A Life for a Life

"Master Lin!"

"Master Lin!"

As that slender figure stepped into Green Willow Alley, many unfamiliar faces emerged from the houses on both sides.

The madams and courtesans, along with the men behind them responsible for guarding the premises, all stopped what they were doing, regardless of the task, to nod respectfully toward the young man.

Dark red stains still lingered on the alley floor.

Qin Yunhai and his eight junior brothers had used their bloody corpses to show everyone the truth.

The new Lord Fox of the Blackwater Gang possessed truly cruel and terrifying methods!

They watched Lin Shu step through the gates of Magpie Nest, then shook their heads with a sigh.

Since the ambush had failed, Good Fortune Martial Hall was likely finished.

That Master Zhang, who was considered a person of status in West City, possessed the strength of a Great Martial Master, but after this incident, few would likely be willing to pay to learn from him.

His reputation was ruined.

After all, Cunning Fox Hall was never known for its martial prowess; who would spend silver to learn a martial art that couldn't even suppress a single fox?

Not to mention the risk of offending the Blackwater Gang, which made it even less worthwhile.

If Master Zhang wanted to make a comeback, Master Lin was the hurdle he had to overcome!

"It's going to be difficult."

Someone clicked their tongue.

Setting aside who was stronger, Master Lin's reputation was now soaring, adding even more ferocity to the Blackwater Gang.

Whether it was Cunning Fox Hall or the Fierce Wolf who guarded the street where Green Willow Alley was located, they would all be paying attention to some degree.

For Good Fortune Martial Hall to try that clearing-the-field ambush tactic again would undoubtedly be a pipe dream.

"Back to work."

Lin Shu walked into Magpie Nest, and amidst the eager and attentive voices of the singing girls, he headed straight for the second floor.

It was still that same clean room that had been set aside specifically for him.

Lin Shu dragged a chair to the window and sat down, leisurely circulating the Blue Bird Qi-Guiding Art.

Although it was an eighth-grade internal technique, it still felt incredibly novel to him.

Warmth washed over his body, gradually smoothing out the baleful energy in his mind, as if a pair of invisible, soft hands were massaging his nerves.

It was just a pity that once he left the dilapidated Firewood Courtyard, the efficiency of his Qi absorption dropped significantly.

This left Lin Shu feeling slightly annoyed.

In truth, given the current situation, Lin Shu no longer needed to come to Green Willow Alley every day to keep watch; he only needed to have Old Yang help keep an eye on things.

Anyone with eyes who wanted to cause trouble would have to weigh whether they could handle the brutes from Good Fortune Martial Hall.

However, there were still some lingering threats that hadn't been resolved.

Lin Shu leaned lazily against the chair, his gaze casting out toward the alley through the half-open window.

There was still an old thing left at Good Fortune Martial Hall.

And that fat man surnamed Tian also seemed to have the intention of hiding in the shadows to stir up trouble.

These were the reasons he remained trapped in Green Willow Alley.

I need to find an opportunity.

Lin Shu stretched his arms; since he had already done what he did, he might as well finish it thoroughly.

After all, if Chang Yi and those foxes could easily find the Firewood Courtyard, then a Great Martial Master with a grudge and the newly promoted Fierce Wolf certainly could too.

There was no such thing as guarding against thieves for a thousand days in this world.

Just then, bursts of high-pitched suona music interrupted Lin Shu's thoughts.

He raised his eyes and glanced toward the entrance of the alley.

He saw a group of people dressed in plain white mourning clothes, holding white paper soul-guiding banners, approaching Green Willow Alley in a grand, noisy procession.

Such a massive display instantly drew the eyes of every passerby.

At the back of the crowd, an old man led a pony, and on a flatbed cart sat a pitch-black coffin, placed upright.

Rustle.

The wide, pure white robes snapped in the wind, making the old man's frame appear even more gaunt and skeletal.

The suona music stopped abruptly, and the crowd in mourning clothes halted.

The old man raised his head, revealing a withered face with cloudy eyes and bloodshot depths.

He led the horse, stepping slowly into Green Willow Alley.

"Tsk."

Lin Shu watched quietly, a hint of amusement gradually rising in his eyes.

Good Fortune Martial Hall had deep roots; it was no surprise they had been able to clear this street at night previously.

After all, he had been nothing but an unknown newcomer to the hall back then.

But this was broad daylight.

Under the gaze of the public, this old man was actually dragging a coffin, swaggering into Green Willow Alley without the slightest fear of the Blackwater Gang's influence.

That was interesting.

A funeral worker suddenly intruding into a dark alley known for the flesh trade was bound to be bad luck.

It wasn't just the madams and the courtesans; even the men behind them were staring with strange expressions.

Not a single person dared to make a sound.

Even though they had been mocking the man in their hearts just moments ago, once the old master truly appeared before them, everyone became as docile as quails.

Hall Master Zhang, a grand martial artist capable of fighting cultivators with his bare flesh!

Many people had already turned their heads toward the alley entrance, their faces filled with confusion.

Where was Lord Fox, who controlled this street... and where was the Fierce Wolf responsible for this street?

The old hall master had come bearing a corpse; the intent of revenge could not be more obvious.

Logically speaking, even if only for the sake of the gang's reputation, someone should have come to stop him.

It was broad daylight; they couldn't all be asleep.

With such loud suona music playing as he walked down the street, it would be a joke to suggest the Blackwater Gang hadn't noticed.

The crowd remained silent, but their eyes were filled with the strange anticipation of watching a show.

When things are abnormal, there must be a demon at work.

Hall Master Zhang was an old hand in the world who had already suffered a major loss; since he dared to return, he must be certain of his success.

If that were the case, this Master Lin, tsk tsk, was likely in trouble.

As if to verify their suspicions:

Bang!

Zhang Zhongping walked up to the Magpie Nest and stood still, then exerted force with both arms, lifting the heavy coffin and slamming it down right in front of the entrance to the two-story building!

Paper money fluttered through the air.

The old man reached out to stroke the smooth coffin, his eyes flickering.

The good news Tian Jingyuan had brought about that fox was actually very brief.

It could be summarized in four words: at death's door.

Zhang Zhongping had originally not believed the fat man who had deceived him once before.

But the man had uttered a name that he could not question.

Silk-Pulling Wolf, Yan Jin.

Fatty Tian said he had heard that the woman's assessment of the fox at the time was...

He had not practiced internal arts and had merely been tainted by the aura of the immortals; once his spiritual power dissipated, he would die.

Not a single word had been changed.

Silk-Pulling Wolf was violent and terrifyingly powerful; she would never allow anyone to use her name to swindle others.

Even if that person was another Fierce Wolf, it made no difference.

Tian Jingyuan had only recently been promoted; no matter how greedy he was for money, he wouldn't have the guts to lie about this.

Yet, even so, Zhang Zhongping had hesitated.

After all, that fox had already gained momentum and was difficult to shake in the short term.

It wasn't until the fat man said he had a way to handle Cunning Fox Hall, and that as for the Fierce Wolf on the street, he just needed a bit of silver to grease the wheels.

"Hoo."

Just thinking about that number made the corner of Zhang Zhongping's forehead twitch slightly.

He exhaled softly.

He had spent half a lifetime of savings just to buy a chance for revenge, allowing him to walk smoothly into this filthy alley.

What truly made the old man reach his decision was the mocking voice of Tian Jingyuan echoing in his mind.

"A dignified Grand Martial Master, having finally carved out a family legacy in West City, only to be driven back to the mud pits of the South Suburb to rot away by a fox at the end of its rope?"

"With your son dead and your disciples scattered, you don't even have anyone to care for you in your old age. Are you content with this?"

"..."

Zhang Zhongping closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his clouded pupils were brimming with murderous intent.

He was, naturally, not content.

How could a base fox that had merely stumbled upon a trace of immortal aura dare to slaughter his son and disciples with such impunity?

And how could it trample over his martial arts hall to build its own reputation, acting like a tyrant in West City despite clearly having lost its foundation?

The old man raised his head, staring fixedly at the small building before him.

The next moment, his hoarse, shrill voice, accompanied by an invisible wave of energy, swept through the entire alley.

"A life... for a life!!"