Traces Exposed

East Sea Gang Headquarters, East Sea Grand Hotel.

This was one of the more famous hotels in City God District. Many wealthy merchants and high-ranking officials chose this place to entertain guests.

Inside the general manager's office, East Sea Gang Leader Wei Donghai sat smoking cigars and drinking with Vice Gang Leader Liang Cheng.

The two clinked glasses. Liang Cheng took a sip and looked at Wei Donghai. "Boss, the Great Wind Gang wants to send in two teams to search for the killer who murdered their gang members. Should we agree?"

Wei Donghai set his glass down heavily on the crystal tea table and said coldly, "They still want to send people in? He can eat shit. They already sent a few people wandering all over our territory before, and I let it slide. Now they're pushing their luck!"

After hesitating, Liang Cheng still said, "Boss, the Yang Family is standing behind the Great Wind Gang after all. We shouldn't offend them too badly!"

"The Yang Family!" Anger flashed across Wei Donghai's face, but he quickly suppressed it. In a deep voice, he said, "This is City God District, not East District. The Yang Family may run a big business, but they can't reach their hand into City God District!"

"Boss, you misunderstand!"

A meaningful smile touched Liang Cheng's face. "Great Wind is willing to pay five hundred thousand. They're only looking for one person. Once they find him, they'll leave immediately, and they guarantee they won't fight us for territory!"

"What do you mean?"

Wei Donghai raised his thick brows, rubbing the stubbled, blue-black chin beneath his full beard as a thoughtful look crossed his face.

"Who is the Great Wind Gang looking for? It's been a whole month, hasn't it? And they're still willing to pay five hundred thousand?"

Liang Cheng smiled mysteriously. "Boss, do you remember the matter involving the Fang Family's Eldest Young Master that was making the rounds some time ago?"

"The Fang Family's Eldest Young Master?"

Wei Donghai was slightly taken aback.

Liang Cheng hurriedly said:

"Boss, how could you forget? Some time ago, word spread through the underworld that the eldest young master of the Fang Family, Yunyang's richest family, had left the Fang Family and taken five million from them. Many gangs were searching for the Fang Family's Eldest Young Master, hoping to snatch that five million!"

"Oh!"

Only then did Wei Donghai understand. He smiled faintly. "I remember that. Didn't I tell East Sea Gang not to get involved? What, has the Great Wind Gang found him?"

Liang Cheng nodded.

"Boss, I have a few sources. The Great Wind Gang seems to have found a lead. That Young Master Fang may be in our City God District. The two Great Wind Gang members who died the day before yesterday came here after discovering a clue. They were most likely killed because of it!"

Mockery appeared on Wei Donghai's face.

"Why is Du Wei of the Great Wind Gang becoming more foolish the longer he lives? Five million was enough to tempt them? They've actually lowered themselves to the level of those lowly street punks!"

Liang Cheng chuckled.

"Boss, I heard that it's people from the Yang Family who are looking for this Fang Family's Eldest Young Master!"

"Oh!"

Wei Donghai was slightly startled. His gaze turned thoughtful, and then he looked at Liang Cheng.

"Tell me what you're thinking!"

"Boss, doesn't the Great Wind Gang want to find someone? Then let them search. We won't get involved, and we'll still get paid. Why not?"

Liang Cheng smiled faintly.

Wei Donghai laughed. "Good. As expected of the strategist of my East Sea Gang. We'll do as you say—let them send people in!"

"Alright, I'll notify them right away!" Liang Cheng said with a smile as he picked up the phone.

"Wait!" Wei Donghai suddenly stopped him. A teasing smile appeared on his face. "Make them pay one million. Without one million, not even one of them gets into our City God District!"

Liang Cheng froze for a moment. Wei Donghai smiled faintly.

"I don't want to provoke the Yang Family, but I won't indulge the Great Wind Gang. If they want to find someone, they'll have to bleed for it!"

Fang Mo had no idea that both the East Sea Gang and the Great Wind Gang had set their sights on him. With the medicine, he could recover quickly at night, then train like mad—practicing stances and boxing, neglecting neither.

Before going to sleep, he took out the book Xie Changmin had given him and read it again. He had already decided to learn alchemy as well.

Early the next morning, he bought some steamed buns from Uncle Liu and hurried to the martial arts school.

Morning was the best time to practice martial arts. Everyone trained diligently—some practiced boxing, some held stances, some trained with weapons, some struck sandbags, and some sparred with their fellow disciples.

Their backs were drenched in sweat, and the courtyard was blazing with activity.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"Everyone, stop for now!"

Miao Ping came from the rear courtyard to the front courtyard, clapping his hands to halt everyone who was practicing boxing.

"Senior Brother Miao, what is it?"

Everyone gathered around to ask. Fang Mo also stopped and stood a short distance away, watching.

Miao Ping wore a smile as his gaze swept over the crowd. "Today is the Grand Competition of Yunyang's Eight Great Martial Academies. You all know that, right?"

"We know!" everyone answered.

"Your good fortune has arrived!" A faintly proud look appeared on Miao Ping's face as his gaze swept across them. "The competition has specially reserved places for our Tiger Might Martial Arts School. Originally, Master planned to bring only Bright Force disciples to watch, but Master has made a last-minute decision to select five disciples from the front courtyard to go!"

"Senior Brother Miao, take me!"

"Senior Brother Miao, I want to go watch too. Take me with you!"

At once, everyone grew excited. They had only ever watched the Martial Academy Grand Competition on television before; being able to watch from inside the venue would be an honor in itself.

"Chen Song, Wang Qing, Liu Shiwu, He Shaobing, Chu Silin—you five."

Miao Ping swept his gaze across the crowd and called out several names. Those chosen immediately ran off in delight to make preparations.

"Alright, the rest of you stay behind and train hard."

Miao Ping said flatly as he looked at the others.

Fang Mo had long known that Miao Ping would definitely choose those people. Chu Silin had arrived even a few days later than he had, but the girl had excellent bones and high talent, progressing at astonishing speed. She had even learned the Tiger Subduing Fist a day before him, and she was only sixteen.

Thus, he knew his place and did not try to push himself forward.

"You were smart not to crowd in."

Ding Zhiyuan walked over. Seeing that Fang Mo had not moved from where he stood, he smiled and said so.

Fang Mo smiled. "I figured watching it on television later would be the same."

Ding Zhiyuan paused slightly, then laughed. "That's true enough!"

Fang Mo smiled faintly and said nothing more. He turned around and continued training.

He understood in his heart that his current strength was still insufficient. Watching a Grand Competition like this held no meaning for him. He needed more time to improve his strength; only once he reached Bright Force would he possess enough power to protect himself.

For now, he could only work silently in the shadows, striving to break through as soon as possible and no longer be at another's mercy.