The big shots opened their mouths to answer, suddenly feeling something was wrong with these words. They quickly closed their mouths, though some were quick to speak—Flame Gang leader Ruan Qingyi loudly said, “Naturally!”

Pei Shu at the side of the platform raised his hand and punched him in the face.

With a crack, Ruan Qingyi’s face opened like a soy sauce shop, nose blood gushing down to his chest.

“A scholar can be killed but not humiliated!” he roared furiously. A tooth hung half-loose at his lip, trembling when he spoke, quite comical.

Everyone wanted to laugh but felt chilled.

“Thumbs up.” Jing Hengbo clapped her palms. “Pei Pei, you look best when hitting people!”

Pei Shu looked very satisfied, his eyes flashing with fierce light as he searched around, seemingly wanting Jing Hengbo to see more of his good looks.

Jing Hengbo turned her head and smiled at the furious Ruan Qingyi.

“Thank you for telling me that whoever has the bigger fist gets to talk,” she said. “Was that fist just now big enough?”

Blood flowed from Ruan Qingyi’s lip corners, his eyeballs nearly popping from their sockets, but he truly didn’t dare speak again.

This Queen could kill, could scold, could scheme, and could fight. Her methods were mysteriously unpredictable, and her actions were even more unscrupulous than these jianghu people. Fighting her head-on would only bring suffering and humiliation.

She had come prepared, determined to break the wings of Daimo’s jianghu.

Her own wings secretly harbored the sharpness of eagles, the cunning of foxes, the swiftness of leopards, and the fierce dominance of dragons.

Jing Hengbo walked a few steps on the platform with her hands behind her back, her fiery red cloak and black hair flying together. Everyone felt they were seeing a blooming black peony.

“Now my fist is bigger, so naturally I make the rules,” Jing Hengbo said methodically. “Do you understand the principle of accepting defeat? A group of men gathered in a mountain hollow discussing how to surround one woman, but in the end were surrounded by that woman. Such a shameful thing—if it were me, I’d quickly shut up. I’d hit anyone who spoke. How do you still have the face to argue?”

The big shots on the platform fell silent for a moment. Those below were still cursing and shouting until the big shots angrily shouted, “Shut up.”

All sides gradually quieted. After a long silence on the platform, the Soaring Heaven Gate master finally said in a deep voice, “The Queen speaks correctly—accept defeat. The Queen could condescend to use stratagem, lurking within Rakshasa Gate to surround us. We are ashamed of our inferiority. Since we’ve fallen into the Queen’s hands, kill or flay us as you will. We just don’t know if the Queen kills over a thousand of us today, will she definitely be able to control all of Daimo’s jianghu tomorrow? Will she definitely be able to resist the resistance and pursuit of all our Daimo forces?”

“Who said I must kill you?” Jing Hengbo widened her eyes, saying strangely, “I’m a woman—soft-hearted and tender. Talking about such bloody things frightens me.”

Everyone looked at her still blood-stained hands and the headless corpses of Rakshasa and Yang Jia, speechless.

“If the Queen wants our submission!” Spiritual Rhinoceros Gate’s Shui Xiangtian said violently, “Absolutely impossible!”

Trial Sword Alliance leader Zhang Yuan gave a slight cold smile. “Our submission would be useless anyway. Your Majesty captured us all today, but tomorrow the three gates, four alliances, and seven gangs will have new masters. Though today’s attendees are the elite of our respective sects, even if all are lost here, it won’t truly damage Daimo jianghu’s vitality. Over a thousand corpses lying here today means a hundred thousand new enemies tomorrow. Can you kill all of Daimo’s jianghu people? If you kill all of Daimo’s martial arts world, Daimo will have no people left! Then you can be a figurehead queen? This business—better not do it!”

Dragon Tiger Alliance leader Wang Hu laughed heartily. “When everyone suffers humiliation, that humiliation is no longer humiliation!”

“The Queen probably doesn’t understand our Daimo jianghu’s rules,” Blood Sacrifice Gang leader Feng Han said almost gleefully. “Daimo reveres the law of the jungle—the strong are respected. Gang leaders and gate masters are not absolute dictators but have always been publicly elected. Those without sufficient martial arts and wisdom to convince the masses cannot serve. Once a gang leader does something harmful to the gang’s interests, the gang elders and leaders have the right to elect someone else. So if we stand firm today, we might maintain some final dignity. If we submit to you, even if we return, we’ll be nothing. And your submission agreements from people who are nothing will be useless.”

Jing Hengbo smiled slightly.

She knew these rules.

During carriage discussions with Mister Mu, he had already told her about such situations.

At the time, she felt Daimo jianghu’s system was actually very advanced and enlightened, somewhat like the election and impeachment systems of republican nations. It was hard to imagine that jianghu gangs, dominated by violence and prone to one-man rule, would form such systems.

Such gangs were the most just, most vibrant, most binding, and most difficult to deal with.

Killing or controlling the leaders was useless. Unless you controlled entire gangs, but with fifteen forces total, how could one hand control them all?

Mister Mu hadn’t provided her an answer, wanting her to think for herself.

At this moment, she suddenly thought of Emperor Song, thought of that person.

The situation she now faced—how similar was it to his back then?

Also forces standing everywhere, local powers surrounding the center.

Also full court opposition, her own forces not yet fully gathered.

Also facing opposition from almost everyone, where killing one or two was useless, but killing them all would leave her a commander without troops.

And his choice…

She suddenly felt heartache, not knowing for whom.

All around was breathless quiet, not understanding why the vibrant and flamboyant Queen had suddenly paled.

The gang leaders felt they’d hit her weak spot and were smug. Many people, seeing her suddenly hollow eyes, felt indescribable sorrow.

Behind the crowd, on the large stone, the quietly sitting person in blue robes suddenly turned his head away.

His profile faced the moonlight, and in this moment, his eyes also seemed to glisten.

…

After a moment of silence, Jing Hengbo returned to normal.

The path was naturally difficult. All rulers’ paths were difficult.

Then she’d walk it step by step.

“You want to die? Can’t coerce you? Can’t make you submit?” She chuckled, pointing toward the valley entrance. “I’ve arranged for my subordinates to block the valley entrance. Soon we’ll release poison gas. Since holding you hostage is useless, at least I can kill you for some satisfaction, right?”

“Demon woman!” the gang leaders cursed with splitting eyes.

“Thank you. I think this title is good—curse a few more times?” Jing Hengbo smiled as she kept time.

“Sigh…” The Soaring Heaven Gate master sighed deeply. “What the Queen did today originally amazed this old man, but now I suddenly feel the amazement was premature.”

After speaking, he closed his eyes and said nothing, adopting a waiting-for-death posture.

Jing Hengbo wasn’t angry either and laughed heartily, turning to ask Pei Shu, “The valley entrance has your people, right?”

The proud tyrant snorted, very reluctantly saying, “And Quan Ninghao’s group of useless titled ones.”

Jing Hengbo nodded with satisfaction and called loudly, “Brothers, show them what you’ve got!”

A thunderous sound came from outside, as if heavy objects were being set down. The gang leaders and gang members who had closed their eyes waiting for death wondered in their hearts—could cannons have been brought in?

Was the Queen really this ruthless?

But no cannon sounds came from behind, nor did poison gas enter. Everyone couldn’t resist and turned to look, seeing at the valley entrance objects arranged in a line—about ten or so, each the size of a boat, covered with black cloth.

Most people still didn’t understand, but the gang leaders on the platform all felt their hearts jump.

“Can you guess what these are?” Jing Hengbo smiled sweetly.

The big shots squinted for a long while. The Soaring Heaven Gate master said decisively, “Impossible! They can’t be Heaven Star Treasure Boats!”

“Those who deny with their mouths are usually honest in their hearts,” Jing Hengbo smiled and waved her hand.

Ten or so black cloths flew into the air, the sky seeming covered by black clouds.

This move made all the big shots shudder, secretly thinking whether they could avoid being swept away if this Queen waved from a distance while they were unprepared.

But the cries below were already like giant waves, about to overturn the entire mountain valley.

“Heaven Star Treasure Boats!”

These boats, incredibly precious and important in Daimo, now made their debut before a thousand Daimo jianghu elites at this valley entrance.

Without sails or canopies, the black hulls glowed darkly, carved with many complex golden patterns. Those familiar with these boats knew these patterns served different purposes—some increased buoyancy, some provided propulsion, some collected treasures, some concealed mechanisms to specifically deal with various Black Water Marsh fierce beasts.

In the dark night, ten or so treasure boats lined up like fierce beasts silently crouching, awaiting a fierce pounce.

Many people almost stopped breathing—they could never see so many treasure boats at once in their lifetime!

Heaven Star Treasure Boats were not only priceless but extremely rare in number. Their makers tightly controlled technology and resources, and to ensure the market, they always controlled manufacturing quantities. Money couldn’t buy them.

Scarcity naturally led to competition. As treasure boat prices soared, good resources inevitably flowed to the strong. Among the present forces, some of the trailing gangs had used all their wits but still didn’t have a single boat. This directly caused the strong to grow stronger and the weak weaker, making it difficult for Daimo jianghu rankings to change.

For years, countless people wanted to steal blueprints from Zhanyu tribe’s Zhan Xin, but his defenses were tight. No one knew where he hid the blueprints. Even with blueprints, manufacturing wasn’t guaranteed—many materials needed for treasure boats were locally rare and couldn’t be fully collected.

Many big shots on the platform breathed rapidly, trembling all over, fierce light shooting from their eyes, wanting to immediately pounce and grab a boat!

Those who already owned treasure boats, like the Soaring Heaven Gate masters, were shocked but also uneasy, constantly sizing up the nonchalantly smiling Jing Hengbo—just how many miraculous aspects did this Queen have?

They recognized Heaven Star Treasure Boats and could confirm at a glance these were genuine. No one could counterfeit Heaven Star Treasure Boats!

Many people at the valley entrance forgot their situation and rushed to touch the treasure boats. Several big men stood before each boat. They didn’t stop them but moved their feet to block the outward passages.

The people on the platform had originally focused on the treasure boats but now noticed those big men. Their eyes jumped as they looked at each other and silently sighed.

The Queen’s subordinates might not be numerous, but each was truly elite…

“Are my boats pretty?” Jing Hengbo’s smiling voice rang in their ears.

She waved her hand and the black cloths covered them again. The gang members let out disappointed sighs, gathering together to excitedly discuss those treasure boats.

Having treasure boats meant having resources, treasures, and various inner pills for self-improvement. For gang leaders, it meant having support to advance their strength further and capital to compete for dominance in Daimo.

How could their hearts not burn?

The big shots helplessly swallowed and reluctantly withdrew their longing gazes from the treasure boats, all staring at Jing Hengbo, wanting to know what medicine she was selling.

Did she want them to see the treasure boats before dying, dying satisfied?

“This old man takes back what I said before.” The Soaring Heaven Gate master seemed to age ten years instantly. “Queen, you indeed have the ability to amaze me repeatedly. You might even rely on treasure boats to compete for a position in Daimo. But if you think these boats can make all forces submit to you, forget it.”

“Really?” Jing Hengbo smiled sweetly. “What if I give them to you?”

“What?” Everyone looked up in shock.

“What if I give treasure boats to you, and afterward don’t require your submission, just ask you to agree to a few small conditions?” Jing Hengbo held up one finger to show they were indeed small.

“Your Majesty must be joking!”

“Is Daimo a place for jokes?” Jing Hengbo chuckled. “Do I look like someone who jokes?”

The gang leaders all looked at her—yes, you do.

“Hehe, you’re really annoying, impervious to oil and salt. I’ve probably been too good to you, making you afraid to believe. Then let me be bad to you first.” Jing Hengbo called to Pei Shu, “Pei Pei, come castrate them all first!”

“Castration won’t affect your integrity,” she even turned to seriously explain to them.

“Good good good!” Pei Shu eagerly rushed up and began feeling for knives, pulling out a hooked blade. “Ha! This one’s good! One cut, one scoop—clean and neat!”

His savage smile was full of excitement, his eyes flashing with bloodthirsty light.

“Wait!” the gang leaders all shouted. “Please state your requirements, Queen!”

“Heaven Star Treasure Boats—I give when I say I give. No refusing.” Jing Hengbo beckoned with her finger. “With these boats, you’ll have an explanation for this trip, and your gang leader positions will be secure. When you return, explain however you want—say you captured the Queen and got treasure boats, or say the Queen offered treasure boats to save her life. I’ve given the boats and don’t mind giving you some face too.”

The gang leaders showed no joy.

“Please state your requirements first, Queen!”

Jing Hengbo smiled, thinking Daimo jianghu was truly difficult—these were all old foxes.

“First, I want peace. I preserve your gang leader status and dignity today, and you restrain your gang members from actively attacking me from now on.”

Everyone could guess this point and immediately agreed.

“Second, I want Shangyuan City and its surrounding three counties’ territory. Of course, Shangyuan City is currently in the Daimo clan leader’s hands—you don’t need to worry about that. I’ll get it myself. The surrounding three counties all have your forces—withdraw them all. No interference from now on.”

Everyone looked troubled—the three counties around Shangyuan had relatively good climate, rich products, and the wealthiest people. More crucially, these three counties were the only route to Shangyuan. Controlling here trapped the Daimo clan leader. Several major forces present all counted on first controlling forces in those three counties to gradually erode, then drive straight in to seize the royal palace. But mutual restraint made success impossible. Withdrawing now meant greatly reduced chances of grasping Daimo’s royal power and army. Moreover, giving this territory to the Queen meant if she truly seized the royal palace, connecting palace and three counties would create the most important and prosperous territory. Xianqiao County among the three counties even had direct passages to Black Water Marsh—very important.

This matter was significant enough to affect future Daimo patterns. All big shots, especially the front-ranking ones, pondered silently.

“I know you’re reluctant, but do you really not want your lives or to continue as gang leaders? You’re trapped in my hands today—do you still want to give nothing, yet escape with your lives, get treasure boats, and maintain your status? Are there such good things in the world?” Jing Hengbo unhurriedly blew on her fingers. “You’ve occupied those three counties for so many years—has anyone successfully entered the royal palace? Continuing this way is just mutual restraint. Why cling stubbornly? Occupying the toilet without shitting is the world’s most shameless behavior, understand?”

“We have smaller forces in the three counties and can withdraw,” several gang leaders immediately said. “The main forces are with Soaring Heaven, Spiritual Rhinoceros, and others.”

The Soaring Heaven Gate master was about to speak when Jing Hengbo pointed, sealing his mouth.

“Don’t speak. Don’t be high-sounding there—you’re the most high-sounding and passionate.” She sneered. “But I heard you have several wives? A guy calling himself a Taoist but still marrying wives to continue his lineage—how attached and unable to let go are you?”

Hitting the nail on the head, the Soaring Heaven Gate master who’d wanted to be passionate turned pig-liver colored.

“Can you really give up the four great emptinesses? Fine, if you can let go, I can too. I’ll count to three—if you don’t agree, off with the dick.” Jing Hengbo said rapidly, “One, three…”

“I agree!” The Soaring Heaven Gate master shouted miserably.

Pei Shu regretfully withdrew his claws, staring at the Soaring Heaven Gate master’s torn pants and shaking his head in disappointment.

“I have one request,” Spiritual Rhinoceros Gate master Shui Xiangtian said with a miserable expression. “Immediately withdrawing directly from the three counties—we can’t explain to elders and gang members. Our leader positions would still be hard to maintain. We can cooperate with your acting. You send people to station in the three counties, we’ll pretend to be outmatched and retreat step by step, yielding the three counties to you.”

“That works.” Jing Hengbo spread her hands. “Hand over the seals and tokens you use to command three-county branches, plus your branch layouts, personnel distributions, passwords and signals, shops and estates in the three counties.”

The gang leaders could only comply obediently. Jing Hengbo took these items and ordered titled captain subordinates to go verify and check with each gang’s members.

Most of what each gang brought were trusted confidants who definitely knew this information. If it didn’t match up, then it was fabricated.

Fortunately, everyone knew her methods, and hastily making up such information wasn’t so easy. Everything checked out upon verification.

Jing Hengbo naturally didn’t need these things, but possessing this information meant she didn’t fear these guys going back on their word.

Jing Hengbo looked around in a circle. The gang leaders looked like defeated fighting cocks, none willing to meet her gaze.

“Third condition,” Jing Hengbo drew a large circle with her hand, “Everyone, including your subordinates, hand over all important and valuable items on your person!”

Everyone blinked, unable to keep up with her thinking. Just now she was swallowing mountains and rivers, her gaze encompassing the entire jianghu world, even giving away treasure boats for free. How had she suddenly turned into a bandit queen robbing on the highway?

“Hurry up,” Jing Hengbo urged with a smile, “Do you really want my people to release poison gas at the valley entrance and poison you all before searching? I can’t guarantee what parts you’ll be missing after my people search you.”

Having already given up territory, what more could they say? Hand it over.

The gang leaders passed down orders, and everyone emptied their pockets together. With nothing to hold the items, Jing Hengbo ordered people to empty Meng Po Tian’s basket and fill it to the brim.

The one emptying Meng Po Tian’s basket was Tian Qi. Seeing there were actually erotic pictures in the basket, he cursed loudly, “Jing Hengbo, why are you making people do this kind of thing! So embarrassing!”

Jing Hengbo held her forehead—sending Tian Qi out was indeed embarrassing…

After emptying everything, everyone blinked at Jing Hengbo, waiting for the Queen’s next trick.

The Queen smiled beautifully, but looked spine-chilling.

Jing Hengbo bit Pei Shu’s ear. Pei Shu came over with a sinister smile, his expression saying “my wife is so cunning and I’m very satisfied,” arranging the big shots in order—weaker gang leaders with less ability in front, stronger leaders in back.

Everyone lined up inexplicably, looking at Pei Shu’s equally malicious smile, feeling even colder inside, especially those ranked last like the Soaring Heaven Gate master, who felt even more ominous.

“Fourth condition,” Jing Hengbo pointed toward outside the valley, “This isn’t a condition I’m making, but a benefit I’m giving you.” She snapped her fingers. “Eleven Heaven Star Treasure Boats, given freely, but!” Facing everyone’s intense, not-daring-to-be-careless gazes, she smiled with satisfaction. “Timed robbery, first come first served! I’ll count one, two, three and release you all at the same time. Then go rob! Whoever grabs one gets it—if you can’t grab one, tough luck!”

“Jing Hengbo, you shameless woman—” The Soaring Heaven and Spiritual Rhinoceros gate masters at the back roared together.

They’d been tricked!

They were arranged at the back! And their gang members, because Soaring Heaven and Spiritual Rhinoceros had high status, had grabbed the best positions inside.

With simultaneous grabbing starting soon, they themselves would be a step behind, and their gang members blocked inside would also lag behind. Instead, the weaker gangs’ members near the entrance would have the advantage. How could they possibly grab any!

Once weak gangs grabbed them, Daimo’s power rankings could be completely reshuffled!

And with the narrow valley entrance, this round of grabbing would definitely cause losses to elite strength!

But they couldn’t not grab!

An open conspiracy, an incredibly vicious open conspiracy!

The Black Water Queen was truly black!

They didn’t have time to curse anymore because Jing Hengbo was already saying rapidly, “One, two, three—release!”

“Grab them—”

With a great shout, the big shots on the platform ran out like ghosts were chasing them.

The Soaring Heaven Gate master, ranked last, immediately struck at the Flame Gang leader ranked first.

The Flame Gang leader dodged aside, stepped on someone’s head, and silently charged forward—no need to worry about anything else, grabbing one meant success!

Figures flashed wildly, bodies crossed horizontally, palm winds danced with hidden weapons, ambushes coexisted with killing moves.

Angry curses and wild shouts constantly rang out in mid-air.

“Who the hell ambushed me!”

“Use hidden weapons and your whole family dies!”

More people stayed silent, running wildly! Stepping on the dark mass of rolling heads!

The valley entrance had already gone crazy. The weaker gangs on the outermost edge wouldn’t let such a good opportunity pass. People kept roaring, “Block the back! Block the back!”

“Grab first! Grab first!”

Those behind had red eyes, blocked and unable to move. Not caring who was in front, they drew swords and chopped.

“One here!”

“Those who block me die!”

Vast waves of people rolled away, scraping up three layers of ground, dust rising three zhang high. Crossing low hills, tree branches were trampled and broken, trunks pushed down. Broken leaves and shoes flew everywhere. Cold light mixed with blood splattered but was immediately swept away by the charging crowd, not even having a chance to hit the ground.

From time to time people joyfully shouted “Got one! Got one!” Others nearly wailed, “Gone! All gone!”

Jing Hengbo put her hands on her hips and laughed toward the sky—wasn’t this just like Singles’ Day in the modern world? Zero-hour grabbing, blood-vomiting price cuts, grab the big brands first! Crappy websites get lost!

Half-price discounts, only today, miss it and wait another year!

There was still one going against the current in the crowd—Meng Po Tian, who had been woken up and was being carried out, struggling and crying loudly, “My basket! My treasures collected over ten years! My heart, my life!”

Jing Hengbo laughed even more happily—my figurines! My limited edition manga! My regiment commander, my regiment!

“Release champagne to celebrate!” She waved her hand. “Celebrating thirty-eight minutes past zero hour, Taobao Tmall transaction volume breaks record at ten billion!”

Someone always understood the Queen’s strange words. Pei Shu quickly threw out two giant explosive fireworks.

“Bang! Bang!” The earth shook and mountains trembled, the noise like thunder. Half the mountain seemed to shake, dead leaves on the whole mountain rustled down like yellow rain.

Everyone within ten li heard it. Countless civilians rushed out of their homes, standing on high ground to look toward this direction.

The gang members were startled by the noise behind them and frantically rushed forward. In the spreading smoke, unable to accurately assess the situation, they thought it was thunder bombs or similar weapons and ran wildly carrying their grabbed treasure boats.

So the civilians who came nearby saw the locust-like fleeing of fourteen gangs’ members from the valley entrance—usually arrogant, today like homeless dogs; saw gang leaders stepping on heads to run out—usually high and mighty, today with holes in their pants; saw at the end of the smoke and dust, a red-clothed woman flashing in mid-air, her bright red cloak flying like a banner in the smoke as she stood with hands on hips laughing heartily.

“Good riddance, safe travels!”

The civilians gasped.

Afterward, shocking news quickly spread through Daimo, surrounding tribes, and gradually toward Emperor Song.

On a certain year, month, and day, three gates, four alliances, and seven gangs gathered at Danling Mountain to hold a “King-Killing Assembly,” intending to execute the Black Water Queen. The Queen single-handedly broke into the assembly, displayed divine might, captured fourteen gang leaders alone, and drove them out of the valley along with tens of thousands of gang members. At that time, the Queen’s sleeve waves shook the earth and mountains, her finger snaps brought rolling thunder. All gang leaders were terrified and none dared resist, fleeing in panic and leaving countless tokens behind…

The name of the Black Water Queen, forgotten by many and thought to have died on the difficult road, spread throughout the world in one night.

Countless people slammed tables and rose, countless people moved upon hearing the wind, countless people threw down scrolls and laughed at the absurdity, and countless others wept with joy, shouting: Believe in our Queen—she will not be forgotten, she will return!

In the《Jianghu Records》by Jian Zhizhuo, second of the Thirteen Guardians, there was this record:

“On the twenty-third day of the eighth month of the Gengshen year, crowds gathered at Danling Valley to capture and kill the Queen—the first time heroes had assembled in Daimo jianghu for decades. However, the capture and killing failed, and they fell into others’ hands instead… Looking at this matter overall, the planner was the Queen, but the one pushing from behind was Shadow Pavilion’s Mister Mu… In this battle, the heroes yielded three counties and gained treasure boats. It seemed like an even exchange of gains and losses, but actually left deep future troubles… The Black Water Queen’s foundation for great undertakings in Daimo jianghu and even the world began from that day.”

…

Pushed by the “champagne salute,” the fourteen gangs’ members ran far away at unprecedented speed, carrying treasure boats.

As for whether those who grabbed treasure boats on the road could keep them, how those who didn’t grab any would make killing moves, how many would be left when returning, and how they would explain things in the end—these were no longer matters Jing Hengbo planned to care about.

She turned back to look at that basket full of money and goods from the various heroes, smiling even more happily—even if the big shots wanted to deny their defeat, they couldn’t. With all their personal belongings gone, who would believe they hadn’t fled in panic?

She didn’t care about wealth—what she wanted was this “utter defeat” effect.

Earlier when she said the gang leaders could falsely claim to have defeated her and seized treasure boats, that was all deception. Hmph, who said she’d give them face? Only by ruthlessly trampling their faces could she gain face!

After this day, though the fourteen gangs couldn’t be said to be severely damaged, they had lost face and missed the initiative. The grudges buried during the treasure boat grabbing would become long-term hidden troubles between gangs.

She had seized one opportunity tightly and succeeded in one stroke, forcefully squeezing out her own territory in Daimo, said to be “impenetrable even by a needle.”

There was proper measure in this. Holding leaders hostage didn’t mean commanding the world. Demanding too much would only force others to fight to the death, ultimately just killing a few people and gaining nothing. Too little would seem like wasted effort and show insufficient wisdom.

Choosing the three counties—for the fourteen gangs, this was tasteless, not damaging fundamentally and acceptable; for herself, it was essential territory. From now on, using the three counties as base, she could seize Shangyuan inward and expand power outward. The Black Water Queen had finally stood on Black Water’s soil.

This was her opening battle upon reaching Daimo. It required force, wisdom, and proper measure. She felt she’d fought beautifully.

She turned back. Ying Bai raised his wine cup to her, Pei Shu gave her a thumbs up, Zi Rui and Yong Xue looked proud, Seven Kills laughed and joked, even Er Gouzi rarely composed poetry to praise her: “Heaven birthed an immortal cave, infinite scenery at the wave peak.”

Her heart was full of comfort and satisfaction. Her gaze swept around but suddenly discovered someone was missing.

Mister Mu.

The large stone near the valley entrance was empty.

Jing Hengbo was alarmed—could it be that during the valley entrance chaos just now, when large numbers of people swarmed out, he’d been knocked down?

Thinking of the large chaotic crowd stampeding through the valley entrance, squeezing past the large stone, him being squeezed off the rock, unable to get up in time, then trampled into the mud by countless feet… She was so frightened her hair stood on end. She rushed down from the platform in several steps, running toward the large stone to search front and back.

“What are you doing?” Pei Shu was baffled but still quickly followed, lighting a fire starter to help her search. Jing Hengbo held her heart, examining the ground inch by inch, afraid of finding bloody muddy soil.

The soil showed no abnormalities. She searched through scattered boots and socks, wanting to see if Mister Mu had been squeezed off the stone. Pei Shu watched her turn over even smelly men’s smelly shoes and socks one by one, couldn’t help widening his eyes. “What exactly are you looking for?”

“A man!” She was in a bad mood and didn’t turn back.

Though Mister Mu hadn’t exerted himself in this battle, without his hints and teaching during their carriage journey, she couldn’t have integrated the plan so perfectly. She might even have been outmaneuvered on the spot due to insufficient understanding of these people, completely losing initiative. Forget getting three counties—whether she could escape unharmed would be questionable.

Because she didn’t actually have poison that could subdue a thousand people in open ground. Capturing leaders while letting gang members escape would only invite more enemies.

How could she not care about this behind-the-scenes contributor?

“You’re looking for that man on the stone, right?” Pei Shu suddenly said. “He left early.”

“You know?” Jing Hengbo whirled around, grabbing Pei Shu’s arm with delight. “You saw? How did you notice him from so far away? You’re not lying to me, are you?”

“Because you kept paying attention to him!” Pei Shu yelled irritably in her ear. “Fickle woman! Your eyes kept glancing over every little while—do you think I’m blind!”

After cursing, he added resentfully, “Just a pretty boy. And he has no feelings for you either. Things here barely finished and he ran away…”

“Good that he ran, good that he ran.” Jing Hengbo stood up, overjoyed. “I know where he went.” She turned to leave.

“Stop.” This time Pei Shu grabbed her arm. “Who is he? Why do you want to find him? How is it that after just a few days away, you’ve hooked up with another…”

“Please stop talking in my husband’s tone.” Jing Hengbo kicked toward his golden region. “Who are you!”

“I’m Pei Shu! I swore to marry you!”

“I also swore to defeat Taishi Lan and make her kneel calling me Queen.” Jing Hengbo kicked him and left. “But who knows which dimension she flew off to! Young man, listen to sister—don’t casually make vows. Even if you make them, don’t take them too seriously. Heaven is very unreliable, fate is very shameless. The fiercer your vows, the less they’ll fulfill them. Keep low-key, we must be low-key, okay?”

“Jing Hengbo, I know you were hurt and no longer believe in vows!” Pei Shu got up and chased after her. “But I’m not Gong…”

“Shut up!”

“Jing Hengbo!”

A great roar startled night birds into the sky with caws, and fallen leaves all over the ground flew up.

Ying Bai and others all looked this way, then took Seven Kills and walked far away.

“Jing Hengbo, stop right there.” Pei Shu glared at Jing Hengbo’s back through gritted teeth.

Jing Hengbo stopped but didn’t turn around. She frowned, feeling things were getting a bit wrong.

The Baolong wouldn’t joke around with her anymore.

“Don’t think I’ll keep playing around with you forever.” Pei Shu stared at her back, having calmed down from his rage, saying word by word, “You clearly know what I mean.”

Jing Hengbo shrugged.

“And don’t think this is a whim. Maybe initially when I first said I wanted you as my wife, it was a whim, but later, very quickly it wasn’t.” He said, “I, Pei Shu, keep my word and am naturally persistent. You know this. Someone like me—words spoken have no reason to be taken back.”

“I advise you to think it through carefully.” She looked up at the moon in the sky. The moonlight was cold and desolate, unaware of human affairs. “I remember you didn’t even understand what love was at first.”

“So you think I’ll never understand?” He said angrily, “What if I say I understand now?”

“You think this is playing house? You understand just by saying you understand.” She laughed.

“This is exactly something you understand by saying you understand! Just like liking someone—it comes when it comes!” He said each word like gold. “I admit I wasn’t serious at first. But later I really thought you were wonderful. But it was just thinking you were good and being used to being with you—I didn’t think much about it. But when you left Seven Peaks Mountain, these days I discovered I think of you when eating, think of you when sleeping, think of you first thing when I open my eyes each morning, still think of you before sleeping. To catch up with you quickly, I went three days and nights without sleep and was first to catch up. Then I knew that in my heart, you had already become so important.”

She said nothing. Anything she said now would be wrong. She wondered if Mister Mu had gone to Shadow Pavilion headquarters. He and Lei Shengyu must have a showdown—didn’t know if it was resolved.

This person was also stubborn, not wanting to owe her favors.

Her silence looked to Pei Shu like she was moved. Joy bloomed in his eyes as he softened his tone.

“Jing Hengbo, I know you’ve been hurt…” He paused, carefully watching her, afraid she’d explode.

She was lost in thought. No reaction.

Pei Shu sighed with relief, suddenly feeling heartache again. He, Pei Shu, had dominated battlefields and looked down on the mortal world—when had he ever carefully considered others’ feelings?

He felt sorry for himself for one second, then immediately rallied, softening his voice. Tonight might not be a good opportunity, but after tonight there might not be another chance. She always laughed and deflected, treating him like a little brother. He didn’t like it.

He liked her strength and carefree nature, but didn’t like her being too carefree, laughing off and ignoring feelings.

“Maybe I should congratulate you.” He snorted. “You didn’t sink into such a blow. You showed a strong heart. You even cast off past weaknesses. Seeming to laugh as usual, you actually became hard and cold, fearless. You already possess the qualities a politician should have—composure, toughness, seeming passionate but actually cold, seeming gentle but actually firm. You can even always be light and casual about my…” He said word by word, “confession.”

Jing Hengbo acted as if she hadn’t heard the last two words, waving her hand with a smile. “Yes, I also think I’ve grown. Really cause for celebration. I hope you’re genuinely happy for me. I have something to do, so I’ll go first, mwah mwah.”

“Jing Hengbo!”

“Sigh…” She sighed.

Will this ever end!

“Someone told me—nothing breaks, nothing builds.” His gaze was bright. “Everyone else doesn’t dare ask that question—I will ask! You must answer me!”

Jing Hengbo’s heart jumped. She turned to leave, but Pei Shu had already stepped forward and grabbed her shoulder.

“Jing Hengbo! Free yourself! Look at others! Tell me—did you use the first half of your life only to love Gong Yin, and will use the second half only to hate Gong Yin!”

…