"You must be Brother Tang Wen, right?"
As soon as the door opened, Tang Wen saw the visitor and a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
He had seen this person before.
Not long ago, when he was drinking at the brothel in Four Seas Camp.
This was the genius that the woman had mentioned: the one who had risen quickly in the Blackwater Gang by aligning himself with Elder Li.
"I am Wu Hao, the Commander under Elder Li!"
Wu Hao had a simple and honest appearance, with round eyes, a round face, and a robust build, much taller than the average person.
Judging by his aura, he was likely at the level of a second-tier Martial Master.
After speaking, Wu Hao flashed a black waistband with silver edges.
The characters for "Blackwater Gang" were written in a bold and flowing style, just like the inscription on the stone pillar he had seen a few days ago.
"Greetings, Commander Wu! You are truly a young hero! To have the strength of a Commander at such a young age!"
"Haha! You flatter me, you flatter me! Brother Tang, let's get on the horses and talk as we go."
Wu Hao, in his early twenties, was all smiles.
Originally, Tang Wen had thought that a peak Martial Practitioner in his early twenties, who was also a Beast Tamer, might have a bit of an attitude. But now, it seemed he was quite easy to get along with.
Along the way, Tang Wen lavished praise on him, constantly complimenting Wu Hao's talent, calling him a hero, and saying that he had been entrusted with important responsibilities at a young age. Within five years, he would surely achieve Transcendence...
Wu Hao was so pleased by the flattery that he naturally revealed quite a bit about the inner workings of the gang.
For example, Elder Li had a fondness for beautiful women.
He had a total of fifty-seven wives and concubines at home!
Hearing this number, Tang Wen couldn't hide his surprise: "Fifty-seven?"
Wu Hao said with envy, "That's right, and some of them are over fifty years old!"
As he spoke, he winked and asked, "Our Elder Li is quite something, isn't he?"
Tang Wen suppressed his own envy: "Impressive! Truly impressive!"
The two of them discussed Elder Li's fifty-seven wives and concubines, his one hundred and three children, over two hundred female slaves, and more than three hundred servants.
After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at the headquarters of the Blackwater Gang.
Dismounting and entering, Tang Wen noticed that the security inside the headquarters was much tighter than the last time he had been here.
There were guards stationed every five steps and sentries every ten steps.
After walking a full four to five hundred meters, the two of them arrived at the entrance of the main hall.
A guard shouted, "Commander Wu has arrived!"
Inside the hall, seated in the main position, was a man with thick eyebrows and an imposing demeanor.
Tang Wen glanced at him and quickly lowered his head.
In that brief moment, he sensed the man's overwhelming presence, as if he were not a person but a towering mountain.
He seemed stronger than the Queen.
But Tang Wen felt that he was comparable to the enraged Tyrant Bear.
As for the specifics of their strength, Tang Wen had limited experience with top-tier experts, and the gap between them was too vast for him to make any judgment.
Below the main seat, there were two people on either side.
On the left was a thin, elderly man, and on the right sat Elder Li.
In this setting, the left side was considered more honorable, so the person on the left held a higher position than Elder Li.
"Old Li, is this the Beast Tamer you mentioned?"
Elder Li nodded and introduced Tang Wen: "This is our Deputy Leader, Zhao Wuji! The one seated above is our Gang Leader!"
Tang Wen quickly clasped his fists in greeting, his voice loud and clear: "Greetings, Gang Leader! Greetings, Deputy Leader Zhao!"
"Hmm, you can tame beasts?"
"I have a Sand Wolf and can tame Mid-level Exotic Beasts!" Tang Wen got straight to the point.
At this moment, he felt a pang of anxiety, fearing that the Gang Leader seated above might see through his true capabilities.
After all, his Aura Concealment Art was only at the mastered level, and whether it could deceive a King-level expert was uncertain.
This thought flashed through his mind.
Deputy Leader Zhao said coldly, "Young man, you're quite boastful! There are hundreds, if not thousands, of species of mid-level exotic beasts. Can you tame them all?"
Was he looking for trouble?
Tang Wen glanced at Elder Li, who was sipping tea, his expression unchanged.
Tang Wen had no choice but to bow slightly and clasp his fists, "Yes, yes, I was too hasty. Generally, I can tame most mid-level exotic beasts."
After speaking, he glanced at his Beast Taming Art information:
[Beast Taming Art, Proficient (5919/6000)]
Ever since he and the two Sand Wolf Kings had teamed up to kill a Transcendent Snapping Turtle and a Transcendent expert, his Beast Taming Art experience had been skyrocketing.
Later, he brought the Sand Wolf Kings and several high-level Sand Wolves to the Four Seas Camp.
Along the way, his Beast Taming Art experience had been increasing daily.
"Young people, after all! What do you think, Deputy Leader Zhao?" Elder Li finally spoke, his tone calm and indifferent.
"Then give him a chance."
Deputy Leader Zhao said directly, "In a couple of days, a few exotic beasts will arrive. Prepare yourself, and don't embarrass us! Otherwise, the sect rules won't spare you!"
Tang Wen lowered his head, his brows furrowed. He wanted to say right then, "Then go find someone else!"
But since he was under their roof, he had no choice but to say, "I'm not sure what kind of exotic beasts they are that the sect values so highly. But since the leader and elders have commanded, though I'm new to the sect, I dare not refuse! I'll do my utmost to ensure I don't disappoint the leader and elders!"
Beside him, Elder Li was surprised: How had Tang Wen become so much sharper since their last meeting?
But being sharper was ultimately a good thing.
It saved him the worry of Tang Wen saying the wrong thing.
Deputy Leader Zhao nodded slightly, "At least he has the right attitude."
Elder Li said, "Young Tang, do you need anything? Feel free to ask."
That was exactly what Tang Wen was waiting for!
He immediately replied, "If I could have a few medicinal ingredients, combined with the blood marrow of a Transcendent exotic beast, I'd have a much better chance of success."
The blood marrow of a Transcendent exotic beast was highly valuable.
For example, it could be used to refine Marrow Protection Fluid, which was considered quite precious.
Deputy Leader Zhao narrowed his eyes, "Fine! We'll give you what you need, but in three days, you must succeed in taming the Water Demon!"
Water Demon?
Tang Wen was stunned. He had never heard of such a thing.
Not pretending to understand, he played it safe, looking utterly confused, "Water Demon? Uh, Leader, Elders, I've lived in the wilderness and never encountered such a creature!"
Before they could react, he quickly added:
"However, the old man who taught me the Beast Taming Art did mention something.
Pills made from the blood marrow of Transcendent exotic beasts are highly attractive to most high-level and mid-level exotic beasts.
But as for the habits of the Water Demon, I'll need to study them carefully!
Does the sect have any information on it?
I'll go and learn about it right away!
By then, I should have a good chance!"
Unexpectedly, after he finished speaking, Deputy Leader Zhao glared at him, and even Elder Li looked displeased.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Tang Wen lowered his head and remained silent.
After a moment of silence, a calm and deep voice suddenly spoke:
"No need to be harsh. The Water Demon is only at the level of a mid-level exotic beast, but it's a rare creature that lives in rivers and lakes. It's skilled at building dams, digging water tunnels, and exploring sunken ships. It's normal for the younger generation not to have seen it. No need to be too strict."
It was the sect leader who spoke.
Tang Wen quickly clasped his fists and bowed to him.
Deputy Leader Zhao sighed, "It's a pity the city's Beast Taming Master isn't here."
Turning around, he said to Tang Wen, "In that case, do your best. Remember, on that day, it won't just be you; the Boat Gang will also be competing with us. Do you understand?"
Tang Wen quickly responded, "Understood, I understand! I will spare no effort!"
Deputy Gang Leader Zhao added, "If you lose, there's nothing more to say. But if you win, I'll reward you with the position of Deputy Commander!"
"Thank you, Deputy Gang Leader Zhao! Thank you, Elder Li, and thank you, Gang Leader, for your guidance!"
Tang Wen was visibly excited and bowed repeatedly to everyone.
Seeing that there were no further instructions, Elder Li took out a token from his waist. Tang Wen stepped forward to receive it.
Upon examining it, he was surprised to find that it was actually a silver Elder's token!
Within the Black Water Gang, ordinary members and captains had black tokens with black characters cast on them.
Deputy Commanders and Commanders had black tokens with silver edges.
Elders had silver tokens, while Deputy Gang Leaders had gold ones.
As for the Gang Leader, he didn't need such a token; he used a tiger tally instead.
"Take my token and go to the storeroom to retrieve the medicinal materials. Act with discretion and avoid extravagance!"
"Yes, thank you, Elder!"
"Go ahead!"
Tang Wen's eyes briefly met Elder Li's, and he received a subtle hint, which gave him confidence.
Elder Li watched his retreating figure: I wonder if this kid is truly as clever as he seems?
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