85: Chapter 85 Flattery Backfires
Important business?
The two of them caused quite a commotion. Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe, who was drinking heartily with a wine cup in hand, quickly noticed the situation.
"A-Fei, let Zuo Shan Diao come up. No need to stop him!!"
"He was, after all, the former First Leader of Qingfeng Stronghold. Heh heh... Our Black Tiger Hall has essentially taken over the nest, so we should still observe some basic courtesies."
Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe swirled the wine cup in his hand, his face full of mockery.
Once these words were spoken.
The noisy scene instantly fell silent. Over three hundred pairs of eyes turned in unison to look over.
Since the big brother had spoken.
Deputy Hall Master Li Fei could only snort coldly. He swept a cold glance over Zuo Shan Diao but did not block him.
However, this gave the instigator, Zuo Shan Diao, a huge fright, and he shivered all over.
Especially after hearing Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe's words, he was nearly scared to death.
'If I had known, I wouldn't have stepped forward to show off.' Zuo Shan Diao was filled with immense regret, but the arrow was already on the string and had to be fired.
On the surface, he maintained a smiling face, fawning over the experts of the Black Tiger Hall.
Walking up to Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe, he knelt down with a thud and said with a solemn expression, "You are too kind, Hall Leader. Qingfeng Stronghold is merely a vassal to the Black Tiger Hall."
"Everything I possess, including this life, belongs to the Hall Leader."
"If the Hall Leader commands me to die, I will have no objections."
Regardless of what important business he had to report, the boss had put him on the spot. He had to explain himself first, or he wouldn't even have a chance to speak.
Clearly.
Zuo Shan Diao was well-versed in this; his sequence of actions and little combo were very fluid.
Heh~
Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe chuckled, not even looking at Zuo Shan Diao. He said coldly, "Cut the nonsense. If you have important business, say it quickly. Don't ruin the brothers' good mood."
Upon hearing this.
Zuo Shan Diao hurriedly responded, saying with fear and trepidation, "Yes, yes, yes. Hall Leader, it is like this—among those attacking Qingfeng Stronghold today, I did not see Chen Yichuan."
"I suspect, is there a possibility that Taoyuan Village is using a diversionary tactic? It is very likely they will launch a surprise attack on Qingfeng Stronghold tonight."
"Look! Should we not take some precautions?"
As he spoke, Zuo Shan Diao looked up from time to time, his shifty, rat-like eyes observing Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe.
If there was anything amiss, he would immediately cut his speech short.
But it seemed unnecessary, until he finished speaking.
Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe's face remained unchanged. Just when Zuo Shan Diao thought he had secured it and everyone had listened...
At that moment.
"Hmph."
A cold snort rang out from the third chair. It was the other Deputy Hall Master of the Black Tiger Hall, Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing.
Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing's expression was icy, and he swept a look of extreme disdain at Zuo Shan Diao.
He stood up and bowed towards the main seat: "Big Brother, according to information brought back by spies in Taoyuan Village, this Chen Yichuan is still in seclusion. The diversionary tactic Zuo Shan Diao mentioned does not exist at all."
"Heh heh, Zuo Shan Diao! Are you questioning the effectiveness of my intelligence gathering?"
"Ah! Look at me!! You bastard!!"
Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing's face was stern, his eyes wide with fury as he glared at Zuo Shan Diao, the air thick with tension.
As he finished speaking.
Zuo Shan Diao's heart skipped a beat. He had forgotten that the Black Tiger Hall had people handling intelligence. He was done for.
His flattery had backfired.
Swish.
Zuo Shan Diao's face turned black instantly. He crawled on the ground, not daring to say a word, trembling as he waited for Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe's judgment.
Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe narrowed his eyes, carefully observing Zuo Shan Diao.
Then he gave a dry laugh: "Haha, Zuo Shan Diao's words are not wrong. Taoyuan Village might attack. You are very cautious. Not bad, not bad!"
"Then this important task shall fall to you. It just so happens you can go and relieve the Black Tiger Hall brothers so they can come back to drink."
"I trust Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing's intelligence gathering abilities!! Everyone, continue drinking. Just consider this Zuo Shan Diao entertaining everyone with a joke. Haha, keep drinking!!"
As he finished speaking.
In the spacious hall, everyone chimed in, laughing loudly, not taking it to heart at all.
They just regarded it as a small interlude.
Seeing this, Zuo Shan Diao hurriedly nodded vigorously, smiling and agreeing.
He didn't dare say anything else, quickly slipping away to go guard the gate.
Seeing this scene.
Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing's cold face looked much better. He picked up the bowl on the table and downed it in one gulp.
Taking the opportunity, Deputy Hall Master Zhao Qing stepped forward and bowed: "Big Brother, now that the Black Tiger Hall stronghold in Shuangjiang County has been taken down by the Six Fan Sect, why not occupy this place and wait for a comeback?"
"Ten kilometers away lies the piece of fat meat that is Taoyuan Village. Furthermore, Pharmacist Huang and Tian Yushan of Taoyuan Village have been severely injured by us."
"This might just be an opportunity."
Once these words were spoken.
The remaining core members of the Black Tiger Hall bowed and agreed one after another.
Hearing this.
Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe's face flashed with a glint of light, and he slapped the table and stood up: "You brothers are right. I don't know when that Third-Rank Iron-Clad Constable from the Six Fan Sect will leave Shuangjiang County."
"Occupying this place is a good opportunity. As for Taoyuan Village... once my injuries recover, we will attack immediately."
"I have the Qinghe Gang of Dongshan Prefecture standing behind me; it's not impossible to clash with Luo Cheng!!"
As he spoke, Hall Leader Zhao Shanhe's eyes grew brighter, and the path forward became clearer.
The few men below were the same.
Especially upon hearing about the Qinghe Gang, their eyes shone with spirit.
The Qinghe Gang of Dongshan Prefecture had a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist in charge; a mere Third-Rank Iron-Clad Constable was nothing to worry about.
Thinking of this,
these people laughed even more recklessly, drinking wine and not taking Taoyuan Village to heart at all.
They only regarded it as a piece of fat meat about to be in their grasp.
Wine cups clinked, the bandits' noise grew louder, and time slowly passed.
...
The setting sun was about to dip below the horizon, and the afterglow of the sunset spilled over Qingfeng Mountain, creating a unique charm.
Meanwhile.
Chen Yichuan and the other two, who had been riding on the road, finally arrived within three li of Qingfeng Stronghold, not far from their feet, while the last bit of sunset had not yet set.
Zhao Si tied the muzzles and hooves of the three big chestnut horses, then he nodded deeply at Chen Yichuan.
"Brother Yichuan, Brother Zhang Fan. The horses have been taken care of. Not far ahead is Qingfeng Stronghold. Should we charge straight in, or do something else? If you have any thoughts, feel free to say them."
Zhao Si said with a solemn face, his gaze fixed intently on Chen Yichuan.
Charge straight in.
Of course, this was just encouragement. Three people: one First-Rank Martial Artist and two martial artists.
With such a lineup, swaggering into Qingfeng Stronghold wasn't revenge; it was delivering their heads.
Chen Yichuan did not speak.
He silently recited in his heart: "System, add 5 points of free attributes to Strength."
Immediately after.
A system prompt sounded in his ears.
'Ding.'
'System prompt: 5 points of free attributes added successfully.'
[ Chen Yichuan: Male; Life Profession: Jailer
Talent: Attribute Involution (Unique Talent)
Realm: First-Rank Martial Artist
Strength: 63
Agility: 57
constitution: 56
spirit: 55 (Inactive)
Martial Arts: ...
Free Attributes: 0
Current Location: Shuangjiang County, Qingfeng Stronghold ]
Strength attribute reached 63 points.
Chen Yichuan was slightly pleased, and his heavy expression softened a little. At the same time, he pondered in his heart:
"I am 37 attribute points away from breaking through to a Second-rank Martial Artist. There is still a long road ahead."
"My attack power is sufficient. I should be able to wear down an injured Second-rank Martial Artist, especially since I still have the bone-softening powder on hand."
"Let's do it!!"
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