Chapter 667: Storms Settle, Sea Pirates Auction

Chapter 667: Chapter 360: Storms Settle, Sea Pirates Auction

Everyone was utterly stunned, and the mouths of the Cyan Fish Gang’s high-level members could only utter intermittent words. The only person in the know, Baili Hongtang, was even more dazzled by the situation.

A moment ago, she was tightly gripping the token in her sleeve, ready to have her second grandfather act to protect her third brother at any time, and she was full of anxiety about Su Mu’s identity being revealed.

However, in the next breath, the situation on the field played out a shocking reversal!

Baili Hongtang knew that her third brother’s strength must have improved during his retreat, but she completely didn’t expect that after a mere twenty days of retreat, he would have become this powerful.

Facing Gongyang Jue, who had taken a step above the Fourth Grade, he unexpectedly killed him on the spot. This power of the third brother stirred up monstrous waves in her heart!

At this moment, Baili Hongtang’s emotions were chaotic, filled not only with ecstatic joy but also with uncontrollable relief. Even if they couldn’t become friends with such a monster as her third brother, at least they couldn’t become enemies.

If the Cyan Fish Gang had such a potential enemy in her third brother, just the thought of it made Baili Hongtang feel shivers down her spine and a sense of suffocation.

Looking back now, the brotherhood initiated by my brother couldn’t be more correct. Any resources they tilted towards Su Mu, their third brother, were exceedingly rewarding.

Not only did the third brother help them break the impasse several times, the little bit of return his future potential could offer was also difficult to estimate!

A Third-Grade Martial Arts Grandmaster is definitely not the endpoint of his Martial Dao!

Whether considering the brotherly bond from sworn kin, or from a pure business viewpoint, this investment was undoubtedly extremely correct.

Moreover, Baili Hongtang felt a sense of fear in her heart.

Thankfully, her third brother steadfastly refused to accept the Little Yellow Court Ancient Pill back then. If such a monster took the Little Yellow Court Pill, surely he would have been ruined.

“The Vice Gang Leader is dead?… killed by the Gang Leader!”

“The Gang Leader, he truly is the Gang Leader… Who else besides the Gang Leader could cultivate the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill to such a level; there’s absolutely no mistake!”

“The rumors were wrong, the Gang Leader really was just in retreat, and now it seems the Gang Leader isn’t far from the Upper Three Grades!”

Two elders, seven hall masters, and ten vice hall masters each showed dramatic expressions, some filled with excitement and joy, while others exhibited complex feelings of regret and apprehension.

In just a few breaths, they exchanged blows over twenty times, and Gongyang Jue, a martial artist who could be considered a Half-Step Great Cultivator, was smashed into a pulp. Gang Leader Baili Hong’s prowess after years of retreat was indeed shocking!

“It’s hard to tell exactly what step the Gang Leader’s strength has reached now, being at the Half-Step Third Grade, yet even the Vice Gang Leader couldn’t force out the Gang Leader’s Three Flowers.”

“Did you notice… though the Gang Leader used the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill earlier, the fist technique he employed seems different from what the old Gang Leader mastered?”

“Why such alarm, the Gang Leader’s Martial Dao talent is surpassing, exceeding even the old Gang Leader, having realized a few fist techniques after years of retreat is not surprising.”

At this moment, no one dared to question the identity of that imposing figure in the hall, they already regarded him as the true Baili Hong, though they softly discussed among themselves with lingering concerns about being held accountable later.

Yet, as martial artists, they also felt genuine admiration for such a strong individual as Baili Hong, whose open and direct manner of facing the enemy and cleanly dispatching the great foe was even more inspiring.

These high-level members of the Cyan Fish Gang, even the second sister Baili Hongtang, were unaware that Su Mu didn’t employ the Three Flowers not out of arrogance, but simply because he had recently ascended to Fifth Grade and had yet to form the Three Flowers, so what was there to activate?

As for the Profound Demon Gang, the second move of the Profound Demon Five Transformations Su Mu grasped not long ago was perceived by those strong members of the Cyan Fish Gang as undoubtedly the masterwork Baili Hong had realized during his years of retreat, and any who saw such a fiercely powerful fist technique would assume it to originate from the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill.

“We won…”

Su Mu’s face showed no obvious expression, maintaining the imposing dominance of Baili Hong, while inside breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed casual to decisively smash Gongyang Jue into pulp within a few breaths, but in truth, he’d almost used everything he had.

The Profound Demon Gang, the Three-Colored Glazed Bone, Ten Molted Dragon Tendons, and Limit Break were all unleashed without reservation, and now his arms continuously send back waves of tearing pain.

According to what the Sun Family Ancestor said, this realm seems different from the Empire Qin, undergoing some sort of past mutation. In any case, his Three-Colored Glazed Bone and Ten Molted Dragon Tendons haven’t fully transformed.

Now, having gone through the battle, they have once again become two black holes of energy, at this moment greedily devouring Su Mu’s essence blood to strengthen themselves.

And…

From the beginning, Su Mu faintly sensed a threat from Gongyang Jue, and precisely because of this, he couldn’t afford not to use full strength in combat.

“That power was different from Gongyang old dog’s aura, it should be some external object.”

Su Mu kept a calm facade while suppressing the pain in his arms and the anomaly within him, wrapping his power around the mud to extract a Sumeru Ring engraved with a fierce beast’s head pattern.

This ring was naturally the Sumeru Ring from Gongyang Jue’s deceased body, and no one dared to dispute it.

“Step, step—!”

After killing Gongyang Jue, Su Mu expressionlessly stepped through the pulp and, under eyes filled with respect, climbed back onto the dragonbone chair. Seated, he casually grabbed the cup on the table and took a large swig of strong liquor, as if killing a Half-Step Great Cultivator was nothing major, just stretching his bones a bit.

Before the cup was put down.

The Cyan Flood Dragon Hall Master Lu Buji, exceedingly excited, immediately stood up from his seat, knelt on one knee, and shouted loudly, “The old Gongyang thief is dead, what are you all waiting for?”

The hall was awakened by one sentence, and everyone quickly returned to their senses from the shocking incident, and each one of them seemed to plead for forgiveness, kneeling on one knee before the dragonbone chair, kneeling at Su Mu’s feet.

“I was previously confused due to being bewitched by the old Gongyang thief, I am Zhang Ziqin! Paying respects to the Gang Leader!”

“Paying respects to the Gang Leader!”

A group of Hall Masters, Vice Hall Masters, and Elders awoke from their dreams, kneeling on one knee to pay respects. According to gang regulations, normally they would not need to perform such a grand gesture upon meeting the Gang Leader.

Today’s grand gesture signifies an apology to Baili Hong and a demonstration of submission!

The senior members of the Cyan Fish Gang lowered their heads, not daring to meet the gaze from the high seat. Their hearts were filled with apprehension, and Su Mu naturally understood what they were thinking, casting a covert glance at his second sister, Baili Hongtang.

“Third Brother, for now, the Cyan Fish Gang still needs them. Everything must wait until Big Brother emerges from retreat.”

Su Mu barely nodded in agreement, then spoke calmly.

“My temperament is not so narrow. Earlier, I had an epiphany and secluded myself for ten days. It’s normal for some of you to have some inappropriate thoughts. As long as you continue to be loyal to the Cyan Fish Gang in the future.”

“Let bygones be bygones.”

After speaking, Su Mu raised his cup high.

“Everyone, drink!”

“Gang Leader is wise!”

Upon hearing Baili Hong’s words, the solemn atmosphere in the hall dissipated, and everyone exchanged glances, secretly breathing a sigh of relief before quickly offering compliments.

“Alright, I only came out of retreat after Redtang mentioned some unrest within the gang yesterday. I will be guiding Feng’Er’s cultivation next; now that things are settled.”

Su Mu paused at this point.

“I am somewhat weary, so Redtang will temporarily assume the position of Vice Gang Leader. If there are any issues within the gang, report to Redtang first. If not a major issue, do not report to me.”

“Gang Leader, this matter is not…”

“Hmm?”

Su Mu raised an eyebrow, and the instant his gaze swept over, the dissonant voice abruptly ceased. Seeing this, Su Mu was quite satisfied, nodding slightly and speaking indifferently.

“Eat and drink!”

After another bowl of strong wine were consumed, Su Mu rose and strode away.

“Gang Leader has pardoned us… the Gang Leader is indeed someone who values loyalty and righteousness!”

Watching the majestic silhouette stepping out of the hall, listening to the mountain-crumbling and sea-crashing calls of ‘Gang Leader’ from outside, everyone inside unconsciously breathed another sigh of relief.

Baili Hong’s aura and prestige were too high. Furthermore, moments ago, a Half-Step Great Cultivator was directly killed within the hall, compelling fear upon them.

The events that occurred today within the Cyan Fish Great Hall quickly spread throughout the Cyan Fish Gang and beyond, instantly causing a great sensation. Those secretly observing the Cyan Fish Gang also felt shocked, as the situation vastly exceeded their expectations.

Baili Hong, believed to have perished after years of retreat, unexpectedly emerged and immediately enacted a matter sufficient to stir Donglai, forcefully executing Deputy Gang Leader Gongyang Jue, who had stepped beyond Fourth Grade!

“The Gang Leader has returned, and the former Cyan Fish Gang shall return!”

Many old disciples who once followed Baili Hong within the Cyan Fish Gang were immensely excited, as if rediscovering their backbone. They firmly believed that as long as Baili Hong was their leader, the recent unrest within the gang would inevitably soon subside.

On the night of the Cyan Fish Great Banquet, Law Enforcement Hall Master Xing Zhan led men to surround Alchemy Hall Master Zhao Youde’s courtyard.

“Zhao Youde, come with us. You are involved in the assassination of our prior Alchemy Hall Master… since the Gang Leader spoke during the day, cooperate and you can avoid a death sentence.”

“Death sentence can be avoided…”

The implication was that severe punishment was inevitable. Zhao Youde revealed a bitter smile, dismissed his subordinates, and personally opened the courtyard gate.

As one of Gongyang Jue’s most trusted aides, even if spared from death, he would definitely not escape punishment. The moment Gongyang Jue fell, he knew he couldn’t hide.

“Yes, I’ll go with you…”

In the end, he took a deep look at the Seven-Striped Cyan Fish Order representing the Alchemy Hall Master and took a deep breath before exhaling, seemingly growing older by twenty years instantly, with the ambition usually visible in his eyes replaced by confusion and unease.

He understood what awaited him; his life was effectively over.

Meanwhile, Molin Hall Master Zhao Cheng and two Vice Hall Masters were captured by Cyan Flood Dragon Hall Master Lu Buji, as Baili Hongtang oversaw the purge.

Subsequent affairs had no relation to Su Mu; everything was shouldered by his second sister, acting as Vice Gang Leader.

In the following days, Baili Hongtang was frazzled with exhaustion, while Su Mu engaged in secluded cultivation at Tangyuan.

Time swiftly reached five days later.

Fatigued and somewhat weary, Second Sister Baili Hongtang approached the heartbroken and resigned Su Mu, handing over a scarlet engraved metal invitation depicting a Blood Jiao.

“This is the Blood Jiao Invitation… in the previous battle, Vice Gang Leader Jiaoxue Sikong Li and Hall Master Zhong Buhui were slain by Big Brother, while Vice Gang Leader of the Dark Serpent, Gongsun Liang, was killed by Third Brother. Several Sea Pirates were slain, and the Outer Sea Region of Penghai was thrown into chaos.”

“Afterward, a riot broke out among the sea pirates vying for territory. Later, the remaining Five Pirate Gangs joined forces to suppress the chaos, planning to hold an auction to exchange cultivation resources. Our people have learned that the missing parts of the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill will appear at this auction.”