The First Lesson of the Martial Arts World

As Lu Chen and the two women walked towards the Hanshui Gang's Main Headquarters...

Two quick-witted thugs who were Zhang Yong's subordinates had already fled back to the branch headquarters, grabbed horses, and ridden out of town. As they did, they saw Lu Chen and the two women heading upstream.

The two thugs quickly circled far around the trio and spurred their horses towards the Main Headquarters to report.

Inside the "Hall of Righteousness" at the Hanshui Gang's Main Headquarters, the First Boss, "River-Turning Dragon" Cao Song, the Second Boss, "Black-Clothed Scholar" Shen Qingshi, and several capable men, each in charge of a dock branch headquarters, were hosting a banquet for a "distinguished guest."

The guest was plump and fair-skinned, wearing a flashy official's robe, though in inconspicuous places there were a few patches. On his back, he carried nine cloth bags, clearly the symbol of a Beggar Gang Nine-Bag Elder.

Needless to say, this plump official was none other than Elder Peng, the uncle of the Hanshui Gang's Second Boss, "Black-Clothed Scholar" Shen Qingshi, and one of the leaders of the Beggar Gang's "Clean-Clothed Faction."

However, this Elder Peng wasn't particularly warm towards his "nephew," Shen Qingshi.

This was because the nephew was only a distant relative by marriage, quite distant in fact. Their relationship wasn't close to begin with. It was only after the Hanshui Gang began to rise that Shen Qingshi actively sought him out, showering him with large sums of money. Only then did Elder Peng reluctantly acknowledge the kinship.

At this moment,

Elder Peng sat in the center, accepting toasts from Cao Song, Shen Qingshi, and others with a forced smile. Each time he raised his cup, he only wet his lips slightly with the wine.

It wasn't until Shen Qingshi presented a small wooden box filled with gold ingots that Elder Peng's face lit up, and he drained a cup of wine.

Seeing Elder Peng finish his cup, Shen Qingshi and Cao Song exchanged glances. Shen Qingshi then eagerly refilled Elder Peng's cup and said with a fawning smile:

"Uncle, the Hanshui Gang's business has been growing recently, but we've unfortunately clashed with the Beggar Gang. A Beggar Gang expert named Yu Zhaoxing, along with some of their disciples, fought us twice, injuring many of our brothers. He also destroyed one of our cargo ships and released all the goods on board. What do you think about this?"

Elder Peng snorted coldly, his face full of disdain:

"Yu Zhaoxing? Let me think... Ah, isn't that Li Sheng, the Snake King of Jiangdong's nephew by marriage? A disciple of the Dirty-Clothed Faction, what kind of expert is he? This is easy. I'll inform the Dirty-Clothed Faction and tell them to stop being nosy and causing you trouble."

He was a Nine-Bag Elder, his status second only to the Beggar Gang leader, Hong Qigong. With a single command, even Li Sheng, the "Snake King of Jiangdong," an Eight-Bag Disciple, had to obey him, at least openly. Otherwise, it would be insubordination, let alone Li Sheng's nephew by marriage.

Shen Qingshi was overjoyed and repeatedly said:

"Thank you, Uncle! After this matter is resolved, we will reward you generously."

River-Turning Dragon Cao Song also repeatedly expressed his thanks, raising large bowls of wine to toast Elder Peng along with the capable men from the branch headquarters. Regardless of whether Elder Peng drank or not, they all drained their bowls to show respect.

Just as the drinking was in full swing, a gang member quickly entered and was about to whisper something to Cao Song's ear. Cao Song impatiently waved his hand:

"We're all brothers here, and Elder Peng is a distinguished guest. Why be so secretive? Just say what you need to say."

The gang member glanced at everyone and said with a grim face:

"Brothers from the Small Stone Town branch headquarters reported by fast horse that the Third Boss was killed by a young man in black while handling matters in town. That young man in black is ruthless. Besides the Third Boss, he also killed eighteen of our brothers."

"What?" Cao Song was furious upon hearing this. "Where did this arrogant fool come from, daring to kill my Hanshui Gang's Third Boss?"

Shen Qingshi frowned and asked, "Was the killer a Beggar Gang disciple?"

The gang member shook his head:

"Probably not a Beggar Gang disciple. That young man in black's clothes were very clean, without any patches. His two companions were also young women. Oh, and the brothers who reported back also said that the young man in black and the two young women didn't run after killing, but instead headed towards the Main Headquarters!"

Hearing this, everyone in the hall was stunned at first, then they all sneered.

"They must have a death wish! Bringing two young women and daring to attack my Hanshui Gang!"

"Hmph, just because he was lucky enough to kill the Third Boss, that kid probably thinks my Hanshui Gang is weak and easily bullied, and that he's invincible!"

"First Boss, give the order. We'll round up our brothers and chop that kid into pieces to feed the fish!"

"Brothers, calm down for a moment."

Shen Qingshi, whose nickname was "Black-Clothed Scholar," usually dressed like a scholar and enjoyed showing off his knowledge, acting as the Hanshui Gang's strategist. His mind was indeed much better than others. He frowned and pondered for a while, then said:

"After killing the Third Boss, he still dares to actively attack our Main Headquarters. That killer might not be so simple."

Cao Song disagreed:

"So what? We have over two hundred brothers. Are we afraid of a mere three people?"

A capable man from a branch headquarters added:

"Two of the three are just young women!"

The gang member who came to report quickly said:

"Those two brothers who came back to report also said that those two young women are as beautiful as celestial beings, the finest quality goods they've ever seen in their lives!"

Hearing this, Shen Qingshi immediately understood why the Third Boss had died.

It must have been that he took a liking to those two so-called "celestial-like" high-quality women and wanted to get his hands on them. Unexpectedly, their companion was a ruthless killer with high-level Martial Arts, and that's why he foolishly lost his life.

With this thought, Shen Qingshi quickly bowed to Elder Peng and said:

"Uncle, what do you think about this matter?"

Elder Peng, being able to become a Nine-Bag Elder of the Clean-Clothed Faction, was of course a man with brains and cunning. He knew that the young man who killed the Third Boss, Zhang Yong, and eighteen Hanshui Gang members, likely had some real skills.

However, he didn't care much – no matter how high his Martial Arts, could it be higher than his, a Beggar Gang Nine-Bag Elder?

Could the Hanshui Gang's Third Boss last three moves against him?

As for the eighteen thugs and gang members, they were just miscellaneous people, easily dealt with in a few punches and kicks.

At that moment, Elder Peng sipped his wine and said leisurely:

"No matter. Open the main gate and welcome them in. I want to see which young junior dares to kill so indiscriminately. Nineteen lives! It's truly impressive that he could do it!"

He didn't take the Hanshui Gang seriously; he didn't care how many people died.

However, the Hanshui Gang was very diligent with their yearly tributes, and Elder Peng didn't want to cut off this source of income. If necessary, he planned to step in and handle things, showing the Hanshui Gang his methods so they would be even more diligent in the future.

Seeing Elder Peng confidently take charge, the Hanshui Gang members immediately felt reassured, thinking to themselves that the black-clothed kid was surely walking into a trap this time.

Although Shen Qingshi also felt a sense of calm from Elder Peng's promise, he didn't let his guard down. He excused himself to Elder Peng, stepped out of the Hall of Righteousness, called a few trusted subordinates, and whispered instructions:

"Gather the brothers, prepare the fishing nets, bamboo poles, and lime powder."

Fishing nets could be used to trap experts. The bamboo poles had iron tips, which when sharpened, were like alternative spears that wouldn't violate prohibitions. As a water-based boat gang, it was reasonable for the Hanshui Gang to have plenty of bamboo poles.

As for lime powder, what gang in the underworld didn't know how to throw lime powder?

Only those so-called Martial Arts world experts were too proud and disdained using these "lowly" methods.

After giving his orders, Shen Qingshi returned to the Hall of Righteousness and continued to diligently entertain Elder Peng.

While the Hanshui Gang members sat waiting for Lu Chen and the other two to arrive, feeling confident.

On the other side, Lu Chen, Huang Rong, and Li Mochou were already not far from the Hanshui Gang's Main Headquarters.

Along the way, Huang Rong shared a lot of small bits of knowledge about the Martial Arts world with Li Mochou.

For example, many water-based gangs were very skilled at using fishing nets against Martial Arts experts.

Dozens of people surrounding someone, a dozen nets thrown from all directions, a barrage of lime powder and hidden projectiles, followed by stabbing and slashing with spears and broadswords – ordinary experts would only find death.

Li Mochou listened, wide-eyed:

"Can people in the Martial Arts world still use such despicable methods?"

Huang Rong held her sword in one hand, her other hand behind her back, and said leisurely:

"Sister Mochou, what do you think the Martial Arts world is like? Martial Arts experts with light swords and fast horses, drinking wine and singing wildly, seeking revenge for grievances? White-clothed heroes with flowing sleeves, coming and going with ease, untainted by dust? No, it's not like that!

"Where there are people, there are grievances, and where there are grievances, there is the Martial Arts world. People are the Martial Arts world. And among people, there are noble individuals and despicable villains. For people who make up the Martial Arts world to use some despicable methods, what's so surprising?"

Well, in her words, "Where there are people, there are grievances..." was something a certain villain said in a story Lu Chen told her, and Huang Rong deeply agreed with it.