Shen Xiuhan did not go far. He found a secluded alley and hid himself.
Although Gao Nian was dead, Gao Fu was still alive.
Moreover, the old man was hiding in Tian Erhu's home, and he seemed to have some connection to Tian Ping'an of the Longxiang Army.
‘If it's just a coincidence, so be it...’
Shen Xiuhan stared at the gate of Tian Erhu's courtyard, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
‘If he really has colluded with Tian Ping'an, he must be rooted out as early as possible to prevent endless future trouble!’
At that moment, Shen Xiuhan's gaze focused.
There was movement!
The courtyard gate cracked open slightly, and a head poked out to look left and right.
Once they confirmed no one was watching, two stealthy figures quickly squeezed out of the gap, sticking close to the base of the wall as they hurried toward the south street.
Here they come!
Shen Xiuhan landed on a moss-covered wall, keeping a moderate distance as he tailed the two figures.
A man with a black dragon tattooed on his neck smacked his lips, his tone slightly dissatisfied. “Leader Zhang, why are we eating flatbread again? Why don't we get some wine and meat to satisfy our cravings...”
“Shut up!”
Leader Zhang did not stop his pace, swearing in a low voice, “If you want to court death, go by yourself!”
“If you expose our tracks and get chopped up by those mad dogs of the Luanbo Gang because they caught our scent, don't blame me for not warning you when you meet the King of Hell!”
“How could it be such a coincidence? It's not like they can chase us all the way to Yeci Ward...”
The dragon-tattooed man muttered resentfully. Ultimately, he did not dare mention buying wine and meat again, instead complaining irritably, “Leader Zhang, at least give us some reliable news. How much longer do the eight of us sturdy men have to endure being cooped up in that wretched courtyard?”
“How should I know!”
Leader Zhang waved his hand irritably. “I don't want to stay here either, but do you dare disobey the gang leader's orders?”
“Uh... Hey, Leader Zhang.”
The dragon-tattooed man's eyes darted around. He quickly caught up and asked curiously, “I heard from Mazi that you went out last night. Could it be you went to the Outer City to kidnap a few broads to help the brothers blow off some steam?”
“Bullshit. It was just a tiring errand to deliver a letter. You can go next time!”
“Delivering a letter? To whom?”
Leader Zhang looked around, then whispered mysteriously, “A letter to the Longxiang Army... From what the gang leader says, he has connections in the army. He wants to bring in reinforcements to settle blood debts with those bastards from the Luanbo Gang!”
The dragon-tattooed man's voice rose. “When the time comes, I'll slaughter those Luanbo thieves!”
“Keep it down!”
Leader Zhang turned and glared at him, looking around before lowering his voice, “This matter isn't settled yet. The gang leader said that person's identity is extraordinary, so we have to wait for news.”
“Keep your mouth shut. If word gets out and ruins the gang leader's plans, no one will be able to save you.”
The dragon-tattooed man said repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes. Rest assured, Leader Zhang. My mouth is tighter than a woman's waistband...”
On the roof of the dark alley, Shen Xiuhan quietly watched the two receding figures, his expression shifting rapidly.
‘Just as I expected, Gao Fu has secretly allied with Tian Ping'an... Once that late-stage Mingjin Longxiang Army Centurion returns, my situation will become very precarious!’
Shen Xiuhan took a deep breath, his thoughts racing as he looked toward the Tian residence.
‘Whatever!’
‘I'll find out what they're up to first before making a decision!’
His blood qi surged, and his movement technique was activated.
Shen Xiuhan tapped his toes repeatedly, slipping silently toward the Tian residence like a screech owl.
Hiding silently on the roof, he first glanced into the courtyard. It was completely empty.
Shen Xiuhan gently pried open a roof tile and peered down through the gap.
Inside the room, a black-robed man lay snoring thunderously on the couch.
Beside him, three bored, burly men sat around an eight-immortals table. They had their legs crossed, sipping tea dust and gossiping.
‘Four people...’
He quietly replaced the tile, crouched, and moved to Tian Erhu's room, lifting another tile.
On a long bench facing the door of the main hall, a burly, bald man sat in an imposing, wide-legged stance.
He had shoulders as broad as an iron tower, and a menacing, eye-catching dark-gold dragon was tattooed across half of his face from the top of his head down to his cheek. He was none other than the gang leader of the Golden Dragon Gang, Gao Fu!
Beside the desk stood a middle-aged man with a worried expression, pacing back and forth in the room with intense anxiety.
This person was the military counselor and Second Chief of the Golden Dragon Gang, Nie Cang.
Gao Fu suddenly slapped the table and said irritably, “You're pacing so much you're making me dizzy! Can't you just sit down and have some tea?”
“Big Brother, our eyebrows are practically on fire! How can I sit still?”
Nie Cang stopped pacing and said anxiously, “If you ask me... we should just abandon this business and withdraw quickly!”
“The gang still has a hidden little stronghold in Nanxiang Prefecture. We can take our money and valuables there to lay low. In the future... we'll still have a chance to make a comeback!”
“Lay low?”
Gao Fu was furious, “Danian's bones aren't even cold yet, and our great vengeance has yet to be paid! If I tuck my tail and run away like a coward, how will I ever show my face in the underworld again?!”
“Big Brother, Danian's death was highly suspicious. He wasn't killed by the martial arts styles of the Luanbo Gang. Perhaps some passing hero really did take action...”
“Bullshit!”
With bloodshot eyes, Gao Fu slammed his palm onto the hardwood table beside him, shattering a large chunk of the solid tabletop and sending wood splinters flying with a loud crack.
“He was clearly ambushed and slaughtered by those bastards from the Luanbo Gang!”
“The only reason they fabricated the excuse of a 'passing hero delivering justice' was to give me an out, forcing me to leave Changyun County so they could take over our territory without shedding blood—I'd rather die than let them have their way!”
“But Big Brother...”
Nie Cang wanted to persuade him further, but Gao Fu waved his hand to cut him off. “Enough!”
“Stop your nagging and get to the side room. Let me have some peace. This matter is not up for discussion!”
“...Yes.”
Nie Cang let out a long sigh, cupped his hands dejectedly, opened the door, and retreated.
Once the door to the main hall was tightly shut, Gao Fu, who had been full of rage just a moment ago, instantly became expressionless.
He walked to the desk, poured a cup of tea, and gulped it down.
Holding the empty cup before his eyes, he spoke as if to someone else, “It's been nearly twenty years... Whether I can reach the Huajin Rank, or even the Gangjin Rank in this lifetime... all depends on that opportunity!”
“But it is detestable that only martial artists under thirty years of age can enter that place... Hmph!”
Gao Fu suddenly snorted coldly, his fingers exerting force as the purple clay teacup crumbled into fine powder, slowly drifting down from his palm.
“I poured all my resources into nurturing him for ten years, hoping Gao Nian would break through to the Bone Tempering Rank before turning thirty to seize that fortune for me!”
“But that useless piece of trash couldn't measure up. Now he's even lost his miserable life, almost ruining my grand plans!”
Gao Fu's eyes gleamed. “Tian Ping'an!”
“He's twenty-nine and has already mastered the Tendon Tempering Rank, and he even possesses a physical conditioning technique. He is far more suited for that place than that useless Gao Nian!”
“Once the letter is delivered... I don't believe you won't be tempted. After all, that is a Blessed—hmm!?”
Gao Fu suddenly paused mid-sentence, raising his gaze to stare at the beams of the main hall!
No sound came from there.
Yet Gao Fu's expression changed slightly, killing intent spilling from his eyes as he barked in a low voice, “Who is there!”
Rate on N.U.
