Chapter 21: The Black Yan Gang

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In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

During this month, the faction of retainers had been completely dismantled. Zhao Tianlei’s subordinates and confidants were all eliminated one by one. The Su family had now thoroughly rid itself of the malignant tumor.

Su Xin continued his cultivation as usual, relying on the bloodline inheritance technique. Over this period, the spiritual power within him had accumulated to the absolute peak of the True Martial Realm. He was just one step away from breaking through to the Sea Transformation Realm, and at any moment, he could achieve the breakthrough directly.

He still often appeared on the training ground, sparring with the Su family’s younger generation and some of their strong warriors. The subtle display of his strength made the family’s disciples increasingly convinced.

The prestige of the youngest young master in the Su family was growing by the day.

On this particular day, it was once again on the training ground.

"Su Xin!"

Su Baihu arrived, accompanied by a man dressed in purple.

"Second uncle," Su Xin greeted with a slight bow.

"This is Ye Luo, a retainer of the Su family," Su Baihu introduced.

"Young master," Ye Luo greeted.

Although the Su family was in decline, they still recruited many retainers, and not all of them supported Zhao Tianlei’s faction.

Ye Luo, for example, had always been quite loyal to the Su family.

"Su Xin, just over a month ago, you were at the peak of the ninth level of the True Martial Realm and could kill Zhao Ling—who had just broken through to the Sea Transformation Realm and possessed exceptional skill—head-on. Now that you have reached the peak of the tenth level, can your combat power be compared to a fully accomplished Sea Transformation master?" Su Baihu asked.

Su Xin was taken aback; he hadn’t expected such a question from Su Baihu, but he nodded, "It should be possible."

"Ye Luo, test it out," Su Baihu commanded.

"Yes," Ye Luo nodded and stepped forward. "Young master, please instruct me."

"Go all out," Su Xin smiled lightly, radiating immense confidence.

Soon, the two clashed.

In just a moment—specifically, Su Xin only launched three sword strikes.

The first sword forced Ye Luo to retreat hurriedly.

The second sword caused Ye Luo to flung his weapon from his hand due to the shockwave.

The third sword was already placed on Ye Luo’s shoulder.

It was a complete one-sided domination.

The gap was enormous.

Now, Su Xin’s spiritual power, when unleashed normally, was at the level of a minor Sea Transformation master. If he stimulated his bloodline power slightly, his instantaneous force could rival a fully accomplished Sea Transformation master. With his swordsmanship, defeating an ordinary fully accomplished Sea Transformation warrior was effortless.

"The young master’s strength is admirable," Ye Luo said sincerely.

He had only heard before that the Su family’s youngest young master had extraordinary talent and could defeat foes beyond his level, but today he truly witnessed it.

"Su Xin, your swordsmanship has improved in just over a month," Su Baihu smiled as he stepped forward, a strange light in his eyes. "In terms of swordsmanship alone, no one in the entire Su family can surpass you."

The head of the Su family, Su Baichen, was the strongest overall, but his specialty was not swordsmanship.

"Second uncle, you didn’t just come to test my strength today, did you?" Su Xin looked at Su Baihu.

"Of course not," Su Baihu smiled and then pulled out an envelope. "There’s a letter inside. Take a look."

Su Xin opened the envelope and quickly skimmed through the contents.

"Gang clashes?" Su Xin’s expression turned strange.

"This letter was written by Wan Chong, the leader of the Black Yan Gang. Over the years, the Black Yan Gang has respected the Su family and sent tributes annually. This time, the Black Yan Gang is in trouble, and Wan Chong specially sent a generous gift, asking the Su family to dispatch strong warriors for assistance. I have already agreed," Su Baihu explained.

Su Xin understood immediately.

Although Yongning County was just a county, it still had many towns and cities with a population of several million.

With so many people, various gangs and factions had emerged. Most of these gangs controlled their own territories, and to maintain stability, they needed a powerful backer.

The Su family, as one of the two strongest clans in Yongning County, naturally served as a major pillar.

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Therefore, every year many gangs in Yongning County brought tributes to the Su family. By accepting these tributes, the Su family effectively acknowledged their existence, allowing these gangs to survive.

The Black Yan Gang’s annual tribute to the Su family was no small matter, and this time they even sent a lavish gift.

"Wan Chong initially wanted me to send two fully accomplished Sea Transformation masters, but I decided to send you with Ye Luo instead," Su Baihu said. "Now that Zhao Tianlei is dead and the retainer faction threat no longer exists, plus your strength is sufficient, it is time for you to see the world."

"See the world?" Su Xin’s heart stirred; he naturally understood what Su Baihu meant.

"Su Xin, are you willing to go?" Su Baihu asked.

"Of course," Su Xin nodded. "I just worry Wan Chong might not be very happy to see me."

Wan Chong wanted two fully accomplished Sea Transformation masters, but judging by cultivation alone, Su Xin was only at the peak of the True Martial Realm.

"Although the young master’s cultivation is lower, his strength far surpasses an ordinary fully accomplished Sea Transformation master. Wan Chong would be lucky to have you. Why would he be displeased?" Ye Luo said coldly.

"Even so, after lunch, you two will ride fast horses and set off. You should reach Eastyang City, where the Black Yan Gang is located, before nightfall," Su Baihu instructed.

Shortly after, Su Xin and Ye Luo set out.

...

Eastyang City lay in the western part of Yongning County, not far from the county seat.

Black Yan Gang’s base.

Night was approaching. Wan Chong, the gang leader, sat on a recliner, constantly turning over as if uncomfortable. His face was filled with worry.

He was originally a bandit, who had clawed his way up from a small underling to become the leader of the Black Yan Gang in Eastyang City, commanding thousands of gang members. He was a local power.

Although he had to spend huge sums each year to pay tribute to some major figures and forces in Yongning County, the remaining profits still allowed him a comfortable life.

But not long ago, another major gang—the Liu Shui Gang—suddenly rose up.

Its leader was also a bandit chief who entered the city with his men and formed a gang. They developed rapidly and in less than two months became able to rival the Black Yan Gang. Moreover, the Liu Shui Gang had more top-level experts than the Black Yan Gang.

After several skirmishes, the Black Yan Gang was completely at a disadvantage. Even his original four hall leaders were now down to two.

In a few days, the conflict would reach its final stage: the decisive battle.

Wan Chong had no confidence in winning relying solely on the Black Yan Gang’s strength. That was why he spared no expense to invite strong warriors from the Su family.

"Boss! Boss!"

A gang member rushed in hurriedly. "The Su family’s warriors have arrived!"

"Finally!" Wan Chong immediately stood up, a trace of joy flashing in his eyes. "Quick, call the strategist and come with me to greet them."

Soon, a large group ran toward the base’s entrance. Besides Wan Chong and two hall leaders, there was an old man with a goatee—the Black Yan Gang’s strategist.

From afar, they saw two figures standing at the gate.

"Wan Chong, greetings," Ye Luo said respectfully as he approached.

"I am Ye Luo, a retainer of the Su family. Wan Chong, this is your territory, and you yourself are a fully accomplished Sea Transformation master. No need for such servility. Stand up," Ye Luo said.

Only then did Wan Chong raise his head, quickly glancing at Ye Luo with a pleased heart.

Although Ye Luo had not made a move, Wan Chong could still sense the extremely subtle and formidable aura emanating from him. This aura was definitely not weaker than his own.

Then Wan Chong looked at the other person beside him.

"Hmm?" Wan Chong frowned deeply.

Not for any other reason, but because this person looked far too young.

He seemed not even twenty.

So young—how strong could he be?

"Lord Ye Luo, who is this?" Wan Chong cautiously inquired.

"This is the Su family’s youngest young master, also the holder of the Su family’s Sword Order among the young generation—Su Xin!" Ye Luo replied.

"Young master?" Wan Chong was startled.

The title alone gave this young man an incomparably lofty status in the Su family.

"I heard that only the strongest young generation members of the Su family are qualified to wield the Sword Order. If the young master holds it, his cultivation must be..." Wan Chong’s words trailed off.

"Wan Chong, I know what you want to ask, but I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I haven’t reached the Sea Transformation Realm yet," Su Xin said directly.

"Not reached the Sea Transformation Realm?" Wan Chong’s face changed, and a wave of dissatisfaction surged in his heart.

"What? Our Su family’s young master personally comes here, and you’re still not pleased?" Ye Luo immediately retorted.

In his view, considering the young master’s identity and strength, Su Xin had already done Wan Chong a huge favor by agreeing to come and assist the Black Yan Gang. How dare Wan Chong belittle Su Xin’s cultivation?

"Of course not!" Wan Chong quickly smiled. "I have already prepared a feast to welcome the young master and Lord Ye Luo."

"No need for a feast. Just send some food to our rooms," Su Xin said.

"Yes, yes," Wan Chong nodded repeatedly. "Xu Lao San, escort these two gentlemen to their rooms."

The man called Xu Lao San respectfully led Su Xin and Ye Luo into the base.

After they left, Wan Chong’s expression instantly darkened.

Soon, in a completely sealed secret chamber, Wan Chong exploded in anger.

"Damn it!!"

"Cursed Su family!"

"I was so respectful to the Su family before, even prepared a generous gift this time requesting two fully accomplished Sea Transformation masters, but who did they send? One fully accomplished Sea Transformation master, and some damn young master!"

"This damn young master—what does he take me for? Does he treat the life and death of the Black Yan Gang as a joke?"

Wan Chong was furious.

He had never thought a Su family young master who hadn’t even reached the Sea Transformation Realm could have any real strength. He assumed the young master was sent merely for training purposes.

But using the Black Yan Gang’s life and death as training grounds—he was naturally dissatisfied.

He didn’t dare say this to their faces but dared to curse and vent in secret.

"Boss, calm down," the goateed strategist comforted. "Although the Su family didn’t send two fully accomplished Sea Transformation masters as hoped, at least one came. And that young master’s identity is significant. He might play a crucial role when it counts."

"Most importantly, although the Liu Shui Gang rose quickly, they have no foundation. We established connections with the Su family early, even inviting their strong warriors in advance. The Liu Shui Gang has nowhere to find such help. So with this Su family fully accomplished Sea Transformation warrior assisting us, our chances of victory are greater."

"Whew!"

Wan Chong exhaled lightly. "I hope you’re right."

Meanwhile, several miles from the Black Yan Gang base was the Liu Shui Gang’s base.

"The Su family’s warriors have arrived?"

The Liu Shui Gang leader, a remarkably handsome man in silver robes, knew of their arrival but felt neither surprise nor nervousness.

"According to our informants, two people from the Su family came. One is a fully accomplished Sea Transformation warrior, the other is reportedly some young master whose cultivation isn’t even at the Sea Transformation Realm," a gang member reported.

"Only one fully accomplished Sea Transformation warrior?" The silver-robed man shook his head. "Looks like the Su family isn’t sincerely helping Wan Chong. I even prepared a big formation before, but now it seems unnecessary."

"If this battle is already decided, let’s start early."

"Tell the brothers to prepare. In three days, we will have a decisive battle with the Black Yan Gang!"

...

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