44: Chapter 44 Bone-Refining Flower Queen

Desheng Restaurant, second-floor private room.

After some superficial pleasantries, Leader Gao Zhan invited Gang Leader Du Zaishan and Gang Leader Xu Huanlin to take their seats.

Initially, Gang Leader Du Zaishan kept a low profile, offering to pay 10,000 taels of silver to redeem those eight streets.

How could Leader Gao Zhan possibly agree!

Although the profits from collecting protection money were far less than those from trafficking illicit salt.

But since the territory had already been seized, how could he possibly spit it back out?

Furthermore, the Fierce Tiger Gang had put in considerable effort to take those eight streets, mobilizing quite a large number of men.

Even if he were willing, the other high-ranking members probably wouldn't be.

After all, taking over these eight streets meant another Battle Hall could be established.

At that time, there would be positions for one Hall Master, two Deputy Hall Masters, four Senior Leaders, and eight Junior Leaders.

Who didn't have a few confidants or relatives?

With so many extra positions, wouldn't they want to push their own confidants and relatives into power?

Once Leader Gao Zhan gave up those eight streets.

While it might not cause a rift with the high-ranking members, at the very least, it would create resentment in their hearts.

In the past, when he fought against the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang, the reason he didn't seize their territory wasn't because he couldn't.

It was because he couldn't.

To put it plainly, the Fierce Tiger Gang was merely a money-making tool for the Huang Family.

With the financial resources of the Fierce Tiger Gang, expanding their influence and destroying the Wild Wolf Gang and the Venomous Snake Gang to dominate the Changshou Ward would be completely effortless.

However, if the Fierce Tiger Gang became too strong, it would invite the suspicion of the Huang Family.

Therefore, he had been biding his time.

Now, the opportunity had arrived; the Huang Family had expanded the scope of their illicit salt business.

Trafficking illicit salt was a capital offense.

Although the Huang Family was one of the Five Great Families in the Inner City, they did not want to hand evidence to the imperial government.

Therefore, the best solution.

Was to hand over the newly opened channels to the Fierce Tiger Gang.

If something went wrong, they could simply push the Fierce Tiger Gang out to take the fall. Without the Fierce Tiger Gang, as long as the Huang Family spread the word, there would be plenty of Gangs willing to work for them.

As for why the Huang Family hadn't handed the new channels to other Gangs this time.

It was because the Huang Family had discovered that Leader Gao Zhan was both obedient and sensible.

Moreover, the Fierce Tiger Gang was just a small third-rate Gang; the Huang Family could wipe them out whenever they wanted.

Therefore, in consideration of Leader Gao Zhan being so sensible and obedient, they didn't mind letting his influence expand a little.

Seeing that Leader Gao Zhan wouldn't give him any Face, Gang Leader Du Zaishan's Face turned livid. He slammed the table in anger and said, "Leader Gao Zhan, are you trying to force us into a fight to the death?"

"Are you even worthy?"

Leader Gao Zhan swept a disdainful glance at the two of them.

This glance caused Gang Leader Xu Huanlin's anger to surge: "Leader Gao Zhan, you are too arrogant! Do you really think we wouldn't dare to drag you down with us?"

"Heh!"

Leader Gao Zhan's laughter was even more infuriating, leaving Gang Leader Du Zaishan and Gang Leader Xu Huanlin feeling suffocated.

"To be honest with you both, our Fierce Tiger Gang is working for a certain family in the Inner City. Recently, we've been short on manpower, so regardless of your attitude, our Fierce Tiger Gang is determined to keep those eight streets!"

Upon hearing this, Gang Leader Du Zaishan and Gang Leader Xu Huanlin's expressions changed drastically, and at the same time, a deep sense of dread arose in their hearts.

Because Leader Gao Zhan had practically said it outright: they were under orders from the Huang Family to expand their influence.

If you oppose our Fierce Tiger Gang.

You are opposing the Huang Family.

"Fine, Gang Leader Gao, those eight streets belong to you then. We'll see about this!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gang Leader Du Zaishan stood up and left.

Gang Leader Xu Huanlin hurried to catch up.

Seeing this, Leader Gao Zhan said nothing more to avoid any complications.

"Haha, congratulations, Gang Leader! Our Fierce Tiger Gang has added another Battle Hall!" Song He congratulated him with a Face full of smiles.

"That's right, Gang Leader, this is truly a joyous occasion!"

Another Elder and Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan immediately chimed in with flattery.

Leader Gao Zhan raised his hand, his gaze landing on Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan: "Old Ma, you played an indispensable role in taking these eight streets this time. However, it won't be easy to fully integrate these eight streets into our Fierce Tiger Gang. Therefore, I intend to transfer you here to serve as the Hall Master of the Fourth Battle Hall. If you are willing to come, I will personally compensate you with a Medium Grade Breakthrough Pill!"

Upon hearing the first half of Leader Gao Zhan's words, Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan felt angry and dissatisfied, but after hearing that Leader Gao Zhan would compensate him with a Medium Grade Breakthrough Pill, his dissatisfaction and anger instantly vanished.

A Medium Grade Breakthrough Pill could allow his cultivation to reach the next level.

"Thank you for your promotion, Gang Leader! This subordinate is willing to come here!"

"Good, I knew you wouldn't let me down. In that case, when you come here, you can bring along one Senior Leader you work well with!" Leader Gao Zhan said, patting Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan on the shoulder.

A little less than an hour later.

Leader Gao Zhan and his party walked down from the second floor.

Chen Hu and the others on the first floor immediately stood up to respectfully see off Leader Gao Zhan and his party.

"Chen Hu, when will you be able to make a Breakthrough to the Flesh Refining Realm?"

Passing by Chen Hu, Leader Gao Zhan paused and asked with a smile on his Face.

"Reporting to the Gang Leader, this subordinate has already made a Breakthrough!"

Chen Hu said, feigning pride.

"Oh, so fast?"

Leader Gao Zhan was somewhat surprised.

Chen Hu said: "Gang Leader, in the past two days, a friend gifted me half a catty of exotic beast meat. Combined with the Medicinal Pill you gifted me, I was lucky enough to make a Breakthrough!"

"exotic beast meat?"

Leader Gao Zhan was stunned: "You brat, you have good fortune to be able to get your hands on such a thing. Keep up the good work; the Gang will not forget your contribution!"

He had been working for the Huang Family, diligent and conscientious for so many years.

The Huang Family would give him a share of half a catty of exotic beast meat every year.

He used all this exotic beast meat on himself, not even willing to give any to his own son.

He didn't expect that Chen Hu, a mere Skin Refining Realm Martial Artist, could actually obtain exotic beast meat. This kid was truly not simple.

After seeing off Leader Gao Zhan and the others, a smile appeared on Chen Hu's lips.

However, after mentioning the exotic beast meat, he clearly sensed Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan's jealousy and displeasure.

But did he need to care?

Not at all.

Because he had just overheard that Hall Master Ma Zhiyuan was about to be transferred away.

Furthermore, Leader Gao Zhan's favorability toward him had already increased to 70 points.

Right now, he didn't have the qualifications to walk sideways in Linjiang Prefecture.

Once he reached the Blood Refining Realm, if he could rise quickly in the Fierce Tiger Gang, that would be fine.

Otherwise, he would have to set up his own faction.

"Boss, congratulations! I didn't expect you to make a Breakthrough to the Flesh Refining Realm so quickly!"

Da Niu and Er Niu, the pair of brothers, along with Song He, all gathered around to congratulate Chen Hu.

"Alright, no need for the flattery. My treat, tonight we're going to Wanhua Pavilion to listen to music!"

Chen Hu waved his hand and said.

Surrounded by the three, the four of them arrived at Wanhua Pavilion.

Wanhua Pavilion was already a quite famous brothel in the Outer City.

Although it couldn't compare to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion in the Inner City.

Its business was still quite booming.

Arriving at Wanhua Pavilion, Chen Hu spent 10 taels of silver to open a private room.

Then he ordered four girls to accompany them.

The accompanying girls could be touched a bit, but if one wanted to sleep with them, that was an extra price.

One private room cost 10 taels, which included a table of food and drinks.

Each accompanying girl cost one tael of silver.

Therefore, the consumption here was still very high.

Over the years, Chen Hu had only been here twice. Both previous times were when his deceased boss brought him here, and the other party paid. Otherwise, he really couldn't afford it.

The view from the second-floor private room was quite good.

He could clearly see the performance on the stage below.

After a few warm-up acts, the Courtesan personally took the stage to perform on the zither.

This Courtesan is called Saintess Luoyan. She was not only extremely beautiful but also proficient in both zither skills and Martial Skills.

She had only been selected as the Courtesan in June of this year.

On the night she was selected as the Courtesan, Chen Hu was there.

Good heavens, in order to support her, those rich Young Masters opened their wallets one after another, tipping over ten thousand taels of silver, which allowed her to win in one fell swoop.

It left Chen Hu clicking his tongue in secret at the time.

At that time, his monthly income was only 10 taels of silver; over ten thousand taels of silver was enough to keep him working for decades.

Therefore, he had an extremely deep impression of Saintess Luoyan.

Suddenly, Chen Hu's heart stirred.

He took out the copy card and locked onto Saintess Luoyan.

Then, the other party's information appeared in his mind.

When he saw the other party's information, Chen Hu couldn't help but be shocked, because this Courtesan Saintess Luoyan was actually not an ordinary person, but a Martial Artist.

Her strength had even reached the Late Stage of the Bone Refining Realm.