Creating a Club

However, before they had run far, another One Sword pierced the air and, along with its scabbard, struck the ground. Immediately following, a cold current swept through the air, and the earth froze.

"Winds sweep across ten thousand miles, smoke and dust rage, the world's path is uncertain. Ultimately, the ancient road slumbers, the vast clouds and waves wash over the heavens!"

Murong Qing in a scholarly-style robe with blue as the main color, strode in, the cold wind whistling behind him, accompanied by snowflakes, making it impossible for the fleeing gang thugs to open their eyes.

She wore a human skin mask, which she had taken from two thieves on the train to Cangqingyun Land. After putting it on, she transformed into a mature and beautiful woman of about twenty-five years old.

She drew her fingers like swords and casually swung them, unleashing Sword Qi of sword energy imbued with chilling coldness. When these streaks struck a person, only shallow wounds remained, but the cold energy within would seep into the meridians and freeze the person.

"She's all alone, don't be afraid, let's all go together!"

The Axe Gang leader shouted, but instead of rushing in for close combat, he gathered his strength, channeled his inner True Qi, and threw his axe at Murong Qing with intense Gang Qi. His underlings followed suit, throwing their axes as well.

In an instant, countless axe shadows flew through the air, like a treasure trove of axes. Murong Qing fearless and stepped forward, unleashing his sword Sword Intent. The Moon God's Tear was automatically drawn from its sheath, swirling in mid-air like an ice flower blooming, its petals spreading outwards.

"Dark Jade Reflects the Rose!"

Amidst a series of crisp cracking sounds, all the axes became embedded in the ice wall. The axe of the Axe Gang leader was embedded the deepest, with almost the entire blade cutting into it. Even so, it only broke through half the thickness.

Murong Qing flicked her sword, and the Moon God's Tear returned to its sheath. At the same time, the sheath was drawn back to her back. Her lips parted slightly. "Those who surrender will not be killed."

"What a joke! We, the Axe Gang, are all men of steel, unyielding to the death! How could we possibly beg for mercy from a woman!" The Axe Gang leader's body stiffened, and he ripped open his robe, revealing his hairy chest. "Brothers, follow me!"

However, no one responded; all was quiet behind them.

He turned his head and saw that the gang members were all kneeling on the ground, their hands raised high in a gesture of surrender.

"You're all heartless! You bunch of cowards who bully the weak and fear the strong, are you still my brothers?" The Axe Gang leader roared at Murong Qing. "If you have the guts, then kill us all!"

A group of henchmen quickly grabbed his leg, pleading, "Boss, your life is the most important thing! Don't be impulsive!"

"Brother, if you're going to sacrifice yourself, don't drag the brothers down with you! The brothers don't want to be martyrs either."

"A bunch of idiots! You think she'll let you go if you surrender? It's useless. Look at her eyes, she's clearly a righteous fanatic who hates evil and will eradicate it completely. She'll definitely kill you to silence you. Rather than kneeling and taking a knife, you'd better fight to the death!"

Murong Qing, "A man's knees are worth gold. Since I said those who surrender will not be killed, I will naturally not go back on my word. Of course, for a man of your stature and courage, I will also grant your wish and not let you live a life of shame and ridicule."

Having said that, he gathered icy sword Sword Qi at his fingertips, ready to unleash it.

With a "thump," the Axe Gang leader knelt down, raised his hands, bowed deeply, and begged for mercy.

Chapter 426 Creating a Club

"Asura Pardons Buddha!"

Si Ming used his sword as a knife, slashing the ground fiercely. His energy was unstoppable. The Wheel-Turning King Sword, which was like a work of art, was treated so roughly by him. It truly felt like burning a zither and boiling a crane. However, at this moment, no one had the mind to think about this.

The stubborn gang members who had not yet surrendered were blasted into the air by this One Sword and fell from a height of more than ten meters. They were all dizzy and tinnitus-induced. Those who were slightly weaker had their bones broken and lay on the ground howling in pain.

Hundreds of people were injured, crippled, or demoted, and in the blink of an eye, they were utterly defeated. The leaders of several gangs, as well as the middle and high-level members, all had their cultivation crippled by Yu Shuying. She showed no mercy when she struck.

The only survivor was the Axe Gang leader, who had been captured by Murong Qing. At this point, he understood that they had kicked a hornet's nest, and a formidable one at that; their strength was simply on different levels. Trembling, he asked, "Who exactly are you? With such power, why are you involved in the underworld... Could it be that the government has decided to crack down on organized crime?"

In his mind, only the government and the Mohist Knight Guard had this kind of power in Su State.

Murong Qing countered, "Do I need to explain myself to you? Or are you already prepared to hear the answer?"

The Axe Gang leader quickly shook his head. He knew that knowing too many secrets was never a good thing. "No need, no need. You'd better not tell me. I want to live a few more years."

Si Ming glanced over, wondering if it was just his imagination, but Murong Qing's personality seemed subtly different from usual. Could it be because she was wearing a mask? Just like how some people's online speech style is completely different from their real-life speech?

At this moment, Yu Shuying walked over. "Oh, there's still one who slipped through the net." She raised her palm as if to strike the Dantian.

"Chief Yu, please show mercy!"

The Axe Gang leader let out a miserable howl as if his mother had died, slammed his palms into the ground, and his body bounced up. Just when Yu Shuying thought he was going to take advantage of the situation to launch a sneak attack, she saw him turn around in mid-air and use the legendary ultimate technique—the Fierce Tiger Landing Strike—to strike her.

"Chief Yu is a heroine among women, a peerless heroine. I have long admired her and am willing to serve her with utmost loyalty and devotion!"

He knew very well what would happen to someone like him, a member of the underworld, without martial arts skills and territory. Once his enemies heard the news and came knocking on his door, he would suffer a fate worse than death.

Compared to this bleak future, what does dignity matter? What does integrity matter? The most important thing is to quickly find a new powerful patron.

Yu Shuying gave a noncommittal "oh" and said, "I don't need a useless person who only knows how to flatter."

The Axe Gang leader hurriedly boasted of his abilities. "In terms of martial arts, although I am not as skilled as you great heroes, I am still considered a first-rate fighter in the Linked Mountains City underworld. In terms of knowledge, I know every street and alley in Linked Mountains City, have connections with all sorts of people, and am well-versed in all kinds of shady dealings. In terms of eloquence, just give me half a month... no, just a week, and I can make Chief Yu's name resound throughout the Jiangzhou underworld, known to everyone, as powerful as the rising sun!"

This man had been so proud and arrogant, giving off the air of a tough, iron-willed man, but in the blink of an eye, he threw away all his dignity, demonstrating what it means to be a "great man who can bend and stretch." This opened the eyes of Murong Qing and the others, who couldn't help but sigh that when integrity is lost, there really is no bottom line.

Yu Shuying had been hanging out with gangsters and thugs lately, so she was used to it and asked, "What's your name?"

The Axe Gang leader was overjoyed. "My surname is Diao, and my given name is Bao."

"Diao Bao? What a strange name. Tell me, if I were to rename the gang, what do you think would be a good name?"

Diao Bao hurriedly flattered, "After tonight, Linked Mountains City will be incorporated into the gang leader's territory, and from then on, we will control half of Jiangzhou. The name 'Green Snake Gang' is a bit stingy and does not match the gang leader's ambition. As the ancient saying goes, a snake transforms into a dragon after five hundred years and into a serpent after a thousand years. Now that the Green Snake Gang has accumulated great power, it is no less than a fish leaping over the dragon gate. Why not change the name to the Azure Dragon Gang?"

Yu Shuying said, "What you said makes some sense, but the Green Snake Gang can only be considered to have achieved some success at present. It is still far from being able to accumulate great power. Let's call it the Azure Flood Dragon Gang for now."

The name "Azure Flood Dragon Gang" is really not good; it has a kind of mediocre feel to it. But for Yu Shuying, the gang is just a tool, so it doesn't matter what it's called.

In a corner not far away, Liu Qingqing, dressed in white, looked at the battlefield that had ended, put down her bow, and said, "Looks like I won't be participating anymore. Shall we recite the poem?"

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then finally decided to give up. "Never mind, nobody's listening anyway."

"This outfit looks cool on, but it's such a hassle to take it off."