Chapter 325: Chapter 192: Varying Thoughts; New Gang Halls

"...We’ll just have to wait and see. It won’t be long," Xu Tieshan said calmly. "We need to manage our territory well. Li Mingxin’s sudden grant of autonomy guarantees the County Town’s future will be unstable. Pay close attention to the other families. We must also make our own preparations."

"Yes, Father," Xu Yuandong agreed. He thought for a moment, then hesitated. "But... what about the common people in the County Town under our rule? We can’t just ignore them, can we?"

Xu Tieshan glanced at his son and only spoke after a moment. "In truth, when that kid proposed cooperation, his goal was simply to speed up the County Town’s return to normal operations. Even without cooperating, we couldn’t possibly ignore the people in our territory.

"Even if each family manages its own area, the County Town would gradually recover. That would require a massive allocation of resources. Cooperation would just be more efficient. But every family has its own agenda. Who would willingly sacrifice their own interests?"

"The farmland outside the County Town?" Xu Yuandong’s eyes flickered.

"There’s no need for us to rush. Let’s see who makes the first move," Xu Tieshan said calmly. "Also, find some time to see if you can locate the young man who fought Qiu Fengxing that night. Try to buy that blade he was using."

"Father, that blade may be sharp, but is it really worth this much attention? Your Heavy Sword is no ordinary weapon either."

But Xu Tieshan shook his head. "Have you ever heard of the Huangfu Family?"

Xu Yuandong was taken aback, then nodded. "I have. But that happened when I was only eight or nine, right? I learned a bit about it later. I heard they were wiped out by the previous Emperor Liang for plotting a rebellion?"

Xu Tieshan scoffed. "Rebellion? Just an excuse. In the more than four hundred years since Da Liang’s founding, a new Royal Family emerged over two hundred years ago. After learning that lesson, how could they possibly allow another one to rise?

"Back then, the Huangfu Family was the Da Liang Gate Valve closest to becoming a New Royal Family. They were the family with the best chance in over two centuries to be promoted to the rank of a Royal Family.

"The Huangfu Family’s greatest strength was their skill in forging Divine Weapons. A single Divine Weapon could cut through iron as if it were mud; ordinary weapons would shatter on contact. Even my Heavy Sword wouldn’t dare to clash with one directly.

"A Martial Artist holding a Divine Weapon from the Huangfu Family could be considered invincible within their own Realm. If their Martial Arts skills were exquisite, a Seventh Grade fighting a Sixth Grade wouldn’t even be a problem.

"The fact that the young man that night, merely an Eighth Grade, could last so long against Qiu Fengxing is the best proof.

"And it’s precisely because of this that the Huangfu Family was attacked by the Royal Family and the other eighteen Gate Valve families, leading to their clan’s annihilation.

"In the end, their Divine Weapons were divided among the Royal Family and the Gate Valves, with only a few scattered among the common people. Since then, the Royal Family and the Gate Valves have been continuously searching for them, offering substantial rewards."

Now, Xu Yuandong finally understood why his father was so fixated on the other man’s weapon.

"I understand now," Xu Yuandong replied, a smile creeping onto his face. "If he won’t sell, we’ll just kill him quietly and take it!"

Xu Tieshan glanced at his son, knowing he understood the need for discretion and wouldn’t act too brazenly.

’The only viable target is one of the people with Cheng Zongyang. As for Cheng Zongyang himself, that’s out of the question.’

He had seen it clearly at the restaurant. The moment Cheng Zongyang faced off against Lu Yan, the aura he emitted was nearly on par with his own. That was why he had been willing to say a few more words in the end instead of just leaving.

Likewise, the fact that Cheng Zongyang possessed such strength at his age was the main reason the six families were reluctant to completely turn against him just yet.

’Who knew how powerful the Cheng Family backing him truly was?’

He Shujun, who had just left the restaurant not long ago, gazed out the carriage window toward the Lu Family’s territory in the north of the city. Remembering the events of that night, a faint smile touched their lips.

"Soon..."

Across several streets, carriages moved slowly, their occupants engrossed in their own conversations, each with different thoughts on their mind.

「Evening soon arrived.」

In Tiantuan Village, inside the assembly hall, after everyone had finished their meal.

Eight people were gathered in the assembly hall.

Besides Cheng Zongyang and Li Lu, the other six were the four Hall Masters and two new faces.

Outside the assembly hall, several hall captains stood guard, allowing no one to approach.

Over a dozen oil lamps were lit inside, making the hall somewhat brighter and chasing away the gloom.

After everyone was seated, Li Lu officially began the meeting.

"Now that everyone is here, let’s begin. The entire territory of West City is now in the hands of the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang. Due to the issue of territorial autonomy, we have the final say in everything that happens in the West City district.

"Our Young Clan Leader of the Cheng Family seized this with his own formidable strength from the six Foreign Race families.

"This is a point we must never forget!

"Moving forward, based on the needs of the County Town and after discussions with the Young Clan Leader, the Cheng Family will take the lead, with the Celestial Break Gang assisting, to jointly develop the West City area. We will also be adding two new halls."

At this, Li Lu glanced over the Hall Masters present, paused for a moment, and then continued:

"The fifth hall will be named the Hall of Justice. Its purpose is to patrol West City, manage public order, and resolve disputes among the citizens. This hall will require a significant number of people.

"Fortunately, the Celestial Break Gang’s expansion plan has been underway for the past two days, and we’ve recruited many new members from which we can choose.

"Li Xian, you are in charge of gang affairs. You and Zhao Weimin will be responsible for selecting the personnel."

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

"Thank you, Young Clan Leader! Thank you, Gang Leader! I will do my utmost and give my all!" Zhao Weimin stood up, extremely excited.

Cheng Zongyang looked over and saw a man of about forty. Judging from his clothes and manner of speaking, he had the air of a scholar.

Li Lu explained at the right moment, "This Zhao Weimin was once a Master. Not in Jade Peak County, of course, but from Shangyong. He’s been working under Li Xian for some time. The Hall of Justice needs someone who is literate and has experience in management and handling affairs. Zhao Weimin is quite capable, so Li Xian recommended him."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly but didn’t say much.

’Whether he’s actually competent or not remains to be seen. Time will tell.’

’To put it bluntly, this hall would function like a County Magistrate’s office. It would manage all the trivial matters of the populace under their rule, thereby ensuring stability and order within the territory.’

Seeing that Cheng Zongyang didn’t speak up or have any objections, Li Lu gestured for Zhao Weimin to sit down and then continued:

"The second hall will be named the Ministry of Works Hall. Its function will include all public construction and workshop building in West City. It will recruit skilled craftsmen and artisans and be solely responsible for all construction and manufacturing in the West City district. The person in charge will be Wang Tianli."

At the mention of his name, a wiry man in his fifties with graying hair stood up. His back was slightly hunched, a result of many years of labor.

Worried that Cheng Zongyang might be displeased, Li Lu quickly added, "He works under Zhao the Seventh, who recommended him. He used to work in the local County Town’s workshop, so he’s very familiar with this line of work."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. He liked having experienced people in charge of specialized tasks. "Very good," he said with a smile.

Li Lu smiled, aware of how much Cheng Zongyang valued such skilled artisans, and continued:

"Wang Tianli, from now on, you will have the authority to recruit any and all skilled artisans you can find. Don’t worry about their food or drink; the Celestial Break Gang will provide for them. Just focus on putting your talents to use. All future construction in West City and Tiantuan Village will be your responsibility."

"Yes, Gang Leader!" Wang Tianli was overjoyed, clasping his hands in salute again and again. "Thank you, Gang Leader! Thank you, Young Clan Leader!"

With that settled, Li Lu began to assign the tasks he had written down to the heads of the six halls.

This involved expanding by recruiting outsiders, screening internal members, and selecting candidates for core Martial Arts training.

Furthermore, when discussing the selection of candidates for core Martial Arts training, another matter was added: signing a gang initiation oath.

This was a necessary measure Cheng Zongyang had previously discussed with Li Lu, and he had given Li Lu a template for it just that evening. It didn’t matter if people believed in the oath’s content or not; only those who successfully signed it could become core members and begin Martial Arts Training to reach Entry Grade.

The oath swore loyalty to the Cheng Family and the Celestial Break Gang. Betraying the oath had only one consequence: Soul Returns to the Wilderness! 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

This was one of the reasons Cheng Zongyang was sparing no effort to support the Celestial Break Gang!

Li Lu also offered a brief explanation of this.

No one had any objections to this. Countless people wanted to become core members and train in Martial Arts to reach Entry Grade; there was no shortage of willing candidates.

Therefore, after the meeting, Li Lu and the personnel from the six halls all signed the gang initiation oath. Several hundred unsigned beast-skin scrolls for the oath were stored in the Tiantuan Village assembly hall.

Next, the captains, vice-captains, and other personnel from the remaining thirteen halls who had access to core affairs would also sign.

Then, it would gradually expand to the entire circle of core gang members.

After tonight, Cheng Zongyang’s plan to cover the Celestial Break Gang with the oath was complete!

The primary objective behind his support for the Celestial Break Gang had been achieved.

As long as a core gang member died from violating the oath, he could reclaim their Lifespan with interest.

’If it weren’t impossible to purchase another Flower Roster, he would have wanted to get one to use on the Celestial Break Gang.’

’As long as all members were registered, their Soul would be absorbed by the Flower Roster upon death, becoming "sustenance" for its restoration.’