Lying Low

Lu Changsheng then turned his gaze to the letter.

He tore open the envelope and took out the letter inside.

Spreading it open, he looked it over.

Dense writing covered the entire sheet, interspersed with numerous mysterious symbols.

Lu Changsheng frowned. He could not understand this letter at all. Clearly, it was an encrypted letter that only certain people could decipher.

Such encrypted letters were exceedingly troublesome, requiring both sender and recipient to expend great effort to create them.

The information within often concealed tremendous secrets.

Combined with the large quantity of iron ore seized this time, Lu Changsheng could not help wondering: What exactly were they trying to do?

A shadow fell over his heart.

The Scent Worship Cult, the mysterious letter, Zhao Yuanjing, and the Black Mountain Bandits—these forces were like a mass of dark clouds hanging over all of Changping County.

Some people with ulterior motives had likely been preparing for decades.

What their purpose was remained unknown.

But if it ever erupted completely, all of Changping County would inevitably be unable to escape disaster.

Lu Changsheng suddenly felt as if storm clouds were gathering before the mountain rain.

He had to seize the time to improve his strength. Otherwise, he would not have much time left. That day would come sooner or later.

Lu Changsheng pushed aside his thoughts, disposed of the corpses on the ground, then frightened off the surrounding horses.

Before long, only pools of blood remained at the scene, as though telling of the brutality that had taken place.

Over the next three days.

Lu Changsheng had continuously ambushed Three Rivers Gang merchant caravans along the main road.

He did not intercept every caravan. Instead, he chose based on the size of their forces, mixing feints with real attacks until no one could fathom his intentions.

After several days of raids, his medicinal herbs and silver had increased considerably.

Sure enough, horses did not grow fat without night grass, and men did not grow rich without windfall wealth.

Moreover, after every raid, he changed locations. After several times, the other side had grown wary, making it difficult for him to find opportunities so easily.

Lu Changsheng did not recklessly strike again. His martial cultivation was in a period of rapid advancement, so naturally, he was in no hurry.

There would be plenty of time in the future to play with them slowly.

He then activated Fleeting Light and Shadow and raced toward the county town.

Several hours later, the city gates came into clear view.

Lu Changsheng found a secluded place and undid the Bone Shrinking Art.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

A series of soft sounds rang out as he returned to his original appearance.

Then he swaggered toward the city gate.

Three Rivers Gang headquarters.

Smash...

Huang Tianba viciously hurled his teacup to the floor, his fierce gaze sweeping over the hall masters below.

"It has been days. Have you still not caught the one who intercepted our gang? What use are any of you to me? A pack of drunken good-for-nothings."

Under Huang Tianba's powerful aura, everyone below stiffened, silent as cicadas in winter.

Seeing that no one had stepped forward for a long while, Wang Yong had no choice but to steel himself and come out.

"Reporting to Gang Leader, this man is extremely cunning. There is no pattern at all to when he strikes. It seems he acts entirely according to his own mood..."

"This subordinate will definitely capture him. Please rest assured, Gang Leader."

Since his subordinates had lost the gang leader's important letter, he knew the matter was troublesome, yet he could hardly shirk responsibility.

Seeing someone take the burden upon himself, the other hall masters all secretly breathed sighs of relief.

"Hmph... I do not care who he is. I will flay him and strip him to the bone."

Huang Tianba snorted coldly, Sha Qi bursting from his body.

"Handle this matter. I am giving you half a year."

"This subordinate accepts the order."

Wang Yong cupped his hands respectfully.

Since this matter had fallen upon his head, he could only blame his own bad luck.

Not only had his subordinate protector Wang Shouren been killed, but the people he had sent to intercept Lu Changsheng had failed to block him. Nothing had gone his way, leaving him utterly helpless.

Recently, it was as if he had run into a ghost; misfortune had followed him one after another.

At the same time, news of the Three Rivers Gang's merchant caravans suffering successive attacks spread throughout Changping County.

A group of martial artists were all greatly astonished. They had not expected someone to be so bold, much less succeed time and again. They could not help admiring him.

Those who bore hostility toward the Three Rivers Gang were even more delighted.

They wished for the Three Rivers Gang to suffer setbacks every day.

As a major gang, the Three Rivers Gang had offended quite a few martial artists during its growth and expansion.

Sea Shark Gang headquarters.

Inside a lavishly decorated room.

A beautiful woman in white sat in the seat of honor. Her figure was full and voluptuous, her features alluring, like a perfectly ripened peach.

This woman was the current leader of the Sea Shark Gang, Yue Wanting, and also the former gang leader's daughter.

Beside Yue Wanting sat a young woman—Yue Shulan.

The mother and daughter both wore solemn expressions as they conversed.

"That mysterious man is quite cautious. He has struck repeatedly without being caught, and his strength is not bad either. If we could draw him into the gang..."

Yue Wanting sighed softly.

As a woman, supporting such a vast gang left her somewhat overwhelmed.

If the former gang leader had not left behind so many loyal helpers, she would likely have been dragged down from this position long ago.

The two deputy gang leaders had been eyeing her like tigers eyeing prey, even coveting her body. This infuriated her, yet she could do nothing about it.

She had even sent her adopted daughter to the Demon Suppression Department to take refuge.

She knew the reason for all of it: her own strength was insufficient to suppress the gang.

Her strength was no different from that of the two deputy gang leaders, naturally causing some people to harbor improper thoughts.

"Your daughter will investigate carefully. When the time comes, it will be worth paying some price to bring him into the gang."

Yue Shulan spoke softly, her breath fragrant as orchids.

She, too, was doing everything she could to help her mother take control of the Sea Shark Gang.

"How is that colleague you met?"

Yue Wanting took a sip of tea, somewhat curious.

"There has not been a definite reply yet, but your daughter believes they will certainly cooperate with us."

Yue Shulan smiled lightly, appearing quite confident.

Yue Wanting smiled. "Then good. Let us mother and daughter join hearts and strength to uphold this foundation."

At dusk.

The setting sun was red as blood.

Lu Changsheng sat on a wooden chair in the study and placed all his gains from the past few days onto the table.

A small heap of medicinal herbs lay piled together, their fragrance wafting up to his nose.

Beside them were more than ten martial arts manuals.

He directly absorbed all the medicinal herbs before him.

Opening the panel, he looked.

Source Energy Points: 40

These herbs had provided a total of 32 Source Energy Points, which was not bad.

Together with the old mountain ginseng Yue Shulan had given him, he had made another small fortune.

He decided to immediately begin adding points to his martial arts. Only by converting Source Energy Points into strength could he achieve real improvement.

The situation in Changping County was becoming increasingly turbulent. No one knew when a great battle might erupt, so keeping some points in reserve for emergencies would be enough.

He then turned his gaze toward the pile of martial arts manuals beside him.

Tiger Subduing Sun Blade

Wind Breaking Blade

Drawing Blade Technique

Roaming Dragon Steps

Eight Steps Chasing Cicada

There were ten manuals in total, consisting of blade arts and movement techniques.

Lu Changsheng began reading through them one by one. Before long, ten new martial arts had appeared on the panel.

Together with the two manuals he had obtained previously, his collection of cultivation techniques had become abundant once more.

He intended to lie low and develop properly for a while. Once he had brought all these manuals to the beginner level, he would begin fusing and deriving them.

As long as he could derive more advanced blade arts and movement techniques, it would be of tremendous benefit to his strength.

With that thought, he immediately began to act.

Lu Changsheng walked to the center of the courtyard, picked up the pig-slaughtering knife, and slashed out.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

Before long, only the sounds of Lu Changsheng practicing martial arts remained in the courtyard.