22: Chapter 22 Merit

The moment he charged toward Hall Master Chen Xiao, Chen Hu activated his Spiritual Sense.

Facing the three sword shadows attacking him.

His Spiritual Sense instantly determined that the two sword shadows aimed at his face and lower abdomen were feints; the opponent's true attack was directed at his heart.

Consequently, Chen Hu sidestepped the sword strike aimed at his chest and slashed his long saber directly toward Hall Master Chen Xiao's neck.

Facing the blade sweeping toward his neck, Hall Master Chen Xiao had no choice but to retreat rapidly to dodge, while retracting his long sword to parry.

The next moment, Chen Hu and Hall Master Chen Xiao clashed in a flurry of combat, with the dense sound of blades striking each other ringing out incessantly.

Chen Hu's Three Talents Saber had only reached the proficiency level.

Yet, with the assistance of his Spiritual Sense, he could easily discern Hall Master Chen Xiao's intentions and even identify the flaws in his opponent's sword technique.

Therefore, even though he suppressed his cultivation to the Skin Refining Realm Late Stage.

He was able to fight Hall Master Chen Xiao to a standstill.

On the other side.

Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming had also engaged in battle with the Wild Wolf Gang's Hall Master, Jin Hui.

However, Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming's Realm was only at the Flesh Refining Early Stage, while Jin Hui was at the Refining Flesh Mid-Stage.

Relying on his rich combat experience, Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming could only barely manage to avoid defeat.

But if the battle dragged on too long, the possibility of defeat remained very high.

As for Chen Hu's subordinates, they were led by Da Niu and were locked in combat with the members of the Venomous Snake Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang who hadn't fled.

At this moment.

The two archers on the roof opposite the stronghold struck again.

With a 'whoosh', two arrows were shot toward Hall Master Chen Xiao.

These two archers were Er Niu and Song He.

Although this guy Song He was excessive with alcohol and women, he was at least at the Skin Refining Middle Stage.

He might lack the guts for close-quarters combat, but he had no trouble using a bow and arrow for sneak attacks.

Facing the two incoming arrows.

Hall Master Chen Xiao bellowed and swung his sword at Chen Hu with full force.

But through his Spiritual Sense, Chen Hu had already discovered that while this move appeared powerful and forceful, it was actually just a feint intended to scare him into retreating.

Therefore, he also adopted a desperate stance.

He slashed out several times in succession, which made it very uncomfortable for Hall Master Chen Xiao, who wanted to retreat and dodge.

"Puff!"

One arrow struck Hall Master Chen Xiao's left arm directly, though the arrowhead only pierced three inches into his skin.

The second arrow followed closely behind.

But it made a 'ding' sound and was deflected by the skin on Hall Master Chen Xiao's shoulder.

The first arrow was shot by Song He, and the second by Er Niu.

Er Niu was only at the Skin Refining Early Stage, so his strength was inevitably a bit lacking.

But that didn't matter; although Er Niu's arrow hadn't injured Hall Master Chen Xiao, it had created an opportunity for Chen Hu.

The long saber in his hand suddenly erupted, and a bright flash of blade light flickered and vanished.

With a 'puff' sound, Hall Master Chen Xiao's right arm was severed by his blade.

"Ah!"

Hall Master Chen Xiao let out a miserable scream, clutched his severed arm, and turned to flee.

Chen Hu did not pursue him, but instead raised his saber and charged toward Jin Hui.

Seeing Chen Hu charging over, Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming was overjoyed, while Jin Hui's expression darkened.

In his urgency, he gritted his teeth and made a decision, shouting loudly: "Retreat, everyone retreat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he abandoned Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming and turned to run.

"Vice Hall Master Zhou, don't let the rest of them get away!"

Chen Hu reminded him, then turned and charged into the crowd.

Fierce blade light flashed continuously, and each time, it claimed a life.

Seeing this, Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming was not to be outdone and immediately charged into the crowd.

With the two of them joining the fray, the remaining members of the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang completely lost the ability to resist.

In a short while, they were completely wiped out.

The battle ended, and Chen Hu directed his subordinates to quickly clean up the battlefield.

Next came the tallying of casualties.

Because he had made proper arrangements in advance.

This time, none of his subordinates had died; only a few were injured, and it wasn't serious—with proper treatment, they would recover in seven or eight days.

"Chen Hu, we were able to withstand the attack from the Venomous Snake Gang and the Fierce Tiger Gang this time thanks to you. Don't worry, I will report your merit to the General Hall!" Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming patted Chen Hu on the shoulder and said very enthusiastically.

To be honest, Chen Hu's performance had truly shocked him.

It would be one thing if he just had the brains to devise schemes.

The key was that this guy, despite only being at the Skin Refining Realm Late Stage, was actually able to fight someone at the Flesh Refining Realm without falling behind.

And even more so, with the coordination of his subordinates, he had severed one of Hall Master Chen Xiao's arms.

He even suspected that even if he, at the Flesh Refining Early Stage, were to face this guy Chen Hu, he would likely not be his opponent.

However, he did not suspect that Chen Hu was hiding his cultivation.

Because everything Chen Hu had displayed from beginning to end was exquisite saber technique.

He estimated that Chen Hu's Three Talents Saber should have reached the Major Achievement stage, not far from Perfection.

"Many thanks, Vice Hall Master Zhou!"

Chen Hu hurriedly thanked him, saying: "By the way, should we send people to scout the situation on the other streets?"

"Correct, we should indeed send people to scout!"

Upon receiving Chen Hu's reminder, Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming immediately realized this.

Because before the battle, Chen Hu had sent people to report the movements of the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang to him in advance.

Coupled with the fact that it was an extraordinary period.

Vice Hall Master Zhou Jianming had reported this matter to his superiors.

Allowing the Fierce Tiger Gang to have some level of preparedness.

A quarter of an hour later.

The subordinates sent to scout for information returned one after another.

When they were being attacked, the other three strongholds of the Third Battle Hall were also attacked.

However, the General Hall had ambushed people at the three strongholds.

So the Venomous Snake Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang did not gain any advantage.

But the merits gained were not as great as those of Chen Hu and his group.

Because he was worried that the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang might make another move.

Chen Hu ordered everyone to rest at the stronghold.

Early the next morning.

People from the Disciplinary Hall arrived at the stronghold to conduct a tally of merits.

Chen Hu severed one of Hall Master Chen Xiao's arms and was awarded one Major Merit.

He killed two major leaders and was awarded two Medium Merits.

He also killed four minor leaders and was awarded four Minor Merits.

In addition, he killed eight ordinary subordinates and was awarded eight Ordinary Merits.

The Fierce Tiger Gang's merits were divided into Major Merit, Medium Merit, Minor Merit, and Ordinary Merit.

What were these merits used for?

They could be used to exchange for silver, Cultivation Techniques, Martial Skills, and weapons.

If an Ordinary Merit was used to exchange for silver, one Ordinary Merit was worth 80 taels.

If used to exchange for a Cultivation Technique.

Three Ordinary Merits could be exchanged for a non-graded Cultivation Technique.

As for Minor Merit, one Minor Merit was worth 100 taels of silver; one Medium Merit was worth 300 taels of silver; one Major Merit was worth 1000 taels of silver.

Of course, generally speaking, no one would use these merits to exchange for silver.

The merits tallied by the Disciplinary Hall were the merits from kills.

There were also invisible merits.

For example, protecting the stronghold and his subordinates, or leading men to repel the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang.

These all counted as invisible merits.

This time, besides Chen Hu gaining quite a few merits, every subordinate had at least one Ordinary Merit to receive.

Especially the brothers Da Niu and Er Niu, who both obtained one Minor Merit.

That kid Song He, who had wounded Hall Master Chen Xiao, was even awarded a Medium Merit directly.

Therefore, after the people from the Disciplinary Hall left, everyone cheered.

Seeing this, Chen Hu gave orders for someone to go to a restaurant and send over several tables of banquet food to reward everyone.

Over the next few days.

Chen Hu and his band of subordinates ate, drank, and lived at the stronghold.

Fortunately, the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang did not continue to send people to attack.

During these few days.

It could be said that Chen Hu had a double celebration.

He cultivated day and night, allowing his martial path cultivation to reach the Meat Refining Stage.

His Spirit Refining cultivation broke through to the Soul Condensation Middle Stage, and the facial features on his Divine Soul grew a pair of eyes and a mouth.

His Spiritual Sense range soared to a radius of two hundred meters.