Chapter Sixty-Nine: Taming the Bald Wolf

“My good brother, there’s a happy event at my home. I just want to buy a few things and then be on my way. I hope you’ll be so kind as to let me pass.” Su Yang accompanied his words with a forced smile, slipping a pouch of silver toward the Black Wolf Gang’s minor boss. Though the purchasing power of silver had declined in Yanggu County, it still held some sway.

A flash of impatience flickered in the gang leader’s eyes; to him, the silver was less valuable than a chicken. Yet when Su Yang’s hands—strong as iron pincers—clamped tightly around his own, cold sweat broke out down his back, and his face turned deathly pale with fright.

“Aiyo... Master... forgive me for failing to recognize greatness. Where is your residence? You’ve bought so many things, let me have my brothers help you carry them home.” The balding Wolf fawned obsequiously.

Although the authorities had decreed that trading outside the market was forbidden, the main restrictions were on essential goods—grain, vegetables, fruit, meat, oil, salt, firewood, candles, medicine. For ordinary martial artists, as long as they weren’t trading in these scarce items, and the prices were low—barely a few taels of silver, not even enough to pay taxes at the market—no one would bother to interfere. Besides, the man before him was an eighth-rank martial artist, and he was merely buying wedding scrolls and the like; nobody would care.

Of course, if Su Yang had been trading in grain or other critical goods, the balding Wolf would have reported it to his hall master for proper handling. Ordinary folk, however, were absolutely forbidden to trade outside the market, no matter the goods.

“Keep the silver,” Su Yang insisted, pressing the pouch into the Wolf’s hands. “Which area do you oversee?”

“Master, I’m in charge of the neighborhoods and shops on and around Osmanthus Street,” the balding Wolf stammered, terrified of angering this formidable man. Before taking the post, he’d been warned: his two predecessors had died gruesome deaths—something unheard of before the rebel siege. Even the hall master responsible for this area had met a miserable end, and to this day, no one had discovered any clues.

Thus, when transferred to this district, the balding Wolf’s first rule was to keep a low profile. When facing someone more powerful, he must act humbly. In the past, he would have relied on the Black Wolf Gang’s backing, even when facing eighth-rank warriors, and spoken without fear.

“I see—so my home falls under your jurisdiction. My name is Su Yang. I’ll be counting on your care in the future,” Su Yang said.

“Oh, so you’re Scholar Su. I’ve heard much about you,” the balding Wolf responded quickly. “Since there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

He led his followers away. Su Yang watched them go, his brow slightly furrowed. Only a handful knew of his double marriage; most still thought he was merely the Wang family’s son-in-law.

Someday, when the opportunity arose, he would change the plaque above the Hong estate’s gates to read “Su Residence,” proclaiming to all that he now headed two households—not only the Wang family’s son-in-law, but the master of the Su family as well.

After the Wolf left, Su Yang quickly gathered up all the wedding scrolls and festive items he needed, and the family followed him home. Meanwhile, from his shadowy perch in a nearby alley, the balding Wolf watched Su Yang depart. With swaggering bravado, he smashed open the wedding goods shop again, beating and kicking the owner, extorting a little more silver before he was satisfied.

“These red lanterns, wedding candles, and such—pack them up and deliver them to the Wang family’s son-in-law,” the Wolf commanded, his foot pinning the shopkeeper to the floor.

“Yes, boss!” Several lackeys hastened to pack up all the wedding supplies and deliver them to Su Yang.

The day passed, and by evening, the Black Wolf Gang’s balding leader returned home with a sack of provisions—extorted from the people in his district. At least his family would not go hungry.

After knocking several times, a woman finally opened the door.

“Are Father and Mother asleep?”

“They’re both sleeping,” she replied, taking the provisions from his hands, her face alight with relief.

“Bald Wolf.”

Just as he was about to step inside, a familiar voice called from behind. He turned at once, vigilant.

A figure stood there, clad in black, face covered. The aura of blood and power rolling off him left no doubt—an eighth-rank martial artist. The man had revealed his strength deliberately, warning the Wolf not to act rashly; even if he ran, his family would not escape. With a strained smile, the Wolf turned to his wife. “Go inside and rest. Leave the door open—I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.” She knew well what business her husband was involved in, and, clutching the food, disappeared into the courtyard. The balding Wolf followed Su Yang into a deserted alley.

“Brother-in-law Su, I already apologized for what happened earlier, and even sent wedding goods to your family. We have no great enmity, do we?” His voice trembled with fear, but he steeled himself for a desperate struggle.

“You know when to advance and retreat, avoid trouble, and keep yourself alive in troubled times. Not bad—you’re exactly the sort I’m looking for.” Su Yang’s gaze was calm. “Swallow this, and from today, your fortunes will soar.”

He drew from his robe a freshly cultivated mind-controlling parasite, golden and the size of half a mung bean, gleaming like a rare elixir.

“What is this?” The balding Wolf’s suspicion was unmistakable.

“It’s your key to wealth and success. Just swallow it.”

“I’m afraid I’ll gain riches but lose my life before I can enjoy them.”

“Your intelligence does you credit. That confirms you’re the one I need.” In the next instant, Su Yang sprang forward, his blood and power surging, fists blazing—launching a sudden attack.

Though the Wolf had prepared himself, he never imagined an eighth-rank martial artist would ambush a ninth-rank like this—what a humiliation if word got out. He crossed his arms defensively before his chest.

A single punch landed—the Wolf’s arms were slammed back into his chest with bone-crushing force. For an instant, it seemed his organs were all shattered. He cried out in agony as a tiny golden bead was thrust into his mouth, forced down his throat.

He crashed to the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Desperately, he clawed at his throat, trying to vomit out whatever had just been forced down, but it was useless.

“What—what did you make me swallow?” he gasped in terror.

“A parasite.”

After a brief explanation, and a demonstration of the mind-controlling worm’s pain, the balding Wolf’s eyes dulled with despair. He struggled to his feet, facing Su Yang.

“What do you want from me? Speak.”

“Bald Wolf, you have two paths before you. First, death—I can grant you that. Rest assured, your wife and children will be spared. Second, become my agent—remain within the Black Wolf Gang and work for me. If trouble ever finds you, I’ll help you resolve it. I can also help you rise within the gang.”

“Two paths. Which will you choose?”