Repugnant Gateway 3

by Zhi Bai

  Chapter 222 - Before Pacification

  Just as An Zheng was discussing matters with Qu Liuxi, there was a hurried knock on the door.

  Du Shoushou shouted from outside: "An Zheng, come out and see, something's happened."

  An Zheng pushed open the door and asked: "What's wrong?"

  Du Shoushou's face turned ugly, "When we attacked the Gao Family's casino, the people that you taught a lesson to on the streets all went to this snack bar as well. At that time, I did not have time to care about them. Someone just said that a few of them used our Heavenly Awakening Sect's name to beat up the servants of the Gao Family who surrendered. They even asked each of them to pay a thousand taels of silver, or else they would be killed. "

  An Zheng frowned: "Where is he?"

  Du Shoushou said: "We caught a few of them, the rest ran away."

  An Zheng took a big step forward and said, "Go take a look."

  When they arrived at the courtyard, they saw three or four people hugging their heads and kneeling there, and they were so scared that their faces were drained of blood. An Zheng walked to stand in front of them and pointed: "Just these few?"

  Du Shoushou nodded.

  An Zheng looked carefully, these few people were familiar with each other, they were all hoodlums with a bit of fame in the Western City. The few of them did not dare to do anything bad, but there was nothing they could not do. At first, it was because what they had done wasn't too bad that An Zheng had brought all of them outside of the Heavenly Awakening Sect to settle down. Thinking about how there were people from the Heavenly Awakening Sect watching them every day, they didn't dare to do anything bad. However, he didn't expect that once such a person had the chance, the disgust deep down in his bones would still be released.

  An Zheng asked: "You're scaring me?"

  Those few people knelt there, not daring to even breathe.

  An Zheng said: Didn't you guys say that when you bully people, you are very powerful? I'm fighting against someone who doesn't dare to fight back, so it's especially exciting, right? "

  One of them answered with a trembling voice, "Sect Master … We... We only wanted to help the Heavenly Awakening Sect, didn't we? We're talking about the bad things the Gao family has done, and we're doing it for the sake of our neighbors. We, we really don't want to do anything bad. "

  An Zheng replied, "You want to avenge your neighbors? When my Heavenly Awakening Sect didn't make a move against Mirror Reflection Temple, why didn't I see you guys go out and be loyal? "

  An Zheng asked: "Where are the people who were beaten up by them?"

  Du Shoushou pointed to somewhere not far away: "The employees of the Bright Mirror Temple are all over there, I still don't know how to deal with them."

  An Zheng said: "Bring those who were beaten over here."

  Du Shoushou gave an order, and the people of Heavenly Awakening Sect brought the beaten up servants of the Gao Clan over. These people were already scared out of their wits by An Zheng. Seeing that An Zheng was going to kneel down, all of them started kowtowing as if they were going to hit garlic. They thought that An Zheng was going to kill them all. The people of Gao Clan were hostile towards An Zheng, but they were also afraid. Many people had seen it when An Zheng started his massacre alone at the Gao Family's casino in the western part of the city. At that time, the Gao Clan had gathered many of their employees to go over, and there were also many who saw An Zheng kill someone with their own eyes. Now that they were in the hands of the Heavenly Awakening Sect, they were even more afraid.

  An Zheng asked: "What did these people say?"

  One of the shop assistant knelt down and replied, "Returning to the Master An, they said they want us to pay a thousand silvers each for our lives. If you hand it over to them, then let us go back. If you don't, they will immediately behead us. "

  An Zheng asked again, "When you were being beaten up, did you fight back?"

  The assistant quickly replied, "No, no. How would I dare?"

  An Zheng waved his hand, and a disciple brought over a chair over. An Zheng sat on the chair and said: "I like watching people fight. Since you guys are willing to fight, then fight in front of me. Whoever wins, I will give them a chance to leave this place safely. "

  The thugs' expressions immediately changed and they all kowtowed, "Anzhu, Anzhu is for the sake of the people. Anzhu, we were wrong. "

  An Zheng shrugged his shoulders: "I told you guys before, a man bullying an honest man, women and children, bullying the poor, is that a man? How lowly are you to take pleasure in bullying a man who doesn't dare to retaliate? To put it bluntly, all of you are a bunch of impotent bastards. You can only have a sense of conquest when you're fantasizing about how good you can fuck others. Even if people like you were to go out and rape a woman, you would not dare to act mature, because you are afraid of losing face. "

  He pointed at the people around him and said, "Leave a space for them to fight. I will do as I say. If they win, they can leave this place safely."

  All of the Gao Family servants who were beaten up earlier stood up, cupped their fists towards An Zheng and said, "Thank you, Anzhu, for the chance."

  The few of them walked towards the thugs, who were all terrified when faced with such a situation. They scrambled to get out, but ended up being held down and beaten up by the Gao Family's lackeys. Although most of the Gao Clan's shop assistants were not cultivators, they were all very skilled and dauntless. And these thugs were just as An Zheng said, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. They were truly afraid of such a one-on-one duel.

  Even when such a person was bullying others, he did not dare to do it alone. He seemed aggressive while pulling others together. In fact, the inferiority in his bones was more important than anyone else.

  It didn't take long for the Gao Clan's lackeys to beat those thugs beyond recognition. An Zheng saw that it was enough, and waved his hand: "Hand these few people over to Mad Qu, bring them over to the operation area to work."

  "Yes!" The underling responded and walked over like a wolf and tiger. He grabbed those people and walked out.

  One of them roared, "Anzhu... An Zheng! You don't have the right to let us do manual labor, you're not the master of the Fanggu, what right do you have to send us out? "

  An Zheng laughed: "I am indeed not the lord of Fanggu, but I can decide your fate. It's just like when you bully people, you think that you are stronger than the people you bully, so you can change their fate without any fear. Me too, you have only yet to meet a person who has good intentions but is even more cruel than you. You have seen my Heavenly Awakening Sect's people help the elderly man across the road, and have also seen my Heavenly Awakening Sect's people kill people. "

  An Zheng turned around and instructed: "Investigate and find out who are still in their family. Send some silver over to them and tell them that they have been recruited into the army by the officials."

  "Yes!" the underling responded, then left with those people.

  The Gao Family doorman who had won the fight asked cautiously: "Anzhu, can we really leave now?"

  An Zheng nodded his head: "Let's go, a man must keep his word. I said that you all would be able to leave this place safely, so I will not regret it. "

  The waiters hurriedly clasped their fists and thanked him. They did not want to stay a second longer, so they ran towards the door.

  An Zheng waved his hand: "After exiting, all of you will be dragged back with broken legs."

  Not long after, there were howls and howls from the outside, the big men of Heavenly Awakening Sect dragged the people back by their ankles. Those people were in so much pain that they were crying out loud. Someone shouted at An Zheng: "An Zheng, you f * cking went back on your word!"

  An Zheng said: "Whatever, I already said that I would let you all safely exit the main gate, and that's just the main gate."

  An Zheng sat on the chair and looked at the few workers and asked, "Do you feel wronged? Thinking about the p
eople you have bullied all these years, each of their grievances is ten thousand times heavier than yours. "

  One of the employees shouted, "You don't have the qualifications to judge us!"

  An Zheng nodded his head, "From the perspective of national laws, I indeed don't have one."

  He ordered, "All these Gao Family servants, send them to the operation to be laborers, send one hundred kilograms of food to the eastern border, then you will be able to save a family member's life. Let Mad Qu follow this plan and let them save people in the eastern border.

  An Zheng stood up and said: "Let me put it this way, since you have saved enough refugees in the eastern border, I will grant you your freedom. I'm not afraid that you will come back to avenge me, anytime anywhere. But now, you are prisoners and I have changed your fates. "

  All the Gao Family servants were escorted out. A carriage arrived before long. Fanggu Prefect Xu Zhengsheng walked in happily, and upon seeing An Zheng, he immediately bowed down: "This official pays his respects to Lord An."

  According to his current official position, he would have to lead the imperial bodyguards and the deputy commander of the Tiantong Palace guards, from the fourth stage. Fanggu's Prefect was a fifth stage, half a stage lower than An Zheng. Furthermore, An Zheng also had the title of First Uncle on him, so it was reasonable for Xu Zhengsheng to pay respects to An Zheng.

  "Why is Master Xu here?"

  An Zheng asked.

  Xu Zhengsheng said in a flattering manner: "I am ordered to lead a team to investigate the remnants of Gao Family's traitors. Can you give all these people to this official? "

  An Zheng suddenly realised that this guy was here to capture him. He brought the Gao Clan's lackeys back with him and reported how many people he captured. This could also be considered a huge contribution.

  An Zheng said: "I will not give you the person. Go back and get someone to bring you a list of names, don't worry... All of them were captured by your Fanggu. "

  Xu Zhengsheng thanked him immediately: "Thank you Anzhu, thank you very much."

  An Zheng thought for a while, then asked: "Oh right, I have taken down a few of the Gao Family's venues, I need to get a few witness photos …"

  Xu Zhengsheng immediately replied: "It's nothing, I'll send someone to deliver all of the proof photos to your residence later."

  An Zheng cupped his fists: "Thank you."

  Xu Zhengsheng immediately shook his head: "Anzhu doesn't need to be so courteous, do we need to be so courteous to each other? That's right, Anzhu … "There's something I need to tell you. I heard that the leaders of the Military Department have been released and have returned to their original positions. This is a cause for celebration."

  An Zheng still did not know about this matter, but he felt relieved in his heart: "Then that's really something to congratulate, let Master Xu drink together later."

  Xu Zhengsheng said: That's good, Anzhu still has so many matters to attend to, so I will not disturb you, and will take my leave.

  An Zheng was sent out, but he could not help but frown.

  What was the empress dowager planning to do? Logically speaking, the empress dowager shouldn't admit defeat so easily. Once the men from the army were released, it would not be easy for the Empress Dowager to find an excuse to get rid of them. If she didn't have full confidence, the empress dowager definitely wouldn't have no reaction at all.

  Just as he was thinking, Wang Kaitai walked in with his men, and when he saw An Zheng, he was unable to hide his joy.

  An Zheng welcomed Wang Kaitai into the house, and after the two of them sat down, An Zheng asked: "Did you settle the matters with the army department?"

  Wang Kaitai nodded his head: "Master Chen and the rest have already been sent back to the army and are currently receiving treatment. Everyone's injuries are heavy, and they will not be able to recover in a short period of time. But luckily it wasn't too strenuous for the military to operate them, so Fang Daozhi and I could do it more. I came here to thank you. If it weren't for you, Lord Chen and the others wouldn't have been able to come out so quickly. "

  An Zheng shook his head: "I keep having the feeling that things aren't that simple."

  Wang Kaitai said: "I also feel that something is amiss, but now, it can be considered a good ending for us. I have come to inform you that the Martial Arts Academy is almost fully recovered. However, the personnel have all died and those who left have no face to come back. I just went to the Martial Arts Academy. There isn't even ten people in such a big place … Ah, Xu Luan, and the Martial Arts Academy's Principal Yan Xu are dead. "

  An Zheng's heart sank. "I had thought that Dean Yan was from the empress dowager's side."

  Wang Kaitai said: "Both he and Principal Sang are hiding in the dark, but in the end... "Sigh!"

  An Zheng thought of Xu Luan, thought of Yan Xu, thought of the instructors and officials from the military academy, and his heart became heavy. In order to gain power, how many people had died?

  Chapter 223 - The Youngest Vice-President in History

  Perhaps the story between Principal Yan Xu and Principal Sang Hai could no longer be completely unearthed. An Zheng thought that those two old men with completely different personalities must have made some sort of agreement. One was on the side of the Swallow King, while the other seemed to be on the side of the empress dowager. In this way, even if something happened to Sang Hai, the one who inherited the position of principal would still be the people of the Swallow King.

  Perhaps, in a sense, Yan Xu was someone that he shouldered even more. Not just their agreement, their vows, their ideals. Yan Xu still carried many doubts, and even cursed at reputation.

  In the future, if someone recorded the names of these two in the history books, their evaluation of Yan Xu would probably be ugly.

  After Wang Kaitai left, An Zheng's heart did not calm down for a long time. Everything that he had experienced in the State of Yan now, was something that he had never experienced before when he was in Da Xi. Da Xi was a powerful and stable country. Even the courtiers and ministers of the Da Xi country would fight with each other over it. However, it would not involve so much bloodshed. But in a small, desolate and tired country like the State of Yan, An Zheng saw even more naked desires and cruel, unacceptable means.

  An Zheng leaned against the window and looked at the moon in the sky, thinking if there was someone living above the moon, would it be peaceful?

  The Heavenly Awakening Sect was getting stronger and stronger, and his foundation was getting thicker and thicker. The business on these few streets could not really be considered as earning money, An Zheng wanted to advise people to be nice to him. Although his methods were brutal, he still didn't like violence if he could persuade people.

  An entire night passed, but An Zheng did not feel the least bit tired.

  As soon as the day arrived, someone came from the Tiantong Palace, telling An Zheng to enter the palace as soon as possible. Actually, Mu Changyan was quite tolerant of An Zheng, he did, after all, have the title of deputy commander in chief of Tiantong Palace guards, but he did not need to be on duty. He had wanted to have a few years of cultivation in the Martial Arts Academy and earn money for the people around him to live a life of luxury. However, it seemed that life wasn't as easy as he had imagined.

  After changing into the Imperial Guard Vice Commander's uniform, An Zheng walked towards the Tiantong Palace. Although two days had passed, the scent of blood still lingered on the streets of Fanggu.

  Had Mirror Hall really fallen?

  Obviously, it was not that simple. The mysterious madame hadn't shown her face, and the legendary expert of the Gao family also didn't show himself. This was enough to show that the Gao family still had a chance to turn the tables. However, with the old lady's experience and intelligence, she would never come out and do anything foolish. Maybe she hadn't left Fanggu yet, but she was waiting for an opportunity somewhere that no one else could find. Like a venomous snake, it wou
ld bite towards her at the most suitable time, and not rest until it was dead.

  The destruction of the Tiantong Palace made people's hearts turn cold. A perfectly fine Heaven Peace Hall had already been razed to the ground, and the huge square had turned into a huge pit. The bloodstains had not been completely cleaned, and within the quiet morning, An Zheng seemed to be able to hear someone cursing.

  Mu Changyan obviously did not sleep that night either, as he moved to the Sky Protection Hall behind the Sky Harmony Palace. The Heavenly Temple, the Heavenly Peace Hall, and the Heavenly Protection Hall stood in a straight line. The Heavenly Protection Hall was usually rather deserted.

  Most of the people around Mu Changyan had died, and at the moment, there was only one An Chengli serving by his side.

  When An Zheng pushed open the door and walked in, he was eating a bowl of noodles. He did not know why, but seeing the Swallow King, who was dressed in royal robes and should have been incomparably revered, sitting down and eating huge mouthfuls of noodles made people feel that he was pitiful.

  "It's here. Do you want a bowl?"

  Mu Changyan smiled and asked. Although he was tired, he looked like he was in a good mood.

  An Zheng nodded: "Yes."

  Mu Changyan indicated that An Chengli should also go get An Zheng a bowl of soup, and An Chengli laughed a little embarrassedly: "Since there's so much, Lord An, please wait, I will get some other people to cook it again."

  Mu Changyan put down the tableware after eating his fill, looked at An Chengli's retreating back and laughed: "According to logic, you are not allowed to eat anything before entering the imperial court. What if he couldn't hold it in and wanted to take a dump? If he lost his dignity … However, Gu Ruoyun has already lost all dignity, so it has instead become a lot more relaxed. "

  An Zheng replied, "Those people are much more disgraceful than the King."

  Mu Changyan slightly froze for a moment, then laughed even more relaxed: "You, even your flattery is so dry, that it's not nice to listen to."