Chapter 311: Dong Wei

Chapter 311: Dong Wei

Li Chu Town is nestled between mountains and rivers, with a simple and honest folk culture, seeming to be far removed from the chaos of the world. Everyone lives a stable and harmonious life.

Some townsfolk have extraordinary identities and pasts, but after settling in Li Chu Town, they buried their histories in the dust of time, becoming a part of the past.

Without extraordinary identities, here, they are a farmer, a gardener, a carpenter, living in the most ordinary way.

Such days have lasted for many years.

Gradually, they have completely adapted to their current ordinary identities, even slowly forgetting their original selves.

Of course, not everyone in the town is unaware of their pasts, but even if someone knows, they don’t care. In any case, everyone has gotten used to their current lives and doesn’t mind the past.

Tranquility is not eternal; one day, they will no longer have peace and stability.

……

Within the imperial family of the Great Pu Han nation, a secret organization was established, known as Dong Wei.

This organization contains all sorts of peculiar individuals. Initially, it was formed to carry out special tasks in absolute loyalty to the imperial family.

However, as the organization grew and the imperial family became increasingly incompetent, coupled with some ministers wielding too much power, this body which initially served the imperial family gradually transformed into an independent force that secretly recruited talents, continuously expanding its influence.

Now, the authority of the imperial family has significantly diminished, and with the current turmoil in the world, the imperial family still requires the help of Dong Wei to maintain order.

Thus, Dong Wei now walks with confidence, supported by powerful ministers; the imperial family must treat them with some respect, making them even more reckless.

Currently, Dong Wei is gathering talents everywhere, with strict criteria for selection. Those who are called upon are certainly not ordinary individuals.

In today’s world, the majority of talented individuals have a few common destinations: going to sects for training, joining Dong Wei, entering the Refining Demon Sect, or delving into the underworld, all depending on personal talent and capability.

The talents spoken of here are truly capable people, whereas the so-called talents in the Royal Army grasped by the imperial family are far inferior compared to Dong Wei.

Even if the Royal Army has genuine talents, they will be lured away by Dong Wei. Should they refuse, they naturally face assassination or demise.

Even with such arrogance, many people know this fact but dare not speak out.

There’s no choice; facing strength, one can only defer. Furthermore, unless one has a deep-seated grudge against Dong Wei, most people wouldn’t dare provoke them.

But with the rise of the Refining Demon Sect and the underworld, Dong Wei’s influence has also faced setbacks, sustaining casualties during numerous tasks, and their momentum is no longer what it once was. They are now hoping to recruit capable individuals.

Now, they have shifted their targets to Li Chu Town.

“Li Chu Town, I’ve heard there are many remarkable individuals living in seclusion there; perhaps we can invite them to come out.”

Several experts from Dong Wei spread out a map of Great Pu Han, with one finger pointing to a location nestled by mountains and rivers.

At present, in the latest map of Great Pu Han, Li Chu Town is merely mentioned in passing, akin to a tiny dot, with not much other information, given that it is a remote area seldom visited. Its mere mention on the map indicates the diligence of its cartographer.

“Have they truly been in seclusion for so long? Do they still possess any strength?”

Someone raised a question.

“You underestimate them. Even if they have become commoners in seclusion, once they step back onto the old path, they will quickly regain their former prowess.”

The leader of these Dong Wei individuals is a man in his thirties, named Sun Feng. He used to be an assassin, recruited into Dong Wei, and climbed to a minor team leader due to his skills. Currently, he is required by the organization to gather talents.

With his broad knowledge, Sun Feng has previous connections with some townsfolk from Li Chu Town. If he personally persuades them, he believes he can convince them to leave Li Chu Town and serve Dong Wei.

According to Dong Wei’s modus operandi, those who are gathered will either succeed or face dire consequences. Even if they don’t die, they will suffer persecution, with threats gradually pushing them to join Dong Wei.

“We’re here to discuss our actions. Our main goal is to get them into Dong Wei. If we can do it without resorting to force, that would be best. However, if they remain stubborn, we must take extreme measures to make an example of them. If they are attached to Li Chu Town, we can use that as leverage.

To protect their town, they are likely to compromise. Once they agree to join Dong Wei, we can employ our methods to help them regain their former fierceness, making their strengths available for Dong Wei’s use.”

Sun Feng explained their plans, mainly aiming to recruit the experts from Li Chu Town. If negotiations fail, they will resort to underhanded tactics.

Using such underhanded methods is quite common in Dong Wei; if one doesn’t resort to dirtier methods, they won’t fare well in Dong Wei.

Sun Feng then listed the names of primary targets for recruitment in this trip to Li Chu Town. He had their images, along with background information—what they used to do, what supreme techniques they desire, and their weaknesses were all noted on the back of the images.

“This mission allows for no failures. If they resist, we will burn Li Chu Town to the ground.”

“My lord, it seems that Li Chu Town is under the jurisdiction of the Qin family.”

“We in Dong Wei do not fear the imperial family; what is the mere Qin family compared to that? Even if we burn Li Chu Town, we can negotiate with the Qin family afterward. They wouldn’t risk a confrontation with Dong Wei over a trivial town.”

Sun Feng laughed, seeming entirely confident.

“Let’s set off. It’s still a distance to Li Chu Town; the sooner we leave, the sooner we can return.”

With that, the meeting of Dong Wei concluded, and they set out for their destination on the map—Li Chu Town.

……

After some days of rest, Lin Nuo’s health began to improve; at least he no longer needed a wheelchair.

However, these days of recuperation have been quite exhausting.

Mainly, Qin Shili and Luo Xiaoxue kept a close watch on him, resulting in constant banter and tug-of-war; his ears were about to burst.

It was one thing to have them around while he was in a wheelchair, but now they barged in during his sleeping and bathing hours, causing quite the ruckus.

Rumors about Lin Nuo’s affairs have spread in the town; whenever his name comes up, people naturally talk about the incessant rivalry between his two wives vying for his affection.

He just chuckled at that, thinking it was all nonsense.

Seizing an opportunity while Qin Shili and Luo Xiaoxue were distracted, Lin Nuo slipped out to stroll around the town.

He happened to encounter the meat shop owner and thought of jokingly asking, “Hey, do you remember how many people you’ve killed?”

Of course, he didn’t; if the man got offended and came at him with a knife, that wouldn’t be good.

“Ah, it’s Lin the Knight! My apologies, my apologies!”

“Mind your manners, just call me Lin Nuo.”

Lin Nuo quickly interrupted the meat shop owner’s greeting.

“Boss, how much for your pork and beef?”

“Miss Qin has been kind to me, so Lin the Knight can have as much as he wants. I can give it all to Lin the Knight for free.”

“Free, huh?”

Feeling playful, Lin Nuo thought about grilling some meat; the meat looked quite good and would certainly make for a nice barbecue.

“In that case, let’s make it ten pounds.”

Just as the meat shop owner was packaging the meat and preparing to hand it over, someone stepped forward and blocked him.

“This is not your place to interfere.”

The person spoke coldly.