Feng Dalun forgot that he was actually just a low-ranking official of the ninth rank, two ranks lower than Lu Xuan, who was a county lieutenant. Or rather, the existence of the Xiong Huo Gang made him believe that he was a real big shot.
"At midnight tonight, at Wenji Incense Shop in the East Market. If that Lu fellow dares to show up, chop him up with a flurry of knives. If he doesn't show up, burn Wenji Incense Shop down."
Before Feng Dalun stood hundreds of Xiong Huo Gang members, armed with swords and knives. Their faces were filled with menacing intent, as if murder and arson were commonplace for them. After the speech, the Xiong Huo Gang thugs quickly headed towards the East Market, where they had laid an ambush.
Late at night, the old man woke Lu Xuan from his deep sleep.
"Master, it's almost midnight."
"Really? Then let's go."
As Lu Xuan spoke, he got up, washed his face with ice water, then took his knife and turned to leave the house. Outside, Zhang Xiaojing and more than thirty thugs were standing in the courtyard, waiting.
"Sir, as you instructed, these are all skilled members of the criminal gang, and none of them have families."
Lu Xuan glanced at the group of thugs, and Li Fushan was among them. Seeing Lu Xuan looking over, Li Fushan nodded slightly. Lu Xuan then spoke directly.
"Let's set off immediately."
The group quickly left Lu Xuan's courtyard and headed to the East Market.
It was already past curfew. However, the Bad Guys were obligated to patrol at night, so it was understandable. But Lu Xuan didn't go directly to the East Market. Instead, he took a detour through several streets and entered the East Market from the north.
Wenji Incense Shop was naturally deserted tonight. Zhang Xiaojing, with his close relationship with Wen Wuji, had already arranged everything. Just as Lu Xuan and his group of over thirty approached Wenji Incense Shop, a horde of thugs wielding swords and knives suddenly rushed out from the surrounding shops and streets, completely surrounding the Bad Guys.
Feng Dalun walked out of the crowd with a livid face.
"I have long admired your name, County Magistrate Lu."
"Hypocrite. I've been in the capital for less than half a year, and before that, I had no reputation whatsoever in the entire Tang Dynasty. You've heard so much about me."
Lu Xuan's modern-style吐槽 (tu cao, a form of witty and sarcastic commentary) left Feng Dalun speechless.
Feng Dalun: "...Hey Lu, don't push your luck. You killed my men last night and then wanted them to break my legs. I'm right here, go ahead and try breaking my legs!"
"Let's give it a try."
Lu Xuan looked like a clueless fool. He turned around and shouted at Zhang Xiaojing.
"What are you all standing there for? Take down all these lawless thugs!"
"Yes, sir," Zhang Xiaojing replied. He then summoned the Bad Guys behind him.
"Move! Arrest them!" A dozen or so thugs drew their swords and stepped forward. But nearly twenty others hesitated and did not draw their swords.
Under the dim moonlight, Zhang Xiaojing's face was as pale as a demon.
"You bunch of brats, are you trying to rebel?" The name of the Fifth King of Hell made the group of scoundrels tremble. But they still didn't dare to step forward.
"Boss...they...there are so many of them..." a middle-aged thug stammered. Clearly, the hundreds of thugs around him instilled fear in him.
"Useless trash!" Zhang Xiaojing roared. He then drew his sword, ready to drag out the one who had spoken. However, the moment he drew his sword, the thug trembled and turned to run away.
His escape had a significant impact. Nearly twenty men who hadn't dared to draw their swords also started running. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Xiaojing was left with only about ten people. The thugs from the Xiong Huo Gang had received prior orders and didn't attack the fleeing thugs. Instead, they cleared a path for them to escape.
Seeing this comical scene, Feng Dalun sneered.
"So this is all the Fifth King of Hell can do? Zhang Xiaojing, if you know what's good for you, get lost. Today I want the one surnamed Lu." Feng Dalun was quite sensible. He knew he couldn't afford too many casualties. Although he had already made arrangements with the nearby Imperial Guards and the Prefect of the Capital, he wouldn't be able to explain himself if too many people died.
Zhang Xiaojing hesitated for a moment, but still did not back down.
"Sir, you go first. Leave this to me." He drew his sword and stood in front of Lu Xuan, looking utterly loyal.
Lu Xuan, however, did not appreciate it. He reached out and pushed him away.
"I don't need your protection. You bunch of useless trash. I am the county magistrate of Wannian County, appointed by the Emperor himself. Tonight, I'll see who dares to lay a finger on me."
"The Emperor appointed him? Hahahaha, a barbarian from the Western Regions. He got a little reward and now he thinks he's someone special. Today I'll show you who the real master is in Wannian County. Attack! Chop that Lu fellow into mincemeat!"
"Let's see who dares!" Zhang Xiaojing roared, startling the surrounding thugs into hesitation. After all, his reputation still held sway, and these gang members were still somewhat afraid of him.
“Zhang Xiaojing, I was going to spare your life because you are someone of importance. But since you are so ungrateful, then I’m sorry. Listen up, brothers, tonight whoever kills the man surnamed Lu will be rewarded with fifty strings of cash. Whoever kills the man surnamed Zhang will be rewarded with thirty strings of cash. As for the rest, each life will be rewarded with two strings of cash.”
"kill......"
This time, the thugs around went crazy. Fifty strings of cash—most ordinary people in the Tang Dynasty couldn't save up five strings of cash in their entire lives.
Lu Xuan drew his sword and charged forward, cutting down three men in quick succession amidst a flash of white light. This caused the surrounding thugs to pause briefly. But the next second, they charged forward even more frantically.
"act recklessly."
Lu Xuan snorted coldly and charged forward again. After cutting down several people in succession, he was caught off guard and slashed. He groaned in pain, clutching his shoulder and quickly retreating.
"Lord County Commandant!" Zhang Xiaojing shouted, charging forward fearlessly to block Lu Xuan's path.
"Sir, there are too many of them."
Lu Xuan's expression changed several times before he finally said helplessly.
"withdraw......"
"Retreat..." Zhang Xiaojing shouted. A dozen or so thugs followed him in their attempt to break through the encirclement. Li Fushan echoed this command. The dozen or so thugs then formed an attack formation around him, forcefully breaking through the encirclement.
Li Fushan didn't join the Bad Guys just to coast along. Zhang Xiaojing knew he was a skilled soldier and a former officer, so he specifically had him train this group of Bad Guys. Their simple military formation was more than enough to easily defeat a bunch of thugs who only knew how to bully the common people.
The group broke through the encirclement and ran north.
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