushed to the back yard to see what had happened.
"It's alright, sister-in-law, I'm practicing my martial arts," Mo Zheng said with a smile.
"It's nothing, look at the mess you've made of this yard, and you say it's nothing?!"
Wang Yumei's pretty face immediately fell as she looked at the pebbles scattered all over the yard. She snapped, "Aren't you going to clean this up? Are you waiting for me to sweep it up for you?!"
"You bought a perfectly good stone for two hundred coins, and you ruined it like this just because you're practicing your skills!"
"You child, you really don't understand the meaning of thrift at all."
……
Seeing Wang Yumei begin to scold him, our great constable Mo, who could kill martial artists who had entered the realm and whose swordsmanship had broken through to the microscopic level, didn't dare to talk back at all. He could only shrink his neck guiltily and obediently run to the corner of the wall to get a broom and start sweeping.
The next day, Mo Zheng learned his lesson and went to an open space outside the city to practice his flying blade technique.
By the third day, his superficial injuries were no longer affecting his mobility, so he changed into his constable uniform, picked up his longsword, and prepared to go to the martial arts school to practice swordsmanship after his shift.
Of course, he also wanted to give Zhao Feng a surprise and maybe get some Qi and Blood Pills to eat.
However, when he arrived at the garrison, which was usually bustling at this time, there were hardly any people there today. Mo Zheng inquired and found out that some important person had come from above, so the county magistrate had sent constables to greet him. He had asked for leave and had not been informed.
Whether the person is a big shot or not is none of Mo Zheng's business, and he was too lazy to ask any more questions. He went directly to the Shangyin Martial Arts School, but Zhao Feng was not there either.
"They say some important person has come from the prefecture, so the innkeeper went to the county government today and we don't know when he'll be back."
This is Chen Wu's version of events.
Mo Zheng had intended to explain his progress in swordsmanship to Zhao Feng, but now he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.
Fortunately, he should be back soon, so Mo Zheng composed himself and went to the backyard to practice his skills by himself.
……
At Wang Dahu's home.
Today happens to be the day that the unmarried son-in-law comes to visit, so the whole household is busy cleaning and preparing for the banquet.
The young master of this wealthy family in Jinqing Prefecture brought several large boxes of gifts, including silk jewelry, to the mansion, which made Wang Qing'er very happy. Even Master Wang nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself that he had not made a mistake in choosing a son-in-law.
Wang Dahu took a special leave of absence to accompany his brother-in-law, who was still training in the martial arts hall at the manor.
It was still early, so his family talked in the living room.
Suddenly, a servant walked in and went straight to Wang Dahu.
"What's wrong?" Wang Dahu asked in a low voice.
"A constable has come looking for you and is waiting at the gatehouse," the servant said.
Is there official business involved?
Wang Dahu's heart stirred. He knew that a senior official had come to the county today, but Constable He was also aware of his family's situation. The disciples of the Jinqing Prefecture Martial Arts Hall would all become officials in the future, so Constable He had specially granted him a day's leave and should not let him go back at this juncture.
"Brother-in-law, go ahead and do what you need to do," said the future brother-in-law.
"I'll be right back, I'll be right back."
Wang Dahu smiled and apologized, then quickly walked out.
"Look, those who work here have no freedom. Even when you came, Tianbao, I didn't have time to spend with you," Madam Wang complained.
The future son-in-law of the Wang family, named Jin Tianbao, smiled and said, "Mother-in-law, you are too kind. We are all family. It doesn't matter whether I accompany you or not. We can't let my elder brother's business be delayed."
"Look, look, Qing'er, how considerate your husband is!" Madam Wang teased.
"mother……"
Wang Qing'er lowered her head somewhat embarrassed.
Although the two were not yet married, the betrothal ceremony had already been largely completed. They were just waiting for Jin Tianbao to graduate from the martial arts academy a year later so that they could hold a wedding ceremony. Calling them husband and wife at this time would not be considered overstepping the bounds of propriety, but the young lady was a bit shy, which was why she was embarrassed.
Before long, Wang Dahu returned, looking somewhat strange.
"Big Tiger, is there any official business?" Master Wang asked.
"It's not official business, but a private matter."
Wang Dahu took a sip of tea and said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Father, that second son of the Mo family is in trouble. He got into a fight with the brother-in-law of Chief Han of the Black Sand Gang at the restaurant, and seriously injured him. Chief Han is now personally going to his house to seek justice!"
Mo's second son?
Yu Mei's husband's family?
Upon hearing this, Master Wang's expression changed, and he asked, "Where did you hear this from? Is it true or false? Will it implicate Yu Mei?"
"It's true, my constables just came to report. The Black Sand Gang has already gone. Poor Yu Mei is stuck with such a family." Wang Dahu sighed dramatically.
"That second son of the Mo family seems like a well-behaved and honest person, how could he have caused such trouble, getting into a fight over someone's affections at a restaurant?"
Master Wang found it hard to believe; he had met Mo Zheng before and felt that his appearance did not match that kind of person.
Madam Wang said irritably, "What do you mean by obedient and honest? His brother is a live-in son-in-law, how could his brother be a good person? Your niece didn't have good intentions when she came to our house."
"Mother was right," Wang Qing'er whispered, secretly relieved.
If she had listened to her father and married this poor, fickle husband, and now has this huge problem, her life would probably be ruined.
How could this young man be any more promising?
"I've heard of Chief Han of the Black Sand Gang in Shangyin County. His Black Sand Palm technique is quite formidable. Father-in-law, would you be so kind as to ask me to put in a good word for him?" Jin Tianbao said with a smile.
Being a disciple of the Jinqing Prefecture Martial Arts Hall is quite useful; it can handle minor matters like jealousy and rivalry.
"Excellent, excellent! If my son-in-law can step forward, that would be even better," said Master Wang happily.
"What do you mean 'good'? You're getting senile. That's your niece's in-laws' business. It might not even implicate your niece. Why bother Tianbao with this? He'll be an official in the future. If he gets involved in this petty squabble, it won't do him any good for his reputation," Madam Wang objected.
"But……"
"There's no 'but' about it. After all, the second son of the Mo family is a constable. In broad daylight, how could we possibly take his life? At most, we'll teach him a lesson and spend some money. What serious consequences could possibly occur?"
Seeing that his parents disagreed, Wang Dahu tried to smooth things over, saying, "Alright, Father, listen to Mother. You two have dinner at home with your brother-in-law. I'll go in your place and make sure nothing happens to Yumei."
"Oh well……"
When Master Wang saw that his son was willing to go, he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't care much about Mo Zheng, as long as Wang Yumei was safe.
……
It was nearly noon.
On the street, a group of Black Sand Gang members dressed in black gathered together, estimated to be about twenty people, and strode towards Mo Zheng's house.
They were carrying two stretchers, and lying on them were Zhao Xiangzhu and Zhang Lao Er, who had been injured that night.
The two men had thick white cloths wrapped around their upper bodies, their faces were pale, they were weak and listless, and they looked sickly, but it was due to excessive blood loss.
Mo Zheng attacked with the intention of punishment and did not hold back. Those two swords, along with the broken ribs, would have kept them in bed for ten days to half a month.
Leading the group was a man as strong as an iron tower, none other than Han Xiao, the leader of the Black Sand Gang. Protector Liu served him at his side, and behind him were members of the Black Sand Gang, all carrying weapons. They were menacing, and as they walked, pedestrians scattered and gave way.
"Liu Feng, let me ask you, is it true that this kid has nothing to do with Constable He?" Han Xiao asked in a deep voice.
You can't just rely on brute force to get by in this world; you also need to use your brain.
The reason why the Black Sand Gang has been able to run rampant in Shangyin County and grow stronger over the years is not only because Han Xiao is good at fighting and daring, but more importantly, because he has good judgment, knows how to deal with people, and knows who can be offended and who cannot be offended.
Upon hearing this, Protector Liu replied, "Reporting to the Chief, I have already sent people to inquire about the connections behind Mo Zheng. The main reason he was able to get a job in the county government is because his sister-in-law's cousin, the head constable Wang Dahu, ran around to get him a pass. Constable He met Mo Zheng once, but had no further contact with him afterward; he was just doing him a favor."
"The three Mo brothers fled to our Shangyin County in their early years. The eldest brother married into the Wang family and was always looked down upon by others. He had no other connections in the local area."
In the past two days, the Black Sand Gang has thoroughly investigated Mo Zheng's network of connections.
"I see."
Han Xiao nodded, feeling more confident.
He is not someone to mess with. If he does, it won't necessarily wipe out the entire gang, but it will definitely severely impact their business.
Business decreases, income decreases. These gang members are all following him, aren't they just after money? Without money, the gang members will naturally become disloyal and desert, and with fewer gang members, the territory will shrink accordingly.
But the squad leader is different. At most, he's a guy who has reached the peak of Qi and Blood, and he doesn't know if he'll ever have the chance to become an entry-level martial artist. He's not qualified to be compared to him at all.
Besides, the squad leader might not dare to stand up for this little constable surnamed Mo!
He dared to hit his brother-in-law, this time we'll make that constable pay dearly, and let everyone in Shangyin County know that the Black Sand Gang is not someone to be trifled with, not even the government officials!
As long as no one dies, nothing will happen.
That Wang family's restaurant is worth a lot of money.
……