The Chu Jiang Token

Wu Yuan hadn't wanted to slaughter his way through the place, but after listening to two guards chat for a while, he realized there likely wasn't a single innocent soul in this stronghold.

If they were punished for being slow to pluck out someone's brain, could any of them be clean?

And the middle-aged bandit's attempt to lure Wu Yuan into the three-story building, where the most experts were gathered, had truly stirred his killing intent.

Besides, everyone he killed was steeped in guilt.

"Is there a flame in my heart that's been kindled?" With his Spiritual Perception, Wu Yuan naturally sensed the subtle shift in his own state.

It was as if his thoughts were flowing more freely.

"Deep down, I'm not a bloodthirsty person. But when a martial artist acts, he seeks only to keep his thoughts clear." This thought flashed through Wu Yuan's mind.

In his previous life, he had never killed anyone.

But no matter what, he wouldn't hold back today.

Though the Fierce Tiger Gang's main stronghold covered a vast area, its buildings were crudely laid out, more like a military camp. It was nowhere near as refined as the estates of the powerful in the commandery city.

The stronghold's security was also tight on the outside and lax within.

When passing through the outer sentry posts, both visible and hidden, Wu Yuan had been cautious. Now? He could move with ease.

He slipped between buildings, leaped over several courtyards, and avoided a patrol. At last, he reached the "prison courtyard" in the northern part of the stronghold.

"Eight men are guarding the tower in overlapping shifts. The lights cover all four sides. There's not a single blind spot." Hidden in the darkness nearly twenty meters away, Wu Yuan studied the courtyard.

He didn't dare go any closer.

No matter how precisely he controlled his body, how good his movement techniques were, how sharp his senses were, or how well he could conceal himself, martial arts weren't immortal cultivation. He couldn't cast an "invisibility spell" and stroll right up in front of the guards.

What about mental control? Illusions?

"If I were at my peak in my previous life, and my mental power had advanced further, reaching the point where I could project it outward, perhaps I could touch that level." This thought flashed through Wu Yuan's mind.

But now? Impossible!

Throwing knives?

Wu Yuan judged that he could kill two or three people at most in one go. The moment anyone was struck, the other guards would notice and sound the alarm.

"Let's go." Wu Yuan thought it over for less than ten seconds before decisively retreating. He left the prison courtyard and headed for the southern part of the stronghold.

Only a quarter of an hour later.

Boom! A towering blaze erupted from a courtyard in the south, followed by another in a nearby yard.

In the blink of an eye, four courtyards were ablaze.

"Fire!"

"Not good! Call for help, there's a fire!" The whole stronghold erupted into chaos. Shouts rang out, followed by the clanging of alarm bells from all across the grounds.

Amid the uproar, large numbers of gang members rushed out of their courtyards, frantically grabbing whatever they could use to carry water and hurrying toward the fires.

After all, most of the stronghold was made of wood, and the courtyards stood close together.

If the fire were allowed to spread, it could burn down the entire stronghold.

On the eastern side of the stronghold stood a three-story building, beside which lay an elegant courtyard.

Inside the main hall, rows of candles illuminated the room, making it bright as day.

The decor was refined, nothing like the rough quarters of a gang leader. It had the quiet elegance of a scholar's home.

"Senior brother, it's been years since we last met. How do you find my stronghold?" The middle-aged man in the host's seat was powerfully built, yet dressed in the robes of a scholar. He spoke with impeccable courtesy.

If the low-ranking bandits outside saw him dressed like that, they would surely be astonished. They wouldn't believe their gang leader could look so different.

That was right.

This refined middle-aged man was Yang Long, leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, whose fearsome reputation rang throughout Li City!

"Junior brother still knows how to get things done. In just a few years, you've built quite an empire here in Li City. When our master hears of it, he'll be immensely pleased." Seated at a guest table below was a tall, thin young man dressed in beast hide. Two black sledgehammers rested on either side of the table.

"Serving our master is only right," Yang Long replied.

"Junior brother, I'll get straight to the point." The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth said, "I came not only to inspect your stronghold on our master's orders, but also to deliver another command from him. Have you found any trace of the Chu Jiang Token over the past few years?"

"Haha, if you'd come a month ago, junior brother would've had to say no." Yang Long smiled. "But I've spent these past few years searching diligently, and I've finally confirmed that when the Chu Jiang Empire fell, one branch of the fleeing royal family did indeed escape to the Nanmeng Prefecture area. One Chu Jiang Token was lost in Li City."

"I searched for it in secret and only managed to get my hands on it a few days ago," Yang Long said.

"Oh?" The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth's eyes lit up.

He'd asked casually and hadn't expected a real lead.

"Senior brother, take a look." Yang Long took a box from the bookshelf behind him, opened it, and pulled out a golden token about the size of his palm.

It wasn't gold, but it gleamed brilliantly.

Yang Long picked up the token, holding it where the Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth could see it clearly.

The token's surface was crossed with countless fine lines, like a hundred rivers converging. It was exquisitely crafted. On the back were the two archaic characters "Chu Jiang."

"It's the Chu Jiang Token." The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth confirmed it, his breath quickening. "Junior brother, let me examine it closely."

"Heh." Yang Long smiled and closed his hand around the token, making it clear he had no intention of handing it over.

"Junior brother, are you planning to keep it for yourself?" The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth's expression darkened.

"Senior brother, this Chu Jiang Token is a curse, not a blessing, for me. I'm willing to hand it over to you, so you can present it to our master and claim great merit." Yang Long smiled. "But I've spent years working to find it..."

"What do you want?" the Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth asked bluntly. "Just name anything I can give you."

"Senior brother, you're as straightforward as ever." Yang Long smiled. "I'm not greedy. I only want three drops of Ancient Immortal Dew, plus a divine weapon."

"Junior brother, every drop of Ancient Immortal Dew is exceptionally precious," the Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth said with a frown.

"Senior brother, you're one of our master's direct disciples. I can't compare to you. Ancient Immortal Dew may be precious, but I doubt three drops would be a problem for you." Yang Long said, "I'm not asking for much. If you can't give it to me, there's nothing I can do. I'm sure our other senior brothers would be interested once they hear about this."

The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth narrowed his eyes.

He knew Yang Long was telling the truth. As long as their master ultimately received the Chu Jiang Token, he wouldn't care much who had presented it.

"Fine!"

"Junior brother, I didn't bring a divine weapon suited to you. I'll make it up to you with one more drop of Ancient Immortal Dew instead. Four drops in all!" The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth waved his hand.

Whoosh!

A blue jade bottle shot from his hand like lightning and was caught by Yang Long.

Yang Long immediately pulled out the stopper.

A fragrant scent spread through the room, and his smile grew brighter.

"Senior brother, you're generous. The Chu Jiang Token is yours." Yang Long's voice rang out cheerfully. He placed the golden token back in its box and tossed it to the Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth.

The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth caught it and examined it carefully. Only after confirming it was genuine did his expression ease. He carefully tucked it into his bundle.

"Junior brother, thank you for this." The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth raised his cup.

"After you present it to our master, I hope you'll put in a good word for me," Yang Long said, raising his own cup.

Ancient Immortal Dew was precious.

But in terms of value, people would gladly trade even forty drops for a single Chu Jiang Token, let alone four.

But Yang Long knew even better that his master truly valued only the five direct disciples. As for registered disciples like him, there were hundreds under their master.

If he went to present it himself, he might die without even getting to see their master.

The two senior and junior brothers each had their own designs, yet both got what they wanted. For a while, they enjoyed the host and guest's warmest courtesies.

Suddenly—

"Big brother, something's wrong!" A hurried voice came from outside the hall. "An enemy has broken into the stronghold. He's an expert!"

"Second brother, come in and speak." Yang Long sprang to his feet. His entire bearing changed. He was no longer a refined middle-aged man, but a raging tiger.

The door swung open with a bang.

A short, stout man entered the hall and bowed his head. "Big brother, several courtyards in the south and west caught fire just now. The brothers rushed over to put them out, but the blaze is still burning. Then a 'fire arrow' suddenly went up from the prison courtyard in the north, calling for help."

"What's the situation now? Where are the fourth and fifth brothers?" Yang Long roared.

"We rushed over right away. Fifth brother is leading the Fierce Tiger Guard in surrounding that expert. They've trapped him in one of the courtyards, but our casualties are heavy." The short, stout man looked frantic. "As for fourth brother, the expert killed him with two saber strikes right at the start!"

"Fourth brother is dead, in two strikes?" Yang Long's expression finally changed.

"Senior brother, forgive the poor hospitality. There's a bit of trouble in the stronghold. Some fool has barged in, and I'll have to deal with him first." Yang Long turned to the Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth.

"The fourth brother must be the fourth-in-command we saw during the day." The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth spoke softly. "He may not have been that strong, but he was still a Proficient Expert. Whoever killed him in two strikes must be a Second-class Expert."

"Heh."

"Since I'm here, and you've given me such a generous gift, let me help you put on a show of force." The Beast-clothed Tall and Thin Youth smiled.

"With senior brother here, this will be as good as done." Yang Long was overjoyed.

He knew well that although his senior brother wasn't old, someone their master had taken as a direct disciple couldn't possibly be weaker than him.

"No time to lose. Let's go." Yang Long tore off his outer robe, revealing the armor beneath, and grabbed the Mountain Splitting Saber from the nearby weapon rack.

He leaped up and rushed out of the hall.

The three experts hurried toward the northwest of the stronghold.

There, the place blazed with light, and the sky rang with cries of battle.