Supreme Warrior in the City

Chapter 558: Chapter 557 Zhao Wunian’s Conspiracy

Zhao Wunian was overjoyed and laughed, ”Su Brothers, please come this way. We’ll only start climbing the mountain in the afternoon, so let’s have a couple of drinks together at noon!”

”Sure!” Su Yang followed with a faint smile as Zhao Wunian led the way, with the girl behind him wearing a look of disdain and pouting as she walked.

Along the way, Zhao Wunian was trying both overtly and covertly to pry information from Su Yang’s mouth, as it seemed he was keen on ascertaining Su Yang’s identity.

Su Yang had been on guard against Zhao Wunian from the beginning, so he did not tell the truth. Instead, he concocted some lies, claiming he was from the Hu Martial Arts School.

The Hu Martial Arts School was indeed the one owned by the Hu family before, and its master was also considered a local expert. Since it was close to Pingbei Province, its reputation was quite prominent there.

Zhao Wunian did recognize the Hu Martial Arts School, and when Su Yang detailed his descriptions of Hu Shao, it didn’t seem fabricated, which allayed Zhao Wunian’s suspicions. However, the regard in which he held Su Yang had visibly lessened. After all, even his own abilities were not inferior to those of Hu Shao’s father!

Upon reaching the place where Hu Shao was staying, Su Yang found not only he had been invited, but also another dozen people. These individuals didn’t seem like the benign type. A few of them had such ferocious appearances that they instilled fear at a glance.

”Gentlemen, let me introduce you, this is Brother Su from the Hu Martial Arts School in Pingnan Province,” Zhao Wunian said with a smile. ”This time, he will join us in our mountain expedition. Along the way, let’s look out for each other!”

Everyone glanced at Su Yang sideways—their lack of concern was evident at the mention of his affiliation with the Hu Martial Arts School. Among those present, who would take the Hu Martial Arts School seriously?

After making arrangements, Zhao Wunian left with the girl. No one paid much attention to Su Yang, and he found contentment in the solitude, choosing a table to sit at and leisurely savoring his tea.

Upstairs, when Zhao Wunian and the girl returned to their room, she immediately whispered, ”Brother, what are you doing? What’s so special about that guy that you’re bringing him along?

Gazing out the window at Su Yang for a moment, Zhao Wunian whispered back, ”Yuan’er, you should understand a principle. We’ve gathered these people not to help them but to use them!”

The girl retorted coldly, ”Even if we want to use someone, it should be someone of value. What’s that guy worth? Why do we need to use him? It would make sense if his master came, but what use is he?”

”That’s where you’re wrong!” Zhao Wunian shook his head, ”This time, it’s not just us involved; even the Top Ten Families of Pingbei Province are likely sending people. Normally the Seven Great Families already hold deep grudges against us, and with the Top Ten Families of Pingnan Province joining in, our position in this venture is even less favorable.”

”Under such circumstances, we need to connect with as many usable forces as possible. And for the current situation, the best forces are those coming from Pingnan Province!”

”Why is that?” the girl asked, full of curiosity.

”Last May’s Dragon Head Meeting saw Pingnan Province emerge victorious. Now, the rules between the two provinces are dictated by Pingnan,” Zhao Wunian explained. ”In this context, even members of the Ten Great Families are somewhat wary of those from Pingnan.”

The girl said, ”But that’s for the big shots from Pingnan. This Su guy, what can he do to scare the Ten Great Families?”

”That’s not necessarily the case!” Zhao Wunian laughed, ”As long as he’s from Pingnan Province, that’s enough.”

”Why is that?” the girl asked again, her face etched with curiosity.

”The relationship between the two provinces is still in a period of adjustment, and the Ten Great Families are all acting cautiously. A small mishap can lead to conflict,” Zhao Wunian chuckled. ”Now, if someone from Pingnan Province seeking medicine dies in Zifeng City, what do you think the Ten Great Families will do about the matter?”

”Ah?” The girl’s eyes widened. ”What would they do? This guy isn’t key, right...?”

”I know he’s not key, but even a trivial matter can provoke significant issues during this sensitive time between the families of the two provinces,” Zhao Wunian said. ”If someone from Pingnan seeking medicine dies here, the Ten Great Families will surely have to give an explanation. Then, with the Seven Great Families in control of Zifeng City, how will they account for it?”

Zhao Wunian paused, then added with a light laugh, ”Moreover, if this person could die at the hands of the Seven Great Families, that would be even more interesting. By then, the Seven Great Families truly wouldn’t be able to get away with it!”

Realization dawned on the girl, and she nodded, ”Brother, you’ve really thought this through!”

”I’ve been planning this for a long time. These past few days, I’ve been on the lookout for people with a Pingnan accent,” Zhao Wunian said with a grin. ”I didn’t expect to encounter one here!”

The girl laughed, ”No wonder you spoke up for him!”

”Otherwise, do you really think I have nothing better to do?” Zhao Wunian laughed heartily.

The girl looked down at Su Yang with a cold sneer, ”That guy really has some nerve, coming to Zifeng City alone to get medicine. Truly, a newborn calf isn’t afraid of tigers—hmph, let’s see how he dies this time!”

Su Yang sat downstairs, acting as if he was oblivious to everything. In fact, he had heard every word of their conversation loud and clear.

His face betrayed no emotion, but inwardly he was sneering to himself. Mantises stalk cicadas, unaware of the oriole behind; did these two really take him for an easy mark?

Meanwhile, everyone around was discussing the matter as well. From their conversations, Su Yang finally understood the specifics of the situation.

It turned out that near the River God Cave in Zifeng City, there was a martial arts sect known as the River God Sect. Protected by the River God, the sect was said to obtain many Spiritual Medicines from the area around the River God Cave whenever the River God emerged each year.

Hence, whenever the River God emerged, the River God Sect would hold a River God Meeting to sell some of the Spiritual Medicines.

However, the River God Sect operated in a very secretive manner, and few people were privy to these details. In previous years, only inhabitants of Zifeng City and Yangchuan City were aware, and gradually more folks within Pingbei Province came to know. This was the first time even members of the Top Ten Families of Pingbei Province were participating.

As they spoke, many were surreptitiously sizing up Su Yang. After all, it was unheard of for someone from Pingnan Province to attend such an event.

Su Yang finally understood what medicinal herbs the masked girl was seeking, and he furrowed his brow slightly. Could Master Fang’s disappearance be connected in some way to the River God Sect?

Of course, there was no special expression on Su Yang’s face; he just sat by the table drinking tea as if none of it concerned him.