I run a casino in the immortal realm.

Zhu Zhenbang remained silent for a long time after hearing these words.

He looked at the young man in front of him, and his heart was filled with turmoil.

They brought their own team from the Southern Wilderness, recruited rogue cultivators from humble backgrounds, used the alchemist sister from the Heavenly Craft Academy, and won money from gambling dens to buy spiritual herbs.

This meticulous planning and execution were both incredibly effective.

Most importantly, these four hundred people were all from humble backgrounds and outsiders, and had no vested interests with the powerful and influential families of Tanzhou County.

Isn't this exactly the clean, sharp knife that Zhu Zhenbang has always dreamed of?

"Good...good! Well done, Zheng Yifei!"

Zhu Zhenbang suddenly slammed his hand on the table and burst into laughter, the sound of which made the windows of the study vibrate.

"That old bastard Pan Rengui has really given me a huge surprise! Four hundred Nascent Soul cultivators, hahaha! With these four hundred men in my hands, who among the powerful families of Tanzhou County will dare to act sarcastic or unfriendly in front of me in the future?"

Smuggling, which has been rampant for hundreds of years, should come to an end!

Zhu Zhenbang stood up, walked up to Zheng Yifei, and patted him heavily on the shoulder: "You did a great job. These cultivators who came from across continents are all outstanding individuals. You were able to bring them under your control and make them serve the court. This is a great achievement."

"The anti-smuggling team has the capability, so go for it! Dismantle all the smuggling rings, and Tanzhou County's revenue will at least double. I guarantee you a bright future!"

"Thank you for your guidance, sir."

Zheng Yifei lowered his head accordingly.

Having gained the complete trust and support of the prefect, Zheng Yifei knew that he could now play his most important card.

"My lord, I have another matter to report, which concerns the success or failure of this anti-smuggling operation. I would appreciate your decision."

Zheng Yifei suppressed his joy and his expression became serious.

"explain."

Zhu Zhenbang was in a great mood and went back to his desk to sit down.

"This subordinate has arranged for Commander Li Jianfeng to lead one hundred Nascent Soul cultivators to escort three hundred thousand catties of spirit salt and nine main criminals back to the county town by waterway."

Zheng Yifei pointed to the waterway map on the desk: "The waterways are the territory of the Grand Canal Gang. 300,000 catties of spirit salt is Qian Baichuan's lifeline, and also the irrefutable evidence that he will lose his head. Based on my understanding of Qian Baichuan, he will definitely not stand by and watch this batch of goods enter the county's warehouse."

Zhu Zhenbang's smile faded, and his gaze fell on the map: "You mean, the Canal Gang ambushed the caravan?"

"It's not just that it will, it's that it definitely will."

Zheng Yifei said confidently, "Qian Baichuan has been operating in Tanzhou for a hundred years and has quite a few desperate men under his command. If it is only Nascent Soul stage cultivators who come to rob us, my hundred brothers can form a battle formation and hold them off until I arrive with the main force, even if the other side has two or three hundred Nascent Soul stage cultivators."

But what I'm most worried about are those at the Void Refinement stage.

Zheng Yifei paused, looking into Zhu Zhenbang's eyes: "I heard that Han Lie, the chief of the Cao Gang, is at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm, and several deputy chiefs are also at the Void Refinement realm. Qian Baichuan has made such a big mess, he will definitely ask the headquarters for help."

If the headquarters of the Canal Gang sends a Void Refinement expert to oversee the operation and intercept us on the waterway, even if all one hundred of my Nascent Soul brothers are wiped out, they still won't be able to withstand a single blow from a Void Refinement expert.

The theft of the goods is a minor issue; once the evidence is destroyed, it will be incredibly difficult for us to touch Qian Baichuan again.

Zhu Zhenbang's eyes turned completely cold.

A Void Refinement Realm expert has intervened?

If the Canal Gang really dared to send Void Refinement Realm experts to openly attack the imperial government's official ships within the territory of Tanzhou, then it wouldn't be smuggling, it would be rebellion! It would be a direct slap in the face to him, the prefect!

"If Han Lie dares to send a cultivator at the Void Refinement stage, I will make sure he doesn't return. The Grand Canal is a matter of national importance, and I will not interfere with him. But if he thinks I am afraid of his Grand Canal gang, then he is sorely mistaken."

Zhu Zhenbang pondered for a moment.

He knew Zheng Yifei was right. No matter how many Nascent Soul cultivators there were, they were just cannon fodder in front of Void Refinement cultivators. Quantity could not make up for the qualitative change of a major realm.

To protect this batch of goods and Zheng Yifei's weapon, we need a strong person of equal strength to back us up.

"You want me to intervene?"

"Your Excellency is the chief official of Tanzhou. If you personally intervene, even if the canal gang is the boldest, they will not dare to make a move. Then this scheme to lure the snake out of its hole will not be able to continue."

Zheng Yifei revealed his plan: "I humbly request that you, sir, arrange for a trustworthy Void Refinement expert to secretly accompany me to provide support. As long as the Void Refinement experts from the Canal Gang do not make a move, we will not move."

Once the opponent reaches the Void Refinement stage, I request that your men intercept them. The rest will be handled by my anti-smuggling squad.

Zhu Zhenbang looked at Zheng Yifei, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. This kid is not only bold, but also extremely clear-headed, knowing how to maximize profits.

"it is good."

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhenbang tore a jade pendant from his waist and threw it on the table: "Zhu Biao!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a spatial ripple unexpectedly appeared in the shadows on the side of the study.

A burly middle-aged man dressed in heavy black armor appeared silently in the center of the study, as if he had stepped out of thin air.

Zheng Yifei's pupils contracted slightly. He hadn't even noticed this person's presence.

"Big brother."

The heavily armored man clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhu Zhenbang, his voice low and deep like the friction of metal.

"Yifei, this is my cousin, Zhu Biao, who is also the commander of my personal guard battalion. He is at the early stage of the Void Refinement realm."

Zhu Zhenbang pointed to the man and said to Zheng Yifei, "This time, he'll go with you."

Zheng Yifei quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Greetings, Commander Zhu."

Zhu Biao nodded expressionlessly, which was his way of greeting him.

His aura was completely concealed, but occasionally a faint, almost imperceptible pressure would leak out, giving Zheng Yifei a suffocating feeling as if he were facing an abyss.

This is a Void Refinement Realm expert, a terrifying being who has already grasped the basic laws of Heaven.

Zhu Zhenbang looked at Zhu Biao and said sternly, "Change into civilian clothes and secretly follow Vice Envoy Zheng. Remember, as long as the Canal Gang's Void Refining experts don't make a move, you must not show yourself."

Once the opponent reaches the Void Refinement stage, you must not only stop him, but also give him a good beating! Show the might of my prefecture! If anything serious happens, I will take full responsibility!

"clear."

Zhu Biao answered briefly, a bloodthirsty glint flashing in his eyes.

"There's no time to lose, let's set off immediately."

Zheng Yifei and Zhu Biao left the study and departed from the prefectural governor's mansion overnight.

Once outside the city gates, Zheng Yifei didn't delay and immediately sent out the highest-level communication talisman.

Upon receiving orders, Wang Changsheng, stationed at the western suburban barracks, immediately mustered the remaining one hundred elite Nascent Soul cultivators, dispersed them, and sped towards Qingyuzui under the cover of night. Meanwhile, Night Owl and Ouyang Zhan, leading two hundred men, had already been secretly following Li Jianfeng's fleet.

A massive net targeting the canal gangs has been fully cast.

Qingyuzui, located at the border of Liuhua County and Linchuan Prefecture, is a vital passage for the Liuhua River to enter the inland area.

The terrain here is extremely treacherous.

The river was originally more than 200 zhang wide, but it suddenly narrowed here, with the narrowest point being less than 30 zhang.

The two banks are lined with strangely shaped rocks and dense forests.

Here, the river water is compressed, the current becomes rapid, and there are many hidden reefs, forming huge whirlpools.

Any large ship that arrives here must lower its sails and rely on experienced sailors to row furiously in order to pass slowly.

Historically, this place has been a favorite ambush site for river bandits and robbers.

At this moment, there is still one hour until dawn.

In a secluded cave atop the cliff, Qian Baichuan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze coldly fixed on the rushing river below.

Behind him stood more than a hundred cultivators with profound auras.

These people were all dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, without any Cao Gang insignia on their chests, and their faces were covered with black cloth. However, judging from the spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from their bodies, they were all Nascent Soul stage experts!