Chapter 99: The New Order

Overnight, the leadership of Lingnan's four major gangs was virtually wiped out in a bloodbath.

Although the four gangs had collapsed, their assets and businesses remained. For the first few days, the surviving members lived in terror, fearing they would be the next to meet a violent end. But once some time passed and they realized the danger had gone, the real show began.

At the Bamboo Grove Association, anyone ranked outer deacon or higher had been slaughtered without exception, all found dead in their homes. The remaining dozen or so low-ranking bosses rushed to the headquarters with their underlings, eager to divide the spoils left by the deceased. Assets, men, territory—everything was on the table, down to the concubines left behind by this elder, or the underage daughter of that hall master. It was a true eye-opener for the lackeys who followed them, and for many, their very first lesson upon entering the martial world.

Up to this point, things remained relatively civil. After all, these minor bosses already belonged to different factions, and they were mostly taking what had belonged to their respective former leaders. But the moment the discussion turned to who would claim the chief's throne, a violent clash erupted. Necks bulged and eyes turned red, everyone ready to draw their blades at the slightest provocation. The air was thick with tension.

Just as the shouting reached its peak, the doors to the meeting hall were kicked open. A group of constables rushed in, led by a man in a fish-dragon robe—an officer of the Six Doors.

"The Six Doors!"

The minor bosses had been relatively calm, but the sight of that fish-dragon robe made them lose their composure. They at least had enough sense to recognize the authority.

"May I ask what brings your lordship to our Bamboo Grove Association?" One of the minor bosses stepped forward, hoping to curry favor, but the Six Doors constable slapped him straight to the ground.

"The Bamboo Grove Association has conspired with mountain bandits to slaughter innocent villagers. The evidence is irrefutable. All assets are to be confiscated, and all suspects are to be arrested!"

With a wave of the constable's hand, the officers behind him poured in, quickly subduing the room. From beginning to end, not a single person dared to resist.

This exact scene was playing out almost simultaneously across the other three major gangs.

***

A new order was being established.

The imperial court would never tolerate the existence of organizations like the four major gangs, which could stand on equal footing with local authorities.

The Gloom Alliance's slaughter had also gradually ground to a halt. This did not mean that supernatural anomalies would disappear entirely, but rather that they were now contained within a certain limit, no longer disrupting the normal functioning of the mortal world. Even if there was a custom of unchecked slaughter after a battle, that period had long since passed. The court would never allow the Gloom Alliance to continue its destruction; if the foundation of the realm were damaged, it would cause them immense trouble as well.

This battle was a win-win situation. The court had removed the Jia family, a thorn in their side, and reestablished themselves as the sole rulers of Lingnan. Meanwhile, the Gloom Alliance had finally caught its breath after the Jia family's onslaught. Although they knew this peace would not last forever, they had bought some time to rebuild.

Previously, with the Jia family present, the court had been wary and strictly controlled their local numbers. Now that they had reclaimed Lingnan Commandery, they naturally needed to recruit more men. Otherwise, with the handful of officers currently in the Six Doors, they could not possibly govern such a vast commandery. Not just the Six Doors, but all local magistrate offices were expanding their ranks of constables.

When Ning Xiu saw the magistrate's announcement stating that the four major gangs had confessed to their crimes and been brought to justice, he knew that the war between the Gloom Alliance and the Jia family had finally drawn to a close. The Gloom Alliance had reached a new equilibrium with the imperial court.

Sure enough, over the next dozen days, Ning Xiu heard virtually nothing of supernatural anomalies. The ghosts and monsters seemed to have vanished overnight. Many refugees began returning to their hometowns to rebuild.

It was at this juncture that Ning Xiu, using his true appearance, returned to Shouchun.

After all, without ghosts, he could not obtain gold ingots. As for the Gloom Alliance, he was completely in the dark. Currently, he could not think of a better way, and this move was a desperate gamble for him. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about leaving Lingnan, but when he tried, he found that the borders of the commandery were completely sealed. Even from a distance, he could sense waves of terrifying auras, which made him instinctively turn back.

As the former Supreme Elder of the Bamboo Grove Association, Ning Xiu's reappearance immediately drew the attention of various factions. He did not return to the Ning Manor, but went straight to the county magistrate's office.

Soon, Constable Jin, dragging his heavy, flabby frame, came running out of the gates. He stared at Ning Xiu, his face filled with utter disbelief.

"It really is you!"

"How do you still dare to show your face here?!"

Ning Xiu looked at the chubby constable, recalling that their first meeting had been in Xiao Cui's hometown. That was the first time Ning Xiu had ever faced a ghost. In truth, Constable Jin was an old friend of the Ning family and had essentially watched "Ning Xiu" grow up.

"Why wouldn't I dare to come back?" Ning Xiu's lips curved slightly. "Is Constable Jin planning to arrest me?"

"You know the danger, yet you still came back!" Constable Jin glared at him and said, "The court has already closed the case on the four major gangs. You weren't with the Bamboo Grove Association for long, and you weren't involved in their operations, so not many people know about you. As long as you don't go around flaunting your identity, you should be fine."

"I'm not talking about that! Do you have any idea that your life is hanging by a thread?" Constable Jin lowered his voice, his eyes wide. "Every mid-to-high-level member of the four major gangs is on the Gloom Alliance's hit list! Their agents are searching for you everywhere. It would be one thing if you stayed hidden, but you actually dare to show your face in public? Aren't you just looking for death?"

By the end of his rant, Constable Jin was panting heavily from sheer agitation. Ning Xiu, however, remained perfectly calm, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.

This only frustrated Constable Jin further. Just as he was about to scold him again, Ning Xiu spoke.

"Isn't that why I came back? To solve this very problem. I saw the notice. Isn't your office recruiting? It clearly states they only look at ability, regardless of past history. Once I join the government, I doubt the Gloom Alliance, no matter how arrogant they are, would dare touch me."

Hearing this, Constable Jin realized the boy had a point. He stared at Ning Xiu and said, "You rascal, you had this all planned out, didn't you? However, our local office is too small a temple to hold a first-rank expert like you. I will send a carrier pigeon to report this immediately, but whether you can join the Six Doors will depend on your own luck. Tonight, you'd better stay here at the office. Do not cause any more trouble."

But as is often the case, the worst fears are the ones that come true.

That night, Old Li, the constable on duty, went down to inspect the jail cells as was his routine.

"Why aren't the lamps lit?" Old Li muttered as he descended the steps, finding the passage pitch black.

In the darkness, he could faintly make out a figure standing in front of one of the cells.

"Is someone being brought in for questioning?"

Old Li lit the torch on the wall. As the dim, yellow light flickered to life, he looked up and saw a jailer standing before a cell door, attempting to unlock it.

Yet, the door remained shut.

The jailer stood there, completely oblivious to his surroundings, holding a ring of keys and trying them one by one, over and over again.