Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Who’s the Best Fighter?

Any normal Cultivation Skill would strengthen the body and prolong life.

Unless one had a severe or strange illness, or was poisoned or injured, they should never be as sallow and skinny as Wang Xingjian.

But despite his obviously unhealthy appearance, Wang Xingjian’s spirit and demeanor were unusually vibrant. He didn’t seem injured or poisoned at all.

He had to be practicing an Evil Skill.

In truth, as long as the Evil Skill didn’t involve heinous acts during its cultivation or drive its user insane, practicing one wasn’t that rare, at least not within these gangs.

It wasn’t like joining a martial arts academy or a Sect, where one first had to find a master who would then transmit their skills.

In such places, if a master discovered their disciple was secretly practicing an Evil Skill, expulsion would be considered a light punishment.

A more hot-tempered master might kill you with a single palm strike, letting you start over in the next life.

In the eyes of the Righteous Sects, Evil Skills were shortcuts for the weak-willed who refused to walk the Righteous Dao; they offered almost no future prospects.

Even if one luckily advanced to a High Grade, they could suffer a cultivation deviation and fall to the demonic path at any moment, becoming a true demon shunned by the world.

But why would gang members care about such ethereal matters?

’What the hell is High Grade? Can you eat it?’

’With those whiny, nagging Righteous Skills, even Entering Grade is a distant dream. High Grade my ass!’

But by practicing an Evil Skill—especially one with fewer side effects that wouldn’t get you ostracized—you had a better chance of reaching Entering Grade and starting to live the good life sooner.

“Brother Zou, I won’t beat around the bush. Are you willing to join our Black Flood Dragon Gang?”

Wang Xingjian had gotten straight to the point right after they sat down and exchanged a toast.

Zou Feng, however, wasn’t one to commit without a clear incentive. He first tilted his head to look at the stack of invitations on the table, put on a hesitant expression at the perfect moment, and said, “I am honored that Wang Incense Master thinks so highly of me, but this is a serious matter. Please allow me to consider it…”

How could Wang Xingjian not see what Zou Feng was getting at? He immediately continued, “Rest assured, Brother Zou. In terms of sincerity, we absolutely won’t be outdone by anyone else.”

“I’ll be frank, brother. The Black Flood Dragon Gang is in dire need of people right now, especially an Entering Grade talent like yourself.”

“Many of our unwritten gang rules won’t be so strictly enforced anymore.”

“That’s why, before I came, Hall Master Chen Jingsheng personally promised that if you join us, brother, you’ll immediately be appointed as an Incense Master!”

Hearing this, the hand Zou Feng was using to hold his wine cup trembled slightly.

’An Incense Master right away?’

’Now that’s a very appealing offer.’

It wasn’t that Zou Feng craved a high and powerful position, but this status would make things much more convenient for him in the future.

And of course, the resources and benefits that came with being an Incense Master would certainly be substantial.

Moreover, this was an offer that neither the Danxin Alliance nor the Mountain and River Association had made.

The other two gangs had seemed quick to send invitations, asking him to a banquet.

But Zou Feng could clearly feel that they were just going through the motions.

He had learned and confirmed this just now while talking with Zhao Tianhu.

Whenever an unaffiliated Entering Grade Martial Artist appeared in Yuan Guang County, they all followed the same, fixed recruitment process.

Waiting for him at the banquet wouldn’t be an Elder, but at most a Steward or a disciple to share a few drinks with.

Only if they truly thought someone was a talent they couldn’t afford to miss would they use a different approach.

“Well…” Zou Feng stood, feigning being overwhelmed by the favor. He exclaimed, “For both Hall Master Chen and Wang Incense Master to think so highly of me… If I were to decline now, I would be unforgivably ungrateful!”

With those words, Zou Feng had effectively accepted the offer.

Wang Xingjian’s face immediately lit up with joy. He also stood, raised his cup, and said, “From now on, we’re brothers!”

“Younger Brother Zou, don’t keep calling me Wang Incense Master. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Wang.”

“Alright, Brother Wang. Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

With that, they both tilted their heads back and drained their cups.

However, while the scene seemed perfectly harmonious, only they knew their own private calculations.

Zou Feng was certainly no naive, simple-minded fool.

How could he not know that this Incense Master position wouldn’t be a walk in the park?

From the moment he saw the Black Flood Dragon Gang act so uncharacteristically—sending an Incense Master to recruit him in person—Zou Feng was certain of one thing…

The Black Flood Dragon Gang was in trouble!

They had likely been suppressed by the Danxin Alliance and the Mountain and River Association to the point where they couldn’t hold their heads up, becoming the weakest gang in Yuan Guang County in terms of overall strength.

Luckily for Zou Feng, he couldn’t care less.

In fact, it might even be advantageous.

The first major benefit he could anticipate was that there would be more bigwigs at the top taking the heat, shouldering all the burdens for him.

“Brother, time is of the essence. How about I take you to see Hall Master Chen right now to finalize things and get you settled in?”

“I’ll follow Brother Wang’s arrangements.”

They had clearly investigated him before coming, knowing he had nowhere to go after leaving the Yang Mansion and had been temporarily sleeping in a brothel, lulled to sleep by high-pitched nocturnes.

After another drink, the two walked out of the room with their arms slung around each other’s shoulders.

Anyone who didn’t know better might have thought they were long-lost brothers from different mothers, reunited after many years.

“And this is…?”

Outside the door, Zhao Tianhu was still waiting.

He had already made up his mind to follow Zou Feng from now on.

Moreover, as a Hospital Martial Artist, Zhao Tianhu was not of Lowly Status. Theoretically, he could resign from the Yang Family at any time.

Zou Feng immediately made the introduction: “This is Master Zhao Tianhu, a Skill Transmission Instructor from the Yang Mansion. My ability to reach Entering Grade is in large part thanks to Master Zhao’s contribution!”

Zhao Tianhu was greatly embarrassed and quickly waved his hands. “No, no, no, you flatter me. Cultivation depends on the individual. This is the inevitable result of your own high Talent and hard work.”

After sizing up Zhao Tianhu for a moment, Wang Xingjian nodded and said, “He’s a man of talent. I wonder if this Brother Zhao would be willing to serve under Zou Incense Master as a Banner Lord?”

Of course Wang Xingjian could tell Zou Feng was recommending Zhao Tianhu.

He knew Zou Feng wanted a trusted acquaintance with him after joining the Black Flood Dragon Gang, which was perfectly understandable.

Besides, aside from regular gang members, the lowest-level leader was a Banner Lord—a position he could appoint with a single word.

So he decided to grant the favor.

’Huh? Me, a Banner Lord!?’

’Is this for real…?’

Since Zou Feng and Wang Xingjian hadn’t been quiet, Zhao Tianhu had heard from outside that Zou Feng was to become an Incense Master.

But he never dreamed that he would immediately become a Banner Lord himself.

Although this position didn’t carry much prestige, it was much better than being a Hospital Martial Artist at the Yang Mansion.

“Thank you, Wang Incense Master… Thank you, Zou Incense Master!”

Zou Feng waved his hand, signaling with his eyes that there was no need to address him that way.

On the way to the Black Flood Dragon Gang’s stronghold, Zou Feng asked casually, “Brother Wang, who’s the best fighter in our gang?”

Wang Xingjian blurted out, “The Gang Leader, of course! You think it’s me?”

“Then… what Skill does our esteemed Gang Leader practice?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep