Rogue 014

Sure enough, with the Demonic Cult as a cautionary tale, even the most hot-tempered sect leader of the Fierce Blade Sect could only clench his fists and force a smile when faced with Fei Li, who had come to their door to pick a fight.

What else could they do? The man was a government official. If he came to your door to curse you out, you just had to take it. If you actually dared to touch him, what would happen if he just dropped dead right there? You say you aren't afraid of the government troops? Why not take a look at the Demonic Cult? Those people from the Demonic Cult were arrogant enough, able to clash head-on with the martial arts alliance without suffering any losses, yet their entire sect was wiped out in a single day!

A business... license?

You can think of it this way: once you get this thing, you can conduct your business openly and legally. It means you are registered with the government, understand?

Oh... like opening a brothel in the city?

Oh? You also run a brothel business? Write that down. Fei Li nodded to the clerk.

Hey? My Lord, please don't... We've never heard of any sect needing to apply for such a thing. We are a martial arts sect, not a business. The eldest disciple explained patiently. Hearing that this god of plague was coming, the sect leader had gone into secluded cultivation overnight.

Who knew that Fei Li had come prepared this time? He suddenly pulled a short knife from his boot. The few people closest to him instantly backed away, but the next moment, they realized something was wrong.

Was this god of plague trying to stab himself to death???

Fortunately, everyone present was an expert martial artist. Some grabbed his hands, some pressed his head, and others covered his neck, forcefully restraining Fei Li.

There's no need for this! My Lord, there's really no need for this!

Quick, hurry and invite the sect leader!

While Fei Li was putting on his performance, the scale of the Heaven-Shrouding Guard was also gradually expanding. Fang Zhiyi had recruited some lone martial artists, integrating them into the Heaven-Shrouding Guard along with the original Heaven-Shrouding Cult members and government troops. He then personally hand-wrote secret manuals for them. Everyone who read them revered Fang Zhiyi as a grandmaster.

Several sects began to secretly contact each other to discuss countermeasures, but their offensive and defensive alliance developed cracks less than a month after it was formed.

The properties of the other sects in the city had all been seized, but the properties under the organizer's name continued to operate normally and even received commendations from the government.

The organizer was unable to clear his name. After being thoroughly cursed out by his allies, those allies all took the initiative to bring gifts and head to the Heaven-Shrouding Guard to complete the paperwork.

We need harmony, but not too much harmony. Fang Zhiyi stood on the city wall with his hands behind his back, looking toward the northwest. If we have to do everything ourselves, no amount of manpower will ever be enough.

Zuo Qianqiu followed behind him, his old face full of admiration, but his tone carried a hint of worry. Normally, it shouldn't be my place to say this, but I still need to remind you.

Fang Zhiyi turned his head slightly.

Before, we were just playing around, but now the Heaven-Shrouding Guard has begun to take shape... Most of the sects have submitted. Shouldn't you consider the consequences?

Fang Zhiyi asked with a smile, What consequences?

When the cunning hare is dead, the running hound is boiled. Zuo Qianqiu looked away. Although I don't understand court politics, I know that you have now become the bird that sticks its head out.

Fang Zhiyi merely tapped his fingers lightly against the city wall. Is that so... It's to be expected.

Oh, right. I also found the information you asked me to look up regarding the Jiang family of Jiangnan. This Jiang family is not like these sects. Zuo Qianqiu changed the subject. Their family has some connections with a first-rank official in the current dynasty, so I'm afraid they won't be easy to touch... Moreover, the Jiang family started out in the armed escort business in their early years, and their relationships with many factions are deeply intertwined...

What about that psychopath in their family? Fang Zhiyi didn't care too much; it was normal for the protagonist's family to have some power.

According to our informants, Jiang Gucheng was taken back by the Jiang family the day after the Heaven-Shrouding Cult was destroyed. Zuo Qianqiu laughed. I have to say, the Jiang family is quite cautious, terrified that this kid would cause trouble outside.

Fang Zhiyi nodded. Let the bullets fly for a while.

What bullets? What is that? Zuo Qianqiu was a bit bewildered.

Fang Zhiyi didn't answer him, but simply smiled and walked down the city wall.

Just as he descended the city wall, a dark figure darted in front of him. In an instant, multiple figures flashed out from the previously empty surroundings, and two people stood in front of Fang Zhiyi, looking at the dark figure with faces full of vigilance.

The dark figure froze for a moment, then suddenly knelt down. My Lord! This commoner begs you to uphold justice for me!

By the light of the Heaven-Shrouding Guard's torches, Fang Zhiyi saw the short knife at the dark figure's waist and couldn't help but frown. If you have a matter to report, go to the county magistrate's office.

But the man looked up at him and asked in confusion, Who are you? I'm looking for Lord Zuo.

Zuo Qianqiu instantly straightened his back, but upon seeing Fang Zhiyi's sweeping glance, he immediately slouched back down. Um, uh, I really don't know him, you see...

The man continued, Everyone in the martial world today knows that the Heaven-Shrouding Guard will step forward against injustices in the martial world. Is it all just a show put on by the imperial court?

Zuo Qianqiu took a step forward. Who said that? What grievance do you have?

The man gritted his teeth. My name is Liu Rufeng, known in the martial world as the Wave-Breaking Blade.

As soon as these words came out, Zuo Qianqiu subconsciously stepped in front of Fang Zhiyi. This guy was not to be trifled with; having no sect or faction, he belonged to the category of notorious bandits. Fortunately, Liu Rufeng didn't make any moves, which made Zuo Qianqiu somewhat curious. What could make a notorious bandit come to file a complaint?

I have a younger brother. He is not like me. I make a living on the edge of a blade so that he could live safely as an ordinary person, learn to read and write, and marry a girl from a clean background to live his life. But... that day, my brother came across someone drowning. He has always been kind-hearted, so he jumped in to rescue them. The drowning person made it to shore, but my brother drowned in the river.

Zuo Qianqiu was puzzled. It is indeed a pity that he died doing a good deed, but you can't blame anyone else, right?

Can't blame anyone? Why can't I? To find out the truth, I found a peddler who was selling things by the river that day. The peddler mentioned that when my brother jumped into the water to save the person, that person desperately pushed my brother down into the river to survive. After escaping danger, not only did he fail to help, but he directly fled the scene. My brother didn't die from saving someone; he was murdered!

The man clearly had wounds on his face and was highly emotional. I found that person's home to demand an explanation, but I was stopped by the Second Elder of the Zhongshan Sect who was passing by. He concluded that I was trying to murder for money and immediately started fighting me. They had many people, and I was no match for them. I truly had no other way out, which is why I sought out the Heaven-Shrouding Guard! He knocked his head loudly against the ground.

It was at this moment that Fang Zhiyi's pupils contracted. On this man's back, a massive blade wound ran from his shoulder all the way to his waist, leaving his entire back a bloody, mangled mess.

And after knocking his head that one time, Liu Rufeng made no further movement.

A Heaven-Shrouding Guard stepped forward to check, then turned to Fang Zhiyi and Zuo Qianqiu with a hint of surprise. He's dead.

This... A notorious bandit getting into a bloody fight with others, what was he thinking? Zuo Qianqiu sighed with emotion.

Fang Zhiyi, however, stood unmoving. Your next assignment has arrived.