Dahe Gang

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Dahe Gang (大河帮)
Alias(es)	Dahe Merchant Guild / Dahe Chamber of Commerce — its commercial face 135 149
Affiliation	Closely connected to the Guihua City authorities while retaining independent armed and commercial power 149
Occupation/Role	Martial gang, trade-route operator, mining concern, and local security force
Status	Active; its fleet remained operational during the Black Tooth Mud Pit campaign, though its Giantwood Forest stronghold was later destroyed 232 298
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background / History

Dahe Gang built much of its early regional influence around its mining area. The mine drew displaced laborers and migrants, while nearby settlements gradually formed to provide grain, goods, and tribute in return for the gang's protection. Its mining operations were sufficiently valuable to be considered a core profit source. 2 9 11

The gang recruited replacements through aptitude tests held for new mine arrivals every six months. Those with martial talent could obtain Martial Apprentice techniques and resources, but were required to enter the Patrol Mountain Guard and serve in village patrols. The system simultaneously supplied manpower and filtered survivors into the gang's elite ranks. 2 3 28

Although the mining area was profitable, Dahe Gang regarded the Lishui River waterway as its true foundation. Concerns over the cost of retaining mining rights and pressure from the authorities preceded the decision to abandon the mine. 69 71

Its mining-area branch was later ordered to abandon the entire mining region and withdraw personnel to Guihua City. The withdrawal included Patrol Mountain Hall personnel and their families, and was formally ordered by the main hall. The Lishui Gang was designated to take over the mining area, while Dahe Gang personnel were instructed to avoid unnecessary clashes with it during the handover. 110 114

After returning to Guihua City, Dahe Gang entered open conflict with the Lishui Gang. The Lishui Gang attacked Shengyong Hall, Dahe Gang's headquarters, triggering an all-out war between the two factions. The conflict centered on street territories, merchant supply channels, and other profit points; Dahe Gang later counterattacked and occupied substantial Lishui Gang territory. 119 121 170 188

During the Evil God Apostle crisis in Guihua City, Dahe Gang mobilized much of its available manpower for the citywide search and suppression effort. Shen Daoyong was severely injured while fighting alongside other Xiantian Realm martial artists, leading rivals to question whether the gang could retain its top-tier standing. 138 180

The gang's principal outlying logging stronghold, Giantwood Forest, was later destroyed along with all 3,000 inhabitants, apparently by a powerful Ranked Monster. Zhenwu Hall subsequently arranged for a replacement logging stronghold in Qidian Mountain Forest. 232

The gang subsequently participated in campaigns against river bandits around the Black Tooth Mud Pit, including an alliance with the Dingchen Gang. The operation ended disastrously when Chiwu Hall exploded, killing many Dahe Gang members—including its four great commanders—and forcing Yin Rong to command a retreat. Yin Rong was subsequently cut in half during the continuing battle. 278 288 291 292

Organization

Position / Unit	Known Function or Holder
Gang Leader	Shen Daoyong was identified as a Xiantian Realm martial artist and the gang's stabilizing force during the Guihua conflict. He was later rumored to have been severely injured while fighting Evil God Apostles. 110 180 220
Shengyong Hall	Dahe Gang's headquarters in Guihua City; its attack by the Lishui Gang marked the declaration of all-out war. 121
Patrol Mountain Hall	Managed village patrols and handled Weird-related threats around the mining area. 3 11
Patrol Mountain Guard	New recruits' compulsory service unit; patrolled villages and defended local security. 3
Zhenwu Hall	Trained and assigned newly returned martial artists in Guihua City. 125 149
External Affairs Hall	A city-facing hall whose Vice Hall Master, Lian Jianghui, recruited capable disciples and investigated local disturbances. 129
Lu Nan Branch	A Guihua City branch that deployed squads against local criminal groups. 147 149
Jingshui Branch / Jing Shui Hall	A branch based on Jingshui Street; Jiang Yan later served there as Hall Master. 171 180
Four Great Commanders	Senior commanders killed in the Chiwu Hall explosion. 291

Operations and Resources

Martial Recruitment and Advancement

• Tests mining-area newcomers for martial aptitude using a Spirit Testing Talisman and Azure Jade. 2
• Provides Martial Apprentice cultivation techniques and martial skills to accepted recruits. 3
• Grants newly advanced Martial Apprentices increased pay, a status token, and the right to select one martial skill. 11
• Uses patrol service as both a defense force and a harsh selection process for prospective elite disciples. 28
• May recruit ordinary people into patrol work when manpower is insufficient, relying on the unit's high pay to attract volunteers despite the danger. 7 62

Trade and Commerce

• Operates trade routes along the Lishui River, purchasing goods through Guihua City's merchants and reselling them in Yuchen City. 149
• Accepts procurement orders from merchant partners, forming a broad network of shared commercial interests. 149
• Maintains fleets capable of transporting large numbers of martial artists, supplies, and cargo along the river. 265 268 271
• Its commercial identity is represented by the Dahe Merchant Guild / Dahe Chamber of Commerce. 135 149
• Maintains branch halls across southern Guihua City to safeguard supply channels and coordinate with local merchant partners. 149

Mining and Logging

• Controlled an iron-mining area that served as one of its major profit sources before the ordered withdrawal. 11 110
• Operated Giantwood Forest Logging Camp to supply lumber for shipbuilding. 129
• Used Giantwood Forest as punitive labor for offenders, defeated gang members, bandits, pirates, thieves, and other captives. 129 135
• Lost Giantwood Forest and its 3,000 inhabitants to a suspected high-tier Ranked Monster; the gang planned to establish a replacement logging stronghold in Qidian Mountain Forest. 232

Local Security and Enforcement

• Protected villages that paid tribute and supplied the mining area with necessities. 9
• Conducted armed raids, searches, arrests, and interrogations within Guihua City. 147 172
• Worked alongside government interests, though the strength of official influence diminished as the gang's own power increased. 149
• Its patrols used talismans made by a government-assigned martial artist. 9
• Mobilized its available personnel for the citywide search following the Evil God Apostle incident in Guihua City. 138

River-Bandit Suppression

• Regularly launched major Lishui River bandit-suppression operations, reportedly on an approximately half-yearly basis. 110
• Deployed giant ships, martial artists, and supplies to establish a temporary stronghold in the Black Tooth Mud Pit. 271
• Cleared surrounding islands through coordinated martial-artist squads while retaining personnel to guard the fleet and supplies. 271 273
• Cooperated with Dingchen Gang to blockade the Black Tooth Mud Pit and eliminate its remaining river-bandit factions. 278 288 299

Reputation

Dahe Gang was regarded as one of Guihua City's top gangs and could intimidate smaller organizations merely through its name. 110 135

Its authority was also feared because of its coercive labor practices. A captive confronted by Dahe Gang members stated that being sent to chop wood in Giantwood Forest was worse than death. 147

Although it began as a gang, it was described as no longer functioning purely as a criminal organization: it operated legitimate businesses, maintained private armed forces, and served as an auxiliary force in the governance of Guihua City. 149

The reported severe injury of Shen Daoyong jeopardized this standing, as rival groups viewed the possible loss of its Xiantian Realm leader as an opportunity to challenge the gang. 171 180

Relationships

• Guihua City authorities — A cooperative but delicate relationship; the gang assisted in maintaining order while preserving its independence. 9 149
• Lishui Gang — Long-standing rival that escalated into open war after the attack on Shengyong Hall. Lishui Gang had also been selected to replace Dahe Gang in the mining area and seized Dahe Gang supply channels and territory during the conflict. 110 114 121 170
• Lishui River bandits — Old enemies targeted in regular suppression campaigns; their attacks also threatened Dahe Gang merchant shipping. 110
• Kongwu Sect — Waterway trade competitor between Guihua City and Yuchen City; both sides could cooperate against river bandits. 110
• Dingchen Gang — Temporary ally during the Black Tooth Mud Pit operation against river bandits. The alliance was strained by covert clashes and killings between individual members of the two factions. 278 285 289
• Chiwu Bandits — River-bandit faction that lured Dahe Gang into the Chiwu Hall explosion and subsequent ambush. 291 292
• Evil God Apostles — Hostile blood-sacrifice practitioners whose activities prompted Dahe Gang's large-scale mobilization and contributed to Shen Daoyong's reported severe injury. 138 180
• Shen Daoyong — Documented Gang Leader and Xiantian Realm martial artist; his reported injury destabilized the gang's position. 110 180 220
• Jiang Yan — Recruited through the mining-area system, later became Hall Master of Jing Shui Hall, then chose to leave after reaching the Blood Refining Realm. 3 171 298
• Ren Yuan — Patrol Mountain Hall chief who oversaw the Yuyang Village patrol team and relayed the mining-area withdrawal order. 26 110 114

Major Arcs

Mining Area Recruitment

Dahe Gang tested mine workers for martial talent, recruited qualified candidates, and placed them into Patrol Mountain Guard service in exchange for cultivation access. 2 3

Withdrawal to Guihua City

The gang abandoned its profitable mining area and recalled its personnel to Guihua City, creating competition for positions and resources among returning martial artists. The Lishui Gang was assigned to take over the mining area, and withdrawing Dahe Gang members were ordered to avoid unnecessary conflict during the transition. 109 110 114

War with the Lishui Gang

Following attacks on Shengyong Hall and other Dahe Gang interests, the two gangs entered a violent struggle for control of Guihua City's territory and supply channels. Dahe Gang later mounted major counterattacks, including the occupation of Lishui Gang-controlled streets and territory. 121 170 180 188 191

Evil God Apostle Crisis

Dahe Gang joined the Guihua City-wide response to Evil God Apostles and their blood-sacrifice activities. The crisis reportedly left Shen Daoyong severely injured, exposing the gang to intensified probing and attacks from the Lishui Gang. 138 180 196

Destruction of Giantwood Forest

A suspected powerful Ranked Monster destroyed Giantwood Forest, Dahe Gang's most important outlying stronghold, killing all 3,000 people there. Zhenwu Hall responded by arranging the opening of a replacement stronghold in Qidian Mountain Forest. 232

Black Tooth Mud Pit Campaign

Dahe Gang joined Dingchen Gang in a river-bandit suppression operation, deployed a fleet to establish a temporary island stronghold, and suffered catastrophic losses in the Chiwu Hall ambush. Despite the disaster, Dahe Gang and Dingchen Gang continued blockading the Black Tooth Mud Pit against the fragmented river-bandit forces. 271 278 291 299

Trivia

• Dahe Gang disciples are commonly identified by their black, tight-fitting martial attire. 2 147
• The gang's patrol-based recruitment system accepted even outsiders who had previously tested their own martial aptitude elsewhere, provided they worked diligently for the gang. 6
• During the Dahe–Lishui conflict, the Commandery briefly ordered mediation after heavy casualties, though hostilities later resumed. 119 121