Chapter 98: Flick a Hand, Clouds Form!

A quarter hour later.

Inside the Shark Gang's council hall.

Yue Wanting sat upright on the front main seat, with her daughter Yue Shulan standing beside her.

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely solemn.

Today's situation had already reached the most critical moment.

If it weren't for the strong reinforcement of Lu Zhangsheng, Yue Wanting would not dare to confront the opponent outright.

"Mother, can we handle that many Bone-forging Strongmen in one go? If Lord Lu were to be defeated…"

A trace of worry surfaced deep within Yue Shulan's gaze.

If they lose today, the two of them fear their fate will not be good.

"Sigh... I also planned to defeat them one by one, but Young Master Lu has already made his decision, so we can only choose to gamble."

Yue Wanting also felt uncertain in her heart.

On the surface, she and Lu Zhangsheng are both Bone-forging Complete, she also has a hidden backup, while the enemy has three Bone-forging Complete plus several Bone-forging Late-stage practitioners.

If everyone were to rise and attack, they might not be able to hold them back.

"Since it's Lord Lu's decision, the opponent must already have a countermeasure."

Yue Shulan spoke soothingly.

Yue Wanting, hearing that, forced a sliver of confidence in her heart.

In this council, they do not seek to suppress the opponent; merely achieving a tie would make this group hesitate to act.

She silently pondered in her mind.

At that moment.

Several figures hurried toward the council hall.

Leading them were four men in black, wielding long knives, surrounded by murderous aura, their steps resonant and forceful.

These four were the Shark Gang's two deputy leaders and two chief altar Guardians, all of whose realms were Bone-forging Complete.

Behind them followed seven or eight Bone-forging Late-stage men, the group marching into the main hall with a fierce aura.

Yue Wanting saw this and her complexion changed abruptly.

"Guardian Qiu, you…"

Her gaze fixed on Qiu Guanglin, her words full of disbelief.

He was the old man left by her father, who had always assisted her and had long been regarded as a backup.

She did not expect that today he would defect to the opponent's side.

Looking at this stance, perhaps the two sides had been in contact long ago, and she had been kept in the dark.

Today it seemed dangerous.

The four Bone-forging Complete practitioners made her feel a sense of despair.

A group of people, unceremoniously, hurried to the table and sat down.

Deputy leaders Zhou Qijie and Lan Chenhao wore a mocking grin as they looked at Yue Wanting, a lewd glint flashing in their eyes.

They had coveted this ripe beauty of a gang leader for a long time, and today they finally could seize her.

Although they knew Yue Wanting had summoned external aid, they paid it little mind.

Their own strength was enough to suppress everything.

At this moment, two voluptuous white-clothed beautiful women entered from the side of the hall and stopped behind Yue Wanting.

Both were Bone-forging Late-stage, also the legacy left by Yue Wanting's father's generation, their bond deep, and even now they stood unwaveringly on Yue Wanting's side.

The two sides' forces formed a stark contrast, leaving Yue Wanting and her companions at a clear disadvantage.

"Gang leader Yue, gathering us today, have you come to an understanding? Hand over the gang's financial authority and jurisdiction to us few."

"If the leader would agree to marry me, the old man, and both sides treat each other honestly, it would be a great blessing."

Deputy leader Zhou Qijie gave a faint smile, his gaze freely appraising Yue Wanting's graceful figure, his heart burning hot.

"Indeed, the position of leader has always gone to the capable; Yue leader, you'd better not make it difficult for us…"

Lan Chenhao likewise voiced his objection.

Behind the four, numerous gang members stared silently at Yue Wanting, seemingly pressuring her, and for a moment the atmosphere grew to its utmost heaviness.

"Ugh... you once greatly benefited from the old leader's kindness, and today you dare…"

A beautiful woman behind Yue Wanting cursed through clenched teeth, her eyes seeming ready to spew fire.

"When does it become your turn to speak here?"

Zhou Qijie's complexion turned cold.

While speaking, he extended his hand and slapped forward.

"Wha—…"

Even the air crackled with bursts of sound, and in an instant the palm wind reached the white-clothed beautiful woman.

The woman had no time to dodge, and she too slapped forward.

"Bang bang bang…"

A fierce surge swept over, sending the woman's whole body crashing backward, her back slamming against the wall, her complexion turning pale.

She was wounded by the blow and had not the slightest strength to strike back.

"Consider this a lesson for you…"

Zhou Qijie's tone was cold.

He had already thought out how to deal with the opponent after seizing power today.

Yue Shulan, seeing this, clenched the hem of her skirt with her right hand, her face full of anger.

Yue Wanting's eyes also surged with boundless fury, but she restrained herself and did not act on the spot.

"Boss Yue, today you invited outsiders to help the inner core area; that's against the rules."

Lan Chenhao, standing nearby, spoke up again to raise an objection.

They had already received word that Lu Zhangsheng was the very support Yue Wanting had summoned.

If they can defeat him today, Yue Wanting will have no chance left.

Presumably the DemonSubduingOffice won't intervene in such matters; they don't intend to kill Lu Zhangsheng, merely wound him.

"The boss should give us an explanation for this matter, right?"

Qiu Guanglin seized the opportunity to speak.

He gave Yue Wanting absolutely no face.

"Explanation? Who do you think you are? You don't even deserve me to give you an explanation."

At that moment, a cold, desolate voice sounded from outside the main hall.

Everyone turned their heads to look.

They saw a handsome young man stride toward the hall.

The newcomer was Lu Zhangsheng.

Seeing that Yue Wanting had already gathered everyone, he stepped forward directly.

Zhou Qijie and his companions' faces turned extremely sour at the words.

"Hmph... internal matters of our gang have nothing to do with the DemonSubduingOffice, right?"

Murderous intent flashed in everyone's eyes as they stared fixedly at Lu Zhangsheng.

Yue Wanting's party, however, wore smiles all over their faces.

Their reinforcements had finally arrived.

At that moment, a spark of confidence returned to their hearts.

"I suspect demons or evil lurk here, so I've come to investigate; does anyone have any objections?"

Lu Zhangsheng's sharp gaze swept the room, and murderous aura burst from his body.

"I..."

A senior Bone-forging gang member was about to speak up in doubt.

Whoosh...

Before he could finish speaking,

a dazzling cold light flickered in the void, piercing straight through the man's neck.

"You..."

The man clutched his throat with one hand, pointed at Lu Zhangsheng with the other, and fell to the ground, his eyes full of unwillingness.

His blood‑stained head rolled off instantly, and the ground was drenched in vivid blood, quite gruesome.

"He dares to block my investigation; he must be a spy of the Wenxiang Sect."

Lu Zhangsheng sheathed his long sword with a nonchalant expression, as if he had done something trivial.

"How daring!"

Zhou Qijie's eyes widened, his face full of murderous intent.

They hadn't expected Lu Zhangsheng to be so arrogant, killing at the slightest disagreement.

It was still within the Shark Gang's stronghold; they barely regarded them.

Lan Chenhao and Qiu Guanglin, however, wore looks of apprehension.

The blade flash just now was incredibly swift; the name Fast Blade for Lu Zhangsheng truly lives up to its reputation.

Lu Zhangsheng used less than ten percent of his power, yet directly subdued everyone present.

Yue Wanting and her mother looked rather pleased.

They had long been irritated by these fence‑sitting opportunists, and today finally vented their anger.

"Sir, do you truly intend to make things difficult for us?"

"What exactly did Yue Wanting give you to make you act, or is that scoundrel treating herself as a bargaining chip..."

A cold glare surged in Zhou Qijie's eyes.

He had long regarded the opponent as forbidden meat; today someone intruded, stirring his murderous intent.

Everyone present, upon hearing that, wore strange expressions.

Yue Wanting, as the gang leader, is renowned throughout the county.

As she ages, she not only hasn't weakened but has grown more mature, and many present covet her.

"Zhou Qijie, you spew blood‑filled accusations."

Yue Wanting's face flushed red, and she spoke with anger.

But there was something odd deep in the corners of her eyes.

Yue Shulan, seeing her mother's demeanor, felt her heart tighten.

Could the two have truly reached some agreement? "I'll handle this; bring it on."

Lu Zhangsheng stood with his arms crossed behind his back, his expression as calm as water.

He didn't want to waste more words with the other side; in the end, it depended on his technique. "Alright, alright, I can't demonstrate here; we'll go outside..."

Zhou Qijie and his group, faces full of murderous intent, rose and walked straight toward the hall's exit.

Lu Zhangsheng and Yue Wanting's party also left the main hall together.

A group of people passed the buildings on both sides and arrived at a large square.

Both sides' forces immediately faced each other, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Yue Wanting and her mother looked worried.

With Yue Wanting's strength, she could only handle one Bone-forging perfection; the other three required Lu Zhangsheng to intervene.

To win against the three attackers would be no small feat.

Moreover, the other side still had eight late-stage Bone-forging experts.

Thinking this, Yue Wanting and her mother glanced at Lu Zhangsheng, feeling a bit uneasy inside.

"Kid, rashly participating in our gang's affairs will be the worst decision of your life."

Zhou Qijie wore a cruel expression.

"Quickly suppress him."

Lan Chenhao and the others exchanged a glance, killing intent bursting from their eyes.

"Kill."

A group of people immediately rushed to attack Lu Zhangsheng and the others.

Zhou Qijie's two vice gang leaders and Qiu Guanglin attacked Lu Zhangsheng.

Another Guardian charged toward Yue Wanting.

Several late-stage Bone-forging gang members in the rear also began to surround the two beautiful women.

"Boom—boom—boom..."

Shockwaves ran wild, cracking the stone tiles on the ground and raising a cloud of dust.

After just a moment of combat, Yue Wanting and her group fell into a disadvantage.

The mother and daughter struggled to defend, their faces full of anxiety.

Just then.

Lu Zhangsheng moved.

"Whoosh—"

He executed his footwork, appearing like a ghost before Zhou Qijie and slashed with his knife.

"What incredible speed!"

Zhou Qijie and his three companions' faces changed in shock, and they hastily drawn their blades to meet him.

What had been a three‑person offensive instantly turned into a defense.

"Bang—bang—bang..."

The violent impact echoed throughout the arena.

Lu Zhangsheng's Pig Slaughter Knife directly knocked aside Zhou Qijie's long blade, then, without losing momentum, slashed at his neck.

Before the opponent could react, in Zhou Qijie's terrified gaze, the blade's light instantly cut his throat.

"You—"

Zhou Qijie clutched his neck and collapsed straight backward to the ground.

His head also rolled to the side, blood staining a small patch of the surrounding stone tiles.

One strike, and the vice gang leader Zhou was dead.

Lu Zhangsheng had used less than ten percent of his strength—not even a warm‑up.

With his current means, killing ordinary Bone‑forging perfection cultivators is a dimensional crushing blow.

All of this happened too quickly.

It left everyone on the scene unable to react.

"Not good."

The remaining Lan Chenhao and Qiu Guanglin were filled with terror, their bodies trembling as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

Being able to instantly slay a Bone‑forging perfection cultivator, this strength is already extremely close to the Blood Exchange realm.

They are far from being his match.

"Lord Lu, spare my life; we were merely confused for a moment, unaware that the Shark Gang had already pledged allegiance to you."

Lan Chenhao and the others immediately begged for mercy.

The Guardian who had been fighting Yue Wanting and many late‑stage Bone‑forging gang members also halted, looking at Lu Zhangsheng with fearful faces.

"What fast swordsmanship!"

Yue Wanting was also constantly paying attention to Lu Zhangsheng.

Unexpectedly, the opponent could instantly slay Zhou Qijie.

This left her feeling greatly shocked.

Now even the idea of aligning with Lu Zhangsheng is no longer resisted; instead, she secretly feels a bit of delight.

From now on, with Lu Zhangsheng backing them, the Shark Gang will surely grow stronger.

As for her daughter being able to meet such a powerful figure in the Demon Subduing Office, she is also extremely satisfied.

"Traitors have no right to beg for mercy."

A killing intent flashed in Lu Zhangsheng's eyes, and he immediately struck.

The Shark Gang is already his power; those two have long harbored designs on Yue Wanting, so they naturally cannot be spared.

He executed his footwork, after a few flashes arriving before Lan Chenhao and the others, and drew his knife to slash.

"Not good."

Lan Chenhao and the others were filled with despair, hurriedly activating their own secret essence-blood techniques.

A surge of Blood Evil Qi rose from their bodies, further increasing their strength.

Next, the two raised their knives and slashed forward.

"Boom—boom—boom..."

The two sides began fighting fiercely on the field.

Violent energy sprayed wildly, kicking up a cloud of dust around them.

Lu Zhangsheng did not kill the two with a single move; instead, he played along with them.

His blade light crisscrossed, easily suppressing the two.

Moreover, because Lu Zhangsheng was extremely fast, the two didn't even have the thought to flee.

A moment later.

Lan Chenhao and the other person had expended over half of their blood essence, and a trace of deathly resolve appeared on their faces.

At this moment, they deeply regretted participating in this.

"Whoosh..."

At that moment, a dazzling cold light flashed past their necks.

Two huge heads shot up into the air, then rolled down to the ground, blood spraying all around.

The many gang members on the field finally reacted.

All three strongmen fell.

Everyone's faces filled with fear.

"Chief, spare my life; I was momentarily confused..."

The last Guardian immediately knelt down, repeatedly begging for mercy.

The many gang members behind also followed suit, a black mass of people kneeling on the ground.

Yue Wanting turned her gaze toward Lu Zhangsheng, as if seeking his opinion.

Lu Zhangsheng silently nodded in his heart.

This woman has become increasingly sensible; although he promised not to involve himself in management, after this battle the other side has clearly become wholly loyal.

"Handle it yourself."

Lu Zhangsheng clasped his hands behind his back and gave a light smile.

Yue Wanting wore a cold expression: "You all deserve death, but considering your past merits, I will temporarily record this; later you may redeem yourselves through service."

She also had no intention of exterminating everyone; the gang also needs many hands.

Surely after today's events, no one dares to rebel again.

"Thank you, Chief, for your great kindness."

The crowd shouted in unison, and their hearts instantly relaxed.

Today's events seemed like a dream to everyone.

In the blink of an eye, only one Guardian remained of the four top experts, leaving the crowd trembling with fear.

"You all, step back."

Yue Wanting waved her hand.

"Subordinate obeys your order."

The many gang members hurriedly rose and walked forward.

As they passed Lu Zhangsheng, they all looked at him with immense reverence.

Yue Shulan also slowly departed with her two followers.

Soon, only Lu Zhangsheng and Yue Wanting remained on the field.

"Thank you, young master, for your assistance."

Yue Wanting gave a graceful bow, her face full of smiles.

The heavy stone that had weighed on her heart for years finally fell at this moment.

She felt completely relieved.

Even her face glowed with a radiant hue, making her appear even more beautiful and charming.

"You should fully develop the gang and establish an intelligence organization."

Lu Zhangsheng spoke lightly.

His idea was to initially spread the intelligence network across the entire prefecture city and its surroundings.

Any stirring of wind or grass, he would know immediately.

"I, your humble servant, obey your order."

Yue Wanting smiled and nodded, her eyes rippling with light.

Afterwards, the two exchanged a few words, then Lu Zhangsheng turned and left the place.

(End of chapter)