Jin Yuzhen

When Feng Li hurriedly helped Gao Yuan up, Shi Mu had already picked up the cloth bag from the ground. After loosening the mouth and glancing inside, he revealed a satisfied expression.

"Second Brother, we really have to thank you for arriving in time this time. Otherwise, our brothers in the guild would have been humiliated by that Wang Tianhao." Feng Li grinned painfully as he forced a bitter smile at Shi Mu.

"Yeah, thanks to Second Leader arriving in time."

"That Wang Tianhao, no matter how arrogant he acts, couldn't last two moves under Second Leader before begging for mercy."

"Exactly, the title of Feng City's top Martial Disciple clearly belongs to Second Leader."

The other Black Fox Society members who had gotten up, ignoring their own injuries, began flattering Shi Mu profusely, each one abnormally excited as if injected with stimulant.

After all, they had clearly heard just now that the guy their guild's most mysterious Second Leader had defeated was the one claiming to be Feng City's top Martial Disciple. That meant unless a Houtian Martial Artist stepped in, their Black Fox Society could strut around among the many small gangs without fear.

"Alright, I still have things to do. I'll contact you later." Shi Mu ignored the other guild members, casually tucked the cloth bag into his bosom, and waved his hand in farewell.

"Hold on, Second Brother, Third Brother and I have something to discuss with you." Seeing this, Feng Li quickly called out to stop Shi Mu.

"Something to say? Fine, I'll stay a little longer then." Shi Mu tilted his head in thought for a moment before replying noncommittally.

"All of you go out and treat your injuries." Feng Li was pleased at this and immediately ordered the other members.

Seeing this, the other Black Fox Society members knew the three leaders had important matters to discuss. They all agreed and filed out. But judging by their excited expressions, the scene of Shi Mu defeating Wang Tianhao would be deeply etched into their minds and soon spread to the other members.

"This time, you two weren't quite fair. The opponent was this strong, yet you didn't tell me in advance. Were you afraid I wouldn't come if I knew?" Once the others had left, Shi Mu questioned them bluntly.

"Brother Shi, don't be angry! This time, we were indeed in the wrong, and we'll make it up to you generously." Feng Li said, showing a hint of embarrassment.

"Brother Shi, don't blame us either. The reason we couldn't inform you of the details was, on one hand, we truly didn't know the challenger was Wang Tianhao beforehand—the Jingang Martial Hall only said someone else wanted to challenge Fierce Fist. On the other hand, Wang Tianhao arrived too quickly for us to send anyone to investigate." Gao Yuan quickly explained from the side.

"If that's the case, it's understandable. Otherwise, I'd really have to reconsider whether to continue cooperating with you two. Alright, what do you want to say to me?" Shi Mu nodded, his expression softening slightly.

"Thank you for understanding! Brother Shi, have you ever considered becoming the true leader of the Black Fox Society?" Feng Li first breathed a sigh of relief, then asked with a serious expression.

"You want me to become the real Fierce Fist, the Second Leader of the Black Fox Society?" Shi Mu wasn't surprised and asked calmly.

"Not Second Leader, but the First Leader! As long as Brother Shi agrees, I'll immediately gather all the brothers and hand over the position of Great Leader to you face to face. Third Brother and I will fully assist you." Feng Li said without hesitation.

"Brother Feng, this isn't what we discussed!" Gao Yuan was shocked to hear Feng Li say this.

"Third Brother, haven't you realized yet? The Black Fox Society without you and me can still be the Black Fox Society, but without Brother Shi, it probably couldn't last a month in Feng City. Our skills are limited, and the Black Fox Society's territory has expanded three or four times in just a few months. The two of us simply can't handle such a big operation." Feng Li replied with a bitter smile.

Gao Yuan listened, and though somewhat unconvinced, found himself momentarily speechless.

"Sorry, although I've enjoyed cooperating with you, I have no intention of truly getting involved in gang affairs. Brother Feng, you should know my ambition well. Aside from the path of a martial artist, I won't waste time on anything else." Shi Mu pondered for a moment before refusing without hesitation.

"Brother Shi, won't you reconsider? I know you have lofty aspirations, but the martial path isn't so easy to walk. If you agree now, you'll immediately become the leader of over a hundred men. Isn't that enough to tempt you?" Though deeply disappointed, Feng Li still persisted in persuading.

"If this is all you have to say, then there's no need to say more. My cooperation with you only lasts until I comprehend Qi Sense. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now." Shi Mu shook his head and turned to leave.

Feng Li opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more.

Gao Yuan also fell silent.

Shi Mu didn't go straight home. Instead, he took off his Fierce Fist outfit and mask, packed them up, and headed directly to the Flowing Wind Martial Hall.

After enduring another round of Li Canghai's Iron Refining Method rod beatings at the martial hall, he left bruised all over, carrying his bundle, and grimaced as he made his way back to his residence in the city.

As he passed by a magnificent tall restaurant, he didn't notice two young women on the third floor pointing at him.

"Yuhuan, is this the so-called brother of yours? Why does he look so miserable? Did he get bullied at the martial hall?" A pretty girl in yellow clothes said to another richly dressed girl of similar age sitting across from her.

"What do you mean 'so-called brother'? Since he's my father's biological son, he's naturally my real brother too, just half-brother." The richly dressed girl was none other than Shi Mu's half-sister, Shi Yuhuan, whom he had only met once. Hearing her companion's words, she withdrew her gaze from Shi Mu below and looked displeased.

"I'm just stating facts. Besides Seventh Aunt and you, no one else in the Jin Family acknowledges his relation to us. And judging by his current state, he probably isn't much to speak of. If that's the case, the Spirit Qi Pill our Jin Family gave him is a real waste." The yellow-clad girl said meaningfully.

"Hmph, I thought you, Jin Yuzhen, were being kind inviting me to dinner here. Turns out you're acting as a messenger for Fifth Uncle." Shi Yuhuan sneered upon hearing this.

"Cousin Yuhuan, you've guessed wrong this time. It wasn't Fifth Uncle who asked me to come, but Jin Tian himself. He said that if you can convince Shi Mu to give up the Spirit Qi Pill voluntarily, your mother's side will be no problem. As for your brother, he'll compensate him handsomely." The yellow-clad girl clapped her hands and laughed.

"I've only met Shi Mu once, but I can tell he's not someone easy to talk to. Besides, my mother feels guilty about what happened back then with him and his mother, so she won't let anyone else in the Jin Family bother him. Tell Jin Tian to give up!" Shi Yuhuan said bluntly.

"Fine, I'm just doing a job. I'll pass your words to Jin Tian." The yellow-clad girl was surprisingly agreeable and waved her hand.

"Knowing you, you probably made Jin Tian bleed for this meal." Shi Yuhuan glanced at the dishes on the table and curled her lips.

"Of course! Who else in the family is as close to me as you? Oh, by the way, what do you think of this new jade hairpin I bought?" Jin Yuzhen replied nonchalantly, then excitedly pulled an exquisitely crafted jade hairpin from her sleeve.

Seeing the hairpin, Shi Yuhuan's face suddenly showed a strange expression.

"How odd! If I remember correctly, you rarely buy accessories. You always claim your natural beauty is enough."

"What's so strange about that? A woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her." Jin Yuzhen chuckled.

"The one who delights in you? Are you talking about that Wu Hua guy?" Shi Yuhuan's eyes widened.

"Wu Hua, that tag-along? How could it be him? I'm talking about Wang Tianhao from the Jingang Martial Hall, a direct disciple of the Bloodline Wang Clan!" Jin Yuzhen said without thinking.

"Wang Tianhao, the one who's also at the Tenth Layer of Body Tempering and claims to be Feng City's top Martial Disciple with his Houtian martial skill, the Fang Fire Spear Technique? Is he coming to the Jin Family as a guest?" Shi Yuhuan's eyes lit up at this.

"Hey... Shi Yuhuan, I saw Wang Tianhao first. You can't compete with me for him." Jin Yuzhen grew a bit nervous seeing her companion's reaction.

"What are you thinking? I just want to see if the Fang Fire Spear Technique is really as powerful as the rumors say. Besides, his current reputation only exists because no one from the major families in Feng City has stepped up to challenge him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten the title of top Martial Disciple so easily." Shi Yuhuan glared at the girl across from her and said dismissively.

"You savage girl! Anyway, no matter what, Wang Tianhao is indeed outstanding, and as a disciple of the Bloodline Wang Clan, the ancestor personally invited him here. There might even be plans to arrange a marriage. I'm telling you, don't you dare steal him from me. Oh, and are you sure you're going to stick by your brother all the way? I doubt Jin Tian will give up so easily." Jin Yuzhen beamed with joy.

"Go back and tell Jin Tian this: even if Shi Mu's talent is the worst, he's still my real brother. If he uses proper methods, fine. But if he dares to use dirty tricks against my brother, I'll break both his legs the day before the Kaiyuan Tournament." Shi Yuhuan's face turned icy cold.

Seeing Shi Yuhuan defend Shi Mu so fiercely, Jin Yuzhen could only stick out her tongue in response.

Shi Mu was naturally unaware that his image had already taken a major hit in his own sister's eyes. Returning to his dwelling, he once again soaked in a steaming medicinal bath.

He tossed a hot towel over his face, then leaned back against the edge of the wooden tub, his eyes tightly shut. Yet his mind churned restlessly as he carefully reviewed a long-planned scheme from start to finish.

"Golden Silk Rat,"

Shi Mu suddenly murmured to himself.

(Still begging for recommendation tickets! These two chapters today took me ages to think through before I could put pen to paper—truly exhausting.)