25: Action, attack Changshun Street

It turned out that Fan Ming had already climbed out of bed at this time, looking at the various Experts of the North Dipper Gang in front of him, appearing very nervous, trembling slightly due to his severe injuries, and coughing repeatedly.

“Cough, cough, cough, I am Fan Ming, greetings to all Hall Masters.” He merely bowed slightly; at present, he could barely move without his body giving out, making it impossible to kneel.

Looking at this sickly person, who resembled a consumptive ghost, if it weren't for everyone knowing his identity came from Fan Wufeng’s adopted will, they probably wouldn't have been so amiable.

Hao Wuyin immediately consoled him, “Since Young Friend Fan has chosen to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, we are now one family, so there’s no need to be so polite. You should first tell us what information you know about Old Ghost Fan, alright?”

“My master, no, Fan Wufeng, his injuries are actually very severe, and he cannot use his full strength at all. Moreover, I know a great secret about his cultivation, it’s just…” Fan Ming’s gaze swept over the people in the hall, finally resting on Hao Wuyin.

Hao Wuyin understood, and after exchanging glances with the other Hall Masters, he nodded.

“Don’t worry, our North Dipper Gang values promises above all else. If you render meritorious service to our Gang, you will certainly not be treated unfairly. This Hundred Treasures Medicinal Pill is a sacred medicine for healing and recovery, and it even has a certain restorative effect on one’s Martial Dao Foundation. Take it!”

With that, he flicked his right finger, sending the Medicinal Pill into Fan Ming’s hand.

Fan Ming was impatient and swallowed it immediately without bothering to examine it. He instantly felt a warm current flow through his body, alleviating his injuries and even restoring some of his cultivation.

At that time, he was severely injured by Chen Cuo’s Iron Sand Palm, and his Dantian was damaged. Chen Cuo had intended to completely cripple Fan Ming with that vicious blow, which subsequently led to Fan Ming’s severe illness and his paralysis in bed.

He never expected that Ge Feng would use a precious Bone-Mending Divine Paste, preserved for many years, to save him and bring him onto the North Dipper Gang’s ship.

After he finished digesting the Medicinal Pill’s potency, accompanied by a mouthful of foul blood, his complexion visibly improved.

Under the unfriendly gazes of the Hall Masters, Fan Ming quickly reacted and loudly declared, “Thank you, Hall Master Hao, for the medicine. From now on, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to the North Dipper Gang until death.”

“I have something to report now. That Fan Wufeng’s strength is formidable because he cultivated a special Cultivation Technique. Although I don’t know the name of the Cultivation Technique, I do know some of its characteristics. This Cultivation Technique has the effect of tremendous explosive force, but it has a flaw: it cannot be sustained.”

In the Jianghu, Fan Wufeng once had the title, Invincible Iron Palm Fan Wufeng. The Jianghu is vast, and Wuya Prefecture is merely located on the southern barbarian border of the entire Qian Country.

With most Innate Experts living in seclusion, an Acquired Perfection Martial Artist can establish a significant force, and an Acquired Initial Realm Martial Artist is considered a prominent figure in the Southern Barbarian Martial Forest.

Under such circumstances, Fan Wufeng, with his Lian Zang Realm cultivation, could run rampant among Acquired Initial Realm Martial Artists, truly earning him the title of a Genius.

He relied on the immense power and weight of his Iron Sand Palm, so much so that even Acquired Martial Artists were unwilling to take a single palm strike from him. Furthermore, he possessed a powerful body-tempering Cultivation Technique, making him difficult to harm with blades or swords.

The Tianji Tang Master murmured softly to himself, “So that’s it. Everyone in the world says that Old Ghost Fan’s Iron Sand Palm has unmatched Divine Power, attributing it to his innate Divine Power. It turns out it’s just reliant on a powerful Cultivation Technique?”

All the Hall Masters were Martial Artists, naturally sharp of hearing and sight, and they all began to ponder.

In Martial Dao combat, innate Divine Power is a natural talent that is difficult to exhaust, but if Divine Power is merely a Cultivation Technique’s augmentation, it can be depleted through a contest of attrition.

Moreover, if what Fan Ming said was true, and the Cultivation Technique Fan Wufeng cultivated could not sustain prolonged combat, then they would have other methods to deal with Fan Wufeng.

“Ah, so that’s how that little thief defeated me! How hateful!” At this moment, Bei Tong, upon hearing Fan Ming’s words, suddenly cried out.

“In my opinion, the little thief Chen Cuo must also be cultivating this Cultivation Technique, and this Cultivation Technique should also have a charging effect, but it requires a certain amount of time!” Bei Tong said, immediately recounting the scene of his fist-fight with Chen Cuo that day.

“Indeed, Hall Masters, now that Hall Master Bei has mentioned it, I just remembered. At that time, that little thief bent my Overlord Spear with a single palm strike, and for a period afterward, he no longer used palm techniques in combat, but instead used that peculiar Chain Blade and performed blade techniques.”

Hong Tu, who had been kneeling on the ground, had already stood up and was standing behind Lang Chong. After hearing Bei Tong finish recounting the events of that day, he immediately interjected.

“But how much time passed before he delivered the second palm strike?” Lang Chong immediately asked.

“About a quarter of an hour!”

“Hiss!” Several people gasped, all feeling incredible.

This meant that Chen Cuo could unleash a palm strike with the power of one 'xiang' (an ancient unit of strength) every quarter of an hour. No wonder it was said that no Acquired Initial Realm Martial Artist dared to provoke Fan Wufeng back then; he himself was as hard as a turtle and possessed immense strength, making him virtually invincible below the Acquired Realm.

The current Chen Cuo is similar to Fan Wufeng back then, and even more so. Chen Cuo himself is also skilled in blade techniques, having mastered a powerful Drawing Blade Slash, making him even more formidable than Fan Wufeng.

If such a person were allowed to grow for another two or three years, even the two major Gangs might not be able to control him. No wonder the Gang Leader was so worried about this, even inviting Yang Wuji to deal with him.

Even if it wasn't because the Vajra Sect had allied with the Chang Family, the North Dipper Gang would still have to find a way to eliminate such a Genius.

Thoughts raced through their minds. They also realized that the North Dipper Gang’s situation was dire, and it could turn into a sinking ship at any moment. At present, they could only sail with this ship to the very end. As for whether it would be repaired, reinforced, reach shore, or sink, they would only know after a fight.

“When will Yang Wuji arrive in Wei City?” The Tianji Tang Master seemed to close his eyes, lost in thought, then asked Hao Wuyin.

Hao Wuyin said, “About three days!”

“Three days? Good, then we will make a plan. Three days later, we will attack Changshun Street, kill the little thief Chen Cuo, and ignite a Gang war. We will strike first to gain the advantage!” Tianji closed his eyes in contemplation, muttering to himself.

“That can be done. Tomorrow, I will notify Luo Yue and Nian Song to return to the hall, and we will make specific arrangements and deployments.” The matter was secretive, so Hao Wuyin did not speak again. The few of them began to use Martial Dao sound transmission to discuss various matters.

However, Fan Ming seemed very relieved. His fists clenched and unclenched, and Hong Tu, beside him, exuded a similar emotion. Both of them harbored a deep hatred for Chen Cuo.

Upon hearing that the Hall Masters intended to act against Chen Cuo, both of them became incredibly excited.

“Ge Feng, for this matter to succeed, you will need to return and make preparations. Since Shi Potian has already grown suspicious of you but hasn’t taken the opportunity to strip your power, he clearly has something planned. However, it doesn’t matter. You will lead your subordinates and attack Changshun Street three days from now.”

After everyone had finished their calculations, Hao Wuyin spoke again, instructing Ge Feng to return to the Vajra Sect and make arrangements.

Shi Potian might know that Ge Feng was sent by the North Dipper Gang, but he certainly didn’t know that his chief subordinate, Ji Ang, had already betrayed him and joined the North Dipper Gang.

Hao Wuyin thought, “Shi Potian wants to fish, so I’ll send a small fish to bite the hook. I wonder if he will take it! As for the subsequent outcome, these few people ultimately cannot decide the fate of the two Gangs. The final result will only be clear after the Gang Leader emerges from seclusion.”

In Gang conflicts, if his North Dipper Gang could gain an early advantage, the Chang Family’s favor was very likely to shift to his North Dipper Gang. In the Martial Dao world, the strong survive and the weak perish; that is the principle.

Three days later, at the street corner of another street on Changshun Street, along both sides of Hekou Street, stood a large group of people dressed in dark night-traveling clothes. The leader was none other than Ge Feng.

He waved and called over a subordinate, asking with a serious expression, “Is everything ready? Are there any old brothers inside who are willing to lead the way for us?”

The subordinate replied, “Boss, the brothers are all ready and can act at any time. However, most of the brothers inside have been bribed by that thief Chen Cuo. Yesterday, only one person showed up for our agreed meeting; his name is Wang Tao, and he is willing to lead the way for us.”

“Good, bring him to me. Inform the brothers to act punctually at the first quarter of the Zi hour (11:15 PM).”