[Realm: Late Stage of Transcendence Layer One]
[Transcendent Qi Blood: 366/100,000]
[Pine Crane Longevity Technique: Initial Glimpse 67/80]
[Stone-Throwing Skill: 12/12]
After glancing at the few lines of large characters in his mind, Lin Xuankong stood up from under the Old Willow Tree and walked to the large bluestone in the courtyard. Circulating his Transcendent Qi Blood, he formed a sword finger with his right hand and stabbed out repeatedly.
CHH CHH CHH CHH!
The large bluestone trembled continuously, emitting a series of muffled thuds.
A moment later, six half-foot-deep finger holes appeared on the bluestone, neatly surrounding the hole Lii Xiaolan had made in the center.
What was slightly different from Lii Xiaolan's finger holes was that around the six Lin Xuankong had made, many cracks appeared. This indicated that the power of his Spiritual Crane Finger was not yet fully condensed... However, they were already very close in quality to the finger holes Lii Xiaolan had casually made!
Looking at those finger holes, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Lin Xuankong's eyes.
From the beginning of cultivating the Pine Skill to this very moment, only a few dozen days have passed, and I've already transformed from a dying old man into a powerful Martial Cultivator at the same realm as Boss Zhang Wu!
Since I already possess such strength, of course, I have to go and make them pay!
Killing intent surged in Lin Xuankong's eyes. He decisively turned and headed towards the wooden building.
As he reached the back door of the wooden building, his left hand flicked upwards.
Six shadows shot out from his hand, drawing six straight lines in the air, landing precisely in the six different finger holes on the large bluestone!
Stone-Throwing Skill, Heaven-Covering Flying Locusts—Accomplished!
Guangju Pavilion was the most well-known tavern on Shuinan Street.
The reason for its fame was, naturally, its delicious dishes and authentic wines. However, the most important reason was that the tavern's owner was Xuu Zhongxiong. Boss Zhang Wu of the Black Tiger Gang controlled the Four Streets and Thirty Lanes. Among his most famous subordinates were Ma Xiong and Xuu Zhongxiong, the latter having a close relationship with Wang Po.
Unlike Ma Xiong, who, despite his mediocre martial prowess, relied on scheming to act as a White Paper Fan, Xuu Zhongxiong was famous because his strength was second only to Zhang Wu's, and he was Boss Zhang Wu's deadliest enforcer!
It was even said that while mingling in the Four Streets and Thirty Lanes, including places like Shuinan Street, you could offend Zhang Wu, but you must never offend Blood Tiger Xuu Zhongxiong. Offending the lustful Zhang Wu could still be mitigated by sending over a beauty. However, Xuu Zhongxiong was not lustful; he only enjoyed killing and confiscating property!
Sitting in a corner on the first floor of Guangju Pavilion, Lin Xuankong watched the setting sun outside the window. He had naturally heard these rumors.
However, he hadn't come here just for Xuu Zhongxiong.
The window at this spot happened to offer a view of a three-story building across the street. A couplet was hung at its entrance: "Tailored with craftsmanship and unique ingenuity; watching the fleeting scenery, spring blooms naturally." Above the couplet was written: Wang's Clothing Shop.
For the past ten days or so, Lin Xuankong hadn't just been hiding at home. According to the information he had secretly gathered, Wang Po owned many residences, but her favorite was this one on Shuinan Street.
Her favorite food was the wine and dishes from Guangju Pavilion.
Her favorite spot was the Celestial Private Box on the first floor of Guangju Pavilion.
Retracting his gaze, Lin Xuankong, dressed in dark green clothes and wearing a veiled hat and a mask, put a peanut in his mouth. He chewed it with the two remaining molars on his left side, patiently waiting.
"Sir, sorry to bother you, but all the seats are full. There are two new guests who wish to share your table. Is that okay?" A waiter approached him, bowing.
Lin Xuankong frowned slightly and turned to look.
He saw two people standing behind the waiter: a man and a woman, both with swords at their waists. The man, who had three strands of a long beard, smiled and said, "Brother, we apologize for the inconvenience. How about this? We will cover your food and drink bill. I'll settle the tab later."
Sharing a table is no big deal. I won't be sitting here for long anyway. Once Wang Po and Xuu Zhongxiong arrive, it'll be time to act! Lin Xuankong nodded and said, "Fine!"
After they sat down, the bearded swordsman took a cup, filled it with wine, and raised it. "Meeting by chance is destiny. My name is Gu Beicheng, and I offer you a toast, elder brother. How should I address you?"
Lin Xuankong also raised his cup and said casually, "A wanderer, don't ask for my name. Just call me elder brother!"
The bearded swordsman drained his cup in one go and sighed. This elder brother is so carefree, while I, Beicheng, am bound by conventions!
Seeing his gentle nature, Lin Xuankong grew somewhat fond of him and also downed his drink.
The Female Swordsman beside them, however, frowned and glared at Lin Xuankong, her small mouth pouting slightly in a clear look of disdain.
Gu Beicheng and Lin Xuankong chatted casually for a while, finding some rapport.
Moments later, Gu Beicheng looked at Lin Xuankong, whose face was covered, and said in a low voice, "Elder brother, you are an interesting man, quite to my liking. So, I'll give you a heads-up: things might get a bit chaotic here soon. You'd better leave Guangju Pavilion early."
Lin Xuankong glanced at Gu Beicheng's Longsword, which was placed beside the table, a guess forming in his mind. Then, he smiled and said, "I love a good spectacle, the more chaotic the better! Besides, this is Guangju Pavilion, under Xuu Zhongxiong's protection. How chaotic could it possibly get?"
Hearing this, Gu Beicheng sighed and said no more, lowering his head to drink his wine.
The Female Swordsman, however, snorted. "Kind words can't persuade a stubborn fool. Senior brother, why are you wasting your breath on an old man?"
This Female Swordsman had apparently guessed Lin Xuankong's approximate age from his voice.
Lin Xuankong frowned slightly. Gu Beicheng, looking apologetic, said, "Elder brother, please don't mind. My junior sister is young and straightforward, and her tongue can be a bit sharp..."
Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance of Guangju Pavilion.
Soon, more than a dozen burly Black Tiger Gang Members walked in. Leading them were Xuu Zhongxiong and Wang Po. Xuu Zhongxiong, dressed in black robes, stood nearly nine feet tall. He had broad shoulders, a thick waist, a square face, thick eyebrows, and leopard-like eyes, exuding a naturally intimidating aura.
The diners on the first floor were mostly wealthy businessmen and landlords from the Four Streets and Thirty Lanes, as only they had the financial means to dine there. Upon seeing Xuu Zhongxiong and Wang Po walk up, at least seventeen or eighteen of these affluent diners stood up, bowing to them from a distance.
The remaining diners did not stand to bow but lowered their voices and watched with expressions of awe.
Xuu Zhongxiong stood at the door of the first Celestial Private Box and returned the gestures to those who had stood. "Mr. Zhang, Landlord Li, Boss Zhao... everyone, please sit. Eat and drink well. I won't keep you company!"
"Brother Lu, you're too kind! Please, attend to your business!"
"Yes, you and Dry Mother Wang should head to your private box!"
The dozen or so people who were named all replied with beaming faces, yet none of them sat down.
It wasn't until Xuu Zhongxiong and Wang Po entered the private box that these individuals glanced around the dining hall with some pride before sitting down, looking quite pleased with themselves.
Their expressions seemed to say that being acknowledged by Xuu Zhongxiong, being called out by name, was a tremendous honor!
"Landlord Li, when did you get to know Mr. Lu of the Black Tiger Gang?"
"Boss Zhao, you know Mr. Lu? Could you put in a word for me? I've been having some issues with the street-cleaning fees for my shop recently..."
The well-dressed diners gathered around those dozen or so people, whispering amongst themselves.
As Lin Xuankong looked at that despicable Wang Po, he thought of all the disgusting things she had done and said, and recalled the scene when the Li Family's rice jar was uncovered. That vile creature... After everything she's done... Killing intent had already risen in his eyes.
However, he suppressed the urge to act immediately, thoughtfully looking at the two people sharing his table. Just as he had expected, the bearded man and the Female Swordsman had both gripped the hilts of their Longswords, their faces frosty as they stared towards the first Celestial Private Box.