History's Strongest Husband Chapter 21.2 - Xuanwu City On Fire

Chapter 21.2: Xuanwu City On Fire

As the name of the bridegroom was not mentioned in the wedding invitation, Tian Heng felt the wedding held no meaning to him.

Though he's the leader of the Black Warrior Gang and the commander of Xuanwu City's army, he'd never hope to reach the level of status as the Jin Family. Besides, he held no hopes of attending the wedding.

Of course, as the commander of the army, he'd certainly send a congratulatory gift to the bride and groom. Whether the Count's Palace accepts his gift or not holds little meaning to him.

He cared not much for the affairs of the Jin Family because the man backing him is not the Count's Palace. No… they were someone he cannot afford to offend.

In fact, he was sincerely grateful to Shen Lang. The Xu Family commissioned him one hundred gold coins to a.s.sa.s.sinate Shen Lang and his family, but after the appearance of the golden, purple, and rainbow dye recipe, all took a sudden change. The bounty for white lotus' head surged upwards to more than a thousand gold coins.

Not only did the Xu Family increased the price, even the Lin Family of Brocade Pavilion (Jinxiu Pavillion) gifted him five hundred gold coins as a reward. Because the Lin Family eagerly cooperated with the Xu Family, Lin Mo's son will surely gain great benefits for his future. This is all Lin Mo wished for truly—the bright future for his good son.

Therefore, Tian Heng truly felt such sincere thanks towards Shen Lang for the many benefits the young boy gave him.

Shen Lang's new recipe… to say the least it'd cause an upheaval uproar throughout the Great Yan Empire if made public. They'd want to latch onto that recipe as soon as possible so the three giants joined forces to devour Shen Lang eat the fruits of his creation.

Only, the dirty work would be handled by Tian Heng.

After sending Tian Thirteen to cut the head of Shen Lang's family, Tian Heng dismissed the matter. An ant-like figure was unworthy in his eyes.

In order to express his diligence in handling the matter, Tian Thirteen, the killer of the Black Warrior Gang (Heiyi Gang) brought over a dozen members to Maple Leaf Village (Fengye Village) with means to surround the thatched, broken house belonging to Shen Lang's family.

Tian Thirteen looked at the dilapidated house. He sighed in his heart. "Weakness is a true sin…"

Then, he waved his hand gently, his voice neither loud nor soft, but like still water with hints of stern command. "By the order of the law, the Shen Family is to be immediately arrested! They hide behind their fields and escape city taxes! Do they think themselves high and mighty?!" He scoffed. "Arrest them right this instant! If there are rebels resisting arrest, cut off their heads!"

With Tian Thirteen's commanding order, the pract.i.tioners of Black Warrior Gang dressed in the uniform of Xuanwu City's guard hurriedly rushed into Shen Lang's home with daggers flashed in their right hands.

Though they were lowly gangsters, their process in their work was highly meticulous. They did not rush directly into the Shen Family's home, but arresting them under the gist of one with authority. It seemed the easiest path to take in a.s.suring Shen lang would have over the dye recipe. But of course, even if he'd surrender, his family would not escape such calamitous disaster, only dying a quick, painless death, but he'd never know.

Tiang Heng's alternative ident.i.ty was that of an official and all the members of Black Warrior Gang under his command had the ident.i.ty of a soldier serving under Xuanwu City. Tian Thirteen arresting the Shen Family was all within perfect legal manners. He had an arrest doc.u.ment in his hand.

Bang!

The fragile door flew out.

But after rushing inside, Tian Thirteen's brows raised slightly, somewhat surprised by the scene he'd just seen.

There was no panic, no scream, no helpless pleading.

Shen Lang's father laid in bed coughing up blood while holding a knife in his hand; the mother stood beside the bedside table clutching a knife close to her chest; and the little brother, he sat up violently with only a cane grasped in hand.

They did not beg for mercy, only coldly staring on at the strangers standing before them in full on black clothing with seemingly malevolent intent. They showed no weakness, only appearing fearlessly strong.

When Tian Thirteen saw this, he smiled softly. "What are you doing, Sir?"

As he spoke, he pulled out an iron sword and walked towards Shen Lang's father. The smile on his face remained ever so warm. It seemed he'd come to help them from their plight… but… that did not seem to be the case.

Looking around, Shen Lang was nowhere to be found, but Tian Thirteen did not care. So long as he catches his family, the white lotus would surely appear. He's a filial son, after all.

Shen Lang's father sighed bitterly. "We are all useless people. Why do we matter to you?"

"You are resisting arrest with a knife, are you not? This is the same as rebellion." Tian Thirteen smiled. "I am embarra.s.sed. Only I know how to rebel."

His iron sword flashed. He had the mind to move forwards and cut off the father's arm neatly in half. Then, he waved his hand and the men behind him swiftly rushed towards Shen Lang's family.

Suddenly, Tian Thirteen felt cold sweat running through his forehead and the hairs on his back standing tall. He felt chills coursing through his body. Tian Thirteen turned around only to find a figure standing deathly still outside the door. He looked to be an ordinary middle-aged man without weapons in hand, but… his steady breathing thorns to grow in Tian Thirteen's heart.

The middle-aged man was a martial master…

"At the command of Xuanwu's civil officials, we are ordered to arrest these tax evaders who hide behind their fields. Once we've completed what we were ordered to do, we will leave immediately!' Tian Thirteen shouted.

Outside the decrepit house, Jin Zhong, the attendant and confidant of the Count's Palace, had come to this place long ago, only waiting deliberately till Tian Thirteen appeared. Only then did he make his appearance.

Jin Zhong opened his mouth. "Right, we should not have disturbed the officials, but my master has instructed me to invite and bring the Shen Family to attend the wedding. If they do not come, my duty would only end in failure…" Then, he looked at them with calm eyes. "Can you overlook this matter? I'd not be able to face my master."

Tian Thirteen's heart turned cold. The other party seemed calm and polite as if the world mattered not to him, only what he was instructed to do. Tian Thirteen had seen many powerful men and women. The more promising their talent and the higher background they carry, the more they exude a calm aura. On the contrary, those without strength to carry themselves foolishly talk high and mighty, only bluffing themselves.

"Would the Honored Guest tell us his name? Tian Thirteen asked respectfully.

If the other party had a background he could not afford to offend, it is best he maintains a cordial manner and turn away so as to secure his safety and well-being. If it turns out to be false, he'll remain brutal and ruthless. Besides he working under the guise of an official.

"Jin Zhong." The middle-aged man replied coolly.

Tian Thirteen's face turned a drastic change. He's heard of the name long ago. Jin Zhong is not a name of master nor is a capable man in Xuanwu City… but… in Tian Heng's dictionary, this person is one which must never be provoked because Jin Zhong is the head servant of the Count's Palace and the Count's confidant.

Tian Thirteen's breathing grew heavier. Cold sweats wet his dry clothing. Then, he pinched his thighs and reluctantly calmed himself down. "Honored Guest, did your master invited Shen Lang's parents to the wedding?"

"Yes." Jin Zhong said indifferently.

Tian Thirteen immediately recalled Shen Lang's beautiful face disappearing after their separation early morning. So… he managed to climb and hug the Count's thighs… this… is terrible…

He, a murderer, an a.s.sa.s.sin who killed in cold blood all year round had never sensed an imminent danger such as this. It is not clear the level of relationship Shen Lang and the Count formed, but it seems to be… intimate.

This is dangerous!