Chapter 240 - 222: What’s Youth Without a Little Arrogance?

Chapter 240: Chapter 222: What’s Youth Without a Little Arrogance?

He didn’t get it. Tang Wen had the looks of a pretty boy, full of sweet talk, arrogant and reckless!

’How could Shui Yun have fallen for him!’

Fury burned in his eyes.

Tang Wen noticed and grew wary.

’For love, men are capable of doing something as socially suicidal as a grand public confession.’

’Let alone killing someone.’

Shui Yun hadn’t lied. There really was more to do today.

After a full day of the gang’s internal tournament.

That evening, after a thousand-person banquet.

Once the regular gang members had departed.

Tang Wen and the other senior leaders made their way to the Black Water Gang’s Council Hall.

Flames on the walls swayed.

And the shadows danced with them.

The atmosphere grew inexplicably tense.

Vice Gang Leader Liu, the most respected among them, scanned the room and began the meeting. "Everyone is aware of the situation underground, I presume?"

’The situation underground?’

Tang Wen feigned the appropriate amount of confusion.

In the hall, only he and a few other senior members were out of the loop.

Vice Gang Leader Liu gave a brief summary.

Beneath the ground lies a Demon Cave, and within the Demon Cave are Demons. These Demons devour humans, beasts, and maize—they eat nearly anything they can.

They are powerful, and the threat they pose is significant.

Therefore, we must dispatch our elites to guard the area below and periodically cull their numbers.

After laying out the basics, Vice Gang Leader Liu’s tone grew serious. "We can delay no longer. We must dispatch one Gang Martial, five Extraordinaries, one hundred Martial Masters, and three hundred Martial Artists to hold the line. As per our previously arranged rotation, it is Old Li’s turn to lead."

Elder Li stood, uncharacteristically silent, and exchanged a glance with Vice Gang Leader Liu.

The latter continued, "However, we cannot simply follow the City Lord’s Mansion’s orders, muddle through the mission, and hope for the best. Our internal sources—who risked their lives to get this information out—report that the underground Demon Tide is on the verge of an outbreak! Therefore, the Gang Leader has decided to dispatch an additional Sixth Grade Gang Martial!"

His eyes landed on Vice Gang Leader Lin.

According to the rotation, the person scheduled to stand guard after Elder Li was, in fact, Vice Gang Leader Lin.

"I can go with Old Li," Vice Gang Leader Lin agreed readily.

Everyone was rather surprised.

Vice Gang Leader Liu was as well. "Gentlemen, the situation below is complex. You two will need to cooperate fully to bring our gang’s brothers back in one piece."

Everyone in the Black Water Gang knew that the vice gang leaders and elders were split into different factions.

Old Li and Old Lin were practically rivals.

With so many lives on the line, Vice Gang Leader Lin waved a dismissive hand. "I can distinguish between what’s important and what’s not. Old Li and I will each lead a team. One will take the day shift, the other will take the night. Simple."

Vice Gang Leader Liu looked toward the head of the table.

The Gang Leader spoke, his voice deep. "This will be a hardship for you both. This tour of duty will last three months."

"Three months?"

That was significantly longer than the usual one month.

Vice Gang Leader Lin raised a thick eyebrow and glanced at Tang Wen. "In that case, why don’t we let our gang’s number one genius go down and see the world? Seventh Young Master, do you dare?"

Tang Wen shot him a look. "I had another insight during today’s tournament. My breakthrough to the Extraordinary Realm is imminent. Are you sure you want me to go?"

Everyone in the hall.

From the Fifth-Grade Gang Leader down to the Martial Masters on duty outside the doors, all were struck by the same question.

What?

’An insight from the tournament?’

’He’s about to break through to the Extraordinary Realm?’

"Is that true?!" Vice Gang Leader Liu demanded.

Even for someone as experienced as him, he couldn’t help but stare at Tang Wen as if he’d seen a ghost.

Tang Wen nodded. "I plan to use the gang’s Core Secret Chamber for my breakthrough. By the time Vice Gang Leader Lin returns, I should have already entered the Extraordinary Realm."

"According to the rules, the gang’s young masters are also part of the rotation. However, since your breakthrough is imminent, we’ll postpone your assignment," Vice Gang Leader Liu decided on the spot.

"An eighteen-year-old Extraordinary? Heh. If you can really break through, then I’ll have seen it all," said Vice Gang Leader Lin. "You should be able to make it to the inter-gang assembly outside Spring City."

Tang Wen’s eyes lit up. "Perfect! I can make another bet with all of you then!"

Old Lin was struck speechless.

The loss of the Sixth Grade Blood Marrow to Tang Wen today still stung.

"Fine! I hope you have this same confidence when the time comes, and bring home first place for the gang," Vice Gang Leader Lin said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Competitions between the gangs were bloody affairs.

Crippling injuries and death were commonplace.

Tang Wen quickly did the math in his head. "That will depend on whether Vice Gang Leader Lin is willing to put up the capital."

"Hm?"

’What’s that supposed to mean?’

Vice Gang Leader Liu also frowned, about to scold him for his glib tongue.

But then he heard Tang Wen speak quickly, "If Vice Gang Leader Lin and the rest of you are willing to offer a portion of Fifth Grade Dark Beast Blood Marrow as incentive, I guarantee I’ll take first place!"

"Such arrogance!" Vice Gang Leader Liu said sternly. "You’ve only been with the gang a short time. You must understand, there’s always someone better. Although the participants in the inter-gang tournament are all Extraordinaries, historically, the top three finishers have all possessed the strength to fight a Sixth Grade Gang Martial. How long have you been practicing Martial Arts that you dare make such a bold claim? If you don’t temper your disposition, you will suffer for it one day."

Tang Wen could tell he meant well.

But Tang Wen genuinely wanted a portion of Fifth Grade Dark Blood Marrow.

He wasn’t about to let this opportunity pass.

He stood and bowed to Vice Gang Leader Liu. "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Liu. But I’d still like to ask, how long until that inter-gang tournament?"

Vice Gang Leader Liu did a quick calculation on his fingers. "Six and a half months. It’s held every year after the spring blossoms and the maize harvest."

The maize is harvested three times a year.

The first harvest is around April.

Tang Wen said, "In that case, a bet might be in order."

"Hahahahaha! You think you can transcend the Extraordinary Realm and reach Sixth Grade in six months?"

"The Seventh Young Master certainly has a sense of humor."

"Youths never know their own limits. Weren’t we all the same once?"

"It’s not the same! I never dreamed of breaking through the Extraordinary Realm and entering the Sixth Grade in just six and a half months!"

"..."

The hall filled with mocking laughter.

Perhaps it wasn’t entirely malicious, but it was a genuine reflection of how absurd they found his claim.

Vice Gang Leader Liu stared speechlessly at Tang Wen. Looking into those young, confident, and unyielding eyes, he found he was reluctant to crush his spirit. "Tang Wen! Your Talent is exceptional, but you underestimate the difficulties of the Extraordinary path. In six and a half months, you’ll be lucky to have stabilized your footing in the Extraordinary Realm. Never mind. After this meeting, I will personally guide you."

Tang Wen didn’t care one way or the other about being taught.

The important thing was getting them to bet the Fifth Grade Blood Marrow!

’I’m already at the level of a Weak Sixth Grade. In half a year, I should at least reach Senior Sixth Grade, right?’

’At that point, I’ll desperately need Fifth Grade Blood Marrow for my training!’

Tang Wen thanked Vice Gang Leader Liu again, but insisted, "Two years ago, when I was a Beginner in Martial Arts, I was invincible the moment I became a Martial Disciple. When I advanced to Martial Artist, I was undefeated within the Martial Artist Realm and could even kill Martial Masters who outranked me. Now, after only a few months as a Martial Master, I can fight an Extraordinary. To be honest with the Gang Leader and everyone here, I didn’t reveal my full strength today. In half a year, it’s not unthinkable that I could fight someone at the Extraordinary Peak. So, are you willing to make a wager?"

He scanned the room, his eyes shining like stars.

All who met his gaze were stunned into silence, their mouths agape, unsure how to respond.

At his side, Shui Yun’s beautiful eyes sparkled with fascination.

It was his old rival, Vice Gang Leader Lin, who was the first to snap out of it. "Kid! The gap between the Extraordinary Peak and an Initial Entry or even a Veteran Extraordinary is immeasurable! You’re just too green. Even I wouldn’t claim to have a guaranteed victory against the top three from the tournament. And you, a punk who’s still wet behind the ears, think you can win? That’s hilarious!"

"That’s right. Every major power has a few monstrously talented Extraordinaries who are no weaker than a Sixth Grade."

"I say they’re just shameless. They deliberately have their people suppress their Realms just to win."

"Exactly! If we did that, we could place in the top three every year too. It’s a shame, but we’re not shameless enough to ruin our own people’s potential!"

"..."

Everyone present was an old fox.

Though Tang Wen had spoken with utter conviction, the more they thought about it, the less his logic held up.

’So what if he was invincible at the same rank as a Martial Disciple, Martial Artist, and Martial Master?’

’Which of the Sixth Grades here wasn’t invincible in their time at those three Realms?’

’The only difference was that we were a few years older than Tang Wen when we achieved it.’

’The Martial Arts Realm is like climbing a mountain.’

’Each step is a world unto itself.’

’The higher you climb, the harder it is to advance.’

’Tang Wen is just starting out. He might never even reach our level of achievement!’

’And now he has the gall to claim he’ll be on par with a Sixth Grade in six months.’

’He’s still too young.’

Tang Wen’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he was cursing. ’Why is it so hard to trick them out of a dose of Fifth Grade Blood Marrow?’