Chapter 140: Black Ear

On the second day after the large residence was tidied up, Cheng Feng, accompanied by Lao San, Wang Hu, and ten Hong Sect disciples, drove a carriage and slowly headed toward that familiar home. This trip was to welcome his parents into the city to escape the chaos and turmoil of these times.

Recently, the political situation had been turbulent and the world unsettled. According to Wang Hu, the fire ignited by the Red Lotus Sect had begun to spread to surrounding Prefecture Cities. Recently, there had also been uprisings of displaced people in the south of Great Zhou, with constant strife. The government was busy trying to protect itself, and the public security of Qingxi County relied solely on the county soldiers to barely maintain order.

Several surrounding villages had already been tragically looted, leaving the common people displaced and in unspeakable misery. Although Liujiacun was temporarily peaceful, no one could predict when this chaotic era would reach it.

Fortunately, Cheng Feng had taken precautions. Relying on his own wisdom and hard work, he had earned enough money to buy a large residence, sufficient to settle his family, and the strength of his own power had also increased his ability to resist future risks.

At this moment, he sat in the carriage, his heart filled with many emotions.

Coming from humble beginnings, his efforts to climb upward were only to escape poverty and obtain a better life.

Establishing the Hong Sect was also to provide a sales channel for his Fine Salt business.

Who would have thought that the situation in Great Zhou would rot like a sieve?

Localized decay, and the failure to fight the fire in time caused the flames to begin spreading.

This made him understand even more that in this chaotic world, only by being strong oneself could one protect family and friends.

On the way home, the group encountered many displaced people. They were in rags, their faces gaunt with hunger, and their eyes revealed fear of an unknown future. Cheng Feng noticed that there were children among the crowd of displaced people; their innocent eyes formed a sharp contrast with the hungry, desperate, and fierce eyes of the adults.

Although there was pity in Cheng Feng's heart, there was more vigilance. These displaced people had already lost hope in life; for the sake of survival, they would do anything. Fortunately, he had rented two carriages, and the group was fully equipped with Swords, looking imposing.

When the carriage drove past the crowd of displaced people, Cheng Feng noticed that several of the leaders looked at each other. A strange glint appeared in their eyes, as if they were communicating something.

Cheng Feng immediately realized that these displaced people were not as simple as they appeared on the surface. Perhaps there were some ill-intentioned people hidden among them, wanting to use the kindness of others to seek personal gain.

Thinking of this, Cheng Feng signaled to continue driving the carriage forward and signaled his subordinates to increase their guard.

In this chaotic era, protecting oneself and those around one is the most important thing. Excessive "saintly" compassion will only harm oneself.

The carriage moved further and further away, and several of the leaders among the group of displaced people appeared somewhat disappointed. But they did not give up; instead, they turned and led the other displaced people in another direction, seemingly looking for new targets. Cheng Feng knew clearly that in this chaotic world, human hearts are unpredictable, and he must remain vigilant at all times to ensure the safety of his own people.

Cheng Feng looked at the road he had walked alone a year ago; at that time, it was still so peaceful and tranquil.

However, times had changed; nowadays, one could barely see the figures of pedestrians on this road, replaced instead by refugees wandering everywhere.

Lao San said with a heavy heart, "Second Brother, these children are too pitiful. Can't we help them?"

Cheng Feng looked at his third brother, whose face still appeared slightly immature, and responded sternly, "Everything must be prioritized around picking up our parents; do not stir up trouble on the way. We haven't even handled our own family's affairs properly yet, so where do you find the leisure to spread your charity?"

Lao San was a bit stunned; he had never thought that his second brother, who was always kind and amiable to him on weekdays, would treat him so sternly at this moment. He couldn't help but wonder, when did his second brother become so cold and heartless?

Cheng Feng also realized that his tone might have been too harsh, so he tried to guide Lao San, saying, "I only ask you this: if we delayed our time on the road because we distributed food to those disaster victims, leading to our parents and eldest brother at home suffering misfortune because of your delay, then afterward, do you think you did right or wrong?"

Seeing that Lao San had taken his words to heart, though still with a slightly unconvinced expression, Cheng Feng continued, "Have you ever thought that if our group distributed food, it would be highly likely that we would be attacked by a group of refugees? At that time, how should we respond? Facing those refugees who suddenly attack, should we resort to slaughter? Could it be that the food you sent was not a gift of life for them, but rather pushing them into the abyss of death?"

These questions might have come a bit too early for Lao San, but Cheng Feng no longer viewed Lao San as a child.

After all, the Hong Sect needed someone to take charge of the big picture, yet Cheng Feng could not keep his eyes fixed on the Hong Sect forever. In this world where the strong prey on the weak, strength is the most critical factor.

Time is fair to everyone.

Cheng Feng needs to work on becoming stronger himself while having someone replace him in keeping an eye on the Hong Sect to ensure it does not deviate from its path.

And Lao San is the best representative in Cheng Feng's mind.

Aside from his current strength being slightly lacking, whether it be emotion, relationship, or the bond of blood, all can ensure that Cheng Feng's own interests are not infringed upon. Furthermore, the Hong Sect cannot always rely on Wang Hu to manage all affairs.

As for Ba Bai and Cheng Yi, they are also an important part of Cheng Feng's plan... inserting them into the Hongmen Training Ground just serves a supervisory role.

Wang Hu knows very well that doing this is absolutely necessary. Fortunately, he is also an open-minded person; ever since Cheng Feng began coveting the Hutou Gang, there have been no unexpected situations until now.

Seeing that the outside world is so chaotic, the Hong Sect's previous strategy of maintaining a low profile has gradually become inadequate.

To be on the safe side, Cheng Feng urgently needs more manpower and financial support. And to achieve these goals, it means he must snatch talent, fight for territory, and even experience cruel slaughter and life-and-death struggles.

In the Training Camp, some people cannot persist and can only be eliminated and relegated to the second line; while those who grit their teeth and persist are about to be officially promoted to Hong Sect disciples.

Cheng Feng plans to forge these one hundred people into the elite force of the Hong Sect, letting them become the vanguard for the Hong Sect to expand its territory in Qingxi County.

At the very least, he must first bring the South District completely under the control of the Hong Sect to establish an impregnable base for it.

Wang Hu has always been doing intelligence work, and he has done it quite excellently.

He was born to be a well-informed person, and coupled with Cheng Feng's full support, he successfully organized a team specifically responsible for gathering information.

For those who have already retreated to the second line but do not want to completely leave the Hong Sect, joining this intelligence team is undoubtedly an excellent choice.

On one hand, they can continue to serve the Hong Sect; on the other hand, they can also exert their remaining energy in a relatively relaxed environment.

Cheng Feng named this intelligence team "Black Ear," implying that they are like ears in the darkness, silently listening to all intelligence related to the Hong Sect without easily making a sound.

They lurk in the shadows, remaining vigilant at all times, just to be able to provide the most timely and accurate intelligence support for the Hong Sect at critical moments.