.......
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 fairy—couldn't 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 wasn't stupid—rather 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 didn't dare mess with him.
"Don't worry, Boss, absolutely just regular folks. I checked on that Lin Chang'sheng. Parents died in an accident. Used to be an apprentice at a noodle shop, then learned martial arts at Iron Hand Martial Arts Hall—didn't amount to much. Now he's at the Hundred Herbs Hall learning about elixirs!"
"Not sure where that girl came from, but since she's living at that kid's 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 silver—the whole lot was registered and checked out.
"If he can afford to study, that means his folks left him some money. The girl's origins are unclear—go check it out again, then report back!"
"Do this right, and I'll 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 'Gang Leader' 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 word—she's still alive, hiding in Mu City!"
"What?"
At the report, the white-clad youth's 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, I'll return ahead of you!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The silver-masked man rose, bowed, and quickly retreated into the distance.
"You'd best stay hidden in Mu City..."
"The time of women dominating men ends now!"
The youth's 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 Chang'sheng's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Today—
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 think—
Qi Blood Pills, back when Lin Chang'sheng 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 I'm strong enough, I'm definitely making a trip to Min Nan City!"
Lin Chang'sheng muttered to himself.
He kept walking.
After a while—
Lin Chang'sheng 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 Chang'sheng spotted three young men lurking close to his house, peeking around the back—they were the ones who collected monthly dues, led by Liu Zhuang!
"What are you guys doing here?"
Lin Chang'sheng strode over, staring Liu Zhuang down.
Caught peeping, Liu Zhuang looked embarrassed, but quickly shrugged it off. "Hey, Lin Chang'sheng, I spotted a pretty girl at your place. Who is she?"
"I pay my protection money every month. You're not from the government, are you?"
Lin Chang'sheng narrowed his eyes. This Liu Zhuang was acting like he was running a census. He'd probably spotted Yu Wenjing at his home and had some dirty ideas.
He'd only wanted to keep a low profile and quietly grow stronger, but if Liu Zhuang was here stirring up trouble, Lin Chang'sheng wouldn't mind making him disappear.
"Heh, Chang'sheng, you're in luck—our Master Hu needs another concubine, and that girl at your place would be perfect. Tomorrow we'll 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 Chang'sheng's 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 problem—let's meet the boss first."
Liu Zhuang nodded, and at once the three led the way, heading with Lin Chang'sheng to Black Tiger Gang headquarters in the west.
.......
The four of them made their way to West City.
Half an hour later—
They arrived at the Black Tiger Gang main hall in West City.
There, inside a large estate—
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 Chang'sheng, the guy I mentioned earlier—the one with the pretty girl living at his house!"
As soon as he finished, Liu Zhuang pointed to the man behind him: Lin Chang'sheng.
"Oh?"
Zhao Qinhu looked Lin Chang'sheng over and said dismissively, "So you're Lin Chang'sheng? We're family now—no need to stand on ceremony! From now on, your brother's got your back!"
"You're asking to die. Who the hell do you think you are?"
Lin Chang'sheng's 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 Chang'sheng didn't waste a word—his 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 Chang'sheng, enveloping everyone in the dojo!
Slice!
Half a yard of sharp palm force erupted from Lin Chang'sheng's hand, slashing across Zhao Qinhu's 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 Chang'sheng—and the monster wound across his chest—Zhao Qinhu's heart froze, as if plunged into an icy pit.
To throw out half a yard of palm force with raw flesh alone—that was absolutely a First-class Expert!
That idiot Liu Zhuang had gotten him into it with a First-class Expert!
Wasn't Lin Chang'sheng supposed to be just some regular tenant?
"What the hell? Lin Chang'sheng actually slashed out half a yard of palm force barehanded?!"
Not far away, Liu Zhuang's 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 Lin—no, Big Brother Lin, have mercy!"
"This… this is all just a misunderstanding! I'm willing to compensate you!"
Seeing the power radiating from Lin Chang'sheng, Zhao Qinhu immediately dropped to his knees, sobbing as he kowtowed desperately—the sound of his head hitting the ground was relentless!
"Too late!"
"Die, all of you!"
Lin Chang'sheng swept his cold gaze over every Black Tiger Gang disciple present as he strode toward Zhao Qinhu.
Since they'd made themselves enemies, he'd just kill them all. No loose ends.
Compensation?
Kill them, and he'd get all their stuff anyway.
"You… you can't kill me! My brother's a Grand Elder's disciple in the Golden Saber Sect!"
Seeing Lin Chang'sheng's murderous intent, Zhao Qinhu's eyes filled with despair. No point in begging—he just hoped his brother's name would make this man pause. He knew empty threats would only make things worse; that's why he'd offered compensation first.
But the killing intent never faded. All he could do was name-drop his brother, hoping it'd save his life.
As long as he survived, nothing else mattered!