After a month of arduous cultivation, the Turtle-Snake Art had reached the third layer.
Turtle-Snake Qi filled his entire body. Compared to before, his physique seemed a few degrees leaner and stronger, without that bulky, powerful appearance.
This was the state of Mystic Turtle Guards Stillness.
The Divine Ability Rushing Rivers Return to the Sea affected not only his qi and blood, but also his inner qi.
Now, Turtle-Snake Qi flowed endlessly throughout his body.
This Turtle-Snake Qi created an immensely terrifying state of pressure, making Qin Yang seem as though he were constantly in the depths of the sea, enduring dreadful water pressure.
It could be said that Qin Yang's physical body was being tempered every moment of every day.
Under the immense pressure, the impurities in his muscles, tendons, bones, and internal organs were gradually purged, which was why he appeared somewhat leaner and stronger than before.
Yet in truth, his weight had only increased.
The Po Jun Saber Technique had also broken through to great accomplishment and was not far from perfection.
The Primordial Qi Shield had likewise broken through to the sixth layer. The Qi Shield Seed located in his heart had become larger and denser, capable of forming an even tougher qi shield.
After a period of cultivation, the Rushing Thunder Palm had also entered the proficient realm, allowing him to unleash palm force with the momentum of rushing thunder.
The feeling of his physical body constantly growing stronger and his cultivation steadily rising made Qin Yang feel immensely satisfied.
"Young Master. Old Master Li has sent over several more paintings."
Covering her mouth, Xiao Huan walked in with a face full of amusement.
"Again?"
Qin Yang was somewhat speechless.
These days, Li Tong would send over portraits from time to time.
Of course, they were not antique paintings or calligraphy, but portraits of refined young ladies for Qin Yang to choose from.
But Qin Yang was wholly devoted to cultivation. Where would he find the time to bother with such things?
"Young Master, why not take a look?"
"At your age, back in our village, children would already be running around buying soy sauce."
Xiao Huan teased.
"Let's talk about it after things settle down."
"Besides, the Outer City is becoming increasingly chaotic. Who has the leisure for such elegant pursuits?"
Qin Yang shook his head.
Seeing this, Xiao Huan did not dare say more and hurriedly left the small courtyard.
Yet no sooner had she left than Qian Hai stepped into the courtyard.
"Young Master. The White River Gang has expanded its influence lately and seems to have gotten a little carried away."
"They actually want to acquire our Laifu Restaurant, or else they will make it impossible for us to do business."
Qian Hai's face was filled with anger.
"How much silver is Luo Jian offering?"
A glint flashed through Qin Yang's eyes.
"Five hundred taels of silver."
"That is nothing but tossing scraps to beggars. If they want to rob us for free, they might as well just say so."
Qian Hai snorted coldly.
"With Luo Jian's character, how could he do something like this?"
Qin Yang narrowed his eyes.
He had met Luo Jian several times. The man had seemed mature and steady. Could it be that after swallowing a little territory recently, he had begun to reveal his ambitions?
"Young Master. You spend all day cultivating in the courtyard, so you may not know much about what is happening outside."
"These past two months, the White River Gang has been like a pack of madmen, constantly suppressing shops and forcibly seizing what they want. To grab money, they have used every trick in the book."
"I originally thought it would be fine as long as they did not provoke us."
"I never expected Luo Jian to swell to such an extent."
"He has simply lost all conscience!"
Qian Hai was extremely emotional, continuously denouncing the White River Gang.
"Such a drastic change?"
Qin Yang was rather surprised.
Could it be that he had misjudged Luo Jian before?
"Yes."
"These days, the White River Gang has seized quite a bit of wealth and kept recruiting people."
"Now, I hear they have several hundred members."
Qian Hai calmed down somewhat.
"What use is having many people?"
"I'll find some time to ask Luo Jian what he means by this."
Qin Yang smiled faintly.
That night.
A pitch-black figure carrying a large saber quietly climbed over the high walls of Qin Manor and swiftly melted into the night.
That figure was naturally Qin Yang.
The White River Gang had taken over the Twin Snake Gang's territory for several months already.
Back when the White River Gang could no longer survive at the dock, if Qin Yang had not been willing to give this territory to them, the White River Gang would likely have long become history like the Twin Snake Gang, forgotten in some remote corner.
That was also why Qian Hai was so furious.
In his eyes, the White River Gang's actions were those of an ungrateful white-eyed wolf.
Qin Yang also understood that people's hearts could change.
If Luo Jian truly was as Qian Hai had described, then he could not blame Qin Yang for being ruthless and merciless.
The White River Gang's headquarters was actually the former headquarters of the Twin Snake Gang.
The White River Gang had simply taken it over and used it.
Qin Yang crossed two streets and saw a brightly lit compound in the distance.
In the middle of the night, the compound was still incredibly noisy, like a marketplace.
Qin Yang quietly scaled the wall from the side and surveyed the situation within the courtyard.
More than a dozen men had set out two tables of wine and were drinking heavily, eating snacks, and playing drinking games.
Seeing this, Qin Yang directly vaulted over the wall. He moved like a civet cat, utterly silent.
Along the way, he occasionally encountered patrolling White River Gang disciples, all of whom Qin Yang avoided one by one.
Very soon.
He had penetrated deep into the White River Gang's headquarters.
Unlike the secluded silence outside, this place was very quiet. There was not even anyone patrolling.
Qin Yang first hid behind a flowerbed.
There were quite a few rooms here, and he had no idea which one Luo Jian lived in.
He planned to wait here for a fortuitous passerby, then ask for directions.
Qin Yang did not have to wait long.
A fortuitous passerby walked in.
This man looked fierce and vicious. He was none other than Li Yong, Hall Master Li, who had gone to Laifu Restaurant to cause trouble that day.
Li Yong actually had his own residence in Linjiang City.
But mainly because he had gone to Laifu Restaurant that day, he felt guilty and feared that Qin Yang might come straight to his door. He simply decided to hide at the gang headquarters for a few days to avoid the storm.
"I wonder what the Gang Leader is thinking."
"Bullying those ordinary commoners would have been one thing."
"How did he dare provoke a ruthless figure like Qin Yang?"
Li Yong sighed softly.
He himself had not wanted to go.
But Luo Jian had forced the matter upon him, leaving him no choice but to go.
Now, he only hoped that Luo Jian would step forward quickly and resolve this matter.
Lost in thought, he arrived at the place he usually stayed in within the gang. He took out a key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside.
Crack—
An iron hand clamped around his neck like lightning.
The force transmitted by that large hand was terrifyingly crushing.
In that instant.
Li Yong truly felt as if his neck were about to snap.
Then, Li Yong was pushed into the room.
Qin Yang casually closed the door before releasing his hand.
"You know who I am, right?"
Qin Yang smiled.
"Huah... huah... huah..."
Li Yong gasped for breath. Even without any light, he could make out the outline of that face.
"Q-Qin... Young Master Qin."
Li Yong's legs trembled in terror.
This truly was exactly what he had feared coming to pass.
"I heard that your Gang Leader wants to acquire my family's Laifu Restaurant."
"I came over to ask what exactly is going on."
"I did not scare you, did I?"
Qin Yang smiled.
He did not know that Li Yong was the person who had gone to Laifu Restaurant to cause trouble that day.
But judging from the clothes he wore, it was obvious at a glance that he was an important figure in the White River Gang.
"N-No, you did not scare me." Li Yong's face was pale.
"That's good."
"Let's sit down and have a chat."
Qin Yang was not afraid that Li Yong would try any tricks.
There was less than a meter between him and Li Yong.
With his current explosive power, if Li Yong showed any abnormal movement, Qin Yang could shatter his head with a single palm strike.
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