Black Tiger Gang Headquarters

Lu Hao thought, since the Blood Baleful Intent in poultry blood was insufficient, what about the demon beasts of Green Ox Mountain?

Some time ago, he had heard Cao Ling say that large numbers of demon beasts roamed Green Ox Mountain. Even the weakest demon beasts possessed the strength of humans in the Third Gate-Knocking Realm, while most were as strong as human Martial Artists.

The Blood Baleful Intent contained within those demon beasts was surely far beyond anything ordinary poultry could compare with.

If he could hunt demon beasts in Green Ox Mountain and use their blood to sacrifice his blade, the progress of the Blood-Baleful Blood-Essence Art would likely surge at an astonishing rate.

Moreover, he had obtained half a map of Green Ox Mountain from Chen Xuan. Several lairs of powerful demon beasts were marked on it. Once his strength was sufficient, he could go slay those demon beasts, and the rewards would surely be plentiful.

Lu Hao glanced once more at the description of the Blood Baleful Blade Method, and the longing in his heart for greater power could no longer be restrained.

The Blood Baleful Blade Method was divided into four forms.

The first form was Blood Saber Slash. Grasp the blade with both hands and cleave downward, wrapping the blade edge in Blood Essence to deliver a fatal blow to the opponent. This move was far more powerful than the Black Tiger Hand-Saber Art.

The second form of the Blood Baleful Blade Method was called Threefold Blood Waves. Three slashes were unleashed in succession, each faster than the last. The first broke the opponent's defense, the second wounded the opponent, and the third claimed the enemy's life. The marvel of this move lay in how each slash stacked upon the last, like ocean waves, with each blade carrying heavier force than the one before.

The third form was called Golden Saber Throat-Ripper. Blood Essence was condensed at the blade tip, and the blade thrust forward with tremendous force. It shared the same subtle principle as the Black Tiger Throat-Piercer in the Black Tiger Hand-Saber Art. However, Golden Saber Throat-Ripper was executed with a real blade, making it even more powerful.

The fourth form was called Unifying Primordial Baleful Intent. Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent were simultaneously poured into the blade, man and blade becoming one, blade qi like a blood-red rainbow piercing the sun. The drawback of this move was that after a single strike, both Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent would be greatly depleted. If one's Blood Essence and Blood Baleful Intent were insufficient, forcibly using it would cause backlash.

These four forms of the Blood Baleful Blade Method were more powerful than the Black Tiger Hand-Saber Art. Threefold Blood Waves and Unifying Primordial Baleful Intent in particular, once mastered, could unleash force several times greater than one's own Blood Essence.

Lu Hao thought to himself that he had to find an opportunity to ask Cao Ling for more details about Green Ox Mountain. If the risks were not too great, then he absolutely had to make a trip there.

Meanwhile, Shi Kang had also been training desperately these past few days.

Now that he was a minor leader, he received ten taels of silver each month and no longer had to live as he once did, unable to afford meat. Every day, he went to the market to buy twenty jin of beef and devoured it all meal after meal.

With the Qi-Blood from meat supplementing his Black Tiger Stance Art, he had accumulated the Qi-Blood of the First Gate-Breaking Realm to its peak.

One day, after Shi Kang completed a round of the Black Tiger Stance Art, he felt the Qi-Blood in his dantian swelling and churning. He swallowed a Blood-Qi Pill, and as the pill entered his stomach, a surge of heat suddenly burst forth and flowed through his limbs and bones.

All at once, the strand of Qi-Blood in his dantian condensed into two more strands.

Shi Kang felt the changes within his body. "I did it? I really did it?"

After a while, once the Qi-Blood in his body had settled, Shi Kang excitedly hurried to the room where Lu Hao was practicing.

"Brother Hao, Brother Hao! I've broken through to the Second-Layer Gate-Breaking Realm! I made it!" Shi Kang pounded hard on the door.

Lu Hao opened the door and came out, seeing Shi Kang with a flushed face and sweat on his cheeks.

He clapped Shi Kang on the shoulder. "Well done, Kang! Your hard work these past few days wasn't in vain."

Shi Kang grinned, his eyes reddening slightly.

He understood that his rapid breakthrough into the Second-Layer Gate-Breaking Realm was entirely thanks to Lu Hao.

Shi Kang was not a man of many words. He merely etched his gratitude deep in his heart and thought, From now on, this life of mine belongs to Brother Hao.

As the two spoke, a Black Tiger Gang member hurried over and cupped his fists toward Lu Hao.

"Hall Master Lu, Elder Cao Ling has sent word. Please proceed to the Black Tiger Gang Headquarters at once. There is an important matter to discuss!"

Lu Hao was puzzled. This was his first time going to the Black Tiger Gang Headquarters.

Following the gang member who had delivered the message, he left Everjoy Lane, passed through several streets and alleys, and arrived at the Black Tiger Gang Headquarters.

The Black Tiger Gang Headquarters covered a vast area, with high blue-brick walls and vermilion lacquered gates. Above the main entrance hung a plaque with gold characters against a black background, bearing the three words "Black Tiger Gang." Its strokes were like iron brushwork and silver hooks, vigorous and forceful. The signature on the plaque was Zhi Jingyuan.

Lu Hao looked at that signature—Zhi Jingyuan—and found it somewhat familiar, yet he could not recall where he had heard it before.

Two gang members stood guard outside the Black Tiger Gang's gates, both dressed in uniform gray short tunics. A tiger's head was embroidered on their chests in black thread, its maw wide open and fangs bared. They looked far more imposing than the gang members of the Everjoy Hall Branch.

Lu Hao entered the headquarters and followed his guide all the way to the discussion hall.

When Cao Ling saw Lu Hao enter, he hurriedly rose, pulled out a chair, and gestured for Lu Hao to sit.

"Brother Lu, you're here!"

Cao Ling pointed to the first chair at the lower end of the discussion hall. "Let me introduce you first. This is Ding Mian, Vice Gang Leader Ding, who oversees internal affairs."

Lu Hao followed the direction of Cao Ling's finger and saw that Ding Mian was somewhat plump, fair-skinned, and smiling pleasantly. He looked less like a Martial Artist than a businessman.

Cao Ling then pointed at the man opposite Ding Mian. "This is Xue Yong, Vice Gang Leader Xue, who oversees external affairs."

Looking at Xue Yong, Lu Hao saw that he was thin, with prominent cheekbones and dark skin.

Xue Yong gave Lu Hao a slight nod.

Cao Ling then introduced Lu Hao one by one to the Black Tiger Gang's other nine elders.

"These are all elders of our Black Tiger Gang. Including Brother Lu and me, there are eleven elders in total."

Lu Hao swept his gaze around the room and greeted the Black Tiger Gang elders.

Cao Ling then pointed at Lu Hao and introduced him to everyone.

After the introductions, Ding Mian gave a light cough and looked at the crowd with a genial smile. "We have gathered everyone today to discuss an important matter."

The discussion hall instantly fell silent.

"We have just received secret intelligence that the Golden Saber Gang recently sent men into Green Ox Mountain, where they encountered an injured Second-Order Mantis Beast."

"A Second-Order Mantis Beast? That corresponds to the strength of a human Dark Force Martial Artist," one elder said.

Ding Mian nodded slightly. "The Golden Saber Gang's men have already hunted down that Praying Mantis Beast and are preparing to transport its corpse and Demon Beast Core back into the city."

The elder who had spoken earlier opened his mouth again. "The Demon Beast Core of a Praying Mantis Beast can help a Mid-Grade Dark Force Martial Artist break through to High-Grade Dark Force. At the same time, the Praying Mantis Beast's shell is also exceptional material for forging Mantis Sabers."

Ding Mian looked at that elder. "Precisely. Originally, the gang leaders of the Water Serpent Gang, the Golden Saber Gang, and our Black Tiger Gang were all at Mid-Grade Dark Force."

"If the Golden Saber Gang's leader uses the Praying Mantis Beast's large Demon Beast Core to break through to High-Grade Dark Force first, the balance among the three gangs will be shattered. By then, the Golden Saber Gang's leader alone may be able to wipe out our Black Tiger Gang."

The atmosphere in the discussion hall sank.

Xue Yong and Ding Mian had never gotten along, but at a moment like this, neither stirred up internal strife.

Xue Yong rose to his feet and swept his gaze over everyone. "Therefore, the gang has decided that I will lead a team to Green Ox Mountain immediately. No matter what, we cannot let the Golden Saber Gang bring that Demon Beast Core out."

Ding Mian nodded, then looked toward the others.

"Vice Gang Leader Xue will lead five Upper-Grade Bright Force elders. The remaining five elders will stay behind to guard the headquarters, in case the Golden Saber Gang takes advantage of our weakness to attack."

Having said that, he turned his gaze toward Lu Hao.

"Elder Lu, you are Mid-Grade Bright Force, so remain behind to guard the headquarters."