The Lair, Playing the Expert

Lu Yuan could naturally tell that these Black Tiger Gang men before him were clearly nothing like the two low-level thugs from before.

Each of them gave off a sharp, imposing aura. They were clearly genuine martial artists.

The bald man at their head, especially, held a long saber and might even have been a Bright Energy or Hidden Energy expert.

"Lu Yuan, you killed those two useless men, Diao Qiang and the other one, didn't you? Don't deny it. We came straight to you, so we already know it was you. There's no point trying to talk your way out of it!"

The bald man stared coldly at Lu Yuan and said in a low voice, "We also know you trained under Song Tingwei and became a true martial artist. Too bad your natural aptitude was so poor that Song Tingwei couldn't stand you and kicked you out in less than a month!"

After a pause, he continued, "Hand over that thing, and not only will the Black Tiger Gang stop holding you responsible for killing those two useless men, Diao Qiang and the other one, we'll also let you join the gang's inner circle. You'll get five taels of silver every month. How about it?"

"The thing you're talking about isn't in my hands!"

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows and answered directly.

He'd just been wondering why the Black Tiger Gang would make such a fuss over two low-level thugs. It turned out they were still searching for that thing so important to the gang.

He'd heard plenty of rumors in recent days. The Black Tiger Gang and the Iron Palm Gang had already fought several bloody battles over the item, suffering casualties on both sides and nearly drawing the attention of the City Defense Battalion.

Though he had indeed killed those two Black Tiger Gang thugs, Diao Qiang and the other one, all he'd found on them was a little over three taels of silver. He hadn't taken anything else.

"Lu Yuan, let me remind you: some things are beyond your grasp. You'd be better off handing it over. Otherwise, not only will you suffer, you'll drag your family into this too!"

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

"I'll say it again. That thing isn't with me!"

A cold glint flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes.

He didn't know why the Black Tiger Gang was convinced the item was with him, but there was no way he'd take the blame for something he hadn't done. And he would never let anyone threaten him or his family.

"Fine. You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Get him! Break his arms and legs, but don't kill him!"

At the bald man's sharp command, the Black Tiger Gang martial artists behind him lunged at Lu Yuan all at once.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

But before they could even get close, Lu Yuan sent every one of them flying with a single punch.

"Pfft... Pfft... Pfft..."

After crashing to the ground, the Black Tiger Gang martial artists managed only to spew out a great mouthful of blood, seemingly mixed with bits of their organs. Then they all went completely still.

"You've already reached the Hidden Energy Realm!"

The bald man glanced at the corpses on the ground, his pupils shrinking. Then he looked at Lu Yuan in disbelief.

The kid had only just turned sixteen, hadn't he? He'd been practicing martial arts for less than a month, and already he'd broken through to Hidden Energy?

"That thing really is in your hands. Hand it over, and I'll spare your life!"

As a thought struck him, the bald man fixed his gaze on Lu Yuan, his eyes burning with greed.

The kid had obtained that thing less than a month ago and had already reached Hidden Energy. If the bald man got it instead, wouldn't it take him only a month or two at most to break through to Transformation Realm, or even become a true ranked expert?

Lu Yuan gave the bald man a cool, indifferent look, then swung his saber.

He didn't even know what this man was talking about.

But if there was no way to explain it, then he wouldn't bother explaining!

"Daring to wield a saber in front of me? You're showing off your paltry skills before an expert. What a fool!"

The bald man sneered and raised his saber to block.

"Shing!"

A faint sound rang out.

The long saber in the bald man's hands was cleaved in two by Lu Yuan's single stroke.

A blade of white light, barely a foot long, slashed straight across his chest.

"Blade... blade light... how could... how..."

The bald man's eyes bulged wide, disbelief filling them.

Was this even human?

In less than a month, he'd not only become a Hidden Energy martial artist, but had also cultivated blade light?

Could that thing really be that miraculous? Then why hadn't he been the one to obtain it?

With endless questions and unwillingness in his heart, the bald man went completely still.

Lu Yuan first searched the corpses, then quickly carried them all to the Chaos Burial Mound.

After returning, he cleaned the courtyard from end to end, making everything look as if nothing had ever happened.

"The Black Tiger Gang!"

Lu Yuan lifted his gaze toward the depths of the night, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

The Black Tiger Gang wasn't much of a gang to begin with, and after fighting the Iron Palm Gang several times, it must have been badly weakened.

With his strength now, he should be more than capable of putting an end to this trouble once and for all!

It was the dead of night, with the moon hidden and the wind howling.

Dressed in black, Lu Yuan carried a long saber and wore a small pouch of iron pellets at his waist. He darted swiftly along the deserted streets toward the Black Tiger Gang's lair.

The Black Tiger Gang's lair stood in Tianshui Lane in the eastern part of the city, looking like a small manor.

It was not only rather luxurious, but also brightly lit, as bright as day.

Now and then, teams of Black Tiger Gang thugs armed with sharp weapons could be seen patrolling back and forth.

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft..."

Suddenly, a series of faint sounds rang out as iron pellets, carrying a fierce gust of force, shot into the foreheads of the Black Tiger Gang thugs in the blink of an eye.

They didn't even have time to scream. In an instant, more than a dozen corpses lay on the ground.

Inside the house, however, the gathering was still going strong, with cups clinking and laughter ringing out.

"Damn it... Those Iron Palm Gang bastards not only left our Black Tiger Gang with heavy casualties, they also took nearly half our territory. Once Brother Tiger gets back, we'll wipe them out for good!"

"Brother Tiger already sent word back. He's not only won Young Master Qiao's favor, but also completed his third round of Blood Qi Tempering with Young Master Qiao's help. He's a true Transformation Realm expert now!"

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

"If we really find that thing for Young Master Qiao, forget sweeping away the Iron Palm Gang. We could dominate all of Qinghe County without a problem! Young Master Qiao is an earth-shaking big shot. One word from him could make the whole of Qinghe County tremble!"

"Strange. It's so late already. Why hasn't Baldy come back? Could something have gone wrong?"

"What could go wrong? Baldy may have worse natural aptitude than the rest of us, but he's still a bona fide Hidden Energy expert. He's only going to deal with a kid who's barely become a martial artist. That should be as easy as picking something up!"

"Drink, drink, drink! I'll finish mine. The rest of you, drink at your own pace!"

The drunken brutes continued stuffing themselves with meat and guzzling wine by the bowl.

"Bang!"

Just then, the door was suddenly kicked open.

The men froze for a moment, then saw an extremely young face.

"Kid, you're asking for death! Do you know where you are—"

One of the men in a gray jacket sprang up and strode toward Lu Yuan, roaring.

"Pfft!"

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

"I know!"

Lu Yuan's expression remained indifferent as he slowly uttered the words.