Chapter 117: Clearing the Relationship

"Cao Kun, of these three Martial Arts Halls, which one shall we visit first?"

Cao Kun's gaze swept over the signs of the three Martial Arts Halls and finally pointed at Flying Eagle Fist Hall, saying, "Let's go to that one first."

Since they're new here, they naturally need to pay their respects to the local powers.

On this street, what the Iron Fist Gang should fear is, of course, the three Martial Arts Halls, especially the three Gym Masters.

"Yes, Cao Kun."

The several of them nodded in turn.

After the party entered the Martial Arts Hall and explained their purpose, the woman behind the counter's face changed dramatically, and she hurriedly called Zhao Xiangyu.

"So it's the members of the Iron Fist Gang."

Zhao Xiangyu offered a clasped‑fist salute to the group; as the saying goes, "Do not strike a smiling face," and since the guests came politely, even though he disliked these people in his heart, he could not show it.

"Hehe, could the younger brother please report that Cao Kun of the Iron Fist Gang has arrived and wishes to see the Gym Master for a chat."

Cao Kun said with a smiling face.

"Hold on."

After Zhao Xiangyu finished speaking, he turned to make the report.

He had seen this kind of situation many times, so it was second nature to him.

He went up to the third floor, knocked on the door, and reported the matter.

In a short while, Cao Kun was led into the third‑floor reception room, where, besides Zhao Xiangyu, Zeng Zhiten, Bai Wei, and Xiao Yuanqing had also arrived.

"You all must be direct disciples of the Tang Hall Master; truly, heroes emerge in youth," Cao Kun remarked.

However, his warm face stuck to a cold butt, and no one paid him any attention.

He didn't mind; when his gaze passed the only woman in the room, Bai Wei, his eyes lit up instantly.

Bai Wei sensed his stare, let out a cold snort, and showed displeasure.

Cao Kun then withdrew his gaze and smiled, "It seems you aren't very welcoming of my arrival; actually I'm just here to visit, nothing more."

"If that's the case, it's best," Zeng Zhiten said slowly.

The room fell silent, and no one spoke.

After several minutes, footsteps sounded from outside, and an elder entered unhurriedly.

"I've met the Tang Hall Master."

Cao Kun quickly stood up.

"Master."

The others also spoke promptly.

"Please sit, no need to be formal."

The elder sat on the main seat, glanced at Cao Kun, and asked, "This time your Iron Fist Gang only sent you?"

"Hehe, there's also Lin Feng, just the two of us."

"Hmm, sent two Level One, so‑so," the elder nodded.

The others, upon hearing that, showed varying degrees of surprise in their eyes.

The gang leader before them turned out to be a First‑level Force Warrior? Among them, Zhao Xiangyu was the most shocked; he started his apprenticeship late, and in less than two years he's a bit stronger than Level One, but only marginally.

These gang members have all seen blood; if he were to fight this person, it would be hard to say who would win.

"Compared with the Tang Hall Master's Martial Arts Hall, we can't compare, so my visit this time is just to greet the Tang Hall Master. As long as they're members of your esteemed hall, we won't pick a fight, and we also hope the Tang Hall Master won't cause us any trouble," Cao Kun said with a smile.

"You needn't worry about that."

The elder said leisurely, "My disciples and I dislike stirring up trouble; we just want to guard our own small piece of land. But if someone provokes me, that's another story."

A mere Iron Fist Gang, he naturally doesn't care about it.

Even within the Iron Fist Gang, there are no shortage of Level 1‑2 Original Force Warriors.

However, the people behind the Iron Fist Gang, he must fear.

Because over the years the Iron Fist Gang's power has grown, and Secret Martial Arts have emerged; even a fool can see there's definitely a hidden mastermind.

"Hehe, Tang Hall Master, that's just empty talk; the Iron Fist Gang is so frustrated that we cause trouble for you."

"That's best."

The elder, after speaking, was about to stand up.

"Hold on a moment, Tang Hall Master. Besides visiting you today, I have another matter I'd like to discuss," Cao Kun hurriedly said.

The elder slightly furrowed his brows.

"This matter mainly concerns a Senior Member of your hall named Jiang Cheng." "Jiang Cheng?"

"Jiang Shidi?"

Two surprised voices sounded in the room.

One voice came from Bai Wei, the other from Zhao Xiangyu.

Zeng Zhiten's expression changed slightly, as if he guessed something.

"Oh? What's wrong with him?"

The elder asked.

"Actually there's not much; we just suspect that the recent death of a Wild Wolf Gang member is inevitably linked to him. Having such a person remain here is an unstable factor for us, so Lin Feng should have warned him today. In three days, he'll either leave, be killed by us, or—though unlikely—join our Iron Fist Gang."

Cao Kun smiled.

"So then?"

"So, considering he's a Senior Member of your hall, I wanted to give the Tang Hall Master a heads‑up beforehand, to avoid any misunderstanding if he later seeks help from us."

"Are you sure he killed the person?" the elder asked.

"Besides him, I can't think of anyone else."

The old man sighed, his gaze turning to Zhao Xiangyu, "Xiangyu, when that kid comes next time, refund his membership fee."

"Master?"

Although Zhao Xiangyu hadn't fully figured out what was happening, he could tell that the Iron Fist Gang person intended to go after Jiang Cheng.

If the master refunds the money now, what about Jiang Shidi next?

"What, you don't understand what the master said?" the old man said sternly.

"No, nothing."

Zhao Xiangyu drew his neck back.

His gaze turned to Senior Brother Zeng Zhiten not far away.

The latter seemed not to have seen it, his eyes fixed ahead.

"Master."

Bai Wei stepped forward, "Whether the Wild Wolf Gang members were actually killed by Jiang Shidi, I think we can't rely only on his one‑sided account; perhaps Jiang Shidi is being framed."

Without the Martial Arts Hall backing them, ordinary people are simply no match for the Iron Fist Gang.

Let alone, this time the Iron Fist Gang even has two practitioners of primal force; such a thing never occurred in the gang before.

"Miss, how can you say it's only one side of the story?"

Cao Kun laughed, "I have plenty of clues in hand that can prove it. If you don't believe me, I can list them one by one. The ruthlessness of your Jiang Shidi is by no means inferior to that of us gangsters."

"No need."

The old man cut him off, "As for the one named Jiang Cheng, do whatever you like; it has nothing to do with our Martial Arts Hall."

"Master!"

Bai Wei grew anxious.

"Hm?"

The old man glared.

"Junior Sister."

Zeng Zhiten called her that, shaking his head.

Regarding this matter, the master will not change his mind.

Bai Wei could only lower her head, biting her lip.

"Master, I have something to report," Xiao Yuanqing said suddenly.

"What is it this time?"

The old man's brows furrowed, his tone displeased.

Among the disciples, this one is the one he dislikes most.

"Master."

Xiao Yuanqing trembled, glanced at Bai Wei beside him, and said, "Bai Shimei recently brought Jiang Cheng's family to her house in the Outer City District; if nothing unexpected happened, they are still living there now."

(End of chapter)