Chapter 152: Plant a Bomb

At this moment, in the courtyard of the Zhanlang Gang base.

Ordinary members had stepped aside; Cang Luo stood in the center of the courtyard with Zhao Ren, the Acting Deputy Chief for General Affairs, Wang Fuhai, the Acting Deputy Chief for Internal Affairs, and Zang Feng, the Hall Master of the Council Chamber.

They were the core leadership of the Zhanlang Gang!

Cang Luo looked at the three, gave a slight nod, and finally fixed his gaze on Zang Feng, nodding to him alone.

Cang Luo was deeply grateful to Zang Feng, and held great respect for him.

Originally, Zang Feng had saved him from Chen Dahu’s fatal punch, later gave him martial technique guidance, and the next day took him into the beast forests with Liu Xuande and Li Zhan for training, even yielding him the beast core.

One could say Zang Feng was half his guide on the martial path.

The other half was Xuan Qiankun, the chief Supreme Elder of the Xuantian Sect, who had forged his Yuan Yuan Dan and treated him like a lab rat from Earth.

“Chief!”

The three leaders softly called out; Zang Feng gave Cang Luo a deep look and nodded to him, saying nothing, his expression calm—unlike the others, who all wore worried faces.

He was one of the few who knew Cang Luo’s secret, and he believed Cang Luo could defeat Ouyang Lie.

Cang Luo nodded again, then turned to scan all Zhanlang Gang members; they were watching him, knowing he was about to speak.

The Zhanlang Gang currently had 120 members; due to running the barbecue shop, no one needed to be gone for days on end during missions anymore.

Now they went out in the morning to collect beast cores and returned by evening, rarely staying overnight outside.

Thus, everyone was present tonight, gathered in the courtyard; aside from Zhao Ren, Wang Fuhai, and Zang Feng, the rest had subtly divided into two groups.

The left group had over seventy members, mostly newcomers, led by the Right Protector Zhao Renli and the Zhuque Hall Master Zhao Jin—Zhao Ren’s faction.

Zhao Ren had worked hard lately, been incredibly impressive; six out of ten Zhanlang Gang members now followed him and supported his candidacy for Chief next year.

The right group had forty-some members, all original founding members, veterans, and Council Chamber elders.

Standing at the front were the Left Protector Cheng Datong, the Qinglong Hall Master He Cheng, the Baihu Hall Master Liu Xuande, and the Xuanwu Hall Master Lin Qin; these men had not aligned with Zhao Ren and still obeyed Cang Luo’s orders.

Xiang Yunjiao, Baili Wunan, and Yin Mengruo stood slightly apart from this group of males.

Four new female members who had previously been with them hesitated, then quickly moved to the left group, glancing behind at Zhao Ren.

Their meaning was clear: they were courting Zhao Ren, aligning themselves with him.

They had learned of Zhao Ren’s plan to form his own gang and were calculating how to join him and continue following him.

Yet Zhao Ren ignored their overtures, his brow tightly furrowed.

He had heard—his current cultivation base was Warrior Ninth Layer, and he cultivated a wind-affinity core technique with heightened sensory perception; though Cang Luo spoke softly, he still heard.

Fifty percent!?

Could this Cang guy really claim he had a fifty percent chance of defeating Ouyang Lie?

Was his brutal beating in the Technique Hall just an act to deceive Ouyang Lie into underestimating him?

Possibly. This Cang guy had repeatedly fought weaker opponents on the surface, yet always overcame higher-level foes—actually playing the fool to crush enemies with his mysterious technique.

One palm had instantly killed Chen Yun...

Damn it! Had he even used his full strength against Chen Yun?

Oh, right—the beast companion!

That two-headed mutated Flame-Devouring Wolf!

If he summoned that beast, capable of spewing fire and creating mist, he might truly defeat Ouyang Lie—Ouyang Lie hadn’t tamed any beast yet, as far as rumors went.

None of the Top Ten Outer Sect disciples had tamed beast companions; such prodigies waited until they reached Master level, even Wu Ling, before choosing one, ensuring a stronger bond.

If this Cang guy truly defeats Ouyang Lie, the Zhanlang Gang won’t have to disband.

No—he must kill Ouyang Lie for it to matter.

That’s probably his plan—he issued the life-or-death duel challenge specifically to eliminate Ouyang Lie, resolving the Zhanlang Gang’s crisis with absolute determination.

Can he really kill Ouyang Lie!?

The more Zhao Ren thought, the more plausible it seemed; he was now deeply conflicted—he wanted Cang Luo dead, yet also wanted him to kill Ouyang Lie.

Cang Luo’s death was his original plan; once Cang Luo was gone, Zhao Ren could fully seize control of the Zhanlang Gang and become its Chief.

But after Cang Luo killed Chen Yun and Lie Tian Gang threatened to wipe out the Zhanlang Gang, he immediately abandoned that idea, planning to quit the gang and form his own small faction, then opportunistically join Lie Tian Gang.

Yet now he also hoped Cang Luo could kill Ouyang Lie—if he did, the Zhanlang Gang might rise to surpass Lie Tian Gang.

As Acting Deputy Chief, Zhao Ren would naturally gain greater resources.

As for his plan to seize the Chief position, he could wait.

So he was torn—should he quit the gang or not?

If he didn’t quit and Cang Luo died tomorrow, it would be too late; anyone still in the Zhanlang Gang would be purged by Lie Tian Gang.

But if he quit, he feared Cang Luo might win—and then he’d lose everything.

After struggling briefly, Zhao Ren made his decision: he would gamble—stay in the gang.

The martial path required not only hard cultivation, but also luck and risking one’s life.

After deciding, Zhao Ren’s gaze instantly hardened; he stepped forward and stood behind Cang Luo, his 1.78-meter frame straight and rigid, like a steadfast supporter.

Cang Luo sensed Zhao Ren’s subtle shift, frowned slightly, but didn’t dwell on it.

He scanned the crowd again and said calmly: “Everyone knows what happened today—and that I will face Ouyang Lie in a life-or-death duel tomorrow. To avoid dragging you all down, any member who wishes to leave may do so now.”

Those who leave will receive twenty lower-grade yuan stones as severance, as thanks for your contributions to the Zhanlang Gang.”

Cang Luo didn’t mention disbanding the gang, nor did he say he had a chance of defeating Ouyang Lie—if he did, those planning to leave might change their minds and stay.

That wasn’t what he wanted—he didn’t want fence-sitters, opportunists, or the weak-willed.

He intended to use this moment to purge some people—specifically Zhao Ren’s faction, those who didn’t believe in him—and fully reclaim control of the gang.

Under such dire circumstances, those afraid of being implicated or of death would flee immediately; those who stayed were worth cultivating.

Upon hearing this, those who intended to leave immediately smiled with satisfaction.

Twenty lower-grade yuan stones—more than they expected; they’d thought ten would be generous.

Remember, these men had joined less than a month ago; in the past, with their average Warrior Sixth Layer cultivation, they’d barely scrape together seven or eight lower-grade yuan stones a month, half of which went to the sect.

That kind of cultivation life was exhausting, brutal, and slow—nowhere near as comfortable as in the Zhanlang Gang.

Too bad the Zhanlang Gang was finished—all because the Chief provoked Lie Tian Gang...

After a few final complaints, someone on the left group raised his hand quietly: “I—I want to leave!”

“Me too. I’m leaving.”

“I’m leaving too...”

“...”

One after another, over fifty people declared their intent to leave—all newcomers who had joined after Cang Luo’s return.

A few veterans also considered leaving; Zhao Renli and others had stepped forward to announce their departure, but Zhao Ren had stopped them with a glance.

Zhao Renli looked confused, puzzled—but still obeyed his brother Zhao Ren’s silent command and did not leave.

Not only he was confused; even those who had already chosen to leave, and followed Zhao Ren, were puzzled.

“Isn’t the gang dissolving? Doesn’t it look like it’s staying?”

“Look—why aren’t Brother Zhao and his men leaving?”

“Aren’t they afraid of Lie Tian Gang’s revenge?”

Many turned to Zhao Ren, their eyes asking questions—but Zhao Ren ignored them, eyes closed in deep thought, as if weighing whether to leave.

They didn’t understand Zhao Ren’s intent, but that didn’t stop them from leaving; more still stepped forward to declare their departure.

Soon, when no one else came forward, Cang Luo counted: eighty-seven members wished to leave.

All of them believed they’d be killed by Ouyang Lie and feared being purged by Lie Tian Gang afterward.

Those who chose to remain, besides the four high-ranking leaders, numbered only twenty-nine.

He Cheng, Gan Lei, Cheng Datong, Lin Qin, Liu Xuande, Li Zhan, Zhao Renli, Zhao Jin...

And the three women—Xiang Yunjiao, Baili Wunan, and Yin Mengruo; these twenty-nine were almost all loyalists of the four leaders.

Cang Luo frowned slightly—some of Zang Feng’s and Wang Fuhai’s people had stayed; that was expected.

Zang Feng and the others were worth trusting—they shared life-or-death bonds, comrades-in-arms; even in this crisis, they stood by him.

As for Wang Fuhai, he’d already bet everything on Cang Luo; the Zhanlang Gang base was rented with his money—if the gang was destroyed, he’d lose everything. Better to gamble once, betting Cang Luo could defeat Ouyang Lie.

Moreover, Cang Luo had revealed his entire future business plan to him; if successful, the Wang family would rise from a merchant clan to a martial sect, profiting immensely.

Even more reason to gamble—to keep believing in him, to keep investing in him...

But why hadn’t Zhao Ren’s entire faction left? Why did a few core members remain?

Were they not afraid of being killed after Cang Luo’s death, swept up in the gang’s purge?

Did they truly believe he could defeat Ouyang Lie? Did they have such confidence in his strength?

Or was there another plan?

Cang Luo didn’t know—but regardless of Zhao Ren’s intentions, most of those leaving were from his faction; purging them had already achieved his goal of reclaiming full authority. The rest could wait.

Having realized this, Cang Luo said calmly: “Those wishing to leave, please go to Brother Wang Fuhai to collect your yuan stones. Collect them and leave quickly.”

The tone had changed—he no longer called them “brothers,” but “younger brothers and sisters”; from this moment, they were no longer Zhanlang Gang members.

Wang Fuhai immediately stepped forward: “Follow me. Line up.”

They exchanged glances, said nothing, and quickly formed a line to collect their severance.

Cang Luo and those who chose to stay watched them, watched them proudly clutching two middle-grade yuan stones each.

He Cheng, Li Zhan, and others sneered at them, their eyes filled with contempt.

As if they were trash discarded by the Zhanlang Gang—cowards fleeing battle.

After about ten minutes, the severance of twenty lower-grade yuan stones per person was fully distributed—totaling 1,740 lower-grade yuan stones.

“Leave quickly. No outsiders allowed on Zhanlang Gang grounds.”

Wang Fuhai was impatient and angry, feeling he’d paid too much in severance, and he directly ordered them out.

They didn’t linger; once they received the yuan stones, they left the place without hesitation.

Yet, as they departed, a few turned back and called out: “Brother Zhao, are you really staying with the Warwolf Gang? Aren’t you coming with us?”

“Yes! Brother Zhao is about to break through to the Martial General cultivation base—Inner Sect admission is just around the corner. It’s not worth staying here!”

“Do you really think the Warwolf Gang can stand up to the Lie Tian Gang?”

“That’s like an egg trying to smash a stone! We hope Brother Zhao thinks carefully!”

These were the men who had earlier said they’d follow Zhao Renwu, hoping to join his new gang.

Yet Zhao Renwu remained lost in thought, eyes closed, offering no reply. Seeing this, they stopped urging him and left decisively—nothing mattered more than their own lives.

After they left, everyone immediately turned to Cang Luo; the sorrow that had vanished moments ago returned. Wang Fuhai said solemnly: “Boss, tomorrow...”

Before he could finish, Baili Wunan suddenly swung her unusual long spear and snorted coldly: “Boss, don’t worry—I have a plan.”

The spear in her hand was given to her by Cang Luo when he returned from the Technique Pavilion to the Warwolf Gang’s base—a spear forged by the Dan Yang County Divine Weapon Workshop, based on a design provided by Feng Lin Huo Shan, brimming with technological flair.

When Baili Wunan first received the spear, she stared at it for a long time, even shedding a few tears...

Hearing this, everyone froze, turning to stare at her in unison: You have a plan? You can defeat Ouyang Lie?

Baili Wunan grinned slyly, suddenly grabbing Xiang Yunjiao and Yin Mengruo beside her, whispering: “Ouyang Lie’s bastard is currently in Xuantian Town. Get them to lure him out.”

Then we lie in wait nearby and quietly take him out... *snick*!”

How’s that? Isn’t my plan great? That way, Boss won’t have to fight him to the death.”

As soon as she finished, Yin Mengruo shook her head frantically and quickly moved away from Baili Wunan. Xiang Yunjiao, however, seriously considered it—she thought the plan might be worth trying.

Cang Luo was speechless; everyone else was too. This chesty, brainless tomboy, this six-pack muscle tomboy—what a stupid idea! They’re not fools; they won’t fall for it.

Liu Xuande shook his head: “The Lie Tian Gang members all recognize Sister Yun and Sister Yin. Even if they didn’t, Ouyang Lie wouldn’t be so easily fooled—he won’t go out alone.”

“Then what do we do? Wait—”

Baili Wunan was about to speak again, but Cang Luo waved his hand to stop her from suggesting more nonsense. He looked at everyone and smiled: “Don’t worry about me, and don’t fear the gang will be wiped out. The Outer Sect’s top ten disciples, a Martial General at the ninth layer’s peak...”

“It’s nothing special.”

Tomorrow, I’ll make Ouyang Lie regret it. I’ll make the Lie Tian Gang regret it. I’ll make them regret ever provoking us.”

“Ouyang Lie—I, the Boss, will kill him!”

“The Lie Tian Gang—I, the Warwolf Gang, will destroy it!”

“The title of strongest Outer Sect gang is about to change hands—it will be ours, the Warwolf Gang’s!”

Cang Luo spoke with firm conviction, utterly dismissing Ouyang Lie and the Lie Tian Gang.

At that moment, Wang Fuhai, He Cheng, and the others—including Xiang Yunjiao and the three women—were stirred to the core. They had no doubt in Cang Luo’s words.

Now, how could they not realize he’d let Ouyang Lie crush him on the ground was all an act to feign weakness?

It had to be intentional—to make Ouyang Lie underestimate him...

“Boss, mighty!”

“Boss, mighty!”

“Warwolf Gang invincible!”

“The lone wolf dies, the pack lives...”

The crowd shouted in unison, wildly excited!

Among the crowd, Zhao Renwu quietly exhaled—he’d bet right!

This man named Cang... he’d clearly been hiding his true strength...

Cang Luo looked at the excited crowd and continued: “Your decision to stay with the Warwolf Gang is the wisest you’ve made since joining the Profound Heaven Sect.”

Those who just left? They’ll regret it. They’ll regret today’s choice. They’ll regret betraying the Warwolf Gang.”

“Baili Sister, record the names of those who left and add them to the Warwolf Gang’s blacklist. Under any circumstance, we will never accept them again.”

“Yes!” Baili Wunan immediately responded. As Deputy Head of the Council Hall, she oversaw the Warwolf Gang’s surveillance—it was her duty.

Cang Luo nodded, then added: “That’s all for now. I have something to attend to outside. You’re free to do as you wish.”

At noon tomorrow, the Warwolf Gang will make its name known throughout the Outer Sect!”

With that, Cang Luo stepped out, vanishing into the darkening night sky.

Above, nine full moons hung high...

As if reminding Cang Luo: This was not Earth. This was another world—the Yuanwu Continent, where martial power reigned supreme, and danger lurked everywhere.

Over four hours later—midnight.

The night was dark, the wind howled.

Cang Luo appeared in the empty Outer Sect training ground, strolling calmly toward the Life-and-Death Arena.

It wasn’t truly empty—some patrolled in the distance with torches: Enforcement Pavilion disciples. They soon spotted Cang Luo and blocked him, demanding identification.

Cang Luo calmly produced his identity jade tablet, claiming he was here to cultivate. After verifying his identity, they left—but didn’t go far, continuing to watch him.

Cang Luo paid no mind. He truly was here to cultivate—he had no intention of doing anything wrong.

He merely needed to prepare for the life-or-death duel in ten hours... by planting a bomb.