About half an hour later,
A lackey hurried in from outside, dropped to one knee, and reported, "Brother Leopard, the Black Tiger Gang's other two major halls have already assembled and are heading for the main hall."
"Besides that, the brothers below discovered outsiders who had infiltrated the area. There are at least several dozen of them, and all of them are being led by lackeys from the main hall."
Hearing this, Black Tiger slowly opened his eyes, a bone-piercing ferocity gleaming within them.
He rose to his feet and said in a deep voice, "Brothers, you should all know why I called you here today."
"The Old Gang Leader wishes to step down for certain reasons. We can respect his wishes in that regard, but passing the position of gang leader to that little bastard Black Wind is something we absolutely cannot accept."
"Whether in seniority or strength, Black Wind is unqualified."
"So, for the future of our Black Tiger Gang, I must fight for the position of gang leader as well."
"That's right."
Scarred Leopard beside him also stepped forward, nodding as the first to voice his support. He continued, "Everyone knows in their hearts how my big brother usually treats the brothers."
"Moreover, my big brother has now broken through to the Blood Changing Realm. He is fully qualified to become gang leader."
"If the leader does not possess absolute strength, how could the brothers below possibly submit? Therefore, my big brother is determined to claim the position of gang leader."
"In today's battle, I am willing to lead the charge for my big brother and carve out a road to the gang leader's seat for him. Brothers, do you support us?"
Upon hearing this, the many gang members below raised their blades and swords high over their heads and began shouting without pause.
"Kill! Seize the gang leader's position for Brother Leopard!"
"To hell with that! Does he think it's an imperial throne, wanting to pass it down to his descendants?"
"That's right! We bow to no one but Brother Leopard!"
"Kill Black Wind and seize the gang leader's position!"
Bai Ze also raised the longsword in his hand, putting on a show of wholehearted support.
Seeing this, Black Panther swept his gaze over the crowd, greatly satisfied within his heart.
As for the position of gang leader this time, as long as he was here, no one else could dream of sitting in it.
With a sweep of Black Panther's large hand, he led everyone straight toward the main hall.
When they arrived outside the main hall, they likewise saw the two hall masters of Snake Hall and War Hall, who had long been waiting there, with large numbers of men standing behind them.
Seeing Black Panther lead such a dark, densely packed mass of gang members, their pupils shrank slightly.
At this moment, Fatty Wang, the master of Snake Hall, and Li Dou, the master of War Hall, exchanged a glance before stepping forward. They said directly, "Black Panther, what exactly are you doing by bringing so many lackeys here? Do you still know the rules?"
"Today is the day the Old Gang Leader passes on his position. Is just anyone allowed to come here?"
"Heh heh."
Black Panther sneered coldly at these words, his eyes filled with disdain.
He glanced at Fatty Wang and the men behind him, then sneered, "Passing on the position? Then I would like to know—who does the Old Gang Leader intend to pass it on to?"
"After all, this is a major matter for the Black Tiger Gang. Every brother should have the right to know, shouldn't they?"
"Besides, if you can just drag out some little brat and make him gang leader, even if I agreed, the brothers behind me would not!"
"We won't agree!"
"We won't agree!"
"We won't agree!"
As his voice fell, everyone behind him shouted in unison, looking as though they would heed Black Panther's command alone.
Seeing this, Fatty Wang and Li Dou's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly showing a trace of apprehension.
Just as they were about to say more, Black Panther across from them spoke again.
His gaze turned savage, revealing endless killing intent as he shouted, "What are you waiting for? Kill them for me!"
"Kill!"
"Charge into the main hall and kill that little bastard Black Wind!"
"Damn it, kill them all!"
Seeing the Leopard Hall members charging toward them, Fatty Wang and Li Dou also issued orders to the people behind them.
The two were just about to lead the charge when someone unexpectedly launched a sneak attack from behind.
Though they reacted in time and avoided being killed in one blow, they still suffered grave injuries. When they turned around and saw who it was, they immediately began cursing.
"Fuck your mother! You actually dare betray me!"
"Damn it! I must have been blind back then. How could I have saved your life and even made you a chief leader?"
"Li Er, you ungrateful wolf! When did Black Panther win you over?"
"Heh heh."
Hearing their curses, Li Er was not angry in the slightest. Instead, he mocked, "Ungrateful wolf? Betrayal? Where does that even begin?"
"You probably still do not know, do you? I have always been Brother Leopard's man. What happened back then was merely a play staged for you to watch."
"It was all for this very moment, so I could deliver you a fatal blow at the crucial time."
"Now that you already know, go die!"
With that, he attacked once more, and he had been concealing his strength all along.
He had originally appeared to be only at Early Viscera Refining, but what he now displayed was Late Viscera Refining. From the looks of it, he had not only just broken through.
Seeing this, Fatty Wang and Li Dou grew even more furious, gritting their teeth as they fought desperately.
"Damn it! Even if I die today, I'll drag you down with me!"
"Go die!"
After the earlier sneak attack, although the two possessed the strength of Perfected Viscera Refining, they were already like exhausted crossbows.
Amid their clash, they wanted to kill Li Er, that traitor.
Unfortunately, Li Er was not the only one among their subordinates who had betrayed them. At least one-third of the minor and chief leaders had done the same.
Long ago, Black Panther had secretly used all manner of means to draw them under his command.
It was all for an opportunity like this, to seize the entire Black Tiger Gang in one stroke.
Bai Ze also saw this scene, and though he was somewhat surprised, he quickly felt that it was only natural.
If Black Panther had not possessed hidden methods of his own, how would he dare use a single hall to directly fight two branch halls and the main hall?
The longsword in Bai Ze's hand swung continuously, like a little ghost reaping souls. Every stroke took away a life.
Yet he did not perform too brilliantly, displaying only the strength of an ordinary Mid Viscera Refining Realm martial artist.
While killing the enemies around him, Bai Ze continuously observed the situation across the battlefield.
When he saw the group of black-clothed men led by Scarred Leopard, he thought, No wonder Black Panther dared to seize power so openly. It looks like he has been preparing for a long time.
This group has never appeared in Leopard Hall before, yet every one of them is formidable. At minimum, they are Late Bone Refining Realm martial artists, and quite a few are even in the Viscera Refining Realm.
If nothing unexpected happens, Black Panther really may seize the position of gang leader today.
But would nothing unexpected truly happen? Bai Ze could not be certain of that yet.
Before you continue