“Sir, the eatery is closed for the day. If you want noodles, please come early tomorrow.”
Tian Ping'an was not angered by these words. Instead, a smile spread across his face.
“In that case, it seems I've chosen an unfortunate time. However...”
“My uninvited visit today is not just to satisfy my appetite, but also because I admire your reputation, Brother Shen, and wished to ask for some guidance regarding matters of the streets.”
Shen Xiuhan raised his eyelids slightly and said flatly, “What is it?”
Tian Ping'an's smile remained unchanged. He turned sideways, pointing to the two fierce, burly men standing like iron towers behind him.
“To tell you the truth, my two brothers and I are also from Changyun. We left to struggle in the outside world years ago but failed to make a name for ourselves. Now, like weary birds returning to their nests, we only wish to settle back in our homeland. But having returned to this place, we still need to find a livelihood to feed ourselves.”
Tian Ping'an leaned forward and cupped his hands in a deep bow, lowering his posture to the absolute limit:
“Brother Shen is known as one of the Six Prodigies of Changyun, with eyes and ears everywhere. A man of humble origin like me cannot hope to climb the ranks of the great clans, but the Luanbo Gang in the Outer City seems like a good place to go. However, I do not know... what exactly is the background of this Luanbo Gang? I must trouble Brother Shen to enlighten me.”
As he spoke, he quietly looked up, scanning Shen Xiuhan's expression.
“The Luanbo Gang? I don't know much about them.”
Shen Xiuhan shook his head, his expression indifferent.
“I only know they are a newly risen gang. Previously, the Outer City was the Golden Dragon Gang's territory. Later, the two gangs fought. The victors took all; the Golden Dragon Gang was wiped out, leaving only the Luanbo Gang.”
Liar!
While Tian Ping'an's face was filled with smiles, killing intent flooded his heart!
He had returned some days ago and had already met with Gao Fu in secret.
The man had told him in person that the one who killed his eldest brother, Tian Erhu, was most likely someone from the Luanbo Gang!
Besides, even if others were kept in the dark, how could Tian Ping'an not know?
Zheng Dadao, the First Chief of the Luanbo Gang, and Tang Cheng, the Second Chief, were actually men from the Zhenyue Camp of the Longxiang Army!
They were trusted aides of the Zhendong General!
Although Tian Ping'an was not close to them, they had all run in the same military circles. How could he not recognize them?
Half a year ago, these two had led over a dozen fierce soldiers to discharge from the military under the pretext of returning home due to injuries.
Afterward, they quietly came to the Zhendong General's hometown, raised their banner, and established a gang. Their purpose was as clear as day!
They were here to act as sweepers and covert agents for the Wang family!
As for this fellow surnamed Shen...
He had mysteriously appeared near his home and paid a beggar for information.
Now, he had even won a top-three spot and entered the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool to cultivate.
Connecting all these clues together...
This kid had definitely joined the Wang family and become their lackey!
Claiming he "didn't know much"... it was definitely an excuse to brush him off!
Tian Ping'an sneered repeatedly in his heart, but his face betrayed none of his thoughts.
He exchanged a few more polite pleasantries before actively cupping his hands to take his leave:
“Thank you for clearing up my confusion. I have long heard that Brother Shen's family makes delicious noodles. I will certainly come by to taste them another day... Farewell!”
“Of course.”
Shen Xiuhan returned the gesture and watched them leave.
Once the three figures disappeared around the corner of the alley, his gaze instantly turned cold. He turned back into the house, gave a few brief instructions to Madam Zheng, and slung Hanlin across his back.
Immediately after, his figure flashed. With a light tap of his toes, he swept out of the courtyard gate, silently pursuing the direction the three had taken.
...
The Outer City, Yeci Ward.
Tian Ping'an and his companions soon left the Inner City, entering the low, dilapidated, and desolate streets and alleys.
“Eldest Brother, is what that kid said... true or false?”
The man on the left could not help but ask, his tone carrying a hint of hesitation.
“False. He lied!”
Tian Ping'an's face was dark, his voice cold and hard as iron stone.
“I tracked him using the Ten-Mile Tracking secret technique and confirmed that this boy appeared near my home. Even if he was working with the Luanbo Gang to hunt down Gao Fu, his death is still well-deserved!”
Tian Ping'an's parents had died early, leaving him to depend on his brother, Tian Erhu, for survival.
He wanted to learn martial arts.
Tian Erhu would take on any job to help him scrape together the tuition fees.
Carrying sacks at the docks, working as a caravan guard, testing medicine for pharmacies...
That Tian Ping'an could enter the Zhendong Martial Arts Hall, join the Longxiang Army, and rise step by step to where he was today was entirely paid for by Tian Erhu's blood, sweat, and tears!
Now that his eldest brother had died a tragic death, he swore to avenge him!
Even if he had to desert the Longxiang Army and bear the charges of killing comrades and stealing precious treasures, he would not hesitate.
Much less against a mere mud-legged peasant at the Great Perfection of the Mingjin Rank?
Though the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool is famous, you only cultivated in it for three days... How great of a transformation could you possibly undergo? At most, you would only reach the Great Perfection of the Mingjin Rank.
As for me, after obtaining that precious pill and divine technique, I have already broken through my Taichong acupoint and entered the Anjin Rank!
What Six Prodigies of Changyun... They are nothing but frogs at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth!
Once I find the culprit who killed my brother, I will come back and take my time dealing with you, you Wang family lackey!
At this thought, Tian Ping'an's gaze became ice-cold. He turned his head toward the man on his left and asked coldly:
“My eldest brother mentioned in his letters that he studied martial arts at the Tongbei Martial Arts Hall. Though he didn't achieve anything notable, he was on good terms with the second disciple of the inner courtyard, Feng Xiaobao. His entry into the Golden Dragon Gang was also arranged through this man. Have you contacted him yet?”
“Not... not yet.”
The man's face stiffened as he gritted his teeth and reported:
“I have already investigated in secret. The Tongbei Martial Arts Hall suffered a sudden disaster some time ago. Now, the hall has closed its doors to visitors, and everyone from the hall master to the disciples refuses to step outside.”
“A disaster?”
Tian Ping'an's brow furrowed:
“In the territory of Changyun, the Tongbei Martial Arts Hall is considered a local power. The hall master Yan Xiao and his wife are both Anjin Rank experts. What kind of disaster could they possibly suffer?”
The man truthfully reported the news he had gathered:
“According to rumors in the underworld... the eldest disciple of the Tongbei Martial Arts Hall's inner courtyard was crippled by someone, and the third disciple was beaten to death, his corpse left in the backyard.”
“With consecutive disasters striking the sect, Feng Xiaobao has been scared out of his wits. I threw many letters over the courtyard walls, but there has been no response.”
Hearing this, Tian Ping'an's brow knitted tightly, a flash of irritation crossing his eyes:
“Keep throwing letters inside!”
“Tell Feng that I will soon be joining Chenjian Dock. If he dares to play deaf and mute and continue avoiding me, I will send him down to reunite with his fellow disciples!”
“Understood!”
The man cupped his hands and accepted the order, not daring to say another word.
Beside him, the other man hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice:
“Brother An, is what Gao Fu said... truly believable?”
“It's highly likely.”
Tian Ping'an's eyes flickered slightly as he said in a deep voice:
“He has the waist token and a handwritten letter from the First Chief of Chenjian Dock. Besides, three months from now, he still has a massive opportunity that relies on me... There is no need for him to deceive me at a critical juncture like this!”
As he finished speaking, a biting night wind brushed past their cheeks.
Tian Ping'an halted his steps and turned to look at his two sworn brothers who would follow him through life and death. His tone grew somewhat fanatical:
“Second Brother, Third Brother, once I slay our enemy with my own hands, we brothers will head to Chenjian Dock to drink wine from large bowls and eat meat in large chunks.”
“From then on, the sky will be the limit. We won't have to hide anymore. Even the Longxiang Army and the Wang family won't be able to do anything to us!”
“Great!”
Hearing this, the two men licked their lips and exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with hope and longing, as if they could already see those carefree days ahead.
However, at that exact moment—
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Three sharp, ear-piercing whistles ripped through the air, shattering the silence.
“Who's there!”
Light flashed in the eyes of all three as they retreated backward simultaneously.
Rate on N.U.
