Chapter 4: Chapter 4: You Bunch of Bumpkins, What Have You Ever Seen
"Oh god, run for your lives!"
"The Gang Leader is dead!"
"Someone, go get the authorities..."
Several grunts scrambled and crawled away, so terrified they pissed and shat themselves as they fled from the Tiger Gang’s side door, their souls nearly scared out of their bodies.
They were used to bullying their neighbors and terrorizing the streets, their word being law in the slums. How could they possibly handle a situation like this?
Someone had actually stormed the gates of the massive Tiger Gang today.
In a single day, their Gang Leader and strategist had been brutally killed.
More than half of the original gang members were dead.
It was like a living nightmare.
On the streets outside, countless people were gathered in hushed, urgent discussion.
Every single one of them wore a look of shock.
At this moment, inside the Tiger Gang’s headquarters, bodies lay strewn about in a gruesome scene.
Chen Xuan was rummaging through the headquarters, overturning cabinets and searching everywhere. He soon found a large amount of Copper Coins and jewelry, as well as a fist manual.
[Tongbei Fist]!
He showed no hesitation, gathering up the items before quickly scaling the wall and fleeing into the distance.
’I have only two paths before me now,’ he thought. ’The first is to flee this city and roam the martial world as a wandering hero, facing pursuit from both the imperial court and the gangs. The second is to find a backer...’
There were dozens of gangs of all sizes in Panshi City.
Gang fights broke out every day, and people dying was as common as eating a meal.
’Why could they get away with murder?’
’Isn’t it just because they have powerful people backing them? When trouble comes, they just have someone smooth it over.’
’They don’t have to go to jail, and they don’t have to wander the world. They just operate in the gray areas, doing whatever they want, getting whatever they desire.’
’By what right do those people get to be so arrogant?’
’While I have to flee into the world, hiding from place to place?’
’It’s completely unfair!’
’First, I’ll escape the city. If that doesn’t work out, I’ll find a gang to join. Let the dogs bite the dogs!’
Chen Xuan’s mind raced.
The gang backing the Tiger Gang was the Cyan Dragon Gang. Rumor had it they had several thousand low-level members spread across the southern district and even had connections with numerous bandits outside the city...
’I need to find a gang even bigger than the Cyan Dragon Gang.’
’That’s the only way to avoid future trouble.’
...
The whole of Panshi City was in chaos.
News of the Tiger Gang’s annihilation spread quickly.
The authorities were soon alerted.
Droves of constables swarmed in and completely surrounded the Tiger Gang’s headquarters.
Furthermore, the Cyan Dragon Gang had also dispatched men at the earliest opportunity.
Upon seeing the devastation at the Tiger Gang’s base, both the Cyan Dragon Gang’s Elder, [Iron Fist] Zhang Biao, and the Chief Constable leading the operation, [Golden-eyed Eagle] Ren An, wore grim expressions, their faces terrifyingly cold.
The Tiger Gang was actually wiped out...
Although they weren’t a major gang, just a bunch of thugs.
But the tribute they paid each year was no small sum.
Now that the Tiger Gang was gone, who would pay that tribute money in the future?
"Son of a bitch."
Zhang Biao’s tone was icy. "Who did this?"
"They say it was some mud-legged peasant from the slums named Chen Xuan!"
A member of the Cyan Dragon Gang said through gritted teeth, "This Chen Xuan’s whole family was burned to death when Zhao Laohu set their house on fire. For some reason, he wasn’t killed. Instead, he gained martial prowess, came back, and wiped out the Tiger Gang. The rumor spreading outside is that he’s been possessed by a demon!"
"Possessed my ass!"
Zhang Biao cursed aloud.
What kind of blind demon would possess a poor bastard?
There are so many rich people to possess, and it chooses a poor one?
Is it after the sour smell on a poor man?
Is it after the fact that poor people don’t bathe all year?
"Chief Ren, we can’t just let this go."
Zhang Biao said furiously, looking at [Golden-eyed Eagle] Ren An.
"Don’t worry. After killing so many people, that bastard absolutely won’t get away. Not even the Buddha can save him, I guarantee it!"
[Golden-eyed Eagle] Ren An said coldly.
’He dares to cut off my income?’
’Damn it!’
’He’s just asking to die!’
"Seal the city gates immediately! Post wanted posters! We absolutely cannot let this kid escape the city!"
Ren An turned and barked the order.
"Yes, Chief Constable!"
The men roared in affirmation, their killing intent palpable.
...
Chen Xuan made his way to Aunt Zhang’s door in silence. He scanned his surroundings, and seeing that no one was paying attention, he knocked lightly a few times before tossing a bag of Copper Coins directly into the courtyard.
After doing this, he turned and left, disappearing quickly.
A debt for a single meal should be repaid with a gushing spring!
Besides, Aunt Zhang had been beaten herself.
She probably had no money for treatment right now.
He had thrown in several thousand Copper Coins, plus more than ten taels of loose silver. It would be enough for her to live on for the rest of her life.
Any more than that would just attract deadly trouble.
[You have upheld your inner principles, repaying kindness with kindness. Retribution points +10!]
"Who is it?"
Aunt Zhang’s weak voice came from the courtyard. She slowly opened the inner gate to look outside, but her expression froze. She noticed a blue bundle lying in the courtyard, and she gently rubbed her eyes...
...
Chen Xuan bought a map and quickly left the city, running more than eighty li in one go.
Finally, he reached the next city.
Black Stone City!
As soon as he approached, he had to pay a toll of ten Copper Coins before being allowed inside.
This Black Stone City was also divided into four districts: east, west, south, and north.
The southern and northern districts were just as rotten to the core.
Only the eastern and western districts were truly luxurious.
They were filled with pavilions and grand buildings, the air full of the sound of song and dance.
The streets were bustling with people, selling all sorts of high-end fabrics, spices, and many trinkets he had never seen before.
The people walking here were mostly full of vigor, with ruddy complexions and powerful movements.
Never mind beggars, you rarely even saw someone with a sallow, malnourished complexion like his.
Instead, his appearance attracted a lot of attention.
Quite a few people showed their disgust, snorting coldly, covering their noses, and keeping their distance.
Chen Xuan’s brow tightened, and he sniffed his own clothes.
’What are they so high and mighty about?’
’Even I, a transmigrator, don’t think I smell that bad.’
’And now a bunch of country bumpkins like you are looking down on me?’
’What have you ever seen? How many days have you had full bellies?’
Just then, he heard waves of cheers coming from up ahead. A crowd was gathering, a dense black mass of people, as if some grand show was taking place.
"They’re fighting again!"
"How exciting!"
"The Red Sand Gang has been recruiting Small Leaders here for days. Anyone who can get five consecutive wins gets a position as a Small Leader!"
"I heard if you get ten wins in a row, you can even become a helmsman. Is that true?"
"Of course it’s true, but you have to actually be able to get ten wins in a row!"
"Blades and fists have no eyes. There have been a lot of deaths and injuries these past few days!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
A thought struck Chen Xuan, and he quickened his pace to get closer.
’The Red Sand Gang is recruiting Small Leaders?’
Soon, he used his superior strength to push to the front of the crowd, once again drawing many looks of disgust.
At the very front was a massive arena stage.
It was decorated with red and green banners, with a couplet pasted on both sides.
Fists that rule the eight directions; who today can claim supremacy?
Staff that sweeps the four seas; I am the greatest hero here.
Two figures were locked in combat on the stage, fighting bare-fisted. They traded blows back and forth, Qi Energy exploding with deafening BANGS.
"The one in green is [Mountain-Crushing Cannon] Lei Hong. He cultivates the sixty-four stances of the [Mountain-Breaking Fist]. They say he’s already reached the Third Layer of the Bright Energy realm. His punches are like the wind, heavy and powerful, and with every move, you can hear his bones and sinews resonate. He’s already on a three-win streak and will probably complete his fifth!"
"Not necessarily. The one facing him is [Ghost Shadow Mantis] Liu Qing, also a Bright Energy master. I heard his strength is a cut above Lei Hong’s. Lei Hong might just fall to him."
"So incredible. Masters who’ve truly learned the way are different. When their fists collide, it’s like setting off firecrackers."
"The four great steps of body tempering are Bright Energy, Dark Energy, Transforming Force, and Gang Energy. Anyone who has even a superficial grasp of them is a cut above the rest!"
The surrounding crowd continued to discuss animatedly.
Chen Xuan’s eyes glinted as he absorbed all this new information.
’The eastern district truly lives up to its reputation as a prosperous place.’
’So this is how the Martial Arts Realms are divided.’
’With my Innate Divine Strength, doesn’t that mean I’m already at the Bright Energy realm right from the start?’
’Looks like I need to start studying that Tongbei Fist manual as soon as possible.’
