Chapter 351: 360 Hometown and Old Friends

Tang Zhao pondered and said, "Manor Master... Black Spider Villa? Are you people from the Five Poisons Society?"

The young man in black bowed and said, "Yes. We are here under the orders of Manor Master Yin to pay our respects to you, YoungMaster."

So it really is Black Widow...

If it is her, even if her subordinates were offensive in their actions, considering she took the initiative to provide rescue at the Sword Casting Conference, it would be difficult to turn hostile.

Although Tang Zhao very much wanted to turn hostile.

He only said coldly, "If it is Manor Master Yin, how could she not know that I didn't tell anyone when I entered the city precisely because I didn't want to be disturbed? You lot standing at the door in a formation early in the morning and disturbing the residents, what are you trying to do?"

He also did not ask how the Five Poisons Society knew the news when he had entered the city in plain clothes.

After all, although Tang Zhao did not make a scene, he did not deliberately hide his identity; he even went to pay respects to his parents and teacher, and encountered former neighbors who confirmed his identity—there were plenty of flaws along the way.

The Five Poisons Society is the local snake of Mu City; who knows how many eyes and ears they have. Not to mention he didn't hide, even if he had, with his meager level from the intermediate class of the anti-reconnaissance course, he might not have been able to hide it. Not to mention they might have vaguely sensed that the Governor's Middle Army had movements here, and perhaps guessed that Tang Zhao might arrive.

But knowing is one thing, and running in front of me to loudly say "I know" is another.

Especially since they occupied Tang Zhao's old residence and then came out to proactively pay a visit, it inevitably carried the suspicion of a show of force.

Black Widow should be sitting guard at Black Spider Villa, unable to rush to Mu City to deploy; then is this the local gang being impolite?

Just as he was speaking, the door to the room where Wei Se was opened, but Wei Se did not come out. Clearly, he was hiding his figure, waiting for Tang Zhao's intent.

The young man bowed and said respectfully, "The Manor Master knows you do not like to be disturbed, and specifically instructed us repeatedly to come quietly. We naturally would not dare to disturb the residents. Ever since we learned you checked into 'Shengfa Inn', we immediately booked the entire backyard, ensuring there wasn't a single idler inside or out. We entered the courtyard overnight last night and waited here; apart from our own people, absolutely no one knows. As for the innkeeper, I told him to keep his mouth shut, and I trust he wouldn't dare to talk nonsense."

So that's what "not disturbing the residents" means.

Tang Zhao was both angry and amused, feeling that there was no reason to be reasoned with when it came to this kind of gang. After all, they hadn't broken the law; even when the Land Inspection Division cleared the ground, they allowed the Five Poisons Society to exist. It seems he should just let them quietly get lost on the Manor Master's account.

He then said, "Fine. You've seen me, is that enough? Go back and tell the Manor Master that I haven't forgotten our agreement, and I will go over once I finish the matters at hand. Leave now, and don't forget to settle the bill, properly appease the innkeeper, and stop bullying people."

The young man bowed and said, "YoungMaster, please allow me to explain. We will properly appease the innkeeper and pay the full room fee. As for what agreement you have with the Manor Master, I know nothing of it, nor would I dare to ask. I came to pay my respects to you under orders to deliver something to you."

As he spoke, someone behind him presented a box, and the young man held it with both hands, delivering it before Tang Zhao.

The box was not large; it was actually a flat book case. It looked like it didn't contain much.

But some things don't need a large box to be contained.

Such as gold notes or silver notes.

Tang Zhao didn't even look and said indifferently, "Do you know what I do?"

The young man said respectfully, "I do not know."

Then forget it.

If you don't know, how am I supposed to continue?

Tang Zhao had originally thought that if he revealed his identity, he would learn to spout some official jargon, warn the local gang, and incidentally warn the Black Widow behind him.

Friendship is friendship, but some things cannot be done; once done, the nature of the relationship changes.

The Land Inspection Division is undoubtedly official. As for the Five Poisons Society, strictly speaking, they are not bandits; they are a vibrant jianghu organization allowed to exist after the Gaoyuan Marquis combed through the region, but they are undoubtedly in a gray area. Any transaction with the Land Inspection Division is considered bribery.

At least in the current Land Inspection Division, such things are absolutely not allowed.

In Tang Zhao's view, the style of the Land Inspection Division is relatively upright; one cannot say there are no blurred areas, but open corruption and law-breaking do not exist. This is not only because the Land Inspection Division has been cleaned up once and chose its own Training Camp disciples to supplement, which is called rectifying the source, but also because the Land Inspection Division is very rich.

Yes, although the Land Inspection Division is dangerous, it is rich.

You must know that the various Yin Calamities on the ground are nominally the responsibility of the Land Inspection Division, and there are harvests from them. Materials from Fierce Beasts and live Phantoms all earn money. But the most profitable are the Demon Caves that descend.

Wherever there is a Demon Cave, there must be abnormal produce. Not to mention the most precious Sword Seeds, various materials and herbs also have magical effects; these are the so-called Treasures. And it is tacitly understood that a portion of these belongs to the Land Inspection Division. Even for Sword Seeds, the Land Inspection Division has a share.

Of course, this is only for the one that descends. It is best if the Demon Cave can be eliminated; if the ground is clean, there is merit. If it cannot be, and it finally becomes a Demon Prison in the Human World, then it is handed over to the Prison Suppression Division.

Therefore, the Prison Suppression Division is also very rich.

Among the Three Offices, only the Jing'an Division is the poorest, with no obvious sources of income. But they have always operated outside of Yunzhou, so they are the least constrained; everyone turns a blind eye to whatever they do outside.

The Land Inspection Division is rich, so everyone's funding, salary, and benefits are all sufficient. Added to that is the discipline, so the atmosphere is naturally not bad, and everyone is unwilling to do such taboo things.

It stands to reason that Black Widow is very familiar with the Land Inspection Division and has had a friendship with Xing Ji for many years, knowing each other inside and out. If she still played this game, it would be too disappointing.

The young man continued, "YoungMaster, this is something our Manor Master is giving you privately, not belonging to the Five Poisons Society. It is entirely out of consideration for the friendship between you and the Manor Master; please take a look."

Seeing Tang Zhao unmoved, the young man opened the box himself, and saw a land deed placed on top.

Tang Zhao frowned, and immediately thought of something; the young man had already said, "This is the property deed for Chaoyang Lane No. 3."

Sure enough, it is... my home.

Although Tang Zhao felt a bit emotional, he still didn't speak.

The young man continued, "This house was bought three years ago. The Manor Master specifically explained that when she first recognized you, although you were still young, she felt you were not a person who would remain in a pond. She thought that even if you were drifting outside at a young age, you would eventually return home. If you had to stay in an inn upon returning to your hometown, wouldn't that be too excessive? Therefore, she bought the house at that time, kept it properly preserved, hired people to clean it regularly, and it is exactly the same as it was originally. Now that you have indeed returned home, it is naturally returned to its original owner."

Tang Zhao felt a slight emotion in his heart. Regardless of whether it was bought three years ago, one can only say that Black Widow has a heart.

Thinking about it, his house was just an ordinary civilian residence, the courtyard was narrow, and it couldn't hold many people; what kind of gang headquarters could it be? Naturally, it was bought specifically to be returned today.

From this, it can be seen that if these jianghu gangs want to give gifts, their thoughts are truly exquisite; how can ordinary people withstand it?

He thought for a moment and said, "When it was bought, how much did it cost?"

The young man said, "Don't mention money. The Manor Master said you are about to do her a great favor, so no reward would be excessive. A mere civilian residence is truly not worth mentioning. Could it be that your friendship with her is not even worth a house?"

Tang Zhao pursed his lips slightly, and just as he was about to speak again, a fierce-looking big man rushed out of Wei Se's room, standing in the courtyard like an iron tower. He pushed the young man, causing him to stagger, and shouted, "Less nonsense! Our YoungMaster asked you how much money, just answer honestly. Who are you trying to squeeze here? Are you looking down on our YoungMaster? Our family has money, see this—is one hundred taels of silver enough? Is two hundred taels of silver enough? It's enough to buy your head." While speaking, he waved a stack of white paper, not knowing if it was silver notes.

Tang Zhao couldn't help but want to laugh, and saw the young man being pushed, actually retreating several steps, appearing somewhat panicked and at a loss. He felt slightly strange: why is the person Black Widow sent to handle things so rash?

After Tang Zhao smiled, his heart stirred. He stopped Wei Se from continuing his improvisation and said, "Let's make it two hundred taels; give him two hundred taels. Thank the Manor Master for me; I have received her sentiments. Talking about money is vulgar. Even if she sold it to me, how could I not acknowledge the favor of several years of maintenance? I just saw there was something else in the box?"

The young man said nothing, no longer showing off his eloquence, and presented the book case before Tang Zhao's eyes.

In the book case... it was actually a book.

"Yunmeng Immortal Capital".

It seems to be some kind of novel or storybook?

It looks like an old edition with some years on it, using the binding method of the previous dynasty, and the pages have all turned yellow.

Tang Zhao became even more curious; what kind of precious gift is this again?

Could it be a unique copy passed down through generations, the kind worth a fortune?

He glanced at the young man, who looked a bit dispirited and explained languidly, "Regarding this book, the Manor Master has no other instructions. He only said to ask you to take a look, and later he would like to have a discussion with you about it."

Tang Zhao was slightly stunned; discuss a novel with him? What kind of code was this?

Unable to figure it out for a moment, Tang Zhao simply stopped thinking about it. In any case, this book was likely not worth much, so he said, "In that case, I will accept it. Thank the Manor Master for his kindness. Is there anything else?"

The young man lowered his eyes and said, "No, there is not."

Tang Zhao said, "Very well, leave as quietly as you came. As I said before, thank the Manor Master for me. Do not disturb the common folk on your way out." Having said that, he turned and went back into the room.

The young man walked silently to the doorway and signaled for the few burly men, who looked indignant, to leave. Just as he was about to go out, he suddenly turned back and said, "Tang Zhao, you..."

Tang Zhao seemed to know he would ask this, and without looking back, said, "What happened back then is all in the past; you need not take it to heart."

The young man gave a start, suddenly relaxed, nodded silently, and left on his own.

Yes, this person was actually an old acquaintance of Tang Zhao. He still recognized Tang Zhao, and Tang Zhao also recognized him.

Tang Zhao vaguely remembered his name was Zhang Xu. At first, he didn't know who had instigated him and another kid surnamed Gao to come and harm him. But in the end, he had countered them and used them as a stepping stone to fiercely establish his authority in front of everyone.

For the Tang Zhao of that time, it was an experience that allowed him to hold his head high; for the current Tang Zhao, it was a small, interesting memory; but for Zhang Xu, it had left a Shadow over Tang Zhao that he still could not forget to this day.

That was why he recognized Tang Zhao the moment he entered, while Tang Zhao only recognized him after seeing his panicked appearance and having his memories stirred.

The current Tang Zhao naturally would not hold a grudge over what happened back then; seeing him, he felt a bit of emotion and pleasant surprise instead. After all, this was another old acquaintance he had met after returning to his hometown.

It could be considered a small footnote to meeting an old friend in one's hometown.

Tang Zhao put away the novel, intending to read it later, and just picked up the property deed, feeling somewhat happy.

"The house is back, very good, let's go take a look."