The headquarters of the Blood Demon Gang in Phoenix Forest Ward was decked with lanterns and colorful streamers, bustling with extraordinary excitement.
The Blood Demon Gang's members, normally scattered across ten thousand miles of territory and controlling several kingdoms and more than a hundred cities of all sizes, had arrived early in this city of cultivators to prepare for their young master's birthday celebration.
Branch headquarters, incense altars, and halls from every region.
Affiliated gangs, bands of woodland outlaws, and unfettered rogue cultivators.
Protectors, gang guards, and local potentates.
All had gathered.
The spectacle surpassed even Luo Zhen's own fiftieth birthday celebration a few years earlier.
Before long, gongs suddenly sounded to clear the way, and ceremonial music began to play. The burly Luo Zhen entered in splendid robes, accompanied by several of the gang's protectors and attendants.
"The gang leader has arrived!"
At the booming announcement, all the gang members who had been drinking heartily or laughing and chatting loudly stopped and hurried to their feet.
Luo Zhen was already past fifty, with a few weathered wrinkles on his face, but his features were regular and his expression stern. He exuded a commanding dignity that involuntarily inspired awe.
He wore a loose, blood-red brocade robe, with blood baleful intent faintly swirling around him and the intimidating presence of a battle-hardened veteran. As his gaze fell on those present and slowly swept over them, they felt tremendous pressure bearing down on them and involuntarily lowered their normally arrogant, unruly heads.
The gang members all bowed in unison and said, "We pay our respects to the gang leader!"
"Dispense with the formalities."
After a moment of silence throughout the courtyard, a slightly hoarse voice finally rang out.
It was Luo Zhen's voice.
"Thank you, Gang Leader." Everyone straightened and raised their