I Grind to Martial Saint

PSST!

Kong She’s head flew into the air.

Blood gushed from his neck like a fountain as his body stood for two seconds before collapsing.

No one could have expected it.

That Han Yuan would dare to strike so brazenly in front of so many members of the Black Snake Gang.

With a single slash, he had lopped off their Gang Leader’s head.

For a moment, the entire Changyun Restaurant fell deathly silent.

”Kong She defied the law and openly resisted arrest. I killed him with one slash.”

”I’ve said my piece.”

”Who agrees? Who objects?”

Han Yuan said expressionlessly, his gaze sweeping over the Black Snake Gang members.

”You... you killed the Gang Leader!”

”Brothers, avenge the Gang Leader!”

A fiercely loyal, burly man leaped out from the crowd, brandishing a steel saber and charging at Han Yuan with a savage look on his face.

But out of all the gang members, only a few followed the man’s charge.

The rest were paralyzed with fear, not daring to make a move.

In the end, the Black Snake Gang was just a motley crew, completely lacking in cohesion.

Many had even been dragged along just to make up the numbers.

Now that their Gang Leader, Kong She, had been decapitated by Han Yuan in a single strike, who besides a few trusted confidants would be willing to throw their lives away?

Han Yuan’s expression was icy as he swung his long saber.

A terrifying, cold glint of the blade flashed out, splattering hot, metallic-smelling blood.

In moments, all of them lay dead under Han Yuan’s saber.

At that moment, the faces of the Black Snake Gang members were filled with terror.

”From this day forward... the Black Snake Gang no longer exists.”

”All of you, get the hell out!”

Han Yuan roared.

The moment his words fell, the terrified Black Snake Gang members scrambled out of Changyun Inn, scared out of their wits.

Wang Dahua and his men stared, dumbfounded. Their gazes toward Han Yuan were now tinged with fear.

’This Constable Han’s methods are truly ruthless.’

They hadn’t even had to lift a finger.

Han Yuan had taken care of the Black Snake Gang all by himself.

”Shopkeeper, take care of the bodies,”

Wang Changbai called out.

Soon, a portly, middle-aged man and a few waiters emerged trembling from the back courtyard. Together, they quickly carried the corpses out and washed the blood from the floor.

Han Yuan, along with Old Wang and Wang Dahua, headed straight for Kong She’s den.

The Black Snake Gang’s headquarters was in utter chaos.

When the remaining Black Snake Gang members saw Han Yuan approaching, they fled in terror.

”Search the place... I’d like to see just how much money Kong She has made recently.”

Han Yuan said with a smile.

Wang Dahua and his men’s faces lit up.

An opportunity like this was rare.

Before long, several silver notes and a wooden box were presented to Han Yuan.

”Sir... we found a total of one hundred and thirty taels in silver notes at the Black Snake Gang headquarters. There are also some gold and silver trinkets, which we’ve placed in this box.”

Wang Dahua reported, cupping his fist.

Han Yuan wasn’t worried they had hidden anything for themselves.

Because Wang Changbai had been watching them the entire time on his behalf.

Besides, these men probably didn’t have the guts.

”All you brothers have worked hard today.”

”Ten taels of silver for each of you.”

Han Yuan said with a smile.

Wang Dahua and the others looked as if they had misheard.

After all, a Government Official’s salary was a mere two hundred copper coins per month.

And now, on their first day with Han Yuan, they had earned ten taels of silver!

Wang Dahua and his men hurriedly cupped their fists and thanked Han Yuan profusely.

Even Wang Changbai’s old face was wreathed in smiles.

Afterward, Han Yuan found a place to sit in the Black Snake Gang’s headquarters.

”From now on, we’ll collect the protection fees on Changfeng Street ourselves.”

”Of course, the rates will be lower than the Black Snake Gang’s. We can’t drain the pond to get the fish or burn the forest to hunt the game.”

”The shops pay us, and we protect the peace on Changfeng Street.”

Han Yuan said softly.

Wang Changbai’s eyes widened.

He had originally thought Han Yuan wanted to be like Han Jiudao and wipe out all the gangs.

He never imagined the man actually intended to take it all for himself.

”Sir... but we’re Government Officials... it wouldn’t be right for us to collect this money.”

Wang Dahua said in a low voice.

”Can’t you find a few people to collect it for you?”

”But they have to be people who know the rules.”

Han Yuan said coolly.

’I had this all figured out before I came.’

’Changfeng Street is my territory. How could I let the Black Snake Gang take a piece of the pie?’

”Understood,” Wang Hu and the others nodded.

”The specific rules... I’ll tell you once I’ve drawn them up.”

”After today, spread the word. No matter who it is, if they dare cause trouble on Changfeng Street, I, Han Yuan, will not let them off.”

Han Yuan said coldly.

Wang Dahua and his men accepted the order and were about to leave the Black Snake Gang’s headquarters to spread the news.

”That woman’s daughter... I think her name is Xiaoling.”

”Go and ask around... rescue her.”

Han Yuan added.

”Han Head, you can count on me,” Wang Dahua said with a smile.

Only after Wang Dahua and his men had left did Wang Changbai speak.

”Han Yuan...”

”Your appetite is even bigger than I imagined, kid.”

Han Yuan chuckled. ”How else am I supposed to earn your coffin money?”

”I’ll leave it to you, old man, to decide how to collect the monthly fees from the shops and how much to charge.”

Wang Changbai nodded, then asked, ”What about the streets over by Changhe Street?”

”We don’t collect money there... but we’ll protect them too.”

”That way, we can attract more people, and business on Changfeng Street will flourish.”

Han Yuan explained.

’He knew you couldn’t squeeze much blood from the stones that were the common folk.’

”Hm, I see you’ve got a good head for business, kid.”

Wang Changbai said in surprise.

”Not really... anyone can understand these principles.”

”I’m just a bit more farsighted.”

Han Yuan shook his head.

”Alright... that’s all for today then.”

Wang Changbai nodded.

....

In the following days, Han Yuan was indeed busy.

He had to be on duty at the Government Office and also look after Changfeng Street.

Since the news of him killing Kong She in a single slash spread, no other gangs dared to try and get their hands on Changfeng Street.

There were only a few audacious hooligans who caused trouble from time to time.

But by the next day, these hooligans would no longer appear on Changfeng Street.

As for where they went... no one knew.

However, Changfeng Street was too desolate after being ravaged by the Black Snake Gang. Many shopkeepers were still waiting and watching, and it would likely take some time to restore its former prosperity.

Wang Changbai also gathered the shopkeepers and owners of various businesses to establish the details of how the monthly fees would be paid.

To manage the finances, they even hired an accountant.

After all the effort, Changfeng Street was finally getting back on track.

Han Yuan could finally free himself up to get back to the hard grind of Martial Arts.

With the monthly income from Changfeng Street, he no longer needed to worry about money.

In addition to applying the medicinal wine, he also went to a pharmacy and got a prescription for a blood-replenishing formula.

As his physique improved and the intensity of his grind increased, simply applying the medicinal wine was no longer enough to replenish his qi and blood.

However, this blood-replenishing formula was quite expensive. A single dose cost five maces of silver.

Han Yuan had to drink a bowl every day, in combination with the medicinal wine rubs, so money was spent like water.

But the formula was indeed effective, constantly strengthening his qi and blood and enhancing his physique.

And so, another month passed quietly.

Han Yuan’s schedule at the County Yamen was three day shifts and one night shift, with two days off each month.

On this day, Han Yuan happened to be on a day off, so he was at home, diligently practicing the Thousand Falcon Saber.