“The sect I founded, the Jiao Slaying Society, boasts 64,000 ordinary members and over 7,000 core disciples. As one of the three dominant powers in Lan Province, its headquarters is located in Jiayuan City, with branch outposts at…”
“In my lifetime, I took five wives and fathered two daughters. I also accepted disciples…”
“First Wife, Madame Jin: Gentle-natured, only daughter of Jin Can, chief head of the Golden Lion Escort Agency. Murdered, leaving behind a daughter named Mo Yuzhu.”
“Second Wife, Madame Li: Well-educated and reasonable, daughter of a wealthy family. Bore no children.”
“Third Wife, Madame Liu: Fiery-tempered and ambitious, younger sister of Liu Feng, leader of the Changfeng Sect in Qu Ling City. Bore no children. Requires careful attention.”
“Fourth Wife, Madame Yan: My cousin, steady and shrewd with noble demeanor. Gave birth to a daughter, Mo Caihuan. Before my departure, most authority of the Jiao Slaying Society was transferred to her. Trustworthy.”
“Fifth Wife, Madame Wang: Taciturn and deeply devoted to me. Formerly the personal maid of First Wife, Madame Jin. Bore no children. Secretly commands a hidden force. Absolutely trustworthy.”
“Adopted Daughter, Mo Fengwu: Daughter of a former trusted subordinate. Orphaned after her parents’ death, later adopted by me. At the time of my departure, she was seven years old—exceptionally bright and clever.”
“Yan Ge: First disciple, average aptitude. Taught the exclusive skill ‘Silver Demon Hand.’ At the time of my departure, he was twelve years old, his character still unformed.”
“Zhao Kun: Second disciple, exceptionally gifted. Taught the exclusive skill ‘Dragon Subduing Art.’ At the time of my departure, he was ten years old, his character still unformed.”
“Ma Kongtian: Sworn brother, serves as the Chief Protector of the Jiao Slaying Society. Temperament…”
…
Han Li held the detailed last testament of Doctor Mo, filled with writings, as he paced back and forth in a room at the Huiyuan Inn, deep in thought.
The testament was meticulous, not only clearly outlining the foundation Doctor Mo had built—the Jiao Slaying Society—but also briefly describing the temperaments of all his wives, giving Han Li a rough idea of the situation.
However, the information in the testament was from nearly a decade ago. The current circumstances had undoubtedly undergone drastic changes.
What should he do? Should he contact Doctor Mo’s wives or simply steal the Warm Sun Jade and flee? These decisions could only be made after Han Li gathered more detailed information.
In this regard, the local ruffian Sun Ergou, whom he had subdued the previous day, would prove extremely useful. Han Li expected to obtain plenty of valuable information from him.
After carefully rereading the testament, Han Li tucked it into his robe. He raised his head thoughtfully, then walked to the bed and sat down.
He spread his legs apart, placed his palms facing upward on his knees, closed his eyes, and began to inspect the condition inside his body.
The trace of Yin cold poison in his dantian had shown signs of spreading a month ago. Initially just a faint shadow, it had now condensed into a black mass the size of a pea and was continuously growing.
By Han Li’s estimation, in at most two months, this Yin poison would erupt completely. By then, he would likely be unable to escape death.
Just as Han Li was anxiously contemplating this and secretly vowing to obtain the “Warm Sun Jade,” someone knocked on the door.
“Come in!” Han Li opened his eyes and spoke coldly.
The door was gently pushed open, and Sun Ergou walked in with his head bowed. As soon as he saw Han Li, he offered a deep bow and said respectfully, “Greetings, Young Master! Sun Ergou is here to receive your instructions!”
“Not bad. You found your way here quite quickly. You do have some skills,” Han Li remarked with satisfaction. He then stood up from the bed, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked over to Sun Ergou.
“You flatter me, Young Master. If I couldn’t even manage such a small task, what use would there be in sparing my life?” Sun Ergou smiled obsequiously, eager to demonstrate his loyalty.
After returning that day, Sun Ergou had considered reporting Han Li to his superiors and bringing experts back for revenge. But the moment he recalled the “Corroding Heart Pill” he had ingested, all his courage vanished.
After a night of agonizing thought, he still found no solution. Left with no choice, he obediently came to see Han Li, hoping that after assisting him, Han Li would truly provide the antidote to relieve him of the deadly Corroding Heart Pill.
“First, tell me about your identity. From your demeanor that day, it seems you’re some kind of small boss,” Han Li said casually.
“I am the overseer at the docks for the Siping Gang in the western city. I have about forty or fifty subordinates, so I suppose I qualify as a minor leader,” Sun Ergou replied humbly.
“The Siping Gang?” Han Li asked indifferently.
“Yes, the Siping Gang is one of the thirty-three minor gangs in the western part of Jiayuan City. We have nearly a thousand members, mostly dockworkers and laborers. Our leader is Shen Zhongshan, known as ‘Ape Arm,’ and he has three chief protectors under him,” Sun Ergou promptly disclosed, showing no shame in revealing his gang’s information to an outsider.
“Was that big dark fellow who attacked me yesterday also from the Siping Gang?”
“No, he wasn’t. That guy is called Hei Xiong, a leader from the Iron Fist Society, one of the thirty-three gangs. He and I have never gotten along,” Sun Ergou replied with an ingratiating smile.
“If there are so many minor gangs just in the western city, there must be even more gangs throughout the entire Jiayuan City?” Han Li clasped his hands behind his back and slowly made his way back to the bed.
“Absolutely. In all of Jiayuan City, there are over forty minor gangs with fewer than a thousand members, seven or eight medium-sized gangs with two to three thousand members, and three major gangs with over ten thousand members each,” Sun Ergou reported earnestly, remaining in place.
“Then tell me about the major and medium-sized gangs. No need to mention the minor ones,” Han Li said, adjusting his robes as he sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Sun Ergou to continue.
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