Bounty of Five Taels! Named Lu Iron Skin!

Zhao Tieshan stood atop a pile of damaged cargo boxes, the Ghost Head Saber in his hand still dripping blood.

"Tonight, all you brothers were magnificent! You showed the might of our Black Water Gang!"

His voice echoed in the air, thick with the smell of blood.

"Hall Master is mighty!"

"Kill all those Red Fish Gang scoundrels!"

The surviving gang members raised their weapons, letting out tired but excited shouts.

Zhao Tieshan waved his hand, signaling for quiet, and turned his gaze to Brother Liu beside him.

"Liu San, what are our casualties? Have the merits been recorded?"

Brother Liu quickly stepped forward, handing over a booklet, its pages stained with splotchy blood.

"Reporting to the Hall Master, we lost seven brothers tonight, and over thirty were injured, mostly superficial wounds. The Red Fish Gang left behind over thirty corpses, and we cut down even more! I've recorded all the brothers who earned merit tonight."

Brother Liu paused, then deliberately raised his voice.

"Especially that kid Lu Chen, he took down a Red Fish Gang leader and two good fighters by himself, and took a blow to the body, he's a tough one!"

Following this statement, the gazes of those around focused on a figure in the corner.

Lu Chen was covered in bloodstains, it was impossible to tell if they were his own or the enemy's. A large section of the back of his clothes was torn, revealing a horrifying bruise.

He simply stood there silently, wiping his simple saber with a cloth, as if the recent battle had drained all his strength.

Zhao Tieshan looked at Lu Chen, his eyes filled with scrutiny and approval.

This newcomer, he had noticed him during the assessment. He had great strength and tough bones. He hadn't expected him to be so fearless in actual combat.

"Good lad, your name is Lu Chen, right? Zhao Tieshan didn't misjudge you!"

Zhao Tieshan strode up to Lu Chen, placing a large hand heavily on his shoulder.

"Your physique is truly tough. From now on, the brothers will call you 'Lu Iron Skin'!"

"Lu Iron Skin!"

"Haha, that nickname fits perfectly!"

The surrounding gang members joined in the teasing, their gazes towards Lu Chen now holding less unfamiliarity and more respect and acceptance.

In a gang, strength was always the fastest way to earn respect.

"Thank you, Hall Master, for the bestowed name."

Lu Chen cupped his fists, his voice a little hoarse.

"Let's discuss merits and rewards!"

Zhao Tieshan turned and returned to a high place, his voice echoing across the crowd again.

"All brothers who participated in the battle will be rewarded with one tael of silver each! Brothers who were injured will receive an additional tael for medicinal soup! Brothers who died in battle will receive a ten-tael death benefit, to be delivered to their families!"

"As for you, Lu Tiepi!"

Zhao Tieshan's gaze fell on Lu Chen again.

"You killed the enemy leader, your merit is the greatest. You will be rewarded with five taels of silver! From today onwards, you are an official member of the War Hall. You don't have to do odd jobs like collecting debts anymore. Follow me, and there will be plenty of tough battles to fight in the future!"

Five taels of silver.

A suppressed gasp rippled through the crowd.

This sum was enough for an ordinary laborer to work at the docks for more than half a year.

Countless envious eyes turned towards Lu Chen, but upon seeing his blood-stained attire and stern expression, they all turned into acceptance.

This was earned with his life.

Lu Chen could feel his heart accelerating. He hadn't expected his merit to be so great.

With five taels of silver, his resources for practicing martial arts would not be lacking for the time being.

"Thank you, Hall Master!"

He cupped his fists again and bowed deeply.

After the brawl, Lu Chen was granted three days of leave to recover from his injuries.

He didn't go to the city to splurge. Instead, he immediately converted the five taels of silver into tangible resources.

First, he went to the black market and spent one tael of silver to buy a Mountain Splitting Saber that was heavier and made of better steel than the standard sabers issued by the gang.

His previous saber had been nicked during the brawl and was no longer useful.

The remaining four taels of silver were all exchanged for meat.

Not ordinary pork, but the lowest grade of Exotic Beast Meat available in the black market, the flesh of a creature called an "Ironhide Boar."

This boar's meat was coarse and tough, impossible for ordinary people to chew, but the vital energy it contained was far beyond that of domestic pigs.

It was also extremely expensive. Four taels of silver only bought thirty jin.

Returning to his dormitory, Lu Chen placed the newly purchased Mountain Splitting Saber by his bedside and then locked himself in his room.

He cooked the Ironhide Boar meat with salt water and then devoured it.

The meat was as tough as cowhide, but he didn't care. With his powerful digestive ability, he forced piece after piece of meat into his stomach.

A scorching warm current spread through his body. He immediately got up and began practicing the Stone Crushing Palm in the narrow room.

Sweat seeped out continuously, and his muscles bulged.

The bruises on his back gradually lessened in pain under the surge of his immense vital energy.

During the day, he diligently practiced the Stone Crushing Palm, converting all the energy from the boar meat he ate into nourishment for his body, consolidating his "Entering the Hall and Reaching the Room" realm.

At night, he practiced the Mountain Splitting Saber Technique. This saber technique was a basic martial art taught by the gang, emphasizing wide, sweeping movements and immense power.

Lu Chen wasn't aiming too high. He simply repeated the most fundamental strikes: chop, slash, lift, and cut.

He knew that any profound technique originated from the most solid foundation.

Under the blessing of the "Heavenly Dao Rewards Diligence" panel, with every swing of his saber, he could feel his control over his strength becoming a fraction more precise.

Three days passed in a flash.

The thirty pounds of Ironhide Boar meat were completely consumed by him, and his body had undergone noticeable changes.

His physique seemed to have become a size more robust. The muscle lines that were previously only slightly prominent now became sharp and defined, full of a sense of power.

On the panel, the proficiency of Stone Crushing Palm had risen to (Realm 2: Entering the Hall and Reaching the Room 35%), and Mountain Splitting Saber Technique, starting from nothing, had appeared on the panel, reaching (Realm 1: Preliminary Glimpse 20%).

That evening, Lu Chen, whose leave had ended, received a new mission.

"Lu Iron Skin, are your injuries healed? Tonight, you'll go on night patrol along the Angry River with Wang San and Li Si."

The one delivering the order was still Brother Liu.

"Night patrol?"

Lu Chen paused his movements.

"That's right. Things have been uneasy on the river lately. That 'thing' that caused us to lose a few brothers last time is showing its face again. The Hall Master has ordered us to increase manpower and patrol along the river. If you spot anything unusual, send up a signal immediately."

Brother Liu handed Lu Chen a signal flare made from a bamboo tube.

"Remember, your mission is just to keep watch. Don't engage that thing. It's extremely sinister."

"Understood."

Lu Chen nodded and took the signal flare.

He was also filled with caution regarding the legendary "Water Ghost."

Night falls, by the Angry River.

The river wind is cold and bleak, the black water churns, emitting a dull roar.

Moonlight spills onto the river's surface, shattered by the waves, twinkling with fragmented light.

Lu Chen, along with two other gang members named Wang San and Li Si, carrying lanterns and Mountain Splitting Sabers at their waists, walk slowly along the riverbank embankment.

"This damned weather, this is no job for humans."

Wang San shivered, breathing warm air into his palms.

"Less nonsense, keep your spirits up. If anything goes wrong, the Hall Master will skin us alive."

Li Si was more steady, scanning the surrounding darkness vigilantly.

Lu Chen said nothing. He heightened his five senses to the extreme, his ears catching any anomaly within the sounds of wind and water.

Ever since the last brawl, his senses had become even sharper.

The three walked along the riverbank for about a mile. The surroundings were dead silent, save for the sound of the river lapping against the shore.

Just then.

"Splash!"

An unusual sound came from the river water to their front left.

The three stopped abruptly, all turning towards the source of the sound.

A dark shadow shot out of the water without a sound.

The speed was beyond normal human comprehension.

Wang San, walking on the outermost side, didn't even have time to turn his head before the dark shadow pounced on him.

"Ah!"

A short, sharp scream tore through the night sky.

Wang San was dragged by an immense force, plunging towards the river.

Splash!

Water sprayed.

The scream cut off abruptly. Only expanding ripples and a rapidly spreading crimson stain remained on the river's surface.

A living person, gone just like that.

Li Si's legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen. He pointed at the river, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Lu Chen was also ice-cold all over.

By the dim light of the lantern, he saw clearly.

The moment Wang San was dragged into the water, he had seen the silhouette of the dark figure.

A humanoid creature with dark green scales, long limbs, sharp claws at its fingertips, and a pair of eyes that glowed with a faint green light in the darkness.

This was a "Water Ghost."

This was a Demon.

A primal fear seized Lu Chen's heart, stiffening every muscle in his body.

He could feel the aura emanating from the creature – cold, brutal, and filled with a craving for flesh and blood.

This was absolutely not something he could deal with right now.

Just then.

"Splash!"

The river water broke open again, and the Water Ghost actually leaped out of the water once more. This time, its target was Li Si, who had collapsed on the ground!

"Run!"

Lu Chen roared, and without hesitation, he pulled the Signal Flare in his hand.

A piercing shriek shot up into the sky, exploding into a red firework in the night sky.

The Water Ghost's movement paused slightly, seemingly startled by the sudden noise.

It did not retreat. A brutal glint flashed in its green eyes, and its sharp claws still lunged towards Li Si's throat.

It's over!

Lu Chen's heart sank.

However, at this critical moment.

"Beast! How dare you!"

A furious roar came from not far away.

A burly figure arrived in an instant.

The person who arrived was none other than Zhao Tieshan!

Zhao Tieshan's blood and qi surged, as if magma flowed beneath his skin, emitting astonishing heat that dispelled the surrounding cold.

The Ghost Head Saber in his hand had been unsheathed at some point, its blade covered in a faint red glow.

Meridian Connecting Realm!

Lu Chen's heart trembled violently.

This was the might of a Meridian Connecting Realm Martial Artist, their blood and qi radiating outwards, burning like fire!

The Water Ghost clearly felt a fatal threat. With a strange cry, it abandoned Li Si and turned to dive back into the water.

"Trying to run? Too late!"

Zhao Tieshan snorted coldly. He stomped his foot, leaping high into the air. The Ghost Head Saber in his hand drew an arc through the sky.

"Mountain Splitting Style!"

Puchi!

A spray of blood.

One of the Water Ghost's arms was severed at the shoulder, and green blood gushed out.

The Water Ghost let out a pained shriek and, using the momentum, plunged headfirst into the Angry River without looking back, disappearing in an instant.

Zhao Tieshan landed on the bank, watching the surging river water, his brow furrowed. He ultimately did not pursue.

"Hall Master!"

Li Si, having narrowly escaped death, scrambled on his knees before Zhao Tieshan, sobbing uncontrollably.

Zhao Tieshan ignored him, instead looking at Lu Chen, who was still standing nearby. A flicker of admiration flashed in his eyes.

"Lu Iron Skin, you have guts. To stand your ground when facing a demon."

"I was so scared my legs went soft, I couldn't move."

Lu Chen gave a wry smile. It was the truth.

Zhao Tieshan laughed heartily, not calling him out.

He walked to the severed Water Ghost arm, prodded it with his saber tip, and a strong, fishy stench filled the air.

"These things are getting more and more rampant, daring to come ashore and attack the patrol team."

Zhao Tieshan's expression was grave. "It seems something has changed in the river."

He glanced at the still-shaken Li Si, then at the calm Lu Chen, and said in a deep voice:

"What happened tonight is not to be spread outside, lest it cause panic. Li Si, take Wang San's remains back, and double the compensation. Lu Chen, you stay and help me clean up here."

After speaking, Zhao Tieshan seemed to have urgent matters. Carrying his saber, he disappeared into the night with a few leaps.

On the scene, only Lu Chen and the still slightly twitching severed arm of the Water Ghost remained.

The river wind blew, and Lu Chen shivered. Only then did he realize his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Zhao Tieshan's imposing figure, brimming with vitality as he severed the arm with one strike, was deeply imprinted in his mind.

The desire for greater power was stronger than ever before.

He squatted down, using the lantern light to carefully observe the severed arm.

The arm was covered in fine scales, its muscles bulging, exuding a sense of power.

Just then, Lu Chen's gaze sharpened.

He noticed that at the wound of the severed arm, the slowly flowing green blood contained a peculiar, active energy.

This energy was violent and pure, a hundred times more potent than the Ironhide Boar meat he had eaten.

A crazy thought surged uncontrollably from the bottom of Lu Chen's heart.