Happy Life Stronghold

"About fifty miles from here, there is a village called Happy Life Stronghold, which operates gambling dens and brothels, specifically attracting rural landlords and idle men to spend money there."

"Sometimes, even some people in the city who like to explore the unusual will come here to experience a different kind of fun that they can't get in the County Prefecture."

"That village is actually a property of the Black Wolf Gang. It is said that the village chief is the Ninth Leader of the Black Wolf Gang."

"I think the Han Wu and Zhao Xiong you mentioned should be from there."

"Master Ma, what is the level of martial arts prowess of this Ninth Leader?" Lu Qing asked.

"I'm not entirely sure about that either, but I imagine it can't be that much stronger, probably not exceeding the Qi Blood Realm," Ma Gu replied.

"Only the Qi Blood Realm?" Lu Qing was surprised.

"What do you mean by 'only at the Qi Blood Realm '?" Ma Gu laughed. "Young Brother Lu, don't think that practicing martial arts is an easy thing just because you have amazing martial arts talent."

"For ordinary people to reach the Qi Blood Realm in martial arts, it is only by chance that they have spent countless efforts and hard work to break through."

"Many people practice martial arts, perhaps for ten or twenty years, but they just stay in the same place. Apart from being physically stronger and more skilled in martial arts, they achieve nothing."

"On the contrary, geniuses like you, who have only recently come into Connecting Qi and Blood arts, are truly rare in the world."

"You need to know that the Black Wolf Gang leader, Black Wolf, is only at the Tendons and Bones Realm in martial arts. And how much stronger can his Ninth Leader be?"

"If even a small boss running peripheral industries were at the Tendons and Bones Realm, then the Black Wolf Gang wouldn't just be one of the three major gangs in the County Prefecture, but the number one gang."

Lu Qing then realized that he had misunderstood.

Perhaps it was because he had been in contact with the Wei Clan every day recently and had seen that even one of the Wei Clan's guards was at the Tendons and Bones Realm level.

Subconsciously, I felt that Martial Artist at the Tendons and Bones Realm seemed quite common.

But they momentarily forgot that the Wei Clan was different; they were a behemoth in the entire prefecture, far surpassing any small gang that could only operate within the County Prefecture.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master Ma. I will take my leave now."

Having obtained the information he needed, Lu Qing prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute, Brother Lu," Ma Gu quickly called out to him, "Are you thinking of going to that Happy Life Stronghold?"

"That's right. As a son, if you know there's another reason for your parents' death, you should at least investigate it thoroughly, right?" Lu Qing did not deny it.

But judging from your demeanor, it doesn't seem like you're just conducting a simple investigation.

Ma Gu's gaze swept over the War Blade on Lu Qing's back, and he secretly grumbled in his heart.

However, he also knew that it was probably impossible to persuade Lu Qing.

The hatred for one's parents is irreconcilable.

What's more, his little brother had even killed someone from Happy Life Stronghold.

The two sides have become mortal enemies, and the enmity is irreconcilable.

Remembering the Black Wolf Gang's usual tactics, Ma Gu knew that rather than waiting for the other side to react, Lu Qing might as well take the initiative.

Otherwise, once the Black Wolf Gang truly takes action, even if Lu Qing has three heads and six arms, he probably won't be able to withstand it.

However, thinking about Lu Qing's martial arts prowess, Ma Gu couldn't help but feel a little worried.

No matter how skilled Lu Qing is, he has only been practicing martial arts for a little over a month.

Even though he has already entered the Qi Blood Realm, there can still be a big difference in strength among those in the same Qi Blood Realm.

Realm level does not equate to combat strength.

Realm level can only represent Martial Artist's physical qualities and strength.

However, whether one can transform their realm into combat power ultimately depends on how Martial Artist utilize their Combat Method techniques.

In this respect, Ma Gu was not very optimistic about Lu Qing.

I'll say it again.

Lu Qing has only been involved in martial arts for a very short time.

Martial Artist's Combat Method requires time for rigorous training and the tempering of real combat.

Lu Qing usually stayed in Nine Li Village, either studying medicine or fishing and farming. Where would he have the opportunity to hone his Combat Method?

If we really barge into that Happy Life Stronghold like that, we'll probably suffer a great loss.

After thinking for a moment, Ma Gu said, "In that case, why don't I go with you, Brother Lu?"

As Martial Artist at the Tendons and Bones Realm, Ma Gu was quite confident in his strength.

A small Happy Life Stronghold couldn't stop him.

However, Lu Qing shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Master Ma, but this is a matter between me and the Black Wolf Gang. Master Ma doesn't need to get involved."

Ma Gu wanted to persuade him further, but the Happy Life Stronghold had a large and powerful force, not to mention that the village chief was also Martial Artist. It would be too dangerous for Lu Qing to venture out alone.

But when he saw Lu Qing's calm and composed gaze, he knew that further persuasion would be useless.

All I could say was, "Brother Lu, you must be careful. If you notice anything amiss, run outside immediately. Do not fight them head-on."

Given Lu Qing's Martial Artist strength, if he were determined to break out, unless he fell into a trap or the Ninth Leader of the Black Wolf Gang personally intervened, it would be difficult for ordinary gang members to stop him.

Ma Gu feared was that Lu Qing was young and impetuous, and that in a moment of anger, he would want to fight the entire village head-on.

"Don't worry, Master Ma, I know what I'm doing."

After Lu Qing left with his War Blade on his back, Ma Gu remained sitting there, deep in thought.

After a while, he called Xiao Tian over, "Prepare the horse and bring me my sword."

"Master Ma, didn't Young Master Lu say he didn't want us to go with him?" Xiao Tian asked.

"Are you just going to tell me to stand by and watch?" Ma Gu glared. "The Wei Clan specifically instructed me to keep an eye on Brother Lu. If something really happens to him, how am I supposed to explain it to the Wei Clan?"

"Besides, who said I followed Brother Lu? I just suddenly felt like going out hunting and happened to pass by Happy Life Stronghold."

Xiao Tian was speechless.

Fine, you're the Eldest Brother, whatever you say goes.

But...

"Master Ma, are we really going to go up against the Black Wolf Gang? Those mad dogs are not easy to deal with. I'm afraid the patriarch won't agree, right?"

"Are you a pig-brain?" Ma Gu looked at him with exasperation. "Young Brother Lu is someone the Wei Clan values highly. Not to mention, his master, Old Doctor Chen, is also a powerful expert in the Inner Organs Realm. Compared to the Wei Clan and Old Doctor Chen, the Black Wolf Gang is nothing!"

At this point, Ma Gu suddenly paused, "By the way, does Old Doctor Chen know about this?"

Lu Qing was unaware whether his master was aware of what had happened today.

But what he knew was that his master was always kind-hearted, couldn't bear to see others suffer, and didn't like to hurt people.

Therefore, he never thought of asking his master to help deal with the Black Wolf Gang.

He wanted to eliminate this potential threat in his own way.

After learning from Ma Gu about the Black Wolf Gang's vengeful nature...

Lu Qing understood that only one of them could survive—himself or this gang.

He currently lacks the ability to break into the County Prefecture.

But it's still worth trying to explore this Happy Life Stronghold.

After leaving the Da Ji, they came to a small road. Suddenly, a black figure jumped down from a tree and landed on Lu Qing's shoulder.

It was Xiao Li.

This is why Lu Qing refused to go to Happy Life Stronghold with Ma Gu.

Compared to the scheming Ma Gu, he naturally trusted Xiao Li, who was like family to him, more.

Not to mention, Xiao Li's abilities far surpass those of Ma Gu.

"Let's go, Xiao Li. From now on, I'll be relying on you to protect me."

Lu Qing patted the Black Little Beast's head and looked eastward.