The roar of warhorses echoed for a full day, and the He Family's waterside pavilion was trampled by Gu City's iron hooves. Over a thousand family retainers were either conscripted into the army or thrown into prison.
Besides He Wenbin, who barely escaped with his life, the heads of Yuan Shiqi, Elder Qi, and several other main family members were hung high above the city gates.
It was said that Zhao City Lord had specifically instructed this, stating that colluding with mountain bandits and robbing military supplies required severe measures to deter future generations.
Upon hearing this, many newly established aristocratic families felt a sense of trepidation, but what shocked them even more was that this entire scheme was designed by Xue Zhenfu in conjunction with the City Lord, leaving the Xie, Han, and Mo families completely in the dark.
However, the major aristocratic families, long aware of Xue Chengwu's cunning nature, had merely watched the situation unfold without rashly intervening.
Only after this incident did people truly see the deep-rooted influence and unspoken understanding among the four great aristocratic families in Gu City.
Compared to them, the He Family was as green as a new recruit.
Tonight, the Xue Family's threshold, which had been deserted, would likely be trampled by people eager to add to the existing splendor.
And the second-in-command of Bald Mountain finally completed his mission today. His wanted poster was torn down and replaced with one featuring the handsome He Wenbin, which drew gasps of wonder from the onlookers.
Everyone wondered why such a good-looking young master would turn to thievery?!
Inside the Zongqi office.
Xiaoqi Ning Yue's back was slightly bent as he bowed his head in greeting, saying, "Congratulations, Xue Ge, on achieving your desires. Taking down the He Family was as easy as reaching into a bag to retrieve something, without the slightest effort."
Xue Ren beamed, his expression filled with the satisfaction of a grand ambition fulfilled: "This time, not only did we take down the He Family, but it also served as a warning to these newly established aristocratic families who don't understand the rules. It was well worth me lying on this bed for half a month!"
Ning Yue's flattery flowed freely: "Xue Ge is both wise and brave, making decisions from home that win battles a thousand miles away. When news of this spreads, the matchmakers coming to the Xue Family for proposals will likely wear down the threshold..."
Xue Ren, at twenty-three, had idled away half his youth, indulging in low-brow pleasures, and was not yet married.
"Moreover, with the military merits you've earned this time, the position of Baihu is indisputable. Your subordinate congratulates you in advance, sir."
Upon hearing this, Xue Ren straightened his attire, wanting to display his official authority, but then decided it wasn't necessary. He then said, beaming, "Three first-class merits, brother, three first-class merits directly in hand this time! What can Mo Yingshuo possibly contend with me now?!"
Ning Yue nodded his head in agreement: "It's simply not worth mentioning!"
Xue Ren was genuinely excited. At twenty-three, to be promoted to Baihu, he'd be hard-pressed to find many others in all of Gu City.
He was now just one step away from becoming a truly important figure, a Qianhu.
Speaking of which, he had to thank the He Family; they were truly a perfect stepping stone!
However, military procedures were cumbersome, with information flowing up and down, and it would be a long time before the actual appointment letter arrived. Additionally, the production of new official uniforms and seals, and the relocation and furnishing of new residences and offices, all required time.
But Xue Ren was not in a hurry; these were all minor matters.
He looked up at the young man opposite him, whose features were still youthful, but whose astonishing sharpness was already subtly visible.
"You were the one who worked the hardest this time!"
"Open and hidden attacks, drawing in and suppressing, an endless stream of tactics. These past few days have truly opened my eyes. You... are very good..." Xue Ren spoke, growing increasingly emotional.
Unfortunately, aside from the Xue Family, the garrison would not recognize this contribution.
"Yesterday's comrades became today's enemies, yesterday's confidants became tools in someone else's hands... This feeling... it's truly damn uncomfortable, but ultimately, it's wealth that moves people's hearts."
Ning Yue lowered his head in silence.
Xue Ren's mood suddenly brightened, and he said with renewed vigor, "Fortunately, this time we've painfully removed the festering sore. The Xue Family, and indeed all of Yongwang, should be worry-free for a short while."
Xue Ren's original arrangement for Ning Yue was that the Zongqi position would grant him entry to observe, but who would have thought he would endure until Duan Tao arrived, truly a great contribution!
Xue Ren then rose, beckoned to Ning Yue, and then pressed him into his own seat.
Ning Yue hastily said, "Your subordinate dares not! How could your subordinate dare to do such a thing?"
"If I tell you to sit, then sit properly. You will sit in my position in the future! Ning Zongqi, you can get used to it in advance."
Ning Yue understood, his backside finally stopped shifting, and he smiled, saying, "Then your subordinate thanks Lieutenant Xue in advance."
Xue Ren waved his hand, "Ning Zongqi, you are too polite."
"Lieutenant Xue, there's no need to be modest. Excessive modesty is also a form of pride."
"You rascal... asking for a beating..."
The two exchanged pleasantries and commercial flattery for a long time before Ning Yue remembered to ask about serious business.
So he said, "Xue Ge, I have a few pieces of jewelry at home that I'd like to exchange for silver. I wonder if you know anyone trustworthy in the city? I'm afraid of being swindled."
Xue Ren looked at Ning Yue meaningfully until Ning Yue's old face flushed, then he smiled and asked, "Fencing stolen goods? Then you really should be careful."
Ning Yue lowered his head without speaking.
Xue Ren then continued, "Coincidentally, my sister has a shop. I'll consider it drumming up some business for her in advance. It's the Linglong Pavilion in the southwest corner of the inner city. I'll give her a heads-up then."
The Xue Family, a generational aristocratic clan, naturally had businesses spanning various industries. This Linglong Pavilion could only be considered a family sideline, originally inconspicuous, and even occasionally suffered small losses due to poor management.
Linglong Pavilion was originally called Duobao Xuan.
Who knew that after Xue Jiahe took over, she changed its name, made drastic changes to its layout, personally designed jewelry patterns, and spent a fortune hiring master craftsmen for carving. She managed to turn losses into profits in a short time, earning a lot of money every day.
Thus, everyone knew that the Xue Family's daughter possessed extraordinary intelligence and business acumen, not inferior to men.
Xue Jiahe had not yet married, but matchmakers were already constantly coming and going. Among them, although Mo Yingshuo was at odds with Xue Ren, he still didn't forget to send someone to propose.
But if one were to speak of the most famous, it would be Young Master Xie Yan of the Xie Family, who, despite being a man, once emptied the Linglong Pavilion.
This daily earning performance was probably mostly due to him.
However, Xue Jiahe was not seen to show him much courtesy.
Ning Yue bowed in thanks upon hearing this.
Xue Ren then said, "Those are small sums. Don't let these fleeting riches cloud your judgment. Follow me."
Xue Ren led Ning Yue into the main hall.
On the central desk were two treasure boxes and a long blade!
The long blade had no superfluous decorations. Its dark ebony scabbard was dull and black, unremarkable at first glance, yet it absorbed the surrounding light like a black hole.
Thus, Ning Yue's gaze was drawn to this blade.
But as Xue Ren casually picked up and opened one of the treasure boxes, Ning Yue's gaze quickly shifted.
It was a plain, unadorned stack of banknotes.
A thick box, with the smallest denomination being a hundred taels!!
Xue Ren looked at Ning Yue's dumbfounded expression and chuckled, saying, "This is your share of the profits from this operation. Everyone gets a share, and so do you."
With that, he casually tossed the treasure box to Ning Yue.
Ning Yue circulated his profound energy and carefully caught it.
A quick glance revealed several thousand taels!
He thought to himself: One truly doesn't get rich without unexpected wealth. A grand mansion and beautiful maids are another big step closer!!!
Xue Ren then opened the second treasure box, which contained only a single, old, thin piece of paper.
Though the paper was yellowed, the seal on it looked freshly stamped, a vibrant red.
Xue Ren said, "This is a two-courtyard house in the inner city, barely considered a shared residence. I've already transferred it into your name. You're getting older, and although you're still observing mourning, marrying and having children will be unavoidable in the future."
After speaking, he tossed it to Ning Yue again.
The inner city of Gu City was a precious area; any decent residence there cost no less than several thousand taels. This particular house was located in the eastern part of the inner city, quiet amidst the bustle, so the cost was naturally high.
Xue Ren's generosity once again refreshed Ning Yue's understanding.
With a grand mansion and money, if Xue Ren were to ask Ning Yue to marry into his family now, Ning Yue might even find himself seriously considering it.
Question Lin Shanhe, understand Lin Shanhe, Ning Yue wanted to become Lin Shanhe!
Nothing else, the thigh was too thick.
The enemy's sugar-coated bullets were truly too fierce; Ning Yue felt like he was about to give in!!!
But the enemy's advance did not stop.
Xue Ren then picked up the long blade!
"Clang!"
A cold gleam emerged from the sheath, like a clear, emerald spring, sending a chill down one's spine.
In his ears, he seemed to hear faint sighs, annoying whispers, resentful complaints, ceaseless and chaotic, causing irritation in his heart.
This blade, without even being activated, already displayed its supernatural qualities.
Xue Ren said disdainfully, "This blade is named whisper. It weighs over a thousand catties and will still be suitable for you when you reach the Forging Bone Realm. Quickly throw away that broken blade of yours; that's just something Han Yu used to fool you ignorant types."
"And he used it for three years? I estimate he probably used it for three years when he first started practicing martial arts."
Ning Yue looked at the Cold Light Blade in his palm and suddenly felt it wasn't so appealing anymore.
Purely based on appearance, whisper was in no way comparable to Cold Light, in fact, it was far inferior. But once it was unsheathed, Ning Yue finally understood what it meant for brilliance to be contained within, and what it meant for sharpness to be hidden.
He suppressed the shock in his heart and asked, "Is this blade a treasure weapon?!"
"Not quite, but it's only a hair's breadth away." Xue Ren then pouted, "I'm not like Han Yu, who just uses junk to fool people. The wondrous uses of this blade, you will naturally know in the future."
No need for the future, he wanted to kowtow to his big brother right now!
Ning Yue thought to himself: "How can one bow and scrape to the powerful? As long as they give enough, it's fine!"
Then he heard Xue Ren speak again, "These are nothing. Consider this a temporary inconvenience for you. When you advance to Forging Bone Realm in the future, I will grant you a heavenly mystery diagram!"
...