Chapter 148: Lin Ruoli

Chapter 148: Lin Ruoli

It was another military encampment, complete with a plaque that read "Hall of Righteousness."

Unlike the main camp of the Baili Escort Agency, several tiger-skin chairs were arranged beneath the plaque, and upon each chair sat a prominent figure of the underworld.

The grand tent was brightly lit, but the flickering flames made every face appear even more shifting and uncertain. It was evident that these underworld figures were far from relaxed; they knew precisely whom they were going up against this time, and just how formidable the difficulties would be.

When two armies face each other, winning by surprise depends more often on strategy and tactics. If you simply rely on reckless and brutal charges, even a victory is no different from a defeat, because your losses will be equally devastating.

Moreover, the current situation was not something the Four Great Underworld Factions could win through a simple charge. One had to keep in mind that the opposing side possessed Nangong Qing of Mount Emei, a warrior of the sixth tier. There were very few sixth-tier fighters in the martial arts world, and anyone with even a modicum of seniority knew that sixth-tier experts killed people as easily as mowing grass. The underworld was dark, but that did not mean the underworld was synonymous with marching to one's death.

After a long while, the tent flap was lifted, and a masked figure in black hurried inside. "Someone outside wishes to an audience. He claims his name is 'Might Conquers All,' stating he belongs neither to the righteous path of heroes nor the underworld. I have already checked, and his evil points far outweigh his chivalry points."

The moment these words were spoken, almost everyone in the grand tent turned their gaze toward a black-clad figure seated in the lower-left position.

He, too, was masked, obscuring his true features, but his expression clearly twitched, and his brow furrowed. Not only was the name "Might Conquers All" deeply engraved in his memory, but virtually everyone present knew of it as well.

The recent struggle between the two titans—Hidden Sword Manor and Famed Sword Manor—had been resolved precisely by this "Might Conquers All." Rather than saying he had ferreted out the traitors of both manors, it was more accurate to say that Zhang He had single-handedly ruined the Death Sentence's grand scheme.

The masked figure currently seated in the lower-left position was none of other than Backlight, the leader of the Chenzhou Branch of the Death Sentence. He had been dispatched by the main altar to provide reinforcements at Zhouzhuang, but before he could even offer any assistance, his sworn enemy had willingly delivered himself to his doorstep.

Backlight did not speak, but his complexion was undoubtedly unsightly.

Sometimes, matters in the pugilistic world mirrored reality: being killed was not disgraceful, for it simply meant your skills were inferior to another's; however, losing face in front of your peers—that was an entirely different matter.

Seated in the upper-left position was a robed man of extraordinary bearing, adorned from head to toe in luxurious attire. He was also one of the reinforcements: "Hanxiao Banbutdian, Elder of the Wind and Cloud Hall."

At that moment, Hanxiao Banbutdian glanced sideways at Backlight and smiled. "I believe we should leave the decision to Branch Leader Back. Shall we let this person in, or not?"

Backlight said coldly, "If I say no, it would show a complete lack of the bigger picture. If I let him in and then try to make a move on him, it would show our sect lacks magnanimity..." At this point, he cast a glance at the black-clad disciple standing below the hall.

There was a vast difference between "invite him in" and "let him in." At the very least, these underworld figures still maintained a certain level of etiquette toward Zhang He.

When Zhang He stepped inside, he naturally took note of the occupants seated in the eastern, western, and northern positions of the grand tent.

The western seat went without saying. Occupying the seats of honor in the extreme north were a man and a woman, both with expressions as somber as stagnant water. Anyone seated in those positions could easily guess that they were none of the two Protectors of the Sun and Moon Cult.

As for the person seated in the tiger-skin chair on the eastern side, Zhang He felt a slight jolt of surprise, for not only had he met this person before, but he also held a rather deep impression of her.

It was none other than the young Miss Lin who had lent him a hand that day aboard the dragon boat on the Nan River.

Miss Lin still beamed with radiant vitality, her face as rosy as peach blossoms. No matter when or where, she always appeared warm and captivating, as if she were overflowing with a passionate love for life and existence.

Yet, had he not encountered her at this time and in this place, Zhang He would have found it impossible to believe that this Miss Lin was not only an underworld figure, but judging by her seating arrangement, her status and influence were by no means low—surpassing even that of the Death Sentence.

Could she possibly be the emissary representing the Golden Palace Family in this campaign of reinforcements?

However, Miss Lin had already risen to her feet. Upon seeing Zhang He, she revealed that signature, unique smile. "Brother, it turns out to be you—ah, my mistake. I should address you as Brother Wu. Forgive my lack of respect."

Zhang He cupped his fists. "You flatter me. I have yet to ask for Miss Lin's esteemed name."

Miss Lin smiled sweetly. "My humble surname is Lin, and my given name is Ruoli. If Brother Wu does not mind, why not take the lower-left seat?"

By this point, everyone present could see that not only did Lin Ruoli recognize this "Might Conquers All," but she also held him in high regard. In truth, many people in the tent held a certain measure of respect for Zhang He; after all, whoever dared to single-handedly disrupt the plans of the Death Sentence possessed genuine competence.

In the martial arts world, as long as you possessed true talent and practical learning, you earned the right to command people's respect.

On this point, the righteous and the unrighteous were entirely the same.

Hanxiao Banbutdian gazed at Zhang He with a playful glint in his eyes. He was clearly curious about the relationship between Zhang He and Lin Ruoli, knowing full well that this female emissary from the Golden Palace Family always looked down upon others and rarely regarded ordinary players with esteem, yet she appeared remarkably courteous toward this "Might Conquers All."

Thus, he smiled and asked, "Brother Wu, do you know what place this is?"

Zhang He was now aware that this man was an elder of the Wind and Cloud Hall, so he had to respond with polite civility. "I know, which is why I came."

"Oh?" Hanxiao Banbutdian seemed somewhat surprised, though his expression quickly returned to normal. "Then what brings Brother Wu to this honored place?"

Zhang He smiled. "I am here to take a cut of the profits."

Hanxiao Banbutdian's smile vanished. "A cut of what profits?"

Zhang He chuckled. "I know why all the heroes and valiant men here have gathered together."

Hanxiao Banbutdian asked, "And why is that?"

Zhang He smiled broadly. "It is for the red-tagged cargo currently being escorted by the Baili Escort Agency."

Hanxiao Banbutdian stared at him. "And so you wish to take a cut of that red-tagged cargo?"

Zhang He smiled and nodded.

This time, it was not just Hanxiao Banbutdian who was astonished; every single person in the grand tent was taken aback. Even the two Demonic Cult Protectors on the high platform could not help but let their expressions shift.

Presently, anyone in this grand tent held a status superior to Zhang He's. Even Invincible and the Blue-Clothed Young Master standing behind Lin Ruoli did not dare to speak out of turn, yet Zhang He not only spoke up but dared to bluntly demand a cut of the profits. It seemed this world was truly mad, and the world of *Dynasty* was overflowing with ferocious figures whose audacity stemmed not from overwhelming strength, but from having the guts of a dragon.

Hanxiao Banbutdian smiled once more. "There is one thing I am quite curious about."

Zhang He asked, "And what is that?"

Hanxiao Banbutdian replied, "The red-tagged cargo is not even in this place. Why didn't Brother Wu go demand it from Chang Tianfan and Nangong Qing? Why come here of all places to seek a cut from us?"

Zhang He also smiled. "Although the cargo is not here, that is only temporary, for I know the cargo will sooner or later fall into your hands."

Before Hanxiao Banbutdian could retort, Backlight could no longer restrain himself and blurted out, "What makes you think the cargo will fall into our hands?"

Zhang He stated firmly, "I hear that the encampment of the Baili Escort Agency has been pitched at the foot of Mount Gaoshen for three days. For these three days, they have neither advanced nor retreated."

Backlight countered, "And what does that prove?"

Zhang He proclaimed loudly, "It proves they have no confidence in breaking through the frontal blockade of the Four Great Factions. Because their strength is inferior to yours, they dare not act rashly."

Everyone's expression shifted to one of astonishment once more—not at Zhang He's audacity this time, but at his piercing insight and formidable acumen. As the saying went, consummate skill breeds supreme courage.

Backlight sneered, "Their strength is inferior to ours? Have you never inquired about Nangong Qing? She is the deputy leader of the Qingfeng Altar of the Emei Sword Sect. No matter how mediocre a sixth-tier fighter might seem, she is still stronger than ninety percent of the people sitting right here. Would she possibly fear us? Aside from Shaolin, Wudang, and the Beggar Sect, when has she ever feared any other sixth-tier expert?"

Zhang He sneered in return. "True, the sixth tier is enough to look down upon the masses, but victory and defeat are not decided by martial arts alone. The Baili Escort Agency and the Emei Sword Sect rely solely on Chang Tianfan and Nangong Qing for their might, whereas here, we have the elites of all Four Great Factions gathered together. Individually, our strength might fall somewhat short, but when it comes to launching a joint assault and pooling our wisdom, whose chances of winning do you suppose are higher?"

Backlight immediately clamped his mouth shut. Such reasoning required no explanation to someone of his stature.

Lin Ruoli observed Zhang He with a lingering sense of intrigue, a faint look of approval in her eyes, which secretly stirred discontent in Invincible and the Blue-Clothed Young Master standing nearby.

Hanxiao Banbutdian remarked, "That sounds plausible enough, but when it comes to pooling our wisdom, I don't mind speaking plainly. Brother Wu, as you can see, so many of us have been sitting here deliberating until now—and this is already the fourth night—yet we still have no good solution. Where, pray tell, is this higher chance of winning you speak of?"

Everyone turned their gazes back to Zhang He, their eyes filled with silent questioning: *Indeed, your argument seems to fall short here, doesn't it?*

Zhang He smiled again. "Perhaps you all know better in your hearts than I do: the longer this drags on, the more advantageous it is for you. Your camps are pitched between Zhouzhuang and Mount Gaoshen. If you wait too long, you can simply ride over to Zhouzhuang or Fengling Crossing to wine and dine to your hearts' content. What about Chang Tianfan and the others? What are they to do? Are they going to dig up wild vegetables and gnaw on tree bark in a barren wasteland like Mount Gaoshen, or subsist on the northwest wind?"

With his mocking tone and humorous phrasing, many in the audience broke into knowing smiles.

Flattering words offended no one, and the unique smile on Lin Ruoli's face seemed to grow even richer.

No matter how skeptical Hanxiao Banbutdian remained, he had to admit that Zhang He's analysis had struck straight to the heart of the matter.

Troops and horses must move before grain and fodder; this was an eternal, unchanging truth of warfare. Continuing this standoff offered the Four Great Factions a hundred benefits without a single harm. In truth, the current strategy of the Four Great Factions was simply to wait—to wait until Chang Tianfan and Nangong Qing could no longer endure and were forced to set out on the road. At that moment, the Four Great Factions would emerge like fierce tigers released from their cages, swallowing them up in a single gulp, an onslaught no one would be able to block.

Hanxiao Banbutdian narrowed his eyes. "Brother Wu, I concede that your words are entirely correct. However, what does any of this have to do with you?"

Zhang He smiled. "Of course it has to do with me, because I hold crucial intelligence that I am willing to sell. Others might not buy this intelligence, but I know for a fact that you members of the Four Great Factions most certainly will."

Upon hearing these words, the various leaders of the Four Great Factions were indeed shaken to attention.