x
"That's my understanding. There's no such thing as a free lunch," Lu Sheng nodded.
He had joined the Red Whale Gang through official channels, aiming to establish a foundation for his family in Yanshan City. Alongside earning money and building a network of contacts, he hoped the gang would serve as a protective umbrella. But his ultimate goal was clear—to find a more powerful and lethal internal technique than the Blood Evil Skill.
Zhao Jie gave a brief rundown of the Red Whale Gang's rules.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhjs7EYiu1
They were straightforward, consisting of only three points:
- Never betray the gang.
- Never leak its secrets.
- Always obey the rules.
"As long as you can stick to those three and aren’t eliminated by the gang, you’ll receive a stable monthly allowance, enjoy discounts in most city shops, and have the gang backing you up when trouble comes," Zhao Jie said with a gentle smile.
"Just a few days ago, our Foreign Affairs Envoy, Lord Chen, held talks with Deputy Commander Lord Jiang about the resettlement of refugees in Yanshan City. He’s just an envoy, yet he has the authority to negotiate directly with city officials, not to mention the elders, the deputy gang leader, and even the gang leader himself."
He subtly revealed the extent of the Red Whale Gang's power to Lu Sheng. After all, Lu Sheng’s noble attire and his identity as a student from the academy suggested he had potential for greater use. Making a connection early was simply smart.
Lu Sheng understood the hint. In times like these, literate individuals in the gang were considered intellectual elites—prime candidates for management. Even without martial prowess, they could still live comfortably within the organization.
Without further discussion, Lu Sheng stepped into the adjacent room to register. No one asked about his criminal record or family background. They only took down his name, age, and areas of expertise. Nothing more was required.
Just like that, Lu Sheng officially became a regular member of the Red Whale Gang.
From that point on, every member was expected to contribute to the organization to build their contribution record. Common tasks—patrolling, collecting protection fees, catching thieves, or assisting the authorities in tracking down human traffickers—all counted toward one’s contribution.
The Internal Affairs Department had special divisions assigned to assess and verify these contributions, awarding ratings accordingly.
After learning about the Red Whale Gang’s internal system, Lu Sheng was genuinely surprised. The gang wasn’t like the chaotic underground groups he had imagined. It was managed with strict discipline and meticulous organization. Based on the nature of its operations, it didn’t even resemble a traditional gang. More accurately, it was a gray-area civilian organization with strong ties to the government.
After completing the registration, Zhao Jie appeared eager to build a rapport with Lu Sheng. With a friendly smile, he led him out through the back door of the casino and into a small courtyard enclosed by white walls.
"This is where Mr. Xiao lives," Zhao Jie said. "He’s in charge of this place and handles strength assessments for new disciples. As long as you pass his evaluation, your abilities will be ranked, and you’ll be placed accordingly. Those with higher rankings will receive more important tasks."
Lu Sheng nodded with a light smile.
"I’m looking forward to seeing the martial skills of the gang’s experts."
As they walked, Zhao Jie asked curiously, "What kind of martial arts have you practiced, Brother Lu?"
"Just some techniques taught by my family's martial arts master. Nothing particularly impressive," Lu Sheng replied with a modest smile.
"Don't underestimate yourself," Zhao Jie grinned. "Old Master Xiao’s Wind and Thunder Sword is ranked among the top thirty-six techniques in the gang. Our Red Whale Gang has over ten thousand members, and to be among the top thirty-six in martial arts—that’s no ordinary feat. Brother Lu will get a good look at it soon!"
With that, he pushed open the courtyard door, enthusiasm radiating from his face.
As the door opened, an aged but vigorous voice called out from inside.
"Didn’t you just bring in a batch for testing? Why are you back again?"
Zhao Jie chuckled and explained, "Brother Lu is different from the others, Old Xiao. I personally brought him here. I’ll have to trouble you for one more assessment."
"Different, you say?" The old man’s voice was filled with curiosity and energy.
Lu Sheng stepped into the courtyard and saw an elderly man with white hair and a healthy complexion, dressed in a gray robe. He stood beneath a peach tree, holding a cup of tea, and studied Lu Sheng intently.
"Greetings, Mr. Xiao. How does the assessment begin?" Lu Sheng asked, cupping his fists respectfully.
"It’s quite simple, young man," Mr. Xiao replied politely, clearly noting Lu Sheng’s refined demeanor. "Just demonstrate your martial skills here. Let me see what you’ve got."
"I'm proficient in palm techniques..." Lu Sheng murmured, raising his hands. "I joined the Red Whale Gang to meet true masters and study stronger martial arts. I hope Mr. Xiao won’t disappoint me."
Though he said it with a smile, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. The gentle tone from earlier was gone—replaced by a subtle but unmistakable tension.
A faint aura of killing intent slowly spread through the courtyard.
Mr. Xiao’s expression turned solemn—something felt off. The atmosphere had shifted, and it was unsettling. He focused on Lu Sheng's stance again. There was strength there, but it wasn’t being released—it was being stored. Like a tightly coiled force rotating within, it was stable, controlled, and ominously calm.
Suddenly, surprise flashed across Mr. Xiao’s face.
“Tongli-level mastery?!”
“Tongli?” Zhao Jie echoed in disbelief. “How old is this young man? And he’s already a Tongli master?”
Even in a top-tier organization like the Red Whale Gang, Tongli-level experts were rare. Among tens of thousands of members, having a hundred such individuals was already impressive.
Such warriors were considered core combatants in smaller cities. In a central hub like Yanshan City, they were counted among the elite.
Lu Sheng simply smiled.
He gently extended his right palm forward.
Whoosh...
A faintly fishy wind swept through the courtyard, carrying an almost bestial aura—savage, dangerous, and primal.
Both Zhao Jie and Mr. Xiao felt chills run down their spines, goosebumps erupting across their skin. Their hearts thudded with a growing sense of awe.
“This is... the realm of Tongyi!!” Mr. Xiao exclaimed. The teacup in his hand slipped and shattered on the ground as he stared at Lu Sheng, eyes wide in shock.
“You—you… how old are you? You’ve already reached...!”
His voice caught in his throat. Face flushed and words stuck, he stamped his foot in frustration, unable to articulate the sheer disbelief.
Zhao Jie, recovering faster, hurried over and patted Mr. Xiao firmly on the back. It took a few moments before the old man finally caught his breath.
“So, may I ask what level I would be ranked at in the gang?” Lu Sheng asked with a calm smile.
In truth, his strength was far beyond Tongyi. Even among the famed master ranks—those who surpassed Tongyi—he was confident he could stand toe-to-toe with any of them.
But there was no need to show everything here. Tongyi was more than enough to draw attention without arousing suspicion. Revealing more would seem too monstrous, making it harder to conceal his true capabilities.
Even so, Mr. Xiao looked like he had aged years in mere moments. His expression was worn, and his eyes, filled with a complex emotion, gazed at Lu Sheng—not just with admiration, but with a faint, almost bitter envy.
"Xiao... I practiced diligently for thirty years just to reach Tongli... and spent another forty years to reach its peak... yet I never expected this..." he muttered with a heavy sigh.
"I’ll notify the headquarters immediately. I don’t have the authority to determine Brother Lu’s placement."
Without wasting a second, Mr. Xiao disappeared into the inner room. Moments later, a black pigeon shot out from behind the building, soaring swiftly into the sky—messenger on a critical mission.
By now, Zhao Jie looked at Lu Sheng very differently. Gone was the earlier casual friendliness. In its place was a subtle awe, even reverence.
He quickly fetched a chair for Lu Sheng and poured him tea, standing respectfully nearby as a silent attendant.
When Mr. Xiao returned, he sat down and looked at Lu Sheng again. The longer he stared, the more emotionally drained he seemed.
"A Tongyi master in his twenties... with this kind of talent..." He sighed again, his expression darkening. "Just sitting near him makes me feel like I’m aging faster."
Compared to Lu Sheng, he—a man who had yet to even break through to Tongyi despite decades of effort—felt utterly insignificant. He couldn’t help but feel like he had wasted his life.
Time passed quietly. Zhao Jie remained close by, occasionally chatting with Lu Sheng and answering any questions he had about the gang’s operations.
Soon, footsteps echoed from the courtyard gate.
A large group entered, all dressed in black gang uniforms. At the front were two figures of authority: an elderly man with gray hair and a long sword strapped to his back, and a beautiful, full-figured middle-aged woman with two curved scimitars at her waist. Both had a white whale emblem on their chests.
As soon as they entered, the old man barked out in disbelief:
"Who!? Who here is the Tongyi master!? I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the message! A twenty-year-old Tongyi? Are you kidding me?!"
"Internal Affairs Officer Elder Wang! Elder Ouyang!?" Zhao Jie exclaimed in shock, rushing forward to bow. Mr. Xiao also quickly stepped up to pay his respects.
"No need for formalities," Elder Ouyang said softly, her sharp gaze settling on the only calm person in the courtyard—Lu Sheng.
"So it’s you... A dragon among men indeed. You must be Brother Lu?"
Lu Sheng rose and cupped his fists with a polite smile.
"I am Lu Sheng. I suppose I’m the Tongyi master you came looking for."
"Tongyi? Seriously? Let me throw a punch and see for myself!"
Boom!!
Before the old man’s voice had even finished, he shot forward like a hawk taking flight. A piercing eagle-like screech echoed through the courtyard, sharp enough to make the air tremble.
“Come on!” Lu Sheng’s eyes gleamed with excitement. For the first time, he was facing a master above the Tongyi level who truly embodied the essence of martial arts.
Without hesitation, Lu Sheng raised his hand. There was no internal energy gathering—no breath taken. He simply met the attack head-on.
Aoo—!
Despite not drawing breath, the essence of the Black Tiger Saber Technique he had grasped after reaching Tongyi burst forth. A deep tiger’s roar rang out from within him, shaking the peach tree until its leaves fell like rain.
His palms glowed crimson, and between his brows, a faint, blood-red symbol resembling the character “川” emerged. Like an arrow loosed from a bow, Lu Sheng launched forward, colliding directly with the old man.
Bang! Bang bang bang bang bang!!
Their palms clashed once—then again and again—five strikes in rapid succession, each faster than the last, before the two were forced to separate.
“Hahaha! That was exhilarating!” Lu Sheng laughed, his chest swelling with joy. Aside from his encounters with ghosts, this was the first time he had fought someone who could go toe-to-toe with him. Without using internal force, he had thrown his full strength into his palm, and someone had actually been able to receive it. Respect for his opponent surged within him.
“Again!” Lu Sheng called out, raising his bloody palm, ready for another round.
Puff!!
But before he could move, the old man stumbled backward, vomiting a large mouthful of blood skyward before collapsing.
“.............”
Everyone was frozen in stunned silence.
“Lord Wang!! Someone save him!” Zhao Jie was the first to react, dashing over to catch the old man.
Elder Ouyang’s expression turned grave. She rushed forward, swiftly retrieving a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve. Uncorking it, she poured out a tiny white pill, no larger than a soybean, and carefully placed it in the old man’s mouth. Her hands moved quickly as she massaged key acupoints, pushing blood and qi to stabilize him.
A crowd gathered around, working frantically to revive Lord Wang. Meanwhile, Lu Sheng stood quietly off to the side. Mr. Xiao approached, intending to offer words of comfort—but seeing that Lord Wang hadn’t yet recovered, he knew it was pointless.
Instead, he simply looked at Lu Sheng like he was some sort of terrifying creature, shook his head, sighed deeply, and gave him a wordless pat on the shoulder.
Lu Sheng stood in awkward silence. The blood-pumping thrill he had just felt drained away in an instant.
And then it hit him—he finally understood the level of his current strength.
He had thought he might be just above Tongyi, perhaps in the early realm of the renowned.
But now, he realized...
He was likely stronger than even the famous ones.
-----------
Hey there, Taleria here!29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFVDUuPvp6
I hope you're enjoying the novel as much as I am. If you're having a great time reading and want to see faster, more consistent updates, your support would mean the world to me!
✨ Join me at: patreon.com/taleria_tl29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1kGl4lBXB
Sign up for free membership to keep reading—yep, it's totally free!
You'll also find my other translations there…29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygCWulPmrK
And psst—advance chapters are waiting for you! 😉
