The Coming Storm!

Yangzhou City, inner city.

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

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

After returning to Yangzhou City, Li Xian used the Merit Points he had earned from completing his mission to redeem the remaining three levels of the inner cultivation method for Crimson Sun Nine Songs.

He spent the night cultivating, and successfully trained Crimson Sun Nine Songs to its perfected state.

He could feel that his strength had advanced another step, but he still hadn't broken through to the Upper Three Ranks of the Martialist Realm.

It seemed Crimson Sun Nine Songs had reached its limit.

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

If so, Li Xian was now even stronger than the previous Old Gang Leader.

Then what level had the current Gang Leader, Cao Xiong, reached?

He had heard Cao Xiong was Mid-fourth Grade; he had also heard he was Upper Three Ranks.

The Cao Gang was a powerful force, but its top fighters weren't much to write home about.

Li Xian rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

How did he compare to Cao Xiong now?

If I punched him to death, would I become the new Gang Leader of the Cao Gang?

Speaking of Cao Xiong, it seemed something had happened to the current Canoe Gang Dragon King.

Li Xian had been back in Yangzhou for several days, but Cao Xiong still hadn't shown his face. Rumors were even spreading through the gang that the Dragon King had gone missing.

That was certainly worth pondering.

Yangzhou City was the Cao Gang's headquarters, yet its Dragon King had vanished right from the heart of its own territory.

How was that any different from having your home robbed?

"Hall Master, we're back."

As Li Xian was mulling things over, Brother Xin and Wan Cai returned.

"Mm. Did you find out anything?" Li Xian asked.

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

Cao Xiong's continued absence had already caused quite a stir within the gang, leaving its members unsettled. Some were even impatient to take the Gang Leader's seat.

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

"Mm..." Li Xian kept his expression blank, motioning for them to continue.

"Right now, the one with the strongest support in the gang is Deputy Gang Leader Liang. Everyone's willing to put him in the Gang Leader's seat."

"Willing?" Li Xian laughed.

"Are they really willing, or have they been forced into it? There's too much water in that claim. Others can't possibly accept it."

Brother Xin said, "You guessed it exactly, Hall Master. A lot of the elders disagree. They say Gang Leader Cao is only missing, and until his death is confirmed, no one can inherit his position. They can only appoint an acting Gang Leader."

"Interesting."

These people were singing the same tune. They claimed to oppose Liang, but in reality, they were supporting him by another name. Once he became acting Gang Leader, he could start purging Cao Xiong's old supporters. Then even if Cao Xiong returned alive, he'd be left with nothing but his title. How could he compete?

That would be the day Cao Xiong was officially forced out and Deputy Gang Leader Liang took the seat for good.

Surely no one in the Cao Gang could fail to see what was going on. So why had no one stepped forward to stop it?

Something was off.

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

"Yes."

Brother Xin began.

"Deputy Gang Leader Liang's full name is Liang Haisheng. He's fifty-eight this year. He reached the Mid-fourth Grade of the Martialist Realm ten years ago, but he still hasn't broken through. He probably never will."

"I heard Liang Haisheng used to be a river pirate. When he couldn't make it on the waterways outside, he brought a group of brothers into the Cao Gang. He spent thirty years working his way up and building influence before he reached his current position."

"Mm." Li Xian nodded, then asked, "What's he like?"

"He doesn't seem to have any particular quirks. People like us don't get close enough to know him. I hear he's easygoing and treats his subordinates very well."

"Has anything unusual happened with him lately?"

"Well..."

Brother Xin and Wan Cai exchanged a glance. After thinking for a moment, Brother Xin spoke.

"Deputy Gang Leader Liang has been coming and going with monks from White Dragon Temple quite often lately. Does that count as unusual?"

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

"Do you mean White Dragon Temple in Longquan?"

"That's right!"

White Dragon Temple in Longquan City, Qingzhou Prefecture, was a renowned Great Sect.

It was filled with eminent monks who often visited the various prefectural offices and the Demon Suppressing Division in Qingzhou Prefecture. It was a major sect that had put down roots in Qingzhou for many years.

The Cao Gang, however, was based in Yangzhou, while White Dragon Temple was in Longquan.

One focused on river transport; the other went to great lengths to cultivate ties with Qingzhou's powerful and influential. They had always stayed out of each other's way.

So why had they suddenly joined forces?

Deputy Gang Leader Liang was inviting a wolf into the house. That was a major taboo in the Jianghu!

"When did Gang Leader Cao disappear? And when did the White Dragon Temple monks start coming and going with Deputy Gang Leader Liang?" Li Xian asked.

"Well..."

"It seems..."

Brother Xin and Wan Cai looked at each other.

"It seems they were only a few days apart."

Li Xian had a rough idea what was going on.

"Good. I understand."

"Hall Master Li, do you mean..." Brother Xin asked cautiously.

Li Xian raised a hand, cutting him off.

"I don't mean anything. Until we find Gang Leader Cao, there's no need to jump to conclusions."

"I understand!"

Two days later, however, Li Xian received a notice from the gang.

"Liang Haisheng has officially become acting Gang Leader. The inauguration ceremony will be held tomorrow morning. All disciples at manager rank or higher must attend!"

Li Xian was a little taken aback when he heard the news.

"Is Liang Haisheng really in such a hurry?"

Wasn't this a little too eager? Wouldn't it make him look bad?

Or had he already confirmed that Cao Xiong was dead, and was now ready to let loose and do whatever he pleased?

Li Xian had no answer to his suspicions yet.

The next day, he showed up as expected.

A huge Dragon Ship was packed with Cao Gang disciples. Even the Hall Masters and managers from several nearby cities had been summoned back to attend the ceremony.

Liang Haisheng sat high in the main seat, looking triumphant, as if he had grown twenty years younger.

But the two monks in gray-white robes standing beside him looked completely out of place among the people aboard the ship.

Hall Masters below were already whispering among themselves.

"How strange. How did things change so suddenly? Gang Leader Cao disappeared, and now Deputy Gang Leader Liang is acting Gang Leader."

"Tell me about it. I came back last time and had tea and dinner with Gang Leader Cao. Now look at the state of things."

"Deputy Gang Leader Liang won't need that 'Deputy' for much longer."

"Hmph. Becoming Gang Leader of the Cao Gang isn't that simple."

"Exactly. None of the Gang Leaders before him ever brought outsiders aboard this ship."

"Hey, who are those two monks? Just looking at their faces makes me angry."

The chatter grew louder and louder. Gradually, a few Hall Masters had a little to drink, and the alcohol emboldened them to act even more recklessly.

"Hey, you two baldies up there! Why don't you come down and drink with your grandpa?"