Outside the city, the Fish River wound through the land, its rippling waters shimmering beneath the moonlight.
A sprawling stronghold stood on its banks. Its walls, built of bluestone and logs, rose over ten feet high, with the River Gang's black flags snapping in the night wind above them.
This was the headquarters of the River Gang, one of Yuhe County's foremost gangs. It controlled dozens of miles of waterways upstream and downstream, commanded over a thousand members, and enjoyed considerable renown in the martial world.
Chief Li Tieyun had honed his Iron Sand Palm to breathtaking mastery and was widely acknowledged as one of the finest fighters below Transforming Strength.
Some time ago, he had joined forces with Yang Jing to wipe out the Flying Horse Bandits, who had wreaked terrible havoc. Not only had he earned an official commendation, but the River Gang's prestige had also reached its peak.
Yet over the past few days, fear and unease had shrouded the River Gang's stronghold.
The usual fierceness had vanished from the gang members' faces. They walked softly and spoke in hushed voices, as though something dreadful lurked in the shadows.
Inside the main hall, flickering lamplight illuminated Li Tieyun's agitated figure.
He was powerfully built, his upper body bare and his bronze skin covered in scars. Now, however, his brows were tightly furrowed as he paced the hall, his footsteps thudding against the bluestone paving.
"Gang Leader! Gang Leader-"
Suddenly, a panicked cry shattered the silence. A gang member stumbled and scrambled into the hall, his face deathly pale.
Li Tieyun stopped abruptly and barked, "What are you panicking for? Has the sky fallen?"
The gang member swallowed and lowered his voice. "G-Gang Leader... Leader He... he's dead!"
"What?!" Li Tieyun looked as though lightning had struck him,