Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 574 - 399: Battle of Thieves (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"Xiuling, this is wrong," Shen Rongqing said, lowering her voice. "Bao Yingchen is barely hanging on by a thread, desperately making it back to the hall. He should at least find someone to help him with the poison."

Zhang Xiuling, holding a notebook, was busy documenting this touching scene. She perfunctorily replied to Shen Rongqing, "Perhaps the poison he’s afflicted with has no antidote."

Shen Rongqing shook her head repeatedly. "Even if there’s no antidote, he’s already returned to his own territory. He should at least try to find someone."

Zhang Xiuling wrote faster and faster. "Perhaps Patriarch Bao has long viewed life and death with indifference."

"What kind of joke is that? We’re talking about life and death! There’s only one life; who doesn’t want to live? Rather than finishing his last words here, he should at least give himself a chance to survive."

Zhang Xiuling chuckled. "This is a state of mind, Rongqing. Do you understand the state of mind here?"

Shen Rongqing truly couldn’t understand. "Xiuling, can you tell me what kind of state of mind is here? What kind of state of mind can truly make one indifferent to life or death?"

"It’s hard to explain the concept of ’state of mind’," Zhang Xiuling said, suddenly lowering her voice. "If you haven’t become indifferent to life and death, then don’t talk so much. You’re a businesswoman; you know too little about the Gang. If you keep talking, your life and death will be unpredictable."

This was the difference between Zhang Xiuling and Shen Rongqing. Both were talented women, but Shen Rongqing was a merchant, while Zhang Xiuling was the Sect Leader of the Hundred Flowers Gate. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Shen Rongqing still didn’t get it. "Xiuling, don’t you want to know the truth?"

With a masterful stroke—the technique of a thousand characters per brushstroke—Zhang Xiuling wrote a few lines in her notebook and presented them to Shen Rongqing: "Rongqing, truths differ. Merchants insist on genuine quality; Gangs insist on trusting what they see. In the Gang, what you see is true; what you cannot see is false. Bao Yingchen is dead. You’ve seen it. That’s the truth. Shen Jinzhong is crying. You’ve seen it. That’s also the truth. According to the rules, the Second Gold Seal must now become the Great Gold Seal. The rules are real; the Gold Seal is also real. You’ve seen all of these. What you see is real. It’s best not to blindly guess about what you cannot see."

After reading these lines, Shen Rongqing calmed down. The scene that had just unfolded was witnessed by everyone present. That was the truth. Compared to this, all her suspicions were meaningless and would only bring her trouble, perhaps even deadly danger.

Next, Shen Jinzhong had two things to do. First, properly bury Bao Yingchen. As both a sworn brother and a subordinate in the Gang, this was Shen Jinzhong’s duty. Second, deal with the traitor. Bao Yingchen had finished speaking, and the traitor had been identified—it was Dong Kaibin.

Dong Kaibin was still bewildered, unsure how to defend himself. But he needn’t have worried about his defense, as Shen Jinzhong had no intention of giving him that chance.

Several Disciples pressed Dong Kaibin onto a table as Shen Jinzhong raised a knife.

This was also Li Qi’s instruction: do not hesitate, leave no room for mercy, and allow no moment for dispute or negotiation.

Dong Kaibin also had a cultivation level; he was at the Fifth Layer of Bitter Cultivation.

He had followers too; several of his close subordinates were in the hall.

He employed his Technique, attempting to escape, but Shen Jinzhong subdued him on the spot.

He called for his followers, but knives were already at their throats.

Dong Kaibin screamed, "I knew nothing of the Chu Family’s actions!"

But it was too late. Shen Jinzhong beheaded him with a single strike.

Watching the blood spurt, He Yuxiu felt a pang of regret. Such a waste of good mutton.

Someone at a nearby table whispered, "Did the Chu Family really do this?"

Shen Jinzhong clenched his teeth. "The Chu Family didn’t even dare to come. If they didn’t do it, who else could it be?"

Indeed, the Chu Family had not come. Shen Jinzhong was hosting a mutton hotpot feast; he hadn’t invited the Chu Family, so how could they have attended?

This wasn’t the time for reason; what mattered now were loyalties and the atmosphere.

By killing Dong Kaibin and avenging the Head of the family, Shen Jinzhong had demonstrated sufficient loyalty, and the atmosphere was appropriately set.

Next were the funeral arrangements. With guests present for the feast, no one wished to breach etiquette; they all paid their respects before the spirit tablet.

As for an autopsy, no one dared mention it, echoing Zhang Xiuling’s earlier words: Bao Yingchen was dead, and dead was dead.

Shen Jinzhong, dressed in mourning clothes, was heartbroken, nearly collapsing from grief.

He Yuxiu offered incense for Bao Yingchen and said to Shen Jinzhong, "The accomplice has been dealt with. But what about the mastermind? Are we to simply let them go?"

"Sister Xiu, what are you implying?" Shen Jinzhong retorted, clenching his jaw. "The Three Heroes Gang and the Chu Family are now irreconcilable enemies!"

"Good!" He Yuxiu nodded. "I’ll remember those words. Old Bao, in the heavens, can hear them too!"

Amidst the comings and goings of the guests, a man dressed in a Western suit and wearing a top hat entered the mourning hall.

He tapped Shen Jinzhong on the back. If he hadn’t, Shen Jinzhong might not have even noticed his arrival.

"Seventh Master," Shen Jinzhong said, moving to a corner to greet him quietly. "I’ve sent someone to find what you asked for. It should arrive soon."

Li Banfeng nodded. "Is everything proceeding smoothly?"

"Smoothly. After we bury Big Brother, everything else will be straightforward."

"Don’t wait. Keep the mourning period brief," Li Banfeng said, a hint of concern in his voice. Waiting any longer could lead to complications with Cabbage.

Shen Jinzhong was also anxious. "It’s impossible tonight. I’ve already informed the guests that the burial will be arranged for tomorrow."

"The burial is tomorrow," Zhang Xiuling said, putting away her notebook and sighing. "Shen Jinzhong is certainly in a hurry."

Shen Rongqing lowered her voice. "With the funeral being arranged so hastily, won’t anyone become suspicious?"

Zhang Xiuling nodded. "Yes, and more than one. But even if they are suspicious, so what? They’re just thoughts in their heads. No matter how much they ponder, it’s futile. Some things can’t be understood. Perhaps even after decades, or a hundred years, there will still be people who don’t understand."