Qinshan County appeared peaceful on the surface.
Behind that peace, however, lay a delicate balance maintained through blood and intimidation.
The Western District belonged to four great gangs.
The Thunder Wolf Gang.
The Iron Bull Gang.
The Earth Bear Gang.
And finally...
The Wind Tiger Gang.
Each occupied its own territory, controlled its own businesses, and fought endlessly over influence. Although open battles were uncommon, smaller clashes erupted almost every week. The streets of the Western District had long grown accustomed to seeing wounded men dragged away before dawn.
Among them, the Wind Tiger Gang possessed one of the strongest reputations.
Its Gang Leader had already stepped into the True Essence Realm, making him one of the strongest martial artists in Qinshan County.
Beneath him stood the four Hall Elders.
Then came the Inspectors.
Below the Inspectors were the Stewards.
Finally...
The ordinary gang members.
Stewards were all Acquired Realm martial artists, and only those who reached the peak of the Acquired Realm could compete for promotion to Inspector.
The position was highly coveted.
An Inspector received nearly one hundred taels of silver every month, controlled several Stewards beneath him, and possessed authority throughout the gang.
Naturally...
There were far more qualified Stewards than available Inspector positions.
Competition was ruthless.
The atmosphere within the Wind Tiger Gang resembled a pot of oil already brought to a boil.
It only needed a single spark...
...to erupt completely.
---
Meng Jin strode through the Northern District with several trusted subordinates following closely behind.
Unlike his younger brother Meng Yun, Meng Jin possessed a far calmer temperament.
His expression alone, however, caused countless shopkeepers to lower their heads the moment they saw him approaching.
No one wished to become the target of his anger.
Word had already spread throughout the gang.
His younger brother had died.
The group eventually stopped before a modest blacksmith shop.
The signboard hanging outside simply read—
Lou Forge.
Without waiting for instructions, the gang members behind Meng Jin charged inside.
"Everybody out!"
Bang!
A wooden table overturned.
Several customers were struck by fists and clubs before being thrown onto the street.
"Get lost!"
"This shop is closed!"
The frightened customers scrambled away immediately.
No one dared argue with the Wind Tiger Gang.
The loud commotion echoed throughout the street.
Moments later...
Lou Feng calmly walked out from the rear workshop.
His apron remained tied around his waist while traces of soot still covered his hands.
Looking at the frightened customers fleeing outside, his expression immediately darkened.
Without saying a word...
He disappeared.
Bang!
One gang member felt a blur flash before his face.
A slap landed across his cheek.
The enormous force sent him spinning through the air before crashing directly into another companion.
Before either could stand—
Bang!
Bang!
Two more slaps echoed through the street.
Within only several breaths, every gang member except Meng Jin lay groaning on the ground.
Lou Feng calmly dusted off his hands before looking directly at Meng Jin.
His voice remained completely composed.
"Why did you come to my shop?"
"And why did you chase away my customers?"
Meng Jin silently observed him.
His sharp eyes slowly swept across Lou Feng from head to toe.
"So..."
"You're Lou Feng."
He nodded slightly.
"No wonder."
"A mere external martial artist..."
"...actually dared to kill a Steward of the Wind Tiger Gang."
The instant those words finished—
Lou Feng moved.
His fist exploded forward without the slightest warning.
Meng Jin had already been prepared.
Instead of retreating, he calmly raised one palm.
Dense Internal Energy instantly covered it.
Boom!
Fist and palm collided.
The surrounding air exploded.
Lou Feng remained motionless.
Meng Jin likewise stood firmly where he was.
Neither gained an advantage.
Meng Jin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So your physical strength truly deserves its reputation."
He slowly withdrew his palm.
"I already know how my useless younger brother died."
"He underestimated you."
"He underestimated your methods before believing victory was certain."
A faint sneer appeared on his face.
"So..."
"I won't repeat that mistake."
His Internal Energy quietly circulated around his arms instead of entering Lou Feng's body.
He intended to defeat Lou Feng directly.
Lou Feng's expression changed ever so slightly.
"You were his brother?"
Meng Jin's gaze instantly became colder.
"My younger brother's life..."
"...will naturally be repaid with yours."
The surrounding atmosphere immediately became tense.
The nearby shopkeepers hurriedly shut their doors.
Everyone understood.
Once these two fought...
The entire street would likely become a battlefield.
Just as both prepared to attack again—
A stern voice echoed from the end of the street.
"Enough."
Heavy footsteps approached in unison.
Several figures wearing dark-blue uniforms entered everyone's field of vision.
Each carried a long saber at their waist.
The badge on their chests displayed a single character.
Yan.
The Yamen.
The official authority of Qinshan County.
Seeing them arrive, Meng Jin slowly lowered his stance.
Although the Wind Tiger Gang feared no ordinary official...
Openly fighting within the Northern District before Yamen officers still crossed an important line.
He looked at Lou Feng before smiling coldly.
"You're fortunate today."
"But..."
"...your luck won't last forever."
Turning around, he led his men away without another glance.
As he passed the Yamen officers...
He didn't even offer a greeting.
The leading officer merely watched silently.
Neither side spoke.
Everyone present understood why.
The relationship between the gangs and the Yamen had remained delicate for many years.
As long as the gangs didn't openly violate the law...
The Yamen often chose to turn a blind eye to what happened in the shadows.
Only when matters became impossible to ignore...
Would they intervene.
Watching Meng Jin's group disappear into the distance, Lou Feng slowly clenched his fists.
He knew...
This matter was far from over.
Night gradually settled over Qinshan County.
After closing the forge for the day, Lou Feng stood quietly at the entrance of the blacksmith shop, looking at the empty street before him.
He already knew what tomorrow would look like.
Today's incident had spread throughout the Northern District.
Very few people would dare commission weapons from someone openly targeted by the Wind Tiger Gang. Even those who wanted to support him would hesitate. Nobody wished to invite trouble upon themselves.
Business...
Would likely become miserable.
Lou Feng simply locked the shop before walking toward the Eastern District.
The streets there were much quieter than during the day. Lanterns hanging outside the houses illuminated the stone road with a warm yellow glow, while the occasional passerby glanced at him before quickly looking away.
Some showed sympathy.
Others showed regret.
In their eyes...
He was already a dead man.
Anyone openly opposed by one of the Four Great Gangs rarely survived for long.
Lou Feng paid them no attention.
His footsteps remained steady.
However...
As he crossed into the Eastern District, his expression changed ever so slightly.
Someone...
Was watching him.
No.
More than one person.
He couldn't explain how he knew.
Ever since stepping into the Fetal Breath Realm, his perception had undergone a tremendous transformation. His sight, hearing and instincts had all become far sharper than before.
Although he couldn't sense Spiritual Qi like his master...
He could clearly feel hostile gazes lingering behind him.
Without changing his pace, Lou Feng continued walking as though nothing had happened.
Soon...
He turned into a narrow alley.
The footsteps behind him immediately became quicker.
Clearly...
Whoever followed him didn't intend to let him leave.
The instant the shadow rounded the corner—
Lou Feng disappeared.
"What—"
The follower's eyes widened.
Before he could react, a heavy chop landed precisely against the back of his neck.
Bang!
His vision turned black.
His body collapsed limply onto the ground.
Lou Feng silently caught him before the impact made too much noise, then dragged him deeper into the alley.
Looking down, he frowned.
The man wore ordinary travelling clothes.
No Wind Tiger Gang insignia.
No familiar robes.
He quickly searched the unconscious man's body.
Nothing unusual.
"No badge..."
"So he isn't from the Wind Tiger Gang."
"Then why follow me?"
Lou Feng crouched beside him before raising one hand.
Smack!
A loud slap echoed through the alley.
The man groaned before slowly opening his eyes.
The first thing he saw...
Was Lou Feng calmly staring at him.
His face immediately turned pale.
"You..."
Before he could finish speaking—
Smack!
Another slap landed across his face.
"I'll ask."
"You answer."
"If you lie..."
Lou Feng calmly picked up a broken iron rod lying beside the wall.
"...I'll break one bone each time."
The man instinctively swallowed.
His previous confidence had vanished completely.
Lou Feng looked directly into his eyes.
"Who are you?"
Silence.
The man clenched his teeth.
Lou Feng sighed softly.
Without hesitation...
Crack!
The iron rod smashed directly onto the man's forearm.
"AHHH!!"
A miserable scream echoed through the alley.
His entire arm bent unnaturally.
Cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.
Lou Feng's expression didn't change in the slightest.
"I dislike wasting time."
"I'll ask again."
"Who are you?"
The man no longer dared remain stubborn.
"I... I wasn't sent by the Wind Tiger Gang!"
"My young master sent me!"
Lou Feng narrowed his eyes.
"Your young master?"
The man nodded frantically despite the pain.
"Yes!"
"He wants to meet you."
Lou Feng remained silent for several breaths.
A young master...
Someone observing him without belonging to the Wind Tiger Gang.
His mind quickly became alert.