Chapter 40: Sharp Blade

Having spoken, Chen Yuan stepped forward with a sudden burst of movement, his long saber slashing toward Yang Huaizhan.

How fast the blade was!

This strike contained no exquisite variations; it possessed only pure speed, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the night sky.

Unable to evade in time, Yang Huaizhan could only raise his sword to meet the blow.

*Clang!*

As the saber and sword collided, Yang Huaizhan’s expression changed drastically. He stumbled back three steps, the flesh between his thumb and forefinger splitting open as blood flowed profusely, and the long sword nearly flew from his grasp.

This strike was not only fast but heavy, feeling like a thousand-pound boulder intended to crush him.

Without giving Yang Huaizhan a moment to breathe, Chen Yuan immediately unleashed a second strike.

This one was even faster and more cunning, sealing off Yang Huaizhan's retreat. He only had enough time to raise his sword in defense.

*Clang!*

Yang Huaizhan felt as if his wrist had been snapped by a massive force. The pain pierced his very marrow. His grip loosened, and the long sword spun upward into the sky.

Ignoring the recoil, Chen Yuan followed up with a third strike.

*Ssh!*

The saber's energy sliced through five of Yang Huaizhan's long whiskers and grazed his throat, leaving a deep wound.

"Heh... heh..."

Yang Huaizhan’s eyes bulged, staring fixedly at Chen Yuan, as if trying to see his face through the black mask.

Chen Yuan watched coldly as Yang Huaizhan collapsed to the ground and shouted

"Yang Huaizhan is dead!"

The surrounding Tiger伏 (Tiger-伏) Gang martial artists understood the signal and shouted in unison

"Yang Huaizhan is dead!"

They charged toward the other courtyards while shouting. The morale of the Tiger Gang surged. Hearing this, the guards of Jishi Hall felt their hearts tremble and their courage vanish.

Having slain Yang Huaizhan, Chen Yuan no longer held back. He moved between the various combat zones, dealing lethal blows to any Bone-Refining or Internal Strength martial artists he encountered.

Soon, the Jishi Hall guards fell into a state of total rout, attempting to scale the walls to escape.

The Tiger Gang pursued relentlessly. The men patrolling outside the courtyard also proved useful; with pursuers behind and blockades in front, escape was impossible.

A quarter of an hour later, the sounds of battle gradually subsided.

The resistance from the Jishi Hall guards had been completely purged, and the Tiger Gang had gained full control of the situation. This night raid ended in a resounding victory.

Wei Wuding approached to ask for instructions, and Chen Yuan commanded

"Kill anyone who participated in the resistance!"

The men immediately moved in to finish them off. After a series of short, sharp screams, the courtyard fell silent, leaving only the groans of the wounded Tiger Gang members and the weeping of the physicians, pharmacists, apprentices, and managers.

They were driven into the courtyard—over sixty people in total—where they crouched on the ground with their heads bowed, trembling in terror, not daring to look at these thugs.

Wei Wuding asked in a low voice

"Hall Master Chen, should we kill these people or leave them?"

Chen Yuan’s gaze swept over them one by one before he said

"Kill all the pharmacists. Drag out the managers to lead the way. Search for pills, gold, and silver. Keep a close watch on the others, and increase the number of patrols on the perimeter. Anyone who approaches is to be killed on sight!"

"Yes!"

Subsequently, Wei Wuding ordered his men to kill all the pharmacists capable of compounding pills and to find the six surviving managers to interrogate them regarding the location of the pills and wealth.

Two of them remained iron-willed and refused to cooperate; they were killed with a single strike.

The remaining four managers were terrified out of their wits and did not dare to hide anything, confessing everything they knew.

Among them was Wang Ruyi, who had done business with Chen Yuan for a year. He possessed only Bone-Refining cultivation and mediocre martial arts, making him an easy target for the Tiger Gang.

Chen Yuan watched coldly, showing no mercy despite their prior acquaintance.

Once the interrogation was complete, he personally led men to scavenge the pills and gold, leaving Wei Wuding in the courtyard to maintain control.

Half a quarter of an hour later, Chen Yuan finished ransacking the entirety of Jishi Hall, recovering eight wooden chests filled with pills and valuables.

He had no interest in gold, silver, or pills below the罡 (Gang/Aura) stage; he only took four bottles of Essence Pills and one bottle of Hunyuan Pills intended for 化劲 (Hua Jin/Transforming Strength) martial artists.

He then ordered Wei Wuding to kill the four managers and lock the surviving physicians, apprentices, and laborers in several rooms. After a hasty cleanup of the scene, they withdrew from Jishi Hall.

The night raid had not been massive, but it was certainly not small; the surrounding residents and merchants would surely have noticed.

However, they all kept their doors tightly shut, not daring to involve themselves in the affairs of the martial world.

As for the constables who should have been patrolling East Street, they had stayed at the yamen to drink tonight.

It was only two quarter-hours after the Tiger Gang had withdrawn that they arrived, reeking of alcohol, to cordon off the scene.

...

When Chen Yuan returned to Chongxin Ward with his men, Luo Zhenwu, Hou Yan, Hall Master Qi, and Hall Master Liu were all gathered at the Hundred Weapons Hall headquarters to welcome his return.

Chen Yuan removed his black mask and cupped his hands in greeting

"Mission accomplished. Jishi Hall has been destroyed!"

With a wave of his hand, Wei Wuding presented Yang Huaizhan's head. The gazes of the others shifted as they looked at Chen Yuan.

Yang Huaizhan was a renowned Gang-stage martial artist whom they had dealt with many times; today, his head was severed from his body.

Yet Chen Yuan remained indifferent, as if killing Yang Huaizhan were a trivial matter, sending a chill down the spines of the hall masters.

Luo Zhenwu laughed loudly and said in a booming voice

"Good! Hall Master Chen is a young hero! By destroying Jishi Hall, you have eliminated a great enemy for our Tiger Gang. This is truly gratifying!"

Hou Yan said gratefully

"Hall Master Chen has avenged the brothers of Workshop No. 3. This old man thanks you."

Hall Master Qi's eyes betrayed a hint of fear as he managed a forced smile

"Hall Master Chen's martial arts are extraordinary. I am impressed!"

Chen Yuan said indifferently

"I merely followed the Gang Leader's orders. Yang Huaizhan's skills were not weak; in our exchange, my spirit was somewhat depleted. I shall return to rest. Farewell."

With that, he cupped his hands and left the hall on his own, heading toward the Chen residence.

The crowd was somewhat stunned. Hall Master Liu's expression changed drastically, but upon seeing Yang Huaizhan's head, he silently shut his mouth.

Luo Zhenwu looked at Wei Wuding and asked

"Did Hall Master Chen engage in a great battle with Yang Huaizhan?"

Wei Wuding's Adam's apple bobbed twice before he replied

"Three strikes! Hall Master Chen used only three strikes to slay Yang Huaizhan!"

"What did you say?"

"Say that again!"

"That's impossible!"

The three hall masters were struck with shock; even Luo Zhenwu was profoundly stunned.

They were mentally prepared for Chen Yuan to kill Yang Huaizhan, given that Chen Yuan possessed divine strength capable of rivaling a demon tiger, far surpassing ordinary martial artists.

But to kill a peak Gang-stage martial artist in only three strikes left the three hall masters unable to maintain their composure.

In their own hearts, they knew they could, at most, fight Yang Huaizhan to a draw or perhaps gain a slight edge.

If Chen Yuan could kill Yang Huaizhan in three strikes, how many strikes could they last against him?

The three men looked at each other, their eyes filled with dread.

...

The next day, Chen Yuan rose early and was practicing martial arts in his manor when the steward announced that Hall Master Qi had arrived.

He instructed the steward to invite Hall Master Qi to the reception hall to wait. After practicing for another half an hour, he unhurriedly changed his clothes, walked into the reception hall, and gave a lazy salute.

"Hall Master Qi, apologies for the wait. I had a sudden realization while practicing and could not stop immediately. If I have been negligent, I ask for your understanding."

Hall Master Qi stood up to greet him, a broad smile on his face

"It is no matter, no matter at all."

Chen Yuan's gaze swept over the table, noticing three pill bottles. He asked

"These are..."

"These are three bottles of Essence Pills. Please accept them, Hall Master Chen."

"I just obtained a bottle from Shennong Hall a few days ago, and I got three more from Jishi Hall last night. I do not lack pills. Hall Master Qi, please take them back."

Hall Master Qi smiled apologetically

"To tell you the truth, I came specifically to apologize to you. In the past, I have troubled you to come to Shennong Hall personally to collect pills. It was my oversight. From now on, I will send three bottles of Essence Pills every month. Please accept them."

Chen Yuan nodded

"Thank you for making the trip, Hall Master Qi. I shall accept these three bottles."

Hall Master Qi breathed a sigh of relief and said

"It was my lack of foresight in the past that caused these misunderstandings between us. I hope you will not take them to heart. In the future, if you require anything, just say the word. Shennong Hall will do its utmost to satisfy your needs."

A smile finally appeared on Chen Yuan's face. He said

"You overstate it, Hall Master Qi. A few misunderstandings are easily resolved. Only when we work together can our gang prosper."

Having said that, he nonchalantly picked up a teacup from the table and took a light sip.

Hall Master Qi immediately stood up to take his leave

"Hall Master Chen is right. Now that the pills have been delivered, I shall not disturb your practice any longer."

"Safe travels, Hall Master Qi. Someone, see the guest out!"

...

While Hall Master Qi was visiting Chen Yuan to apologize, a scene of grim tension unfolded in Ningxin Ward in the eastern part of the city.

The ward was under heavy guard, with sentries patrolling back and forth, everyone looking as nervous as startled birds.

In the Gathering Hall, Huang Xiuzhi, the leader of the Sanjiang Gang, sat in the main seat, his face as dark as water.

Several people sat on either side with terrified expressions; only a scholar in a white robe sat sipping tea, looking indifferent.

A seven-foot-tall man stood in the hall, sweating profusely, his face full of panic. His naturally coarse voice had been forced into a high-pitched, squeaky tone as he spoke

"Re... reporting to the Gang Leader, Governor Lu says that based on the traces at the scene, it should be the work of bandits. A wanted notice has been issued, but it may be difficult to solve the case in a short time..."

*Bang!*

Huang Xiuzhi picked up the teacup on the table and slammed it onto the ground, shattering it into pieces. He cursed

"Dog official! An ungrateful white-eyed wolf! After taking so much of my silver, he claims it was bandits? Aside from the Tiger Gang, who in all of Yuzhou would dare touch the people of my Sanjiang Gang?"

The seven-foot man trembled, his voice becoming even higher and more unnatural

"Governor Lu says this was the intention of Prefect Yan, and he is powerless... He also said that regarding the incident at Workshop No. 3 of the Tiger Gang the day before yesterday, the government will not intervene, and that the recent misfortune of Jishi Hall is also something he cannot interfere with..."

"Enough!"

Huang Xiuzhi smashed the armrest of his chair and snarled fiercely

"That man Lu has no balls! I will take matters into my own hands and reclaim our honor! Gather the men. We strike Shennong Hall tonight and kill Qi Hong!"

He had fallen into a fit of rage, his eyes bloodshot and his face distorted with a murderous intent.

No one dared to speak, fearing they might trigger his wrath.

The scholar in white, however, remained unperturbed. He calmly set down his teacup and said indifferently

"Calm your anger, Gang Leader. In my view, this matter requires more careful planning."

(End of Chapter)