Walking alone through Tong'an Alley, Fang Xuan's expression did not change much.
To him, Chen Zijin's matter was nothing more than a tiny interlude, incapable of stirring his state of mind.
She was merely a flower raised in a greenhouse, one who had never seen the wickedness of the world. They were not people of the same world to begin with, so there was nothing worth saying.
"Big Eyes's gambling-addict father probably did far more than just strike it rich in the prefectural city. He could summon an Entry Level Martial Master whenever he pleased. That was not something an ordinary person could do."
Fang Xuan rubbed his chin, then could not be bothered to dwell on it further. He pushed open the door and walked inside.
The mud-brick house was dim. Fang Xuan glanced at the candle that had long since burned out, then seemed to notice something and pulled out a sheet of Xuan paper from beneath the oil lamp.
Neat, orderly handwriting filled the Xuan paper in rows of tiny characters.
"Brother, Xiao Lan and I are leaving first. While we're gone, take good care of yourself and remember to eat on time. There's food on the table too. When you get back, remember to heat it up before eating."
The contents of the Xuan paper were simple, mostly words of concern and affection.
Fang Xuan set down the Xuan paper and lifted the cloth cover over the dining table. Having been left untouched for over ten days, the dishes covering the table had already grown thick with white mold.
Vaguely, Fang Xuan seemed able to see Fang Li and Fang Lan's busy figures, tending the fire and cooking for him in the house before they left.
Fang Xuan fell silent for a moment, then lowered the cloth cover. A glint of icy killing intent surfaced in his eyes!
Whether for himself or for his younger brother and sister—
Zheng Juexiong, who had threatened to collect his entire family's corpses, had to die!
By the time Fang Xuan woke from his sleep, the sun was already high in the sky.
A burning pain came from both his arms. Fang Xuan rolled up his sleeves and looked down, only to see black tiger-palm marks emerging on his arms.
"Charging Tiger Palm."
Fang Xuan's expression hardened. The Black Whale Gang possessed several Entry Level martial arts, and the Charging Tiger Palm was not only fierce and ruthless—it was also incomparably venomous.
This method required one to temper both arms with deadly poison day and night, letting the poison seep three inches into the bone until one finally cultivated a pair of poisonous palms!
Once struck by this palm, a person would not only suffer immense impact on the spot, but the poison would also invade their body and continuously corrode and wither their flesh.
Old Man Yu had been struck by this palm, which was why his life force had grown weaker and weaker.
Taking a deep breath, Fang Xuan stirred the qi and blood throughout his body and sent it flowing into his arms. The glaring black tiger-palm marks immediately faded considerably.
"The reason Old Man Yu could not hold on after being struck by this palm was because he had already been gravely injured, with his qi and blood declining to the extreme. My qi and blood are still vigorous, and my body is at its peak. I do not need to worry too much for now."
A thoughtful look flashed through Fang Xuan's eyes, but then he seemed to recall something else, and his face darkened.
Zheng Juexiong of the Tiger Sprint Hand was very strong.
So strong that, within the gang, aside from Long Huaxing, who now spent every day clutching Buddhist beads and chanting Amitabha, perhaps no one else was his match!
If Zheng Juexiong had not struck in haste last night, and if Fang Xuan had not cultivated the Whale Sand Palm to the third level of Perfect Mastery, that single palm strike might have sent him straight to the Yellow Springs!
Zheng Juexiong had already reached the peak of the first level of the Heavenly Gate Skin Arhat!
"To defeat Zheng Juexiong, I need to raise my physical strength by several more levels at the very least."
Fang Xuan slowly exhaled and silently called out in his heart,
"Talisman."
In an instant, the Black Talisman flickered quietly, spreading out like ink wash over mountains and rivers as countless ripples condensed into clear words.
Technique: Dragon Whale Technique (Entry Level) Progress: 0/500 Growth Method: Hold Whale Blood in the mouth, battle the waves with the body, temper skin and hammer muscle, and dragon sinews will grow on their own! Description: Walk upon the waves, with strength enough to move mountains! Martial Art: Whale Sand Palm (Perfect Mastery) Progress: 0/1000 Growth Method: Soak the palms in Whale Blood, warm the sinews and nourish the veins, shatter bluestone with the fingers, Palm Pressing Refined Iron! Description: A weapon among men, slicing iron like mud!
Looking at the panel displayed on the Black Talisman, Fang Xuan could not help revealing a helpless look.
Whale Blood, Whale Blood!
Whether cultivating the Dragon Whale Technique or practicing the Whale Sand Palm, both required Whale Blood as an aid!
"No matter what it takes, I have to get Whale Blood quickly and push my strength up another level!"
Fang Xuan took a deep breath, resolve flashing in his eyes. After washing up, he pushed open the door.
"Master Fang!!!"
A respectful greeting rang out in unison, like ten thousand streams converging into one before becoming a rolling torrent of mountain-shaking, sea-roaring force that thundered into the clouds.
Fang Xuan narrowed his eyes and looked over. One Line Sky, Water Monkey, Big Eyes, and Chu Chong had long been waiting outside. Behind them, several hundred blue-clothed ruffians stood in ranks on both sides, clearing a path that stretched all the way to the entrance of Tong'an Alley.
The display was vast and grand, with drums beating and banners flying!
Countless residents of Tong'an Alley hid behind their doors, secretly looking toward Fang Xuan with eyes full of both fear and envy.
"Let's go."
Fang Xuan's expression remained calm. After giving a slight nod, he began walking out step by step.
One Line Sky and the other three turned around first, following behind him.
Then, with every step Fang Xuan took, another ruffian turned and respectfully fell in behind him.
By the time Fang Xuan had completely left Tong'an Alley, the ruffians behind him had formed a vast, winding dragon!
A sea of people blotted out the sky and covered the earth!
"The Fang Family's eldest son has truly made something of himself."
Some of the neighbors who had watched Fang Xuan grow up could not help shaking their heads with a sigh.
Everyone could see that Fang Xuan, that detested little ruffian, had likely already become a force to be reckoned with and was about to soar into the heavens!
Pingjiang City, city center.
This was the heart of Pingjiang City. Within less than twenty li of land stood the city's most extravagant restaurants, inns, martial arts schools, teahouses, pleasure houses, and countless other establishments!
Unlike the filthy streets of the eastern district, where sewage ran everywhere and there was hardly a soul outside after nightfall, this place was clean and orderly. Every night rang with music and song, a glittering world of wine and lights stretching for ten li!
Those who lived here were Pingjiang City's true dignitaries, wealthy gentry, and renowned figures.
When Fang Xuan led the great mass of East Hall ruffians into this place, heading for the Black Whale Gang headquarters to attend a meeting—
The passersby did not look at them with the same fearful eyes they had seen in the eastern district.
These richly dressed dignitaries and nobles covered their noses and mouths, their brows tightly furrowed as disgust and contempt filled their eyes.
"Where did these mud-legged peasants come from? They reek of rotten fish and shrimp!"
"These street rats dare swagger into our city center?"
"A pack of poor wretches. Don't stink up our place."
"The City Lord really ought to divide the districts properly. Lowborn households should not be allowed into our area."
"Tsk, eastern-district trash. Why aren't they staying in those dark, damp Bamboo Raft Houses? What are they doing here?"
"These people look like they stink."
"That young man at the front seems to be some Fang Xuan from the Black Whale Gang? That little ruffian with parents to bear him but none to teach him—does he think we are as easy to bully as those commoners in the eastern district?"
Fang Xuan showed little expression as he continued forward.
Behind him, One Line Sky, Water Monkey, Big Eyes, and Chu Chong, who had initially been excited, could no longer endure the ridicule. Rage filled their eyes.
Those disdainful, mocking gazes were like sharp blades, stabbing the self-respect they had painstakingly picked up into bloody fragments!
"Fuck their mothers, I can't take this anymore!"
Water Monkey, whose pride had always run strong, gritted his teeth and prepared to explode.
Chu Chong likewise reached for the hilt of the long blade hidden beneath his clothes.
Others cared that these city folk were wealthy gentry, famous figures, and high-ranking nobles.
But he was a man who did not even care about his own life. Why would he care about them?
"Don't move. Don't look at them. Just keep walking our own path."
Fang Xuan spoke calmly, stopping Water Monkey before he could act.
"Brother Xuan, weren't they just born a little better than us? What gives them the right to look down on us?" Water Monkey asked through gritted teeth.
"In life, it doesn't matter if others look down on you. As long as you can look up to yourself, that is enough."
Fang Xuan smiled at Water Monkey, then said softly,
"Rest assured. One day, sooner or later, I will plant our flag in this land."
Water Monkey nodded hard.
"Fine! When that day comes, I'll throw every man living here into the Ping River to fish! I'll throw every woman into the Horse Pen! I'll be the first to taste them and see whether these noble young ladies scream any differently in bed from ordinary brothel chickens!"
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