Wei Changlue tightened his grip; the knife's edge was sharp, already cutting a blood line on Cong Kun's neck. Though not deep, Cong Kun was already terrified.

"Squad Leader Cong, if they each kowtow three times, you can keep your life," Wei Changlue sighed. "But it seems your men aren't very loyal. Does that hurt your heart?"

Cong Kun now understood Wei Changlue's background, and knew the River East Wei family was notorious for killing without mercy, with many ruthless characters.

"A newborn calf fears not the tiger" - this young Second Master, born into the Wei family, would show no hesitation if he truly decided to be cruel, and might actually dare to slit his throat.

The Night Cry Gang often treated others' lives like grass, but people like them were often the most afraid of dying.

"Pang Laoliu, quickly... pay respects to the Second Master!" Cong Kun, disregarding his groin pain, shouted with all his strength. "Everyone, follow the Second Master's orders!"

With Cong Kun's command, the Night Cry Gang members reluctantly dismounted, kneeling before Wei Changlue and kowtowing three times each.

The common people watched in disbelief as the usually arrogant Night Cry Gang members obediently knelt and kowtowed, feeling like they were in a dream.

Old Wei Gu watched and shook his head, sighing, "The Second Master is being foolish...!"

"The wise adapt to circumstances," Wei Changlue laughed. "Everyone is excused." He turned and saw the wine shop already consumed by raging fire, his face turning cold. "A perfectly good wine shop destroyed. Compensation is definitely required. Squad Leader Cong, I'll speak for the people and won't ask for too much - just have your brothers pool together two or three hundred taels of silver as compensation and medical fees."

"We can't carry that much money when going out on official business," Cong Kun, pale from pain, said weakly. "We don't have that many silver taels."

"Fifty taels per finger," Wei Changlue said casually. "Three hundred taels, non-negotiable. Less than fifty taels means cutting off a finger, and if you can't even gather a hundred taels, I'll chop off an entire arm." His voice suddenly rose, "Zhi Nu, get over here!"

Zhi Nu ran over, respectfully responding, "Second Master, I'm here."

"I remember you carry a knife that can cut through iron," Wei Changlue said. "It's time to put it to use."

Zhi Nu was clever and had heard everything clearly, understanding the Second Master's intention.

He put down his bag and bent down, pulling a knife from his boot. The knife was entirely black, with an extremely thin blade.

He worked efficiently, gripping the knife in his right hand and using his left to pin down one of Cong Kun's hands, spreading the fingers, ready to cut at any moment.

Cong Kun felt like he had met a ghost today - these two were young, but each more vicious than the last.

"Gather the silver...!" Cong Kun shouted. "Hurry and gather the silver!"

The Night Cry Gang members knew that if they rushed forward, they could easily turn Wei Changlue into minced meat.

But now, no matter how many they were, it was useless. With Cong Kun as a hostage, they were hesitant to act, filled with anger but helpless.

Pang Laoliu called everyone together to pool their money. These men who were used to only taking, not giving, were now forced to empty their pockets, seething with rage.

"Second Master Wei, we've gathered a total of one hundred and seventy taels of silver," Pang Laoliu said, holding a silver bag and several silver notes. "We're out on official business and really didn't bring much money. Please be lenient and release the squad leader."

The Night Cry Gang rarely spent their own money when traveling, so gathering nearly two hundred taels was already quite difficult.

"Zhi Nu, two fingers!" Wei Changlue said decisively.

As Zhi Nu was about to act, Cong Kun was terrified. "Wait, wait!"

Pang Laoliu's expression changed, knowing that if Cong Kun lost two fingers due to insufficient funds, he would later seek revenge on Pang Laoliu.

Knowing Cong Kun's vicious nature, he also shouted, "Show mercy!"

"Second Master," Cong Kun said weakly, "Although the silver is not enough, we can substitute with horses. These are top-quality stallions from the North, worth fifty to sixty taels each. Can we replace the missing silver with two horses?"

Wei Changlue thought for a moment. "Leave five horses."

"That won't do," Pang Laoliu said urgently. "Five horses would be worth three hundred taels."

Wei Changlue sighed, "How tiresome. Don't you understand? Only I can set the price of the horses. When did it become your turn to set prices? Zhi Nu, cut off the fingers."

"Five horses!" Pang Laoliu didn't dare argue further, shouting loudly, "Bring out five horses!"

The Night Cry Gang could only produce five horses, leading them forward. Pang Laoliu placed the money bag and silver notes on the ground, even having someone pick up the official assignment document and place it beside the bag, then stepped back and cupped his hands: "Second Master, as you ordered, the silver and horses are ready. Can we now release the squad leader?"

"Are you stupid or am I an idiot?" Wei Changlue shook his head and laughed. "If I release him now, you'll have no scruples. Who knows what you might do? I'm heading to Mountain Shade to take office, and Squad Leader Cong can guide us with his local knowledge. You return to Mountain Shade first, and the squad leader will accompany us and arrive later."

"Second Master, you...!"

"Scram!" Wei Changlue's face darkened, then coldly laughed, "Tell them, the Mountain Shade County Magistrate will arrive soon. Everyone better wait obediently!"

Cong Kun, afraid of angering Wei Changlue, hurriedly said, "You... you go back first. I'll accompany the Second Master to take office. Have them prepare a welcome banquet!"

The Night Cry Gang members exchanged glances. Pang Laoliu clenched his fist but ultimately ordered, "Retreat!"

After a noisy commotion, Pang Laoliu led the Night Cry Gang away on horseback, disappearing in moments.

Seeing the Night Cry Gang leave, the townspeople began picking up their belongings. Some knew the Night Cry Gang would seek revenge and might return, so this was a dangerous place. They immediately grabbed their bags and scattered, leaving only a few people by the burnt-down wine shop.

Wei Changlue didn't stop them, sheathing his horse knife. Just as Cong Kun breathed a sigh of relief, Zhi Nu swung a punch, hitting Cong Kun's back of the head. Cong Kun's vision went dark as he passed out again.

"Young man, you've got potential!" Wei Changlue laughed.

Zhi Nu blushed shyly, putting away his knife and picking up the silver and documents, bringing them to Wei Changlue. Wei Changlue only tucked the document into his chest. Turning around, he noticed two people had appeared beside the wine shop's owner.

One was the shop assistant seen earlier, still pale-faced, kneeling beside the owner and crying.

The other was wearing a gray-brown coarse hemp cloak, with a gauze hat covering their face. They were removing an arrow from the owner.

Wei Changlue knew that removing an arrow embedded in flesh was not a simple task and required skill. Since this cloaked person dared to remove the arrow, they must have the ability.

He walked over slowly and squatted beside the shop owner, looking at the person in the gauze hat.

Although the world was dark, the wine shop's fire had not yet died out. By its light, and through the gauze, he could barely make out the person's facial features - and it was a woman.

Beneath the hat was a full face, fair-skinned, with a delicate nose and vermilion lips. She appeared to be at an age where her body was fully developed.

The cloaked woman worked skillfully, first removing the arrow from the owner's knee. Despite the owner's painful cry, she quickly washed the wound with water from her bag, then carefully sprinkled powder from a porcelain bottle onto the injury.

"This is medicine. After applying it, your leg won't be crippled," the woman said softly but decisively. "The medicine will cause pain. Endure it for a moment."

The owner, pale-faced and sweating, gratefully said, "Th-thank you!"

Wei Changlue habitually glanced at the woman's chest. The gray cotton jacket was tightly wrapped around her full, heavy bosom.

"Thick clothing can't hide your broad-mindedness," he thought.

Turning his gaze back to her face, he asked, "Are you Fu Wenjun?"

The cloaked woman continued treating the owner's wound, not looking at Wei Changlue, and said coldly, "The Night Cry Gang are local tyrants in Mountain Shade, doing all kinds of evil. You've made such an enemy today. Are you still going to Mountain Shade to take office?"

Her voice was like cold frost, yet also reminiscent of rice wine on a cold morning - cold with a hint of softness.

"Are you saying I'm going to Mountain Shade out of fear, or are they afraid of me?" Wei Changlue stared at the woman's profile. The more he looked, the clearer she became - pearl-like, jade-like, mature and composed.

[--------------------------------------------]

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