Strength Soars!

Jiang Che's internal breath was like a single breath before, but at this moment, those red lights were replenishing that breath, causing the airflow to expand rapidly.

This was forcibly increasing his cultivation.

His arms, chest, abdomen, and cheeks – every part of Jiang Che's body became incredibly red as the Blood Essence within him was forcefully drawn out and circulated continuously through his body.

Wisps of white steam rose from the top of his head, slightly suppressing the cold Killing Intent around him.

His Internal Breath surged, his Blood Essence raged.

The veins on his body began to show more and more.

Hah!

Hah!

Hah!

Jiang Che breathed in deeply, sweat pouring down like rain, soaking his robes. Yet, in just a few breaths, they were dried again. This continued for over ten breaths before finally stopping.

It was over.

The sacrifice was complete.

Feeling the smooth flow of Internal Breath within his body, Jiang Che clenched his fist tightly. Now, he no longer needed to concentrate his meager Internal Breath into a single point as he had before.

Just a few punches' worth of power.

Now, he could unleash it freely. With his fists, palms, or legs, as long as his mind willed it, he could unleash powerful force. If he added the frenzy of the Three Absolute Shocking Fiends, His Strength had increased severalfold in an instant.

He had now reached the Great Accomplishment stage of Internal Breath. The Internal Breath accumulated within him had nowhere to be released. As long as he could find a Body Refining Method, he could step into the Bone Forging Realm at any time.

And the Azure Fiend Body Refining Scripture that Qi Huan had mentioned was his next target!

Outside the valley, over a hundred Soldiers stood silently behind Qi Huan, fully armed. Among them were even dozens of cavalrymen. They were indeed the elite, carefully selected from the entire Wind Camp.

Song Ji was bound by chains, his head lowered, completely devoid of hope.

Jiang Che, dressed in a black martial arts robe with his hair tied back, slowly emerged from the valley. Qi Huan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, seemed to sense something and frowned, staring at Jiang Che.

In the short time it took for an incense stick to burn, Jiang Che seemed to have undergone a change he was unaware of.

A Killing Intent emanated from him.

As if he had just killed someone.

"Captain Qi, you've waited."

Jiang Che cupped his fist in a salute.

"It seems your cultivation has advanced?"

Qi Huan asked.

"I had an epiphany during the recent battle."

Jiang Che smiled, his demeanor humble.

"Epiphany..." Qi Huan stared at him for a few moments, clearly not believing him, but he didn't press the issue. He pointed his riding crop at a Soldier beside him and commanded:

"Give your warhorse to Commander Jiang."

"Yes."

"Don't worry, Commander Gou. Jiang Che will surely die today. He won't be able to escape Black Mountain Valley even if he had wings." In the main hall of the Cao Gang, Kou Yuansheng and Gou Buren finally met under Madam Yu's arrangements.

Kou Yuansheng also personally made a promise to Gou Buren.

"I naturally trust Gang Leader Kou's plan. However, this brat Jiang Che is different from ordinary people. He always leaves a backup plan, which worries me."

Gou Buren smiled as he sipped his tea.

"No matter how different he is, it will be useless." Kou Yuansheng waved his hand. The Cao Gang could not get involved, so even when he met Jiang Che, it was in a discreet inn.

The ones who would act were the bandits from Crouching Tiger Mountain, and they would bear the responsibility afterward.

As long as no evidence could be found, even if Zhu Sheng wanted to vent his anger on the Cao Gang, there would be no reason.

After all, Zhao Mingcheng was not to be trifled with. He controlled almost all the official forces in Yanggu County and even had considerable connections in the prefectural city, which was why he could hold his position as county magistrate.

"If this matter succeeds, I will definitely recommend Gang Leader Kou to Captain Zhu afterward. But not now. Jiang Che has just died, and if I were to recommend you immediately, it would be too obvious."

"Naturally."

Kou Yuansheng laughed heartily. Ever since he learned from Gou Buren that Jiang Che was behind Zhu Sheng's targeting of the Cao Gang, he felt not only hatred for Jiang Che but also a sense of relief.

In his eyes, Jiang Che was nothing to fear.

He was merely a vice-commander. If not for Zhu Sheng's favor, such a minor official would not even qualify to enter his sight on a normal day.

"Also, actually, I have something I'd like to ask Brother Kou for help with."

Putting down his teacup, Gou Buren said with a serious expression.

"Please tell me, Commander Gou. As long as I can help, I will not refuse."

"I would also like to ask Gang Leader Kou to introduce me to Magistrate Zhao."

Gou Buren's words had barely fallen when the atmosphere in the inner hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Kou Yuansheng's gaze towards Gou Buren shifted multiple times, his brow furrowed as he asked, "Commander Gou wishes to see Magistrate Zhao?"

"That's right, Gang Leader Kou, you heard correctly."

"It seems Commander Gou has quite a few ambitions." Kou Yuansheng narrowed his eyes. By rights, Gou Buren was Zhu Sheng's confidant, but the current situation made it hard not to suspect otherwise.

"Doesn't Gang Leader Kou also have ambitions?"

Gou Buren gave a faint smile.

"Very well, once the matter with Jiang Che is settled, I will personally introduce Commander Gou to Magistrate Zhao."

Gou Buren offered his thanks and then stood up, "It's getting late, I shall take my leave now."

"Farewell, Commander Gou." Kou Yuansheng personally escorted Gou Buren to the back door before returning to the inner hall. At this moment, Madam Yu had, at some unknown time, taken their seats.

"Madam, I believe it would be best to have less contact with this old acquaintance of yours in the future." Kou Yuansheng shook his head. People like Gou Buren, who were two-faced and indecisive, usually met a grim end.

"We were just using him. But now, it seems using him to introduce us to Zhu Sheng was a mistake. If he has ulterior motives, it could implicate the Cao Gang later on."

Madam Yu had been behind the screen the entire time, listening to their conversation.

"We are not as powerful as others, we can only survive in the cracks." Kou Yuansheng rubbed his forehead, feeling that the situation in Yanggu County was becoming increasingly complex. A single misstep could lead to utter destruction.

Zhao Mingcheng, Zhu Sheng, Crouching Tiger Mountain – he couldn't afford to offend any of them. All he wanted was to protect the Cao Gang's business.

Madam Yu gracefully rose and gently massaged Kou Yuansheng's temples with her jade-like fingers, comforting him, "The world has always been this way."

"Sigh..."

Kou Yuansheng let out a turbid sigh. As the Cao Gang's business grew, the number of forces it entangled with also increased. On the surface, the Cao Gang held the reputation of being the foremost power in Yanggu County.

But was that truly the case?

If the Cao Gang were truly the top power, why hadn't they expanded beyond the West City yet?

It was because the other powers within Yanggu County were not to be trifled with.

The Cao Gang merely had a greater reputation and stronger financial backing.

"I'm glad I have you by my side." Kou Yuansheng took Madam Yu's delicate hand, his expression filled with relief.

"Gang Leader..."

"Gang Leader, something's happened!"

Just as the two were sharing a tender moment, an elder burst into the main hall with a look of panic.

"Elder Yang, what is it?"

Kou Yuansheng felt a faint sense of foreboding.