I Can See Your Combat Power

Gong Zheng had lost sensation in half of his body, as if he had broken hundreds of bones. If it was not for the protection of the Ghost Python Fierce Scale Armor, he might already have been slain by that swordsman.

Nonetheless, this was the most severe injury he had sustained in his entire life. Especially after he had performed the fluid cloud evasion, the spiritual energy in his body had completely drained. Presently, he could only feel an unprecedented weakness.bender

But he knew he couldnt rest, as Mi Hou must be frantically searching for him.

The Righteous Gang could unite the underground forces of West City within two years, mainly due to Mi Hous support. Initially, his relationship with Mi Hou was indeed a mutually beneficial one.

But as the stakes grew higher and higher, Mi Hou was no longer content with sharing profits with him, a bully. Instead, he wanted to swallow everything himself. Evidence of this was his placement of Huai Chenghua and Qiu Jinglong next to Gong Zheng as deputies in the gang.

Yet Gong Zheng acted as though he was not aware of the trap they were setting for him. He let Huai Chenghua and Qiu Jinglong form their own factions within the gang, attempting to win people over. When some old members of the gang repeatedly told him these deputies were disloyal, he simply laughed it off.

Thats because he was no longer interested in the underworld business.

He didnt remember when he started being a part of the underworld, but it might have been when his beloved and highly regarded master died bullishly on the martial arts fighting stage, or maybe when those people emptied his masters treasures just after the masters death. Or perhaps when those people kicked him out of his masters residence, leaving him wandering the streets.

Young Gong Zheng was reticent and wooden, an honest kid by everyones standard. However, the incidents following his masters death contradicted the belief that good deeds lead to good returns and that justice prevails. This made him realize the world is not about being virtuous its about being stronger and more vicious than others.

His master was powerful, but not cruel enough, which got him killed. Gong Zheng vowed not to end up like him. After biting into a cold steamed bun, the young boy robbed all the food from the other beggars in the temple and threatened them into following him.

The boy grew stronger and more ruthless, and his control over followers expanded, eventually turning him into the leader of the Righteous Gang.

However, he no longer wished for such a life after meeting that woman.

Gong Zheng staggered toward a mansion located deep within Fengqing Alley. That was his real home.

His wife and child lived there, they were the most important people to him. Ever since his child was bom, he had been thinking about quitting the gang.

He wanted to take his wife and child to another city and start afresh. With his peak cultivation in the Mortal Shedding realm and a Spiritual Sword, he could start anew anywhere.

Who would have thought that an ordinary scholard cause the downfall of the Righteous Gang? This was something he had never considered.

Only after returning to the city did it hit him. The flying boy accompanying that swordsman was the Pride of Xiling, further cementing his decision to leave.

Upon opening the door to the courtyard, he found it deserted. His wife and child were gone.

North City, Tianxiang Building

The latest sensation at Tianxiang Building was the handsome young man with captivating peach blossom eyes.

He was reputed for his mesmerizing bedroom skills; it was said he could please several women in one night, and each would experience extreme pleasure.

One must understand that these courtesans have been trained in the art of pleasure since a young age. Having encountered many men, their interest in intimacy had greatly diminished. They hadnt experienced such pleasure in many years.

But on the night he appeared, eight women did not wake up until noon. Though they were as weak as mud, their faces were flushedthe news of their evening of ecstasy quickly spread.

When Xu Laojing came back in the evening, the courtesans of Tianxiang Building greeted him with an unusual enthusiasm, their eyes full of spring lust and bashfulness.

Bring me eight more! Xu Laojing cut to the chase, not wanting to waste any time.

Pleased with his enthusiasm, the pander bowed in agreement: As you wish, sir. How was your experience with last nights ladies? Do you want them to accompany you again?

Bring me eight new ones, Xu Laojing said calmly.

The pander paused, nodded, and notified a new group of ladies, allowing the young master to select those who he pleased.

Fengqing Alley, Abandoned Courtyard

The children were deep asleep. Mi Bai sat in the doorway, staring at the clear moon in the sky, overwhelmed with gratitude.

He was a free man now. Although he had been flogged, they were only minor injuries he would recover after a few days.

Big brother Bai, Yang Fans voice sounded behind Mi Bai.

Mi Bai turned around, his smile serene and gentle, and asked, Why are you still awake?

Yang Fan shook his head, his young face full of seriousness and hesitation.

Everything that had happened that day was unheard of in the past years. When Xu Laojing was battling their opponents, most of the children were trembling with fear, clinging to Mi Bai in the grass, while he was utterly captivated.

Martial arts turned out to be so fascinating.

He wished he could replace Xu Laojing when he saw Xu Laojings impressive skills with the sword. If he could be so strong, he could protect his siblings and Bai, he thought.

But learning martial arts was too difficult for him. He could not afford the high fees of martial arts academies, nor the secret scrolls sold on book stalls, not to mention that he was illiterate.

A seven-year-old child, for the first time in his life, had something he wanted to pursue. Yet, he realized he did not have the qualification to do so. Yang Fan was experiencing insomnia for the first time.

Big brother Bai, I want to learn how to read. Can you teach me? Yang Fan asked timidly.

Mi Bai extended his hand to pat Yang Fans head and said seriously, Of course.

Really? Yang Fans eyes were filled with excitement, his voice uncontrollably raised, When can we start?

Mi Bai placed his finger on his lips to quiet him and reminded him to lower his voice. Then, he smiled and said softly, Lets start tomorrow.

I will be selling my calligraphy on the streets tomorrow. You can follow me and learn as I write. With your intelligence, you should be able to recognize all the characters within three years.

Three years? Yang Fan remembered Mi Bais words. In his heart, he told himself: In three years, I will be able to understand those secret scrolls!

You should rest now. We have to get up early tomorrow, Mi Bai said to Yang Fan in a soft voice, ruffling his hair.

Yang Fan nodded, entered the room, found a corner, and buried himself in a pile of dried grass.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one, for both Mi Bai and Tang Luo.

Having studied martial arts since the age of four, Tang Luo had practiced for exactly twelve years now. He, possessing the mind of an adult, believed that his understanding of martial arts didnt fall short of any warriors.

However, what he saw today completely overturned his concept of martial arts.

First, there was Xu Laojing. Judging by his level of Spiritual Power, he was nothing but a peak Martial Shedding practitioner, still eight thousand points away from breaking through to the Fierce Realm. Yet, his combat flexibility was astounding.

Not to mention his perfected Spiritual Power fusion technique, just his impressive ability to prolong battle was enough to break any challengers spirit..