Ten Thousand Sword Masters

Zhu Yiwen and Du Zhong arrived at Yang Changping's office, where Yang Changping instructed them to sit down.

"I think you've all noticed that a lot of unfamiliar martial arts figures have come to the town recently," Yang Changping said, his expression serious.

Upon hearing this, Du Zhong immediately straightened his slightly hunched posture: "Yes, there have been noticeably more people coming and going in the town recently. It's as if I've returned to the bustling days of the past."

"Even when the town was prosperous in the past, I doubt there were this many martial arts practitioners coming here. In fact, I feel that more and more martial arts practitioners are coming," Zhu Yiwen said.

"That's why I've called you here to discuss this. I've also noticed that there are more and more martial arts figures around. Although we Nine Star Guards don't handle things like public order, there must be a reason why so many martial arts figures have come. If it involves demons and monsters that we don't know about beforehand, I'm afraid we'll be in a very passive position if something happens in the future," Yang Changping said.

"What can attract martial arts practitioners is nothing more than secret martial arts manuals, elixirs, precious swords and divine weapons, or beautiful women. But Cangxi Town has none of these things. We may have a few beauties, but that's not enough to attract so many martial arts practitioners," Du Zhong analyzed.

Upon hearing Du Zhong's words, Yang Changping pondered for a moment before saying, "I intend to send two armored soldiers to investigate this matter. What do you think?"

"I agree."

Zhu Yiwen and Du Zhong responded in unison.

"Alright then."

Upon hearing this, Yang Changping's expression hardened. His eyes darted around, and after a moment's thought, he said, "How about sending Liu Fei and Zhang Jianyun to investigate this matter?"

"Liu Fei is reliable, and Zhang Jianyun is currently too late, but he is also a trustworthy person. I agree to send the two of them to investigate this matter," Zhu Yiwen nodded.

"Alright, it's settled then," Yang Changping said.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yiwen and Du Zhong took their leave, and Yang Changping sent a text message to Liu Fei and Zhang Jianyun, asking them to come to his office.

Before long, Zhang Jianyun and Liu Fei arrived at the office.

"I've called you two here today because I have an important task for you," Yang Changping said bluntly.

"Boss, what's the mission?" Liu Fei asked anxiously.

"Recently, many martial arts practitioners have come to the town. I order you two to go and find out their purpose in coming to the town," Yang Changping said.

"Okay, boss, don't worry, we've got this under control," Liu Fei said, patting his chest.

"Alright, then you two change out of your uniforms and put on your usual clothes, and go investigate," Yang Changping said.

Immediately, Zhang and Liu accepted the order and left the office.

"Let's all go home and change our clothes first, and then meet at Jiaxing Restaurant in a bit," Liu Fei said.

"Don't just think about eating and drinking right at the start of the mission," Zhang Jianyun said.

"What are you thinking about?" Liu Fei put his hand on Zhang Jianyun's shoulder. "Those martial arts figures will definitely be spending money at the restaurant. Let's sit on the side and find out some information."

"Alright, see you at Jiaxing Restaurant later."

When Zhang Jianyun returned home, he saw Cao Fen carrying a basket full of straw sandals as she came out from the doorway.

"Why are you back?"

When Cao Fen ran into Zhang Jianyun, she asked in surprise.

"Sect Master Yang assigned a mission to Liu Fei and me. We need to come back and change clothes; we can't go on the mission in our uniforms," ​​Zhang Jianyun said.

"Then you should go change your clothes quickly," Cao Fen said, and started to walk forward.

"Give me the basket, I'm going to Jiaxing Restaurant, I'll deliver it to my father on the way." Zhang Jianyun said, hurriedly taking out his key to open the door, and quickly changed his clothes in the room before coming out.

He took the basket from Cao Fen and strode towards Phoenix Street.

"Selling straw sandals! Selling straw sandals! Sir/Madam, would you like to try some of my straw sandals?"

"Hey bro, how much are your straw sandals?"

"Ten coins a pair."

"Let me try those two on."

Carrying a basket, I arrived at Phoenix Street and saw a burly man standing in front of my father's stall, trying on straw sandals.

"Great, they're comfortable to wear. Give me two pairs of these sizes."

"Hello, sir."

Overjoyed, Zhang Song found two pairs of straw sandals of the same size, tied them together with straw rope, and handed them to the man.

"Twenty coins, count them carefully." The man handed over twenty coins.

Zhang Song caught it and quickly counted, "I counted correctly."

After the man left, Zhang Jianyun picked up the basket and walked to the stall.

"Why are you here? Aren't you at work today?" Zhang Song asked curiously.

"Master Yang assigned a task to Liu Fei and me. We couldn't wear uniforms, so Liu Fei and I went home to change and agreed to meet at Jiaxing Restaurant," Zhang Jianyun said.

"Okay, then put the basket here, don't delay your business," Zhang Song said. At this moment, a man came to the stall.

"How much are these shoes?"

"Good sir, the shoes are ten coins a pair," Zhang Song hurriedly said.

"Too expensive," the man said, turning to leave.

"Good sir, I'll charge you eighteen coins if you buy two pairs," Zhang Song said hastily.

The man stopped in his tracks upon hearing this. "Then I'll give it a try."

Seeing that his father's business was doing well, Zhang Jianyun smiled and then walked towards Jiaxing Restaurant.

"Seeing the clouds!"

Zhang Jianyun met Liu Fei at the entrance of the restaurant. Liu Fei called out and put his hand on Zhang Jianyun's shoulder. The two then entered Jiaxing Restaurant.

"Master Liu, you've arrived."

The waiter recognized Liu Fei and hurriedly came over to greet him.

"Master Liu, you've arrived very early today. I'll arrange a private room right away," the waiter said warmly.

"No need, we'll just sit in the main hall. Serve me all the food for today. I'm going to sit here all day, so put the bill on Wang Chaoyang's tab." Liu Fei said, walking into the main hall and casually finding a seat to sit down.

"This is a good location. There are other tables all around, and it's not in the middle, so it's not too conspicuous," Liu Fei said.

"Can we hear any useful information while we're sitting here?" Zhang Jianyun asked suspiciously.

At this moment, the waiter brought out a plate of kimchi and wine.

"Gentlemen, please finish your drinks first, the dishes will be served shortly."

Liu Fei opened the wine pot and filled Zhang Jianyun's cup with wine. "Why don't you believe me? Restaurants and brothels are the fastest places to get information. It's so early in the morning, we can't go to a brothel, so we can only come to a restaurant."

"Come on, let's have a drink." Liu Fei raised his glass and clinked it with Zhang Jianyun's; the two of them drank it all in one gulp.

"Gentlemen, the fried peanuts are here." The waiter brought over a plate of peanuts.

"Let's just eat and drink slowly, since it's not like you or I have to pay," Liu Fei said, picking up a peanut with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.

Giddy up! Giddy up!

Just as Zhang and Liu were eating and drinking, two burly men wearing trench coats and cloaks rode up to the outside of Jiaxing Restaurant.

"Brother, we've been traveling for most of the day, let's find a restaurant to have a bite to eat and drink."

"So, why did you stop outside this Xing Restaurant? Fine, whatever you say."

The two men dismounted as they spoke, and simultaneously called out into the restaurant, "Waiter, come and get my horse."