Chapter 208: Get out, you talkative Song family!

Shen Qing walked back to the tavern and glanced at the wandering knight-errant wearing a bamboo hat.

"Would you like to have a drink together?"

The wandering knight-errant smiled, took off his bamboo hat, and walked over.

He looked like a middle-aged man, somewhat weathered, but with a carefree, world-weary air.

"Since Sir Shen has spoken, I'd rather obey than just be respectful."

"Lu Cang has already thanked Sir Shen."

Shen Qing glanced at him, flicked his finger lightly, and sent a wine cup flying to land before him.

"I've heard of you, Xiaoyao Ke Lu Cang."

Xiaoyao Ke Lu Cang, famed as one who roams heaven and earth, cherishes the masses, belongs to no sect, leads a life of romance, and can truly be called a wandering knight-errant.

All along he has killed only evildoers, and also many officials and scions of aristocratic families, making him the top wanted criminal of the Great Wu.

Lu Cang lifted the wine cup and drained it in one gulp, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Refreshing!"

"This is the first time I've drunk with a table of Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

Shen Qing took a sip of wine: "Aren't you in South Cloud? How did you end up in Cloud Prefecture?"

Lu Cang laughed loudly: "Sir Shen, you know the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been chasing me; I just wandered around and ended up here."

"On the way, I'll kill a few people."

Shen Qing glanced at him: "You're quite carefree, but aren't you afraid of the karmic repercussions? Killing too easily brings on the Five Declines of Heaven and Man."

Lu Cang waved his hand nonchalantly: "All I seek in life is a big bowl of wine, a hearty bite of meat, swift gratification of grudges—what do I fear of death?"

Zhou He slapped the table: "Quite right. Let me introduce myself—I'm Zhou He, you may not have heard of me, but I used to be the Earth Spirit Star of the White Dragon Sect."

Lu Cang set down his wine cup, looked at Shen Qing, and the atmosphere tightened a bit: "Sir Shen, you didn't mention there's a White Dragon dog at this table."

Shen Qing said: "Zhou He is an insider; with his help I killed one Heavenly Gang Star and four Earth Fiend Stars."

Lu Cang's expression changed; he raised his wine cup toward Zhou He, gave an embarrassed laugh, and said: "Well, that brings us back to the same point."

"Forget it; everything's in the wine—I'll punish myself with three bowls."

In the blink of an eye, half the jug of wine on the table had been drained by Lu Cang.

Only then did everyone realize Lu Cang had come just to mooch food and drink.

Shen Qing smiled: "Lu Cang, there's something a bit off about the famine in Cloud Prefecture, do you know?"

Lu Cang wiped his mouth satisfied: "I have a sense of it, but I haven't examined closely; however, since Sir Shen has spoken, I'll pay more attention afterward and report any findings."

Someone who can survive decades under the Embroidered Uniform Guard must be capable; maybe they can actually be of help.

Shen Qing stood up, walked toward the tavern's exit, and said: "We've had our drink—let's go check out the Song Family and see what they know."

Ma Qing and the others hurried to follow.

Shen Qing said: "Lu Cang, do you want to come along and take a look?"

Lu Cang gave a heh-heh smile, pulled out a toothpick, held it in his mouth, and strode over carrying his long saber.

"Since you've drunk your wine,"

"Then Lu Cang will surely help out!"

The Song Family.

They were in the midst of a midday feast.

The table was laden with a variety of dishes, even two roasted suckling pigs.

Even the dogs kept on the side were fed white flour.

A chubby, ball-like child ran over.

"Let's eat, let's eat!"

Immediately he saw the roasted suckling pig on the table and frowned.

"Why is it roasted suckling pig again?"

"I won't eat it—change it, change it! I want roasted chicken!"

A plump woman beside him smiled indulgently: "Good, good, good! Someone roast two chickens!"

This scene was completely opposite to the situation outside.

Outside, people would even discard their dignity for a sack of rice, yet inside they scorned the roasted suckling pig.

The person seated at the head was the head of the Song Family, Song Dian, who had also stockpiled grain after receiving the news.

Beside him was his younger brother, Song Wen.

Song Wen said: "Elder brother, although it's been a while, I still want to ask: where did you get the news about stockpiling grain?"

Song Dian set down his wine cup, his face stern: "Don't ask what you shouldn't."

This matter clearly involved some secrets, so Song Dian had never told anyone the reason, not even his bedmate.

Song Wen sighed: "Elder brother, it's not that I want to ask, but many people outside have come to us to buy food, and the number of those who know our Song Family has stockpiled grain is growing."

Song Dian snorted: "Just release a batch; they'll fight over it themselves, and then the dogs will bite each other, leaving no one to come to us."

"What about the Embroidered Uniform Guard? If they investigate our situation, they have grounds to do so—what would we do if they investigated us?"

Song Dian spoke nonchalantly: "I've received news that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is seriously injured and still recuperating, so we needn't worry about them."

The Song brothers have always been one handling internal affairs and the other external; Song Wen handles external affairs, yet he had never heard of the commander's injury, which means this news certainly hasn't spread outside—how did Song Dian know?

"Elder brother, where did this news come from again?"

"I've said it—don't ask what you shouldn't; just enjoy your blessings."

"In a short time, the Embroidered Uniform Guard in Cloud Prefecture won't make any waves."

"Come eat!"

Inside the house, there was a lively and auspicious scene.

What Song Dian said was correct: the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard of Yun Prefecture was seriously injured and couldn't stir up trouble before recovering, but those coming from Qing Prefecture might not be the same.

Boom!

Two towering vermilion gates were kicked flying into the sky and came crashing down heavily in the courtyard before everyone.

Everyone turned their heads in astonishment.

A black great sun appeared, black mist slowly spreading, bit by bit blocking out the light, as if the apocalypse had arrived.

Immediately afterward, five blood-dragon phantoms swept out, and everyone felt a fierce mental oppression.

This blood dragon loomed over the entire Song Manor, its range immeasurably vast—this is the bonus brought by the Mountain-Sea Boundless Might.

Shen Qing walked over unhurriedly, his voice making everyone's hearts pound uncontrollably.

"Embroidered Uniform Guard investigation—anyone from the Song family who can speak, get out here!"