Chapter 323 - 252: Battle Across Ranks, Clash of Shocking Fists

Chapter 323: Chapter 252: Battle Across Ranks, Clash of Shocking Fists

In the sky above, there were six White Tigers. Atop five of them sat five women dressed in white hunting attire.

Both humans and tigers were of the Fifth Grade.

Peak Fifth Grade!

The faint aura they naturally exuded from the air made all the birds in the city duck their heads and the Exotic Beasts tremble in fear, looking as if they were about to lose control of their bowels.

The major factions grew secretly tense.

They had agreed on five Fifth Grade masters.

But now, there were a full twelve Peak Fifth Grade masters in the city.

One had to understand that the gap between different Fifth Grade masters could also be immense.

Someone at the Initial Entry or Senior levels of Fifth Grade would likely be taken out in a single combo if they faced a Peak-level White Tiger head-on.

It was no wonder they were nervous.

The upper and middle echelons of the various families were fine, as they knew what was happening.

But the common people and low-level gang members felt the terror of the Exotic Beasts and ordinary livestock, growing even more uneasy.

Just then, Tang Wen and White Tiger Ah Qi emerged from underground with the crowd. The White Tigers in the sky spotted them at once and immediately swooped down.

"Sister Qi," called Ah Qi’s sisters.

"Auntie Qi," called Ah Qi’s nephews and nieces.

"Qiqi," called Ah Qi’s best friend.

The White Tiger members greeted each other as if no one else was around. Meanwhile, the rest of them, led by Hu Li, turned to Tang Wen and greeted him in unison.

"Elder Tang!"

Tang Wen’s expression froze for a moment. ’Elder Tang?’

’Good grief, my flesh doesn’t grant immortality!’

He concealed his thoughts with a laugh. "Everyone, no need to be so formal. Just call me Tang Wen. By the way, our White Tiger Tribe has sent ten experts this time—just a few more than we agreed on. This must be so you can work in shifts while guarding the underground, right?"

He shot a look at Hu Li. She had recently visited Ganshan City with Saintess Hu Lan and was more familiar with Tang Wen.

The leaders and higher-ups of the various factions were speechless. ’Good grief, Tang Wen,’ they thought, ’you’re shooting glances and pointedly asking rhetorical questions. You just made that reason up on the spot, didn’t you?’

Hu Li nodded in acknowledgement, then added an explanation, "Ah Qi and Ah Jiu are your personal guards. The rest of us, a combination of one person and one tiger, are known as the White Tiger Guard."

Whether they believed it or not, the various factions all nodded, putting on an expression that said, ’I see, that makes perfect sense.’

After a quick round of introductions, Tang Wen began introducing the two sides to each other.

"This is the leader of the Black Water Gang, Shui Qianjun. He is also my master. Gang Leader Shui will arrange for everyone’s accommodations."

Of all the faction leaders, Shui Qianjun was the happiest. The corners of his mouth curled up, and he couldn’t suppress his grin.

’After all these years,’ he thought, ’starting today, my Black Water Gang will no longer have to bow to the three major families!’

"This is Zhao Chuang, Director Zhao of the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall. And this is the Patriarch of the Chen Family, Chen Yishan. They will be in charge of our daily meals and are friends we can trust!"

The two sides greeted each other and exchanged a few pleasantries.

Nearby, Huang San of the Huang Family kept his expression neutral, but his fists were clenched so tightly inside his sleeves that his knuckles had turned white.

’That little thief deserves to die!’

’My Huang Family has always been number one in Ganshan City!’

’And he dares to introduce me later!’

After the first three families were introduced, it was time for the fourth.

Tang Wen looked at him.

Third Master Huang snorted to himself. ’Hmph! He knows his place after all!’

The three groups he just mentioned were an alliance and had a partnership with the White Tiger Tribe, so it was only right to introduce them first.

Tang Wen’s gaze skipped past him.

The smile froze on his face, but then Tang Wen’s gaze returned to him. "This is Huang Sanjiang, who is in charge of the Huang Family’s affairs. The Huang Family is the number one family in the Inner City, and the City Lord is his biological uncle!"

Third Master Huang raised his chin slightly and gave a reserved nod, putting on all the airs of the premier family.

’Other people might fear you White Tiger Tribe, but my Huang Family does not.’

In the crowd, a beautiful, curvaceous woman was looking around frequently.

It was the number one Courtesan, Feng San Niang.

Tang Wen smiled at her and began the introduction, "The Commerce Association Alliance..."

Next came the Lu Family, the Horse Gang, and finally, the Boat Gang.

The Boat Gang’s strength was not to be underestimated, comparable to the Black Water Gang’s, yet they were introduced last.

They looked at Tang Wen with dissatisfaction in their eyes. ’This insolent junior introduces us with no respect at all.’

Following that was a welcome banquet, after which accommodations were arranged.

Their lodgings were not far from Tang Wen’s, near the Black Water Gang’s Main Hall.

Shui Qianjun had offered up one of his own private courtyards.

After seeing them back to the courtyard, Ah Qi also stayed behind.

Tang Wen took Li Zi home, but the latter was sullen and unhappy.

"What’s wrong? Not feeling well? Drink more hot water!"

As Tang Wen finished speaking, a maid brought over some water.

Only after the maid had left did Li Zi reveal what was on her mind. "The Huang Family is so powerful. Will I ever be able to avenge my master and senior sister in this lifetime?"

"You don’t trust me?"

Li Zi didn’t speak, her head bowed low, almost burying her face in her watermelons.

"Revenge isn’t something you just talk about, you know?"

Tang Wen lifted her chin, looking at her pouting, rosy little lips. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

"What do you mean?"

"Heh!" His hand slid down and cupped one of her small watermelons.

Li Zi pressed his hand down, her pretty face flushing red.

"Tonight, go tell Elder Li to wait at Heaven’s Edge outside the city. You go too."

"Wait for what?"

"For the head of a member of the Huang Family," Tang Wen said via sound transmission. "From now on, use sound transmission when we discuss the Huang Family inside the city."

"Ah?" Li Zi jumped in surprise, looking left and right, forgetting all about his mischievous hand.

So, Tang Wen continued to play with the watermelon.

"Are you being watched?" Li Zi asked via sound transmission.

"Better safe than sorry."

After having her watermelon groped for a good while, Li Zi hurried out to deliver the message.

The next morning, at Tang Wen’s suggestion, several members of the White Tiger Tribe declined a banquet invitation and went for a stroll around Ganshan City with him.

With the team of Extraordinary masters clearing the way, they didn’t run into anyone foolish enough to cause trouble.

Tang Wen hadn’t brought them out just to go shopping; he simply wanted everyone to get a general feel for the city.

For example, which areas were under which family’s sphere of influence, and where to find places to eat, drink tea, drink wine, or listen to music.

When they returned in the evening, a lavish banquet awaited them.