Zhang Hu's Reward

Long-Abundance Mountain.

Lu Li wove through the towering ancient trees, his footsteps winding as his gaze constantly scanned his surroundings.

Soon, his eyes narrowed; he spotted a medicinal herb, stepped forward, and plucked it in a quick, practiced motion.

The entire process took no more than a single breath.

In just half a day, Lu Li's basket was already filled to the brim with herbs.

Since beginning his martial arts training, Lu Li no longer feared the biting cold, nor did he shiver in the wind as he once had. His vision and hearing had also undergone a tremendous transformation, becoming far sharper.

This had greatly increased the efficiency of his herb gathering.

In only half a day, a full basket of herbs had been collected.

In the past, he likely would have had to work until the night was as dark as ink just to barely finish.

Lu Li turned and headed down the mountain, making his way toward the Huang Family.

He wasn't worried about being suspected for gathering so many herbs; these were essentially worthless. The truly valuable ones were the potent medicines found deep within the dense, ancient forests.

If one was lucky, gathering this much in half a day happened from time to time.

However, to Lu Li's surprise, the moment he arrived at the Huang Family, he found that quite a few people were already there, and none of their baskets were as full as his.

This struck Lu Li as very strange.

Were they not afraid of having their wages docked?

"Yo, Lu Li, looks like you had some good luck." Uncle Zhao saw Lu Li walk in and said with a smile.

Lu Li nodded back with a smile in response, then asked with confusion, "Uncle Zhao, why are there so many people here today? Have they all stopped gathering herbs?"

Hearing this, Uncle Zhao sighed, a look of helplessness and worry appearing on his face. "The Black Tiger Gang and the Blood Wolf Gang are making more and more trouble; everyone is in a state of panic."

"In the past, their fighting was somewhat restrained, but now it's a fight to the death. They've gone blood-crazy."

"Yesterday, the Black Tiger Gang took one of the Blood Wolf Gang's strongholds. It was truly brutal—they didn't leave a single person alive. Heads were scattered everywhere; they were so ruthless they'd even shake an egg to see if the yolk was broken."

"Yesterday, a rogue who was just watching the commotion while drunk was slashed to death on the spot by the Black Tiger Gang. The news has already spread."

"Sigh, who knows what's going on? These two gangs have always had friction, but this is the first time they've fought like this."

Lu Li shook his head, indicating he didn't know.

Uncle Zhao gave him a grave, earnest warning. "Try to come back earlier during this period. If you happen to run into them, be careful—they've lost their minds."

"By the way, did Zhang Hu come looking for you a few days ago?"

Lu Li nodded; there was no point in hiding it, as all the neighbors around Lu Li knew.

After all, dragging a corpse along to threaten and coerce someone was far too conspicuous.

Lu Li recounted the incident to Uncle Zhao.

Uncle Zhao sighed, looked at Lu Li with pity, and patted his shoulder.

"I have failed your father."

That was the life of those at the bottom—they were not masters of their own fate.

Lu Li's father had asked him to look after the boy.

But facing a high-and-mighty figure like Master Wang, he was merely a mud-legged peasant at the bottom of the heap; he didn't even have the qualifications to touch the hem of such a person's garment, let alone offer protection.

He glanced left and right, ensuring no one was paying them any mind.

Then, he handed Lu Li a string of copper coins—there were actually five hundred of them.

Carrying so much on his person meant it had been prepared well in advance.

Lu Li was stunned and quickly tried to decline. "Uncle Zhao, I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot take this money. My sister-in-law and sister at home are still waiting to use it."

Uncle Zhao ignored Lu Li's refusal and forcibly shoved the coins into his arms. "Take it and buy some food."

"Zhang Hu showed great ferocity yesterday; I'm afraid his martial arts are about to break through to the next level. You..."

After saying this, Uncle Zhao shook his head and walked away with a gloomy expression.

If he were still a lone man as he once was, and Zhang Hu tried to take Lu Li away, he would have dared to draw his blade and fight Zhang Hu to the death!

But since having a family of his own, even with the dying wish of an old friend, he didn't dare to involve himself in such a life-threatening matter.

He could only do his best to help where he could.

Watching Uncle Zhao's retreating back, Lu Li's brows furrowed tightly, a flash of cold light crossing his eyes.

"About to break through to become a martial artist, are you?"

The Black Tiger Gang.

Inside the main hall.

Songs and dances were in full swing.

The woman dancing in the center was dressed in thin gauze, her movements enchanting, a seductive smile plastered on her face.

But looking closer, her eyes were hollow and devoid of life.

Though her motions were graceful, they were merely mechanical reactions born of long-term training.

Furthermore, the gang members wore lecherous grins, their gazes not even on the dancing.

These were all beauties scoured from everywhere by the Black Tiger Gang, using cruel and base methods.

They either snatched orphans or forced these decent women into ruin, leaving them no choice but to sell themselves to the Black Tiger Gang to pay off debts.

Zhang Hu was also in the main hall; a particularly hideous scar ran across his face, stretching from his left eye to his right jaw.

The skin was curled back, revealing the raw flesh beneath.

This was from a slash he received while fighting for his life yesterday.

Yet, at this moment, his face was full of smiles.

Dining in the main hall and enjoying the songs and dances of beauties was a privilege reserved only for hall masters.

It made his life-and-death struggle yesterday well worth it.

At the head of the table, Zhao Heihu raised his wine cup and stood up, prompting everyone else to follow suit.

"Gentlemen, the Blood Wolf Gang used despicable tactics, disregarding gang rules to ambush and kill our Black Tiger Gang disciples. I said then that we would avenge our fallen brothers and fight the Blood Wolf Gang to the death!"

"Now, we have seized a Blood Wolf Gang stronghold and dealt a heavy blow to their morale."

"This can be considered avenging our brothers."

"However, the greatest credit for this battle belongs to Zhang Hu." He looked toward Zhang Hu, his eyes filled with deep appreciation.

With that, he raised his wine toward Zhang Hu: "I have decided to promote Zhang Hu to hall master, effective immediately."

Although Zhang Hu had been able to dine in the main hall and had anticipated this, he still felt overwhelmed with awe and trepidation at this moment.

This was a hall master position!

Within the gang, it was considered high-ranking, second only to the gang leader!

Zhang Hu had never imagined that one day, he would rise so rapidly!

"Thank you, Gang Leader!" Zhang Hu hurriedly expressed his gratitude, raised his cup, and downed it in one gulp.

The gang leader nodded and continued: "Your contribution this time is indispensable."

He took an object wrapped in an embroidered handkerchief from his bosom.

Unfolding it revealed a black ginseng the size of a palm.

"Zhang Hu, your martial path is about to break through, isn't it? This Black Mountain Ginseng can surely give you a helping hand."

When the Black Mountain Ginseng was revealed, the eyes of everyone present went wide.

Zhang Hu's breathing grew rapid; he felt as though one good thing after another was coming his way, leaving him somewhat overwhelmed.

Zhang Hu naturally yearned for the martial path and recognized this ginseng as Black Mountain Ginseng, which could greatly accelerate martial progress. It was exorbitantly expensive, with a single root costing upwards of fifty taels of silver!

He swallowed hard, looked at the Black Mountain Ginseng, stepped forward to receive it, and said with resonant conviction: "Thank you for your generosity, Gang Leader. I, Zhang Hu, will surely serve the Black Tiger Gang with my utmost loyalty, even unto death!"

Soon, the banquet ended. Zhang Hu, carrying the scent of wine, bid farewell to the various hall masters who were fawning over him and headed toward his home.

He was in a fantastic mood, his steps feeling light, as if he were walking on clouds.

"With the Black Mountain Ginseng, I can break through to the Martial Artist realm, hehe..."

Zhang Hu's face was wreathed in smiles: "When the time comes, once I sell Lu Li to Master Wang, I'll have a large sum of money. Then I can find a martial arts school and take on a master to better break through to the next realm."

"Tch, that son of a bitch Lu Li doesn't know what's good for him. I let him eat and drink well, yet he still wouldn't agree. He deserves to be a pauper for the rest of his life."

"Huh, I forgot about Ergou and the others. I didn't call them. Forget it, I'm a hall master now; I'll have more capable subordinates. They don't amount to a damn thing."

"Hiccup~" He let out a drunken burp, feeling immensely satisfied, and couldn't help but hum a little tune.

Little did he know, in the dark alley, a pair of eyes filled with murderous intent were watching him intently.