My book friend Long Aotian

Chapter 206: Remains, or War

"It's a fight! It's a fight!"

Taoist Ling, who was in the side hall frowning and discussing the details of Master Ma's prison meals with the "Chief Prison Experience Officer" in a ridiculous manner, was startled when he heard the faint noise.

"After-meal fruits include bananas..." The experience officer glanced at his work diary, puzzled for a moment, and decided to read it out loud, "Do you want to...fuck it and turn it into a paste?"

……ah?

Taoist Ling was just wondering when he heard the other party's strange pronunciation and couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

However, the next moment, a clearer shout reached my ears.
"Someone got beaten up in Yunhua Hall!"

Soon, there was the sound of the wooshing river, and someone broke into the patio, the sound coming from far away and getting closer.

"Master! Master! Let's fight!"

Taoist Ling only felt a darkness before his eyes.

Damn it, no wonder they sent this bitch to mess with me!

Looking at the innocent-looking tester, he was furious: "You f---"

Subconsciously, he raised his hand and pretended to hit.

The experience officer turned pale with fear, stood up in a panic, stretched his neck forward, and shouted in surprise: "I am a court official, and I am here to receive guidance! What are you going to do?"

Taoist Ling suddenly realized what was happening, and quickly withdrew his hand and stepped aside, angrily saying, "You bastard, you are doing something weird again! You are a slippery official like a dog, and you dare to seduce your Grandpa Cao!"

The clerk saw that he was exposed, gritted his teeth and stepped forward, begging, "Master, please be kind and give me a punch!"

Sure enough, there is someone waiting for me here!

If I get angry and beat this guy up, I'm afraid I'll end up with Ma Fulong!

Taoist Ling's hair stood on end, and he cursed angrily, "Get lost! Get lost! Get lost! Li Bailong underestimates me so much that he actually sent a bastard like you to plot against me!"

Fuck!
Whenever they plotted against me in the past, they would personally try to lure me out!
They actually sent this weird little kid here today. That's so disrespectful!
He fiercely pushed the door open with his backhand, hurried out, and ran all the way out the front door, shouting as he ran: "Why did they suddenly start fighting?"

The subordinate who came to report the news said in a panic: "The two sides started with a quarrel, and then He Xiangzhu suddenly couldn't hold back, and cursed and wanted to beat Zheng Xiuyuan, but was stopped by a few black dogs from the Tongwen Bureau. The two sides started fighting, and then the other brothers joined in, and now it's a chaotic fight!"

Immediately afterwards, one could hear whistles shooting into the sky, and shouts of killing coming from all directions.

Taoist Ling stopped walking, his face changed drastically, and he stamped his feet and said, "Li Bailong actually wants to kill us all!"

He was shocked, angry and regretful.

I thought that since Li the thief had captured Ma Fulong, according to the rules of the court, he had won. According to common sense, he should have called back his troops and consolidated the fruits of victory. I didn't expect that this black-hearted thief would not let Yunhuatang go, and wanted to pursue the victory and fish here again!
"In broad daylight, you, Yunhua Hall, actually dared to commit a second crime. You clearly don't take the imperial court seriously!" A familiar voice was showing off outside, "All of them have been captured!"

——Li Bailong is here!

After just a moment of hesitation, Taoist Ling heard the sound of a sharp sword shaking heaven and earth. The heaven and earth seemed to flicker for a few breaths, and the bright sword light flickered several times, followed by a series of muffled groans and cheers.

Jiang Lishu is here too!

When Taoist Ling thought of the third-grade swordsman beside Li Bailong, he felt so angry that his teeth were itching.

Although this dispute between the two schools of thought was mostly limited to political struggles within the rules, Li Bailong would always find a way to start a fight with martial arts, thus bringing out the martial arts advantage of his master and causing Yunhuatang to suffer losses every time.

Ma Fulong and Ling Daoren had thought about using force and sending in strong men to suppress Jiang Lishu, but this kind of thing is equal. If you can send in foreign aid from the first wife, then Prince Zhao can do it too.

It would be fine if the emperor's uncle sent some private soldiers to you as an equal. But if he directly sent people who use guns, spears or even knives, how would you respond?

"Having said that, I still need to tell Lord Yun."

He thought darkly in his heart: "When the plan is carried out, we must send strong men to protect us, so as to prevent Li Bailong from causing trouble... No, not only that, we must take the initiative to attack and kill him in the chaos."

He became angry in his heart for a while and imagined a beautiful scene of "killing Li Bailong".

However, the reality is cruel...the enemy is already on our face.

To be honest, he didn't want to see Li Bailong's dog face again. After all, Taoist Ling was really fed up with the harm caused by the dog officials. When he heard the movement of this man, his first reaction was "stay away from this guy". However, as the new boss, Taoist Ling would never run away from the battlefield.

As long as Li Bailong shows up, he must go out to meet him.

Even if this is the other party's plan, even if there is a vicious trap hidden in it.

After all, this concerns his prestige as the new hall master.

It's an open conspiracy.

He sighed, prepared himself mentally, and then walked out the door with heavy steps.

At the main gate, the brothers of Cao were holding weapons, with angry faces. When they saw the hall master coming, they made way for him. Taoist Ling stretched out his hand and gestured for the brothers to be patient. After they stepped out of the main gate, they saw a motley crowd of people including runners, soldiers, merchants, and hangers-on blocking the front of Yunhua Hall.

Several incense masters were already lying on the ground, being tied up.

A large number of people gathered in the outer circle and were watching the scene.

Seeing this situation, Ling Daoren felt upset.

Yunhua Hall...Cao Gang! The door is blocked by a bunch of men and women!

The incense master of this temple was openly knocked down and tied up!
When have the six major sects ever suffered such injustice!

His eyes became sinister and he glanced at the people blocking the door, murderous intent bursting out.

He didn't like Huazhou, the so-called ancestral land of the emperor, and he knew that Ma Fulong didn't like it either. The people here lacked real respect for the six major sects, just like now. Huazhou was even more of a lawless city, used to joking and making fun of everything, so the unruly people here dared to laugh at the jokes of the six major sects.

Damn it.

However, the cold gaze stopped at someone's face.

The most daring one is this person.

If it is said that the unruly people simply "lacked" respect for the six major sects, then this person probably never had this thing since he was born. In front of them, Taoist Ling only felt fear, anger, and a kind of helpless confusion, because this enemy was cunning, intelligent, elusive and unpredictable.

"There are more than just these few people who took action just now."

There were only four people knocked down by the master's sword energy. Li Bailong looked at the Yunhuatang incense masters standing by the door with angry faces, and waved his hand, saying, "All the traitorous criminals of the Cao Gang who were suspected of attacking public officials, trying to kill important witnesses in the Ma Fulong case, obstructing criminal justice, and sowing discord between the royal family and the six major factions, please stand up and follow the master."

"Pooh!"

Although they knew that the corrupt officials were very corrupt, these middle-level cadres of Yunhuatang were not of high enough rank. In the past, they had at most only witnessed Li Bailong's operations from afar as extras. Now they were confronted head-on. It was obviously just a verbal quarrel and a fight at most, but they were suddenly accused of four or five fatal hats. They were stunned on the spot.

Among these many charges, the one that was most unacceptable to them was obviously "traitor to the Cao Gang".

The incense masters immediately shouted, "You can fabricate other charges as you like, but one thing is, we have sworn in front of Brother Wan Yunlong that we have been loyal to our gang from beginning to end. Who is a traitor?!"

Li Bailong said proudly, "Your Ma Hall Master is of noble status and upright character, but by some strange coincidence, he was suspected of murder. In order to defend the reputation of the Cao Gang and to demonstrate the spirit of the rule of law that the princes and the common people are guilty of the same crime, he had to take the initiative to go to jail and wait for the court to conduct a fair and strict investigation to clear his name. Is that right or not?"

"..."

--what?

These incense masters were simple and honest. They were stunned for a moment when they heard what Li Bailong said.

Logically speaking, they all knew what crime Master Ma had committed for which he was arrested.

Several incense masters were on duty in Yunhua Hall today, and they even saw with their own eyes the three businessmen leaving one after another.

In their view, the only reason why Master Ma fell was that "his plan was not careful enough and was discovered by his political enemies." As for the murder, it was just a matter of killing him. What was the big deal if the Cao Gang killed one person?

——Why are his political opponents speaking for him now?

"Poor Master Ma is very clear-headed and has been suffering in prison, waiting for the truth to be revealed and for him to be cleared of all charges. The most important witnesses in this case are these businessmen. You bastards knew this, but you still killed them. Are you trying to silence them? You want Master Ma to die!"

Li Bailong shouted, "Is it wrong to say that you are traitors of the Cao Gang?"

I…fuck!

The incense masters looked confused and didn't know which way to go.

——Master Ma, are you fighting against such an enemy?!

Li Bailong shouted, "For the reputation of the Cao Gang and for the safety of Master Ma, arrest them, take them all away, bring them back to the government office for a thorough interrogation and investigation!"

The surrounding police officers approached step by step with weapons in hand.

The incense masters panicked and shouted, "It's unfair! We are innocent! Who wants to kill them?"

"If you are wrongly accused, then for the reputation of the Cao Gang and for the safety of Master Ma, you should take the initiative to come back to the yamen with us, explain the situation, and cooperate with the investigation!"

Li Bailong said decisively: "You are resisting in every possible way. Are you feeling guilty? For the sake of the reputation of the Cao Gang, you are not willing to endure this little grievance? Are you really loyal?" The incense leaders were hung in the air and almost vomited blood and went crazy.

——Fuck, what kind of rotten fish and shrimp are the dog officials in the opera! Those useless clerks and thief editors in Huazhou, open your dog eyes and take a look, this is what a dog official is!

At this moment, Taoist Ling sighed softly, walked down the stairs and stood in front of everyone.

"Wait a minute."

If Li Bailong succeeds today, most of the incense masters of Yunhua Hall will be wiped out, the middle-level leaders will be lost, and Taoist Ling's control and organizational ability over Yunhua Hall will be reduced to an extremely dangerous level, so no matter what, he must stand up to stop it.

The new Yunhua Hall Master said in a deep voice: "Master Li, if you have any instructions, please tell me directly."

Li Bailong smiled and said, "Hand over the body of the deceased first."

"The deceased? Are they those merchants?" Ling Dao Ren said in a deep voice, "Yun Hua Tang doesn't know what happened, and we don't know if those people are still alive, let alone their bodies. But they are also our partners, and Yun Hua Tang can help find them..."

Li Bailong smiled and said, "Catch it."

The officers behind him pressed forward like wolves and tigers.

After all, Yunhuatang is a branch of the Cao Gang, and it has its own pride and blood. How can it be a clay man after being bullied by Li Bailong until now? Someone immediately shouted: "Brothers, the Tongwen Bureau blocked the door and arrested people today. The signboard of Yunhuatang will be taken down! How can you have the face to stand in the gang in the future?"

At that moment, the guards rushed out of the main gate, each holding a weapon and looking murderous.

Taoist Ling's face turned pale, and he said coldly: "Master Li, everything has its limits, and you have already won. The Cao Gang is an ancestral business of fishing, and we have always been lenient with you because we know the lesson of a desperate struggle. You have pushed too hard, and our gang cannot bear the humiliation, so the only outcome is a desperate struggle."

"You were so aggressive that a fierce battle ensued, causing the destruction of the Cao Gang. Not to mention the casualties, this incident will surely shock the court. I'm afraid that by then, even King Zhao will..."

Li Bailong interrupted him, smiling, "If I ask you for the body, you will fight to the death. If this matter is brought to the court, who do you think is right? But you will definitely not be able to see it."

His smile turned cold: "I picked you, so what?"

Taoist Ling felt a chill in his heart.

If Yun Hua Tang was really destroyed by violence today, then Lord Yun’s big event…

Damn.

His fleeting weakness and hesitation were clearly captured, and Li Bailong immediately exerted extreme pressure and issued an ultimatum: "The body, or war."

Damn!

Taoist Ling finds it difficult to accept the consequences of war, because this is Li Bailong's home court. If a real fight breaks out, everything will be over, and all dreams, ambitions, missions and aspirations will vanish into thin air.

All their forbearance, humiliation and struggle during this period will be meaningless.

However, handing over the body would mean that the government could find irrefutable evidence from the wounds on the corpse. Not only would it be the merchants' accusations, but the corpse would also speak. There would be no turning back on Ma Fulun's charge of murder!

Damn, damn, damn!

Why do you always make me make a choice! Why do you always put me in a dilemma! Why do you always put pressure and threaten me at the most critical weak point!
"or……"

Li Bailong showed a subtle smile.

"You can stand aside and watch me wipe out the middle-level leaders of Yunhuatang."

He lowered his voice and laughed, "Guess what? After I put them in jail, I will definitely tell you that you watched them being arrested because you wanted to eliminate dissidents and take the opportunity to replace them with your cronies..."

Taoist Ling's pupils suddenly shrank and he stared at Li Bailong.

"If you really do that..." Li Bailong whispered, "I will release them one by one."

If you don’t…

The Yunhua Hall, which had lost its middle layer, was nothing more than a mere decoration with its organizational level reduced to zero.

Taoist Ling clenched his fists tightly.

At this moment, he even wanted to attack violently and fight with Li Bailong.

But Jiang Lishu, wearing purple clothes and a golden belt, holding an ancient sword, was standing coldly by the side.

His eyes rolled, wavered, furious, and trembling... and finally turned into a dead silence.

"Three days." Ling Daoist whispered, "Within three days, I will hand over the body to you."

"There's no point in stalling."

"Looking for it."

"Then I'll return them to you in three days."

"..." Ling Daoist closed his eyes and said softly, "Tomorrow, tomorrow I will give you what you are looking for."

Li Bailong thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll take these four people back first."

Taoist Ling clenched his fist: "...Okay."

He glanced at Li Bailong indifferently and was about to leave.

"Don't worry."

Li Bailong stretched out his hand and smiled: "You don't think that this is my only condition."

Taoist Ling froze and turned his head mechanically.

Director Li spread his hands and said, "Three bodies in exchange for your Yunhuatang's century-old foundation, aren't you making too much money?"

Taoist Ling was silent for a while, and finally uttered a few words: "If you have any other requests, please tell me."

"Should we continue with the book donation contract we signed with these businessmen?"

"……it is good."

It's just money.

"Reading variety shows and essay contests, we agreed before, so we should continue to support them, right?"

"Row."

What Ma Fulun promised has little to do with me.

Each request was met with approval.

Taoist Ling was almost numb...After surrendering, breaking the bottom line was inevitable.

"Finally... we still have to continue with Seventh Uncle's work." Li Bailong said calmly, "If she wants to restore her reputation, she has to start from Huazhou and Yunhua Hall. You can no longer stop her from doing this."

Taoist Ling closed his eyes and tried his best to calm down.

Then he slowly opened his eyes, using resentment and anger to cover up the sarcasm and pleasure.

Good, good, good.

"...Okay." He said coldly, "You will bear the consequences yourself."

Li Bailong shrugged.

So, the agreement was reached.

Li Bailong's lackeys gradually dispersed, but they captured four incense masters. Everyone in Yunhua Hall was indignant, and there were inevitably some strange emotions in their eyes when they looked at Hall Master Ling.

Taoist Ling returned to the side hall, where the "Chief Prison Experience Officer" was still waiting. The young man felt a little uneasy, but also a little expectant.

However, Hall Master Ling finalized the final details with him without changing his expression, and sent him away calmly. From beginning to end, there was no anger, no outburst, and no rage.

Perhaps he was using this method of controlling his anger to maintain his dignity in front of Li Bailong.

This was his last bit of stubbornness.

However... this stubbornness did not last long.

Because not long after the "Chief Prison Experience Officer" left, there was a report saying, "Master, there is a minor official outside the government office, claiming to be the 'Chief Sleep Experience Officer'..."

"…Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!"

Amidst a burst of hysterical rage, a sinister laugh rang out in the room.

"Is that Li Bailong really that difficult to deal with?"

(End of this chapter)