Translator: CinderTL
The next step was the Celestial Being Realm, the pinnacle for mortal martial artists. Xu Sanyan wondered how much "Vitality" it would require.
Based on previous consumption, it would likely take around twenty points. If he could maintain his current pace for another two months, Xu Sanyan would reach Bai Wuxia's level.
Even now, Xu Sanyan felt no fear in a fight against Bai Wuxia. His body, enhanced by the crimson dagger, far surpassed the strength of a normal Inner Qi Peak martial artist.
If Song Qian were the benchmark, Xu Sanyan could easily take on ten of him.
Combat among mortal martial artists boiled down to clashes of strength, speed, reflexes, and techniques.
But the most critical factors were strength and speed.
"Precious medicine…"
With his newfound power, Xu Sanyan grew impatient. He was no longer satisfied with the monthly supply of ten points of "Vitality." He wanted more!
He planned to target the Ginseng Gang next, certain they had a substantial stockpile hidden within.
However, Xu Sanyan didn't intend to act alone. Drawing too much attention could alert the authorities, so he headed straight for the White Horse Gang.
Bai Wuxia was sitting in a stone pavilion, playing chess. From a distance, Xu Sanyan called out, "Gang Leader Bai, you're quite the connoisseur."
Without looking up, Bai Wuxia knew who had arrived. A faint smile played on his lips. "Gang Leader Xu, what brings you here today?"
"Just passing by, thought I'd drop in," Xu Sanyan replied casually, taking a seat across from him.
Bai Wuxia chuckled, unconvinced. "Really? Just passing by?"
Xu Sanyan didn't respond, instead focusing on the chessboard. The atmosphere grew quiet.
"Do you play chess, Gang Leader Xu?" Bai Wuxia asked, noticing Xu Sanyan's apparent interest.
"No, but it looks interesting," Xu Sanyan admitted. He only knew how to play Gomoku.
Bai Wuxia set the pieces aside and called for tea. "So, Gang Leader Xu, what's the real reason for your visit?"
Xu Sanyan took a sip of the tea. It was excellent, rivaling the brew Zhu Yong had served him. "Brother Bai, don't you think Taian City has too many gangs for its size?"
While Taian City had more than three gangs, only three were of significant scale. The rest were too minor to mention.
Bai Wuxia's interest was piqued. He tilted his head slightly. "What are you suggesting?"
"How about we team up and eliminate the Ginseng Gang?" Xu Sanyan didn't beat around the bush.
Bai Wuxia laughed softly. He naturally wanted to dominate Taian City, but the situation didn't allow it. The authorities wouldn't stand by and let the White Horse Gang monopolize power.
"Do you know why I haven't acted yet, Gang Leader Xu?" Bai Wuxia asked.
Xu Sanyan understood perfectly. With Bai Wuxia's Celestial Being Realm cultivation, dominating Taian City would be easy. In a one-on-one fight, no one in the city could match him. The only reason he hadn't done so was his fear of the authorities.
Even a Celestial Being could be worn down by thousands of soldiers in formation.
What Bai Wuxia didn't mention was that he was under Prince Rui's command, making him a rebel.
The White Horse Gang frequently supplied Prince Rui with funds, grain, and horses. Drawing too much attention could expose them to the authorities.
He couldn't afford to gamble. If discovered, death was certain.
Xu Sanyan, aware of Bai Wuxia's concerns, said, "The White Horse Gang doesn't need to show itself. Just help me with one thing. Once it's done, I'll take the Ginseng Gang's precious medicine. The rest—shops, money, and grain—will go to the White Horse Gang."
Bai Wuxia lowered his head in thought. If that were the case, it might be worth a try. He could stay in the shadows while the Guanshan Blade Association took the heat. Even if the authorities investigated, they wouldn't trace it back to him.
"What do you need me to do, Brother Xu?" Bai Wuxia asked.
Xu Sanyan smiled, knowing Bai Wuxia was tempted. "Take care of Shen Xing. I'll handle the rest."
Bai Wuxia considered this. Shen Xing, the Ginseng Gang's leader, was at the Inner Qi Peak. Eliminating him wouldn't be difficult.
However, the Ginseng Gang had four deputy leaders, all at the Inner Qi Realm. Bai Wuxia doubted Xu Sanyan could handle them.
"Are you aware of the other Inner Qi martial artists in the Ginseng Gang, Brother Xu?" Bai Wuxia asked cautiously.
"Don't worry, Brother Bai. I have a plan."
Bai Wuxia felt reassured. Xu Sanyan wasn't a reckless fool. If he said he had a plan, he likely did. Even if it failed, it wouldn't implicate Bai Wuxia.
"Alright. You can act in three days."
Xu Sanyan nodded.
...
Three days later, late at night.
The Ginseng Gang's headquarters was draped in white mourning banners. Eight coffins lay in the main hall. The previous day, Gang Leader Shen Xing had been killed at home, along with his family of seven. Not even the four-year-old child had been spared.
The entire gang was in shock, not only at the brutality of the killer but also because Shen Xing had been at the Inner Qi Peak, one of the strongest in Taian City. Who could have killed him so silently?
The news of Bai Wuxia's breakthrough to the Celestial Being Realm hadn't spread yet, so the Ginseng Gang remained unaware.
In the mourning hall, four men sat across from each other. One of them was Deputy Gang Leader Sun, who had sold precious medicine to Xu Sanyan.
An elderly man with a sorrowful expression spoke first. "With Gang Leader's cultivation, how could he have died so quietly…"
The four men were filled with dread, speculating about the killer's strength.
"Do you think… it could have been Bai Wuxia? There were rumors he was about to cross the threshold into the Celestial Being Realm," one of them suggested.
Another frowned in thought. "But our Ginseng Gang has no dealings with the White Horse Gang. Why would he target our leader?"
"Besides, if he just became a Celestial Being, could he really kill Gang Leader so easily? Is the gap between the Celestial Being Realm and the Inner Qi Realm that vast?"
They all shook their heads, sighing. None of them truly understood the power of the Celestial Being Realm.
Deputy Gang Leader Sun seemed lost in thought. "It might actually be him…"
The others turned to him urgently. "Old Sun, what are you thinking?"
Sun replied, "A few years ago, on my way to the prefectural city, I had the fortune of witnessing a Celestial Being in action. Four Inner Qi Peak martial artists joined forces against him, and they were all dead within moments."
The other three were stunned. "No chance to fight back?"
"Alas…"
Sun sighed. "Yes, the gap is too vast. Celestial Beings generate Inner Qi endlessly, and it can be projected to harm others, making them nearly impossible to defend against."
"If that's the case… it might really be Bai Wuxia."
At that moment, the doors were kicked open. Xu Sanyan, leading over a hundred members of the Guanshan Blade Association, barged in.
The four men shot up from their seats, and numerous Ginseng Gang disciples rushed in from the back.
Deputy Gang Leader Sun's expression darkened. "Gang Leader Xu? What is the meaning of this?"
The elderly man snapped, "So you're Xu Sanyan? Hmph, quite the reputation you have, daring to disrespect our Ginseng Gang like this!"
With their leader freshly deceased, Xu Sanyan's intrusion was clearly a provocation. None of the four men looked pleased.
Xu Sanyan's lips tightened. He had no patience for words. With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Kill them all. Leave no one alive!"
With that, he charged forward.
(End of the Chapter)
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