Two Birds with One Arrow, Going with the Flow

Hearing this, Bai Ze wore a look of admiration, but inwardly, he could not have cared less.

You could listen to words like that, but if you took them seriously, you would be a complete fool.

Though Scarred Leopard said nothing and watched the scene without a trace of expression, the depth in his eyes was impossible to miss.

At that moment, Black Panther revealed why he had summoned Bai Ze. Smiling, he said, "Little Bai, you know that the Black Tiger Gang has not been peaceful lately. You could say we are beset by troubles both within and without!"

"The Old Gang Leader is about to step down and wants to hand his position to his son, but many people in the gang disagree."

"Seeing this pains me to the flesh and cuts me to the heart! Though I want to do my part, my position makes it difficult for me to act rashly. After all, I must be responsible for all the brothers in Leopard Hall."

As he spoke, Black Panther and Scarred Leopard fixed their eyes on Bai Ze, wanting to know what he truly thought.

Hearing this, Bai Ze sneered inwardly.

The ones who disagreed were probably not anyone else, but the two of you.

But he could not say that aloud, nor could he let it show. He could only put on an appearance of following Black Panther's lead.

He rose to his feet and said with a look of utter loyalty, "Brother Leopard, just tell me what I should do. I'll listen to you in everything."

"If you hadn't taken me in back then, I might not even know where I would have died by now."

"With just one word from you, I will never refuse anything I can do."

"Good."

Clearly, this was exactly what Black Panther had been waiting to hear. He was exceedingly satisfied, then waved Bai Ze closer.

Black Panther took two bottles of pills and a sheet of paper from his robes, handed them to him, and began speaking quietly into his ear.

After giving his instructions, he patted Bai Ze on the shoulder and promised him a few benefits before finally allowing him to leave.

After Bai Ze walked out, Scarred Leopard said in a low voice, "Do you think he will..."

"Heh."

Black Panther waved his hand, cutting off what Scarred Leopard was about to say.

With a cold laugh, he said, "Whether he believes it or not, he will do it. After all, he has only this one road to choose."

"And if he fails, it does not matter. We will merely lose a chess piece."

"What matters now is the County Magistrate's side. If he truly cannot tell good from bad, then..."

"Understood. Leave it to me."

As he said this, Black Panther made a throat-slitting gesture. Its meaning could not have been clearer.

Scarred Leopard nodded at the sight, his eyes radiating icy coldness.

Meanwhile,

With the things Black Panther had given him tucked into his robes, Bai Ze returned directly to his residence.

Looking at the several bottles of Bone Forging Pills and the list in his hand, he pondered for a moment. Old fox, what a fine move—killing two birds with one arrow!

"Not only can he weaken the other halls, he can also force me completely onto their side."

"Making me Deputy Hall Master before was probably just preparation for this very day."

Most importantly, Bai Ze could only act according to Black Panther's wishes. Taking the list to the other Hall Masters or the Old Gang Leader was simply impossible.

At most, Black Panther would be placed in a somewhat passive position, but Bai Ze's own situation would become far more dangerous.

And at that point, no one would protect him. Otherwise, the Black Tiger Gang would already have erupted into internal conflict.

Still, it was not as though he had no opportunity at all. If he seized it properly, his breakthrough into the Viscera Refining Realm could come even sooner.

But for now, he needed to break through to the peak of the Bone Refining Realm first. Strength was what mattered most.

Bai Ze took out a Bone Forging Pill and began cultivating.

Three days later,

After the Old Gang Leader had stepped in last time to reconcile with the Ten Thousand Blades Sect, people with ulterior motives deliberately fanned the flames, and the friction between the two sides grew increasingly severe.

What had begun as fights between a few people had now turned into large-scale battles.

And in a major battle over territory just yesterday, the second son of Song Kai, the Ten Thousand Blades Sect Master, had actually been killed despite everyone's protection.

Because of this, under his command, the Ten Thousand Blades Sect had launched an all-out war against the Black Tiger Gang in the middle of the night.

As Deputy Hall Master of Leopard Hall, Bai Ze had led his men into the fighting as well.

Only after a brutal slaughter had he returned to his residence.

Looking at Zhao Peng before him, he said calmly, "Tell the brothers below to stay alert and keep a close watch on the Ten Thousand Blades Sect."

"If anything happens, report it immediately. If necessary, retreat in the direction of Snake Hall."

"Yes."

Zhao Peng nodded calmly. Seeing that there were no further orders, he turned and left.

With a thought from Bai Ze, the system interface appeared.

[Martial God System]

[Host: Bai Ze]

[Age: 15/73]

[Talent: Intelligent Talent (200/500)]

[Realm: Peak Bone Refining Realm]

[Technique: None]

[Martial Skills: Sword Drawing Technique Complete (15%), Seven Wind Chasing Swords Great Accomplishment (94%), Stone Fist Great Accomplishment (17%), Wind-Following Steps Great Accomplishment (26%), Mad Bull Body Tempering Fist Complete (21%)...]

[Talent Points: 11]

During the slaughter with the Ten Thousand Blades Sect last midnight, he had witnessed the strength of Viscera Refining Realm martial artists. They were simply not something Bone Refining Realm martial artists could be compared to.

A trace of urgency arose in Bai Ze's heart. It seemed he had overestimated his own strength somewhat.

However, the Seven Wind Chasing Swords was about to break through from Great Accomplishment to completion. With his peak Bone Refining Realm cultivation then, he should be able to contend with those in the Early Viscera Refining stage.

Bai Ze seized every moment, drew his longsword, and began training at high speed.

Sure enough, just as expected,

On the following night, the Ten Thousand Blades Sect once again launched a fierce attack against the Black Tiger Gang.

Bai Ze had already arrived at Leopard Hall. Black Panther and Scarred Leopard stood at the front, with several hundred gang members below them.

Black Panther sat calmly at the front, leisurely sipping the tea in his hand without the slightest sign of urgency.

Over half an hour later,

A bloodied gang member ran in from outside, dropped to one knee, and said anxiously, "Hall Master Li, the Ten Thousand Blades Sect has already attacked. The Old Gang Leader asks you to lead your men over immediately."

"The men from Snake Hall and War Hall have already gone over. Only Leopard Hall is still missing."

"Mm, I understand."

Black Panther remained utterly calm upon hearing this, replying unhurriedly without showing any intention of standing.

But the gang member kneeling below grew anxious and hurriedly said again, "Hall Master Li, the Old Gang Leader said you must go over at once."

"Heh."

Hearing this, Bai Ze had already placed his hand around the hilt of his longsword and sneered inwardly.

Was it not obvious enough? Black Panther wanted to drain the strength of the other halls as much as possible, so he was deliberately stalling here.

Yet this man still dared mention the Old Gang Leader's order. Was he not courting death?

Sure enough, just as Bai Ze had expected, Black Panther smashed the teacup in his hand onto the ground.

His face turned vicious as he said coldly, "Who the fuck do you think you are, daring to speak to me like that? Since when do I need to listen to you about when I go?"

"Hall Master Li, this is..."

Whoosh!

Before he could finish, Bai Ze had already drawn his sword and thrust it through the man's throat, ending his life.

Since they wanted to muddy the waters of the Black Tiger Gang further, they could begin with this man, allowing Black Panther to see that Bai Ze stood firmly on their side.

Seeing this, Black Panther glanced at Bai Ze, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. He then waved his hand for someone to dispose of the corpse.

About another half hour passed.

Only then did Black Panther and Scarred Leopard rise to their feet and lead all the gang members outside.

As they passed Bai Ze, Black Panther gave him a look whose meaning could not have been clearer.