Free Web NovelChapter 5: Chapter 5: Conspiracy
"It was a close call, I’ll tell you."
"If I hadn’t been practicing my martial arts so diligently these past few days, I probably would’ve died that night."
Han Yuan said with feeling.
"That’s just how this world is. If you don’t kill, someone will kill you."
"You’ll get used to it."
Wang Changbai took another sip of the Cyan Bamboo Wine.
The wine was smooth going down, not harsh on the throat. It was indeed good.
"Old Wang."
"Practicing martial arts costs a lot of money."
"I’m a bit short on cash lately. Do you know of any ways to make some money?"
Han Yuan suddenly asked.
He had no connections in Qingshui County Town. To make money, he had to rely on an old hand like this to point him in the right direction.
"No wonder you bought me such fine wine, you brat."
"But it’s not a big deal. Just focus on your training for now. When I find a way, I’ll let you know."
Wang Changbai said with a grin.
"Alright then, I’ll be waiting for your news."
"And you, old-timer, should drink a little less."
"A small drink to relax is fine, but we still have to be on duty tonight."
Han Yuan stood up.
"Heh heh, you’re the one on duty tonight," Wang Changbai chuckled.
"Why?" Han Yuan frowned.
"What... you dare go back?"
"That Guo Oldhei is still on the loose. He’s a mindless brute who kills without a second thought. He might hold a grudge against you and attack you again."
Wang Changbai said with a smile.
"This...." Han Yuan was at a loss for words.
He understood Wang Changbai’s meaning.
As the Gang Leader, Guo Oldhei was certainly a Gathering Power Martial Artist.
If he attacked in the middle of the night, Han Yuan would be no match for him.
Therefore, staying in the County Yamen at night was, paradoxically, the safest place to be.
"Don’t worry, I’ve already spoken with Old Chen."
"From now on, you’ll work the night shift, and I’ll take the day shift."
Wang Changbai smiled.
"Old Wang, words can’t express my gratitude."
Han Yuan said seriously. freēwēbnovel.com
’My experience in the Martial World is still too shallow. I never even considered that Guo Oldhei would retaliate.’
’I have to change my mindset as soon as possible.’
’This world is just this vicious and barbaric, with no sense of reason whatsoever.’
"Don’t thank me.... Your brother helped me out back in the day."
"Me helping you now is just me repaying a debt."
Wang Changbai waved his hand, picked up the wine jug, and left the warehouse, humming a little tune as he staggered away.
Since no one was in the warehouse at night, Han Yuan took the opportunity to practice the Thousand Falcon Saber with grueling effort in the empty space.
Wang Changbai’s words had given Han Yuan an even deeper understanding of the chaos and cruelty of this world.
If he didn’t train relentlessly and increase his strength, he would sooner or later end up as a corpse on the street, torn apart by wild dogs.
.....
In a dark, gloomy alley.
A figure wearing a black face covering walked in quietly, finally stopping in front of a dilapidated and abandoned-looking residence and knocking lightly on the door.
CREAK~~
The decaying wooden door was gently pushed open.
The masked figure walked directly into the house.
A dim candle flickered to life, illuminating a burly man with dark skin and a brutish face in the gloomy room.
"Wang Cheng, you really screwed me over this time."
This large man was none other than the Gang Leader of the Black Stone Gang, Guo Oldhei.
Not only was his face dark, but his hands were even darker; he specialized in all sorts of vile and wicked business. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"You couldn’t even handle a single Han Yuan."
"And you have the nerve to complain to me?"
The masked man untied his face covering, revealing a pockmarked face.
"I admit I was careless about this."
"I thought that since Han Yuan was usually so timid, I could just send a few subordinates to take care of him."
"I never expected the guy to actually slaughter all my men and blow the situation up this big."
Guo Oldhei was filled with regret.
If he had personally made a move that night, he wouldn’t have ended up in this state.
The foundation he had worked so hard to build was wiped out overnight.
"I didn’t expect it either.... It’s as if that brat Han Yuan suddenly wised up."
"Not only did he know to bribe Fatty Zhang, he even dared to kill people."
"I really underestimated him."
Wang Cheng’s gaze was as cold as a viper’s.
"Wang Cheng, if you hadn’t instigated me to move against Han Yuan."
"I would still be the Gang Leader of the Black Stone Gang."
"How are we going to settle this score?"
Guo Oldhei said coldly.
"Settle it?"
"If I hadn’t tipped you off, you would have already been beheaded by Chief Constable Gao."
Wang Cheng met Guo Oldhei’s gaze without a shred of fear.
"What... trying to go back on your word now?" Guo Oldhei narrowed his eyes.
"If I wanted to go back on my word, would I have even come here tonight?"
Wang Cheng said with disdain.
For a moment.
The two of them fell silent.
After a long while.
Guo Oldhei spoke, "I can’t stay in Qingshui County anymore."
"But before I leave, I want to slaughter Han Yuan first."
His hatred for Han Yuan was now boundless.
Wang Cheng shook his head. "That brat Han Yuan has become exceptionally cunning. He’s guarding the County Yamen warehouse at night, you won’t have a chance."
"Then I’ll do it during the day," Guo Oldhei said.
"It’s not that easy. That kid is definitely on guard against you... He probably won’t even go home for the next few days, he’ll just live in the County Yamen."
"Wait for a while. Strike after he lets his guard down."
"It’ll be easier for you to get away too."
Wang Cheng said softly.
Guo Oldhei’s eyes flickered. "Then you keep a close eye on him for me."
"Don’t worry. I hate that kid even more than you do."
A vicious light glinted in Wang Cheng’s eyes.
.....
Just as Wang Cheng had predicted.
For the next several days, aside from returning home to retrieve medicinal wine and a change of clothes, Han Yuan lived directly in the County Yamen.
At night, he guarded the warehouse and ground out his Thousand Falcons Blade Technique.
During the day, he simply slept in a corner of the warehouse, and no one except Wang Changbai could find him.
He had the Black Stone Gang thugs to thank for this. The broken silver he had taken from them allowed Han Yuan to hold out for a while longer.
「In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.」
The night was clear, the stars sparse.
Han Yuan was practicing the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique in the warehouse courtyard.
Ever since his Thousand Falcons Blade Technique had broken through to the Entry Stage,
A single Cultivation session of the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique took much less time than before. He could even conserve extra stamina, naturally increasing the efficiency of his grind.
Previously, he could only practice twelve times a night.
Now, with a full day’s grind, he could practice about twenty times.
This was also thanks to Wang Changbai’s medicinal wine, which could rapidly soothe his fatigued muscles.
In the quiet courtyard, a series of sharp, whistling sounds of the blade cutting through the air rang out.
As the final slash fell.
His entire body trembled, then began to shake uncontrollably.
His face twisted into a complex expression of pain mixed with ecstasy.
In the dim light of night, he looked deranged and maniacal.
"Finally... a breakthrough."
Han Yuan grinned.
He used his long saber to prop himself up.
Having experienced this before, he wasn’t afraid at all.
Soon.
The pain of his muscles swelling and bones grinding disappeared.
Han Yuan felt his muscles become even firmer.
The body’s original scrawny frame now showed defined muscle lines.
His understanding and comprehension of the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique had deepened.
Host: Han Yuan
Thousand Falcons Blade Technique: Proficient (0/500)
’Another five hundred... and I’ll break through to the Mastery Stage.’
’Then, I’ll be a Gathering Power Martial Artist.’
Han Yuan muttered to himself.
In Qingshui County, a Gathering Power Expert was at least a person of some note, no longer a complete nobody.
