The Villain

After the Security Hall burned down, Yongning Street returned to peace.

However, business at Benevolent World Hall showed little improvement. Instead, it grew even quieter.

Rumors had been spreading through the streets.

Some said that Lin Qing, the young master of Benevolent World Hall, was deeply calculating and had used underhanded tactics to drive Fan Kui's family to their deaths and seize their property.

Others said that he had been involved in the fire all along, and that it had been a ploy to monopolize Yongning Street's medicine shops.

Some went even further, portraying him as a seemingly honest man who was actually a ruthless, vicious fighter—someone best avoided.

Though Pan Yun had made no further moves in the open, he had clearly done plenty behind the scenes to fan the flames.

Lin Qing offered no defense against these smears.

No matter how much he explained, it would only make his words seem feeble and hollow.

Fortunately, Chen Bao seemed to know he was in the wrong. Old Fan and his son had died at their hands, after all, so he was evidently unwilling to make the matter any bigger and did not bother Lin Qing again.

After that, Lin Qing devoted all his attention and energy to bitter cultivation, pushing himself to the limit every day to grind out experience.

More than ten days passed, and Lin Qing made considerable progress in both his fist and blade techniques.

In secret, however, he had Zhang Shun keep an eye out for news about the White Horse Gang.

The matter still rankled in his heart.

That day, Lin Qing was sparring with Zhang Shun. After they traded several punches, Zhang Shun stopped, looking surprised.

"Your practical combat skills seem to have improved quite a bit."

"Thanks to Brother Shun's guidance," Lin Qing said with a smile.

"That was also down to your own aptitude." Zhang Shun shook his head.

Then, as if recalling something, he said to Lin Qing, "Haven't you been asking me to keep an eye on the White Horse Gang and the Pan Family lately?"

"Any news?" Lin Qing's heart stirred.

"Yes. According to the latest news from the gang, the Black Mud Gang, a major gang from outside the city, has recently sent people into town to fight over North City Pier and the surrounding streets."

"A few days ago, the two gangs fought fiercely. People were killed and wounded on both sides, and they burned a batch of bodies at the pier."

"The important thing is, I heard they might clash again at North City Pier tonight."

"Thanks for letting me know, Senior Brother." Lin Qing cupped his hands.

"What, do you have something in mind?"

Zhang Shun's eyes flickered.

"Nothing in particular. The White Horse Gang collects protection money from our Yongning Street. It's always good to have more information and be prepared." Lin Qing shook his head, revealing little.

"True. When gangs clash, those streets are bound to be affected one way or another. Ordinary people can only stay out of the way."

Zhang Shun gave a wry smile and thought no more of it.

He also figured Lin Qing just wanted to be prepared.

After all, provoking those major gangs was just asking to die.

That night, Lin Qing changed into an inconspicuous outfit for moving through the darkness and covered his face with an iron mask, leaving only his eyes visible.

He strapped on the Kirin Spike, secured his blade to his back with strips of cloth, and silently made his way toward North City Pier.

The area was brightly lit, and faint whiffs of blood already rode the breeze.

Before he even got close, Lin Qing could hear the earth-shaking cries of battle, the clashing of weapons, and a jumble of angry curses.

He edged closer to take a look.

On the empty lot beside an abandoned warehouse, dozens—nearly a hundred—men were fighting in a chaotic melee. Blades flashed, blood sprayed, and the scene was a mess.

Lin Qing was slightly surprised. With a fight this massive, were the constables pretending not to see it, as if they were dead?

One side of the brawling crowd wore motley short jackets. Most were members of the White Horse Gang.

The other side was dressed haphazardly, but every man was fierce. They were likely members of the Black Mud Gang.

Lin Qing swept his gaze across the battlefield and quickly picked out several figures whose auras were clearly stronger than those of ordinary gang members. They were likely minor leaders or elites of the White Horse Gang.

He slipped alone into the edge of the fighting, avoiding both the Iron Wire Fist and the Wave-Breaking Blade Technique.

Relying solely on the strength that came with the Tendon Opening Realm, he targeted the White Horse Gang's strongest fighters.

"Bang!"

A White Horse Gang leader swinging a ghost-head saber saw a blur before him. His chest was struck as if by a massive tree, his ribs snapped in an instant, and he flew backward, spitting blood.

"Crack!"

Lin Qing's hand chop landed squarely on the wrist of a burly man wielding a club. The sound of breaking bone rang out clearly, and the man screamed as he hit the ground.

Lin Qing moved with speed and force.

He darted through the chaotic battlefield, and every time he struck, another White Horse Gang elite was put out of action.

Real combat was the best whetstone.

He could feel himself rapidly growing more adept at wielding the strength of the Tendon Opening Realm.

The experience for Iron Wire Fist in the Heavenly Dao Record was also steadily increasing.

In a short time, it had already risen by dozens of points.

"Using battle to fuel battle really is an effective way to improve my strength and build experience."

Lin Qing thought to himself, striking with even greater ruthlessness.

He kept a close eye on the battlefield.

But he didn't spot Lord Leopard, which left him somewhat disappointed.

After seriously injuring seven or eight White Horse Gang fighters, Lin Qing saw that the Black Mud Gang had gained the upper hand and prepared to withdraw.

But just as he turned to leave—

A sinister figure silently stepped in front of him.

The man looked to be in his thirties. He wore a short jacket and had an unremarkable face, the sort that would disappear in a crowd. Only his dead-fish eyes betrayed his slyness.

"Friend, you've attacked my White Horse Gang several times. What's the meaning of this?" the middle-aged man in the short jacket said darkly.

Lin Qing's eyes turned wary, but he didn't answer.

His gaze soon settled on the man's left arm, where the sleeve had been rolled up.

There, unmistakably, was an irregularly shaped, deep-purple birthmark.

He had definitely seen that birthmark before.

A name surfaced in his mind.

Thousand-Faced Human Trafficker, Zhou Heng.

A wanted criminal with a fifty-tael silver bounty from the authorities, guilty of countless crimes and specializing in the trafficking of children!

Lin Qing's pupils contracted sharply.

He had never imagined he would run into this wanted criminal here.

And from the looks of it, Zhou Heng was in league with the White Horse Gang.

Seeing Lin Qing standing still, Zhou Heng spoke again.

"Your skills are impressive, but you keep your face hidden. You've secretly injured so many of my White Horse Gang brothers. Do you really think you can just walk away?"

Zhou Heng's voice was hoarse, carrying a chilling edge.

He narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over Lin Qing's mask.

Lin Qing suppressed his surprise, his tone turning hostile.

"So this is why the White Horse Gang acts with such impunity. You don't just bully the innocent—you're also in league with a child trafficker like you, a man utterly devoid of conscience."

"You're birds of a feather. You deserve to die!"

He deliberately exposed Zhou Heng's identity.

He was trying to throw his opponent off balance.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhou Heng heard Lin Qing expose his identity and crimes, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

His greatest secret had been seen through by a masked man of unknown origins?

"You're asking for death!"

Without hesitation, Zhou Heng shouted and sprang forward like a ghost, moving with astonishing speed.

His hands formed claws, ten sharp talons covering his fingers as he lunged for Lin Qing's throat and heart!

His moves were vicious and cruel, his angles tricky.

He was far stronger than the ordinary White Horse Gang members Lin Qing had faced.

The fight erupted in an instant.