Wind and Rain Approaching!

Yangzhou City, Inner City.

After Li Xian became a Hall Master of the Canoe Gang, he moved out of the docks and into a small courtyard in the inner city.

It was considered one of the perks of being a Hall Master.

After returning to Yangzhou City, Li Xian used the Merit Points he obtained from completing the mission to redeem the remaining three levels of internal energy cultivation techniques for the Crimson Sun Nine Songs.

He spent an entire night and successfully cultivated the Crimson Sun Nine Songs to the Great Perfection state.

He could feel his strength advancing further, but he hadn't broken through to the Upper Three Ranks Martial Artist realm.

It seemed the Crimson Sun Nine Songs had reached its limit here.

He heard that the previous Old Gang Leader only managed to cultivate the Crimson Sun Nine Songs to the eighth level, never reaching the ninth.

In that case, Li Xian's current strength was even greater than the previous Old Gang Leader's.

What about the current Gang Leader, Cao Xiong?

He'd heard he was Mid-fourth Grade, and then he'd heard he was Upper Three Ranks.

The Canoe Gang was powerful, but their top-tier combat strength wasn't that impressive.

Li Xian pondered, pinching his chin.

How did he compare to Cao Xiong now?

If I punch him to death, would I become the new Canoe Gang Leader?

Speaking of Cao Xiong, this current Dragon King of the Canoe Gang seemed to have run into some trouble.

He'd been back in Yangzhou for a few days, but Cao Xiong hadn't shown his face. There were even rumors within the gang that the Dragon King had gone missing.

This was quite interesting.

Yangzhou City was the main base of the Canoe Gang, and their Dragon King leader had gone missing right in the heart of their territory.

What's the difference between that and someone raiding your home?

"Hall Master, I'm back."

As he was thinking, Brother Xin and Wan Cai returned.

"Mm, did you find anything out?" Li Xian asked.

For the past few days, he had sent these two out to gather information.

Cao Xiong's continued absence had already caused quite a stir within the gang, even leading to unrest. Some people were already impatiently eager to claim the Gang Leader position.

"There's still no news about Gang Leader Cao."

"Mm..." Li Xian said expressionlessly, gesturing for them to continue.

"Right now, the Deputy Gang Leader has the highest support. Everyone is willing to back him to become the Gang Leader."

"Willing?" Li Xian chuckled.

"Is it genuine willingness, or forced willingness? There's too much uncertainty in that statement. Others won't agree."

Brother Xin said, "Hall Master, your guess is spot on. Many elders disagree, saying that Gang Leader Cao is merely missing. Until his death is confirmed, no one can inherit the position; it can only be a temporary acting leadership."

"Interesting."

These people were putting on a show. While they claimed to oppose it, it was actually a veiled form of support. Once they appointed an acting leader, they would begin purging Cao Xiong's original faction. By then, even if Cao Xiong returned alive, he would be a lone wolf, unable to contend with anyone.

That would be the day Cao Xiong officially announced his withdrawal, and Deputy Gang Leader smoothly took the main seat.

It was impossible that no one within the Canoe Gang saw through this. But why wasn't anyone stepping in to stop it?

This felt wrong.

Li Xian asked, "Tell me about Deputy Gang Leader."

"Yes."

Brother Xin began.

"Deputy Gang Leader's full name is Liang Haisheng. He's fifty-eight this year. Ten years ago, he was already a Mid-fourth Grade Martial Artist, but he hasn't broken through since. It's unlikely he will have any hope of doing so in the future."

"I heard Liang Haisheng used to be a water bandit. After he couldn't make a living in the outer waters, he brought a group of brothers to join the Canoe Gang. He worked his way up and managed things in the gang for thirty years to reach his current position."

"Mm." Li Xian nodded and asked, "What's his personality like?"

"He doesn't seem to have any particular traits. We low-level members don't get to interact with him much. I heard he's quite easygoing and treats his subordinates very well."

"Has he shown any unusual behavior recently?"

"This..."

After exchanging a glance, Brother Xin and Wan Cai thought for a moment before replying.

"Recently, Deputy Gang Leader has been seen frequently with the monks from White Dragon Temple. Does that count as unusual?"

"Oh?" A sharp glint flashed in Li Xian's eyes.

"Is that White Dragon Temple from the Longquan area?"

"That's right!"

The White Dragon Temple in Dragon Spring City, Qingzhou Prefecture, was a renowned major sect.

It was filled with eminent monks who frequently appeared in the various government offices and the Demon Suppressing Division of Qingzhou Prefecture, making it a long-established major sect in the region.

However, the Canoe Gang was in Yangzhou, while the White Dragon Temple was in Dragon Spring.

One focused on its river transport, while the other schemed to manage and connect with the powerful figures of Qingzhou. The two had always kept to their own affairs.

Why had they suddenly become involved today?

Deputy Gang Leader Liang, inviting a wolf into the fold, was a grave taboo in the martial world!

"When did Gang Leader Cao disappear, and when did those monks from the White Dragon Temple start appearing with Deputy Gang Leader Liang?" Li Xian asked again.

"That..."

"It seems..."

Brother Xin and Wan Cai exchanged glances.

"It seems to have been only a few days apart."

Li Xian formed a rough guess in his mind.

"Alright, then I understand."

"Hall Master Li, what are you implying...?" Brother Xin asked tentatively.

Li Xian waved his hand, interrupting him.

"I'm not implying anything. Until we find Gang Leader Cao, there's no need to make any assumptions."

"I understand!"

However, two days later, Li Xian received a notice from the gang.

"Liang Haisheng has officially taken over as acting Gang Leader. The inauguration ceremony will be held tomorrow morning, and all disciples at the rank of manager or above must attend!"

Li Xian couldn't help but be a little taken aback by the news.

"Is this Liang Haisheng in such a hurry?"

Was his eagerness so blatant that it looked unsightly?

Or had he confirmed that the Canoe Gang was finished, and was now preparing to go all out without restraint?

Li Xian's guess remained unanswered for the moment.

The next day, he arrived as scheduled.

A massive dragon boat was filled with Canoe Gang disciples, and even managers and hall masters from nearby cities had been summoned to attend the ceremony.

Liang Haisheng sat high in the main seat, his face beaming with triumph, as if he had become twenty years younger.

However, two monks in gray and white robes stood beside him, looking completely out of place among the people on the boat.

Below, some hall masters had already begun to whisper amongst themselves.

"Strange, why was it so sudden? Gang Leader Cao just disappeared, and now Deputy Gang Leader Liang is immediately taking over as acting leader."

"Who would have thought? The last time I returned, I was still having tea and dinner with Gang Leader Cao, and now it's come to this."

"I fear the 'deputy' in Deputy Gang Leader's title will soon be removed."

"Hmph, wanting to be the Gang Leader of the Canoe Gang isn't that simple."

"Indeed, none of our Canoe Gang's past leaders have ever brought outsiders onto this boat."

"Sigh, who are those two monks? Looking at their faces just makes me angry."

The murmuring below grew louder and louder. Gradually, some hall masters, having had a bit to drink, became even more unrestrained under the influence of alcohol.

"Hey, you two baldies up there, why don't you come down and have a drink with me?"