25: The White Tiger Hall came knocking

Feiyun Tower, private room.

Chen Fugui and Old Man Mu were drinking and having fun.

These two old fellows hadn't had enough to drink at the Martial Arts Training Hall, so they came to Feiyun Tower to drink.

Chen Heng, on the other hand, was stuffing his face with food.

He had to eat, as his body's consumption was simply too great now.

In addition to his regular three meals a day, he also had to eat an extra three catties of beef, six catties of white rice, and four or five fish every day.

Even with all that, he was only barely full.

Especially on days without blood refining powder, Chen Heng was in a constant state of hunger.

Even drinking qi and blood decoction didn't have much effect; he still had to eat a large amount of food.

If Chen Fugui wasn't rich enough, he really wouldn't be able to afford to feed him.

Chen Heng's single meal was more than what a normal family ate in two days.

"Chen Fatty, according to what you said, your family offended the White Tiger Hall, so why don't you let your son try to join the Vermilion Bird Hall?"

After three rounds of drinks, Chen Fugui and Old Man Mu were both a little tipsy.

"That Vermilion Bird Hall Master has always been at odds with the White Tiger Hall."

"It just so happens that your son killed the Second Master of the White Tiger Hall, which is a great achievement for the Vermilion Bird Hall!"

"Moreover, your son is incredibly strong. If he joins the Vermilion Bird Hall, he'll at least be an Outer Deacon."

"I'd like to, but the Five Spirits Gang isn't something someone like me can easily approach," Chen Fugui said, picking up a piece of food.

"That's true," Old Man Mu nodded, agreeing with Chen Fugui.

"Alas, if we could really join the Vermilion Bird Hall, our Mu Family could also enjoy the good life with you all."

Old Man Mu was right; the Five Spirits Gang could be called the local emperor in Qiyang City.

Apart from the capital, which was still under control, other prefectures and counties in the Great Liang Kingdom were basically autonomous.

The emperor was incompetent, civil officials corrupted the court, and military generals held significant power.

This was the best description of the Great Liang Kingdom's current state.

Leaving aside other towns, just take Qiyang City as an example.

The City Lord basically did nothing except exploit the common people.

Most major and minor affairs in Qiyang City were managed by the Five Spirits Gang.

Saying the Five Spirits Gang was a pure Gang wasn't entirely accurate; it was more of a grey area Gang.

They did good deeds, but they also committed many bad ones.

They acted without any scruples.

"Chen Fatty, I still suggest you find a way to join the Five Spirits Gang," Old Man Mu advised earnestly, putting down his wine cup.

"Leaving aside other things about the Five Spirits Gang, the northwest region has the most various high-grade martial arts among them."

"There's also the Five Spirits Skill, the Internal Skill that the Five Spirits Gang primarily cultivates."

"For your son's martial Dao, you must find a way."

"That makes sense," Chen Fugui nodded, but he looked a bit dejected.

Although he was quite wealthy, high-grade martial arts and Internal Skill were not things that could be bought with money.

"How about this, I'll look for connections and see if I can help you establish that link," Old Man Mu said after thinking for a moment.

"Then many thanks..."

Before Chen Fugui could finish his polite words, a commotion erupted on the first floor of Feiyun Tower.

"The Five Spirits Gang's White Tiger Hall is conducting business! Uninvolved individuals, step aside!"

With that shout, the guests on the first floor scattered.

Chen Heng looked up, putting down the half-eaten roasted chicken in his hand.

"Father, Uncle Mu, stand behind me." As the footsteps grew closer, Chen Heng was sure these people were looking for him.

Thump, thump, thump.

"May I ask if you are Young Master Chen Heng?" The private room door was pushed open, and the leading strong man cupped his fists towards Chen Heng.

"White Tiger Hall?" This whole spectacle confused Chen Heng.

You're a Gang, shouldn't you be breaking down the door, shouting, and then getting a good beating from me?

Why are you so polite?

"Our Hall Master invites Young Master Chen to the White Tiger Hall for a discussion." The White Tiger Hall members just stood at the door without entering, waiting for Chen Heng's reply.

"What is it?" Chen Heng sat on the sandalwood chair, looking at the man, his right hand already on his black fiend blade.

"We wouldn't know; we're just messengers," the White Tiger Hall member shook his head.

"Young Master Chen, please give us a reply, so I can report back."

"Let's go," Chen Heng stood up, slinging the black fiend blade over his shoulder.

"Son..." Chen Fugui tried to stop Chen Heng but was pressed back into his seat.

"I'll be back shortly," Chen Heng gave Chen Fugui a reassuring look.

"Let's go," Chen Heng followed the White Tiger Gang members out of Feiyun Tower.

Chen Fugui and Old Man Mu quickly leaned out the window, watching Chen Heng get into a carriage marked with the White Tiger Hall's insignia.

"Don't stare; from the looks of it, they shouldn't be here to cause trouble," Old Man Mu patted Chen Fugui's shoulder.

"I hope so," Chen Fugui's face was filled with worry.

He hadn't expected the White Tiger Hall to come knocking so quickly... Inside the carriage, Chen Heng closed his eyes, resting.

Sitting directly opposite him was the Gang member who had delivered the message.

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped.

"Young Master Chen, please alight," a Gang member opened the carriage door.

"Thank you," Chen Heng opened his eyes and stepped out of the carriage.

After getting out, what met his eyes was a colossal gambling house.

Prosperity Workshop.

The name was rustic, but it perfectly suited the place.

The gambling house appeared to have four stories, covering at least three to four hundred meters.

"Young Master Chen, please come in. Our Hall Master is waiting for you inside."

At the entrance of the gambling house, a young attendant came forward and led Chen Heng into the establishment.

As soon as he entered the gambling house, a cacophony of shouts and the clatter of dice assaulted him.

Various sizes of gambling tables filled the entire first floor, and gamblers of all kinds loudly shouted their bets.

One might think they believed the louder they shouted, the more they would win.

Led by the attendant, Chen Heng passed through the noisy hall and arrived at a quiet area.

"Young Master Chen, our Hall Master is waiting for you ahead. My status is too low to enter."

The attendant bowed respectfully and then left.

Leaving Chen Heng standing before this iron door.

Pushing open the iron door, Chen Heng walked in.

Inside the iron door was a descending staircase, about a hundred steps.

In stark contrast to the noisy environment outside, it became exceptionally quiet behind the iron door.

As he walked down, there was a burly Gang member guarding every dozen or so steps.

Reaching the bottom floor, Chen Heng immediately saw a middle-aged man with graying hair.

"You're here?" The middle-aged man waved at Chen Heng and offered him a cup of tea.

"You are the White Tiger Hall Master?" Chen Heng took the tea and, not caring if it was poisoned, took a sip directly.

"Indeed," the White Tiger Hall Master nodded.

"My name is Qi Longhu, and I am the Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall, one of the Five Spirits Gang's five halls."

"I invited you here today to discuss something."

"What is it?" Chen Heng put down the teacup, gripping his black fiend blade.

This was the prelude to revealing their true intentions!

"Are you willing to join my White Tiger Hall?"

"If you are, would the position of Outer Deacon satisfy you?"

Qi Longhu also put down his teacup and looked up, meeting Chen Heng's gaze.

"?" Three question marks appeared above Chen Heng's head.

"I remember we were enemies, weren't we?"

"That Second Master of your White Tiger Hall, I was the one who killed him, right?"

"Why are you trying to recruit me now?"