Gale Gang

Bamboo-Wood Ward, 13 Green Bamboo Alley.

After coming out of the Li Estate, Chen Xun bought some food on the street and hurried over here.

"Knock, knock, knock," the sound of knocking rang out.

"Who is it?"

A crisp female voice tinged with vigilance rang out.

"It's me, Qingqing."

As soon as Chen Xun's voice fell, a cheer rang out from inside: "Brother, you're back."

Accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps, the main gate opened, revealing the head of a little girl with yellowish hair.

It was none other than Chen Xun's younger sister, Chen Qingqing.

"Brother, hurry and come in."

After pulling Chen Xun into the house, Chen Qingqing asked with concern, "Brother, have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

That martial artist canteen only served breakfast and lunch, not dinner.

Children of the poor mature early, and Chen Qingqing had been following their mother into the kitchen to help out since she was seven or eight years old.

"No need, I brought food back."

As he spoke, Chen Xun produced an oiled paper package like magic.

Before it was even unwrapped, a rich aroma of meat drifted out, making Chen Qingqing's breathing noticeably heavier.

Once opened, it revealed the roasted chicken inside, and the meaty aroma became even more intense.

"So fragrant," saliva pooled at the corners of Chen Qingqing's mouth and her gaze practically glued itself to the roasted chicken, but she quickly came to her senses and said with a hint of reproach, "Brother, my illness is already better, you don't need to waste money buying these things anymore."

Earlier, when Chen Qingqing was sick, Chen Xun took several days off work to stay with her and bought some meat every day to help build up her body, while Chen Xun didn't eat a single bite.

"Of course Brother knows your health is better. Today Brother is happy, so I bought this roasted chicken to celebrate."

Chen Xun smiled.

"Brother, what made you so happy?"

Chen Qingqing hurriedly and curiously asked.

"Haha, Brother has started learning martial arts."

Afterward, Chen Xun simply recounted today's events to Chen Qingqing, naturally picking the good parts to tell.

"Really? That's wonderful! Once Brother becomes a Martial Artist in the future, no one will dare bully us anymore."

Chen Qingqing was happy for him.

In this world, martial artists held very high status.

Even the lowest-level martial artist was someone ordinary people dared not provoke.

"That's right. Anyone who dares bully us in the future, I will definitely not let them off."

At this moment, the faces of several Wild Wolf Gang members flashed through Chen Xun's mind, and a flash of coldness crossed his eyes.

Afterward, Chen Xun tore into the roasted chicken and, along with some leftover rice from home, began to eat with Chen Qingqing.

Chen Xun ate more than half before he was barely full.

My appetite has increased.

Chen Xun keenly sensed this point.

It was not surprising, however, since Chen Xun had trained all afternoon today with massive exertion, so naturally he ate more.

"Qingqing, go to sleep. I'll practice what I learned today in the living room."

"Oh, okay. Brother, don't practice too late either, get to sleep early."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Once Chen Qingqing went back to her room to rest, Chen Xun began practicing the Primordial Stance Technique right there in the living room of less than ten square meters.

[Name: Chen Xun]
[Constitution: 4 points (Grade C, Lower Tier)]
[Comprehension: 5 points (Grade C, Middle Tier)]
[Cultivation: None]
[Martial Arts: Primordial Stance Technique (Initiation (5/100)]
[Universal Points: 0 points]

Chen Xun had already achieved initiation in this Primordial Stance Technique.

Under the blessings of the [Trait: Primordial Unity Stance Training Bonus (Gray)] and [Trait: Primordial Unity Stance Mastery (White)], his progress increased by one point for every four times he practiced the Primordial Stance Technique.

Practicing a complete set of the Primordial Stance Technique took Chen Xun three to four minutes.

Soon, Chen Xun practiced the Primordial Stance Technique a dozen times right there in his living room. His movements grew increasingly smooth and fluid, and the progress points ticked up little by little.

During this process, Chen Xun felt his body grow warm, a faint, tingling numbness rippling across his skin and flesh. It gave him the sensation of gradually growing stronger, making him more and more hooked the more he practiced.

Until...

"Hh, I've got a cramp."

Because he was too immersed, his body had fatigued to the point of cramping.

At this moment, [Primordial Stance Technique (Initiation 15/100)].

"Not bad, the progress went up by ten points."

Chen Xun looked at the rising progress and nodded in satisfaction.

Afterward, he stopped practicing and laid out a makeshift bed on the living room floor to sleep.

The apartment he rented had only one bedroom, one living room, and a small kitchen, with a total area of less than thirty square meters.

The reason he rented this place naturally came down to the cheap rent.

The next day, Chen Xun rose early. After helping his younger sister boil a small pot of porridge, he opened the door and prepared to leave.

As soon as he opened the door, he ran right into a young married woman.

"Sister Ye."

Chen Xun hurriedly greeted her. "Sorry for the trouble of looking after Qingqing."

This Sister Ye was Chen Xun's next-door neighbor, having been widowed in her early twenties. Whenever Chen Xun was not home, he entrusted Sister Ye with caring for Chen Qingqing.

For this, Chen Xun paid Sister Ye a sum of money every month as compensation.

"Oh, it's Little Xun. You're back from yesterday."

Seeing Chen Xun, Sister Ye tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear and smiled with a crisp voice.

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of Qingqing. You just focus on doing your work at the Li Family and don't fret."

"Thank you, Sister Ye."

Chen Xun replied with genuine sincerity.

You had to know that the little bit of money he gave wasn't much, yet Chen Qingqing was very well cared for by Sister Ye.

This could be seen from the fact that Chen Qingqing had deliberately set aside some roasted chicken last night to give to Sister Ye; it showed she liked her a lot.

Subsequently, Chen Xun and Sister Ye chatted for a bit.

Most of it was household trivialities, but one piece of news made Chen Xun frown slightly.

"How many sons does that Gale Gang leader even have?"

Chen Xun couldn't help asking.

"I heard he has six, along with four daughters and five wives."

Mentioning this, Sister Ye couldn't help letting out a sigh.

As it turned out, Sister Ye had just mentioned that in two days it would be the birthday of the Gale Gang leader's third son. The Gale Gang had sent people to go door-to-door through the Bamboo-Wood Ward to remind everyone, with the obvious intent of shaking people down for cash gifts.

If it were once or twice, Chen Xun wouldn't say anything.

The crucial point was that last month had been the birthday of the Gale Gang leader's fifth son, and Chen Xun had given a cash gift of ten copper cash.

And now they were coming again.

Moreover, even after paying the cash gift, there was no banquet to eat.

This was clearly a method the Gale Gang used to squeeze the common people, yet everyone was helpless and could only pay up.

After all, the Gale Gang was the only gang in the entire Bamboo-Wood Ward. With several dozen members in the gang, it was said there were even multiple Martial Artists among them.

Most people would pay money to buy peace of mind.

With the Bamboo-Wood Ward being so large, if you paid your money, the Gale Gang leader might not necessarily remember you; but if you didn't, you would definitely be marked down.

"If the Gale Gang comes to collect the cash gift, Sister Ye, I'll have to trouble you to pay it for me. As soon as my monthly stipend is issued, I'll pay you back."

"Alright, I'll help you pay it."

Saying this, Chen Xun bid farewell and left.

Along the way, Chen Xun saw several robust men knocking on doors one house after the other.

"Three days from now is the fifteenth birthday of our Gale Gang leader's third young master. All of you remember it, and don't forget to pay the cash gift."

As Chen Xun passed by them, one of the burly men blocked his path.

"You're from the Bamboo-Wood Ward too, right?"

"That's right, I am."

Chen Xun did not deny it and nodded.

"Good then. Remember to pay the cash gift when the time comes, otherwise—heh heh!"

The burly man sneered twice, then patted Chen Xun's cheek, thick with heavy threats.

Chen Xun's expression of daring to feel anger but not dare speak made the burly man feel pleased inside.

"Get lost."

Chen Xun did not waste any words and turned to leave. In the eyes hidden from the burly man's back, a cold glint flickered.

"Gale Gang, hmph!"

Noting down the name of the Gale Gang in his heart, Chen Xun quickened his pace toward the Li Family.