Chapter 166 Anxiety

Having heard all this, Steward Zheng finally understood.

He genuinely wanted to protect his brother-in-law and had tried his best, but he never imagined that this little shopkeeper was so greedy, yet so lucky. Going out, he actually ran into someone from the Xinghun (Punishment Soul) school and brought back news of their upcoming duel.

Logically, this wasn't big news, so why did it happen at this time, step by step, becoming the most crucial piece of information?

In this way, he had already performed a great service.

Since he had performed a great service, it would be difficult for him to replace the man.

The Right Protector with the smiling mask, in the end, asked himself a question that, frankly, was asking if he was willing to sacrifice his brother-in-law to weather this storm...

Could he possibly say no?

The Red Lantern Matron Society wasn't a good place. He knew it too well. It was full of dirty deeds, but no matter what gang, the higher up they were, the more corrupt they became, but the more they valued their reputation on the surface.

That little shopkeeper and people like Yang Gong were originally people he could manipulate at will, but after he suddenly brought back such important news, the superiors could no longer push him to do that doomed task.

"Haha, quickly invite Little Steward Hu to rest in the side room, and also invite the other three who will go up to the arena."

At this time, the two Protectors, in high spirits, stood up and laughed, "We will discuss it and decide on this matter."

"Tonight, we finally have something to report to the Matron."

"..."

As they spoke, the two of them had already turned and entered the main room. Hu Ma vaguely felt that Er Guotou (a type of strong liquor) winked at him...

...Brother, you're really amazing!

Such a small piece of information, in a timely manner, had become an incredible contribution.

The fact that someone from the Xinghun school was coming to fight on behalf of the Green Robe Gang wasn't really valuable information.

If it hadn't been for the Red Lantern Society's failure in the previous duel, and their determination to win the remaining three matches at all costs, bringing back this news, and even bringing back the head of that Young Master Lu, the contribution wouldn't have been so great.

"Brother-in-law, how is it?"

As soon as the two Protectors left, Sun Niuzi, who was kneeling in the back, hurried over, approaching Steward Zheng and anxiously asking, "How is it?"

He didn't quite understand some of the implicit meanings, vaguely hearing some, but he still had to ask to be sure.

Steward Zheng turned around, looked at the face filled with fear, and suddenly raised his hand, heavily slapping him on the face, making Sun Niuzi jump. Before he could cry out in pain, he grabbed his head, his voice indescribably heavy,

"Go in peace!"

"..."

Sun Niuzi was stunned for a moment, then cried out loudly.

Steward Zheng's heart was also wrung with pain, but now that things had reached this point, what else could he do?

Now he didn't even know how to explain to his three-hundred-pound wife at home, to her, to that greedy father-in-law, to this stupid and ignorant brother-in-law, he was filled with guilt.

In his early years, he had been crippled by his enemies and thrown into a smelly ditch in the dead of winter to die. It was their family who saved him, and he had sworn to make them rich.

But how to get rich?

Things had reached this point, and they weren't even a complete family anymore...

As for Hu Ma, he saw the appearance of the two of them, but he just faintly turned his gaze away and turned to enter the side hall that the two Protectors had mentioned earlier.

Because of the urgency of time, he didn't really know why Er Guotou was so excited when he heard the news of the Xinghun school.

Seeing the Left Protector with the crying face mask also so excited, he understood.

For this kind of duel, it seemed that knowing which school the opponent belonged to, and knowing who was going to fight, gave them more advantages.

Not to mention that he not only brought back this news, but also saw the skills of their senior brothers and sisters, described their special moves, so the Red Lantern Society could analyze her specialized skills and make targeted preparations.

After all, dueling, dueling, although there are many fierce and bloody events, anyone who goes on stage to draw a line must rely on their own abilities.

Once one's special move is exposed, the other party has a good chance to prepare in advance and break one's magic.

Of course, there was also a safety net for this matter, that was Er Guotou had already talked with Sweet Potato Burn through Miss White Wine, maybe, he now even knew what kind of challenge the opponent would make, and how to win...

...

...

Sitting down in the side room, there were actually White Fragrance disciples who brought tea.

Hu Ma also sat down at ease, knowing that the news here would be sent to Yang Gong and Steward Xu, and he wasn't afraid they would worry.

The only uncomfortable thing was that there was a plaster on his forehead, and the pungent smell assaulted his nose.

Just now Er Guotou saw his ridiculous appearance, he didn't know if he would laugh at him later...

He didn't sit for too long before someone brought lunch, a large bowl of stewed green vegetables, two large steamed buns, a plate of vegetables, and even a pot of wine. Hu Ma didn't stand on ceremony, ate it here, and after eating, drinking tea, naturally, White Fragrance disciples came in to clean up.

It wasn't until the afternoon that the three people arrived.

He saw a strong man with a bald head, a woman in silk, over thirty years old, but still with some beauty, and finally, Sun Niuzi, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying, and who was timid.

He didn't know what he had said to Steward Zheng, but at this moment, he was completely wilted. After coming in, he squatted in the corner, not daring to look at Hu Ma.

Hu Ma greeted the other two and learned that they were both stewards of the Red Lantern Matron Society.

Ten stewards were selected to fight this time, and now, including Sun Niuzi, there were only three of them who hadn't fought yet.

However, although the two of them were polite, they didn't act high and mighty because of Hu Ma's young age, but they looked worried, presumably under great pressure.

"Hehe, how are the three of you resting?"

They hadn't sat down for long when they heard laughter coming from outside. It was the Left and Right Protectors, who had disappeared for nearly an hour, not knowing what they had gone to discuss, who had come, along with several Red Fragrance disciples with gloomy faces, red belts around their waists, but who seemed older than Yang Gong and the others.

Hu Ma guessed that these people might be the incense burners whom the Red Lantern Matron relied on and trusted the most.

Seeing the Left and Right Protectors come in, including Hu Ma, all three got up to salute.

Only Sun Niuzi was half a beat slower, trembling.

The Left and Right Protectors ignored him, first looking at the middle-aged woman, and said, "Steward Hua, you call for a duel, no problem, right?"

Steward Hua said, "No problem, my treasure will come in handy."

The Left Protector with the crying face mask nodded and said, "I've seen your treasure, it's indeed a powerful one."

"But you still need to be careful. Once you lose, you should know what the consequences will be."

"..."

Steward Hua nodded repeatedly.

The two Protectors then turned to look at the bald man and said, "Steward Zhang, what about you?"

The bald man was a little embarrassed and said, "That depends on what kind of challenge the other party makes. In short, I am prepared to contribute to the Matron."

They nodded, and then looked at Sun Niuzi: "You..."

Sun Niuzi knelt down with a "pa" and kowtowed repeatedly: "Protector, please spare my life, I... I'm really scared."

The two Protectors exchanged glances, and the one with the smiling mask said, "Looks like he's not confident."

Saying that, he reached out and helped Sun Niuzi up, his attitude unexpectedly gentle, and said, "But don't be afraid, it's good to be able to stand up and serve the Matron. We already discussed a sure-win method last night, so you can always make this contribution."

He coaxed Sun Niuzi to sit down, as if he was coaxing a child, before looking at the middle-aged bald man again, and suddenly smiled:

"As for you, Old Zhang."

"You have to thank Little Steward Hu properly..."

"..."

The bald man was stunned for a moment, a little confused, not knowing why he should thank this Hu Steward whom he had never met.

The Left Protector with the crying face mask smiled faintly and said, "If I tell you that you will be facing someone from the Xinghun school."

"How confident are you?"

"..."

"Ah?"

The bald man was stunned for a moment and said, "Shousui (Year Watchers) and Xinghun, each has its own strengths, who can win depends on what kind of challenge the other party makes."

He was an honest man.

The Blood Food Gang recruited the most Year Watchers due to various jobs. Out of the ten stewards, eight were Year Watchers.

The Green Robe Gang had less influence than the Red Lantern Matron Society, so they recruited fewer Year Watchers.

Normally, Year Watchers had the most advantage in this kind of frontal duel, but now everyone was familiar with this method, and what they feared was not Year Watchers, but those strange people with special skills.

Dueling, dueling, the method is still important.

If it was just a competition of ferocity, both sides could directly send Red Fragrance disciples and Green Robe children to pretend to be on stage.

But the methods of Negative Spirit Masters were simple, and the two sides had secretly fought many times, already familiar with each other's bottom line. If they really got on stage, no matter how fierce they were, if the other party made a challenge targeting your weaknesses, it would only be for nothing.

The two Protectors didn't mind his conservative words, and smiled: "Then, if I find a high-ranking member of the Bajimen (Acrobatic Sect) to give you some pointers?"

"Or rather, directly take your place in this battle?"

"..."

"Ah?"

The bald man was immediately excited and hurriedly said, "I've always heard that Bajimen counters Xinghun. If the other party really sent someone from the Xinghun school, and we could find a high-ranking member of the Bajimen to help and guide us, then this..."

"The chances of winning would be greater..."

"..."

"Hehe."

The Left and Right Protectors smiled when they heard the words, and they were all in a very good mood. While smiling, they said to the man: "Let you thank Little Steward Hu, that's the reason."

"You should have some understanding in your heart, if you win this battle, the credit will not be given to you, what about giving it to him?"

"..."

"Ah!"

When the bald man heard the words, he trembled with excitement, and turned to kneel down to Hu Ma: "More than just credit?"

"Little brother saved my life, this great favor, Lao Zhang will remember..."

Continuing the third update, taking advantage of the opportunity, asking for votes, asking for votes