Leaving the Gang and Plans

Zhuang Jing's hand paused as he poured tea. He looked up at Lin Xiao, his face a mixture of surprise and understanding, and asked:

"You're also interested in the position of Gang Leader?"

"That's right, with your current cultivation and age, you are indeed qualified to compete for this position."

Zhuang Jing nodded as if it were obvious, continuing to pour tea. He put down the teapot, picked up a teacup, and sniffed it lightly before saying in a deep voice:

"The conditions to become the successor of this gang are simple: under thirty years old, cultivation not inferior to us old guys, having made a great merit for the sect, and gaining the approval of more than half of the senior members of the gang."

"Of course, you also have to express your intentions at the gang convention so that we old guys and the disciples of the gang all know you want to contend for this position."

Zhuang Jing then drank the entire cup of tea in one gulp, chewed the tea leaves, swallowed them, and continued:

"But these are just basic requirements. Besides that, you need the support of your own faction and enough money to grease the wheels. To put it bluntly, including you, there are four people vying for this position, and each of them is outstanding. If you want us old guys to support you, what can you offer us with your hard cash to make us all support you?"

Lin Xiao...

He was silent for a moment before asking:

"What if one of them is exceptionally outstanding?"

Zhuang Jing chuckled:

"You are all of the same age. How outstanding can you be? Even if your cultivation is the highest and you can suppress the other three competitors, if you fall too short in other aspects, you still won't be chosen."

"Cultivation can increase your capital, but competing for this position has never been about how high your cultivation is. It's about comprehensive strength plus interpersonal relationships, and how many people support you. Of course, you came from my Great River Hall, and those three did not. I, as the Hall Master, will definitely support you, but whether the other Hall Masters, Protectors, and seven Hall Masters will is another matter."

Lin Xiao was silent for a long time before nodding:

"I understand. I will prepare."

"Hmm, it's not too late for you to understand now. Although you are participating in 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 our hall these few days. If you're lucky, you might get some support from them, such as each supporting a group of people for you, so you won't be alone."

Lin Xiao nodded repeatedly:

"I know. Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master."

Zhuang Jing smiled and waved his hand:

"No need to thank me. You came from my Great River Hall. If you become the Gang Leader in the future, we can also bask in your glory. If not you, then who?"

He cupped his fists, turned, and strode away.

Watching his retreating back, Zhuang Jing shook his head:

"As I said, but Shi Zhongyu and Pang Yunfei started years before you and have already gained the advantage. Most of the old guys have already taken sides and offered their support. It will be extremely difficult for you to enter the game unless..."

"You can become a top-tier or even an ultimate master in the martial world, defeating all competitors with absolute strength. But that is too difficult."

After leaving Zhuang Jing's residence, he followed Hall Master Zhuang's instructions and visited the other six Hall Masters of their hall. To his surprise, although the six Hall Masters received him warmly, their support was the opposite of what Zhuang Jing had said. They offered support, but it was only financial, with no subordinates. So, when he returned home, he had several thousand taels of silver in his hands, but he was still a lone wolf.

"It seems Young Master Yun and Young Master Peng have extraordinary potential!"

The performance of the Hall Masters was obvious. They already had people they favored, and he, from their own hall, was only offering a little money out of courtesy. It was difficult to support subordinates.

This meant that if he entered the competition now through normal means, he would definitely not be able to compete with those two. Then, he could only seek victory through unconventional means, and he already had an idea in mind.

The next day, Lin Xiao visited the old Gang Leader. The old Gang Leader now spent most of his time at the main headquarters and rarely went out. His age also did not permit it. Therefore, what Zhuang Jing said about the old Gang Leader living for more than ten years was true. However, his days as Gang Leader would not last more than ten years; it was estimated that he would delegate power to the new successor within a few years.

Old Gang Leader Jin was not surprised by Lin Xiao's visit. He even guessed why Lin Xiao had come. He looked at Lin Xiao with a smile and said:

"Lin Xiao, you've come to visit the Gang Leader today, and you wish to inform the Gang Leader that Lin Xiao is also willing to share the burden with the Gang Leader after he retires."

He couldn't directly say "I want to be the Gang Leader after you abdicate," but the meaning was clear. The old Gang Leader pondered for a moment and said:

"I understand your intention, and I will not object. But there is one thing I will not hide from you: I already have a chosen candidate in my heart. If nothing unexpected happens, I will announce my abdication in two years and let him take over. Your chances are very slim."

"Such blunt honesty!"

Lin Xiao was speechless. After a brief silence, he said:

"Since that is the case, Lin Xiao wishes to leave the gang and travel. I will return in two years."

The old Gang Leader stared at him intently, and after a long while, he nodded:

"Alright."

Lin Xiao bowed again and turned to leave.

Just as he reached the door, he heard the old Gang Leader's voice from behind:

"Before you leave, you can go to the Martial Arts Pavilion of the gang. Say that I sent you, and you can choose martial arts equivalent to two Great Merits to cultivate."

He paused, then turned back and cupped his fists in a bow:

"Thank you, Gang Leader!"

"This is compensation for you."

Lin Xiao left without looking back.

The old Gang Leader's words indicated that he had almost no chance of competing for the position of Gang Leader through the formal channels. Therefore, he could only rely on his own abilities and seize the position of Gang Leader with absolute strength.

Since that was the case, staying in the gang would only be a burden.

Improving his strength required a large number of Potential Points, and staying in the gang meant being bound by its rules. Furthermore, neither Young Master Yun nor Young Master Peng would stand by and watch him develop; they would surely resort to various underhanded tactics.

He didn't have time to get entangled with them; leaving the sect directly would be much more relaxing and satisfying.

Over the next few days, he visited Hall Master Zhuang again. From him, he learned that due to colluding with the Iron Boat Gang, although there was no concrete evidence, Young Master Peng Shi Zhongyu's reputation within the gang had plummeted. Many undecided mid-to-high-ranking members had shifted their support to Young Master Yun, but none had supported him, which hurt Lin Xiao a bit.

Next, he went to see his injured subordinates, then visited the gang's Martial Arts Pavilion to spend his two Great Merits. Three days later, leading a horse and carrying a large saber on his back, he left the Great River Gang's headquarters to begin his journey through the martial world.

His departure was sudden. It was estimated that Shi Zhongyu hadn't expected him to leave at all. By the time he realized it, Lin Xiao was already long gone.

Half a month later, on Funiu Mountain, about eighty kilometers from Linshui City, Funiu Village was wiped out in one fell swoop. Most of the hundreds of bandits and outlaws were killed within the village, with only a small number escaping.

However, surprisingly, all the various treasures and valuables looted by the bandits were still in the village, untouched. This was quite perplexing.

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, perhaps the title was just changed!