.......
West City.
Black Tiger Gang headquarters.
"A beautiful girl in an East City household?"
The Gang Leader, Zhao Qinhu, decked out in a brocade robe, glanced at Liu Zhuang, who appeared respectful, a spark of interest flickering in his eyes.
He had two great passions in life: women, and blades!
"Yes, Boss, that girl is like a fairyâcouldnât help but drool looking at her. But then I remembered you still needed another concubine, so of course I came right away to report to you, sir!"
Liu Zhuang flattered him with a grin.
"Oh?"
Zhao Qinhu looked thoughtful, then asked, "Do you know the situation with that family? Got any backing? Will there be trouble?"
Zhao Qinhu wasnât stupidârather cunning and experienced in worldly ways.
If there was any possible headache, he stayed clear; but if you were just common folk? Sorry, you were fair game.
Any minor issues, he could always bribe or smooth things over.
Plus, his younger brother was the direct disciple of an Elder from the Golden Saber Sect, one of the two major sects in Min Nan County. That was exactly why, despite being only at the peak of Third-class, he could lead the Black Tiger Gang to rule West City, and why even Ma Zhankui didnât dare mess with him.
"Donât worry, Boss, absolutely just regular folks. I checked on that Lin Changâsheng. Parents died in an accident. Used to be an apprentice at a noodle shop, then learned martial arts at Iron Hand Martial Arts Hallâdidnât amount to much. Now heâs at the Hundred Herbs Hall learning about elixirs!"
"Not sure where that girl came from, but since sheâs living at that kidâs place, probably no background to speak of!"
Liu Zhuang said firmly.
As a Black Tiger Gang underling, he kept tabs on every resident in his turf who paid monthly silverâthe whole lot was registered and checked out.
"If he can afford to study, that means his folks left him some money. The girlâs origins are unclearâgo check it out again, then report back!"
"Do this right, and Iâll reward you handsomely."
Zhao Qinhu deliberated briefly, then spoke in a low voice.
"Deal! Thank you, Master Hu!"
Liu Zhuang was so thrilled, he dropped the formal âGang Leaderâ title for something much more familiar.
........
A thousand miles away, along the Grand Canal.
Inside a lavish estate.
A young man in white, hands folded behind his back, stared into the distance.
Just then, a figure in black with a silver mask hurried in, knelt on one knee before the young man in white, and reported respectfully, "Young Master, just received wordâsheâs still alive, hiding in Mu City!"
"What?"
At the report, the white-clad youthâs eyes flashed cold, taking a deep breath as a glint of murderous intent flickered, "She must not make it back alive!"
"Remember! None of this can be linked to us! To avoid suspicion, Iâll return ahead of you!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The silver-masked man rose, bowed, and quickly retreated into the distance.
"Youâd best stay hidden in Mu City..."
"The time of women dominating men ends now!"
The youthâs eyes narrowed coldly as he turned to enter the estate. Soon, a lavish carriage rolled out, racing toward Yu City.
........
"The Hundred Herbs Hall main branch in Min Nan City has Tiger Blood Pills and the Dragon Blood Pill Formula!"
Walking home from work, Lin Changâshengâs eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Todayâ
Word from Alchemist Li at the Hundred Herbs Hall was,
The main hall carried Tiger Blood Pills, Dragon Blood Pills, and other high-level elixirs and formulas to boost qi and blood!
Just thinkâ
Qi Blood Pills, back when Lin Changâsheng was at Second-class Realm, could boost his cultivation experience by 300 points per pill. But now at First-class Realm, they only gave him 150 points.
Tiger Blood Pills and Dragon Blood Pills were way higher-level. Take one, the experience would definitely be even greater!
"Once Iâm strong enough, Iâm definitely making a trip to Min Nan City!"
Lin Changâsheng muttered to himself.
He kept walking.
After a whileâ
Lin Changâsheng was almost home. His house sat at the end of an alley, two miles off the main street.
"Hmm? Liu Zhuang from the Black Tiger Gang?"
All of a sudden, Lin Changâsheng spotted three young men lurking close to his house, peeking around the backâthey were the ones who collected monthly dues, led by Liu Zhuang!
"What are you guys doing here?"
Lin Changâsheng strode over, staring Liu Zhuang down.
Caught peeping, Liu Zhuang looked embarrassed, but quickly shrugged it off. "Hey, Lin Changâsheng, I spotted a pretty girl at your place. Who is she?"
"I pay my protection money every month. Youâre not from the government, are you?"
Lin Changâsheng narrowed his eyes. This Liu Zhuang was acting like he was running a census. Heâd probably spotted Yu Wenjing at his home and had some dirty ideas.
Heâd only wanted to keep a low profile and quietly grow stronger, but if Liu Zhuang was here stirring up trouble, Lin Changâsheng wouldnât mind making him disappear.
"Heh, Changâsheng, youâre in luckâour Master Hu needs another concubine, and that girl at your place would be perfect. Tomorrow weâll send a matchmaker over. Better go get things ready!"
Liu Zhuang chuckled slyly.
"Tell you what, take me to see your boss right now."
Lin Changâshengâs eyes flashed with a barely noticeable iciness as he replied calmly.
The Black Tiger Gang had butted in; no need for them to stick around any longer.
Plus, this was another good chance to clean them out and get some money.
"No problemâletâs meet the boss first."
Liu Zhuang nodded, and at once the three led the way, heading with Lin Changâsheng to Black Tiger Gang headquarters in the west.
.......
The four of them made their way to West City.
Half an hour laterâ
They arrived at the Black Tiger Gang main hall in West City.
There, inside a large estateâ
Rows of houses stretched everywhere, interspersed with lotus ponds and elegant pavilions.
In the compound was a giant martial arts training ground.
More than fifty young men, each with a ferocious tiger embroidered on their chests, were training with sabers and fists. A tall man in a brocade robe, a long saber at his waist, was instructing them in saber techniques.
"Boss!"
Liu Zhuang walked up to the brocade-robed man, bowing respectfully. "This is Lin Changâsheng, the guy I mentioned earlierâthe one with the pretty girl living at his house!"
As soon as he finished, Liu Zhuang pointed to the man behind him: Lin Changâsheng.
"Oh?"
Zhao Qinhu looked Lin Changâsheng over and said dismissively, "So youâre Lin Changâsheng? Weâre family nowâno need to stand on ceremony! From now on, your brotherâs got your back!"
"Youâre asking to die. Who the hell do you think you are?"
Lin Changâshengâs gaze sharpened, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.
"Are you looking to die?!"
Zhao Qinhu was momentarily stunned, but then his eyes went cold, killing intent surging!
Clang!
The long saber sang as it left its sheath, slashing down with such speed it was like thunder in the wind!
Swish!
Lin Changâsheng didnât waste a wordâhis silhouette flickered as he closed the gap with Zhao Qinhu in a heartbeat, unleashing a Perfect Iron Sand Palm!
The aura of a First-class Expert rolled from Lin Changâsheng, enveloping everyone in the dojo!
Slice!
Half a yard of sharp palm force erupted from Lin Changâshengâs hand, slashing across Zhao Qinhuâs chest, instantly carving a wound so deep the bone showed!
Zhao Qinhu lurched back several steps, staggering!
"Argh!"
"You... a First-class Expert?!"
Feeling the terrifying aura radiate off Lin Changâshengâand the monster wound across his chestâZhao Qinhuâs heart froze, as if plunged into an icy pit.
To throw out half a yard of palm force with raw flesh aloneâthat was absolutely a First-class Expert!
That idiot Liu Zhuang had gotten him into it with a First-class Expert!
Wasnât Lin Changâsheng supposed to be just some regular tenant?
"What the hell? Lin Changâsheng actually slashed out half a yard of palm force barehanded?!"
Not far away, Liu Zhuangâs eyes went wide as he watched his boss get destroyed in a single blow. He slowly backed away, getting ready to run for it.
"Mercy, please! Brother Linâno, Big Brother Lin, have mercy!"
"This... this is all just a misunderstanding! Iâm willing to compensate you!"
Seeing the power radiating from Lin Changâsheng, Zhao Qinhu immediately dropped to his knees, sobbing as he kowtowed desperatelyâthe sound of his head hitting the ground was relentless!
"Too late!"
"Die, all of you!"
Lin Changâsheng swept his cold gaze over every Black Tiger Gang disciple present as he strode toward Zhao Qinhu.
Since theyâd made themselves enemies, heâd just kill them all. No loose ends.
Compensation?
Kill them, and heâd get all their stuff anyway.
"You... you canât kill me! My brotherâs a Grand Elderâs disciple in the Golden Saber Sect!"
Seeing Lin Changâshengâs murderous intent, Zhao Qinhuâs eyes filled with despair. No point in beggingâhe just hoped his brotherâs name would make this man pause. He knew empty threats would only make things worse; thatâs why heâd offered compensation first.
But the killing intent never faded. All he could do was name-drop his brother, hoping itâd save his life.
As long as he survived, nothing else mattered!