Chu Jiang Token

Wu Yuan hadn't really intended to go on a killing spree, but after listening to two guards chat idly for a while, he understood that this large stronghold probably held no innocent people.

If they were punished even for being slow to decapitate someone, how could there be any clean individuals?

The fact that the middle-aged grunt intended to lure Wu Yuan into the three-story building with the most experts truly ignited Wu Yuan's killing intent.

Moreover, those he killed were all laden with sin.

"It feels like there's a ball of fire in my heart, being ignited?" With Wu Yuan's spiritual sense, he naturally perceived the subtle changes in his own state.

It was as if his thoughts were becoming clearer and more accessible.

"I'm not a bloodthirsty person by nature, but when a martial artist acts, they only seek clarity of thought," Wu Yuan thought.

In his past life, he had never killed anyone.

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

...Although the Fierce Tiger Gang's main stronghold was vast, its architectural layout was crude, more like a military camp, far from the refined residences of the gentry in the prefectural city.

The stronghold's security was also tight on the outside and loose on the inside.

If Wu Yuan had been cautious when passing the outer sentries, both visible and hidden, now? He was practically at ease.

Weaving through the buildings, he leaped across several small courtyards, evading a patrol of guards, and finally arrived at the 'Prison Courtyard' on the north side of the stronghold.

"There are eight people guarding the platform in an overlapping formation, with lights illuminating all four directions, leaving no blind spots," Wu Yuan observed from the darkness about twenty meters away, gazing at the compound.

He didn't dare to get any closer.

No matter how precise his body control, how good his movement techniques, how sharp his senses, or how skilled he was at concealing his tracks, martial arts were not cultivation, and he couldn't cast 'invisibility spells.' He couldn't just walk up to the guards in plain sight.

What about mental control? Illusions?

"If I were at my peak in my past life, with my mental strength further advanced to the point of external projection, perhaps I could have touched upon that level," Wu Yuan mused.

But now? Impossible!

Use flying daggers?

Wu Yuan estimated he could kill at most two or three people at once, and as soon as someone was hit, the other guards would instantly notice and raise the alarm.

"Let's go." Wu Yuan retreated decisively after thinking for less than ten seconds, leaving the prison courtyard and heading towards the south of the stronghold.

Just a quarter of an hour later.

"Bang~" A raging fire erupted from a small courtyard in the south, followed closely by another courtyard not far away.

In the blink of an eye, four consecutive small courtyards were engulfed in flames.

"Fire!"

"Oh no, quickly call for help, there's a fire!" The entire stronghold immediately erupted into chaos, shouts echoing, followed by the sound of warning bells ringing from various parts of the stronghold.

Amidst the clamor, a large number of gang members began rushing out of their respective courtyards, frantically grabbing water-carrying tools and heading towards the fire.

It should be known.

Most of the stronghold was made of wood, and the courtyards were adjacent to each other.

If the fire were allowed to spread? It could potentially burn down the entire stronghold.

...On the east side of the stronghold stood a three-story building, beside which was an exquisite courtyard.

In the central hall of the courtyard, numerous candles were lit, illuminating the main hall with exceptional brightness.

The interior was elegantly decorated, not at all like the brutality expected of a gang leader, but rather possessing the refinement of a scholar.

"Senior brother, we haven't seen each other for years. How do you feel today in my stronghold?" The middle-aged man on the main seat was burly but wore the robes of a scholar, speaking with utmost politeness.

If the low-level grunts outside saw him dressed like this, they would likely be astonished, unable to believe their gang leader would wear such attire.

That's right.

This refined middle-aged man was Yang Long, the leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, whose might was formidable within Li City!

"Junior brother, your methods are still as impressive. In just a few years, you've established such a great foundation in Li City. If Master knew, he would surely be immensely pleased," sat a tall, thin young man in beast-hide clothing on a VIP seat below the hall, with two large black hammers placed on either side of his desk.

"It is my duty to serve Master," Yang Long said.

"Junior brother, I'll get straight to the point." The tall, thin young man in beast-hide clothing said, "I'm here not only to inspect your stronghold on Master's behalf but also to deliver another command from him. In these past few years, have you found any trace of the 'Chu Jiang Token'?"

"Haha, if you had come a month earlier, Junior brother, I could only have answered no," Yang Long said with a smile. "However, I've been diligently investigating these past few years and have confirmed that one branch of the imperial family that fled when the Chu Jiang Empire fell did indeed escape to the Nanmeng Prefecture area, and a Chu Jiang Token was lost in Li City."

"I, too, have been secretly searching, and I acquired it just a few days ago," Yang Long said.

"Oh?" The eyes of the tall, thin young man in beast-hide clothing lit up.

He had only asked casually, never expecting a real discovery.

"Senior brother, please take a look." Yang Long took a box from a bookshelf behind him, opened it, and took out a palm-sized, golden token.

It didn't look like gold, but it was dazzlingly bright.

Yang Long held the token up so the tall, thin young man in beast-hide clothing could see it clearly.

The surface of the token was interwoven with numerous threads, resembling a confluence of a hundred rivers, very intricate. The back bore the ancient characters 'Chu Jiang'!

"It is the Chu Jiang Token," the tall, thin young man in beast-hide clothing confirmed, his breathing becoming rapid. "Junior brother, let me examine it carefully."

"Heh heh." Yang Long chuckled, flipping his palm to grasp it tightly, clearly showing no intention of handing it over.

"Junior brother, are you trying to keep it for yourself?" the tall, thin young man in animal skins' face darkened slightly.

"Senior brother, this Chu Jiang Token is more of a curse than a blessing to me. I'm willing to give it to you, and you can present it to Master. That would be a great contribution," Yang Long said with a smile. "However, Junior brother has also worked hard for several years…"

"What do you want?" the tall, thin young man in animal skins asked directly. "Anything Senior brother has, you can ask for."

"Senior brother is indeed straightforward." Yang Long smiled. "Junior brother isn't a greedy person. I only want three drops of Ancient Immortal Dew, plus one Divine Weapon."

"Junior brother, each drop of Ancient Immortal Dew is incredibly precious," the tall, thin young man in animal skins frowned.

"Senior brother is a personal disciple, unlike me. Although Ancient Immortal Dew is precious, I believe it shouldn't be a problem for you, Senior brother." Yang Long continued, "My price isn't high. If Senior brother cannot provide it, then I cannot either. I believe if the other Senior brothers get the news, they will also be interested."

The tall, thin young man in animal skins narrowed his eyes.

He knew Yang Long was telling the truth. To their Master, as long as the Chu Jiang Token was obtained in the end, he wouldn't care too much who handed it over.

"Fine!"

"Junior brother, I don't have a suitable Divine Weapon with me, so let's exchange it for one drop of Ancient Immortal Dew. That makes four drops in total!" the tall, thin young man in animal skins waved his hand.

Swish.

A cyan jade bottle flew out from his hand like lightning, and Yang Long instantly caught it.

He directly opened the stopper.

A fragrant aroma spread throughout the room, and Yang Long's smile grew even brighter.

"Senior brother is generous. I'll give this Chu Jiang Token to Senior brother." Yang Long's voice was hearty as he placed the golden token into a box and tossed it to the tall, thin young man in animal skins.

The tall, thin young man in animal skins took it, examined it carefully, and confirmed it was correct. His expression finally softened as he carefully put it into his pack.

"Junior brother, thank you for this time," the tall, thin young man in animal skins raised his cup.

"I hope Senior brother will put in a good word for me with Master after presenting it to him," Yang Long also raised his cup.

Ancient Immortal Dew was very precious.

But in terms of value, let alone four drops, even forty drops would be worth exchanging for a Chu Jiang Token.

However, Yang Long knew even better that Master truly valued only the five personal disciples. As for registered disciples like himself? There were hundreds under Master's command!

If he tried to exchange it himself? He would likely die before even meeting Master.

The two brothers, each with their own agenda, yet each getting what they needed, enjoyed each other's company for a while, appearing extremely harmonious.

Suddenly.

"Big brother, something's wrong!" an urgent voice sounded from outside the hall. "An enemy has broken into the main camp. It's a master."

"Second brother, come in," Yang Long suddenly stood up, his entire aura changing. He was no longer the refined middle-aged man but resembled a ferocious tiger.

Clang! The door was pushed open.

A short, stout, strong man walked into the hall, bowing his head. "Big brother, several courtyards to the south and west just caught fire. The brothers in the camp rushed over to help, but the fire isn't out yet. From the north, the 'Prison Courtyard' suddenly launched a 'rocket' for help."

"What's the situation now? Where are Fourth and Fifth?" Yang Long roared.

"We rushed over immediately. Fifth is currently leading the Fierce Tiger Guard to attack the expert, trapping him in a courtyard, but the casualties are heavy," the short, stout, strong man said anxiously. "As for Fourth, he was killed by the expert in two strikes right at the beginning!"

"Fourth is dead? In two strikes?" Yang Long's expression finally changed.

"Senior brother, please excuse the lack of hospitality. There's been some trouble in the camp. I don't know which blind fool rushed in. Junior brother needs to go handle it first," Yang Long looked at the tall, thin young man in animal skins.

"Fourth, that should be the Fourth Boss we saw during the day," the tall, thin young man in animal skins said softly. "Although his strength is average, he's still a Proficient Expert. To be killed in two strikes, the one who came this time is likely a second-rate expert."

"Heh heh."

"Junior brother, since I'm here and have received such a great gift from you, why don't I help you put out the fire?" the tall, thin young man in animal skins said with a smile.

"With Senior brother here, it will surely be a piece of cake," Yang Long was overjoyed.

He knew very well that although this Senior brother wasn't old, being accepted as a personal disciple by Master meant he was definitely not weaker than himself.

"No time to waste, let's go." Yang Long tore off his outer robe, revealing the armor underneath. He grabbed a cleaver from the nearby weapon rack.

With a leap, he rushed out of the hall.

The three masters quickly charged towards the northwest of the main camp.

There, the lights were bright, and the sounds of fighting filled the air.