Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Replace the Sky

Canghe County City.

The heavy snow reached ankle-deep, the air pierced by bone-chilling cold.

There were very few people left on the streets, almost none in sight—not solely because of the cold, but due to the turmoil in the county city, with everyone fearing they might be caught in the crossfire.

Shouts and cries of killing echoed everywhere, growing louder the closer one got to the central County Magistrate’s Office.

The stench of blood permeated the air, adding an even frostier undertone to this icy landscape.

Ordinary residents, in the face of such a looming storm, were no more than a fragile lone boat drifting in a turbulent current. A single misstep could bring disaster crashing down upon them.

The wealthy families within the city were no exception. Except for those influential clans actively participating in this game of power, the rest shut their doors tightly, restraining their family members and servants, dreading that any misstep might invite catastrophe.

Within the County Magistrate’s Office.

Brawny figures wielding blades, swords, bows, and crossbows formed an encircling wall around it. Some were swaggering gang members clad in tight combat wear, while others were armor-clad soldiers of grim and stoic demeanor.

Leading the group was a broad-shouldered, sturdy man with a square face. He wore a ferocious iron armor adorned with a beast’s head design, a longsword hung at his waist, and his right hand rested on the hilt. A faint smile played on his lips.

Inside the County Magistrate’s Office.

The sound of angry curses rang out.

”Zhao Honglie, you double-faced, treacherous scoundrel! How dare you betray me!”

”Ah!”

A short, sharp scream pierced the air before weakening into silence, followed by a cold and firm voice proclaiming:

”Cao Shiduan has been captured! Surrender, and your lives will be spared. The County Magistrate will show you mercy!”

Soon after, the sound of weapons clattering to the ground echoed in quick succession, mingled with faint sighs of defeat in the icy air. The square-faced man outside the magistrate’s office smiled even more broadly.

Before long.

Figures began filing out one by one.

At the forefront was a man exuding a murderous aura, dragging a disheveled figure clad in a blue official’s robe.

The figure hung his head low, but everyone recognized him instantly—this was none other than Cao Shiduan, once the ruler of Canghe County City!

Now, however, Cao Shiduan was being dragged out like a lifeless dog, prompting complex reactions in the onlookers’ eyes.

Zhao Honglie flung his hand violently, tossing Cao Shiduan forward to land before the square-faced man. The man’s once grim face instantly shifted to an expression of deference as he clasped his fists and reported:

”County Magistrate, Cao Shiduan has been apprehended. Please, take a look.”

County Magistrate Liu Yuanhu burst into hearty laughter, his gaze filled with approval as he looked at Zhao Honglie.

”The Black Sand Gang truly lives up to its reputation as the leading gang of Canghe County. Boss Zhao’s bravery is indeed impressive!”

Zhao Honglie quickly lowered his head.

”How dare I accept such praise? The County Magistrate’s power is unmatched. I merely acted so you wouldn’t dirty your hands.”

Liu Yuanhu merely shook his head with a smile, crouching down to examine Cao Shiduan, who lay on the ground like a dead dog. He couldn’t help but sigh:

”Cao, oh, Cao. You and I served in the same court. Things didn’t have to come to this. Wouldn’t it have been better to enjoy your twilight years peacefully? At your age, why stoop to playing such games of blood and steel? Isn’t it exhausting?”

Cao Shiduan strained to lift his head, his blue robe soaked in blood. His wounds were dark and festering—poisoned by the Black Sand Palm; his death was imminent.

”Cough... cough... Liu Yuanhu, you’ve defied your superior, treating the imperial court as a mere trifle. You’ve already committed a crime worthy of the extermination of your entire clan!”

Liu Yuanhu roared with laughter, his mirth dripping with scorn.

”Does the imperial court even have the time to bother with us right now? Who witnessed me defying my superior, anyway? I will report to the court that you, Cao Shiduan, tragically died during the winter hunt, mauled by beasts. As for me, Liu Yuanhu, I’ll take on the interim role of County Magistrate during this time of crisis. Do you think the imperial court will punish me? No, they’ll shower me with praise!”

Zhao Honglie laughed aloud, as did everyone around them.

Cao Shiduan, enraged to the point of despair, spat a mouthful of dark, poisoned blood, which sizzled as it corroded a patch of snow.

”You... despicable scum!”

He glared at Liu Yuanhu and Zhao Honglie, his heart brimming with unwillingness and fury.

”Cao, Cao. You’re just too naïve,” Liu Yuanhu sighed as he stood up slowly.

Cao Shiduan cursed in fury:

”Liu Yuanhu, don’t celebrate too soon! If Zhao Honglie can stab me in the back today, one day he’ll surely turn on you as well. Your end might not be any better than mine...”

Before he could finish.

Zhao Honglie’s eyes flared with rage as he drew a longsword with a sharp *clang* and slashed downward mercilessly.

*Thunk!*

Cao Shiduan’s head rolled to the ground, bright red blood gushing out and dyeing the snow crimson.

”Even at death’s door, you dare sow discord? My loyalty to the County Magistrate is beyond the comprehension of fools like you!”

He cursed loudly, then knelt before Liu Yuanhu, bowing his head in repentance.

”I acted without permission in slaying Cao Shiduan. Please punish me, my Lord!”

Liu Yuanhu eyed Zhao Honglie deeply, a glimmer of anger flickering in his gaze. But he quickly broke into laughter, stepping forward to lift Zhao Honglie up.

”Boss Zhao, there’s no need for this. The bond between us cannot be so easily undermined by a petty man’s words. You killed this traitor for me—I’m overjoyed, not angry.”

”Thank you for your understanding, my Lord. My loyalty to you is as steadfast as the sun and moon.”

The two men exchanged knowing laughter.

”Please allow me to stay behind and clean up the mess for you, my Lord!”

Zhao Honglie volunteered eagerly.

Liu Yuanhu chuckled, shaking his head:

”Boss Zhao and your brothers have fought hard already. You must be tired. Return and rest well. The rest can be handled by Guangqun and the others. Tonight, I will host a banquet at Zuixiang Building to properly reward everyone for their contributions!”

He looked around at the gang leaders and wealthy families who had thrown their lot in with him, wearing a warm smile.

Everyone expressed their gratitude and dispersed.

They all knew that any profitable opportunity in the aftermath wasn’t theirs for the taking.

Zhao Honglie froze momentarily but then clasped his fists in respect before departing.

Watching Zhao Honglie and the Black Sand Gang members retreat, the smile on Liu Yuanhu’s face gradually grew cold. Standing by his side, his deputy Zhang Guangqun murmured in a low voice:

”My Lord, Zhao Honglie is a treacherous man who plays both sides. He cannot be trusted. I’ve also found that during the earlier fighting, although he captured Cao Shiduan, he was deliberately preserving the strength of his gang. We must remain vigilant!”

”Moreover, his rash slaying of Cao Shiduan was a subtle display of defiance, and he’s likely hoping to exploit the chaos of suppressing the remnants to reap some personal gains!”

Liu Yuanhu nodded slowly, a glint of frost in his eyes.

”Zhao Honglie. Just a dog, after all. Cao Shiduan wasn’t wrong—if he’ll betray Cao Shiduan today, he’ll certainly turn on me tomorrow.”

”Then... shall I gather our men and...” Zhang Guangqun’s eyes gleamed with killing intent.

Liu Yuanhu raised his hand slightly to halt him.

”Zhao Honglie is exceptionally skilled, possibly hiding even more of his strength, and the Black Sand Gang’s power is formidable. Even if victory is within our grasp, it wouldn’t come easily. Right now, the city has just endured a period of slaughter; what it needs is stability. I’ve killed Cao Shiduan and still need to deal with the prefecture. Plus, there are lingering remnants of his faction to handle. For now, we must continue to rely on the Black Sand Gang’s support.”

”Assign people to watch him in secret. Once I’ve officially taken full control of Canghe County, we’ll settle accounts with him properly.”

Zhang Guangqun stepped back respectfully.

”You are wise, my Lord. Forgive me for speaking out of turn.”

...

With the death of County Magistrate Cao Shiduan, the unrest in the city gradually subsided.

The Black Sand Gang’s betrayal allowed County Magistrate Liu Yuanhu to claim a decisive victory, taking over the position of interim County Magistrate. The wealthy families who backed the wrong side were thoroughly purged, each meeting a miserable fate.

Meanwhile, the neutral families were also forced to cough up some wealth but managed to preserve their foundations.

Of course, there were also those who bet on the right horse and seized the opportunity to rise into the upper echelons.

A change in regime, a reshuffling of power—such is the way of the world.

When Gu Sheng heard the news from Gu Xiaojiang’s lips, he remained in a state of deep unrest for a long, long time.