Chapter 446 - 428: The Power After the Breakthrough

"A Flood Dragon emerges from the abyss with explosive force; one breath to become a dragon, ruling heaven and earth!"

Su Yu once again used the two most dominant moves of the Green Wood Shadow Ape Fist.

As his Qi and Blood roared, all the tendons and bones in his body resonated in unison. Although he still couldn’t achieve the terrifying ability of Jiao Tendon Perfection where the entire body locks into one unit, he was a clear step above his previous Ape Tendon state.

"BOOM!"

His fist shot out like a mighty dragon bursting from the sea, like the azure dragon’s aura descending from the highest heavens.

In that instant, his Fist Force faintly took the shape of an azure dragon’s head. Amidst a thunderous roar, his fist smashed solidly into the Black Water River.

The water before him instantly parted, creating a channel nearly thirty feet long and ten feet wide.

The Black Water River was several meters deep near the bank. In that moment, the water surged to either side, revealing the wet riverbed below. A hairy-legged river crab crawled dumbfoundedly from its burrow, only to find not a single drop of water remained.

"RUMBLE!"

The next moment, the surging river water crashed back in, pouring into the channel and letting out a violent roar.

Su Yu exhaled a long, turbid breath. A thrill of satisfaction shot through him as he looked at his arm, where the Tiger Tendons coiled as tight as earth drakes.

’Great Tendons as domineering as a fierce tiger... The allure of Martial Arts is truly intoxicating.’

Reveling in his skyrocketing power, Su Yu leaped onto the surface of the water and began to unleash it with abandon.

"Frenzy Demon-Vibrating Saber!"

Mo Yuan flew from its sheath, tracing crimson arcs through the air that instantly interwove into a net of blood-red light.

Wherever it passed, the river water was parted again and again, carving one astonishing channel after another.

In that moment, Su Yu was like a rampaging Demon Ape.

Supported by his dominant Tiger Tendons and formidable Qi and Blood, he unleashed a relentless, stormy barrage of strikes at will.

An ordinary Martial Artist at the Tiger Tendon Realm wouldn’t last three strikes against this move; they’d be cleaved clean in two.

Half an hour later, Su Yu ceased his assault and stood still, poised on the water’s surface.

’My strength can now finally rival the Jiao Tendon Realm. And not just any, but the highest tier of the Jiao Tendon Realm. If I fought Tiemu Chuan again, a single slash from me could shatter his Ironwood Golden Body!’

’Even without the Taibai Primordial Magnetism Golden Qi, I could still slay him!’

After venting the violent energy in his body, Su Yu enjoyed a long-overdue swim in the Black Water River. His Bibo Fish Dragon Skill had already reached the Perfection realm, but he still hadn’t managed to Break the Limit. This was mainly because he now had enough resources and no longer needed to hunt for treasure in the Black Water River. As a result, he hadn’t faced a situation that necessitated Breaking the Limit to advance.

However, if he wanted to explore the many secrets within the Black Water River in the future, he would still need to Break the Limit.

Furthermore, the dealings between the Qian Family and the Flying Fish Martial Arts Hall seemed to have hit a snag. The Qian Family had promised to send him the subsequent levels of the Bibo Fish Dragon Skill if they managed to acquire the Cultivation Technique from the hall, but he had yet to hear anything.

’Perhaps I can mediate between them when the opportunity arises. Given my relationship with Ding Yi, a small matter like this shouldn’t be a problem.’

...

「Su Mansion, Front Hall.」

Not long after Su Yu returned, he received a message delivered by Yaya.

"Young Master, Brother Su Hong has brought the Snow Wolf Gang’s leader to see you. They are waiting for you in the front hall."

Having not seen Yaya for some time, the girl had now blossomed into a graceful young lady, and Su Yu almost didn’t recognize her.

Yaya was now over 1.6 meters tall, dressed in a beautiful short purple skirt. She had not only learned to read but also practiced Martial Arts, making it hard for Su Yu to associate her with the scrawny figure he remembered from Qingxi Village.

"Let’s go take a look."

Su Yu couldn’t help but gently stroke her head, his eyes filled with warmth. ’I only helped her on a whim,’ he thought, ’but it seems I’ve completely changed her destiny.’

The little girl was perceptive. Seeing Su Yu’s expression, she knew he was still the same Brother Su.

Even though he was now a high and mighty figure, he still cared about her. She immediately and obediently moved to his side, holding his arm as they walked, and said, "Young Master, I have one more thing to ask of you."

"Hm, go on."

"I’m studying and practicing martial arts now, and I’m even in charge of a dozen maids in the Su Mansion, but I still don’t have a proper name. I’ve always thought of Brother Su as my real brother, so I want to take your surname. Could you give me a name?"

Su Yu nodded slightly. After considering a few options, he said, "Then your name will be Su Qian. The ’Qian’ (芊) means lush and verdant, like grass. They say that even wildfire cannot destroy the grass completely. You were once a simple girl from Qingxi Village, your life as fragile as a weed, nearly starved to death during the famine. But now, like that wild grass, you have flourished again. I hope you will continue to grow and thrive."

"That’s wonderful, Young Master! I have a name now! I’m Su Qian!"

Yaya excitedly bounced and skipped around Su Yu like a little deer. The two of them quickly arrived at the front hall.

Pushing the door open, he saw his older brother Su Hong sitting in his wheelchair, hosting their guests. Opposite him was a woman in simple grey clothes. She had a strong build, plain features, and exuded a fierce aura—clearly someone who had clawed her way up from the bottom.

Beside the woman was an old man also in grey clothes, his hair and beard white, with a mature and prudent demeanor.

Seeing Su Yu enter, the woman and the old man shot up as if on springs, came before him, and bowed their heads to the ground.

"Snow Wolf Gang Leader Xue Xuntang and Vice-Leader Zhu Qiming pay our respects to Lord Su!"

Su Yu nodded slightly and said, "Rise. There’s no need to be so formal."

He walked to the Grandmaster’s Chair, pushed his brother’s wheelchair to a position beside it, and then sat down.

Xue Xuntang and Zhu Qiming only rose respectfully after Su Yu was seated. They then stood waiting to the side, showing no intention of sitting down, looking as if they were awaiting orders.

But it was no wonder they were so tense; the handsome and imposing man sitting opposite them possessed a truly astonishing level of strength and status.

That was Su Yu, the number one genius in Black Stone City and the Great Commander of the Public Security Bureau!

By now, his reputation had spread through every street and alley of Black Stone City. The stories and ballads about him in teahouses and taverns were as numerous as the hairs on an ox, and the two of them were all too familiar with the tale of his rise.

Especially a few days ago, when at his command, even the Huyan Family, one of the most prominent century-old families in the city, was annihilated in an instant.

How could they, a couple of minor Martial Artists—one at the Flesh Refining Realm and the other at the Skin Tempering Realm—not be nervous in his presence?

Seeing the reaction of Gang Leader Xue Xuntang and her companion, Su Hong couldn’t help but feel a wave of complex emotions.

’Has my little brother’s status really reached such a level?’

’How things have changed.’

"Little brother, let me make the introductions. This is Xue Xuntang, the former leader of the Snow Wolf Gang. After the Snow Wolf Gang was destroyed by the Water Snake Gang, she started working at the west side docks. She now has a few dozen brothers under her, doing dirty and tiring transport work."

"This is Vice-Leader Zhu Qiming. I used to work under him. In a gang fight long ago, I took a knife for Sect Leader Zhu, and he looked after me well after that. Back then, Cao Bin didn’t move against our Su Family immediately, partly because he was somewhat wary of Sect Leader Zhu."

Hearing this, Zhu Qiming’s face turned pale. His legs felt weak, and he bowed his head to the ground again. "Lord Su, please forgive me! I was ineffective back then and failed to personally step in to stop that Cao Bin, which led to the Su Family suffering such a disaster."

Su Yu waved his hand, signaling for him to rise.

He had no intention of making things difficult for him. Thinking back on the events of two years ago, he actually felt a bit nostalgic. Back then, his brother was just a small fry in the Snow Wolf Gang; Zhu Qiming probably hadn’t paid him any mind at all.

Perhaps, as his brother said, this man had indirectly helped the Su Family to some extent. Even the silver his brother had saved up was from his work in the Snow Wolf Gang, which had formed their family’s savings.

"Alright, what’s past is past. There’s no need to bring it up again. Now, on the west side of the city, I need a gang to take the place of the Black Tiger Gang. The two of you will go and rebuild the Snow Wolf Gang and take charge of the criminal underworld in the west."

"But the Snow Wolf Gang absolutely cannot be like the Black Tiger Gang, oppressing the common people! Your various miscellaneous Peace Coins combined cannot exceed twenty percent! Also, you need to report all news from the west side to me regularly, especially any movements from the Black Lotus Sect!"

"Handle these two matters well, and the Snow Wolf Gang will be the only gang on the west side from now on! And you, Xue Xuntang, will continue to serve as the gang leader."

As Su Yu’s voice fell, the two of them became visibly excited.

Although Su Hong had already mentioned the general idea, hearing the order from Su Yu himself made them feel as if they had been struck by immense fortune. They excitedly knelt again and kowtowed repeatedly.

Countless people were currently fighting for a chance to even meet Su Yu, yet here they were, about to become Lord Su’s direct subordinates!

Xue Xuntang was also a shrewd operator. She immediately said, "Your subordinate wouldn’t dare to disobey Lord Su’s command. We will go through fire and water without hesitation. However, regarding the matter of the Snow Wolf Gang’s leader, I ask Your Lordship to reconsider. I, Xue Xuntang, am not worthy of this heavy responsibility. It would be better to let Brother Su Hong serve as the leader. Perhaps he can manage the Snow Wolf Gang better!"

Su Yu nodded slightly. ’Xue Xuntang is indeed thorough. I had the same intention, but I couldn’t have been the one to say it.’

Su Hong wanted to refuse, but Su Yu set the tone directly, "Xue Xuntang, your consideration of this matter is very thorough. Big Brother, it’s settled then. So many people on the west side live in hardship. If you want to do something for them, don’t refuse."

Su Hong’s eyes were filled with complex emotions. After a moment of consideration, he finally nodded in agreement.

"Don’t worry, little brother. I will manage the Snow Wolf Gang well!"