Sea Whale Gang Returns (Seeking Follow-ups)

"Isn't that the gang Lu Meng belongs to? I heard they were so badly crippled by the Tiger-Wolf Gang that they had to abandon their territory in Black Stone County and flee to neighboring Clear Water County to find a way to survive..."

Zhou Yun seemed to recall something. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen Lu Meng in a long time. Could he have been hanging around the gang with his brother?

"That's right. Word is that some expert wiped out the Tiger-Wolf Gang... so our Black Stone Martial Hall invited the Sea Whale Gang back. After all, Black Stone County can't go a day without a gang, or a dozen smaller ones would sprout up—it's not like that hasn't happened in the history of Black Stone County before..."

Liang Chengshi reminisced, "The moment Lu Meng and his brother returned, they invited us inner-court disciples of Black Stone Martial Hall to drink. It seems there was the shadow of that old man behind it all..."

"Master Liang's shadow?"

Zhou Yun pondered carefully. Originally, the Tiger-Wolf Gang had been a faction supported by the Shen Family. Their style was violent and cruel, and their reputation for extorting protection money in Black Stone County was notoriously foul.

They had even collected protection money from his own household back when he was just a Bright Force martial artist, showing absolutely no regard for the county's rules.

In contrast, while the Sea Whale Gang also collected a certain amount of 'water lamp fees,' they at least followed the rules, and their conduct wasn't so detestable to the people of Black Stone County.

If Master Liang, a Transformation Force grandmaster, was pulling the strings from behind the scenes and occasionally keeping them in check, they would likely become the most disciplined gang in Black Stone County.

Although the water lamp fee itself wasn't popular with the public, some things had to be done; if you didn't do them, others would do them even more ruthlessly. It was better to keep them under one's own control and restraint.

Moreover, this also involved a power struggle with the Shen Family branch associated with the Sky Sea Martial Arts Hall.

"Since that's the case, I'll go take a look with Brother Liang."

After hesitating for a long time, Zhou Yun decided to go and observe.

After all, the destruction of the Tiger-Wolf Gang had started with him, and it was his accidental intervention that led to the Sea Whale Gang's return to Black Stone County. As the instigator, he naturally felt he should go and see for himself.

Furthermore, according to Liang Chengshi, other inner-court disciples would be attending the banquet, and there were certainly Dark Force experts among them, which signaled an intention to show support for the Sea Whale Gang.

He had been so focused on martial arts that he lacked social connections; today was a good opportunity to make up for that and show his face in the inner-court circle.

"That couldn't be better! If those senior brothers and sisters of the inner court see someone who has mastered Black Ape Fist to perfection, their eyes will probably pop out of their heads."

Liang Chengshi chuckled; he certainly couldn't be the only one to suffer such a blow to his ego.

Brother Zhou's talent was so outstanding that those senior brothers and sisters, as members of the Black Stone Martial Hall, really ought to experience it for themselves.

The two arrived at the entrance of the martial hall and took a carriage exclusive to the Sea Whale Gang to the gang's headquarters.

The location had moved from the previous back mountain to a spot closer to the center of the county, where they had specifically purchased a mansion to serve as the Sea Whale Gang's new lair.

In front of an imposing gate, the plaque read "Sea Whale Gang" in large characters, with two gang disciples standing guard. The situation was a world of difference from before.

"Young Master Liang, please, come in."

The two Sea Whale Gang disciples clearly recognized Liang Chengshi and greeted him immediately, clearing a path.

Liang Chengshi nodded, looking every bit the wealthy young playboy. He took two pieces of silver from his pocket and tossed them to the two guards, saying:

"Not bad. But from now on, you must also greet my Senior Brother Zhou. Otherwise, if my Senior Brother Zhou is in a bad mood one day, I'll have Lu Meng send you off to feed the horses..."

"Yes, yes! Please, Young Master Zhou, come inside!"

The two guards bowed and scraped, and seeing that Zhou Yun was also wearing the attire of an inner-court disciple of Black Stone Martial Hall, they addressed him as Young Master Zhou repeatedly.

Zhou Yun nodded slightly, not really caring about such things.

As he followed Liang Chengshi into the Sea Whale Gang's territory, he found the place increasingly familiar.

It turned out to be the very same lair where he had wiped out the Tiger-Wolf Gang last time, now repurposed as the Sea Whale Gang's base.

It's a pity that the hundreds or thousands of taels of silver from last time were too hard to carry. Once taken from the warehouse, they would surely attract investigation from the major powers... otherwise, my current net worth would be enough to rival a gang.

Zhou Yun felt a secret regret, but he didn't dwell on it.

The two arrived at the main banquet hall, where he immediately spotted several people wearing the inner-court attire of Black Stone Martial Hall, most of whom were older than Zhou Yun.

"Little Stone, why are you so late today? Be careful, or all the best headliners will be taken!"

A burly man with a rough beard laughed heartily, walked over to drape an arm around Liang Chengshi's shoulder, and looked at Zhou Yun. "Is this also an inner-court disciple? How come I haven't seen him before?"

"This is Senior Brother Zhou... don't let his young age fool you, you old guys might not necessarily get the better of him."

Liang Chengshi snorted, looking quite smug.

"Brother Liang is just joking... This Humble One is Zhou Yun, greetings, Senior Brother."

Zhou Yun cupped his hands in a salute.

"Senior Brother Zhou, no need to be so formal. These are all senior brothers and sisters who have stayed at our martial hall for years."

Liang Chengshi spoke up, "Most of them have developed an attachment to the hall and don't want to go out and venture elsewhere, so they stay under the old man's wing. Usually, they take on external positions for other powers to make a living."

"Little Stone is right. We old folks are usually out and about, and we haven't brought a welcoming gift for little brother Zhou. It is our fault as senior brothers."

The burly man laughed heartily and pulled a blood-red, translucent jade pendant from his pocket.

"This is a treasure that fell from some bandits on the mountain while I was escorting a caravan. It's called the Phoenix Blood Jade Pendant... Of course, it's certainly not real phoenix blood, but it should be the essence blood of some exotic beast. It has the miraculous effect of slightly accelerating the circulation of qi and blood in the dantian."

"This... then many thanks, Senior Brother."

It was the first time Zhou Yun had heard of such a treasure, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity.

He hung the Phoenix Blood Jade Pendant around his neck, and immediately, threads of warmth flowed from his neck into his dantian, slowly accelerating the circulation of his qi and blood and stimulating the production of more internal force.

"It truly has a miraculous effect. May I ask your name, Senior Brother?"

Zhou Yun felt a surge of joy and hurriedly asked.

"My name is Tian Dawu; you can call me Senior Brother Tian."

Senior Brother Tian smiled and continued, "There are other senior brothers and sisters over there, but usually, the first inner-court senior brother you meet handles the welcoming gift on behalf of everyone, so don't overthink it if you don't receive gifts from the others later."

As they spoke, the senior brothers and sisters dressed in inner-court attire turned their gazes toward them.

Zhou Yun nodded slightly, having briefly thought everyone would be handing out such treasures; he had truly come to the right banquet.

Still, with this Phoenix Blood Jade Pendant, the trip was certainly not in vain.

"Oh, right, Little Stone, there is something you'll love at this banquet... a beauty from the Demon-Human Race!"

Senior Brother Tian said mysteriously, "I heard she accidentally wandered into Clear Water County and was captured by the leader of the Sea Whale Gang. They're going to auction her off at this banquet to pad their gang's treasury..."

"Is that so? Ah! It's a pity I didn't bring much silver with me; I'll have to borrow some from you later, Senior Brother Tian..."

Upon hearing this, Liang Chengshi's eyes lit up, and he immediately hooked arms with Tian Dawu.

The Demon-Human Race? It seems there are records of them in some ancient texts. To think they could be captured by humans...

Zhou Yun was curious about what the legendary Demon-Human Race actually looked like, enough to make this young master of the Black Stone Martial Hall so captivated.

Just as he was lost in thought, a familiar figure appeared.

"Zhou Yun??"

Lu Meng had been conversing with a young lady from a noble family when he suddenly spotted Zhou Yun, his expression darkening instantly.

His right eyebrow twitched as he forced a smile, "Senior Brother Zhou Yun, I didn't expect you to attend our Sea Whale Gang's banquet as well..."

"Isn't this Young Master Lu Meng? Long time no see; your clothes are looking more and more splendid."

Zhou Yun looked at the other man's fine garments, which were far more expensive than the ones he used to wash.