Zhuang Jing paused as he poured the tea and looked up at Lin Xiao in astonishment. It was both unexpected and within his expectations. He asked:
"Are you interested in the Gang Leader's position too?"
"That's true. Given your current cultivation and age, you are indeed qualified to compete for this position."
Zhuang Jing nodded as if it were only natural and continued pouring tea. He set down the teapot, picked up the teacup, sniffed it lightly beneath his nose, and said in a deep voice:
"The conditions for becoming this Gang's successor are simple. You must be under thirty, have cultivation no weaker than that of us old fellows, perform a Great Merit for the sect, and gain the approval of more than half of the Gang's senior figures."
"Of course, you must also show your intentions at the Gang Assembly, so that all us old fellows and the Gang's disciples know you want to compete for this position."
Zhuang Jing drained the cup in one gulp again, chewed the tea leaves, swallowed them, and continued:
"But those are only the basic requirements. Besides that, you need the support of your own forces and enough money to grease the wheels. To put it bluntly, including you, there are four people competing for this position, and every one of you is outstanding. If you want us old fellows to support you, without real gold and silver, what makes you think we'll all support you?"
Lin Xiao...
He was silent for a moment before asking:
"What if one of them is exceptionally outstanding?"
Zhuang Jing laughed:
"You're all the same age. How outstanding can you really be? Even if your cultivation is the highest and you can overpower the other three competitors, you still won't be chosen if you fall too far behind in other areas."
"Cultivation can increase your capital, but competing for this position has never been about how high your cultivation is. It's about overall strength and connections—about how many people support you. Of course, you came from my Great River Hall, while the other three did not. As Hall Master, I will definitely support you, but the other Hall Masters, Dharma Protectors, and the seven Helmsmen are another matter."
Lin Xiao remained silent for a long while before nodding:
"I understand. I'll make preparations."
"Mm. It isn't too late for you to understand now. Although you joined this competition the latest, the old Gang Leader can still live for many years. You still have a chance."
"Also, you'd best visit the other Hall Masters of this Hall over the next few days. If luck is on your side, you may be able to win some support from them—for example, each of them might give you a group of subordinates, so you won't be left standing alone."
Lin Xiao nodded repeatedly:
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master."
Zhuang Jing waved his hand with a smile:
"No need to thank me. You came from my Great River Hall. If you become the Gang Leader in the future, we'll benefit from it too. If I don't support you, whom should I support?"
He cupped his hands, turned around, and strode away.
Watching him leave, Zhuang Jing shook his head:
"Though that's what I said, Shi Zhongyu and Pang Yunfei got their start years ahead of you and have already seized the initiative. Most of the old fellows have taken sides and pledged their support. For you to enter the game will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens, unless..."
"You can become a top-tier or even peerless martial artist of the jianghu and defeat all your competitors with absolute strength. But that will be far too difficult."
After leaving Zhuang Jing's residence, Lin Xiao followed Hall Master Zhuang's advice and visited the other six Hall Masters of this Hall. To his surprise, although the six Hall Masters received him warmly, their support was the opposite of what Zhuang Jing had described. They all offered support, but only in the form of money. Not one was willing to give him any subordinates. Thus, by the time he returned home, he had several thousand taels of silver in his hands, but he was still a commander without troops.
"It seems Young Master Yun and Young Master Peng have extraordinary hidden strength!"
The six Hall Masters' attitudes were obvious. They already had people they favored. As someone from their own Hall, Lin Xiao received a little financial support only out of courtesy, but getting them to provide subordinates was difficult.
In other words, having entered the contest now, he definitely could not beat those two through normal means. He could only win by taking them by surprise. Besides, he already had an idea in mind.
The next day, Lin Xiao went to visit the old Gang Leader. The old Gang Leader spent almost the entire year at the main headquarters and rarely went out; his age no longer permitted it. Thus, what Zhuang Jing had said about the old Gang Leader being able to live another decade or more was true, but he certainly would not remain Gang Leader for another decade. He would probably hand over his authority to a new successor within a few years.
The old Gang Leader, Jin, was not surprised by Lin Xiao's visit. He had even guessed why Lin Xiao had come. Smiling faintly, he looked at Lin Xiao and said:
"Lin Xiao has come to visit the Gang Leader today to inform him that Lin Xiao is also willing to ease the Gang Leader's burdens after he retires."
He obviously could not simply say, "I want to wait until you step down and then become the Gang Leader," but that was essentially what he meant. After hearing this, the old Gang Leader pondered for a moment and said:
"I understand what you mean. I will not oppose it either. But there is one thing I will not hide from you: I already have someone in mind. If nothing unexpected happens, I will announce my retirement and have him succeed me in two years. Your chances are very small."
"That's quite a candid answer!"
Lin Xiao was left speechless. After a brief silence, he said:
"In that case, Lin Xiao would like to leave the Gang and travel abroad, then return in two years."
The old Gang Leader stared intently at him. After a long while, he nodded:
"Very well."
Lin Xiao bowed again, turned around, and left.
He had just reached the door when he heard the old Gang Leader's voice behind him:
"Before you leave, you may visit the Gang's Martial Arts Pavilion. Tell them I sent you. You may choose martial arts equivalent to two Great Merits to cultivate."
He paused, turned back, and clasped his fists in salute:
"Thank you, Gang Leader!"
"This is compensation for you."
Lin Xiao left without looking back.
The old Gang Leader's words made it clear that he basically had no chance of competing for the Gang Leader's position through the regular route. He would have to rely on his own ability and seize the position through absolute strength.
Since that was the case, remaining in the Gang would only weigh him down.
Increasing his strength required a large number of Potential Points. Staying in the Gang meant being bound by its rules. Moreover, neither Young Master Yun nor Young Master Peng—nor Shi Zhongyu—would stand by and watch him develop. They would certainly make all kinds of petty moves.
He had no time to entangle himself with them over such things. Leaving the sect directly would be far easier and more satisfying.
Over the next few days, he visited Hall Master Zhuang again. From him, he learned that because of the matter of colluding with the Iron Boat Gang, although there was no evidence, Young Master Peng Shi Zhongyu's reputation within the Gang had already plummeted. Many wavering mid- and high-ranking members had switched to supporting Young Master Yun instead. Yet not a single one supported him, which left Lin Xiao somewhat wounded.
After that, he went to see the injured subordinates, then visited the Gang's Martial Arts Pavilion and used up his two Great Merits. Three days later, he led a horse, carried a broadsword on his back, and left the Great River Gang's main headquarters to begin traveling the jianghu.
His departure was very sudden. Shi Zhongyu probably had not expected him to leave at all. By the time he reacted, Lin Xiao had already vanished without a trace.
Half a month later, Funiu Village on Mount Funiu, more than eighty kilometers from Linshui City, was wiped out in a single sweep. Most of the hundred-odd robbers and bandits were killed inside the stronghold, while only a small number escaped.
Yet what was astonishing was that not a single bit of the various goods and valuables they had looted was missing. Everything remained inside the stronghold, making the matter extremely difficult to fathom.
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