The Lair, Showing Off in Front of an Expert

Lu Yuan could naturally tell that the men from the Black Tiger Gang before him were clearly not comparable to the two low-level thugs from before.

Each of them exuded a sharp aura; they were likely genuine martial artists.

In particular, the bald man in the lead holding a long saber might even be an expert in Ming Jin or perhaps even An Jin.

"Lu Yuan, you killed those two pieces of trash, Diao Qiang and his companion, didn't you? Don't deny it. We wouldn't have come straight to you if we weren't certain it was you. There's no room for you to lie!"

The bald man glared at Lu Yuan, his voice deep and cold: "We also know that you practiced martial arts under Song Tingwei and became a real martial artist. It's just a pity that your aptitude is too poor; Song Tingwei didn't think much of you at all and kicked you out in less than a month!"

He paused for a moment before continuing: "As long as you hand over that item, our Black Tiger Gang will not only stop holding you accountable for killing those two pieces of trash, but we can also let you join the core of our Black Tiger Gang directly, with a monthly salary of five taels of silver. How about it?"

"The item you speak of is not in my possession!"

Lu Yuan frowned slightly and said directly.

He had just been wondering why the Black Tiger Gang would go to such lengths over two low-level thugs; it turned out they were still searching for that item, which was clearly of great importance to the Black Tiger Gang.

In recent days, he had heard many rumors that the Black Tiger Gang and the Iron Palm Gang had engaged in several bloody battles over this item, resulting in casualties on both sides and nearly alarming the City Defense Battalion.

However, although he had indeed killed Diao Qiang and the other Black Tiger Gang thug, he had found nothing on them other than three taels of silver.

"Lu Yuan, I must remind you that some things are not for you to hold onto. It would be better to hand it over; otherwise, not only will you suffer, but you will also implicate your family!"

The bald man's expression darkened as he spoke coldly.

"I will say it one more time: that item is not with me!"

A cold glint flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes.

Although he did not know why the Black Tiger Gang was convinced the item was with him, he would never accept a baseless accusation, and he would certainly not let anyone threaten himself or his family.

"Very well. If you refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit, then men, attack! Break his limbs—just don't kill him!"

Following the bald man's cold shout, the Black Tiger Gang martial artists behind him lunged at Lu Yuan in unison.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

However, before they could even get close, Lu Yuan sent them all flying with a single punch each.

"Pfft... pfft... pfft..."

After crashing to the ground, these Black Tiger Gang martial artists only had time to spray a large mouthful of blood, seemingly mixed with fragments of their internal organs, before they all completely ceased to breathe.

"You have actually reached the An Jin stage!"

The bald man turned to look at the corpses on the ground, his pupils shrinking, and then he looked at Lu Yuan with an expression of disbelief.

This brat had just turned sixteen, right? He hadn't even been in contact with the martial path for a month, yet he had already broken through to the An Jin stage?

"That item really is in your hands! Hand it over, and I will spare your life!"

Suddenly realizing something, the bald man stared fixedly at Lu Yuan, his eyes burning with greed.

If this brat had only possessed the item for less than a month and had already stepped into the An Jin stage, if it were him, wouldn't he be able to break through to the Hua Jin stage, or even reach the true ranked levels, in a month or two at most?

Lu Yuan merely glanced at the bald man indifferently before swinging his blade.

He didn't even know what the item this guy was talking about actually was.

However, since he couldn't explain it clearly, he wouldn't bother explaining at all!

"Daring to wield a blade in front of me? You are merely showing off your meager skills; you have no idea what you are doing!"

The bald man looked on with disdain, then blocked with his own saber.

"Clang!"

However, accompanied by a soft sound, the long saber in the bald man's hand was sliced into two pieces by Lu Yuan's strike.

An inch-long white blade aura swept directly across his chest.

"Blade... blade aura... how could... how could..."

The bald man's eyes widened, filled with utter disbelief.

Was this even human?

In less than a month, not only had he become an An Jin martial artist, but he had also cultivated a blade aura?

Was that item truly so miraculous? But why wasn't it in his hands?

Carrying endless questions and resentment, the bald man also completely ceased to breathe.

Lu Yuan first searched the corpses, then quickly threw them all into the Chaos Burial Mound.

Upon returning, he cleaned up the courtyard, making everything look as if nothing had ever happened.

"Black Tiger Gang!"

Lu Yuan looked into the depths of the night, a sharp, piercing glint flashing in his eyes.

The Black Tiger Gang was never a major faction to begin with, and after fighting the Iron Palm Gang multiple times, they must have suffered heavy losses.

With his current strength, it should be enough to resolve this trouble once and for all!

Midnight, the moon obscured and the wind howling.

Lu Yuan, clad in black and gripping a long saber, a small pouch of iron pellets hanging at his waist, darted swiftly through the deserted streets toward the lair of the Black Tiger Gang.

The lair of the Black Tiger Gang was located in Tianshui Lane in the east of the city, resembling a small manor.

It was not only quite luxurious but also brightly lit, as clear as day.

One could even see squads of Black Tiger Gang thugs, armed with sharp weapons, patrolling back and forth at regular intervals.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft..."

Suddenly, accompanied by a series of soft sounds, iron pellets, carrying an incomparably fierce force, drilled straight into the foreheads of these Black Tiger Gang thugs in the blink of an eye.

Without even a chance to scream, over a dozen corpses appeared on the ground in an instant.

Yet inside the house, the clinking of cups and the sounds of revelry continued unabated.

"Damn it... those bastards from the Iron Palm Gang have not only caused our Black Tiger Gang heavy casualties but also seized nearly half of our territory. Once Brother Tiger returns, we will surely wipe them out completely!"

"Brother Tiger has already sent word back. Not only has he gained the appreciation of Young Master Qiao, but with Young Master Qiao's help, he has successfully completed his third blood-qi tempering. He is now a true master of the Transformation Realm!"

"That's wonderful! The day Brother Tiger returns will be the day our Black Tiger Gang sweeps through the Iron Palm Gang!"

"If we truly find that item for Young Master Qiao, let alone sweeping through the Iron Palm Gang, even dominating the entire Qinghe County will be no problem at all. Young Master Qiao is a titan among men; a single word from him can make the whole of Qinghe County tremble!"

"Strange, it's so late, why hasn't Baldy returned yet? Could something have gone wrong?"

"What could possibly go wrong? Although Baldy's aptitude isn't as good as ours, he is still a genuine master of the Hidden Energy Realm. Dealing with a mere greenhorn who has only just started his martial path is as easy as pie!"

"Drink, drink, drink! I'm finishing mine, you all do as you please!"

Several drunken men continued to gorge on meat and drink from large bowls.

"Bang!"

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open with a violent force.

The men were stunned for a moment before they saw an extremely young face.

"Kid, you're courting death! Do you know who this..."

One of the men in a grey coat stood up abruptly and strode toward Lu Yuan, roaring.

"Pfft!"

But before he could finish his sentence, a bloody hole appeared in his forehead.

"I know!"

Lu Yuan's expression was indifferent as he slowly uttered these words.