Chapter 660: Flaws, The Real and Fake Baili Hong!

Chapter 660: Chapter 357: Flaws, The Real and Fake Baili Hong!

The Seven Hall Masters, and even Cyan Flood Dragon Hall Master Lu Buji, were all frozen in place, utterly unable to believe their eyes; the Gang Leader had truly appeared!

The most shocked among them was Gongyang Jue, his pupils suddenly enlarged and his face showing disbelief. In the past, when Baili Hong was young and leading expeditions against Sea Pirates with great valor, Gongyang Jue was not even ranked within the Cyan Fish Gang.

He undoubtedly feared Baili Hong from the depths of his heart, more so than he ever feared Qiu Mountain, because he never regarded Qiu Mountain as a true opponent — Great Cultivators would naturally have other Great Cultivators to deal with.

Based on his prior understanding of Baili Hong, Gongyang Jue knew that this man was extremely protective and nurturing towards his close ones; his recent probes and attempts would have been intolerable if Baili Hong remained unharmed.

Moreover, the person behind him clearly informed Gongyang Jue of Baili Hong’s demise, or else Gongyang Jue wouldn’t have harbored thoughts of seizing the position of Gang Leader.

But why would a supposedly dead person appear before him?!

At this moment, not only Gongyang Jue, but many high-ranking members within the Cyan Fish Gang were contemplating this question to different degrees, facing eyes filled with shock, astonishment, and doubt scrutinizing back and forth over them.

‘Baili Hong’ showed no hint of cowardice, merely nodding slightly before stepping forward, hands behind his back, spiritedly walking towards the highest point inside the Cyan Fish Hall, among twenty-three grand chairs, where a seat made from polished dragon bone was reserved solely for the Cyan Fish Gang Leader.

Upon entering the hall, Baili Hongtang appropriately fell a half-step behind Su Mu, watching as he naturally moved forward, like he was returning home, brushing past numerous high-ranking members of the Cyan Fish Gang, sitting boldly on the dragon bone throne, involuntarily felt admiration arise in her heart.

“Third Brother is so young, his temperament… far exceeds mine, and I fear even our elder brother may fall short in this regard!” Baili Hongtang only sat down at her place after knowing Su Mu had taken his seat, though her palms were slightly sweating.

Today, their elder brother remained in seclusion, and Second Elder Qiu Mountain, given the circumstances, would not easily reveal himself, knowing that remaining elusive only adds to his intimidation.

Thus, today it was no doubt that Third Brother Su Mu was bearing most of the pressure, but seated atop the prime position, Su Mu seemed at ease, making one inevitably feel admiration.

In reality, although Su Mu was not yet of age, he had endured many trials across the land of the Qingyun Three Counties; having seen much of life and death, his hands stained with fresh blood, while also having buried more than a few he regarded as kin. Years spent at the Forging Workshop, relentless in honing weapons, simultaneously tempered his own heart; a restless and timid person could never forge a good weapon!

For a time, the entire place fell dead silent, not a sound was heard. Inside and outside the hall, only the sound of falling snow and breaths, rather unsettled, remained.

“Hmph… Any number of Hall Masters certainly enjoys spending power. While I merely secluded myself for a period, you are impatiently eager to elect a new Gang Leader to replace me?”

Not until an intimidating, full-toned voice was released from atop the high throne did the silence break; everyone trembled as if waking from a trance.

Then, they all faced the man raised upon the dragon bone throne, as proud and overlooking as ever!

“That look and demeanor truly belong to Baili Hong…”

Gongyang Jue felt his heart tremble, old memories resurfacing; whenever Baili Hong was present, he was always as radiant as a sunbeam, leaving no room for others to shine!

Back then, when Gongyang Jue was brought to the Cyan Fish Gang by the old Gang Leader at the mere age of six, the gang had enlightenment schools, and he studied alongside other children like Baili Hong. Despite being in the same school, they had little interaction.

Compared to his own humble beginnings, Baili Hong, in terms of family, martial talent, and many other aspects, effortlessly overshadowed him. From a young age, Baili Hong was an unattainble prodigy in Gongyang Jue’s eyes!

Despite the admiration Gongyang Jue felt towards the young Baili Hong, he couldn’t avoid feeling jealousy; he was well aware of his own insignificance, and managed to bury those feelings deep within.

At the time, the Baili Clan had more than just one genius in Baili Hong; Gongyang Jue had witnessed Baili Hong battling his way forward from numerous clan and hall talents, eventually solidifying the Young Master position.

Not long after, Baili Hong set out to support a number of trusted allies, with names on the list including the inconspicuous Gongyang Jue and most of the present-day Hall Masters and Vice Hall Masters.

These individuals were placed among various halls of the Cyan Fish Gang, with Gongyang Jue assigned to assist with affairs in the Ink Scale Hall; compared to handling gang matters, Baili Hong showed far more zeal in setting off to sea and fighting Sea Pirates.

While Baili Hong was out at sea making a name for himself, Gongyang Jue quickly displayed notable management skills, and under Baili Hong’s repeated promotions, he soon became the youngest Elder within the Ink Scale hall in fifty years.

Thereafter, Gongyang Jue continued his steady advance, rising through Vice Hall Master, Hall Master, and later, when the old Gang Leader fell to the hands of Sea Pirates, numerous old Elders and Hall Masters began harboring ambitions towards the position of Gang Leader.

Back then, he fought alongside Baili Hong, committed wholeheartedly, ultimately leading to Baili Hong’s victory once more, cleaning up the gang and establishing firm rule on the Gang Leader throne, transitioning into a phase of power redistribution within the Cyan Fish Gang.

Once Baili Hong ascended, he naturally rewarded his close aides, bestowing promotions based on capabilities without stinginess.

It was truly Baili Hong’s forceful opposition that allowed Gongyang Jue, someone with no multi-generational ties or deep loyalty to the Cyan Fish Gang, to ascend to the position of Vice Gang Leader.