A Mere Deputy Gang Leader—I'll Kill Him for You to See!

"I understand the sect leader's intentions... I understand them all too well..."

A venomous gleam flickered in Zhang Yangming's eyes.

"That way, I can personally slaughter my enemy."

"So that's how it is?" The subordinates seemed to understand, yet not quite.

Zhang Yangming said viciously, "That's absolutely how it is. Just wait, Li Xian. Before everyone's eyes, I'll tear you into ten thousand pieces!"

Many people outside had also learned of the news.

In a dim little room, two figures whose faces could not be seen were talking.

"Who would have thought? I thought his talent was exceptional and that he would be a fine prospect. I never expected him to be so impulsive."

"Perhaps it isn't impulsiveness. Cao Xiong may have seen through what he did and forced him into making such a choice."

"Then should we give up on him?"

After a moment of silence, one of them said, "Give him one more chance. Let's see whether he can defeat Zhang Yangming and get through this ordeal."

The other said in extreme surprise, "You think so highly of him? You think he can create a miracle?"

"I have a very strange feeling. I feel that he can!"

"If that's the case, then give him one more chance!"

Yangzhou City, Kui Shui Pier.

"Steward Li, why did you challenge Deputy Gang Leader Zhang?" Brother Xin asked, his face full of anxiety.

Li Xian looked at him and smiled. "Why can't I challenge him?"

"He's our Deputy Gang Leader. He's very strong," Brother Xin said.

What he meant was that Li Xian could not beat him, and challenging him would get him killed.

Li Xian said, "He's strong. Does that mean I'm not?"

"Yes, Steward Li, you're very formidable, but compared to Deputy Gang Leader Zhang, there might still be a bit of a gap." Wan Cai spoke cautiously from the side.

"Oh?"

Li Xian chuckled. "You have that little faith in me?"

Brother Xin and Wan Cai were so anxious they were practically stamping their feet.

This was a life-and-death moment—how could Steward Li still be smiling?

"Steward Li, aren't you worried at all?"

Faced with their confusion, Li Xian merely smiled faintly and said unhurriedly, "He's only a mere Deputy Gang Leader. I'll kill him for you to see!"

"This..."

Li Xian's voice was not loud, but it brimmed with confidence and carried an overwhelming presence. Brother Xin and Wan Cai were struck speechless for a moment, unsure how to respond.

"Alright, leave now. I'm going to train."

After Li Xian left, Brother Xin and Wan Cai sighed and lamented.

"Alas, it seems Steward Li really is too arrogant. He has no idea what a Mid-fourth Grade martialist means."

"Maybe things have gone too smoothly for him before. He's always thought he was very strong, but he hasn't met a true expert yet."

"That's possible."

"Steward Li is no match for Deputy Gang Leader Zhang. He'll probably die."

"Yeah. Looks like the position of pier steward will have to change hands again."

"Alas, I thought I could follow a steward with boundless prospects. Once he rose in rank, he could bring me along with him."

"It's fine. At worst, we brothers can go back to following Steward Yang."

"That's the only thing we can do."

Two days later, early morning.

Yangzhou City, West Lake.

A gaudily decorated pleasure boat glided across the mist-shrouded lake.

"The most beautiful scenery in Yangzhou City is at West Lake, and the most beautiful scenery at West Lake is at sunrise. When the first ray of sunlight shines upon the lake, it is as if heaven and earth have just opened—too beautiful for words."

On the pleasure boat, an elegantly dressed young gentleman waved a paper fan as he smilingly introduced the sights to his friends aboard.

A pretty, adorable little girl yawned and pouted. "Aren't we already on West Lake? Why is this boat still moving? Where are we going?"

The young gentleman smiled. "Xiao Xi, you don't understand. To watch the sunrise at West Lake, you must go to Tiger Leaping Gorge. That is the best spot to see the sunrise."

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"Oh..." Xiao Xi muttered, saying no more.

This group was made up of young masters and young ladies from Yangzhou City. When they had nothing better to do after eating their fill, they either went sightseeing or indulged in food and pleasure.

This time, on a sudden whim, someone had called everyone over to West Lake to watch the sunrise.

So the group rented a Pleasure Boat and came here.

However, they would not be seeing the sunrise at Tiger Leaping Gorge today.

The boat had only gone halfway when the lake ahead was blocked off.

Several uniquely designed boats with dragon heads carved onto their prows lay across the lake, blocking everyone's path.

"Hey, what are you people doing? You dare block this young lady's boat? All of you, get out of my way!" Xiao Xi was displeased and began shouting at the small boats ahead.

The people beside her were frightened out of their wits.

Several of them hurriedly covered her mouth.

"Oh, my dear little ancestor, those are Cao Gang ships. You mustn't shout carelessly."

Xiao Xi might not recognize them, but there were still people around her who did.

More or less everyone here had either suffered at the hands of the Cao Gang or witnessed their might. They all feared the Cao Gang's ability to summon wind and rain in Yangzhou City, and whenever they encountered them outside, they would give way by three parts.

Xiao Xi did not know any better. If she got into a conflict with the Cao Gang, it would be hard to settle.

Although they stopped her in time, Xiao Xi's voice had already drawn the attention of the Cao Gang disciples ahead.

A gaunt disciple stood up and shouted in their direction.

"What are the people over there doing?"

"Nothing, nothing. We're just passing by."

The Fan-wielding Young Master hurriedly replied with a placating smile.

"If it's nothing, don't come in. The Cao Gang is handling business here today. Idlers are forbidden from entering!"

"Yes, yes, we'll leave at once."

Xiao Xi curled her lips and said unhappily, "The Cao Gang really throws its weight around. They've blocked off the entire lake and won't let us in, as if West Lake belongs to them."

A friend beside her said with a wry smile, "In Yangzhou City, anything connected to water can be considered the Cao Gang's own territory."

A strange glint flickered in Xiao Xi's eyes. "Is that so?"

"Sigh, it can't be helped. The Cao Gang is a colossal force that dominates the entire Grand Canal. Who would dare offend them?"

"Forget it, forget it. Say no more. We can come watch the sunrise at Tiger Leaping Gorge another time."

"What a buzzkill. Making me get up so early for nothing." Xiao Xi pouted and grumbled unhappily.

"It's all right. We'll come again next time." Everyone comforted her together.

As they spoke, a small boat flying the Cao Gang flag flashed swiftly past them.

"Halt! Who goes there?!"

"Cao Gang, Li Xian!"

A handsome youth with a tall, well-proportioned figure stood at the bow with his hands clasped behind his back. Letting the river wind brush over him, he seemed to float like one standing alone beyond this mortal world.

Upon hearing Li Xian's name, the Cao Gang disciples knew that one of today's main figures had arrived and hurriedly let him through.

"Please let Steward Li enter!"

The young masters and ladies aboard the Pleasure Boat could only watch as that small boat swiftly vanished into the misty haze over West Lake.

"What an impressive show of power. The entire West Lake is open only to the Cao Gang. They really treat this place like their own home."

Seeing this, Xiao Xi clicked her tongue repeatedly and mocked them.

The young master beside her said with a wry smile, "It can't be helped. In Yangzhou City, only the Cao Gang stands supreme."

"Indeed. They've practically reached the point of being too big to fail."

Hearing these words, Xiao Xi could not help sneering inwardly.

Too big to fail? Hehe... I wouldn't be so sure...

"All right, all right, let's go. While it's still early, let's have some tea at the teahouse nearby."

"Let's go, let's go. Now that you mention it, I'm hungry too."

Travel about two li southeast along West Lake, and you would see a Gorge shaped like a fierce tiger bending at the waist and arching its back, as though poised to leap sideways across the entirety of West Lake.

This was Tiger Leaping Gorge.

The sky had yet to brighten, but Tiger Leaping Gorge was already packed with Cao Gang disciples.

Zhang Yangming had arrived early and was waiting there.

Farther away, on a flat patch of open ground in the Gorge, a simple temporary tent had been erected. That was Cao Xiong's position.

As for today's battle.

Everyone in the Cao Gang, from top to bottom, was exceptionally concerned.