Huang Family's Huang Yao

South District, Wang Family courtyard, side room.

The oil lamp, dim as a bean, illuminated Wang Yuan's calm face.

He had changed out of his night-traveling clothes and meticulously cleaned off any bloodstains and dust from his body before laying out tonight's spoils one by one.

Several nameless silver notes, totaling twelve hundred taels.

A Secret Manual for the Black Tiger Saber Technique.

A Secret Manual for the Turtle Breath Technique.

A Huang Family Token.

And over a hundred taels in loose change found on Steward Huang.

The haul was considerable, enough to make any ordinary Martial Artist green with envy.

But Wang Yuan showed little joy on his face. Instead, he frowned slightly and began to review tonight's actions.

"The surprise attack was successful. The lime and chili powder worked, instantly killing Sun Miao and Liu Mang and catching Zhao Hu completely off guard."

"In the direct confrontation with Zhao Hu, I had an absolute advantage in strength thanks to Dragon Tendon Tiger Bone and the Blood Burning Technique."

"The Mountain Breaking Spear Technique also broke through to Minor Accomplishment under pressure; that's a highlight."

"However..."

Wang Yuan's gaze was sharp as he reflected on his shortcomings:

"After using the Blood Burning Technique, although the feeling of weakness was greatly reduced, my Blood Essence still suffered nearly a ten percent loss, requiring at least an hour to fully recover."

"This means that in a complex environment, if I couldn't quickly end the fight or escape after using the Blood Burning Technique, I would be in danger."

"When fighting Zhao Hu, I relied too much on suppressing him with strength in the early stages; my spear techniques lacked fluidity."

"If I hadn't comprehended the true meaning of 'Mountain Breaking' at the last moment and broken through to Minor Accomplishment, it would have taken more effort, and I might even have been injured."

"My handling of the scene afterward wasn't perfect. Although I set a fire, it's hard to guarantee no traces were left behind."

"Especially that Huang family steward's token... that's trouble."

He picked up the warm Huang Family Token, his fingertip tracing the cloud patterns on it, his eyes cold.

"The Huang family... it seems we're on a collision course."

He didn't regret killing Steward Huang.

In that situation, silencing him was the only option. He just needed to be more vigilant about the Huang family's subsequent reactions.

"A man who does not plan for the distant future will find sorrow near at hand."

"I need to increase my strength as soon as possible!"

Wang Yuan clenched his fist.

A First Blood Change was still nothing in Gaoye City.

Only with greater strength could he face the coming storms.

If he had the strength of Hua Jin, a single word would be enough to bring the Black Tiger Gang to ruin.

Wang Yuan carefully hid the silver notes and the token, then picked up the two Secret Manuals.

He briefly flipped through the Black Tiger Saber Technique. It followed a path of fierce power and aggression, and being a saber technique, it wasn't a great fit for him.

Perhaps he could sell it to his Third Senior Brother's merchant guild, or exchange it for other resources.

But he needed to lie low for a while. After all, the Black Tiger Gang had just been destroyed, and openly carrying the Black Tiger Saber Technique would be like telling everyone he was the killer.

The Turtle Breath Technique, however, piqued his interest.

If he could master this breath-concealing method, it would be incredibly useful for stealth, concealment, or even faking death at critical moments.

"Next, I'll consolidate my Minor Accomplishment in spear techniques, try to cultivate the Turtle Breath Technique, and use the resources I have to quickly attempt a Second Blood Change!"

Wang Yuan set his short-term goals.

Meanwhile, at the former headquarters of the Black Tiger Gang in the East District.

It was now completely surrounded by government runners and constables, the torches illuminating the surroundings as if it were daytime.

The air was filled with the smell of scorching and lingering blood.

The once imposing main hall was now nothing but ruins and charred charcoal.

Two bodies, almost burned beyond recognition, were covered in white cloth and placed in the courtyard.

The constable in charge, surnamed Qian, looked at the scene before him with an expression of impatience and annoyance.

Gang infighting or being wiped out by enemies wasn't uncommon in the outer city. The usual procedure was to collect the bodies, file a report, and let it go.

But this time, one of the dead was from the Huang family!

This forced him to bring his men out in the middle of the night to deal with this mess, and he had to tread carefully, afraid of angering the nobles from the inner city.

"Boss, we've checked. Besides these two charred corpses, there are two more inside, killed by sharp weapons piercing their throats. They should be the Black Tiger Gang's Vice Leaders, Sun Miao and Liu Mang."

A constable stepped forward and reported in a low voice.

Captain Qian rubbed his temples, about to speak.

Suddenly, he heard a commotion outside.

A lavishly decorated carriage, pulled by four magnificent horses and surrounded by a team of formidable guards, ignored the obstruction of the yamen runners and drove straight to the ruins.

The carriage stopped, the curtain was lifted, and a woman stepped out.

This woman appeared to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. Her face was merely pretty and ordinary, with nothing particularly striking.

But her eyes were as cold as two deep pools, utterly unfathomable.

A mere glance from them sent shivers down one's spine.

She wore a neat, dark green tight-fitting outfit, a slender sword hanging at her waist, her presence as solid as a mountain.

Upon seeing this woman, Captain Qian's heart leaped. The impatience on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a respectful, even fearful, expression.

He quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Your subordinate, Qian Lu, greets Instructor Huang!"

He was inwardly shocked. "It's actually her, coming in person."

"Huang Yao!"

"The renowned genius among the Huang Family's younger generation. At just twenty-five, she's already undergone Third Blood Change, and it's said she's only one step away from Entering Force."

"Furthermore, due to her ruthless methods and decisive actions, she has a fearsome reputation as 'Mother Yaksha' in the inner city!"

Huang Yao didn't even glance at Captain Qian. Her icy gaze fell directly on the two charred corpses.

She paused for a moment, especially on the smaller charred corpse, a flicker of barely perceptible anger flashing in her eyes.

"Who did this?"

Her voice, like her gaze, was devoid of any warmth.

Captain Qian's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. He braced himself and said, "Replying to Instructor Huang, the scene was severely damaged by fire. The culprit... the culprit has not left any obvious clues for now."

"However, according to some surviving outer members of the Black Tiger Gang, they heard intense fighting sounds from the main headquarters tonight. By the time they arrived, the fire had already started..."

"Useless."

Huang Yao spat out the two words coldly, making Captain Qian's face turn pale, but he dared not retort.

She walked to the charred corpses, crouched down, completely unfazed by the burnt smell. She extended a hand clad in a silk glove and carefully examined the severed neck of the charred corpse.

She then looked at the traces of violent destruction around the area and the two bodies with pierced throats.

"Killed in one strike, clean and efficient."

"The one who killed Sun Miao and Liu Mang possessed strength far exceeding theirs, at least a skilled practitioner of Second Blood Change."

"Engaged with Zhao Hu, immense power, the weapon... seemed to be a heavy one like a spear."

Huang Yao stood up, her icy gaze sweeping over the ruins.

"The arson was to destroy evidence, but the method was crude. It seems the perpetrator was quite decisive, even somewhat... reckless."

She looked at Captain Qian, her tone leaving no room for doubt:

"Investigate! Use every resource you can mobilize."

"Find out for me who has had recent grievances with gangs in the outer city, especially with the Black Tiger Gang or Zhao Hu."

"And who is a Martial Artist skilled in using heavy weapons with astonishing strength. Don't let any of them slip through your fingers!"

Upon hearing the words "Find out for me," Captain Qian's heart sank. He quickly bowed in response:

"Yes! Your subordinate understands! We will definitely pursue this with all our might!"

Huang Yao said no more, turning back to her carriage.

Before getting in, she cast one last look at the ruins, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Anyone who dares to harm someone from my Huang Family, no matter who you are, I will hunt you down and tear you to shreds!"

The carriage slowly drove away, leaving Captain Qian and the yamen runners standing in place, exchanging bewildered glances, feeling the immense pressure.

Captain Qian looked at the two charred corpses, then recalled Huang Yao's icy gaze, and couldn't help but twitch his lips, muttering under his breath:

"Damn it, what kind of mess is this!"

"Your Huang Family lost people, and you're telling us to investigate."