Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 136: Chapter 102: Rich Harvest! Each With Their Own Schemes! _3

Zhao Honglie furrowed his brows tightly, lost in thought. Based on what he knew about Liu Yuanhu, this was absolutely not the kind of person to act recklessly. Such behavior was highly unlikely. He looked at the blood-stained gang members standing before him and said solemnly:

”Tell me everything that happened, spare no detail!”

The gang member dared not slack off and immediately began recounting the events from the start.

”At that time, it was the grand auction of the Demon Fox’s Heart, the final item...”

”Stop! Are you saying Liu Yuanhu never once mentioned the name of our Black Sand Gang?” Zhao Honglie caught onto the key point.

”That’s right... but Liu Yuanhu must know this is our Black Sand Gang’s property if he dared to come here. Not to mention, Master Yan Hua is surely recognizable.”

Hearing the words of Fire Hall’s Hall Master Ning Kang, Zhao Honglie slowly shook his head:

”It’s not the same.”

”If Liu Yuanhu publicly revealed our Black Sand Gang’s identity, it would mean he fully intends to declare war on us. But with all this secrecy and ambiguity, it’s more likely that he’s testing us!”

Zhao Honglie grew more resolute. His furious gaze gradually cooled into calm calculation.

”Recently, our Black Sand Gang has been keeping a low profile on the surface. He cannot grab any evidence against us. If he acts recklessly without solid reasons, many people might develop a sense of dread and lean toward us, especially since back then, we were the ones who helped him destroy Cao Shiduan.”

Betraying those who once aided him—such infamy was never a pleasant reputation. If someone dealt with their former benefactors so casually, other forces would inevitably feel endangered, as if their own demise was near.

”So, Gang Leader, you mean that scum Liu Yuanhu wants to provoke us into starting a fight with him first, which would then give him the excuse he needs?”

The Thunder Hall’s Hall Master Wang Tiansheng, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. He was one of the few who remained calm amidst the tension.

The crowd fell into a stunned silence.

Zhao Honglie cast a glance of approval at Wang Tiansheng, then swept his gaze over the assembly before speaking slowly:

”Precisely! That’s exactly it. If we act impulsively and attack him now, we’ll be falling right into Liu Yuanhu’s trap!”

”Is he truly so confident he can beat us?”

Someone questioned hesitantly.

”Based on what I know about Liu Yuanhu, he’d have at least an eighty percent certainty. Otherwise, he wouldn’t attempt something like this. It was the same when we obliterated Cao Shiduan.”

”According to our assessment of Liu Yuanhu’s forces, it shouldn’t be possible, right?” Ning Kang still couldn’t believe it.

”Have you all forgotten what Liu Yuanhu spent the entirety of last year doing?”

Zhao Honglie’s eerie voice echoed through the room, jolting everyone’s spirits!

They almost forgot about that!

Silence enveloped the crowd again. The hall’s atmosphere grew heavy and oppressive. After quite some time, someone spoke indignantly:

”Are we seriously going to let Liu Yuanhu do as he pleases and humiliate us like this?”

Zhao Honglie’s face remained cold as his gaze swept across the room, finally landing on the blood-stained gang member. His tone softened a bit as he helped that gang member to his feet.

”I know my brothers are upset, but great endeavors require overlooking small matters. For the grand ambitions of the Black Sand Gang, we must endure for now. This is all temporary.”

”I promise, when the time comes, I will exact revenge for my brothers a thousandfold and more!”

”One day, when the Black Sand Gang rules Canghe County, everything we’ve endured will be worth it!”

The gang member, feeling Zhao Honglie pat his shoulder, grew flushed with emotion. Whatever lingering resentment he felt immediately dissipated.

”I pledge my life to the Gang Leader, ready to go through fire and water!”

The crowd stood up and shouted in unison.

Zhao Honglie revealed a faint smile and ordered the gang member to be taken away for rest. Han Lu, standing nearby, hesitated before saying:

”Boss, are we just going to do nothing for now?”

A sinister coldness flickered in Zhao Honglie’s eyes as he replied with a mocking smile:

”Of course we’ll act. Gather the brothers. We’re going to congratulate our esteemed county magistrate for purging evildoers and restoring peace and justice to the land!”

Upon hearing this, everyone instantly shivered inwardly. They lowered their gaze as they looked at Zhao Honglie. Having followed him for so many years, they naturally understood his nature—this man was a venomous snake, treacherous and calculated.

Choosing to feign submission and bide his time requires an extraordinary level of resolve.

As the gang’s leaders left one by one, only Zhao Honglie remained in the hall. Turning away, he entered the inner chambers. Inside his study, he pressed a hidden switch, and a secret passage revealed itself.

Zhao Honglie’s face turned grim as he cautiously stepped inside.

The secret room was dark and chilling. A low, mocking voice gradually echoed:

”Zhao Honglie, you’ve finally come to see me again. It seems you’ve made up your mind?”

Lighting a torch, Zhao Honglie illuminated every corner of the room. A shadow shackled by chains emerged—its disheveled hair concealed its true appearance.

Upon hearing the mocking and playful tone, Zhao Honglie’s previously somber expression softened little by little. He stepped forward and released the chains binding the figure.

With a grin, he said:

”Brother, I deeply regret any offenses I’ve caused before. If you can still do as you promised and introduce me as planned, then from now on, consider us brothers. Not only will I ensure you recover from your injuries, but I’ll also pour our resources into helping you cultivate. Does this sound agreeable?”

”Are you serious?”

”Absolutely! If I, Zhao Honglie, speak falsely, let me be cursed with no descendants and forever stagnant cultivation!”

”Alright, I trust you. But I need food!”

”No problem. Food and drink will be plentiful—I’ll personally share a hearty meal with you!”

Zhao Honglie burst into laughter, his eyes blazing with fierce determination.

...

Gu Sheng knew nothing of the intricate scheming between Liu Yuanhu and Zhao Honglie. He had already returned safely to Gu’s Manor. Reflecting on the night’s events, he sighed deeply.

His first time attending the black market auction had truly been eye-opening, only to encounter such unexpected chaos.

Fortunately, his goals for this trip were achieved.

Not only did he acquire the Flying Thunder Leg’s body-strengthening martial arts manual, but he also obtained an extra Blood Strengthening Pill and over three hundred taels of silver. For now, Gu Sheng had enough resources to sustain himself, allowing him to fully focus on his cultivation for a time.

In his hidden chamber, Gu Sheng took out the Blood Strengthening Pill. Its unique fragrance filled the room, and his eyes lit up with intense longing.

For him, using the pill now, rather than waiting to break through a bottleneck, was undoubtedly the best choice.