Encircling the Fierce Tiger Gang

The saber light fell like it was slicing through rotted leather.

The thousand-year mystic iron inner armor Chen Jiong had regarded as his greatest safeguard failed to block Lin Feng's dark, heavy blade in the slightest.

The shadowy edge easily tore through the armor and buried itself deep in Chen Jiong's chest.

The arrogance and shock on Chen Jiong's face froze completely.

He lowered his head to look at the blade sunk into his body, then looked at Lin Feng in disbelief. A hoarse "huh-huh" sound came from his throat, but he could not utter a single word.

With a flick of his wrist, Lin Feng drew out the long saber, bringing a spray of hot blood with it.

Chen Jiong's corpse crashed to the ground, his eyes wide open, unwilling to die.

Slain Ninth Rank late-stage martial artist Chen Jiong. Obtained 1.0 Slaughter Points.

The cold notification sounded in his mind, and Lin Feng's heart settled.

The Slaughter Points were his.

The scene fell deathly silent.

The Banner Officers who had originally been waiting to watch Lin Feng make a fool of himself all turned pale, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at him.

Who could have imagined that Lin Feng, only at the early Ninth Rank, would kill Chen Jiong, a late Ninth Rank martial artist, so cleanly and decisively? Even that precious mystic iron armor had been like paper mache!

Zhou Gang strode forward and checked Chen Jiong's breathing. After confirming he was dead, he looked at Lin Feng with a complicated expression before finally letting out a soft sigh.

"You brat... you hid yourself well. When did you cultivate this Brute Ox Strength to Great Mastery?"

"I encountered a fortuitous opportunity," Lin Feng said vaguely, bending down to begin searching through the spoils.

The Spring Embroidered Saber called Autumn Water, which Chen Jiong had boasted about, was indeed of excellent quality. Although the mystic iron inner armor had been cut through—

—the material was rare, and it might be repaired or reforged.

Finally, he pulled a thin booklet from Chen Jiong's robes—Wind Breaking Saber Technique.

"Uncle Zhou, according to Imperial Brocade Guard rules, when two men fight to the death, the spoils belong to the victor. Is that right?" Lin Feng put the items away and looked at Zhou Gang.

Zhou Gang nodded. "Naturally. Chen Jiong brought this upon himself. This matter is settled."

He swept his gaze around the area, his voice stern. "You all saw it, did you not? Lin Feng and Chen Jiong fought fairly; whether they lived or died was left to fate! None of you may stir up trouble over this matter in the future. Those who disobey will be severely punished!"

"Yes, sir!" the Banner Officers answered solemnly.

Seeing that no one objected, Zhou Gang's expression turned grave as he continued.

"Though Chen Jiong is dead, the position of Banner Commander cannot remain vacant for long.

"Lin Feng may lack seniority, but his strength is sufficient.

"By the rules, a martial artist who reaches the Ninth Rank may serve as a Banner Officer. One who can slay a Banner Commander in battle has proven himself capable of serving as one."

He took out a waist token and an official document, then pushed them toward Lin Feng.

"From this day onward, Lin Feng is a Banner Commander of our Northern Garrison Command, with authority over ten Banner Officers and their corresponding Strongmen."

Lin Feng's heart stirred.

The position of Banner Commander meant greater authority, more resources, and more men under his command.

That would be immensely beneficial for his future acquisition of Slaughter Points and investigation of clues.

Lin Feng accepted the waist token, its weight heavy in his hand. "This subordinate accepts the order. I will not disappoint Uncle Zhou... nor will I disappoint you, sir!"

With that, he resumed searching through the spoils.

Then suddenly, his gaze sharpened.

Beneath the clothing covering Chen Jiong's body, a vicious tiger-head emblem was tattooed on the skin of his chest!

The Fierce Tiger Gang!

Lin Feng's eyes turned icy in an instant.

He had never forgotten the blood feud of his adoptive parents being killed by the Fierce Tiger Gang.

The tattoo on Chen Jiong's body meant that he was not merely an Imperial Brocade Guard—he was also a pawn planted by the Fierce Tiger Gang!

No wonder Chen Jiong had targeted him at every turn. It was likely not mere exclusion, but orders from the Fierce Tiger Gang!

The Fierce Tiger Gang actually dared to infiltrate the Imperial Brocade Guard, the Emperor's personal army? What audacity!

Lin Feng immediately went to Battalion Commander Zhou Gang.

He told Zhou Gang about being attacked by the Fierce Tiger Gang's leader, as well as the gang's distinctive tattoos he had found on Zhang Kuang and Chen Jiong.

Zhou Gang looked at the tiger-head emblem and listened to Lin Feng's account. His face grew darker and darker until he suddenly slammed his hand on the table and roared.

"What a Fierce Tiger Gang! They dare carry out assassinations and infiltrate the Emperor's personal army—this is the grave crime of treason!"

Cold light flickered in his eyes. "A mere martial world gang dares covet the position of the court's hunting hounds? They simply do not know whether they are alive or dead! Lin Feng!"

"This subordinate is here!"

"I order you to immediately lead the Banner Officers and Strongmen under your command to the Fierce Tiger Gang's headquarters and exterminate the bandits on charges of treason!

"Any who resist are to be killed without mercy!

"You must capture or kill their leader and uncover the truth behind this infiltration!"

"Yes, sir!" Lin Feng clasped his fists, killing intent surging in his heart.

This was exactly what he wanted!

Not only could he avenge his parents, but wiping out a treasonous gang would surely earn him even more Slaughter Points!

Half an hour later.

Lin Feng wore the official uniform of a Banner Commander, with his dark saber hanging at his waist.

Behind him stood ten grim-faced Banner Officers and several dozen elite Strongmen, surrounding the Fierce Tiger Gang's main headquarters in the western part of the city so tightly that not even water could pass through.

The Imperial Brocade Guard had mobilized, their Sha Qi soaring to the heavens. Nearby commoners scattered and watched from afar.

"People inside, listen up! The Imperial Brocade Guard is conducting official business! Come out at once and submit to arrest!" a Banner Officer stepped forward and shouted.

The gates of the headquarters burst open. A brawny middle-aged man with bulging temples strode out, followed by several dozen gang members carrying weapons.

This man was the Fierce Tiger Gang's deputy leader, Lei Biao, known as the Mountain Splitting Hand.

Lei Biao swept his gaze over Lin Feng and his group.

His gaze finally settled on Lin Feng at the front. Sensing that Lin Feng was merely at the middle Ninth Rank, disdain flashed through his eyes.

But upon seeing the Imperial Brocade Guard formation behind him, he still suppressed his anger, cupped his hands, and spoke with arrogance in his tone.

"May I ask why this Banner Commander has surrounded my Fierce Tiger Gang?

"My Fierce Tiger Gang has always obeyed the law. We are also an enterprise under the Wang Family. Could there be some misunderstanding here?"

He deliberately mentioned the Wang Family, intending to exert pressure.

The Wang Family was a prominent local clan with connections in the imperial court, exceptionally honored and powerful.

Lin Feng's expression did not change. He stepped forward, his voice cold.

"A misunderstanding? The Fierce Tiger Gang is suspected of assassination and infiltrating the Imperial Brocade Guard, the Emperor's personal army. The evidence is conclusive. By law, this is treason!

"I have been ordered to eliminate bandits. What misunderstanding could there be?

"As for the Wang Family... if they are involved with traitors such as you, they will be investigated as well!"

Lei Biao's expression changed. He had not expected the other side to be so unyielding, refusing even to give the Wang Family face.

He stared at Lin Feng, then suddenly sneered.

"I was wondering who it was—so it's you, brat!

"Lin Feng, you killed Chen Jiong and luckily became a Banner Commander, and now you no longer know the height of heaven or the depth of earth?

"With your paltry middle Ninth Rank skills, you dare come to my Fierce Tiger Gang and run wild?

"Let me tell you, our leader is an Eighth Rank expert. Killing you would be like slaughtering a chicken!

"If you know what is good for you, take your men and get lost. Otherwise, today, even your subordinates will have no chance to collect your corpse!"

His aura abruptly erupted. He was astonishingly at the peak of the Ninth Rank, only a thread away from the Eighth Rank. His powerful presence tried to crush Lin Feng.

Slaying Fierce Tiger Gang deputy leader Lei Biao will yield 1.5 Slaughter Points.

The Slaughter Panel displayed its prompt at just the right moment.

A cold gleam flashed through Lin Feng's eyes. His hand rested on his saber hilt as Brute Ox Strength silently circulated within him.

1.5 Slaughter Points—more than Chen Jiong. Lei Biao had to die!

Facing Lei Biao's aura, he did not retreat in the slightest. Every word was clear and resounding, striking the ground like iron.

"The Emperor's personal army is apprehending traitors. Why should we care about the Wang Family's face?

"Lei Biao, the crimes of your Fierce Tiger Gang are piled as high as mountains. Today, either kneel and submit to arrest, or... meet your end beneath my blade!"

Seeing that Lin Feng would not yield an inch and was instead sharp-tongued, Lei Biao was thoroughly enraged. He laughed wildly. "What a sharp-toothed brat! You reject a toast only to drink a forfeit!

"Since you seek death, I'll cripple you first, then see what that old fool Zhou Gang can do to me!"

Before his words had even faded, Lei Biao's palms glowed an earthy yellow. A heavy, domineering aura locked onto Lin Feng, and he immediately slammed a palm fiercely toward Lin Feng's chest!