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At the end of August, with He Wen's arrival in the city, the five Great Kings of the Fair Party had already gathered in Jiangning City.

The troublesome public security issues within the city were thus calmed for a few days. The usual brawls that broke dogs' brains disappeared, and "King of Reincarnation" Xu Zhaonan's prepared outburst was also suppressed. Except for Shi Baofeng's second son, Shi Weiyang, who stirred up a large-scale brawl on the day He Wen entered the city, the other families had re-entered the serious reflection phase of recognizing "who is the enemy and who is the friend," because in the upcoming negotiations, this might become the most important issue.

On the day He Wen entered the city, the brawl near the Five Lakes Inn saw both sides dispatching hundreds of people, creating a grand scene, but ultimately failing to achieve any significant result. This was because the excessively chaotic brawl situation didn't really add much to the effort of capturing a specific target. The five-foot and four-foot *y* demons darted around in the crowd. Although Shi Weiyang once saw several unknown experts besiege and intercept the two, beating them until they held their heads and scurried away, no one ultimately captured them and brought them to him for a reward.

On the other hand, the people on the Five Lakes Inn side fiercely defended their territory. After Shi Weiyang's focus shifted, the brawl in front of the inn never managed to spread into it. Therefore, this time, Shi Weiyang neither caught anyone nor managed to uncover the secrets hidden within the inn, ultimately returning empty-handed.

Of course, being able to stir up such a big commotion on the day He Wen appeared made this second young master an absolute topic of conversation among his surrounding friends for a time. When his buddies saw him, they gave him thumbs up one after another, admiring him for not giving the Fair King any face and praising him as a true "brave man." Shi Weiyang naturally looked proud on the surface, but turning around, he was subjected to military law by his enraged father and had his buttocks beaten to a pulp, leaving him confined to lying on his stomach at home for a while.

A few days later, in a dilapidated courtyard in Jiangning City where the "White Rakshasa" gathered, a group of women were gathered together, sighing about the changes in the world of martial arts.

"This... is really... what... a hero emerges in his youth... is that how it goes?"

"How is he a hero? He's clearly a big villain..."

"Then he's a big villain... emerging in his youth?"

"My God, what bad things has he done? He hasn't been in the city for even half a month, and the bounty has increased fivefold..."

"If we catch him, we won't have to worry for the rest of our lives."

"That's right, that's right, catch him, catch him..."

A group of women who were usually not very good at fighting had their heads turned by a certain bounty on the newsprint. They were rubbing their hands and chattering excitedly. One reason was naturally because the bounty price was too high, making it very attractive. The second reason was that the things the wanted person had committed were particularly touching to their nerves.

There were a few people among them who offered some reminders.

"I think you shouldn't think too much. Look at how much this bounty is? Five thousand taels! Those who have a bounty of five thousand taels in the martial arts world are villains with great reputations, high martial arts skills, and powerful methods. You still want to catch them? Be careful not to catch them, and instead be taken care of by them... Take a look at what kind of things they've committed, like a lamb entering a tiger's mouth..."

The *y* demon title on the newsprint bounty was quite conspicuous, and the high bounty symbolized that the other party was definitely not a simple character to be trifled with. However, facing such worries, many of the surrounding women laughed on the spot.

"Wouldn't that be pretty good too? You see, these five-foot *y* demon and four-foot *y* demon only say they ruined people's reputations, but they didn't say they killed the girls. Then isn't it just right for us to catch them?"

"That's right, that's right, look at the image drawn, it's quite handsome..."

"And not very old..."

"If we succeed, we'll have money. Even if we don't succeed, we won't lose our lives..."

"Maybe his methods are powerful, making people live and die... Then people will admit that he is a true little hero..."

"Look at Ah Xiang, so delicate, why don't we use a beauty trap..."

"Anyway, we won't suffer... hahaha..."

The "White Rakshasa" was all women. Although they usually did a lot of bad things, they had also experienced a lot of bad things in their lives. At this time, when they talked about the young *y* demon, they didn't have too many restraints in their mouths, and instead were laughing and joking, very relaxed. Among these women, there were also some who were beautiful and delicate, and usually were best at playing the role of the victims who were humiliated by landlords and gentry. When they talked about the beauty trap, they were even more articulate, full of joy.

Amidst the mixture of various vulgar words, only Qu Longjun, the "Little Scholar" in charge of reading the newspaper, was still holding the newsprint with the bounty and the portrait, her face wrinkled into a bun, but her eyes were shaking blankly.

How could this be?

Thinking back, that young Master Long who saved her life in the Southwest shouldn't be this kind of person.

However, looking at the person in the image, although the appearance was only five-tenths similar, as someone who had seen that young Master Long, she could indeed recognize that the person being wanted on this image was indeed that young hero Long.

Moreover, recalling the night of the turmoil in the Southwest, the heroic figure of that young Master Long defeating many enemies in the courtyard like chopping vegetables and melons, cutting down more than ten people in a pool of blood, was still vivid in her mind. If she, from the Southwest all the way to Jiangning, lived in dire straits, it was not surprising. It was also not surprising that this young Master Long could quickly become famous with his extraordinary skills. She believed it. But she couldn't understand why the other party had become such a reputation, making him famous throughout the world with the issuance of this wanted notice...

More than half a month ago, when the name Long Aotian first appeared on the wanted list, Qu Longjun still had doubts in her heart. The wanted notice said that he had defiled a girl's reputation in Tongshan and offered a reward of eight hundred taels. Qu Longjun felt that it must be a misunderstanding. But in the world, only ten days had passed, and eight hundred taels suddenly turned into five thousand taels, which was comparable to those of the most heinous extermination bandits. Moreover, the wanted notice specifically emphasized his *y* demon behavior...

Could it be that in the ten or so days since entering the city, he had done many more things like this...?

Qu Longjun had experienced several ups and downs in this world. Before she was ten years old, her parents died, and she became an orphan and was sold as a *shouma* (a girl trained to be a concubine). Later, she was raised by Wen Shoubin for nearly ten years, temporarily regarding him as a relative. Wen Shoubin was not a good person. After his death, although she said that she had regained her freedom, she also returned to being alone again, with no relatives left.

At such a juncture, Aunt Gu in Chengdu and Long Aotian, who had somehow saved her, actually had a special place in her heart.

She had never had a deep understanding of the young hero Long who saved her, took care of her, and then arranged a way out for her in Chengdu.

At first, she thought that he saved her because he coveted her body—this was not a big bad thing. After Wen Shoubin died, it would actually be a good thing if someone wanted her, so that she could have a home. Not to mention that the other party was not very old, and even quite good-looking.

Even if he seemed a little domineering and moody, that wasn't a big deal either. In these years of being raised as a *shouma*, she had learned how to cater to others and how to serve her husband's family. Most heroes in the world were stubborn and said one thing and meant it. But as long as she found the right way, it wouldn't be too difficult to live well.

--This was her thought in a short period of time after waking up in that health center in the Southwest.

But she soon found that he didn't mean it that way.

The young man named Long Aotian only checked her body every day as a matter of course, even reluctantly, but the boundaries on his limbs were actually well maintained. Many of the hidden things that needed to be medicated were done by Aunt Gu. She even knew that he called her "little bitch" impolitely in private, but she only dared to be angry and not speak.

After a while, she learned that the rules in the Chinese army were strict, and it seemed that he had to be responsible for her to the end if he saved her. Although marrying her as a concubine was also a way to be responsible to the end, he didn't mean it that way. They didn't have much contact, didn't talk much, and he even put strange books like "Women Can Hold Up Half the Sky" on her pillow.

After reading the book, and with the guidance of Aunt Gu, she entered a new world, had a new view of the world, and still knew very little about the young man named Long Aotian.

This young man was ruthless, but he ultimately saved her. The specific reason was unclear; he seemed to have known her earlier, and gave her a nickname "little bitch" in private. She also didn't know the reason for these things. There was some curiosity in her heart, but in the end, all that happened between the two of them was some fragmented communication. He suddenly left Chengdu, like a simple passerby, until she also left the Southwest and was unable to meet him again.

But even if the two of them interacted so fragmentarily, she was still willing to believe that the other party was a good person in her heart. He was so kind to herself, whom he had met by chance and didn't seem to admire, helping her, saving her life, giving her money, and not asking for anything in return. How could he become... what five-foot *y* demon...

The Little Scholar, who no longer had any relatives, was holding the newsprint with the image at this time, thinking about these things in a mess. In this dangerous city, she really wanted to see the other party again to confirm that these things were not true. She even wanted to openly defend the other party. However, the other party had already become such a big shot worth five thousand taels, and now he had probably hid again. With her identity, how could she possibly meet the other party?

The women around were laughing and joking. They didn't pay much attention to the Little Scholar's occasional absent-mindedness until someone said with a smile, "Let the Little Scholar use a beauty trap, she and this five-foot *y* demon are about the same age." Qu Longjun blushed slightly and lowered her head to continue reading the other content on the newsprint.

Immediately, she thought that if these sisters of "White Rakshasa" really used a beauty trap and caught the young master Long, would she really be able to see him...?

The people on the dilapidated courtyard side were laughing and joking, most of them just relaxing and joking. At the same time, on the other end of the city, as the bounty on this newsprint increased, another group of people gathered again and held a short and temporary meeting.

"...How could you not catch him! How did he run away! Look at this... what a mess it's become, five thousand taels... Now he's even more famous, and it can't be covered up..."

"...Eighth Master, it's been said... what can be done, that kid has a wild temper, how was he taught since he was a child... It doesn't matter if you can't beat him, the important thing is to be able to escape. Several young masters are like this. When dueling in Zhang Village, it didn't feel like much, but when we really came out, we realized how slippery he was when he refused to surrender..." The person answering laughed helplessly.

"...Our young Master Long is courting death. Now that the image has been drawn, he won't be able to see anyone when he goes back..."

"...He'll be beaten to death..."

"...Speaking of which, this training policy was set by Mr. Ning. After the battle last year, everyone knew that he couldn't stay idle. In the second half of the year, he ran to the military camp for special training and strengthened these... Eighth Master, it's really useful."

"Don't mention Mr. Ning." The figure called Eighth Master's head already ached. "Look at this, and imagine what his expression will be when this matter is reported back to Zhang Village!"

"I think... amused?"

"Mr. Ning is quite generous, he won't be angry, right?"

"He and the wife of the Overlord Saber are sure to give Little Long a mixed doubles..."

"Don't interrupt me here!" Qian Luoning slapped the table with his hand. "You guys were all taught by Madam Hong, and have taken over the mantle, you're Ning family's own people, quickly think of a way to clean up this mess! Otherwise, you're just pointing to going back and not getting beaten?"

"Little Hei has the Thirteen Taibao's Horizontal Training, I'm disabled, Hei Niu... although she doesn't look like it, she's probably a woman. Mr. Ning will be measured when he strikes."

"Look there!"

As this voice rang out, Yuwen Feidu ducked his head, but Qian Luoning's slap still landed on his head with a "smack."

"Well done." Hei Niu nodded. Then, in Qian Luoning's gaze, she straightened her face and slapped the table with both hands: "Alright, 80% of the bounty is added by that bitch Shi Weiyang. That's it, no more tailing, I'll do him tonight and get someone to withdraw the bounty."

"Good things don't go out, but bad things spread far and wide. Just doing him probably won't have much effect. If we really want to wash away the good name of the five-foot *y* demon... let Shi Weiyang add more money and offer a reward for the righteous 'Martial Arts Alliance Leader' Long Aotian, what do you guys think? I know the most about publicity, I have a few friends who are on that side..."

"I said, don't worry too much. Anyway, as long as he's in Jiangning City, we can still meet him next time. At that time, you put in some effort and break his legs. Heal him slowly for two months, and when he gets home..."

"What do you mean we put in some effort? You cripple are the most useless. Tell me, did Little Long escape from your side that day? You usually brag, ah sniper... In Little Long's eyes, you're just a pushover. Do you have the guts to be ruthless..."

"I'm going... I have a gun, how can I be ruthless? You're dark-hearted and stirring up trouble, right? Come, come, let's duel. I, grandson, won't be ruthless to you, you have the Thirteen Taibao's Horizontal Training, I can't beat you to death..."

"Although Little Hei isn't a good thing, I agree with his words this time. Eighth Master, it's all Yuwen's fault for being a pushover. We didn't say this last time to save his face. You can just kill him now. Come, chop, chop..."

"I, your father, chop, chop, kill you three bastards--"

"Eighth Master, you're joking, there aren't three, they're obviously only two bastards..."

Not everyone in this team was qualified to know that Long Aotian was Ning Ji. The few insiders vented their anxiety for a while, but ultimately couldn't think of too many good ways, and could only do some surveillance and netting work, waiting for the next change to appear.

Noisy and lively, for Jiangning at this moment, whether it was the brawl that happened in the Five Lakes Inn or the slight movement brought about by the young man who used the pseudonym Long Aotian, it could only be regarded as a trivial matter in a corner of the city.

As time entered early September, the lively Jiangning Martial Arts Tournament finally officially opened. The heroes who had emerged in the previous Five Great Arenas, and had also selected their employers, or the people from all sides who came to Jiangning to register in the name of other forces, or even individuals, began to officially enter the arena competition segment. The city's public security eased slightly, and the market entered a seemingly calm and excited carnival stage.

At the same time, led by Fair King He Wen, including "High Heaven King" Gao Chang, "Equality King" Shi Baofeng, "King of Reincarnation" Xu Zhaonan, and "King Yama" Zhou Shang, members of various large and small forces who raised the banner of the "Fair Party" held their first full meeting in the city on this day, September 1st.

At this meeting, He Wen directly threw out several core issues within the Fair Party to everyone, including how to deal with the current situation of the Fair Party having multiple political outlets; how to unify the distribution of wealth and strategies after each party's territorial expansion; whether the Fair Party's charter and purpose should be more detailed; how to combat the large number of pleasure-seeking emotions that have emerged in each party; and how the Fair Party can avoid the ending of past peasant uprisings... and so on.

The Fair Party had risen in the past two years, and there had been a rally in the past. At that time, in order to unite all parties, it was only decided that all parties that followed the *Fair Canon* were their comrades. So at that time, the entire rally was harmonious and incomparably harmonious, and it basically laid the foundation for the Fair Party's sweeping across Jiangnan in the following year.

At that meeting, He Wen didn't raise a single sharp question. However, this time, as soon as he opened his mouth, it was these basic problems involving the core survival of the Fair Party. Among these issues, he even brought a large amount of supporting data, and repeatedly made assertions such as "If we don't change, the Fair Party will die."

Although many things sounded trendy, such issues were no longer considered avant-garde in the upper echelons of the Fair Party. This was mainly because the Southwest had done a lot of theoretical work on social deduction in recent years. For a large number of social change deductions, the assertions that "peasant uprisings will still die if they take the right first step but the wrong second step" could at least be understood by the upper echelons of the system who cared about these things.

After He Wen finished speaking, it caused a lot of attendees to ponder.

Then, the remaining four Great Kings and representatives from various parties also made a lot of joking-style consolations, mostly similar to "This problem is very complicated," "Things are not that serious yet," "We are different from Fang La," "We are just, justice will prevail," and other such platitudes. Intermittently, there were also remarks such as "It is necessary to be radical when fighting landlords," "Correcting wrongs must go too far," and "Temporary corruption is nothing, it is much better than landlords."

So the meeting on September 1st ended, and the attending parties had friendly conversations and basically exchanged opinions. No one was angry. This was the beginning of the Jiangning Conference negotiations. Under the lively atmosphere of the martial arts tournament, it seemed a bit unremarkable. Ninety percent of the people in the city were not even clear about its occurrence.

Truly complex undercurrents had already gathered below the surface...