Chapter 124: Xu Miao

As time passed, the Hong Sect gradually gained a firm foothold in the territory of the Sishui Gang.

Their novel and strict system, combined with high salaries, not only won the trust and support of the common people but also attracted a large number of ambitious individuals to join. The Hong Sect's influence expanded rapidly, becoming the most powerful gang in the area.

And this only took Cheng Feng fifteen days.

From three small gangs to the Sishui Gang, and now stabilizing the situation and vigorously recruiting people, everything was within Cheng Feng's plan.

Of course, Cheng Feng also worked hard in private, taking time to go home to comfort the women, and by the way, taking away four Fortune Points every day, two from each.

Within fifteen days, Mountain Crushing Fist reached Proficient.

Mountain Crushing Fist: (Proficient 33/200)

And the proficiency in Mountain Crushing Fist caused a miraculous change in Cheng Feng's body—his skin underwent a molting stage once again! This change caused Cheng Feng's defensive power to be greatly improved.

Once, Cheng Feng had tried to slice his skin with a sharp small knife; the feeling was like cutting cowhide. Although there was some resistance, as long as he applied a little force and sliced a few more times, the skin would still be cut open.

However, the situation is very different now. His skin not only maintains its original toughness but has even become incomparably hard. An ordinary iron knife can no longer leave any scratches on him.

Cheng Feng pondered to himself, then took out his Silver Feather Blade to test it. This Silver Feather Blade, carefully crafted from special materials, remained exceptionally sharp. Even so, Cheng Feng's twice-tempered skin was only broken with a small cut after suffering three attacks.

To Cheng Feng, he inherited the philosophy from his past life: "In the world of Martial Arts Halls, nothing is unbreakable; only speed cannot be broken."

He does not value defense too much; after all, he does not want to be a tank.

Being able to kill with speed and being able to escape nimbly and lightly is what Cheng Feng values most.

Once the person behind Xu Le appears and Cheng Feng resolves this sole trouble, Cheng Feng can have peace for a period of time.

The night was like ink, and the surroundings of the training ground were so quiet that only the rustling of the wind brushing through the treetops could be heard. Cheng Feng stood before the window, his gaze deep, calculating his next move in his heart.

"That kid Xu Le, who exactly is behind him?" Cheng Feng muttered to himself, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the windowsill. Ever since Xu Le was captured, he had been well-fed and well-cared for, hoping to lure out the person behind him, but now fifteen days had passed, and there was still no movement.

"It seems I can only take the initiative." Cheng Feng took a deep breath, a flash of determination in his eyes. He ordered his subordinates to release the news, claiming that Xu Le was imprisoned in the Hongmen Training Ground. This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples.

Not long after the news spread, people came to probe the truth. Cheng Feng's subordinates stood ready, closely monitoring everyone who entered the training ground. However, several days passed, and those who came were just insignificant small characters; none were the person behind Xu Le.

Cheng Feng did not want to wait anymore. The background of a vague, grand gang might scare others, but it definitely could not scare Cheng Feng.

The two Skin Refining Late Stage Martial Artists that day were clearly acting as bodyguards for this young master Xu Le.

Xu Le's own strength was only Mid Strength Refining Realm, his power scattered like cotton; it should have been forcibly raised through medicine.

But Cheng Feng did not want to wait. Cheng Feng took down the Sishui Gang to consolidate his territory, to expand his manpower, and more importantly, to increase his channels for making money. Protection fees, brothels, teahouses, restaurants, and casinos were all local specialties; selling Fine Salt privately was simply too risky.

Cheng Feng was already prepared to wash his hands of it.

Money, Cheng Feng could earn.

The blame, whoever wants to take it can take it.

But Cheng Feng did not regret it; the risk-taking of the past led to the large family and business he has now.

Of the 1,500 taels of silver confiscated from the Sishui Gang, Cheng Feng kept 500 taels for the gang's operations, and Cheng Feng took all the remaining 1,000 taels of silver with him.

Added to the 600 taels he had saved, 1,600 taels was enough for him to achieve his small goal at the time.

The Hong Sect's foundation did not lose strength in the battle against the Sishui Gang, but it was inevitable that everyone was injured.

There were still fifty newly recruited people, but they only needed to undergo three months of training to know and follow discipline.

Plus the food expenses, the monthly expenditure would now be 170 taels.

The first fifty people were already at the Strength Refining Initial Stage; at two taels each, that was 100 taels.

When Wang Hu reported the accounts to Cheng Feng, he was still a bit worried; this silver did not last long!

Cheng Feng said confidently: "It's fine, we already have a good start now. There will be plenty of ways to make money in the future! Let's go see Xu Le first; if the sister he spoke of still doesn't come, then kill him!"

On the first day after capturing Xu Le, Xu Le had already spilled his background completely.

He had a sister with astonishing Martial Dao talent who had been taken as a disciple by a wandering Daoist passing by.

After two years of teaching, the Daoist left. After the Daoist left, Xu Le's sister, Xu Miao, was determined to pursue the Martial Dao, but unfortunately, the Daoist did not teach her how to manage affairs. Xu Miao had no choice but to join a gang and work for the Green Bamboo Gang to earn resources for the Martial Dao.

Because she was a woman, even if her strength was great, many elders of the Green Bamboo Gang had opinions about it.

After all, when you're out in the world, you care about face.

Does the Green Bamboo Gang not even have a man who can fight?

The leader of the Green Bamboo Gang had no choice but to keep Xu Miao in the shadows, handling the shipping and cargo for the Green Bamboo Gang and dealing with those who refused to submit.

Xu Miao had made many unknown, brilliant contributions, but her identity was not easy to expose, so the Green Bamboo Gang had to appease her brother. Even though Xu Le's aptitude was mediocre, he was still raised to the Mid Strength Refining Realm through medicinal means.

This was the internal information Xu Le provided, but with no movement for these ten-plus days, Cheng Feng's idea of resolving the whole matter without such intense methods was shattered.

In the dark and damp cell, the air was filled with the smell of mold and rust, as if even breathing became heavy. This place was once where the Hutou Gang locked up their targets, and now it was used by Cheng Feng to lock up Xu Le.

Xu Le was locked firmly behind the cold iron bars, his face pale, his eyes revealing confusion. He looked up at the high window of the cell, where a faint ray of light shone in, as if it were his only connection to the outside world.

Life in the cell was not easy; Xu Le, who was in the Strength Refining Realm, was only allowed to eat half a steamed bun and three bowls of clear water every day.

The dark and damp environment also caused Xu Le's body to gradually become weak. At the beginning, he was still clamoring for Cheng Feng to wait for death, but now his mood was becoming increasingly heavy.

The scratches on the wall were made by Xu Le scratching with his hands.

A full fifteen days had passed, and Xu Le had lost the spirit of his initial arrogant clamoring.

Instead, he began to worry about his sister outside. According to his sister's strength, she should be fine, but having not been in contact for so long, Xu Le's mood was not optimistic.

"Those who join gangs never have a good end," this was his sister's original words.