Chapter 913: Linjiang

A broad river stretched out before Wang Chen.

A cool mist brushed against his face, and in the distance, the mountains rolled on, adorned with lush pines and cypresses, creating a refreshing and serene atmosphere.

However, this river also obstructed Wang Chen’s path.

Fortunately, there were boats available for ferrying.

The ferries varied in size, and since they controlled the official road leading east and west, their business was thriving.

Wang Chen chose not to join the crowd on the larger ferry; instead, he hired a small boat, instructing the boatman to take him directly to the riverside dock at Linjiang City.

Linjiang, as the name suggests, was a city situated right by the river.

“Sir, are you heading to Linjiang to visit relatives or friends?”

Once both man and horse were aboard, the boatman, pushing a long bamboo pole, curiously inquired of Wang Chen.

He was usually a man of few words, but Wang Chen’s youthful appearance and striking handsomeness prompted him to speak up.

Wang Chen replied calmly, “I have business to attend to.”

Noticing Wang Chen’s serious demeanor, the boatman dared not press further.

The small boat drifted downstream for about ten miles before arriving at a county nestled between the mountains and the water.

The boatman skillfully guided the small boat to the pier.

As Wang Chen paid the fare, the dark-skinned boatman couldn’t help but offer a word of caution, “Young sir, Linjiang has been a bit chaotic lately. Please be careful and avoid talking to strangers.”

Wang Chen felt a mix of amusement and awkwardness, but recognizing the boatman’s good intentions, he handed over a few extra coins.

Then, leading his yellow horse, he stepped off the boat and onto the dock.

Linjiang County, with its convenient water and land transportation, attracted numerous merchants and travelers, making the dock a bustling hub of activity. People soliciting customers, transporting goods, conducting business, and selling snacks and tea were everywhere, creating a noisy and chaotic scene.

Among the crowd were some idle men, glancing around with restless eyes.

As soon as Wang Chen arrived at the dock, he immediately caught the attention of certain individuals.

Though dressed in plain casual clothing, Wang Chen’s height, build, and striking appearance, along with the yellow horse he led, made him stand out like a crane among chickens in this chaotic place.

“Is this your first time in Linjiang, young master?”

An idle man approached with a smirk, “Do you need a guide? My name is Elder Huang Liu; I know the county city like the back of my hand. Just a few coins will do.”

As he blocked Wang Chen’s path, several others closed in from different directions, forming a tight circle around him and isolating him from the rest of the crowd on the dock.

Many onlookers noticed the scene—some with glee, others with sympathy, while a few hesitated about intervening but ultimately did nothing.

Surrounded, Wang Chen frowned and, in a deep voice, commanded, “I don’t need your help. Step aside.”

The man calling himself Elder Huang Liu remained unfazed and exchanged a glance with his companions.

One of them reached out to shove Wang Chen’s shoulder. “How dare you speak to our Brother Liu like that?”

At the same moment, another man reached for the satchel hanging beside the saddle.

The local ruffians worked together with remarkable coordination, as if they had done this countless times before.

Crack!

In the next moment, the idle man who had pushed Wang Chen suddenly found his right hand bent downward, as if it had been forcibly twisted off.

“Ah!”

A piercing scream erupted.

And it was two cries at once.

Behind Wang Chen, a severed hand hung bloodily from the satchel.

The man who lost his right hand staggered back two steps, his eyes wide in disbelief, before collapsing to the ground in a faint.

No one could see how his hand had been severed!

Elder Huang Liu, standing in front of Wang Chen, turned pale and involuntarily stepped back.

Just a moment ago, he had seen Wang Chen move, and then a flash of silver light passed by, causing two of his companions to meet with disaster simultaneously.

A master!

Elder Huang Liu never imagined that the little fat sheep he had targeted today was, in fact, a roaring tiger with sharp claws!

“Someone’s been killed! Someone’s been killed!”

Elder Huang Liu’s companion, overwhelmed by intense pain and confusion, cried out in agony.

The onlookers quickly backed away.

“What’s going on?”

In just a moment, several patrolling officers charged through the crowd with great vigor.

Upon seeing them, Elder Huang Liu felt overjoyed, as if he had grasped a life-saving straw.

“Captain Li!”

He urgently shouted, “Quick, capture this violent criminal! He just chopped off my brother’s hand!”

In this riverside dock, survival without the local officers’ supervision was impossible.

Elder Huang Liu had a good relationship with them and had always shown them respect.

Once an incident occurred, Captain Li would certainly help him resolve it.

This was why Elder Huang Liu’s courage grew, making him even more audacious!

“Good courage!”

The recently arrived officer, a burly and rough-looking man, brandished a chain and shouted at Wang Chen, “Kneel down!”

However, in the next moment, the fierce expression on Captain Li’s face turned to shock as his raised chain fell uselessly.

Before him appeared a black-and-red badge.

“Blood, Blood Guard…”

Small beads of sweat burst from Captain Li’s forehead as his lips trembled, barely managing to spit out a few words.

Blood Guard!

This word seemed like a spell, instantly silencing the surroundings.

Everyone turned to look at Wang Chen, each face revealing fear.

Who would have thought that such a handsome young man was a brutal member of the Blood Guard!

Elder Huang Liu felt darkness closing in on him, nearly passing out.

He forgot to check the almanac before leaving home today!

“Captain Li, is it?”

Wang Chen, holding the badge, lightly said, “These people committed robbery in public. How do you plan to punish them?”

“Capture them!”

Captain Li squeezed out a word between clenched teeth, then, as if mad, shouted to his subordinates, “What are you waiting for? Grab these guys! Those who resist will be killed without question!”

Several officers, as if waking from a dream, immediately pounced on Elder Huang Liu and the others like a pack of wolves.

Elder Huang Liu did not dare to resist.

Being thrown into jail left him with a chance to survive; refusing arrest now would mean certain death. Captain Li would never consider their past relationship.

He might even take his head to please this young Blood Guard!

But it was too late for regrets.

Once the officers took Elder Huang Liu and the others away, Captain Li bowed deeply and respectfully to Wang Chen, “My lord, are you heading to the Wei Hall now? I will guide you!”

Strictly speaking, Captain Li’s address was incorrect.

Wang Chen was a newly inducted member of the Blood Guard and held no official rank, unworthy of being called "my lord."

However, compared to Captain Li, his status was much higher.

In fact, even the officials of Linjiang County would not easily dare to show Wang Chen a grim face.

Seeing how fast Captain Li changed his approach and knowing Wang Chen was new in town, he did not press against him further, simply saying, “Thank you.”

Captain Li bowed deeply, “You flatter me, my lord!”