Why do I have so many masters?

Wang Anfeng tidied up his appearance in front of the bronze mirror, confirmed there were no issues, then prepared to push the door open and step out. He took two steps, but then stepped back, looking at the box of pastries on the table, contemplating quietly.

If Xi Ming comes over later, it wouldn't be good to be mistaken for sneaking some snacks.

It would be unbefitting of a brother's demeanor.

With a light cough, Wang Anfeng picked up the pastry box, poured the small pieces of crumbs onto his hand and ate them without wasting, then circulated his Qi Mechanism, rubbed through the air to ignite the wrapper, shook his palm and turned it into ashes.

Only then did he feel content, maintaining the image of a cold-faced knife-wielder, slipped out, shut the doors and windows securely, descended the stairs, and instead of using the inn's front door, took advantage of no one being around, flipped out from the back door's corner, and landed steadily on the ground, then made his way to the street from the back door.

The scene on Liangzhou Street by day was quite different than at night, everything was unfamiliar, but fortunately, Wang Anfeng had walked this path once before, and smoothly headed towards the blind Old Wu's gambling den.

Li Hu didn't loiter around that district market area. Even running into blind Old Wu, he showed utmost respect. This blind man clearly wasn't just a mere local bully in one market; at the least, even if blind Old Wu only managed Ann Zai Fang's affairs, he likely knew the 'mice' from other markets.

When the time comes, having him 'make introductions' would ensure everything proceeds smoothly.

The thoughts in his mind grew increasingly clear, and Wang Anfeng seemed more at ease, walking nonchalantly among the crowd, his eyes casually scanning the vendors and shops around, showing the demeanor of a Jianghu martial artist idle and enjoying a stroll through the street scenery.

This was the North City District, quite far from Ann Zai Fang, but Wang Anfeng's martial arts were beyond ordinary people's imagination. Though he seemed leisurely and unhurried, his speed was in fact quite fast — even a Lower Third Rank martial artist performing Qinggong in this bustling market wouldn't necessarily surpass his walking pace by much.

Each step carried him a few meters flutteringly, while his Qi Mechanism created a veil, rendering him unnoticed. Before long, he reached the West City District and saw the lantern tower he and Tie Lin almost dismantled during their last confrontation.

This lantern tower, towering over ten meters high, took an inordinate amount of time and effort to dismantle, at least seven to eight days. Now, only a small part remained, without the embellishment of lanterns, it stood there forlornly.

Places like Liangzhou Xingde Fang lacked the previous days' hustle, but Ann Zai Fang, opposite to its last serene visit, was bustling now, with people coming and going, and the sound of men exerting effort in courtyards and the clearly operating noise of Mo Family mechanisms.

Walking past a courtyard, Wang Anfeng glimpsed a corner, spotting a large Mo Family mechanism, simple yet adorned with cloud patterns, its components rhythmically moving. Despite the loud noise, it actually provided countless benefits and greatly deflated Ann Zai Fang's land prices.

Hundreds of years ago, the Mo Family split into three factions due to differences in ideology.

One entered the court, one stayed in the wilds, one served the common people.

Many things became easier due to the existence of Mo Family mechanisms, often a single person could do the work of ten, supporting the vast empire.

For instance, Fu Mo, a master at Fufeng Academy, belonged to the third Mo faction, applying his studies for the common good. On his last journey to the Qingfeng Edge, he used a flying mechanism he created himself, only for it to sustain damage mid-flight, hit cloud mist, and be struck by heavenly lightning. Had he been an ordinary person, it would have spelled disaster, forcing him to abandon it, which was quite regrettable.

As thoughts swirled in his mind, Wang Anfeng had already reached the narrow alleyway where Li Hu took him last time, walking deeper inside.

Last time he was eager, just following behind Li Hu without thinking. This time, coming alone, he realized the alley was indeed quite deep, twisting and turning, with two hidden doors barricading the way. Any ordinary person would know it wasn't a good place to visit.

For some reason, the two young guards at the entrance were nowhere to be seen this time, and the wooden door was firmly closed, dust covering it. The copper lock, the size of a normal person's palm, was full of rust, like an old house left uninhabited for years.

Wang Anfeng walked up to the door and heard a familiar voice inside saying:

"Gentlemen, please rest assured, while things outside seem chaotic, it certainly won't affect us here. The Wu Family gambling den has stood firm in Liangzhou City for fifty years, have you ever seen anything happen?"

"Whether it's the Ministry of Punishment's investigations or the Military Family's purges, we open our tables and games daily as usual. Even if we risk everything, we'll ensure you enjoy your time here!"

"Given your concerns, gentlemen, each of you will receive three taels as compensation from our establishment to ease your worries!

Immediately, there was a chorus of cheers.

Wang Anfeng couldn't help but chuckle, then placed his right hand on the door, and with a crisp cracking sound, the palm-sized copper lock snapped in half, falling to the ground, and the two doors opened in the middle.

The two young men who had been guarding outside were now inside, and hearing the sound, instinctively glanced up to see the memorable face, with cold sharp eyebrows, and froze in place from fear.

Wang Anfeng, very politely, closed the door, nodding and smiling at the two as if a regular patron, descended the thirty steps slowly, entering the gambling den.

Song Lao Liu, whom he had seen once before, was calming down the somewhat worried gamblers, inwardly cursing and lamenting the crazy Ministry of Punishment, whose investigation disrupted their business significantly.

With only the most addicted gamblers coming by, he had spent money giving everyone silver, trying to lure those still observing back in. Noticing someone else descending the stairs, he put away his complaints, presented a smiling face, and greeted: "This esteemed..."

His eyes moved up, meeting those cold winter-like eyes, seeing the cold, rigid facial features, and instantly froze.

"You, you..."

Amidst the crowd, someone shouted for a pot of liquor to join the festivity, having won some silver coins in a short time. Shouting several times with no response, frowning to look, suddenly saw the tall, cold-faced knife-wielder, and froze in place.

It was a burly man with a full beard. His body trembled, raising his right hand, touching his forefinger and middle finger in a blooming orchid gesture in front of him, then shrieked in a voice sharper than a quarrelsome woman in her forties:

"Aaaaah, it's the Ministry of Punishment's Yan Ling!!"

"It's Yan Ling from the Ministry of Punishment!"

The entire gambling den abruptly fell into deathly silence, countless eyes darted towards the center to see the cold knife-wielder, saw him lay his right hand on his knife, fingers gently flicking the copper-wrapped handle, then the den erupted into chaos, filled with an array of screams, wails, dialect, and slang.

"Yan Ling, it's Yan Ling, from the Ministry of Punishment!"

"The Ministry's people really came!"

"Ah yo, run for your lives, run!"

"Momma!"

Just moments ago, the addicted gamblers sprawled out, wailing and fleeing hysterically, and in no time, this once bustling gambling den turned into chaos, tables overturned, spilled liquor soaking the floor, and some people snatched a handful of silver, stuffing it into their bosoms amidst the hubbub.

Feeling slightly awkward, Wang Anfeng realized that casually mentioning his senior brother Yan Ling's name might have harmed his brother's reputation. Furthermore, now with a request, he smiled slightly, but in those people's eyes, it seemed icy cold like a blade.

"Please inform Mr. Wu, I have a matter to request."

Song Lao Liu swept his gaze over the once lively gambling den now left in chaos, feeling life grow bleak and desolate, nodded woodenly:

"Alright."

PS: Here's the first update for today...

There should be another update, thanks to Xing Chen Qian Yi's evening, thank you very much (fist clasp~)