Translator: AnubisTL
After the thugs from the Sand Crocodile Gang left, Miao Qi immediately shared the news he had recently gathered with Li Qing.
"A Birthday Banquet? And they're inviting all the influential gang leaders to attend?"
Li Qing subconsciously stroked his chin, carefully considering the implications behind this event.
First of all, the Birthday Banquet was obviously a sham. In this era of endless darkness, who could even remember their own birthday?
As expected, this banquet was likely a peace offering, an attempt to gather all the influential figures from the various gangs to resolve their grudges.
As the City Lord of Giant Rock City, the ruler of the entire city, he certainly wouldn't want to see his domain descend into chaos once more.
But since the invitation was extended to all the prominent figures in the city, it meant the Red Fish Merchant Guild would also be invited.
At this thought, Li Qing's mind became active.
"Miao Qi, would you say I'm considered an influential figure in Giant Rock City?"
Miao Qi's expression immediately turned awkward. He scratched his head, unsure how to answer.
"Well..."
You couldn't blame Miao Qi. Li Qing had been far too low-key. Despite being an Inner Strength expert, he had done nothing noteworthy since entering the city, instead settling down to work as a blacksmith!
If Li Qing were an ordinary person, his first order of business upon entering the city would likely have been to pay his respects to the City Lord's Manor and the Red Fish Merchant Guild. Even if he didn't make a grand entrance, he would at least have paid his respects to the local power structure.
Having a reputation would make things much easier. At the very least, thugs like the ones he'd just encountered wouldn't dare to provoke him.
Li Qing paused to reflect.
Had he been too cautious?
He quickly dismissed the thought. His goal was to investigate the Red Fish Merchant Guild's strange dealings, and that was best done in the shadows.
"Miao Qi, since the City Lord's Manor has invited all the Gang Leaders, the Sand Crocodile Gang must have received an invitation too, right?" Li Qing asked casually.
Without hesitation, Miao Qi replied, "Undoubtedly. Though the Sand Crocodile Gang isn't large, its Gang Leader is at least an External Strength Expert. He's definitely on the list!"
"And most of those invited probably won't refuse. The City Lord's Manor has announced that they'll be serving several jars of aged, vintage wine to the Martial Artists!"
Wine was a precious commodity. Though Miao Qi had never tasted it himself, the Red Fish Merchant Guild occasionally held auctions where rare wines would fetch exorbitant prices.
In this era, most wines were relics from the previous age.
The Red Fish Merchant Guild had once announced publicly that they were working on brewing a wine unique to this era.
But who knew if it was true or just a rumor?
"I see," Li Qing replied thoughtfully.
That day, Blacksmith Li closed his shop early.
Stone Treasure Street, the headquarters of the Sand Crocodile Gang.
Despite having an External Strength Expert as their Gang Leader, the Sand Crocodile Gang could barely claim three streets as their territory in Giant Rock City.
After all, the City Lord's Manor was the true power in the city, and they were sure to keep the smaller gangs in check. Otherwise, the entire city would be carved up by these gangs, leaving the common people to fend for themselves.
As Miao Qi had said, Koloda, the Sand Crocodile Gang's leader, had also received an invitation from the City Lord's Manor.
"Heh, a birthday banquet?" Koloda sneered, the deep scar across his nose twitching. "That old bastard Qin Xiu still remembers his own birthday? The old geezer is just getting senile, afraid a brawl will break out in the city."
But despite his words, this peace-making banquet was worth attending.
Koloda, the Sand Crocodile, though born in the Dark Era, had tasted wine once or twice. The memory of that flavor still sent a slight thrill of intoxication through his mind whenever he recalled it.
In this era, alcohol was undoubtedly a precious commodity.
"Gang Leader! Gang Leader! You must stand up for us!"
"We were beaten up! By someone who seems to be a martial artist!"
Outside the hall, several cries of anguish soon echoed.
Hearing the commotion, Koloda frowned slightly. He shook the thick padded vest on his back and immediately began to ponder whether the Sand Crocodile Gang had recently offended anyone they shouldn't have.
During the wolf-hunting operation, they hadn't tried to steal prey from other gangs. And even further back, there was no such history either.
In the eyes of other factions in the city, the Sand Crocodile Gang was actually considered relatively orderly and neutral.
"Come in," Koloda said sternly.
Four idle thugs, their cheeks swollen and crimson with clear handprints, soon entered.
Seeing this, Koloda's expression darkened.
The Sand Crocodile Gang was, after all, a respectable gang. Although these thugs were nothing but trouble, as the saying goes, even when beating a dog, you must consider its owner!
His gang members had been brutally beaten, which was tantamount to slapping him in the face.
"Tell me exactly what happened!" Koloda demanded in a low voice.
Very quickly, the four men took turns speaking, half-concealing and half-embellishing their account.
In their version, Li Qing's actions just now were utterly heinous, his arrogance so extreme that he showed no respect for the Sand Crocodile Gang.
"Gang Leader, you wouldn't believe it! That blacksmith, Li, is utterly detestable. He's only been in the city for a short time, yet he already dares to be so insolent."
"Indeed! At this rate, Giant Rock City will soon be under his control!"
"I've never seen anyone so arrogant in all my life!"
"..."
As Gang Leader, Koloda wasn't about to blindly believe their one-sided account. He could roughly gauge how much of their story was true and how much was fabricated.
But as the saying goes, when you beat a dog, you have to consider its master. This matter wouldn't be left unresolved.
"Don't take any rash actions yet. I'll send someone to investigate this blacksmith's background first."
"For the next few days, all of you keep a low profile. Don't go stirring up any more trouble."
As soon as Koloda finished speaking, the four thugs, their cheeks still swollen, became visibly agitated.
"With the Gang Leader stepping in, we're sure to make that blacksmith beg for mercy!"
"That's right!"
However, Koloda shook his head. He wouldn't act rashly until he had thoroughly investigated the matter.
If the blacksmith surnamed Li only had mediocre martial arts skills, he wouldn't mind teaching him a lesson or two and then seeing if he could recruit him into the gang.
But if the blacksmith had reached the Outer Strength level of the Martial Path, a more cautious approach was necessary.
Four local thugs had offended a Martial Artist of equal standing. Koloda wasn't a fool. If that were truly the case, he might even have to beat them up himself.
Causing trouble and bullying ordinary citizens was one thing, but he wouldn't hesitate to deal ruthlessly with them if they stirred up serious trouble.
"Alright, all of you scram. I'll decide what to do after I've figured out the blacksmith's background."
Koloda waved his hand dismissively. But before the four thugs could retreat, a clear, resonant voice suddenly rang out!
"No need, Gang Leader Koloda. If you want to know about my background, I'll tell you myself."
(End of the Chapter)
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