Your Parents Sure Knew How to Pick a Name!

The next day, at the Cao Gang's Xingshang Hall.

"Congratulations, Steward Li. You've only just joined the Cao Gang, and you've already earned merit."

The speaker was Duan Sanping, a steward at Merit Hall, which answered to Xingshang Hall.

Li Xian had killed a Demonic Evil with a single move the night before, solving a major problem for the Cao Gang and avenging several brothers. Naturally, his feat had caught the gang's attention.

So early that morning, after Hall Master Huang Jinglong had learned the full story, he brought Li Xian here to claim his reward.

Li Xian modestly said, "That Fish Demon was weak, and it was careless, too. I just happened to run into it."

Duan Sanping smiled. "That Fish Demon had drained the Essence Blood of at least ten men, and the fight took place underwater. Its strength was comparable to that of a Mid-sixth Grade Martialist, yet you still killed it. Steward Li, you're very strong."

Huang Jinglong laughed heartily beside him. "Of course! How could someone I've taken a liking to be anything less?"

Li Xian had earned merit, and Huang Jinglong shared in the glory. Naturally, he was pleased.

Duan Sanping didn't continue the topic. Instead, he counted out five tokens and handed them to Li Xian.

"For slaying a Fish Demon and avenging our brothers, you've earned five hundred merit points. Please keep your Merit Tokens safe, Steward Li."

"Thank you." Li Xian reached out and took them.

Huang Jinglong smiled. "Well, Brother Li, now that you've earned some merit, you can make any request you like."

Li Xian weighed the Merit Tokens in his hand and smiled. "Then I'll go to the Scripture Repository."

The Cao Gang's Scripture Repository wasn't a building. It was a ship.

Looking at the pavilion converted from a large Dragon Ship before him, Li Xian couldn't help marveling at how distinctive the Cao Gang was.

Even its Scripture Repository was one of a kind.

"Who goes there?"

As soon as Li Xian reached the entrance, someone stopped him.

"Li Xian of the Cao Gang."

"Do you have credentials?"

"I do."

Li Xian handed over his identity token and Merit Tokens.

The guard was an old man with grizzled hair and beard, but he was vigorous and full of life. He took Li Xian's things, glanced through them, then tossed them back.

"Go on. You're only allowed to view the martial arts in the first three floors of the Scripture Repository."

"Understood."

Li Xian nodded, then entered the Scripture Repository.

The Cao Gang truly lived up to its reputation as the greatest gang dominating Yangzhou City. The martial arts, Secret Manuals, and techniques on just the first three floors were already as vast as the sea, leaving Li Xian dazzled.

But these were all basic methods, with low ceilings. There was little point in practicing them.

Besides, Li Xian already had a goal in mind for this visit.

It was the Mind Method left behind by the previous Gang Leader—Crimson Sun Nine Songs.

More precisely, he wanted the first three layers of Crimson Sun Nine Songs. There were six more, stored higher up in the Scripture Repository, but Li Xian didn't have enough merit to access them yet.

As a high-grade martial art, Crimson Sun Nine Songs was both a creation exclusive to the Cao Gang and a rare Secret Manual with a complete cultivation method.

As long as Li Xian earned enough merit later, with the help of Proficiency Points, he should be able to master Crimson Sun Nine Songs in no time.

The next day, at noon.

Bare-chested, Li Xian stood on the deck and slowly exhaled a breath of foul air into the scorching sun.

Under the sunlight, his body gleamed a dazzling crimson, like an iron rod glowing red-hot from the furnace.

Brother Xin stood not far away, holding Li Xian's clothes. Watching this scene, he couldn't help feeling secretly astonished.

"Isn't this the fire-tempering stage of Crimson Sun Nine Songs? When did Steward Li start practicing this method? I heard he only got it from the Scripture Repository yesterday. How could he advance so quickly? That's terrifying!"

Brother Xin had begun to wonder whether Li Xian had been a Demonic Evil in a past life.

How could anyone in the world practice a martial art so quickly?

Unless they weren't human!

Li Xian was, of course, human. There were two reasons he could practice so quickly.

First, he was exceptionally talented. Second, he had just a tiny bit of help from Proficiency Points.

So after getting the first three layers of Crimson Sun Nine Songs yesterday, he'd finished practicing them with the help of Proficiency Points.

Li Xian opened his eyes and looked at his now-crimson palm, unable to help marveling.

Good thing he'd practiced the Body Tempering Skill before. Otherwise, even just the first three layers of Crimson Sun Nine Songs could have burned him to ash.

Feeling the scorching heat in his palm, he wanted to test its power.

So he casually picked up a piece of wood that had fallen onto the deck.

In just two breaths, bright red flames flickered across the wood.

If that palm struck someone...

Li Xian was secretly amazed. He was very satisfied with the result.

"Sir, all your food and wine are here. Please enjoy."

"Good. You can go."

Li Xian waved a hand.

The waiter respectfully withdrew.

With nothing to do today and no tasks on hand, Li Xian took the chance to enjoy a quiet half-day and stopped by a nearby tavern.

Sitting there to feel the river breeze and sip some wine was quite pleasant.

"Steward Li, come on, have a drink..."

"Exactly. It's not every day we get to go out drinking. We should drink our fill."

Across from him sat Brother Xin and another worker named Wan Cai.

Wan Cai—his parents sure knew how to pick a name.

Li Xian had never liked drinking much and would only have a few sips at most, so he didn't join the other two.

Brother Xin and Wan Cai drank more and more, gradually growing rowdy. Their voices grew louder and louder, drawing sidelong glances from the people around them.

"What a bunch of uncouth louts."

"Just look at their clothes. You can tell they're street rabble, raised without a shred of manners. It's no wonder they talk so crudely."

"What rotten luck. We came out for a little peace and quiet, only to run into a crowd like that. What a buzzkill."

At the next table sat several young masters and ladies dressed in finery.

The three young ladies had just complained, and immediately one of the Young Masters couldn't sit still.

"Waiter!"

"Coming! What can I do for you, sir?"

"Has Fengyang Tower really sunk so low that you let just anyone in now?"

Cold sweat broke out on the waiter's forehead.

Oh, come on, you guys. Those are people from the Cao Gang! You're not afraid of them, but we are!

Brother Xin and the others often came to Fengyang Tower to drink and eat, so the waiters here all knew them.

"Why aren't you saying anything? Cat got your tongue?" the man pressed.

The waiter smiled ingratiatingly. "Sir, how about I move you to another table?"

"What?!"

The man's temper flared at once, and his voice rose several pitches.

"They're being so loud and vulgar, and you're not kicking them out? You're telling us to leave instead?"

The waiter hurriedly said, "No, I'm not asking you to leave. I'm just offering to move you to another table."

"No. You have to throw them out today, or Fengyang Tower won't be in business much longer," the Young Master said, his face flushed red as he refused to back down.

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