39: Chapter 39 Bai Tianxiao, Tiangong Sect

The White Dragon Gang's base was located in the eastern district of Flying Fish City, adjacent to the docks, and occupied a vast area.

Unlike the Canglang Water Dock, which focused on water transport, the White Dragon Gang advanced on both land and water, involving itself in whatever made money: dock loading and unloading, gambling dens and brothels, salt smuggling, and even lending and debt collection; its reach was extremely long.

However, twenty years ago, the White Dragon Gang was just one of many small, obscure Gangs in the eastern district of Flying Fish City, surviving by collecting a little protection money from the docks.

Until the arrival of Bai Tianxiao.

This man's origins were mysterious; it was said he was once a discarded disciple of a major sect. His Evil Flood Dragon Wave Surfing Art had already reached the Transcendent stage; he was ruthless in his methods and deeply calculating.

He entered the White Dragon Gang alone, and in less than ten days, the old Gang leader of that time suffered an "accidental" sudden death, and several defiant Elders died violent deaths one after another.

Subsequently, he integrated the Gang members with thunderous methods, purged dissenters, and held the White Dragon Gang firmly in his grasp.

In the first month after the integration, Bai Tianxiao led the White Dragon Gang to launch a surprise attack on the "East Creek Association," the largest local power in the eastern district of Flying Fish City at the time.

After a night of bloody battle, two of the three leaders of the East Creek Association were dead and one was heavily injured, and the Gang members scattered.

Stepping over the bones of the East Creek Association, the White Dragon Gang leaped to become the largest Gang force in the eastern district of Flying Fish City. In the twenty years since, it had continuously expanded, its tentacles gradually extending to Linjiang Prefecture and even the entire Three Rivers Estuary waters, becoming a powerful force that could not be ignored.

At this moment, inside the White Dragon Gang headquarters—a heavily guarded mansion with three courtyards—the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

The main hall was brightly lit.

Seated on eight grandmaster chairs were the seven remaining Elders of the White Dragon Gang and the Hall Master of the Discipline Hall.

Everyone's expression was solemn, filled with shock, anger, fear, or suspicion, as they discussed in low voices, as noisy as a marketplace.

"How could the young master of the gang... just who is that Li Feiyu?"

"Investigate! We must investigate thoroughly! Anyone who dares to touch the young master of the gang of my White Dragon Gang must have their entire clan exterminated!"

"That place, Old Stork Bay... the background of the Hundred Refinements Workshop isn't simple. Could it be them..."

"Impossible! The Hundred Refinements Workshop is open for business and values its reputation; they wouldn't smash their own brand."

"I heard that Li Feiyu killed the people and even left a message: 'It's precisely the White Dragon Gang I'm killing!' This is an open declaration of war!"

"Could it be that our recent movements have been too large and provoked someone we shouldn't have? From the prefectural city? Or... the Canglang Water Dock?"

"That bunch of apothecaries and doctors from the Canglang Water Dock? Where would they get the guts!"

Everyone spoke at once, and the more they talked, the more chaotic and panicked they became.

The young master of the gang, Bai Yujiao, was the only son of Gang Leader Bai Tianxiao!

He was the future heir of the White Dragon Gang!

Now that he had died on the river for no apparent reason, and even his body couldn't be found, how could the Gang Leader let it go?

Bang!

Suddenly, the two heavy mahogany doors of the main hall were kicked open from the outside, the door hinges letting out an overburdened groan!

A tall, burly figure radiating a violent aura strode in.

The newcomer was about fifty years old, with a square face and a short beard like steel needles. His tiger-like eyes were currently as red as blood, swirling with sky-toppling rage and killing intent.

It was precisely the White Dragon Gang Leader, Bai Tianxiao!

His mysterious black silk robe fluttered even without wind. Around him, there was a faint roar of blood and Qi like the low growl of an evil flood dragon. With every step he took, the bluestone floor sank slightly, leaving clear footprints.

The terrifying pressure was like a physical tide, instantly flooding the entire main hall.

All the discussion came to an abrupt halt.

The seven Elders and the Hall Master of the Discipline Hall all stood up in unison, bowing with their hands clasped, their voices trembling:

"Gang Leader!"

Bai Tianxiao walked to the main seat but did not sit down.

His blood-red eyes slowly swept over the people below. That gaze was like a bone-scraping steel knife; wherever it reached, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Finally, his gaze fixed on the Hall Master of the Discipline Hall, a pale, beardless middle-aged man with a sinister look in his eyes.

"Hall Master Zhao," Bai Tianxiao spoke, his voice hoarse like sandpaper rubbing against iron. "When Shiyu went out last night, the escort force around him—was it arranged by you?"

Hall Master Zhao's heart trembled, and he braced himself to say: "Reporting to the Gang Leader, it was arranged by this subordinate. In addition to twelve Iron Bone Realm experts from the Gang, there was... there was also Mr. Mo, the 'Second-Class Evil Physician' from the Heavenly Evil Cult. Mr. Mo was at the Middle Stage of the Burning Viscera realm and was proficient in using poison and controlling Gu. Logically speaking..."

"Logically speaking?" Bai Tianxiao interrupted him, his lips curling into a hair-raising arc. "Logically speaking, my son should be back alive right now, instead of feeding the fish and shrimp in the river!"

Before he finished speaking, his figure suddenly vanished!

In the next instant, he appeared in front of Hall Master Zhao, his right hand like a steel pincer, lightning-fast as it gripped the other's throat!

"Gang Leader, spare..." Hall Master Zhao pleaded in terror, his blood and Qi instinctively exploding as he tried to struggle.

Crack!

Bai Tianxiao's five fingers closed, and the crisp sound of bone breaking rang out.

Hall Master Zhao's eyes bulged, his head tilted to one side at a bizarre angle, and his breath was instantly extinguished.

Bai Tianxiao casually threw the corpse onto the ground, like discarding a piece of trash.

Blood seeped from Hall Master Zhao's mouth and nose, slowly spreading across the polished floor.

The hall was as silent as death.

The remaining seven Elders were as quiet as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe loudly, as cold sweat poured down their foreheads.

Bai Tianxiao turned around, walked back to the main seat, and slowly sat down.

His gaze swept over everyone like a venomous snake, his voice bone-chillingly cold:

"Now, who can tell me exactly what the background of that 'Li Feiyu' is? Why did my son, with over a dozen experts and a Middle Stage Burning Viscera evil physician, die at his hands? Hmm?"

A tall, thin Elder in charge of intelligence wiped his sweat and said tremblingly: "Gang Leader, please appease your anger! That Li Feiyu's identity is extremely mysterious, as if he appeared out of thin air. We have used all our hidden agents and informants and checked all the lists of experts in the Three Rivers Estuary in recent years, but no one matches the characteristics of 'Li Feiyu'. This person... most likely used a pseudonym."

Another Elder added:

"Gang Leader, this matter is strange. That Li Feiyu acted ruthlessly, taking the young master of the gang's life directly, and clearly targeted our White Dragon Gang. Could it be... that our recent 'business' touched the interests of certain forces? For example... that 'Double-Blade Woman' who has been investigating us in the shadows?"

"Shen Hongxiu?" A cold light flashed in Bai Tianxiao's eyes. "She is indeed a nuisance. But she alone couldn't hire an expert capable of instantly killing Old Ghost Mo and Shiyu."

His fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest, making a dull "thump, thump" sound, each beat striking the hearts of the Elders.

"No matter who he is or what his background is," Bai Tianxiao said slowly, each word carrying bloody killing intent, "anyone who kills the son of me, Bai Tianxiao, must pay with blood. I will drag him out, skin him alive, pull out his tendons, refine his soul, and boil his fat for oil, making him wish for life but find it impossible, and wish for death but find it out of reach!"

"The Gang Leader is wise!" the Elders quickly echoed.

The tall, thin Elder from before hesitated for a moment and then said:

"Gang Leader, that Li Feiyu ordered weapons at the Hundred Refinements Workshop using extremely precious Red-Eyed Blood Tiger Materials. It is said he can collect the goods in ten days. He will certainly go to get them. Why don't we set up an inescapable net around the Hundred Refinements Workshop and wait for him to walk right into it?"

Hearing this, a sharp light flashed in Bai Tianxiao's eyes, but he immediately frowned again:

"The Hundred Refinements Workshop... is not an ordinary blacksmith shop. It is one of the peripheral forces under the 'Heavenly Craft Sect'. Although the Heavenly Craft Sect does not participate in Jianghu conflicts, they are very protective and value rules and reputation above all. Acting within the territory of the Hundred Refinements Workshop is equivalent to slapping the face of the Heavenly Craft Sect."

"The Heavenly Craft Sect?!" The Elders gasped.

That was a behemoth with a thousand-year Legacy, famous throughout the world for its Artifact Refining, mechanical devices, and Formations. Its power spread across the Central Plains, and although it did not seek hegemony, no one dared to provoke it lightly.

No wonder the Hundred Refinements Workshop could safely operate along the major rivers without anyone daring to touch it.

"However..." Bai Tianxiao's tone shifted, his lips curling into a cruel arc, "we cannot touch the Hundred Refinements Workshop, but outside of it... Old Stork Bay has a ten-mile radius with complex waterways and dense forests; it's the perfect place for an ambush."

He looked at a scar-faced Elder in charge of operations:

"Scar Wolf, assemble the Gang's elites. For those at the Burning Viscera realm and above, except for those necessary to stay behind, all others are to be mobilized. Also, take the 'Water Ghost Camp' people and keep a dead stare on all the waterways, river bends, and reed marshes downstream of Old Stork Bay where people can hide! As long as any suspicious person approaches the Hundred Refinements Workshop or leaves from it, capture them first!"

"Yes! Gang Leader!" the scar-faced Elder replied in a deep voice.

"Remember," Bai Tianxiao added, his tone grim, "I want him alive. At least, until I find out who is behind him and all his accomplices, I want him alive."

"This subordinate understands!"

"All of you, go and prepare." Bai Tianxiao waved his hand and tiredly closed his blood-red eyes. "I will personally avenge Shiyu."

The Elders felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty. They bowed and hurriedly exited the main hall to assemble their respective forces.

Inside the hall, only Bai Tianxiao remained, along with the gradually cooling corpse on the floor.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking at the heavy night sky outside the window, his eyes swirling with bone-deep sorrow and madness.

"Shiyu... Father will definitely make them all be buried with you..."

Under the same night sky.

Canglang Water Dock, Apothecary's private room.

Jiang Hanzhou sat cross-legged on the bed, his aura calm. He had completely restrained the surging blood and Qi from his Breakthrough and looked no different from usual.

He closed his eyes to concentrate, but his mind was like a clear mirror, vividly reflecting every detail of the trip to Old Stork Bay.

"The White Dragon Gang lost their young master of the gang and an important Guest Elder... with the White Dragon Gang's style, they will never let it go."

"The Hundred Refinements Workshop is said to have an extraordinary background, so they won't dare to act openly. But... they will definitely set an ambush on the outskirts when I go to collect the blade."

A cold smile appeared at the corner of Jiang Hanzhou's mouth.

"An ambush? Perfect."

He already had no good feelings toward the White Dragon Gang, from Shen Hongxiu's revelation of their human trafficking trade to seeing their members' arrogance with his own eyes, and then to Bai Yujiao and that evil physician's greedy threats... this Gang was rotten to the core from top to bottom.

Now that a deadly feud had been established, there was nothing more to be said.

On the path of the Jianghu, it was either you die or I perish.

Shrinking back and hiding had never been his style.

Since the other party wanted to set a trap to kill him, why not play along and counter-kill them?

With his current Burning Viscera realm cultivation, his newly formed dao bone, and his Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills all far surpassing those of the same level—plus an acoustic attack secret technique like Dragons Roar and Tigers Howl—as long as he didn't fall into an army's encirclement or encounter a powerful enemy above the Burning Viscera realm, protecting himself and even counter-killing would be more than enough.

"However, even a lion uses its full strength when hunting a rabbit." Jiang Hanzhou opened his eyes, his gaze deep. "The White Dragon Gang has occupied the Three Rivers Estuary for twenty years and has significant depth, while I don't know much about them..."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

He thought of Shen Hongxiu.

That mysterious and persistent double-blade woman clearly had a very deep investigation into the White Dragon Gang.

She must have detailed intelligence on the White Dragon Gang's core combat power, the distribution of their strongholds, and even Bai Tianxiao's own martial arts characteristics.

If he could get her help, this operation would have a greater certainty of success.

Jiang Hanzhou got up, walked to the window, and pushed it open.

The night wind rushed in, carrying the scent of the river water.

In his mind, he recalled the secret contact method Shen Hongxiu had left when they parted:

['If you need to find me, you can go to the "Liu Family Grocery Store" in the western district of Flying Fish City and say to the shopkeeper: "Are there any red dates for sale? Red dates from Yunmeng Prefecture, the bigger the better, I want three hundred catties."']

"Liu Family Grocery Store... Red dates from Yunmeng Prefecture..."

Jiang Hanzhou repeated it in a low voice, firmly etching it into his heart.

He looked at the sky; there was still some time before dawn.

"Tomorrow, I'll take a trip to Flying Fish City."

"After getting the intelligence, I'll then... have a good meeting with this White Dragon Gang."

He closed the window and sat down cross-legged again, thinking no more as his mind sank into cultivation.

Inside his body, that dark-gold blood core slowly rotated, swallowing and exhaling pure blood and Qi, nourishing the newborn dao bone. Faint phantoms of a dragon and tiger appeared around him and then quietly faded away.

The night grew deeper, and the Water Dock was silent.

Only the river waves slapped the shore, sound after sound, as if foretelling that an even greater storm was about to sweep through this land of the Three Rivers Estuary.