Black Dragon Spear

Several days later, one evening.

The setting sun's afterglow dyed the inner courtyard of Panshi Fist Academy a warm gold.

Wang Yuan had just finished a round of Panshi Fist training. Heat steamed from his body as he prepared to rest for a while.

Then Senior Disciple Brother Shi Long's unmistakably booming voice came from outside the courtyard:

"Junior Brother! Junior Brother! Come out quick! Your gear is here!"

Wang Yuan's heart stirred, and he quickly walked out of the inner courtyard.

He saw Shi Long striding over with a long object wrapped in thick cloth slung over his shoulder, grinning with excitement.

The object appeared quite heavy.

Even with Shi Long's Third Blood Change physique, the bluestone slabs beneath his feet let out faint creaks as he carried it.

"Senior Disciple Brother."

Wang Yuan went forward to meet him.

"Hehe, hurry and take a look! I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Shi Long chuckled, looking rather pleased with himself.

He carefully set the long object upright on the ground, then abruptly tore away the thick cloth wrapping.

In an instant, a pitch-black spear with a cold, shadowy metallic gleam appeared before Wang Yuan.

The spear was roughly nine feet long, an excellent match for Wang Yuan's height.

Its shaft was not a smooth cylinder, but slightly angular.

Fine anti-slip patterns had been carved into the grip, making it exceptionally comfortable to hold.

Most eye-catching of all, from the butt cap to just beneath the spearhead, a lifelike black dragon relief coiled around it.

The dragon's body was vigorous, its scales distinct, its head thrown back in a furious roar, positioned precisely where the spearhead joined the shaft.

It was as though the black dragon was about to roar out from the spear itself, carrying a savage, tyrannical aura that seemed ready to choose someone and devour them!

The entire spear gave off a heavy, cold, ferocious feeling.

It was as different from the White Wax Wood spear Wang Yuan had used before as heaven and earth.

"This..."

A flash of amazement passed through Wang Yuan's eyes.

He reached out and gripped the shaft. It was ice-cold in his hand.

Its weight pressed down solidly. As expected, it was roughly fifty percent heavier than an ordinary standard spear, exactly as he had wanted.

With a slight exertion of force, the spear did not budge in the slightest. Its stability was superb.

"Try how it feels!"

Shi Long urged him, his eyes full of anticipation.

Wang Yuan took a deep breath. His blood and qi stirred slightly within him as he held the spear one-handed and flicked his wrist!

"Buzz!"

The black spear shaft sliced through the air with a deep, resonant hum.

As though a real black dragon were growling low.

The spear tip tore through the air, bringing a fierce gust of wind with it, far beyond what a wooden spear could match.

He only swung it a couple of times, and his movements were still somewhat unfamiliar.

Yet the smooth transmission of force and the stability of the shaft filled him with delight.

"Good spear!"

Wang Yuan could not help praising it.

Whether in weight, length, handling, or the ferocious aura hidden within it, this spear perfectly suited both his needs and his taste.

Senior Disciple Brother had truly put thought into this!

Seeing Wang Yuan's satisfaction, Shi Long became even more pleased. He threw back his head and laughed. "What do you think? I didn't lie to you, did I?"

"I used the best Black Iron from home, mixed in some Cold Iron powder, then had an old master craftsman forge it with painstaking care.

"See that black dragon? I figured that with the freakish strength and talent you've got, it had to have this kind of style."

"Low-key? What does a martial artist need to be low-key for?

"Enemies ought to have their legs turn to jelly the moment they see it!"

"Martial arts are for showing off."

Wang Yuan looked at the black dragon carving on the spear shaft, its dominance boldly displayed.

Then he recalled how he had previously wanted something black and understated, and could not help laughing helplessly.

Senior Disciple Brother's taste... really was direct and bold.

Still, as he touched the cold carved dragon scales, a surge of heroic spirit rose inexplicably in his heart.

Keeping a low profile was certainly good.

But sometimes, a proper display of swagger might better intimidate petty scoundrels!

Play the pig to eat the tiger too often, and eventually you really became a pig.

Wang Yuan held the spear in both hands, feeling its terrifying power and the ferocity within that faintly resonated with his own. After pondering for a moment,

he looked up at Shi Long again, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"This spear is entirely black, with a black dragon coiling around it—ferocious and tyrannical... I'll call it the Black Dragon Spear!"

"The Black Dragon Spear?"

"Good! That's domineering enough! It suits the spear, and it suits you too!" Shi Long clapped his hands and laughed, thoroughly satisfied with the name.

Wang Yuan tightened his grip on the Black Dragon Spear. Its icy touch passed through his palm, as though it had formed a subtle connection with his blood and qi.

With this true weapon of slaughter, his Mountain Breaking Spear Technique would surely grow wings like a tiger!

He could practically see it already: when facing enemies in the future, the black dragon would roar, the spear would emerge like a dragon, splitting mountains and dividing rivers.

"Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Wang Yuan solemnly thanked Shi Long.

Shi Long waved a hand, utterly unconcerned.

"We're brothers. Why be polite?"

"Train hard! Reach Major Accomplishment in that Mountain Breaking Spear Technique of yours soon, and let those blind fools see what Panshi Fist Academy is made of!"

The sun sank completely beyond the horizon, and dusk closed in from every side.

Wang Yuan carried the Black Dragon Spear, rewrapped in thick cloth, on his back and returned home to the South District.

The scent of food drifted from the kitchen of their new home, where his elder sister Wang Yu was busy at work.

When she saw Wang Yuan return, she wiped her hands, took out an exquisitely crafted sachet carrying a faint fragrance from her bosom, and handed it to him.

"Brother Yuan, when I got off work today, the attendant beside the Zhang Family's eldest young master gave this to me. He said Young Master Zhang had specifically instructed that it must be handed to you personally."

A trace of curiosity showed on Wang Yu's face.

After all, the eldest young master of the Zhang Family in the Inner City was a truly important figure to people like them.

Wang Yuan was slightly startled as he accepted the sachet.

Zhang Mingyuan? What was he giving this to him for?

The two of them had interacted because of Wang Yu.

Shang Yong had also introduced him so that he could register his name with Wanguan Escort Agency.

But they had not had much private contact.

The sachet felt soft between his fingers, carrying the elegant scent of expensive incense.

With some doubt in his heart, Wang Yuan untied the sachet's cord.

There were no spices or small trinkets inside as he had expected, only a neatly folded slip of paper.

He unfolded it and, using the weak lamplight spilling from the kitchen, quickly scanned the writing on it.

At first, his expression remained fairly calm.

But as he read further, his brow furrowed tighter and tighter, while his face gradually darkened.

The contents of the note were simple, yet they pierced his heart like icy needles:

"To Junior Brother Wang: I recently happened to hear that the Black Tiger Gang in the East District appears to be making unusual moves. Many unfamiliar faces have been lingering around the South District, particularly near your family's grocery shop and along the routes your elder sister takes."

"You may have already caught someone's eye. I fear they harbor ill intentions and seek to do harm."

"I hope you will remain vigilant and make arrangements early."

"Mingyuan bows."

The Black Tiger Gang! Surveillance!

His parents! His sister!

An uncontrollable blaze of fury shot up from the depths of Wang Yuan's heart with a whoosh, instantly burning through his entire body.

Zhao Hu! You actually dared set your sights on my family?

A dragon had reverse scales. Touch them, and it was bound to rage.

His family was Wang Yuan's greatest reverse scale in this world.

When he had first crossed into this world and lain helplessly in bed, unable to move, it had been his parents and sister who fed him bite by bite and sip by sip.

Though Wang Yuan was a transmigrator, he had long regarded Wang Yu, Wang Gui, and Madam Zhou as family.

They were his only warmth in this chaotic age.

And now, someone actually wanted to destroy it.

At that moment, icy Killing Intent condensed in Wang Yuan's eyes as though it had substance, nearly bursting from his body.

Wang Yuan seemed to see Song San's arrogant face again in Bluestone Alley, along with the lecherous look in his eyes when he gazed at Wang Yuan's sister.

He saw the terror and helplessness of his parents when they had been surrounded by Black Tiger Gang thugs...

"Brother Yuan? What's wrong? What did Young Master Zhang's letter say?"

Seeing her younger brother's expression abruptly change, and feeling his entire presence turn cold and frightening, Wang Yu asked worriedly, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.

Wang Yuan abruptly came back to his senses, realizing that his loss of composure had frightened his sister.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the towering fury and Killing Intent in his heart. A relaxed smile instantly appeared on his face.

It even carried just the right amount of flattered surprise.

He waved the note in his hand and smiled at Wang Yu.

"It's nothing important, Sis. Don't worry."

"Young Master Zhang heard that I've improved in martial arts. He wants to arrange a time to treat me to a meal and talk about martial arts, to get acquainted a little."

His tone was easy and natural, as though it truly were nothing more than an ordinary social invitation.

Wang Yu carefully examined her younger brother's expression.

Seeing that the frightening coldness had faded, leaving only a gentle smile,

she finally let out a breath of relief and patted her chest. "So that's what it was. You gave me such a fright."

"The Zhang Family's eldest young master is quite a good person, and he takes good care of me too. It would be a good thing for you to spend more time with him, Brother Yuan."

"Mm, I know."

Wang Yuan nodded with a smile, refolded the note, and casually tucked it back into his clothes.

"Sis, is the food ready? I'm starving."

"Almost, almost. I'll bring it out right away."

Wang Yu turned and continued working.

Watching his sister's back,

the smile on Wang Yuan's face gradually faded, and his gaze became deep and cold once more.

He walked to the window and looked out into the heavy night.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the weightless note in his clothes, which nevertheless weighed as much as a thousand jun.

Zhang Mingyuan's move was undoubtedly a favor, a further attempt to draw him in.

He would remember this debt.

But the Black Tiger Gang... Zhao Hu...

Wang Yuan slowly clenched his fist, and his knuckles gave off faint cracking sounds.

"Looks like some people... are tired of living."

He muttered under his breath, his voice cold.

He had originally intended to wait until he was stronger before settling accounts with them.

Since they had chosen death themselves and willingly stretched out their necks...

Then they could not blame his Black Dragon Spear for drinking blood ahead of time!