Storm Brewing

# Chapter 7: The Storm Approaches

The news of Zhao Kuang's execution struck Black Mountain City like a boulder dropped into a stagnant pond, sending layer upon layer of complex ripples spreading outward.

The remnants of the Fierce Tiger Gang scattered like birds and beasts after their backbone was cut down in the streets. But the weight of the name "Li Yifan" pressed heavily upon the hearts of every discerning person in this border town overnight—not out of reverence for his position as a constable, but out of fear for the swift blade that had slain Zhao Kuang, and the ruthless decisiveness that had swung it.

The next morning, when Li Yifan stepped into the County Government, the air was thick with an indescribable silence and tension. Faces of colleagues who had once been familiar now wore unprecedented deference, even a trace of barely concealed fear. They bowed and addressed him as "Constable Li," yet dared not meet his eyes, as if afraid of being cut by that sharp gaze. Even the old clerks who had once walked closely with Zhao Hu and sneered at Li Yifan now shrank their necks, wishing they could melt into the shadows of the walls.

The shift in power had shattered the old, unspoken order. A new balance had yet to be established. Every man feared for himself, and every man watched.

Prefect Wang received Li Yifan in the rear hall's flower chamber, not the imposing main court. His smile was warmer than ever before. He personally poured tea and pushed it before Li Yifan.

"Yifan," the Prefect said, his voice carrying deliberate warmth, even a trace of barely perceptible fawning, "eliminating that vile beast Zhao Kuang and removing a scourge from Black Mountain City is truly a great merit! I will certainly petition the prefectural government on your behalf!"

"You flatter me, Your Honor. It was merely my duty." Li Yifan accepted the teacup but did not drink, setting it aside instead. His posture remained that of a subordinate showing respect, but his tone was neither servile nor arrogant. "However, though the Fierce Tiger Gang is destroyed, their long-established holdings, personnel, and the countless entanglements with various factions in the city still need to be dealt with. May I ask what plans Your Honor has?"

The flesh around Prefect Wang's eyes twitched slightly. A glint of shrewd calculation flashed in his gaze. He took a sip of tea and spoke slowly: "Zhao Kuang brought disaster upon himself. His ill-gotten gains should naturally be confiscated by the authorities and entered into the treasury. However..." He drew out his tone, observing Li Yifan's expression, "the gambling dens, brothels, and certain... dealings with those outside the city that the Fierce Tiger Gang controlled—these involve many parties. Acting rashly might stir up chaos. In my view, we should proceed gradually, with caution as the priority."

Li Yifan understood perfectly. Prefect Wang wanted to swallow the fat left behind by the Fierce Tiger Gang, but feared appearing too greedy, and feared even more touching off nerves of other powers and inviting backlash. He wanted Li Yifan, this newly risen "sharp blade," to continue charging ahead, yet he also wanted to keep the reins firmly in his own hands as the "blade-wielder."

"Your Honor's considerations are thorough." Li Yifan followed the Prefect's lead but subtly shifted direction. "However, with the Fierce Tiger Gang just destroyed, people's hearts are unsettled. If we move too slowly, others may covet what's left, or remnants may rise again. In my humble opinion, we should cut through the tangle with a swift blade. First, immediately post notices listing Zhao Kuang and his accomplices' crimes, and seal and confiscate their core enterprises—such as the West Market gambling den and the Dark Fragrance Pavilion—where clear evidence exists. This will reassure the people and demonstrate the authority of the law."

Prefect Wang stroked his short beard, silent and thoughtful.

Li Yifan continued: "Second, with the Fierce Tiger Gang scattered, the docks, cart-and-horse depots, and other livelihood-related trades they controlled need to be temporarily taken over by the yamen, or reliable people found to manage them on an interim basis, to avoid disrupting the people's livelihoods and adding to the chaos. As for the gray-market businesses and leads connecting to outside forces..." He paused briefly, lifting his eyes to the Prefect. "Your Honor can investigate them slowly, gather evidence, and then decide. The urgent task is to stabilize the situation—to let the people of Black Mountain City and all parties see that without Zhao Kuang, the sky is still the sky under Your Honor's governance, and the law still stands."

This speech laid out concrete, actionable steps, emphasized "speed" and "stability," left the final decisions and most of the "hard bones to chew" to the Prefect, and concluded by highlighting how this would strengthen the Prefect's authority.

A flash of light sparked in Prefect Wang's eyes. His smile grew a few degrees more genuine. "Good! Yifan, your words show mature deliberation! Let's do it as you say! I'm putting you in full charge of this matter—you may deploy personnel as you see fit! Make sure it's done cleanly, yet without losing stability!"

"I accept the command." Li Yifan clasped his hands. This temporary appointment of "full authority" was exactly what he wanted. Through this opportunity, he could not only legitimately clean up Zhao Kuang's remnants, but also delve deeper into the various currents beneath Black Mountain City's surface, plant trustworthy people, and build his own information network and latent influence. True power sometimes comes not from a title, but from actual control over key nodes and informational advantage.

In the following days, Black Mountain City was outwardly grim, inwardly turbulent. Under Li Yifan's swift yet methodical handling, Zhao Kuang's visible enterprises were quickly sealed. The gold, silver, and account books seized were catalogued—most entered the treasury, while a small portion, following unspoken rules, flowed into the pockets of relevant personnel as "attrition" and "compensation," including Prefect Wang and Li Yifan himself. Li Yifan's share was modest, but sufficient for his cultivation expenses in the near term. More importantly, he obtained several of Zhao Kuang's privately held medical texts, local gazetteers, and old books recording jianghu anecdotes and geographical miscellany—to him, more valuable than gold or silver.

The dock laborers and cart depot foremen, under the yamen's "coordination," quickly elected new temporary leaders. Order was swiftly restored. As for the more shadowy businesses and connections, they were temporarily shelved as Li Yifan had suggested—but a copy of the relevant leads and name lists had already been quietly placed on Li Yifan's desk.

Liu Qing, the chief of the Green Robe Gang, personally visited Li Yifan's side office the afternoon after Zhao Kuang's death, his attitude respectful to the point of near servility. He did not mention offering half his wealth. Instead, he presented a "token of regard"—a five-hundred-tael silver note and two nourishing medicinal herbs of about thirty years' age.

"Constable Li, you have rid the people of a scourge. Liu Qing admires that. This humble gift is merely a token of respect, nothing more. From now on, the Green Robe Gang will strictly abide by the law, operate legitimately, and never cause trouble for the yamen or for you, Constable. If there is ever anything you need, please do not hesitate to command." Liu Qing's words were polished, his posture extremely low.

Li Yifan accepted the "token," gave a few words of warning, and sent him on his way. He did not need an overt vassal for now. A local power who knew his place, understood fear, and could provide information and convenience at critical moments was far more useful than a flashy "subordinate." Black Mountain City was too small. He had no desire or need to rule it like a tyrant—that would only make him a target for all and bind his own hands and feet. What he wanted was to maximize resources and freedom within the rules, preparing for his departure.

Night fell. In the quiet chamber of his small courtyard.

Before Li Yifan lay three jade boxes, each containing a fifty-year Blood Ginseng. He had already used two to reach Body Refining perfection. This last one, he intended to use to charge into the Bone Refining Realm!

Bone Refining, as the name implied, meant tempering every bone in the body until they were as hard as iron and stone. This not only greatly enhanced defense but also formed the foundation for unleashing greater strength. Once one stepped into the Bone Refining Realm, a martial artist's strength underwent a qualitative transformation.

He adjusted his state, then threw the last Blood Ginseng and several auxiliary bone-tempering herbs into the medicinal tub. The crimson liquid roiled, emitting an energy even more scorching and overbearing than before.

Li Yifan sat naked into the tub. The scalding medicinal force instantly enveloped his body, like countless red-hot steel needles stabbing into his bones! The pain was excruciating, far surpassing what he had felt during Body Refining!

He steadied his mind, fully circulating the Basic Breathing Technique, which he had already mastered to its peak. He guided the surging medicinal power to wash over all two hundred and six bones in his body, again and again! The medicinal force penetrated the periosteum, sank into the marrow, bringing indescribable soreness, numbness, swelling, and pain!

Using the third Blood Ginseng and auxiliary herbs, going all out to charge into the Bone Refining Realm! Basic Breathing Technique operating at full efficiency, blood and qi like a furnace, tempering sinew and bone!

Time passed. The water in the tub gradually paled. A thin layer of gray-black impurities began to seep from Li Yifan's skin—impurities driven from the depths of his bones. His bones emitted faint, crackling sounds like beans popping in a pan.

None knew how long had passed when the first pale light of dawn touched the eastern horizon. Li Yifan's eyes snapped open, their light like lightning! He lightly clenched his fist, and all the bones in his body issued a low, continuous hum, like metal striking metal!

A power far stronger and more condensed than the Body Refining realm surged through him! The muscles beneath his skin bulged, containing explosive strength, while the deeper layers of bone conveyed an unbreakable solidity!

[Realm: Body Tempering · Bone Refining (Initial: 1/500)!]

Bone Refining realm, achieved!

"Chief, not resting yet? There's an urgent official document. Prefect Wang ordered me to deliver it to you."

Li Yifan threw on a robe and opened the door to receive a document sealed with the wax stamp of the Qingzhou Prefecture Xuntian Guard. He broke the seal by lamplight and scanned the contents.

The document was concise and official: It ordered the Black Mountain City County Government to select, before the first day of next month, one "vigorous and capable, competent in criminal law, with solid cultivation" registered clerk to proceed to Qingzhou Prefecture City to participate in the selection examination for preparatory members of the Xuntian Guard. The seal was from the Qingzhou Prefecture Xuntian Guard.

Xuntian Guard!

Li Yifan's pupils contracted slightly. Since arriving in this world, through the original owner's memories and scattered information, this name had thundered in his ears. It was a powerful institution directly under the Great Xia court, overseeing the realm, specializing in handling cases involving high-level martial artists, demonic creatures, and major violent crimes that local authorities could not manage. Its authority was immense, its selection extremely stringent—only true elites could enter. For most local constables and runners, entering the Xuntian Guard was like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate—the greatest opportunity to change one's fate.

That Prefect Wang had sent this document "immediately" spoke volumes. It was both a gesture of goodwill, offering this opportunity to the yamen's strongest and most suitable "capable clerk," and a test, to see how he would choose.

Li Yifan gripped the document, gazing out the window at the heavy night. A sharp curve slowly lifted the corner of his mouth.

The pond of Black Mountain City was, after all, too small. Zhao Kuang's blood had only just warmed these waters—far from enough for this gradually awakening flood dragon to swim freely.

Qingzhou Prefecture, Xuntian Guard... This was the broader world, the greater stage, and the fiercer vortex.