Chapter 904: Wiping Out in One Stroke
Editor: Henyee Trantions
This is a vige built amidst the mountains, surrounded by picturesque scenery, yet all the vigers have been reced, the original inhabitants long since disappeared without a trace.
The vige is guarded stringently, with martial arts experts patrolling in the distance, and every five steps within the vige stands a martial artist, the security even stricter than a military fortress.
At the vige gate, two towering guards stand, each with arge saber at their elbow, reminiscent of butchers.
As the manager approaches the main gate of the vige, he reveals a waist badge. Only after the guards see the badge do they step aside to let him pass.
Entering the vige, the manager, apanied by Lou Ze and Zeng He, steps into the nearest house, “Please fill in the opening time and address of your shop.”
Inside sits a young man by a window, the desk ced right next to it.
As they enter, the young man nces over, his eyes numb.
“I’ll check the goods before filling it in,” says Lou Ze, his hands behind his back, eyeing the room. The furnishings are simple: a bed, a wooden rack, a wardrobe, and a set of tables and chairs.
The manager does not insist, “Please follow me.”
Exiting the small house, they walk across to a house set up like a pharmacyb, where a middle-aged man busily concocts something with the help of a young assistant.<div>
Upon entering, both individuals inside turn to look but say nothing, immediately returning to their drug-making.
The manager steps forward and addresses the middle-aged man, “This young man would like to see the divine ointment. Do you have any ready-made?”
The middle-aged man looks at Lou Ze curiously—it’s his first time someone hase here for the divine ointment. Regardless of his thoughts, the presence of this visitor implies he’s no ordinary individual, so it’s best to avoid meddling.
He hands over some freshly made divine ointment to Lou Ze, “Please take a look.”
Lou Ze takes the elixir and smells it; it’s simr to the one in the store, confirming this is the ce, “Are all the houses in this vige used for making the divine ointment?”
The middle-aged man looks up in surprise, “Why do you ask?”
Lou Ze casually responds, “I’m naturally curious to know more. How else can we cooperate?”
The middle-aged man nces at the manager, who shows no sign of objection, then replies, “Yes, each house has two people making it, capable of producing five kilograms daily.”
Lou Ze inwardly remarks, ‘Five kilograms? That’s a lot of harm.’ “Is the quality of the divine ointment the same in all cases?”
The middle-aged man nods, “Yes, if it doesn’t meet the standard, they’re not allowed to produce.”
Lou Ze muses there might be a training camp here dedicated to teaching these poison makers. Apart from the poisoning aspect, he is quite impressed with their management.
He turns to the manager, “Do they have any rest time?”
The manager shakes his head, “No, only at night can they rest, all together in a house on the edge of the vige.”
That makes things easier, Lou Ze says, “I’ve understood enough, shall we go out to write down the address and time?”
The manager courteously replies, “This way, please.”
Back in the house, the young man looks surprised to see them return and observes Lou Ze closely before pulling out a register, “Write on thest line.”
“Okay,” Lou Ze opens the register, flipping through it page by page until he reaches the end. He counts over two hundred opium dens listed within Linzhang City, a frightening number.
Taking the pen offered by the young man, he writes down a fictitious address and time.
Tonight, he ns to leave this ce in ruins, verification won’t be an issue.<div>
After filling out the details, he pays a deposit of one thousand taels, and then Lou Ze leaves the vige with Zeng He.
On the way back, Zeng He expresses confusion, “I don’t understand.”
Lou Ze walks ahead, “You don’t need to understand. Later, we’ll split up; you calm the assassins. When I arrive, tell me about the Magistrate. I’ve got other matters to attend to now.”
Zeng He nods respectfully, “Understood.”<div>
Lou Ze watches Zeng He walk away, then returns to the vige, not approaching directly but dealing with the guards around it.
The guards are no challenge for him; he subdues them with a single move, allowing them to stand guard as if nothing is amiss.
After dealing with them, night falls.
Lou Ze finds a rock to sit on, watching below, waiting for the drug makers to return to their house before he can strike.
Some of these drug makers are coerced, a sin not deserving death. They might be given a chance to reform. The rest, however, deserve no mercy.
As the moon climbs over the hill, casting a small ornament-like glow in the night sky, Chu Qingzhi releases the Golden Phoenix. “Jing Hong, what are you up to?”
Tang Jinghong replies, “I’m eating. Have you had your meal?”
“I’ve eaten. Tonight, I’m nning an assassination on the Magistrate. If you have any use for him, I’ll spare him.”
“First, try to uncover his secrets. If there are none left, then deal with him.”
“Alright, I understand. By the way, I’m currently near a drug manufacturing site operated by the Yun organization. I’m nning to take them down tonight.”
“I’ll send reinforcements immediately.”
“No need, I can handle it myself.”
“Then take care. After you destroy that ce, many will likely seek revenge. Take extra precautions when you go out.”<div>
“Understood.”
After exchanging updates on their separate endeavors, Chu Qingzhi cuts the connection and prepares to act.
She flies into the air, forming seals with her hands and casting a Fire Control Technique.
mes drop down and spread upon touching the ground, igniting a small sea of fire.
This is divine fire, capable of burning everything to ashes, whether it be people, houses, or even the grass on the ground…
“Fire—”
“Put it out—”
The cries are cut short almost immediately, and within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, everything but the house where everyone rests turns to ash.
Lou Ze descends to the ground and heads towards the only intact house, kicking open the door, “Those of you forced into making drugs, I can offer you a way out.”
Inside, about twenty people stare back at him, bewildered.
A middle-aged man steps forward, sizing up Lou Ze, astounded, “Was it you who set the fire?”
“Yes,” Lou Ze nods calmly, “Now, we need not waste words. Who here was coerced?”
The middle-aged man admits, “I was.”<div>
Lou Ze gestures, “Pack your things and leave tonight. Hide somewhere for a few days; then you cane out.”
The man is incredulous, having prepared to die here. Yet, hope springs anew, “Young master, can I really leave?”