"What kind of world is this, even cats are being impersonated!?"
Princess Ankang muttered in a low voice, and Li Xuan and Yu'er also looked speechless.
On the other hand, the Eighth Prince, who was beside them, was confused and asked, "Who is impersonating a cat?"
But he immediately glanced at Li Xuan in Princess Ankang's arms, then looked at the imposing black-clad swordsman in the arena whose face was unclear, and a bold guess formed in his mind.
"No way?"
Although the Eighth Prince felt his guess was preposterous, he also thought that if it involved Li Xuan, anything, no matter how preposterous, was possible.
He quietly stood aside, observing the situation, with a premonition that he was about to witness a good show.
The several fierce-looking big men brought out the black-clad swordsman. This black-clad swordsman was also aloof; after making an appearance, he remained silent, merely holding his sword with an air of arrogance, standing in front of the Red Scarf Squad.
Li Xuan estimated this person's aura to be that of a five or six-rank expert, which was already very formidable in the pugilistic world.
But in the capital, it was somewhat insufficient; at most, he was on the same level as a Money Gang hall master.
These Red Scarf Squad members in front of them were, after all, just young people, and upon seeing the black-clad swordsman's stance, they were indeed somewhat intimidated.
And they had only heard about the recently renowned Hero Mo joining the Red Scarf Squad, not seen it with their own eyes, so they unconsciously began to feel a bit uneasy, and their morale weakened by several points.
The people on the opposite side saw that the Red Scarf Squad was instantly intimidated and immediately burst into triumphant laughter.
"Hmph, you don't dare to bark in front of the real master now, do you?"
"Your Red Scarf Squad is a bunch of liars. Now, immediately kneel on the ground and beg for mercy, shouting 'Red Scarf Squad is not even fit for dogs' three times, and we might consider letting you go."
"Oh, right."
"These few girls must stay to apologize and serve us masters comfortably before we talk."
"Hahahahahahaha…"
Princess Ankang and Yu'er, who were watching the show, ground their teeth in anger, while Xu Lang stood by, awaiting Princess Ankang's command, looking eager to act.
Li Xuan patted Princess Ankang and transmitted, "Something's not right. These people's intentions are clearly targeted. It shouldn't be a coincidence; they're coming for the Red Scarf Squad."
After being reminded by Li Xuan, Princess Ankang also came to her senses, suppressing her anger and instructing Xu Lang:
"First, observe the situation. If the Red Scarf Squad members are in danger, save them first."
Xu Lang nodded silently, accepting the order.
The Eighth Prince was a bit surprised, not expecting Princess Ankang to choose to help the Red Scarf Squad.
And the Red Scarf Squad members were all young people; although intimidated by the black-clad swordsman, how could they be completely without courage?
The other party was so aggressive, leaving no room for a compromise between the two sides.
The young members of the Red Scarf Squad were also unwilling to show weakness. The sword-wielding girl, as the team leader, immediately drew her sword and charged forward first.
"Villain, take this!"
Li Xuan looked at the girl's upright swordplay and immediately judged: "Her foundation is solid. This style seems to come from a prestigious orthodox sect, not something she picked up by herself in the pugilistic world."
On his previous trip to the Northern Border, on his way back to the capital, he had gained some knowledge of the pugilistic world.
Generally, those without a sect or school, who forged their own strength in the pugilistic world, focused on practicality in their moves, and even if they were flashy, it was for the purpose of tricking people, with the sole aim of killing the enemy.
Among the experts who became bandits, these people were the majority.
However, the girl's swordplay, compared to killing, was more like sparring, which led Li Xuan to this judgment.
Under the leadership of the team leader, the other Red Scarf Squad members drew their weapons one after another and joined the battle.
As long as weapons were used on the street, they would all be arrested and taken to the county yamen, given twenty strokes of the cane, detained for a few days, and then pay a fine.
If they repeatedly refused to stop, they could even be sentenced directly to decapitation.
Resisting arrest and fleeing would result in a Great Xing government warrant, making them a fugitive for life.
The Red Scarf Squad members who dared to draw their swords first were already prepared to be punished.
The Great Xing government's pursuit efforts were not small, sometimes even deploying Great Inner Experts. Most ordinary pugilists were unwilling to be wanted, getting involved with the government and living a life of wandering.
Only those who were determined to go all the way would directly confront the government, not caring about being wanted, and directly become bandits, at worst never entering the city for life, just living in the wild.
After being enraged, the Red Scarf Squad was the first to act.
As a result, none of the ruffians on the opposite side were afraid; they smirked and hid behind the black-clad swordsman.
"Hero Mo, show these little thieves who impersonate you a lesson!"
Seeing that only the black-clad swordsman stood at the front, the Red Scarf Squad shifted their attack towards him.
But the next moment, everyone only felt a blur before their eyes, a black shadow flashing past.
The black-clad swordsman had already appeared behind the Red Scarf Squad, slowly sheathing his sword.
"Clang!"
The sword guard and scabbard collided, emitting a crisp sound.
At the same time, the Red Scarf Squad members cried out in pain, dropping their weapons and losing the ability to resist.
"Oh?"
Li Xuan showed an interested expression, looking curiously at the black-clad swordsman.
"Fast sword?"
"His speed is indeed not slow."
"And he's even wind-attributed, just like Old Zhao."
With just one move, Li Xuan saw through the opponent's entire hand.
However, what Li Xuan found somewhat peculiar was that this black-clad swordsman, despite being only at the sixth rank, could utilize his true qi to such an extent.
The speed of his sword just now was something even a fifth-rank expert couldn't achieve; he must have put in many years of hard work.
The black-clad swordsman had just used the flat of his sword to injure the weapon-holding wrists of all the Red Scarf Squad members, displaying extremely beautiful swordsmanship.
If the black-clad swordsman had only slightly adjusted the direction of his blade, he could have taken the lives of all the Red Scarf Squad members with one strike.
However, killing someone on the street is not something everyone dares to do, especially in the capital.
If such a heinous case occurred, it would certainly attract special constables from the yamen, and might even prompt the Internal Affairs Bureau to personally intervene.
Li Xuan and Xu Lang had also seen that the black-clad swordsman had no killing intent, which was why they didn't act.
Otherwise, not to mention Li Xuan, even Xu Lang would have been able to subdue the black-clad swordsman a step ahead.
However, only a very small number of people present could discern the black-clad swordsman's moves.
Most of the onlookers were amazed by this sword, and some who had heard of Mo Tiansheng's name immediately exclaimed:
"That fleeting black shadow must be Hero Mo himself."
"Is it Black Thunder Mo Tiansheng, famous throughout the Northeast? Didn't they say he joined the Red Scarf Squad after suppressing bandits all the way to the capital? Why is he fighting the Red Scarf Squad now?"
"Didn't you hear those people say it? The Red Scarf Squad impersonated Hero Mo's name, so it seems they angered him and he came to teach them a lesson."
"The Red Scarf Squad has a good reputation, why would they do such a thing?"
"You don't know, do you? After Hero Mo joined, the number of new members in the Red Scarf Squad is unknown. These young people might have also been tricked into joining the team by that lie."
"In my opinion, this Red Scarf Squad is a bunch of hypocrites seeking fame. Otherwise, if you're doing good deeds, why would you make the scale so large?"
"And I heard that the Red Scarf Squad secretly runs gambling dens and brothels, no different from ordinary underground gangs."
The Three Little Ones and the Eighth Prince stood among the crowd, listening to the murmuring commoners.
Li Xuan and Princess Ankang surveyed left and right, memorizing the faces of those who were speaking.
Sure enough, just as they had guessed earlier, today's conflict was premeditated.
The Red Scarf Squad was ostensibly independent; the underground businesses obtained from the Money Gang were all managed by the Internal Affairs Bureau, so how would ordinary people know the connection between them?
When Li Xuan first established the Red Scarf Squad, he had considered the possibility of it bringing a bad reputation to Princess Ankang. Therefore, he deliberately clearly separated the underground businesses, making the Red Scarf Squad's funding as legitimate as possible.
On this point, Zhu Shimin had also very well fulfilled Li Xuan's request.
And those who knew about the connection between the Red Scarf Squad and the underground businesses originally belonging to the Money Gang were very few in the capital.
Among them, the Money Gang itself naturally knew these things best.
Even the original low-level gang members of the Money Gang were unaware of who the Money Gang's businesses had been traded to.
To know this information, one would at least need to be a Money Gang hall master-level figure.
As Li Xuan figured this out, Princess Ankang's reaction was also swift. The little girl silently parted her lips and mouthed to Li Xuan:
"Money Gang?"
Li Xuan nodded and transmitted, "It should be related."
"I just don't know if it's Chen Tan's intention, or if something else happened to the Money Gang?"
The Money Gang's underground businesses were given to Princess Ankang by Chen Tan himself, so the possibility of him regretting it now was low.
Li Xuan was still more inclined to believe that there was an internal problem within the Money Gang.
Previously, Chen Tan had been vexed by internal factionalism within the gang, and now it was very likely that it had worsened further.
Originally, these were internal matters of the Money Gang, and Li Xuan didn't want to meddle, but since it involved their Red Scarf Squad and someone impersonating him, Li Xuan couldn't agree to it.
"Hmph hmph, little girls of the Red Scarf Squad, have you tasted the power of Hero Mo?"
"If you know what's good for you, apologize according to my demands just now, otherwise we grandpas will get rough, and I'm afraid you little girls won't be able to handle it."
"Hahahahahahaha…"
The ruffians laughed wildly without restraint.
After sheathing his sword, the black-clad swordsman remained silent, seemingly oblivious to the scene before him.
Li Xuan shook his head, somewhat speechless. Today's act was actually well-performed, especially by the black-clad swordsman.
However, these ruffians were the only flaw; their attitude was simply too arrogant and overbearing.
Those with clear minds understood that Hero Mo, renowned throughout the Northeast for punishing evil and eliminating villains, would never associate with such people.
"A flaw, a huge flaw!"
Li Xuan analyzed, shaking his head repeatedly.
But then he realized another problem.
"These bastards aren't intentionally trying to ruin my Hero Mo's reputation along with it, are they?"
Thinking of this, Li Xuan was immediately enraged.
He quickly transmitted to Princess Ankang, "You guys continue watching the show, I'll be right back."
With that, Li Xuan slipped out of Princess Ankang's arms and, using the cover of the crowd, disappeared from sight.
"Hey, Li Xuan…"
Princess Ankang wanted to ask him what he was going to do, but Li Xuan was already gone.
"Where did he go?" the Eighth Prince asked curiously.
Princess Ankang shrugged, indicating she didn't know either.
And after the Red Scarf Squad had their weapons knocked away and lost the ability to resist, the ruffians became even more smug, seemingly intending to stall for time.
It seemed their goal was not merely to humiliate the Red Scarf Squad, but they had other plans up their sleeves.
Li Xuan climbed onto the rooftop, found a good position, and then planned to act at the opportune moment.
"The Red Scarf Squad has a clear conscience! Not only do you people commit evil deeds, but you also dare to find someone to impersonate Hero Mo! Just wait until the real Hero Mo arrives; he'll teach you a good lesson!"
"Heh heh, you little girl are quite feisty, I like it."
One of the ruffians reached out to the team leader, wanting to take advantage and have some fun first.
The Red Scarf Squad's leader had just had her weapon knocked away by the black-clad swordsman; not only was her wrist throbbing, but her body also felt numb, making her unable to exert any strength.
Seeing that dirty hand approaching her, she was immediately filled with shame and anger, her small face flushed crimson.
"These young people still trust the Red Scarf Squad."
Li Xuan thought to himself, also knowing that he couldn't continue watching the show, and immediately made his move.
"Hmph."
Looking at the disgusting people below, Li Xuan immediately let out a cold snort and transformed into a black lightning bolt.
"Boom—"
A dull, thunder-like roar exploded in everyone's ears.
The girl saw the ruffian who had just tried to touch her body twisted and imprinted on the ground.
Yes, imprinted.
The ruffian's entire body was embedded into the stone bricks of the ground, blood flowing from his seven orifices, his limbs twisted at bizarre angles, utterly crippled beyond repair.
But the girl, like everyone else, only saw a distorted black shadow, like a pitch-black heavenly thunder exploding before their eyes.
"Dare to insult my Red Scarf Squad? You seek death!"
A deep, resonant voice echoed in everyone's ears, like rolling thunder, as if coming from the horizon.
This sudden anomaly startled the onlookers.
The black-clad swordsman impersonating Mo Tiansheng was also trembling all over, the veil draped over his bamboo hat gently swaying.
"And who are you, a mere nobody, who dares to impersonate my name?"
Everyone heard the voice but saw no one.
However, the sight of the ruffian being imprinted into the ground earlier was too horrifying, making people dare not question the identity of the newcomer.
At this moment, the voice questioned the black-clad swordsman, and Li Xuan also unleashed his invisible pressure.
The black-clad swordsman felt immense pressure, but surprisingly, he still mustered his courage and shouted:
"Hiding your head and showing your tail! If you are truly Mo Tiansheng, then come out and let me see you!"
The black-clad swordsman's voice was unexpectedly somewhat young, sounding like a young person similar to the Red Scarf Squad members.
And the black-clad swordsman's words also made many people present begin to doubt his identity.
After all, now there were two Mo Tianshengs, and the black-clad swordsman's voice seemed too young, not matching the Mo Tiansheng everyone imagined.
The voice Li Xuan simulated was deep and resonant, and seemed to come from the horizon, a masterful technique that made everyone believe that this unrevealed Mo Tiansheng was the real deal.
The crowd, who had just been chattering, was now silent, all looking up and around, trying to find Mo Tiansheng's figure.
At this moment, in an alley at the street corner, several people dressed as constables were hiding, observing the conflict in the distance.
"Chief, aren't we going in yet?"
A young constable asked their chief.
Hearing this, the chief, who had only been peeking his head out of the alley to observe the situation, turned around and cursed at him:
"Go your mother's go!"