Canal Gang

Biodata

Background / History

The Canal Gang is one of Clear Distance City's major gangs. Alongside the Black Tiger Gang, it monopolizes the city's river transport trade and is difficult for ordinary martial artists to challenge because of its influence and connections 7.

The gang is suspected of abducting people from outside the city. Black Wind Stronghold's chiefs identify it as an organization that often “snatches people,” leading Lu Yun to suspect it may be connected to Chen Qing'er's disappearance 4 7.

Its wealth is supported by gray-market activity. Lu Yun identifies the Canal Gang and Black Tiger Gang as groups involved in crimes such as forcing women into prostitution and robbing travelers, making the gang's stores of Origin Stones and spiritual herbs a target for his raids 10.

Organization

Combat Hall

The Canal Gang's Combat Hall is led by Hall Master Zhou Haichen. It receives reports on gang operations, retaliatory matters, and threats to the gang's interests 9 11.

Docks and Transport

The gang maintains river docks, warehouses, and ferries along a tributary connected to the Cang River. Its dock strongholds store Origin Stones and spiritual herbs, protected by patrolling disciples and martial artists 7 10.

• Zhou Yong — ferry leader and Inner Vigor martial artist; reportedly killed two Inner Strength martial artists before Lu Yun killed him aboard a Canal Gang treasure ship 7 8.
• Tan Jianghe — mid-stage Internal Strength martial artist in charge of a western-city dock; killed during Lu Yun's warehouse raid 10.
• Zhou Haichen — Combat Hall Master; prioritizes the gang's profits and orders retaliation against suspected enemies 9 11.

Criminal Activities

• River-transport monopoly — Collects passage fees from martial artists crossing the Cang River; the fare was raised from five to ten taels of silver per passenger 7.
• Extortion — Uses its control of ferries and martial force to compel travelers to pay inflated fees 7 8.
• Human abduction — Is reported to frequently seize people, though the purpose behind the abductions is unknown 4.
• Gray-market enterprises — Is associated with prostitution, robbery, and the accumulation of spiritual resources through illicit activities 10.
• Spiritual-resource storage — Keeps Origin Stones and spiritual herbs in dock warehouses 10.

Conflict with Lu Yun

Ferry Incident

When Lu Yun traveled to Clear Distance City, Zhou Yong demanded ten taels of silver for passage on a Canal Gang treasure ship. Lu Yun refused, defeated Zhou Yong, killed him, and damaged the vessel so severely that it sank 7 8.

The incident stranded the passengers in the winter river. Survivors reported the matter to the Canal Gang, informing Zhou Haichen that Lu Yun had subsequently joined the Red Flame Army 8 9.

Initial Response

Zhou Haichen initially orders his subordinates to monitor Lu Yun. He intends to offer Lu Yun a generous gift if he becomes a centurion, judging it unprofitable to antagonize a Red Flame Army officer over dead gang members; otherwise, the gang plans to act against him covertly 9.

Western Dock Raid

Lu Yun later infiltrates a Canal Gang warehouse at night to obtain spiritual resources. Using Bone-Shrinking Art to imitate Black Tiger Gang martial artist Cao Dahai and Turtle Breath Art to approach through the river, he kills Tan Jianghe and the dock guards, empties the warehouse, and escapes before reinforcements can catch him 10.

The raid yields more than seventy years of lifespan's worth of resources for Lu Yun and prompts the Canal Gang to blame the Black Tiger Gang 10.

Framing of Cao Dahai

Lu Yun plants his bloodstained night clothes in Cao Dahai's courtyard, leading the Canal Gang to suspect the Black Tiger Gang of the warehouse robbery 10 11. Zhou Haichen ultimately sends a masked assassin to kill Cao Dahai, despite the uncertainty surrounding his guilt 11.

Relationships

• Lu Yun — Enemy and investigative target; Lu Yun suspects the gang's connection to Chen Qing'er's disappearance, kills Zhou Yong, raids one of its docks, and later leads two hundred Red Flame Army soldiers toward its Combat Hall 4 8 10 26.
• Chen Qing'er — Her disappearance is the reason Lu Yun begins investigating the gang; its direct responsibility has not been confirmed 4 7.
• Black Tiger Gang — Rival gang and fellow controller of Clear Distance City's river trade; Lu Yun frames its member Cao Dahai for the Canal Gang warehouse theft, provoking Canal Gang retaliation 7 10 11.
• Red Flame Army — A superior military force whose authority constrains the gang's response to Lu Yun after he enlists and becomes First Centurion 7 9 25 26.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Chen Qing'er investigation — The gang is identified as a possible source of information about Chen Qing'er's disappearance 4.
• Journey to Clear Distance City — Its ferry extortion brings Lu Yun into direct conflict with Zhou Yong and draws the gang's attention 7 8 9.
• Warehouse robbery and gang conflict — Lu Yun raids a dock warehouse, frames Cao Dahai, and causes the Canal Gang to turn against the Black Tiger Gang 10 11.
• First Centurion aftermath — After securing official authority and two hundred soldiers, Lu Yun heads for the Canal Gang's Combat Hall to probe its strength and continue his investigation 25 26.