Ambush in a Dark Alley

Zhang Hu was very happy today. He had handled Master Wu's task very well.

Half a spoiled pig carcass had sold for a full ten taels of silver, and Master Wu had even rewarded him with fifty coins.

He felt that things had truly been going his way lately. Maybe he could even climb a little higher.

Aside from the gang leader, Wu Biao, the Savage Ox Gang had no deputy leader. Instead, it had minor chiefs and major chiefs.

There were only three major chiefs, but eight minor chiefs. Zhang Hu was one of them.

Thinking of becoming a major chief in the future, Zhang Hu was delighted from the bottom of his heart. With a grand wave of his hand, he said, "Boys, I'm in a good mood tonight. Let's go have some fun!"

Wilted Flower Alley, one of the thirty-six alleys of the outer city.

"Wilted flowers" referred to women of the night. Most were women with no one to rely on, forced into this line of work either to survive or by others.

As for why Zhang Hu did not go to the Drunken Red Pavilion, it was in the inner city, where there were too many constables. He might run into one.

How many of Zhang Hu's men did not have several lives on their hands? They were all wanted criminals.

If the imperial court had not been in turmoil and the authorities had not been focused on stabilizing the inner city—

How could he possibly be living so freely?

If he really had to go, he would need to disguise himself and keep his head down.

Zhang Hu particularly hated that feeling. How could anywhere compare to the comfort of the outer city?

From within the dilapidated house came wave after wave of obscene sounds. Then, with a low roar, the noise abruptly stopped.

Before long, Zhang Hu emerged from the house with a flushed face, still looking thoroughly unsatisfied.

"That Xiao Chunhua really has some flavor. My fifty coins weren't wasted."

The women of Wilted Flower Alley all had gang connections behind them, more or less, so Zhang Hu did not dare refuse to pay.

After all, the outer city was not ruled by the Savage Ox Gang alone.

"Brother Hu is out! Brother Hu, you're truly fierce!"

"Of course. I came out later than you lot, so how could I not be fierce? Come on, let's drink."

Under the flattery of his two lackeys, Zhang Hu drank heavily again before finally staggering home.

Clouds quietly covered the moon. Without its light, the outer city became even darker in the deep night.

A gang member walking alone at night had two fears: enemies from rival gangs striking from the shadows, and desperate poor people driven to the edge.

So Zhang Hu had not dared to drink himself senseless, but he had indeed indulged in a few too many cups and felt somewhat dazed.

Seeing the sky grow ever darker, he unconsciously quickened his pace.

As he entered a dark alley, a pitch-black figure darted out from the side. A heavy fist shot straight toward his throat.

Every hair on Zhang Hu's body stood on end. The fierce wind from the punch instantly blew away his drunken haze, and he instinctively raised his hand to defend himself.

The attacker was like a venomous snake hunting in the darkness—fast and vicious.

Crack!

The sound of breaking bones rang out. The fist still struck his throat, though his palm had blocked it somewhat and reduced part of the force.

Even so, Zhang Hu was slammed heavily to the ground, blood foam continuously spilling from his mouth.

No, I have to run!

His throat was injured, and he could not even cry out for help. Zhang Hu's heart was filled with terror.

His instinctive desire to survive forced him to struggle to his feet, trying to escape.

In the darkness, Zhou Muyun's expression turned ruthless.

He had waited here for so long. He absolutely could not give up such an opportunity.

Zhou Muyun lifted his leg and kicked Zhang Hu back to the ground, then viciously pinned down Zhang Hu's upper body.

He grabbed a stone from nearby and smashed it fiercely toward Zhang Hu's head.

Zhang Hu struggled wildly beneath him. After all, he was a man who had lived among gangs, and his brute strength was no weak matter.

But Zhou Muyun's veins bulged as he also exerted all his strength, pinning him down without letting go.

The benefits of a month of martial training were displayed vividly at this moment.

Once, twice, until Zhang Hu beneath him completely stopped moving.

"Hah—"

Zhou Muyun let out a long breath. Only then did his taut nerves relax, and he began gasping heavily.

The midnight ambush had finally yielded a good result.

After wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zhou Muyun quickly searched Zhang Hu for valuables.

Then he picked up the stone again and smashed Zhang Hu's other body parts until they were a bloody mess.

After erasing all traces and confirming that no one would be able to tell, Zhou Muyun vanished into the vast night.

Only Zhang Hu's mangled corpse remained, lying there quietly.

The clouds dispersed, and moonlight spilled down once more.

Outside an abandoned residence somewhere in the outer city, Zhou Muyun vomited violently.

The tension of killing someone for the first time and the stimulation of the bloody smell erupted completely at that moment.

After vomiting, Zhou Muyun slowly calmed down.

He knew that if he wanted to survive in this chaotic age, he had to learn to adapt to all of it.

He counted the valuables taken from Zhang Hu.

There were six taels of loose silver and fifty coins in total.

"The Savage Ox Gang really does make money! This is just enough to help with Household expenses, but I have to be careful not to let anyone find out."

In this world, ten copper coins equaled one coin, and one hundred coins equaled one tael.

Zhou Muyun once again gained a deeper understanding of how much wealth gangs could amass.

He had killed Zhang Hu, solved his sister's problem, and even gotten money from it.

Sure enough, in times like these, the fastest way to make money was still to "eat people"!

The next morning, in the Savage Ox Gang's territory in the outer city.

The Savage Ox Gang's lackeys went door to door searching for clues, but found nothing.

After learning of the situation, the residents discussed it heatedly. Some even applauded in delight.

"Have you heard? Zhang Hu is dead. That corpse was mangled beyond recognition."

"This... wasn't he still acting so arrogant when he came to sell meat yesterday?"

"I say he deserved it. He did every kind of evil. Retribution finally came for him!"

"..."

Meanwhile, Zhou Muyun, the culprit behind all this, had already arrived at Greenwood Martial Hall.

On the training ground, Mo Qi was helping Zhou Muyun practice his punches.

Because of his fate, Zhou Muyun's Flurry Fist progress could not be called fast, but it was advancing steadily.

When he used it, it also carried a fair amount of force and presence.

But relying on his more seasoned experience, Mo Qi defused every one of his attacks.

"Junior Brother Zhou, this move lacks force. This move is half a beat too slow. This move..."

It had to be said that Mo Qi was truly a good person. Since he had said he would guide Zhou Muyun, he was genuinely taking the matter seriously.

"Everyone, stop. I have something to announce."

Li Qingliang's resonant voice rang out. He stood at the edge of the training ground with a young man beside him.

Zhou Muyun recognized him. Bai Yu was about the same age as him and had only joined the martial hall half a month ago. His family circumstances were slightly better than Zhou Muyun's.

Seeing that the disciples had all stopped and turned toward him, Li Qingliang swept his gaze over them and said unhurriedly:

"Starting today, Bai Yu will be my personal disciple. I'm informing everyone here."

The training ground immediately erupted.

"What's going on? Why did Master suddenly take him as a personal disciple?"

"Doesn't he only take personal disciples after reaching the Organ Refinement Realm?"

"Shh, I'll tell you something. Bai Yu has already reached the Tempered Bone Realm!"

"This... no wonder. Master must have taken a liking to his talent."

When Zhou Muyun heard that Bai Yu had already reached the Tempered Bone Realm, his pupils contracted.

What enviable talent and natural aptitude!

Without his fate, he probably would not even be worthy of carrying Bai Yu's shoes.

Coming to their senses, everyone hurriedly congratulated Li Qingliang.

"Congratulations, Master, on gaining another personal disciple."

"Master has a discerning eye for talent. This disciple greatly admires you."

Li Qingliang waved his hand, gave everyone a few instructions, and then left the training ground with Bai Yu.

"Um... Junior Brother Zhou, don't lose heart. Talents like Bai Yu are rare, after all."

Seeing Zhou Muyun still staring at where Li Qingliang had left, Mo Qi feared he had been discouraged and tried to comfort him.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother. Others are others, and I am myself. I know my limits."

"That's good. Junior Brother Zhou, you work so hard. I believe you will achieve something in the martial path as well."

"Then I'll accept your kind words, Senior Brother."

[Heaven rewards diligence; there will surely be gains. Diligence points settled daily.]

[Willow Stake: Beginner (510/600)]

[Flurry Fist: Beginner (23/600)]

Zhou Muyun looked at the Willow Stake progress in his mind.

Soon. It's about time for me to break through to the Tempered Bone Realm!

Then he lowered his head and continued training diligently.