The divine manifestations began at the Gongwei Division.

The moon rises above the treetops.

A flower boat, more than ten feet long, was moored on the shore.

Yao Lie, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, and Gao Mengwei, the head of the Tingfeng Hall, personally stood on the shore to wait.

If someone familiar with them saw this scene, they would surely be curious.

Yao Lie, the leader of the Dajiang Gang, is a big shot in Dajin County.

Even the county magistrate might not be able to make him wait in person.

Now he actually stood by the river with his trusted confidant Gao Mengwei, waiting for a full half hour.

This level of attention alone is enough to prove that the people he's hosting tonight are no ordinary people.

Moreover, he also chartered the largest pleasure boat in Dajin County.

"Is everything ready?"

Yao Lie looked ahead along the road and saw only darkness. He said expressionlessly.

"Everything is ready."

Gao Mengwei whispered, "There's something added to the candle that will prematurely activate the effects of the Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill. Within an hour, his tendons and bones will be broken."

Without Zhou Heng, Chen Zhaowu is no threat.

"Be careful, the Demon Slayer Captain is not so easy to deal with."

Yao Lie said.

"Don't worry, Chief. The candle itself is not poisonous; it only triggers the effects of the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill. They will not be able to detect anything unusual."

Gao Mengwei said confidently, "Then we'll have the Dragon God devour them both, and with the county magistrate's cooperation in reporting it, we can pin everything on that old ox in the north of the city. It'll be a perfect cover-up."

Before the words were finished, the sound of horses' hooves rang out in the distance.

Lanterns illuminated the street as Zhou Heng and Chen Zhaowu arrived together in a carriage.

Yao Lie and Gao Mengwei tacitly shut their mouths, greeted them with smiles, and after exchanging pleasantries, led them onto the flower boat.

This was the first time Zhou Heng had ever witnessed such a scene. He looked around with great interest, and his gaze paused for a moment when it swept over the courtesans.

In his previous life, he was well-versed in the internet and had seen a lot.

But what you see on screen and what you see in real life are two different things.

The guests and hosts took their seats.

Zhou Heng placed the Dragon Sparrow Blade in the most easily accessible position without making a sound, and at the same time quietly placed a wooden sword beside him.

Chen Zhaowu, looking as if he had seen it all before, glared at Yao Lie and said.

"Chief Yao, is this all you're using to test the Demon-Slaying Captain?"

He glanced sideways. "Which demon-slaying captain can't withstand this kind of test?"

Let me tell you, if you honestly confess what you've done, you might get a lighter sentence.

If we find out, then I'm sorry, the Lu family will serve as a cautionary tale.

A hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashed deep in Yao Lie's eyes, but his face was full of smiles.

He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "The captain is right. The reason I invited you two here is to explain things to you clearly."

My Great River Gang and the Lu family have never gotten along, but since they're paying my Great River Gang to transport goods, there's no reason for us not to make a profit.

"If I had known they were transporting this kind of stuff, I would never have agreed to it, even if you killed me."

He looked aggrieved.

"We, the Great River Gang, are all poor folks who make a living by our strength. We really wouldn't dare to collude with demons or commit crimes."

Yao Lie frowned deeply, pouring out his grievances, "I've only earned a few hundred taels of silver from the Lu family, but I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble."

I know you two don't trust me, but that's okay.

I invited you two here today to have a frank and open discussion.

Starting tomorrow, all of my Great River Gang's ships and warehouses will be open to you two. You can check them however you like.

"If my Great River Gang commits even the slightest illegal or disorderly act, Yao Lie will leave it to you two to deal with. What do you say?"

"Our Guardian Division will never wrong an innocent person, nor will we let a guilty person go free. As long as you are innocent, we will not do anything to you."

Chen Zhaowu waved his hand and said.

"The captain is wise."

Yao Lie clapped his hands.

Those courtesans sang and danced.

A variety of delicacies were served in a continuous stream.

Zhou Heng sniffed and smelled a peculiar fragrance.

The thought only flashed through my mind; after all, those courtesans smelled wonderful, and who knows whose fragrance it was?

Yao Lie and Gao Mengwei exchanged a knowing glance and kept urging the two of them to drink.

The Dajiang Gang had traveled all over the country, and with the two men deliberately flattering them, the conversation flowed smoothly, and both host and guest enjoyed themselves immensely.

Without realizing it.

An hour has passed.

Zhou Heng continued to drink and eat slowly and deliberately, showing no signs of drunkenness on his face.

It's not so easy for a seventh-rank martial artist to get drunk.

Yao Lie glanced at Gao Mengwei, a hint of ambiguity flashing between his brows.

Why hasn't the Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill taken effect yet?

Gao Mengwei's face also showed some surprise and uncertainty.

He had personally witnessed Zhou Heng consume the Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill, and he had also personally prepared this candle.

Logically speaking, the effects of the Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill should have kicked in by now.

Could it be that Zhou Heng is too strong, so the medicine takes effect slowly?

Gao Mengwei winked at Yao Lie, assuring him that even a seventh-rank martial artist couldn't withstand the effects of the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill; at most, it would only slow down the effects of the medicine.

Gao Mengwei got up and lit a few more candles.

Splash!

The river outside the window churned with waves, conveying a sense of impatience.

Yao Lie and Gao Mengwei's expressions grew increasingly grim.

Two hours have passed, and the Leopard Embryo Tendon-Changing Pill in Zhou Heng's body still hasn't taken effect.

Even if they are slow to react, they will know that something is wrong.

Yao Lie glared at Gao Mengwei secretly.

Gao Mengwei looked completely innocent; he didn't know what was going on either.

It's clear that Zhou Heng did indeed take the Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill.

The Leopard Fetus Tendon-Changing Pill is a secret poison of the Great River Gang, so Zhou Heng shouldn't be able to cure it.

"Hey Chief Yao, these songs and dances are so weak and listless, they're not enjoyable to watch at all. How about I perform a sword dance to liven things up?"

Chen Zhaowu jumped up with his knife in hand. Before Yao Lie could agree, he chased all the courtesans away and then drew his sword and began to wield it.

Swish.

Swish.

Swish.

The cabin was filled with the glint of blades, a chilling atmosphere pervading the space.

Zhou Heng glanced at the countdown in front of him; the numbers were still ticking away at a steady pace.

Zhou Heng lightly flicked the wooden sword beside him with his finger.

The wooden sword trembled slightly.

The next moment, it flew off, skimming the deck.

Yao Lie and Gao Mengwei were so engrossed in Chen Zhaowu's sword-wielding movements that they didn't notice anything amiss.

suddenly.

A loud bang.

A window on the pleasure boat shattered, and a ray of dark light shone into the cabin, heading straight for Gao Mengwei.

"Assassin! Everyone be careful!"

Chen Zhaowu shouted and slashed with his blade, colliding with the dark light.

He screamed and flew backward, crashing into Gao Mengwei.

Gao Mengwei and Yao Lie both looked astonished.

assassin?

Where is it?

Gao Mengwei was so stunned by Chen Zhaowu's collision that he was completely disoriented. Before he could even react, Chen Zhaowu had already grabbed his arm.

"Don't be afraid, Master Gao, I'll protect you."

Chen Zhaowu shouted loudly, pulling and tugging, protecting Gao Mengwei as they jumped directly out of the broken window.

"Who dares to challenge me! You're asking for death!"

Yao Lie roared in anger and was about to attack the swirling dark light in the sky.

At that moment, Zhou Heng suddenly appeared in front of him and slashed out with his sword first.

"Chief Yao, don't be afraid. With my Guard Division here, who dares to act recklessly!"

A crisp, ringing sound.

The longsword clashed with the dark light, which was sent flying backward, crashing through the cabin and disappearing into the dark night sky in the blink of an eye.

Yao Lie frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

Just at this time.

Zhou Heng suddenly turned around, and the blade flashed through the air, stopping instantly at his neck.

Yao Lie was still wondering who the assassin was, completely unaware that Zhou Heng would launch a sneak attack on him.

"Captain Zhou, what do you mean by this?"

Yao Lie got goosebumps on his neck and instinctively said, "You can't joke like that!"

"You were the one who joked with me first."

Zhou Heng said calmly, "Besides poisoning, what other methods do you plan to use against us?"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Zhaowu suddenly screamed.

"Old Zhou, help me!"