Who Was the Best Fighter?

Any normal martial art strengthened the body, improved health, and prolonged life.

Unless one had contracted some grave or strange illness, or had been poisoned or injured, one should not have been sallow and emaciated like Wang Xingjian.

Yet despite looking obviously unhealthy, Wang Xingjian's bearing and spirit were unlike those of an ordinary person. He did not seem injured or poisoned at all.

It would be strange indeed if he had not practiced some evil art.

In truth, so long as the evil art one practiced did not require deeds that outraged heaven and reason during cultivation, or turn its practitioner into a madman, then practicing evil arts was nothing rare within these gangs.

It was unlike joining a martial academy or sect, where one first had to take a master, then receive martial teachings from that master.

In such circumstances, if the master discovered that a disciple was secretly practicing an evil art, being expelled from the sect would already count as a light punishment.

If the master had a fiercer temper, one palm strike would send you back into the furnace to be remade.

In the eyes of the orthodox, practicing evil arts meant one lacked resolve, wished to take shortcuts, and refused to walk the righteous path. There was practically no future in it.

Even if one luckily advanced to the high ranks, one might completely lose control at any moment and become a true fiend that the world could not tolerate.

But why would gang members care about such vague and intangible things?

What was the point of high ranks? Could they put food on the table?

Practicing those long-winded, fussy orthodox arts, with even attaining a rank still nowhere in sight? High ranks, my ass!

But if they practiced evil arts now—choosing ones with fewer side effects and that would not earn them scorn and exclusion—they would have a better chance of attaining a rank and sooner living high on the hog.

"Brother Zou, I won't beat around the bush. Are you willing to join our Black Flood Dragon Gang?"

After they sat down and exchanged a cup of wine, Wang Xingjian got straight to the point.

Zou Feng, however, would not let loose the hawk until he saw the hare. He first glanced at the stack of invitations on the table, then showed a timely look of hesitation. "Lodge Master Wang thinks so highly of me, and I am deeply honored. But this matter is truly of great importance. Please allow me to consider it first..."

How could Wang Xingjian fail to see what Zou Feng meant? He immediately continued, "Rest assured, Brother Zou. When it comes to sincerity, we will absolutely not lose to anyone else."

"To be honest, the Black Flood Dragon Gang is at a time when we need men, and we urgently need ranked talents like you."

"Many of the unwritten gang rules that used to apply will no longer be enforced so strictly."

"Therefore, before I came here, Hall Master Chen Jingsheng personally promised that as long as you join us, you will immediately take up the position of Lodge Master!"

At those words, the hand holding Zou Feng's wine cup trembled slightly.

He would become a Lodge Master directly?

Now that was comfortable.

It was not that Zou Feng coveted status and power. Rather, with this identity, everything he did afterward would become much more convenient.

Naturally, the resources and treatment available to a Lodge Master could not possibly be poor.

Moreover, this was a condition neither the Vermilion Heart Alliance nor the Mountains and Rivers Society had offered.

The other two gangs had seemingly sent invitations quickly, inviting him to their banquets.

But Zou Feng could clearly sense that they were merely going through the motions.

His conversation with Zhao Tianhu earlier had also revealed and confirmed this.

Whenever an unaffiliated ranked martial artist appeared in Yuan Guang County, they followed this same fixed recruitment process.

What awaited him after attending the banquet was unlikely to be any elder. At most, a deacon or some disciple would come drink a few cups with him.

Only if they truly believed someone was talent they could not afford to miss would they use a different approach.

"Ah, this..." Zou Feng rose to his feet, pretending to be overwhelmed by the favor. He said excitedly, "Hall Master Chen and Lodge Master Wang both think so highly of me. If I keep refusing, I would truly be too ungrateful for kindness!"

The moment he said this, it meant Zou Feng had agreed to the recruitment.

Wang Xingjian immediately revealed a delighted expression. He then rose as well and raised his cup. "Then from now on, we are brothers of the same family!"

"Brother Zou, stop calling me Lodge Master Wang every other word. If you do not mind, just call me Brother Wang."

"Alright, Brother Wang. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

With that, the two tipped back their heads and drained their cups.

However, although the scene appeared perfectly harmonious, only the two of them knew the calculations each held in his heart.

Zou Feng was naturally not some foolish, innocent hothead.

How could he not know that becoming a Lodge Master was not so easy?

From the moment he saw the Black Flood Dragon Gang breaking convention by sending a Lodge Master personally to recruit him, Zou Feng had been certain...

The Black Flood Dragon Gang was in trouble!

Most likely, they had recently been suppressed so badly by the Vermilion Heart Alliance and the Mountains and Rivers Society that they could not lift their heads, becoming the weakest gang in Yuan Guang County in terms of overall strength.

Fortunately, Zou Feng did not give a damn about that.

It might even bring him benefits instead.

One major benefit he could foresee was that there would be more and more big brothers to tie himself to, carrying the burden forward in his stead.

"Brother, time waits for no one. Let me take you to see Hall Master Chen right away, settle this matter, and get you situated as soon as possible. How does that sound?"

"I'll follow Brother Wang's arrangements."

The other party had clearly investigated him before coming. They knew that after leaving the Yang Estate, he had nowhere to stay and could only temporarily fall asleep in the pleasure quarter amid the high-pitched nightly songs.

After another cup, the two left the room with their arms around each other's shoulders.

Anyone unaware of the situation who saw them would probably think they were blood brothers, born of different fathers and mothers, reuniting after years apart.

"This is...?"

Outside the door, Zhao Tianhu was still waiting.

He had already made up his mind to follow Zou Feng from now on.

Furthermore, as a martial instructor employed to guard the estate, Zhao Tianhu was not of lowly registry. In theory, he could resign from the Yang Family at any time.

Zou Feng immediately introduced him. "This is Martial Master Zhao Tianhu, the martial instructor who teaches techniques at the Yang Estate. My attaining a rank was largely thanks to Martial Master Zhao!"

Zhao Tianhu was greatly embarrassed and hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, you flatter me too much. Cultivation depends on the individual. This was the inevitable result of your own high talent and hard work."

After appraising Zhao Tianhu for a few moments, Wang Xingjian nodded. "A capable man. I wonder whether Brother Zhao would be willing to serve under Lodge Master Zou as a Banner Chief?"

How could Wang Xingjian fail to understand that Zou Feng was recommending Zhao Tianhu?

He knew Zou Feng wanted a trustworthy acquaintance by his side after joining the Black Flood Dragon Gang, which was only natural.

In any case, apart from ordinary gang members, the lowest-ranking minor leader was a Banner Chief, and he could appoint one with a single word.

So he simply went along with the current.

Ah, I'm becoming a Banner Chief!?

Was this for real...

Earlier, while standing outside, Zhao Tianhu had heard Zou Feng and Wang Xingjian speaking without lowering their voices, so he knew Zou Feng was becoming a Lodge Master.

But he had never expected that he himself would immediately become a Banner Chief as well.

Though this position was not particularly impressive, it was still far better than being a martial instructor guarding the Yang Estate.

"Thank you, Lodge Master Wang... Thank you, Lodge Master Zou!"

Zou Feng waved a hand and signaled with his eyes that Zhao Tianhu did not need to address him that way.

On the way to the Black Flood Dragon Gang's stronghold, Zou Feng casually asked, "Brother Wang, who is the best fighter in our gang?"

Wang Xingjian blurted out, "Of course it's the Gang Leader. Who else would it be, me...?"

"Then... what martial art does our esteemed Gang Leader practice?"