Open Refusal, Secret Take, Frame-Up

The Mad Horse Gang has boxing techniques, secret medicines, and certainly no shortage of experts to hold down the fort.

The Wild Fox Gang, famous for being on par with them, must have trump cards to counter, far from the rabble they were previously estimated to be.

Zhou You realized that Tu Laosan's threat was far greater than he had imagined.

He looked down at the Bone Tempering Powder, feeling tempted, but his reason told him the fragrant bait was poisoned.

It's not easy to take things from a gang; once you're involved, you're stained.

Believe it or not, if he accepted the Bone Tempering Powder today, he'd have to work for them tomorrow?

"..."

Gao Qiang felt a thousand emotions. The gang had really gone to great lengths to recruit Zhou You.

Bone Tempering Powder was worth a fortune, only awarded in small amounts to gang members who had rendered great service.

He himself had fought desperately in a bloody skirmish, suffering over a dozen wounds, before his hall master took notice and rewarded him with one portion of Bone Tempering Powder.

Envy arose in his heart; he felt his childhood friend was becoming increasingly unbearable and detestable.

So what if he joined the Martial Arts School? He had never been as daring and willing to fight as himself since childhood, it was just good luck.

Gao Qiang was convinced that Zhou You would find it hard to refuse this temptation and would surely join their gang.

Firstly, the Bone Tempering Powder was enticing, and secondly, the threat from Tu Laosan of the Wild Fox Gang left Zhou You with no other choice.

"Please thank the Second Elder for his kindness, but I refuse."

Zhou You glanced indifferently at the Bone Tempering Powder and said decisively.

Who did they think they were looking down on? A mere three portions of Bone Tempering Powder were equivalent to just three applications of Tiger Bone Paste.

As an official Martial Arts School disciple, he would receive one application of Tiger Bone Paste every three days, obtaining them in ten days. Who would be bought with such a paltry offering?

Joining a gang was like jumping into a deep mud pit, willingly degrading oneself, even making one's perspective crude.

What? He actually refused.

Gao Qiang's eyes showed disbelief. "Zhou You, think about it again."

"No need to think about it, goodbye."

Without another word, Zhou You pushed open the door and walked out of the room, leaving a stunned Gao Qiang behind.

Gao Qiang couldn't snap out of it for a long time. He couldn't understand it. That was three portions of Bone Tempering Powder. What made Zhou You so confident to refuse?

He realized he truly didn't know his old friend anymore.

After Zhou You left, he thought that his friend was sinking deeper and deeper, and would only be able to be a gangster for the rest of his life.

Moreover, his repeated attempts to use him showed malicious intent.

If it weren't for the fact that he hadn't openly shown his malice, Zhou You would have dealt with him long ago.

"Please, be merciful, give us a couple more days."

"It's not that we don't want to pay, it's just that business is bad, and we don't have any cash. If you close our shop, how will our family survive?"

"Is there no justice in this world?"

Wailing could be heard from the street ahead, accompanied by miserable pleas.

Passersby were talking, "The Wild Fox Gang is causing trouble again."

It turned out to be a shop that sold woolen yarn. Business had been bad recently, and they had to pay taxes and protection fees.

Finally, they couldn't hold on any longer today.

This street was the Wild Fox Gang's territory, and they reacted faster than the government, showing up to seal the shop.

The one leading the enforcement was none other than... Tu Laosan.

Tu Laosan had a naturally villainous appearance. As the saying goes, the face reflects the heart, and it was perfectly true for him.

His cheekbones were extremely high, and his eyes were narrowed into long slits, resembling a hungry wolf.

Several Wild Fox Gang members rushed into the shop, smashing things. The shop owner's family sat on the ground, weeping bitterly.

Once the shop was sealed, they lost their only means of livelihood and were instantly reduced to abject poverty.

There were many onlookers around, but they only dared to watch from a distance. No one dared to intervene, or even discuss it loudly.

"Smash it all. You all watch carefully. If you don't pay protection fees, don't even think about making a living under the Wild Fox Gang's watch."

Tu Laosan glanced at the shop owner's daughter. She was short and unattractive, not worth a good price, and he shook his head in disappointment.

The advisor beside him held a ledger and explained, "This shop doesn't have much cash on hand. The woolen yarn in the warehouse can be exchanged for some silver."

"Then find someone to sell it."

The advisor eagerly agreed, turned, and went to find a way.

Zhou You watched the advisor's retreating back, and a plan formed in his mind.

A moment later...

"Third Master, Third Master, something's happened! The advisor's been kidnapped!"

A gang member rushed back, panting, to report the news.

"What? Who dares to kidnap my advisor? Who has such guts?"

Tu Laosan dropped the shop owner's family, who were weeping and begging for mercy, and grabbed the reporting gang member by the collar, demanding an answer.

"It was people from the Mad Horse Gang. They seemed to be heading towards that kid Gao Qiang's territory."

Tu Laosan was furious. He immediately called the surrounding gang members who were smashing and looting to his side. "Let's go, we're getting the advisor back."

At this moment, where was the kidnapped advisor?

Zhou You carried the unconscious Goatee Advisor, moving as fast as lightning. To others, he was just a blur.

When the Lv7 Square Step was activated, his speed was like a fierce wind. Others could only see a fleeting figure, unable to make out his features.

He returned to the vicinity of Gao Qiang's house, deliberately taking a detour to the secluded back of the building.

With a casual toss, he dropped the still unconscious advisor, like a dead dog, by the corner of the wall.

"Fierce Tiger Leaps Over the Stream."

Zhou You stretched his limbs. His waist power drove his four limbs to explode, and he leaped onto the rooftop in one bound.

He lifted a roof tile and looked down. The room was empty, clearly Gao Qiang had gone out.

He jumped from the roof to the ground, crouched down, pulled out a box from under the bed, and opened it. Inside, the 3 portions of Bone Tempering Powder were still there.

Outside the house, he could hear the voices of Mad Horse Gang members on guard, ordered to watch over the Secret Medicine.

Zhou You took the Bone Tempering Powder, pushed the empty box back under the bed, and leaped back onto the three-meter-high rooftop.

After tidying up the roof tiles, he concealed any traces of his presence, restoring everything to its original state.

A moment later, Gao Qiang returned in a hurry. Upon entering the house, he keenly noticed something was wrong.

His expression changed drastically on the spot. He rushed to the bottom of the bed and took out the wooden box, his hands trembling.

The 3 portions of Bone Tempering Powder had been specially approved by the Second Elder and entrusted to him for safekeeping.

Given Gao Qiang's status as a minor leader, he had no right to use such items. If they were lost, he would face at least the punishment of having six holes pierced through him.

If Zhou You had agreed to his recruitment and accepted the Bone Tempering Powder, it would have been fine.

But if they were lost...

Clack, the wooden box opened. It was empty inside.

Gao Qiang clutched his chest, staggered back a few steps, and cried out, "Help! Help!"

The gang members around the house immediately became agitated, rushing around the house like headless flies.

As expected, Tu Laosan's advisor was found.

"Brother Qiang, this old fellow was sneakily hiding behind the house."

Gao Qiang recognized the Goatee Advisor on the spot. He was Tu Laosan's advisor.

His mind raced. Whether or not this person had stolen it, only the Wild Fox Gang could take the blame.

He immediately shrieked, "Tu Laosan sent people to steal the Bone Tempering Powder! Quickly, follow me to get it back!"

The gang members at the bottom were simple-minded and wouldn't question why Tu Laosan would send a weak advisor to steal something.

They shouted loudly, brandishing knives and clubs, and followed Gao Qiang to settle the score with Tu Laosan.

Halfway down the road, Tu Laosan's men came towards them.

Tu Laosan saw his advisor being held by Gao Qiang's subordinates and was filled with rage.

"Gao Qiang, you dare to capture my man?"

Gao Qiang's eyes were bloodshot. He knew today's situation would be difficult to explain.

Having lost 3 portions of Bone Tempering Powder, the hall master would flay him alive. Only by escalating the matter could he possibly escape.

"Stop the nonsense. Hand over the Bone Tempering Powder, and I'll spare your life."

Tu Laosan was utterly confused. What was this guy talking about? He waved his hand and ordered, "Attack."

The two groups of people collided like a torrent, fighting fiercely until the sky and earth went dark.