"Brother Ling, may this letter find you well:
Yesterday, I was delayed by heeding my family's wishes to eliminate two insolent households nearby.
Brother, to be honest, many of my brothers at home are unruly and hard to tame. I have no choice but to expand our enterprise to earn their respect. This is likely only the first time; going forward, I will need your generous guidance to accomplish anything.
I won't say much more—if you have any orders, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.
Respectfully yours, your younger brother."
Xu Zhi finished reading, bowed his head, and stood respectfully, playing the part of a wooden figure.
Ling Tuisi narrowed his eyes, a glint of sharpness flickering within. His hand, which had been stroking his beard, paused. After a long moment, he smiled faintly. "Good. Brother Li is indeed exceptionally talented. Brother Xu, allow me to write a reply for you to deliver to my worthy brother in the prefecture."
"Yes." Xu Zhi immediately responded.
Soon, Ling Tuisi finished the letter and handed it to Xu Zhi to take away.
As Xu Zhi departed, a figure appeared in the study.
"Your Excellency, this Li Daoqiang is quite ambitious. No sooner has he taken power than he eagerly expands his stronghold, using this to test you and negotiate terms. Judging by his words, his actions won't stop and won't be small," the man said, frowning.
Ling Tuisi chuckled softly, stroking his beard unhurriedly. "Ah, he's young—it's normal to charge ahead recklessly. But he's got some sense, knowing that in Jingzhou, nothing gets done without my nod, so he came to ask in advance."
The man nodded in agreement, admitting that this point was commendable. At least he wasn't ignorant—he understood that even being a bandit wasn't so simple.
"I'm curious to see how far he can go. How valuable is he really?" Ling Tuisi said with interest.
After a pause, he added, "Watch him closely. I want to know his every move from now on."
"Yes, understood," the man said respectfully.
He knew that now, Li Daoqiang had truly caught Ling Tuisi's attention. If before it was just about assessing his potential for cultivation, now he had shown initial value worth nurturing. The reason was simple: this ambition, daring, boldness, and a touch of wisdom made him unique among the dozen or so stronghold leaders on Fuyun Mountain. The man couldn't help but sigh—youth truly made a difference.
Black Dragon Stronghold.
At noon, Li Daoqiang read Ling Tuisi's letter.
"Brother Li, may this find you well:
Brother, I never expected that in just a single day, you'd accomplish such a feat. Truly remarkable—I offer my congratulations.
Regarding the matter we discussed last time, I've considered it and am willing to offer two thousand taels of silver for your brothers to drink to.
As for your talk of 'guidance,' you're too kind. As long as you have the skill, in this territory, I trust I still hold some sway. Go ahead and act boldly—I'll keep an eye on things."
After hearing Xu Zhi read the letter, a smile spread across Li Daoqiang's face.
This old wolf had finally loosened his grip. He knew his value had truly caught the wolf's eye. His initial instinct was right—big shots were different. As long as you had worth, especially as a bandit—the perfect black glove—they wouldn't hesitate to reach out and use you.
He had no intention of becoming anyone's subordinate. From the start, he'd presented himself as an equal. It was this attitude, along with surviving the first wave of tests, that made Ling Tuisi gradually take him seriously. But undeniably, he was the one who had approached Ling Tuisi first. He was the one who needed Ling Tuisi's backing.
Though Ling Tuisi likely needed someone like him for certain tasks, the relationship still favored Ling Tuisi's initiative. There was no helping it—the other was an official, the top figure in Jingzhou's public sphere. Whether in the underworld or the legitimate world, unless you had enough strength, you had to pass Ling Tuisi's test to grow.
The legitimate path was easier—the Song court couldn't control the martial world—but the underworld, especially banditry, was different. Before reaching a formidable level in the innate realm, or even master level, Ling Tuisi could easily destroy a stronghold if he wanted. The Song court never hesitated to wipe out bandit dens.
And Ling Tuisi's role went far beyond keeping the court at bay. This world was vast, with chaotic martial forces, but every piece of profit was accounted for. For Black Dragon Stronghold to grow, it had to seize others' interests. Not to mention the dozen strongholds on Fuyun Mountain—who knew how many were tied to factions in Jingzhou City? The game of black gloves was played too smoothly by righteous sects and noble families.
If Li Daoqiang wanted to swallow these strongholds, he'd inevitably offend these people. One misstep, and they might unite to eliminate him. It wasn't impossible. That's where Ling Tuisi's value shone—his status was too useful. With a little maneuvering, many things changed.
So, before gaining enough strength, he needed Ling Tuisi to shield him from the wind and rain. His display of greed served two purposes: he genuinely needed money, and it was a tactic to elevate his standing, signaling equality and a cooperative rather than subordinate relationship.
Of course, this time, intercepting the Wang family's caravan and making Ling Tuisi pay was an exception. It was the result of mutual testing. For true cooperation, a new profit structure had to be established.
In short, Li Daoqiang's displayed potential had finally stirred the old wolf's interest. With Ling Tuisi's verbal concession, Li Daoqiang's moves could now expand.
A grin tugged at his lips, growing wider. Good big brother, many thanks. I won't disappoint your expectations—just hope you're not startled by my actions.
"Alright, Xu Zhi, take a message to Brother Ling for me: tell him that when I, Li Daoqiang, handle things, he can rest assured. Now and in the future, I won't let him down," Li Daoqiang said cheerfully.
"Yes." Xu Zhi acknowledged, and seeing no further orders, quickly left.
After savoring his joy alone for a while, Li Daoqiang returned to the newly arranged secret chamber to begin cultivation. Glancing at the Big Bandit System, he noted the bandit points with satisfaction.
This morning's rewards were distributed, and he had ordered the formation of the Fifth and Sixth Squads. With eleven thousand three hundred taels of silver, plus the bandit points from Black Dragon Stronghold's new rules taking root and growing strength, this was the total.
Taking a light breath, he mentally pressed down hard.
Stunning phenomena reappeared—brilliant golden light burst forth. Endless spiritual energy surged into Li Daoqiang's body. His innate true qi and blood energy soared. The true qi strengthened his meridians and acupoints, while the blood energy fortified his bones, pushing them toward transformation.
With each breath, Li Daoqiang's power surged forward.
After a while, the phenomena ceased. Li Daoqiang opened his eyes with some discomfort, feeling regret. He had been on the verge of reaching the peak, but it was cut off.
He silently regulated his breathing, calming his mind. After a moment, he suppressed that feeling. Joy rose within him—the sixth layer of the Dragon-Elephant Vajra Art was mostly cultivated. With just over six thousand taels more, it would be complete. Then, combined with his Hundred Battles Body, he'd rank among the upper-middle tiers of the innate realm. That time wasn't far off.
The Wang family~
Two days later.
On a road under Black Dragon Stronghold's control on Fuyun Mountain, a caravan slowly approached. It had over twenty loaded carts, dozens of servants, and over a hundred guards.
"Stay alert! We'll be safe soon," the leader shouted as they reached a stretch flanked by dense woods.
The caravan stirred slightly; some grew visibly more vigilant.
Suddenly, a sparse rain of arrows flew from the woods on both sides toward the caravan. Everyone's face turned pale.
"Ambush! Defend! Defend!" the leader roared in fury as war cries erupted from the woods.
Furious and alarmed, the leader deflected an arrow and suppressed his anger, shouting, "Which heroes are these? This is the Wang family's caravan from Jingzhou City! Here's some drinking money—please, heroes, show mercy!"
The war cries didn't stop. Over two hundred men surged from both sides, charging at the guards. The leader, shocked and enraged, realized they showed no regard for the Wang family—it was a fight to the death. Helpless, he gritted his teeth and met the attack, ordering someone to rush to Jingzhou City for reinforcements.
The clamor didn't last long before it ceased. Aside from a few who escaped, the Wang family's caravan was either dead or captured.
"Who are you?" Li Daoqiang, who had been watching from the sidelines, walked up to the leader and asked coldly.
"I'm from the Wang family. Who are you? Why are you opposing us?" the leader asked fearfully, a blade at his throat.
Li Daoqiang smiled, glancing at the surrounding Black Dragon Stronghold members. "Can't you tell? I'm a bandit. As for opposing the Wang family—that's not right. Bandits rob; it's only natural. How can that be called opposition?"
"Ha ha ha!"
The crowd played along, laughing at their chief's joke, their mockery clear.
Wang Yanliang's face darkened. He knew they were bandits, but bandits had rules. The Wang family were locals in Jingzhou City—how could these Fuyun Mountain bandits ignore all decorum, killing and robbing without any courtesy? This was breaking the rules.
"Forgive my ignorance—may I ask which chief this is? If I've done anything wrong, please forgive me. The Wang family will surely repay you handsomely later," Wang Yanliang said, bowing his head respectfully.
When under someone's roof, one must bow. Defeated, he had to humble himself. As a family disciple, he understood this well.
Li Daoqiang said calmly, "No need for later. I want it now. These goods are mine since I've taken them. As for you people, I don't want to kill you. You owe me for sparing your lives."
...