Why do I have so many masters?

After a morning meal, Gongsun Jing, holding the tea brewed by Wang Anfeng, sat in the guest seat, lost in thought.

Wang Anfeng was at the table, perusing those scrolls that recorded the various fundamental assets of the Tan Residence. These things were the true gift left to him by Tan Yurou. Without the items listed in these scrolls, even if someone forcibly took over the Tan Residence, it would amount to nothing more than a run-of-the-mill rich household.

The powerful control that loomed over the Jianghu of Xi Dingzhou like a shadow could not be utilized at all.

After going over them again, Wang Anfeng pulled out several volumes and tossed them to Gongsun Jing, who was beside him.

The latter was slightly startled and, on reflex, raised his hand to catch them. He gave Wang Anfeng a curious glance. The young master did not explain but merely tilted his chin slightly, signaling Gongsun Jing to look for himself.

Gongsun Jing placed the tea cup aside, his heart somewhat relieved.

He hadn't tasted the tea at all, because after the salty dish earlier, he now faced the food that came from the Young Master's hand with a mix of longing and caution, unsure if it would be exceedingly delicious or atrociously inedible.

His greatest fear was to expect something smoothly delectable, the best taste in the world, only to find it felt like taking two heavy punches to the mouth, seeing stars.

Lifting a page, Gongsun Jing's gaze moved over the forceful and powerful calligraphy, his expression growing increasingly solemn after scanning the first line.

Setting aside his distracting thoughts, he remained silent. Wang Anfeng, holding his tea cup, just watched him. The only sound in the room was the rustling of the pages until the last page was turned. With a look of deep contemplation, excitement mixed with a trace of apprehension sparkling in his eyes, Gongsun Jing looked up at Wang Anfeng and said,

"Young Master, is this..."

Wang Anfeng nodded, confirming his guess,

"This is the network of power in Xi Dingzhou controlled by the Tan Residence."

"From now on, it will be under your management."

Gongsun Jing's breathing suddenly became rougher by a third.

He felt the yellowed pages in his hands exceptionally heavy; as a Sixth Rank practitioner from the Military Family, he could barely hold them up.

After being cast into the Jianghu twenty years ago, Gongsun Jing eventually became a secret agent for the Military Family, returned to the military several times, and now had more than a decade of experience, so he understood the importance of what was in his hands better than Wang Anfeng did.

This was the weight of the entire Jianghu of Xi Dingzhou.

The powers recorded therein mostly consisted of various trades found in marketplaces, as well as assassins, medical halls, weapon forging, and other enterprises related to the Jianghu.

What was truly important was the density of these establishments, spreading through the entire Jianghu of Xi Dingzhou like a spider web, forming an information network distinct from that of the official Great Qin but complementary to it.

If something happened in the most remote town in Xi Dingzhou, as long as he wished to know about it, by the next day the scroll detailing the incident's beginnings and ends would appear on his desk. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

The battle for information and news was another layer of struggle within the Jianghu; bloodless warfare, yet riddled with lethal traps at every turn.

The significance of this was in no way inferior to the martial skills of the Jianghu practitioners themselves.

Gongsun Jing held the scrolls in his hand, stunned for several moments, then suddenly stood up, dropping to one knee, his head bowed, his voice hoarse as he said,

"I shall not fail the trust placed in me!"

Wang Anfeng was slightly taken aback and blurted out involuntarily,

"I?"

Gongsun Jing's expression tightened slightly. Just now, in his agitation, he had almost subconsciously treated the young man before him as a general he once served, reverting to the response he would have had in the Divine Martial Mansion. Only now did he remember that the Divine Martial Mansion had long vanished from the land of Great Qin.

But even though the name of Divine Martial had been in silence for a full twenty years, things that were etched into one's bones were hard to change.

At that moment, Gongsun Jing heard the clear and enlightened voice of Wang Anfeng,

"That's right, you come from the Military Family."

"Stand up first."

"Subordinate thanks the Young Master."

Gongsun Jing saw that Wang Anfeng seemed to have misunderstood, but he didn't explain, standing up with his mind already full of thoughts. As one of the most elite 'A' grade secret agents of the Military Family, with this network of information in his hands, he could exert even more astonishing power, solidify the power of the Giant Whale Gang in this area until it was entrenched and invincible.

Wang Anfeng lifted his cup and took a sip of tea.

Handing these matters over to Gongsun Jing was an idea that had occurred to him the night before.

Indeed, these things were extremely important and heavy with significance, but in his hands, they were no different from waste paper. Instead of holding onto them until they rotted, it was better to entrust them to someone he trusted, allowing these 'gifts' to reveal their true meaning and value.

Miss Tan wouldn't want her hard work to be wasted either...

With a slight daze, Wang Anfeng quickly gathered his thoughts and then said again,

"That's right, Gongsun."

Gongsun Jing looked up at Wang Anfeng, his voice serious,

"Subordinate is here."

Wang Anfeng's gaze swept over Gongsun Jing and then he spoke,

"Hmm... Do you still have the battle robe you used to wear..."

"If there is one available, send a set over..."

Gongsun Jing paused slightly before realizing Wang Anfeng's intent and his eyes brightened, he smiled and said, "We do have them, similar battle robes. There are quite a few in the garrison, I will have someone send them over shortly..."

Right at that moment, the sound of deliberate footsteps came from outside the door. The two men stopped their conversation as the footsteps slowly approached and halted outside. Then, someone said in a low voice:

"Young Master, Gongsun Gang Leader, I have a matter to report."

Gongsun Jing recognized this as one of his capable subordinates, who was quite adept in handling affairs, and knew that he wouldn't disturb them at this moment unless it was something truly important. Glancing at Wang Anfeng, who had already started drinking tea on his own, he then spoke:

"Come in."

"Yes."

After a composed reply, someone pushed the door open and entered – in his thirties, a person who looked both perceptive and powerful, yet carried an air of steadfastness. He bowed to Gongsun Jing and Wang Anfeng, and then said:

"I have an important matter to report."

"Speak."

"Yes, the martial artists in the city today showed some unusual activity. Among those previously invited here, there are three Third Rank Masters from Xi Dingzhou, over a dozen Seventh Rank Masters, and their close disciples and juniors, totaling nearly two hundred people. Their interactions today seemed abnormal, and from what I observed, they have subtly formed three factions."

"I dare to speculate that they desire to vie for the power of the Tan Residence."

"I'm not sure what stance our Gang should take... whether we should remain stationed here."

Gongsun Jing's brows knit slightly.

His hand clenched the scroll tightly, instinctively ready to discard this option. The truly important forces of the Divine Martial Mansion were already in his hands, so the Tan Residence was expendable, and it could even serve as a trap. Retreat first and let those people compete, and after a victor emerges, then apply surprise troops to swallow them whole – that would be the best choice.

But he remembered that he was a subordinate at the moment, so he didn't speak up. Instead, he looked over to Wang Anfeng and asked:

"Young Master, how should we handle this?"

The man who entered was slightly taken aback, thinking that the so-called Young Master was merely someone of high status needing protection, akin to fine jade displayed on a stand. But seeing Gongsun Jing's reaction, he realized it was not so, and an extra bit of respect surfaced on his already respectful face.

Wang Anfeng's eyes were slightly closed as he said:

"Gongsun, what do you think we should do?"

Gongsun Jing hesitated for a moment, then replied:

"I believe we could temporarily abandon the Tan Residence, let them fight over it, and then plan otherwise..."

Wang Anfeng was silent, exhaling before saying:

"Then, the Giant Whale Gang will not get involved in this matter."

Gongsun felt a relief in his chest, but also felt somewhat disappointed.

As a subordinate, he wished for Wang Anfeng to be rational at all times, yet he didn't want him to be so indifferent. As a former Colonel of the Divine Martial Mansion, he regarded some matters as more important than mere benefits.

At this moment, he saw Wang Anfeng slowly rise to his feet, his fists slightly clenched.

It was as if Inner Strength was contouring around him, creating visible vibrations, with threads of lightning stirring uncontrollably, yet held back without showing much anomaly. With both repressive and explosive auras, as if mixing yin with yang, yet even more dangerous, Gongsun Jing's eyes widened to listen as the young man spoke.

His words were cold and determined, unlike his usual tone, as if not allowing for any room for debate, he said:

"However, the Tan Residence was gifted to me by my good friend, I will take good care of it for her. Not a blade of grass or a piece of wood will be allowed to be damaged."

"The Giant Whale Gang will stand down, there's no need for further casualties."

"Today, I will go myself to find these so-called Masters, these famous sages, to pay them a visit."

Storm clouds seemed to gather in Wang Anfeng's dark eyes, his voice becoming deeper as if a fierce tiger was letting out a low roar from its throat.

"Ask them why, less than two days after my friend's 'death', they are rebelling..."

The lightning glow on his palm faded away; Wang Anfeng didn't continue speaking. But whether it was the man whose body shivered with stimulation or Gongsun, whose lips curved and eyes shone brightly, both understood his meaning and knew exactly how Wang Anfeng would quest for answers.

As a Martial Artist.

No matter how gentle one might be in ordinary times, no matter how much one might tolerate, even if one were a coward, as long as he was a Martial Artist, or even just a man, there would only be one choice to such a provocation.

To subdue with martial prowess!

If there is defiance, to fight and kill until submission!

Gongsun Jing brought his hands together, his right hand stacking over the left as if back in his military days, slightly bowing.

In a heavy voice, he replied:

"Understood!"

PS: Delivering today's second update...