Undercurrents

As Bai Ze consolidated its realm after breaking through to Perfected Viscera Refining, all the powers in Changqing County were preparing for war. Everyone knew that a great battle, ignited by the Black Tiger Gang, was inevitable.

In the morning, Black Panther visited the County Magistrate again, offering another two hundred thousand taels of silver and promising more in the future.

The County Magistrate faced them with a smile, reiterating his previous promises.

However, that evening, the County Magistrate, dressed in black and wearing a hooded cloak, quietly left the county office with Qin Ming.

Meanwhile, On the territory of the Ten Thousand Blades Sect, in a secluded house near the county office, Sect Master Song Kai had been waiting for a long time.

The room was brightly lit, and various delicacies were laid out on the table, clearly awaiting someone.

Just then, his eldest son, Song Nanjun, pushed the door open and entered, followed by two figures in black hooded cloaks whose appearances were obscured.

Song Nanjun spoke, "Father, our distinguished guests have arrived."

"Hmm, you go and stand guard. No one is allowed to approach."

"Yes."

Song Kai waved his hand, dismissing Song Nanjun to stand guard. It wasn't that Song Nanjun didn't know who the visitors were, but this meeting was to be known only to the father and son.

After all, within the Ten Thousand Blades Sect, who knew if there were any spies from the Black Tiger Gang or other factions?

This matter concerned their future dominance and could not afford even the slightest leak.

After the door was shut tightly, the County Magistrate and Qin Ming removed their cloaks, revealing their true faces.

Song Kai smiled and said, "Please sit, both of you. Rest assured, only my son and I know about our plan. No one else in the Ten Thousand Blades Sect has any information."

"I feel you are still too cautious. With us united, what can the Black Tiger Gang do if they find out?"

"Heh heh, it's better to be cautious."

Hearing this, the County Magistrate and Qin Ming exchanged a glance and responded with smiles, but a subtle glint in their eyes went unnoticed by the other party.

Under Song Kai's warm hospitality, after a few drinks, they began to discuss serious matters.

The County Magistrate's smile faded slightly as he spoke in a low voice, "Sect Master Song, how are your preparations on your side?"

"This is a golden opportunity that won't come again. If we miss it, your Ten Thousand Blades Sect might not have another chance to dominate."

"Once successful, I will only take my share of the silver. As for the Black Tiger Gang's territory, it will be yours."

"I understand that."

Hearing this, Song Kai knew this point clearly and affirmed, "County Magistrate, rest assured, everything is ready."

"As long as the county office cooperates at the crucial moment, I can definitely annihilate the Black Tiger Gang in one fell swoop."

"As for that old fellow Black Tiger, he's no problem. If you hadn't stopped me last time, I would have already killed him."

Song Kai was clearly confident about this.

With the help of the county office this time, they not only had more ordinary members than the Black Tiger Gang but also more than three times the number of martial artists in the Bone Refining Realm and Viscera Refining Realm.

Even if the Black Tiger Gang had hidden strengths, they were confident they could completely annex them this time.

Seeing his confidence, the County Magistrate smiled with satisfaction and raised his wine glass, saying with a smile, "Then let's have a drink together, a toast to our success in advance."

"Alright, County Magistrate, I'll toast you."

"Hahahaha, together, together!"

After drinking for a while longer and discussing the specific action plan, the County Magistrate and Qin Ming, wearing their cloaks again, left.

Without anyone else knowing, they returned to the county office.

After Song Nanjun saw them off, he returned to the room and saw his father drinking alone and lost in thought.

He sat down beside him and asked softly, "Father, why do you think the County Magistrate is doing this?"

"After all, without the Black Tiger Gang as a check, our Ten Thousand Blades Sect will be the only one left standing."

"Moreover, the current strength of the county office is no match for us. No matter what we do, they won't be able to do anything about it. The County Magistrate must know this."

"Heh heh."

Hearing this, Song Kai sneered and took a drink. "What if, taking advantage of this opportunity, the County Magistrate suddenly makes a move while we are eliminating the Black Tiger Gang and eliminates us as well? Then only they will be left."

"Impossible!"

Hearing this, Song Nanjun's voice rose slightly, and he retorted in disbelief.

However, Song Kai didn't seem to care about his son's reaction. His eyes flashed with cold light, and he said in a deep voice, "Although I don't know what gives the County Magistrate such confidence, since he is doing this, he must have some certainty."

"After all, if we want to annex other forces and dominate Changqing County, others will have similar ideas."

"Then we..."

"No."

Although Song Nanjun didn't finish his sentence, Song Kai knew what his son meant.

Song Kai interrupted him and said coldly, "Since the County Magistrate wants to use this opportunity to eliminate us and the Black Tiger Gang, we can play along with his plan."

"At that time, you do this..., then that..., and finally surround them from behind. Don't let a single one escape."

"Yes."

Song Nanjun, hearing this, didn't dare to forget a single word and nodded solemnly in assurance.

And before the great battle was completely resolved, no one knew who would be the last oriole to survive.

As everyone nervously arranged their plans, starting a few days ago, Changqing County had inexplicably gained quite a few strangers.

These were all burly individuals, carrying weapons, scattered in small groups throughout the area.

Among them, they seemed unrelated at first glance, yet some appeared to have connections.

When Bai Ze learned this news from the lower-ranking thugs, he became vigilant. He instructed his subordinates not to act rashly, as he didn't want to draw attention to himself because of his gang members at this critical juncture.

Besides this, Bai Ze remained as usual, making no changes. He continuously consolidated his cultivation in his residence.

After practicing the Star Point Swordplay a few more times, the proficiency of the first three stances increased again, but the fourth stance remained difficult to grasp.

On the third day, this was precisely the day the Old Gang Leader was to abdicate and the new Gang Leader was to be inaugurated.

Under Black Panther's notification, Bai Ze had arrived at the hall.

Not only were there hundreds of ordinary gang members outside, but upon entering, he also found Black Panther and the Scarred Leopard brothers standing at the front. Below them were all the elite members of the Leopard Hall, all martial artists at or above the Bone Refining Realm.

In addition, there were the twenty mysterious individuals in black clothing that Scarred Leopard had previously arranged on his own.

Bai Ze merely glanced casually before walking to Black Panther's side and cupping his fists.

"Brother Leopard."

"Mm."

Black Panther was seen holding a large saber planted in the ground. After opening his eyes and nodding, he closed them once more.

Seeing this, Bai Ze stood to the side with his head lowered, his deep gaze unreadable.