Showdown

At the sound of the voice, Bai Ze stopped as well and respectfully greeted them.

He was well aware of what Black Panther's praise meant.

Changqing County might not have been large, but it still harbored crouching tigers and hidden dragons. With his current strength, he could only be considered decent.

After all, when the Black Tiger Gang and the Ten Thousand Blades Sect had fought before, there had been more than a dozen Viscera Refining Realm martial artists, not even counting those in the Blood Changing Realm.

Several Hall Masters had even reached Viscera Refining Perfection long ago. Even if they had not yet broken through to the Blood Changing Realm, they were likely only half a step away.

After they sat down, although he did not know why they had come, he still respectfully poured them tea.

Seeing Bai Ze still standing there, Black Panther smiled and said, "Little Bai, no need to stand on ceremony. Sit down. Given our relationship, there's no need for all that."

"Yes."

Clearly, after assassinating the Deputy Hall Masters of the other two halls, he was now truly one of their own, so they treated him with even greater warmth.

After chatting about cultivation for a while, Black Panther took the initiative to shift the topic to that previous list.

Bai Ze now understood why they had come. He respectfully said, "Brother Leopard, rest assured. I had no confidence before, but now that I've broken through to the Viscera Refining Realm, I guarantee he won't live past three days."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Black Panther smiled in satisfaction at those words. Talking to clever people was convenient—they understood at the slightest hint.

But Bai Ze had guessed wrong this time. Black Panther had not come merely for that.

After all, an early-stage Viscera Refining Realm martial artist meant nothing much to him.

Black Panther gave Zhao Peng a look, and Zhao Peng quietly walked out and shut the door behind him.

Seeing this, Bai Ze involuntarily tightened his grip on his sword. He knew that what came next was what truly mattered.

Black Panther did not notice. After exchanging a glance with Scarred Leopard, he said solemnly, "Little Bai, you've been with the Black Tiger Gang for five years now, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"When you joined the gang, you entered Leopard Hall. You can be considered one of my direct subordinates. It's like a mark—when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer."

"Brother Leopard, I..."

Bai Ze's heart jolted at those words, but his expression did not change at all.

Just as he was about to say something, Black Panther waved a hand and cut him off.

Staring fixedly at him, Black Panther said, "Little Bai, you know the Black Tiger Gang's current situation. I won't hide it from you any longer."

"If I wanted to become Gang Leader, what would you do?"

He had clearly laid all his cards on the table.

Bai Ze knew this day would come sooner or later, but he had not expected it to come now.

Could Black Panther or Scarred Leopard have already broken through to the Blood Changing Realm? That had to be it. Otherwise, even if the Old Gang Leader died, he would have no way to suppress the other halls.

Although Black Panther and Scarred Leopard appeared to be sitting casually in their chairs, they were clearly watching him intently, ready to strike at any moment.

Bai Ze knew that if he dared refuse, he would never leave this place alive.

He hurriedly rose to his feet and said with absolute conviction, "Brother Leopard, without you, I would not be where I am today. No matter what, I will stand by your side."

"If there is anything you need me to do, as long as it is your order, I will obey without a second word."

"Good!"

Black Panther slapped the table and shouted his approval. This was exactly what he wanted.

Laughing heartily, he said, "Rest assured. Once I become Gang Leader, you will be the Hall Master of Leopard Hall. I will never treat you poorly."

"But don't worry. The time is not ripe yet, but it will happen sooner or later."

"Indeed."

Scarred Leopard nodded beside him and, rarely, spoke up. "That old bastard's days are numbered. He will not live much longer."

"Besides, my big brother has already broken through to the Blood Changing Realm. Even if the old man refuses to die then, we'll send him on his way."

"Congratulations, Brother Leopard."

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Seeing Bai Ze's respectful manner, Black Panther laughed loudly, thoroughly pleased.

A moment later,

After Black Panther and the others left, Bai Ze watched their retreating backs deeply before expressionlessly shutting the door tight once more.

Back in his room, he looked at the tea he had poured earlier and recalled Black Panther's words before leaving. His thoughts churned.

He thought to himself, Black Panther's ambitions are immense. He does not merely want the position of Gang Leader—he wants to dominate all of Changqing Town.

But if he does that, will the County Magistrate truly stand by and do nothing?

Recalling the fleeting killing intent in the County Magistrate's eyes during the last great battle, Bai Ze felt that matters were definitely not as simple as he had imagined.

After all, the current situation was the best possible arrangement. The County Magistrate would never allow one side to dominate alone.

Only with the Black Tiger Gang and the Ten Thousand Blades Sect checking and balancing each other could they bring him an unending stream of wealth.

Could it be...

Bai Ze had clearly thought of something. Though it seemed difficult to believe, it was not impossible.

But for now, the most important thing was to complete Black Panther's assignment and raise his strength as much as possible. Everything else was merely his own speculation.

Only then could he adapt when the moment came and preserve himself as best he could.

The next day,

Using the information Black Panther had previously provided, Bai Ze quietly left the hall without anyone noticing his target.

He rode a fast horse out of Changqing County, heading straight for Annan Village. This time, his target was Iron Fist, the Deputy Hall Master of the main hall.

Just three days earlier, Iron Fist had been sent alone by the Old Gang Leader to Nanshan Village to retrieve a precious medicinal herb.

Although the matter had been kept extremely secret, Black Panther had made preparations long ago, and the people hidden in the shadows had reported it to him.

That was precisely why they had been given this opportunity.

So before Black Panther left yesterday, he had assigned the task to Bai Ze, ensuring that Iron Fist would have no way to return.

If they succeeded, they would not only remove one of the Old Gang Leader's right-hand men, but also make it difficult for him to treat his injuries without that medicinal herb, laying the groundwork for what was to come.

Bai Ze had now arrived at Annan Road. This was the only route from Nanshan Village back to Changqing County, making it the perfect place for an ambush.

According to the intelligence, Iron Fist was in the early stage of the Viscera Refining Realm, though it was unclear whether he had broken through further.

But to Bai Ze now, it would not make much difference.

He rode his horse forward at an unhurried pace, as though waiting for Iron Fist to arrive.

At the same time,

Iron Fist wore cloth armor, while both his arms were wrapped in steel that glinted darkly beneath the sun. He was spurring his horse toward Changqing County at full speed.

Just then, he spotted a figure ahead. At a glance, it was Bai Ze riding toward him.

As high-ranking members of the Black Tiger Gang, how could the two of them not have met before?

Although Iron Fist thought of something, he had no wish to deal with Bai Ze. He wanted to pass by him and return to the Black Tiger Gang as soon as possible.

But Bai Ze had come here to kill him. How could he possibly let him have his way? He directly blocked the road.

Seeing this, Iron Fist's face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice:

"Move."

"No."

"What the hell do you mean by this?"

"Heh heh, exactly what you see."