Chapter 34: Heavenly Wolf Gang Distributes Pills

After staying in the deep mountains and old forests for over ten days, suddenly seeing so many people made Qin Shuo's mood unconsciously brighten.

Although Azure Sun Town is not bad, its liveliness still falls short of Blackwater City by more than a notch.

"The pills are out! The pills are out!"

"The Heavenly Wolf Gang is handing out pills again!"

In the crowd, someone suddenly shouted loudly.

Clamor!

The street, which had been fairly orderly, suddenly erupted into chaos.

The pedestrians on the street, as if possessed, surged all at once toward the Central Plaza, their faces flushed with intense excitement.

A woman, who had been picking out ornaments, upon hearing someone shout "The pills are out!" immediately took off running, not even bothering to wait for change for the silver she had paid.

And the old man selling candy was even more extravagant.

His stall originally had plenty of customers gathered to buy candy figurines, but now he abandoned his business, tossed aside his stall, and ran toward the Central Plaza.

What's more strange, those few candy buyers seemed already accustomed to this; they showed no annoyance at the old man abandoning them, merely shook their heads and went their separate ways.

"Young man, what are they running for?"

Qin Shuo had the coachman stop the carriage and asked a young man selling rouge and powder by the roadside.

"They're rushing to grab the Rejuvenation Pills!"

The young man didn't even look up, speaking as if it were obvious.

"Rejuvenation Pills? What are those?"

Qin Shuo pressed further.

"You don't even know what Rejuvenation Pills are? You must be from outside the city."

The young man glanced at Qin Shuo in surprise, but still explained:

"Not long ago, an outbreak of Wolf Hair Strange Disease struck the city, and it was only thanks to the Heavenly Wolf Gang's Gang Leader refining Rejuvenation Pills that everyone was saved."

"To prevent the Wolf Hair Strange Disease from recurring, the Gang Leader decided to distribute three hundred pills each day, and what they're rushing to grab now are precisely those Rejuvenation Pills."

"Oh? How much does each Rejuvenation Pill cost?"

Qin Shuo's heart stirred, and a certain possibility occurred to him.

He had previously felt that the Heavenly Wolf Gang's conduct was strange.

A gang that doesn't bully the neighborhood, skips the fighting and killing, and instead heals and saves people is truly hard to comprehend.

But if the Wolf Hair Strange Disease were actually concocted by the Heavenly Wolf Gang themselves, then it would make sense.

First spread the disease, then harvest with pills.

Such a tactic, appearing benevolent while harboring malicious intent, was not uncommon in his previous world.

In that case, the Heavenly Wolf Gang's practice of not charging lodging fees and even providing free treatment for the diseased can be explained.

Everything is merely to win over hearts, all for the purpose of selling pills now.

However, just as Qin Shuo thought he had figured out the Heavenly Wolf Gang's scheme, the young man let out a cold snort and rebuked him:

"You outsider, don't spout nonsense if you don't understand; our Gang Leader Sir is unparalleled in benevolence, has never taken a single penny from us, and often sends people to offer free medical consultations in the plaza."

"Now, the Wolf Hair Strange Disease has completely vanished from the Northern City District, all thanks to the Gang Leader Sir's efforts."

"Those Rejuvenation Pills are also freely distributed by the Gang Leader Sir to prevent the disease; you must not tarnish his reputation."

"Free?" Qin Shuo exclaimed in astonishment.

"Exactly, I just received one yesterday; of course I know whether it's free or not."

"Come on, come on, you outsider who doesn't understand the Gang Leader's lofty righteousness, don't stand here blocking my business."

The young man, wearing a look of disdain, began to shoo people away.

"If they're giving away pills for free, what do they want in return?"

Qin Shuo pondered over it but could not figure it out.

If you claim the Heavenly Wolf Gang is acting out of great kindness, aiding the neighbors, Qin Shuo would be the first to disbelieve it.

Given the Heavenly Wolf Gang's methods on Wolf Mountain—plucking feathers from passing geese—they hardly seem like a charitable clan that heals the world without seeking reward.

Even their Great Elder is the type, greedy and lustful for profit, ready to seize people and game at the slightest disagreement.

If you say such a gang would engage in charity, Qin Shuo would refuse to believe it even unto death.

"What on earth is the Heavenly Wolf Gang up to?"

Qin Shuo furrowed his brow slightly, completely unable to fathom the Heavenly Wolf Gang's intentions.

While he was pondering, the carriage had already left the Central Plaza and entered the Inner City.

Compared to the Outer City, the Inner City was much quieter, yet there were still plenty of pedestrians, most hurrying along as if heading to a market.

"Could it be that the Heavenly Wolf Gang's Rejuvenation Pills have all been distributed to the Inner City?" Qin Shuo frowned.

He always felt the Heavenly Wolf Gang harbored ill intentions, and the Rejuvenation Pills they distributed were likely problematic.

Yet he had observed those who had taken the Rejuvenation Pills, including the young man selling rouge and powder on the street; they all seemed perfectly normal, with not the slightest abnormality.

"I hope I'm just overthinking it!"

Qin Shuo shook his head and directed the coachman to drive toward his own residence in the Inner City.

At this time, the sky was still early.

After unloading the cargo together with the coachman and paying the rent, Qin Shuo hurried toward the Liuhe Martial Hall.

Just as he approached the wall of the martial hall,

he heard a noisy chorus of cheers and shouts from within the courtyard, as if someone were sparring.

Inside the Liuhe Martial Hall.

A sea of people.

When Qin Shuo stepped into the martial hall, the courtyard was already full of people.

There were disciples of the Li He Martial Hall, also wealthy gentlemen in fine silk, and quite a few youths dressed as martial hall apprentices.

"They are from the Four Great Martial Halls and several wealthy families of the inner city, plus the Long Feng Escort Agency."

Qin Shuo glanced over and roughly made out the identities of most people in the courtyard.

They were either disciples of the Four Great Martial Halls, or escorts from the Long Feng Escort Agency and guards of some wealthy gentlemen.

Besides them, there were also some who were just there to watch the excitement.

Among them was the wealthy young master Qin Shuo had seen on the street earlier.

Back then Qin Shuo thought he was going to receive the Heavenly Wolf Gang's Rejuvenation Pill, but now it seems he came to the martial hall to watch the show.

In the center of the courtyard.

Zhang Xiong was exchanging punches with a youth dressed in gray-white short attire.

That youth had a "Mang" character embroidered on his chest, immediately identifying him as a disciple of the Mangshan Martial Arts Hall, one of the inner city's Four Great Martial Halls.

Bang!

Zhang Xiong and his opponent clashed fists, both stepping back several paces, neither gaining the upper hand.

As they got into it, after separating they immediately tangled again; the fight was fierce, but neither could best the other.

Qin Shuo's gaze swept around the courtyard, he locked onto a spot, and quickly walked over.

"Master!"

He walked to the main seat and paid respects to Wei Yuan, who sat in the chair wearing a black robe, relaxed and at ease.

"You've returned!"

Wei Yuan's tone was flat; he turned his head to glance at Qin Shuo, then his gaze returned to the two fighters in the arena.

But soon he turned back, his face showing a hint of astonishment: "You've broken through to inner strength?"

As soon as he said that, Lin Feng and Song Yan, standing behind him, also shot looks of astonishment.

"Mm, I happened to break through after defeating a top-tier demonic beast," Qin Shuo said modestly.

"Hiss!"

A sound of sucking in cold breath rippled through the crowd.

Even Yan Song, the chief of the Mangshan Martial Hall sitting beside Wei Yuan, couldn't help but turn his head to look at Qin Shuo, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.

"You defeated a top-tier demonic beast?"

Wei Yuan raised his eyebrows, not expecting such an answer.

"Yes." Qin Shuo nodded.

Wei Yuan's gaze lingered on Qin Shuo for a few seconds, then he waved his hand: "Go stand at the back for now; we'll talk about your matter later."

Qin Shuo did as told and walked to the old man's rear; Lin Feng immediately smiled and stepped forward, clasping his hands: "Congratulations, Junior Brother Qin!"

The other few inner disciples also congratulated Qin Shuo in turn.

At that moment, a youth with a somewhat pale complexion stepped forward, sized Qin Shuo up and down, and said: "Are you Qin Shuo?"