Conspiring for a Grand Undertaking

"Oh? Why would it be the Yan Family? I don't have any grudges with them, and we've even cooperated a few times," Li Qing said, feigning disbelief.

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader probably expected Li Qing to say this. He smiled and waved his hand, dismissing the people hidden around them.

As he made this gesture, Li Qing could clearly feel the gazes that had been fixed on him since he entered disappear.

"Your gang truly has many talents, willing to stay under the Yan Family for so many years. Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, you truly impress me," Li Qing said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader's joy intensified.

To be able to sense the presence of people around him so keenly truly showed he had reached the Outer Strength level.

"To be honest, a while ago, the Yan Family's second young master sent a subordinate named Yan San to instigate me, telling me to teach you a lesson. The reason was that some useless members of our gang were dealt with by you alone a long time ago."

"Yan San's methods were quite crude. Frankly, you weren't wrong about that incident; those guys were just blind. Besides, it's been so long, I wouldn't have even remembered if you hadn't brought it up."

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader lowered his voice as he spoke.

"However, I still sent Wei Tian to your home to test you, wanting to see what kind of person the Yan Family would be interested in."

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader's intention was quite clear. If Li Qing turned out to be just a brute with some strength, he wouldn't mind doing the Yan Family a favor.

But if Li Qing could detect Wei Tian, then he likely possessed considerable skill.

The result was now obvious: the strength Li Qing was currently displaying clearly marked him as an Outer Strength expert.

"Brother Li, are you interested in joining me to plan a grand undertaking here in Obsidian City?" the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader asked earnestly.

A grand undertaking? Did he mean robbing the rich to help the poor, or engaging in petty theft around the Marketplace?

Li Qing couldn't help but scoff internally, but his expression remained unchanged. He asked calmly, "Oh? What kind of grand undertaking are you referring to, Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader?"

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader took a deep breath and said, "Let's overthrow the Yan Family together!"

This statement didn't entirely surprise Li Qing. Given the current situation in Obsidian City, there weren't many significant things to do, and the Yan Family was the only logical target.

However, Li Qing didn't agree immediately. He replied indifferently, "Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, your martial arts are not bad. Are there really people in the Yan Family who can match you?"

"Brother Li, the Yan Family has managed to maintain their position for so many years. Do you really think it's just because of those ruffians?" the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader said with a wry smile.

"The Yan Family has four honored guests. Three of them are at the Outer Strength level, and one was a master of Internal Energy. However, that Internal Energy master died over a decade ago."

After the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader said this, Li Qing basically understood his intention.

He wanted to recruit Li Qing to deal with the Yan Family, promising various benefits. But these benefits would only come after success, which, to Li Qing, felt like empty promises.

"What do you say, Brother Li? As long as you can help us block one Outer Strength expert, I and my subordinates will handle the other two," the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader pleaded.

"Once this matter is accomplished, Obsidian City will be ours. I'll make you the second-in-command of the Righteous Gang!"

Li Qing pondered for a long time, not rushing to refuse.

If this plan succeeded, there would indeed be considerable benefits. He could then freely access the Yan Family's entire arsenal of martial arts.

It was known that most of the martial arts schools in Obsidian City had sold their ultimate techniques to the Yan Family.

Having collected so many martial arts, Li Qing was quite tempted.

"Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, I can't agree to this immediately. There are some things I need to clarify," Li Qing said seriously. "Are you absolutely sure the Yan Family only has three Outer Strength experts?"

"Absolutely certain. This is a matter of great importance, so there's no room for error. I've thoroughly investigated the Yan Family's background over the years," the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader nodded.

"And is there any possibility that one of those three Outer Strength experts has stepped into the Internal Energy realm in recent years? As far as I know, the Yan Family has quite a few martial arts manuals."

"That's absolutely impossible!" the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader stated firmly, then explained, "Brother Li, you don't understand. It's not that simple to cultivate Internal Energy. Unless one has exceptional talent, they might not make any progress even after practicing for ten or twenty years."

"And that's with plenty of meat and fish every day. I doubt the Yan Family has the resources to support three Outer Strength martial artists now. They're lucky if they can maintain the consumption of three Outer Strength experts."

The daily consumption of a martial artist is immense; Li Qing knew this well, as he himself consumed a significant amount of food and meat daily.

If one doesn't eat enough, their Blood Essence will rapidly weaken, making it difficult to maintain peak condition.

Looking at it this way, it was indeed likely that the Yan Family only had three Outer Strength experts.

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader wasn't finished. He continued, "The Yan Family possesses several Medicinal Wine Recipes. If they had the resources in the past, they could have brewed a lot of Blood Essence-stimulating medicinal wine at great cost. Combined with sufficient meat, it's possible to nurture a few Internal Energy masters."

"But now, even if the Yan Family still has a few jars of that medicinal wine hidden away, they don't have enough meat for those honored guests. It's impossible to nurture Internal Energy masters!"

Medicinal Wine Recipes?

Li Qing's heart stirred slightly, and he became quite interested.

"Oh? Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader, may I ask what kind of medicinal wine it is that has such miraculous effects?"

Being able to help someone cultivate Internal Energy faster was indeed not to be underestimated.

"Hahahaha! Brother Li, I knew you'd be interested in this. I was the same when I was young, desperately trying to go further on the path of martial arts!"

A hint of melancholy flickered in the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader's eyes. He sighed, "Alas, this era is no longer suitable for martial arts training. We can't get enough to eat, and meat is a rare luxury. Sigh!"

"When there was plenty of sunlight, the Yan Family somehow obtained a few wine recipes. I heard they were brewed with precious ingredients like Tiger Bone and some Blood Ginseng. This medicinal wine is extremely valuable. An Outer Strength martial artist who drinks a cup feels their Blood Essence burn like fire, greatly benefiting their martial path!"

"Practicing martial arts at this time would lead to rapid progress in cultivation!"

"If one could consume enough meat, reaching the Internal Energy realm within a few years wouldn't be difficult."

As he spoke, even the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader's expression showed a look of longing.

Li Qing felt the same, his heartbeat quickening slightly.

If he couldn't get the medicinal ingredients in this world, he could go back and get them!

Tiger bone, medicinal ingredients, and the like wouldn't be difficult to obtain once he returned to his previous world; with money, they could be bought.

Li Qing, who hadn't originally wanted to get involved in this matter, was now genuinely tempted.

"What do you say, Brother Li? If you join me on this venture, you won't have to worry about food for the rest of your life," the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader pressed his advantage.

Li Qing took a gentle breath and replied, "Gang Leader Heavenly Dragon, this is a matter of great importance. Please allow me some time to consider it!"

"Hahaha, alright! I've waited so many years, what's a little longer? Brother Li, take your time to think it over!" the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader agreed readily.

Li Qing nodded. As he stood up to leave, he said jokingly, "Gang Leader Heavenly Dragon, aren't you afraid I'll go straight to the Yan family and report you once I leave?"

The Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha, Brother Li, you're an honest man. I trust you!"

"Besides, that second young master of the Yan family is always vindictive. If you've offended him, you won't have any peaceful days ahead!"

Crack!

Li Qing cupped his fists in farewell, then, shouldering the Peerless Hammer, he left the headquarters of the Righteous Gang.

After Li Qing departed, the Heavenly Dragon Gang Leader looked at the faint crack that had appeared on the ground, caused by the Peerless Hammer when Li Qing had been sitting down.

"This blacksmith, Li, is no simple man. To have cultivated Outer Strength at such a young age... it's a shame he was born in the wrong era. Even the best talent is useless then..."