Raging Whale Gang

The Raging Whale Gang's Linhe Branch was divided into the Inner Hall, Outer Hall, Punishment Hall, Battle Hall, Craft Hall, and Guest Elder Hall.

It had several hundred gang members and over a thousand peripheral personnel.

As for the exact number, that was a secret known only to figures at the hall master level. Even if Incense Master Chen, who ranked one level below, knew it, he would never dare reveal it to Zhang Yuan.

As an incense master of the Outer Hall, recruiting outstanding new blood for the gang was one of Chen Zhize's duties.

When he learned that Zhang Yuan wished to study martial arts, he did not hesitate to recommend that the latter join the Battle Hall.

The Battle Hall was the Raging Whale Gang's strongest hall. Even its most ordinary members were Perceptible Strength Martial Artists. With Zhang Yuan's talent and abilities, he could absolutely thrive in this important hall.

Most importantly, the Battle Hall offered the most opportunities to earn merit and the best benefits.

Gang merit could be exchanged for cultivation resources, profound martial arts, and even opportunities to enter the Raging Whale Main Headquarters for further development!

Of course, the Battle Hall was also the most dangerous.

Chen Zhize frankly told Zhang Yuan that if he did not wish to join the Battle Hall, the Outer Hall was also a good choice.

After gaining a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the Raging Whale Gang, Zhang Yuan said, "Brother Chen, this matter is of great importance. Please allow me to return and think it over carefully before giving you an answer as soon as possible."

"No problem."

Without hesitation, Chen Zhize said, "I'll be at the docks outside the town for the next few days. Come find me once you've made up your mind."

As he spoke, he took out a small wooden token and handed it to Zhang Yuan. "This is my token."

Zhang Yuan accepted it and thanked him.

"No need to be so polite."

Chen Zhize smiled. "Perhaps before long, you and I will be true brothers!"

Zhang Yuan felt that this Raging Whale Gang incense master was quite a decent person, straightforward, candid, and without affectation.

Even if he did not join the Raging Whale Gang, he could still be friends with the man.

That very night after returning home, Zhang Yuan made his decision.

Given his current circumstances, joining the Raging Whale Gang and relying on this jianghu faction's resources to develop himself for a time was already his best choice.

There would certainly be danger, but what benefits could ever be gained easily without taking risks!

Zhang Yuan had not been reborn with a golden spoon in his mouth.

His start in this world had been exceedingly difficult. He had struggled so hard to reach this day—how could he possibly shrink back in fear!

Though he had his answer, Zhang Yuan did not immediately go to the docks to find Chen Zhize.

He waited another day before setting out beyond the town.

Linhe County was named after the Celestial Steed River.

The Long River surged ceaselessly day and night, flowing from the north toward the east into the marshlands. For countless centuries, it had nourished the crisscrossing farmlands along both banks.

It had fed countless common folk.

And because of the Celestial Steed River, Linhe County enjoyed convenient water and land transportation.

Many traveling merchants from north and south gathered here.

This had created the County Town's prosperity and flourishing.

When Zhang Yuan arrived at the docks, two merchant ships were moored at the berths.

Many bare-chested men carried cargo beneath the blazing sun.

Every one of them was drenched in sweat.

Shouts, clamor, and curses rose and fell without end.

It was a bustling, raucous scene.

In fact, even more commoners lived in the areas surrounding the County Town than inside it.

They belonged to the true bottom rung.

Most made their living by farming and laboring for wealthy households.

Others sold their strength at the docks, guided boats, or fished.

All to scrape out a living.

There was a fish market beside the docks, where fishermen laid out and sold their daily catches.

It was equally lively.

Zhang Yuan had only come to the docks outside the town once before and was quite unfamiliar with the place.

After he stood where he was and glanced around a few times, a man in gray approached him and lazily asked, "Kid, what are you here for?"

Zhang Yuan's heart stirred. "I'm here to find someone—Incense Master Chen Zhize of the Raging Whale Gang."

The Raging Whale Gang's members were divided into three categories: gray-clothed, green-clothed, and white-clothed, representing different ranks, with gray-clothed being the lowest.

This was common knowledge.

Anyone with a little experience would know that this man was most likely a peripheral member of the Raging Whale Gang.

"Hm?"

The gray-clothed man's gaze immediately turned wary, as if he would draw his blade at the slightest disagreement. "What do you want with Incense Master Chen?"

Zhang Yuan took out Chen Zhize's token and handed it to him. "I have an appointment with Incense Master Chen."

Upon receiving the token, the gray-clothed man's expression eased slightly.

He carefully inspected the wooden token in his hand, then nodded. "Come with me."

Led by the gray-clothed man, Zhang Yuan arrived before a row of houses near the docks.

The gray-clothed man pushed open the door to one of the rooms and respectfully said, "Incense Master Chen, a young man holding your token said he wished to see you. I brought him over."

"Brother Zhang is here?"

Even standing outside the room, Zhang Yuan could hear the delighted voice coming from within. "Wonderful!"

Along with what sounded like tables and chairs being knocked over!

Then a figure rushed out.

It was Chen Zhize!

The Raging Whale Gang incense master spread his arms the moment he saw Zhang Yuan and gave him an exceedingly warm embrace. Then he slapped Zhang Yuan on the shoulder and laughed. "I knew you would come!"

Zhang Yuan smiled. "I'll have to rely on Brother Chen's care from now on."

"We're brothers!"

Chen Zhize waved a hand. "I'll take you to Whale Fortress to see Hall Master Zhao of the Battle Hall right now. You chose the Battle Hall, correct?"

Zhang Yuan nodded. "Correct."

"Let's go!"

Thus, Zhang Yuan followed the incense master away from the docks and upstream along the river, arriving before a wubao situated at a bend in the river.

This stone fortress, named Whale Fortress, was the headquarters of the Raging Whale Gang's Linhe Branch.

Whale Fortress's first impression was that it was tall and sturdy. Its encircling walls were all built from blue-gray stone, and it stood in a place easy to defend and difficult to attack, as impregnable as a fortress of gold and soup.

Not only did this stone fortress possess formidable defenses itself, it also had a waterway and shipyard connected to the Celestial Steed River.

Zhang Yuan even saw two warships!

As the headquarters of the Raging Whale Gang's Linhe Branch, Whale Fortress was under tight guard. Chen Zhize led Zhang Yuan through three checkpoints before they could enter the stone fortress's interior.

Whale Fortress was not very large inside.

But it could easily accommodate over a thousand people.

Inside one of the buildings, Zhang Yuan met Zhao Jinlan, the deputy hall master of the Battle Hall.

To his surprise, this deputy hall master was actually a graceful young matron.

Though Zhao Jinlan could not be considered exceptionally beautiful, she was exceedingly eye-catching amid a den of men.

"This junior, Zhang Yuan, pays respects to Hall Master Zhao!"

Though rather surprised inwardly, Zhang Yuan gave no sign of it on his face and respectfully bowed to her.

"You're Zhang Yuan?"

Zhao Jinlan smiled. "Incense Master Chen mentioned you to me yesterday. Since he has vouched for you, I believe your abilities are sufficient for our Battle Hall. Work hard from now on, and do not disappoint his expectations!"

Zhang Yuan's process of joining the Raging Whale Gang's Battle Hall could be said to have gone extremely smoothly. After gaining Zhao Jinlan's approval, he quickly completed the procedures to join the gang and received a newcomer's gift package.

Two sets of new clothes, an Identity Token, and ten taels of silver as settling-in money!

And this was merely the beginning.