Chapter 20: The Chu-Jiang Token
Wu Yuan was initially reluctant to commit a large-scale massacre. However, after overhearing the idle chatter of two guards, he realized that there might not be any innocent individuals in this entire stronghold. Even hesitating to behead someone led to punishment, how could anyone here be innocent?
The middle-aged thug's attempt to lure Wu Yuan into the three-story building, which was filled with the stronghold's most skilled fighters, truly ignited his desire to kill. Besides, those he killed were all murderers.
It seems a flame has been ignited in my heart.
With Wu Yuan’s strong mental perception, he naturally detected the subtle changes in his condition. It was as if he could see his thoughts with greater clarity.
I am not a killer at heart. But as a martial artist, I strive for a clear mind.
In his previous life, he had never taken a person's life. But today, he would not hold back.
Despite the size of the Vicious Tiger Gang's stronghold, it was crudely constructed. It looked somewhat like a military camp, nowhere near as exquisite as the manors of the local nobility in the county city.
The stronghold's security was tight on the outside, but slack on the inside. Wu Yuan was extremely watchful when passing through the outer perimeter and hidden sentries. But now, he was relatively relaxed.
After darting between buildings, jumping over several small courtyards, and avoiding a patrol team, Wu Yuan finally reached the prison located in the north of the stronghold.
There are actually eight people on guard duty, with lights illuminating all four sides. I can't find any blind spots.
Wu Yuan, hiding in the darkness about twenty meters away, observed the prison building. He dared not get any closer.
No matter how well he controlled his body, how precise his movements, how sharp his senses were, or how well he could hide his tracks, martial arts was not immortal cultivation. There were no techniques that granted one invisibility, allowing one to openly strut about in front of the guards.
As for mind control? Illusions?
If I can surpass my previous mental strength and attain a level where my mind influences the external world, perhaps such things will be possible.
But for now, it was just a dream.
Throwing knives? At best, he could only assassinate two or three people in one go. And once one of them was hit, the other guards would immediately notice and sound the alarm.
After a ten-second deliberation, Wu Yuan decisively retreated, leaving the prison behind and heading towards the south of the stronghold.
Only a quarter of an hour later.
Boom~ A massive blaze erupted from a small courtyard house in the south, closely followed by another one nearby. In the blink of an eye, four courtyard houses were aflame.
"Fire!"
"Quick, fetch help, there's a fire!" The entire stronghold was instantly in uproar. Shouts of alarm echoed around, followed by the clanging of emergency gongs.
Amidst the clamor, a large number of gang members hurriedly emerged from their houses, quickly grabbing tools to carry water and rushing towards the source of the fire.
Most of the stronghold was constructed with wood, and the courtyard houses are closely adjacent to one another. If the fire were allowed to spread, the entire stronghold might be burnt down.
In the east of the stronghold was a three-story building. Next to it was a delicate courtyard house.
Inside the main hall of the courtyard house, rows of candles were lit, illuminating it brightly. The interior decor was elegant, not at all like the brutishness of a gang leader, but rather with a touch of scholarly refinement.
"Senior Brother, it's been several years since we last met, how did you find my stronghold today?" The robust middle-aged man in the host seat was dressed in a scholar's robe, speaking courteously.
If the underlings outside saw their gang leader in such attire, they would surely be flabbergasted. Indeed, this refined middle-aged man was none other than Yang Long, the leader of the Vicious Tiger Gang, who was well known for his ruthlessness in Li City!
"Junior Brother is still as capable as ever. In just a few short years, you've laid such a vast foundation in Li County. Our master will be overjoyed to hear of this." Across the hall, sitting in the honored guest seat, was a tall and thin young man clad in beast hide. Two large black hammers were placed on either side.
"Serving Master is my duty," proclaimed Yang Long.
"Junior brother, allow me to cut to the chase," spoke the youth in beast hide, "I am not only visiting you to inspect your mountain stronghold as per Master's orders, but also to deliver another command. Over these past years, have you found any traces of a Chu-Jiang Token?"
"Haha, if you had me asked a month ago, I would have had no news," Yang Long replied with a faint smile, "However, after years of relentless investigation, I have finally confirmed that when the Chu-Jiang Empire fell, a member of the royal family did indeed escape to the Southdream Province. A Chu-Jiang Token went missing in Li City."
"As for myself, I have been secretly searching for it, and finally acquired it a few days ago," said Yang Long.
"Oh?" The eyes of the youth dressed in beast hide brightened. He had asked the question casually, not expecting to reap any results.
"Please take a look, Senior Brother," Yang Long said as he fetched a small box from the bookshelf behind him, opened it, and retrieved a palm-sized, glittering gold token. It was extremely dazzling, and did not look like ordinary gold.
Yang Long held up the token for the thin youth in beast hide to examine. The surface of the token was covered with interwoven lines, resembling numerous rivers meeting at a single confluence. On the back, the ancient characters Chu-Jiang were inscribed.
"It is indeed the Chu-Jiang Token," the youth in beast hide confirmed, his breath quickening, "Junior Brother, let me take a closer look."
"Hehe," chuckled Yang Long. He flipped his palm over and gripped the token tightly, clearly uninterested in handing it over.
"Junior Brother, are you planning to keep it for yourself?" The youth in beast hide looked slightly displeased.
"Senior brother, this Chu-Jiang Token is more of a curse than a blessing to me. I am willing to hand it to you, allowing you to make a huge accomplishment by presenting it to Master," Yang Long said slowly, "But, I have also put in years of effort..."
"What do you want in return?" the youth in beast hide cut straight to the point, "Feel free to ask."
"You are indeed straightforward, Senior Brother," Yang Long grinned, "But I am not a greedy man. All I ask for is three drops of Ancient Immortal Dew and a divine weapon."
"Junior brother, every drop of Ancient Immortal Dew is precious beyond measure," the youth in beast hide frowned.
"Senior Brother is Master's direct disciple, my status cannot be compared to yours. The Ancient Immortal Dew is precious, but I believe it should not be a problem for you," said Yang Long, "My asking price is not high. If you cannot give it to me, there's nothing I can do. But I believe the other senior brothers would be interested once they hear the news."
The tall youth's gaze narrowed slightly. He knew that Yang Long spoke the truth. To their master, as long as he obtained the Chu-Jiang Token in the end, it didn't matter who handed it over.
"Alright. Junior Brother, I do not have a divine weapon suitable for you. I'll exchange it for a drop of Ancient Immortal Dew instead. Here's a total of four drops!" The tall young man in beast hide waved his hand.
A green jade vial flew out from his hand like a flash of lightning. Yang Long caught it easily and opened the vial stopper immediately. As a refreshing fragrance filled the room, a smile spread across Yang Long's face.
"Senior Brother is generous. I will be entrusting this Chu-Jiang Token to Senior Brother." Yang Long's voice was hearty as he placed the golden token into a box, and with a wave of his hand, sent it over to the man clad in beast hide.
The young man in beast hide received it and looked it over carefully. His face relaxed after he confirmed its authenticity, and he cautiously stowed it away.
"Many thanks, Junior Brother." The tall and thin man in beast hide raised his wine cup.
"I hope that after presenting the token to Master, Senior Brother will put in a good word for me." Yang Long also raised his wine cup.
Ancient Immortal Dew was very precious. But in terms of value, forget four drops. For a Chu-Jiang Token, people would gladly trade 40 drops of Ancient Immortal Dew for it.
But Yang Long knew that their master only truly valued his five direct disciples. There were hundreds of nominal disciples like himself under their master. If he were to exchange it himself, he wouldn't even get to see his master's face before meeting his demise!
The two disciples each harbored their own agendas, but both took what they needed in the end. Thus they chatted harmoniously for a while.
"Big Brother, there's trouble!" A frantic voice suddenly shouted from outside the hall, "An enemy has invaded our stronghold, a highly skilled one."
"Second Brother, speak inside." Yang Long got up abruptly, his demeanor completely different. He was no longer a gentlemanly middle-aged man, but a raging tiger.
Clang~ Someone pushed open the door and entered.
A sturdy, fat, and short man strode into the hall, his head bowed as he said, "Big Brother, just now, several courtyard houses in the south and west caught fire. Our brothers in the stronghold just rushed over to help. But before the fire was put out, the prison in the north suddenly sent up a signal flare for help."
"How is the situation now? Where are Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother?" Yang Long asked.
"We rushed over right away. Fifth Brother is currently leading the Vicious Tiger Guard to encircle the expert, trapping him in a courtyard, but the casualties are heavy," the stout man said anxiously. "As for Fourth Brother, he was killed in two strokes of the expert's saber right from the start!"
"Fourth Brother is dead, two strokes?" Yang Long's expression finally changed.
"Senior Brother, I apologize for the inadequate reception, but there's a bit of trouble in the stronghold. Some brainless idiot has intruded the stronghold, I will need to leave for a short moment to handle it." Yang Long turned to look at the tall and skinny youth dressed in beast hide.
"Fourth Brother, he's probably the one we saw earlier during the day," said the youth in beast hide softly. "Although his strength was average, he was an Adept. If he was killed in two strokes, the intruder is likely a second-rate Adept."
"Haha. Junior brother, since I'm here, and you've also given me a great gift, why don't I help you get things back under control?" the youth in the beast hide said with a laugh.
"With Senior Brother here, the intruder will be captured in no time." Yang Long was overjoyed.
Although this Senior Brother of his was young, he had been accepted as a direct disciple by their master, and was certainly not weaker than him.
"There's no time to waste, let's go." Yang Long tore off his robe, revealing his body armor underneath, and grabbed a machete from the weapons rack beside him. With a leap, he dashed out of the hall.
The three Adept experts quickly rushed to the northwest of the stronghold.
The area there was brightly lit, and cries of battle filled the air.
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