Chapter 45: The Guide
To wipe out the Five Lakes Gang, they would undoubtedly need someone familiar with the terrain and layout of its base. The scrawny man Li Yanchu had captured, Zhang Zhiliang, was just right for the job.
Unlike Wang Wanrong, Zhang Zhiliang wasn’t some low-ranking lackey. Within the Five Lakes Gang, he held a mid-to-lower-tier leadership position, not high up, but not insignificant either. When he heard that the authorities needed a guide, Zhang Zhiliang immediately volunteered.
Though Li Yanchu had already vouched for him and he had confessed willingly, Zhang Zhiliang was clearly hoping to earn merit and redemption, and perhaps gain the favor of the officials, which was a lifeline worth clinging to.
Every region had its underbelly, and it was no secret that the authorities sometimes supported more orderly gangs to grow in power, making them easier to manage. Zhang Zhiliang saw this as a chance to rise up by performing well, hoping to win the approval of the magistrate and his men. Without hesitation, he became their guide.
His junior sister, Wang Wanrong, came along as well, but not to redeem herself.She came for revenge. She had left her sect, risking her life to join the Five Lakes Gang, ready to give her all. But in the end, she had been used and betrayed, and she had been cursed with a yin spirit and nearly silenced for good. Now, Wang Wanrong was here to settle the score.
The pair followed closely beside Li Yanchu’s speckled buckskin horse, riding together along the way.
Li Yanchu wasn’t worried about them turning against him. The Five Lakes Gang might be a major power in Wei City, but to the imperial court, they were nothing. No one in their right mind would choose to die alongside a gang that had committed such a grievous crime.
“Five Lakes Gang is a fairly prominent force in Wei City, so why would they secretly hoard gunpowder and even plot against Qingyi Temple?” Li Yanchu asked Zhang Zhiliang, who was riding beside him.
Zhang Zhiliang paused thoughtfully, then replied, “I don't know the specifics behind this matter either. However, the gang has indeed undergone dramatic changes over recent years, and even our gang leader’s personality shifted drastically.
“All those old, disciplined members have either been pushed out or died during conflicts. Those who rose to power were ruthless, causing the gang’s rules to slacken.”
Zhang Zhiliang carefully distanced himself from any wrongdoing first, then he answered Li Yanchu's inquiries cautiously.
Li Yanchu asked, “What sort of person is the leader of the Five Lakes Gang?”
Zhang Zhiliang replied, “Gongsun Hong typically upheld the morals of the jianghu. In his youth, he possessed exceptional martial arts skills and built the Five Lakes Gang from the ground up. However, as he aged, he became somewhat indulgent in female company. Apart from this, he hasn't acted excessively.”
“Indulgent in female company?” Li Yanchu questioned. The gang leader, Gongsun Hong, was presumably quite elderly.
Zhang Zhiliang responded, “Correct. A year ago, Gongsun Hong brought back a beautiful woman from outside, and since then he’s secluded himself, no longer managing gang affairs.”
“Oh?” Li Yanchu grew curious. “Do you know who this woman is?”
Zhang Zhiliang said, “Her name is Su Su. They say she's the daughter of a disgraced official, and that she’s extremely beautiful. Beyond that, I’m not sure.”
His position within the gang wasn’t particularly high or low, so he wasn't aware of more secretive details.
“How beautiful exactly?” Li Yanchu then gestured toward Wang Wanrong, “More attractive than your junior sister?”
Wang Wanrong's face immediately flushed red.
Zhang Zhiliang assumed Daoist Li was similarly inclined toward women and said, “I've only glimpsed that woman from afar. Not only is she incredibly beautiful, but there’s something strangely alluring about her.”
“Oh?” Li Yanchu asked curiously, “In what way is she alluring?”
Zhang Zhiliang glanced around cautiously before whispering, “Anyone who sees her immediately desires to possess her. Many of our gang members have become enchanted by her beauty.”
However, Li Yanchu did not display the eager fascination Zhang Zhiliang expected from a typical man. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly.
Zhang Zhiliang's heart skipped a beat, thinking perhaps he'd misspoken.
Li Yanchu wondered inwardly whether the changes in the Five Lakes Gang had something to do with the woman who had been brought back.
Typically, when someone's personality drastically changed, there were three possibilities: First, they'd encountered a significant event that deeply traumatized them. Second, they were being threatened, controlled, or even possessed. Third, the person claiming to be Gongsun Hong might be an imposter.
A thoughtful expression appeared in Li Yanchu's eyes, causing Zhang Zhiliang, who stood nearby, to remain silent out of caution.
Meanwhile, Wang Wanrong couldn’t help casting curious glances toward Li Yanchu. At that moment, his profile, clear-cut yet gentle, reflected in her bright eyes, radiating an air of confidence and strength that differed from ordinary, soft-featured scholars.
Li Yanchu, however, did not notice the unusual expression on Wang Wanrong's face.
By the time the group reached the Five Lakes Gang headquarters. Instead of a fortress on land, it was a massive ship docked by the riverbank. From afar, it resembled an ancient, monstrous beast crouched silently at the riverside.
At night, the enormous ship was brightly lit, radiating an imposing and solemn aura. A large flag fluttered loudly in the wind, clearly embroidered with two bold characters: Five Lakes!
Li Yanchu had long heard of Gongsun Hong of the Five Lakes Gang, who had once dominated the seas before establishing an organization similar to a canal shipping guild.
Now seeing it with his own eyes, he was indeed impressed.
“The Five Lakes Gang's headquarters design is certainly intriguing,” Li Yanchu remarked.
“This vessel can’t even move,” Zhang Zhiliang explained from the side. “It's essentially a stationary fortress built directly on the water.”
Head Constable Wang added, “When I first saw this headquarters, even I was amazed that someone had built such an enormous ship.”
“But isn't it a bit too quiet for the Five Lakes Gang? Why are there no guards on watch?” Li Yanchu asked.
Head Constable Wang’s brows immediately furrowed. Prompted by Li Yanchu's observation, he too realized something was wrong.
Zhang Zhiliang said, puzzled, “That's strange. Usually, disciples guard the docks and passageways. There should be armed gang members stationed every short distance.”
“Could something have happened to the Five Lakes Gang?”
Li Yanchu exchanged a meaningful glance with Head Constable Wang; the same thought occurred to both of them.
Recently, the attempts to silence Zhang Zhiliang and Wang Wanrong, and the strange death of Liang Qi in Wei City’s prison, had all been carried out using similar methods; they were all killed by yin spirits. Now, given the current situation, perhaps whoever implanted these yin spirits within the Five Lakes Gang had sensed trouble and prepared ahead of time.
Head Constable Wang specialized in capturing criminals and had spent years dealing with such ruthless characters. In his younger days, he'd even single-handedly eradicated two bandit strongholds. He understood well the importance of swift and decisive action.
He waved his hand, leaving behind a contingent of officers and militia to guard the exit of the Five Lakes Gang headquarters. These men were sturdy, muscular young fellows, armed with powerful crossbows and well-trained, sufficient to handle ordinary martial artists.
Then, with Li Yanchu and the remaining troops, he personally entered the headquarters to conduct the search!
“Watch out for an ambush!” Head Constable Wang warned gravely.
“Yes, sir!”
Behind him, officers and militia drew their swords and nocked arrows, surging forward with intense, deadly intent toward the Five Lakes Gang headquarters.
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