145: Chapter 145 Expanding Influence

Shaking off some thoughts, he returned to the Ax Gang.

Lu Qingfeng watched the group of brats still training under the scorching sun.

The original 5,000 people were now down to about 4,500.

However, their military bearing was neat, their movements in sync, and they had clearly begun to form a fighting force.

The brothers Zhu Chen and Zhu Hao deserved much of the credit, but until their backgrounds were fully investigated, he still dared not trust them completely.

The entire Ax Gang headquarters had added quite a few buildings.

One building in particular was built very luxuriously, equipped with everything one could need, and was called the Guest Elder Building.

It was mainly used to arrange housing for outside talent.

Dozens of people were already living there; in the past month and a half, they had recruited quite a few people one after another.

There was no requirement to live there, but there was a rule that they must return to report once every three days. Otherwise, it would be considered unauthorized departure, and they would be hunted down by the Ax Gang. However, no one had left yet.

This caused the Ax Gang's strength to surge significantly.

Because among the people inside, aside from some specific talents, there were over twenty experts of Level 4 or higher.

The most powerful were two Peak Level 6 experts.

One had a crew cut and was named Gu Ping, while the other wore his hair long like an artist and was named Chi Xing.

All Guest Elders were managed by Brother Chen.

After all, it had been half a year, and Brother Chen could be considered someone whose roots and background were known.

He returned to the third floor.

Lian Caiyi was drinking tea. Recently, the Ax Gang's personnel had increased greatly.

Unless there was something important, she would not go out, choosing instead to arrange for others to handle things.

"Did you not go to Qingshan today?"

Looking at Lian Caiyi, who was leisurely drinking tea, Lu Qingfeng asked.

"Why would I need to stare at it every day? The construction progress there isn't fast, and money is getting tight again. The project is too big, requiring both money and people. You really do ignore everything outside your own world."

Lian Caiyi was drinking tea and complaining a bit.

Lu Qingfeng felt a bit awkward.

"Ahem... Isn't that what you're here for? I'm not good at these things."

"By the way... The Brotherhood Group has recently been hinting, both overtly and covertly, for us to expand our influence. They probably want to use us as the scapegoat again."

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng sneered:

"Then let's just listen to them for now and wait for the right moment... If they want to use us as a scapegoat, sooner or later, we'll peck their eyes out."

"Hmm... As long as you don't have absolute certainty in taking down a King-level Esper, we can only listen to them."

"I know that... Don't worry, my current principle is not to do things I'm not sure about."

Ever since his Inner Gang reached Perfection, Lu Qingfeng had actually been restless, wanting to trade blows with a King-level expert.

In his eyes, Level 6 Ability Users were not even as good as children; they posed no pressure.

As for how big the gap was between him and a King-level expert now, he didn't even know himself.

After all, these were two completely different cultivation systems; there were no predecessors, and he was the first.

But reason told him that he couldn't take risks for now. If he were alone, he might have already gone to challenge one.

As for a sense of crisis? Isn't it the more severe, the more exciting?

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he asked:

"Caiyi... have you still not found any smelting talent?"

"No... These types of people are generally honest and don't break the law. And in Chaos City, those who know how to smelt are basically controlled by other factions."

"Then we'll just snatch them."

Smelting talent was relatively scarce. After all, in this kind of place, high-end technical talent was truly rare, while combat talent was much more common.

Lian Caiyi nodded, saying with a murderous look:

"I plan to have them take action tonight. First, we will wipe out our former superiors, the Shanzhai Group, kill all their high-level members, and seize all their talent and businesses."

"Are you sure? Do you need me to step in?"

"Don't worry... They're just a bunch of small fry. We hired so many Guest Elders, and they aren't just here to eat for free. If you have to do everything, then what do we need them for?"

"It's perfect that this is their first action. We can see whether they have truly joined us or if they have ulterior motives. If they do, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

Long-term control of the gang had given Lian Caiyi the aura of someone in a position of power, and her words were filled with Killing Intent.

Lu Qingfeng nodded.

"Hmm... Have Zhu Hao and the others take their people out as well. Just training without real combat won't work. Also, if there are qualified combat talents, incorporate them into our new army, have them serve as leaders, and establish our Combat Hall, specifically for external operations."

Listening to Lu Qingfeng's words, Lian Caiyi looked at him and smiled.

"Oh... Our Lord Lu actually understands these things? Don't worry, it's already been arranged. Just wait for good news tonight. I plan to annex three medium-sized factions within a month, dominate the entire Southern Entrance area, and become the largest faction under the Brotherhood Group."

"Hmm... Remember to snatch a few technical personnel who know how to smelt and send them to Qingshan."

Lu Qingfeng was preoccupied with his weapons.

He planned to forge a blade and some throwing knives.

As for a spear, he felt it wasn't suitable; a blade was more convenient.

He would save the rest to use as weapons for his mecha.

If he had weapons, he might be able to kill a King-level expert by surprise.

...

Time marched on.

A month later.

The Ax Gang was now at the height of its power.

In the Southern Entrance area, they were unrivaled, even overshadowing the Brotherhood Group.

Having experienced several gang-extermination wars, the combat power of the members within the gang had rapidly increased.

And the people in the Guest Elder Building had performed quite well; there were no slackers.

Qingshan.

Inside the mountain, in a certain space.

A primitive bellows was being pulled by a burly man, making a roaring sound.

The workbench was ringing with the constant clanging of metal.

"My Lord, we will make the embryos first. We have refined the vibranium ourselves, but the integration process might not be mature enough, and we are afraid of wasting some raw materials."

A middle-aged man said, bowing.

"Hmm... Try to save as much as you can!"

Lu Qingfeng was expressionless.

"There will be a reward once it's done. Once you finish making the weapons, I will have someone send a group of girls from the Heaven on Earth to take care of your daily needs."

The middle-aged man was overjoyed.

"Thank you, My Lord!"

"Go get busy!"

"Yes..."

Once people came to Qingshan, if they weren't trusted confidants, they would absolutely never be allowed to leave again. Thus, this place became their living quarters.

This would continue until Lu Qingfeng unified Chaos City.

Afterward, he wandered around this space that had been hollowed out from the mountain.

The people inside were working fervently.

Because the treatment was so good—they had food and drink, their living conditions weren't bad, and women were periodically arranged to provide services—as long as they worked diligently, they didn't have to worry about losing their lives at any moment.

Many of the people here were original residents of the slums.

With such treatment, they would rather spend the rest of their lives here.

Lian Caiyi was in front, giving instructions to a few teenagers.

She saw Lu Qingfeng walking over.

"Remember what I just said; you are not allowed to make any mistakes. Do you understand?"

"Yes..."

"Hmm... Go!"

The few teenagers dispersed. Seeing Lu Qingfeng approaching, they respectfully lowered their heads, waiting for him to pass before they lifted their heads and continued on their way.

Actually, Lu Qingfeng was not used to this, but Lian Caiyi had once said that during the startup phase, one must cast everything aside; once you have the strength, you can then set the rules.

"Caiyi, has everything been arranged?"

"It's done. Let's go back. There's news that we might need to prepare to take action against the Black Hand Society's influence; the Brotherhood Group is getting a bit impatient."

"Hmm... You can handle the arrangements; I'm only responsible for the killing..."