Chapter 414: Su Kang

Midnight candlelight in the bookstore flickered, and heavy snow battered the windows, producing a crisp sound.

In the quiet moment, Su Yang slipped the book into his chest and said, "It seems many books are out of stock; restock soon, I can't wait long."

Just as he lifted his leg to step outside, the owner suddenly spoke, "Customer, hold on. A few days ago you dropped a set of keys in the bookstore; please follow me to retrieve them."

Su Yang's movement halted, his eyes flickering.

The bookstore owner pulled down the rolling shutter and activated the switch.

"Boom—..."

The Bookshelf suddenly shifted, revealing a hidden door.

"The place where the item was lost is inside; please come in," the owner gestured.

"Much obliged," Su Yang nodded slightly, stood quietly for a moment, then pushed the door and entered.

The Passage inside was dark, dry, and hot, a stark contrast to the outside.

A pungent odor lingered in the air, causing slight discomfort.

Su Yang strode deeper, the sound of his soles against cement echoing like a beat, resonating beside his ears.

Soon, a patch of light appeared before him.

Su Yang arrived at a spacious area, where an Oil Lamp hung in the corner, illuminating the scene inside.

An elderly man with white, graying hair sat on a chair, his back hunched, appearing as if asleep.

"Senior Master?" Su Yang called out.

In the next moment, the old man turned, revealing a familiar, aged face.

Seeing the visitor, a comforting Smile instantly spread across his face, "Gang leader, welcome to Shadow Hall."

Su Yang surveyed the surroundings and found numerous training implements as well as swords, spears, and clubs.

The wall's plaster still bore dried bloodstains, and the stifling heat created an oppressive atmosphere.

This is the place where the members of Shadow Hall eat, rest, and train daily.

The conditions are harsh, but the advantage lies in secrecy.

"Where are the others?" Su Yang asked.

"They've gone to other halls," Senior Master rose, hunching over to bring Su Yang a cup of tea.

Su Yang took the cup, sat on a wooden stool, and asked, "Senior Master, you waited here for me; is there something you wish to tell me?"

"Since you succeeded as Gang leader, we haven't had a proper talk; you hustle daily with the gang's affairs, and my frail body can't keep up," Senior Master said with a laugh.

"Senior Master, your words are modest; you have labored greatly, and together with my father you secured this realm, the hardships of which no one knows better than I," Su Yang said.

Senior Master examined Su Yang's face carefully, nodded approvingly, "You're increasingly bearing your father's Shadow."

"I recall back then he, like you, was twenty and went out to fight, knowing nothing, a half‑grown youth constantly hitting walls, starving one meal, full the next, stealing, smashing, committing every vice,"

"He possessed only brute strength and a reckless heroic dream, aiming to become a local big brother."

"By Fate Opportunity, he met me; because I taught him how to earn money with a Bottle, he called me Senior Master."

"That name has lasted twenty years..."

Senior Master recalled the past, his face full of nostalgia.

His expression shifted, at times gratified, at times regretful.

"Do you still remember the ten‑direction Society's tenets?" Senior Master suddenly asked.

"I remember: never oppress the old, young, women, or children; never bully the weak with strength; never betray conscience," Su Yang nodded.

"Your father committed many misdeeds in his youth; this life he has been atoning for, and the founding of Shadow Hall is not only a Sharp Blade for killing enemies, but also a sword of self‑reflection!"

"If one commits crimes and violates the tenets, Shadow Hall will without hesitation take your head off your shoulders."

"Thus, this weapon can solve many of your problems, but you must use it cautiously," Senior Master said.

Su Yang, hearing this, asked, "May I ask, how do you measure right and wrong?"

"Everyone has a scale in their heart; if you believe it's right, then go ahead and do it," Senior Master's hoarse voice drifted out.

Su Yang suddenly fell silent, a strange glint appearing in his eyes.

What's the difference from not saying anything?

Shadow Hall specializes in training assassins, upholding absolute loyalty to clear all obstacles for the Gang leader.

Yet its existence also serves to monitor the Gang leader's actions.

It sounds reasonable; after all, the game rules clearly state that the Gang's tenets must be obeyed, otherwise it counts as a game failure.

Only…

Which member of the Gang has clean hands?

Just by Su Yang developing the gambling industry to amass wealth, he would be pierced in the spine by countless people.

Not to mention covertly dealing in arms.

It's merely an indirect and direct relationship, nothing more.

Su Kang's actions are entirely to increase his difficulty.

But to be fair, Shadow Hall is indeed useful.

Even cunning scoundrels like Luo San can't escape their clutches; if they can be grown strong, turning them into a deadly weapon isn't impossible.

"Senior Master, you tell me these to make me use Shadow Hall less?" Su Yang asked.

"Not at all; I'm waiting here today to give you something."

Speaking, Senior Master reached into his chest and produced an envelope crumpled with creases.

He solemnly handed it to Su Yang, urging, "This is a letter your father left before his death; after reading it, be sure to destroy it, and let it never fall into anyone else's hands."

Before death?

Could he have foreseen his own death?

With doubt, Su Yang opened the letter and saw that it read—

'Yang'er: Seeing your words feels like seeing you; opening the letter lifts my smile.'

'When you Sight this letter, you have already lived up to expectations and taken the position of Gang Leader.'

'I can't recall how many times I've written to you; I know you find it annoying, dislike this contrived form, but I assure you, this is the last time.'

'What I am about to tell you next is especially important! Please write it down carefully!'

'The people of Jinshan City have long suffered under Warlord oppression; generation after generation are trapped in this huge prison cage, serving the Warlord for life.'

'They are like greedy mosquitoes, clinging to the people and continuously sucking blood until the last drop is drained.'

'The Warlord Leader, a wolfish schemer, intends to hollow out the mountain range to find Jinshan.'

'Yet he will never know that Jinshan City itself is a Jinshan!'

'The Gold Mine he seeks is actually hidden beneath our Foot!'

'However, this information was inadvertently leaked; when the Warlord Leader learned of it, he came to my door and ordered me to reveal the Gold Mine coordinates.'

'This matter is far‑reaching and of great importance; I am buying time by stalling, but I know that whether I speak or not, my life will end.'

'Escape is useless; the Warlord will not let any member of the Six Harmonies Society go, nor will he spare my son.'

'After much deliberation, I made a decision—to perish together with him!'

Sight this, Su Yang's eyes widened, his complexion changed abruptly!

Warlord Leader……

It was actually Su Kang who killed?

And the cheap old man actually knows the Gold Mine's location?!

At this moment, Su Yang's breathing involuntarily quickened, his face flushing bright red with excitement.

Once the Gold Mine comes to light, he will obtain a continuous and terrifying wealth.

Any weapons or antiques are utterly worthless!

Whether it's the original Blue Star or this world, gold is hard currency.

Prices are stable, demand is massive.

To say without exaggeration, even if the Gold Mine reserves are tiny, he could leap to become a regional overlord!