Chapter 76 - 77: Moving into the Lin Mansion, Domineering Government Office

Chapter 76: Chapter 77: Moving into the Lin Mansion, Domineering Government Office

Hong Ming didn’t mention the specific details because, not long after, the others arrived. Faced with Hong Ming’s summons, the others were obviously still a bit bewildered.

"Everyone is here!" Seeing that they were all present, Hong Ming spoke up.

Liu Fang stepped forward and carefully reminded him, "Master, Fang Rou hasn’t arrived yet."

Hong Ming shook his head and said dismissively, "I didn’t call her this time."

Hearing this, the crowd’s expressions varied, their curiosity growing even stronger. Hong Ming didn’t waste time and stated the purpose of gathering them. "Starting today, you will accompany me to the Lin Mansion and await deployment orders from the Government Office."

"What?"

"Huh?"

Everyone had thought Hong Ming gathered them this time to say goodbye, but his words left them slightly stunned. Go to the Lin Mansion and wait for the Government Office’s deployment orders?

Hong Ming looked somewhat helpless, but he still nodded. "Yes, you heard me right. Not just us, but almost all forces in White Stone City, large and small, that have martial artists have been conscripted by the Government Office!"

Following that, Hong Ming recounted exactly what had happened. It turned out that yesterday, Hong Ming received an invitation from County Magistrate Tao Wenxuan, asking him to go to the County Magistrate’s Office this morning. Also receiving the invitation were the masters of other martial arts halls, the two major families, the two major gangs, and over a dozen other factions of various sizes.

After they arrived at the County Magistrate’s Office, Tao Wenxuan revealed his objective: he planned to unite all the martial artist factions in the city to fight against the Lianyun Stronghold. He demanded that those with money contribute funds and those without money contribute manpower. He even assigned a specific financial quota to each faction while fixing a required quota of martial artists.

Such a move naturally sparked dissatisfaction among many factions. Why should a single command force them to empty their coffers and lose both their wealth and their people? As a result, Ning Yuan, the Patriarch of the Ning Family, was the first to tactfully refuse, but the Han Family jumped out at this moment to sing a different tune from the rest. Fortunately, the majority supported the Ning Family.

Such a stalemate did not last long before a man named Tao Dingfang stepped forward. He didn’t waste his breath. With a highly arrogant attitude, he simply stated that as long as someone could defeat him, they could walk right out of the County Magistrate’s Office. Ning Yuan, the Patriarch of the Ning Family, stepped up to fight him, only to be defeated within three moves. With even Ning Yuan defeated, the rest were even less of a match for him. Ultimately, they had no choice but to helplessly agree to his demands.

Immediately after, Tao Dingfang, acting on behalf of Tao Wenxuan, issued the first order: all the martial artists on the roster were to move into the Lin Family Mansion. ℯ

"Does that mean we’re all on the roster?" Wei Ping quickly reacted after hearing this. Even he hadn’t received this news. He had vaguely heard some rumors but wasn’t sure. Now, Hong Ming’s explanation confirmed his suspicions.

Hong Ming nodded. "That’s right."

"Who exactly is this Tao Dingfang? Judging by his name, he seems to be related to Magistrate Tao," Zhou Tao said, asking the question aloud.

"He is Magistrate Tao’s nephew!" replied Liu Fang, who had heard the name before.

"Master, does dealing with the Lianyun Stronghold require the mobilization of all the martial artist factions in White Stone City? Isn’t this... overestimating the Lianyun Stronghold a bit too much?" Qin Hao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"If I’m not mistaken, the Lianyun Stronghold has most likely colluded with the Rebirth Sect," Wei Ping said with a grave expression.

"The Rebirth Sect!"

Those who knew of it looked thoughtful, while those who didn’t mulled over the name. Hong Ming only gave a brief introduction about the Rebirth Sect and didn’t elaborate further.

Although Hong Ming was frustrated that his plans had been disrupted, he could only accept it. Compared to the others, he was much more aware of the severity of this matter. If it was just the Lianyun Stronghold, things wouldn’t be so troublesome. No matter how strong the Lianyun Stronghold was, its havoc would only be contained within the scope of a single city.

But if the Rebirth Sect was involved, things wouldn’t be so simple. The aftermath of the rebellion in Yellow Stone City had yet to be completely cleared up. The circulating rumors alone revealed the sheer brutality of that rebellion; the city’s population had dropped by nearly thirty percent. Many innocent people suffered heavy losses due to the rebellion and were forced to flee to other cities to eke out a meager living.

Recently, the refugees in White Stone City—aside from the villagers from ravaged townships—mostly originated from Yellow Stone City. Now that the Rebirth Sect had colluded with the Lianyun Stronghold, White Stone City had no choice but to take it seriously. However, taking it seriously was one thing; the Government Office’s overbearing actions still left everyone feeling slightly disgruntled.

STEP STEP STEP!

As the crowd fell silent, Hong Ming had intended to explain some key points to pay attention to in combat, but a flurry of footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

"Master Hong, it is time to depart!"

It was people from the Government Office. Not many, just two, but their attire made Hong Ming’s eyes narrow. These men were absolutely not Governmental Constables from the County Magistrate’s Office. They were highly likely from the military. The faint, murderous aura radiating from them was enough to prove that they had seen blood.

After speaking, the two men looked at the crowd inside the martial arts hall.

Hong Ming stood up and asked helplessly, "Could you give us a little time to pack up?"

One of them said coldly, "There is no need to pack. Once you all arrive at the Lin Mansion, someone will have everything prepared. It’s getting late. It is time to go."

"If that’s the case, then let’s go," Hong Ming said with resignation as he sighed softly and looked at the disciples behind him.

Paying no heed to the attitudes of Hong Ming and the others, the two men led the way, one in the front and one in the back, after receiving his reply. Their demeanor was as if they were escorting prisoners.

Su Chen stood at the back of the group, not saying a word. He hadn’t brought anything with him on this trip out. Both his steel blade and short knife were hidden at home. He only had a small amount of Mind Confusing Powder on his person.

"Given this situation, it doesn’t seem like the Government Office will easily let anyone go back. I’ll probably be living at the Lin Mansion for quite a long time," he grumbled inwardly. If that were truly the case, he would have to see if there was a chance to make a trip back home to bring more Mind Confusing Powder.

An incense stick’s worth of time later, the crowd, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, arrived at the Lin Mansion. The current Lin Mansion had seemingly become a temporary encampment for the Government Office. Ten Governmental Constables stood on either side of the main gate, guarding it strictly.

The two soldiers led Hong Ming and his group into a courtyard, then arranged a room for everyone. What made the crowd’s expressions turn ugly was that these rooms were all labeled with their names.

"During this period, we’ll have to trouble everyone to stay here. If you have no business, do not wander around. Someone will deliver your three meals a day. When the operation is about to begin, we will send someone to notify you." After the man issued his warnings, he turned and left.

The crowd didn’t enter their rooms but instead observed the courtyard for a while. Outside the courtyard, soldiers were patrolling. At the archway, soldiers stood guard, forbidding anyone from entering or exiting.

As of now, only the group from the Hong Family Martial Arts Hall resided in this entire courtyard; the others were likely in different side courtyards. This left everyone feeling helpless. Fortunately, their movements out of their rooms were not restricted.

While the soldiers continuously escorted the various martial artists into the Lin Mansion, Tao Wenxuan and Tao Dingfang were discussing matters in the main hall.