Return to Blackrock City
Translator: AnubisTL
The entire region encompassing the Blackwind Mountains is known as the Black Wind Domain.
As the sun disappeared, the Black Wind Domain gradually fell into desolation, leaving only three cities as gathering points: Blackrock City, Black Earth City, and Giant Rock City.
Li Qing had learned this information from Old Man An, his reward for repairing a damaged iron pot.
Plop!
In the Blackwind Mountains, a frigid cold pool erupted with a splash.
Li Qing surfaced, then repeatedly splashed the icy water over his face.
"Hoo! Refreshing!"
In this frigid weather, only someone with a robust physique and vigorous Vital Energy would dare bathe in such icy water without risking illness.
Climbing out of the deep, chilling pool, Li Qing revealed his muscular physique, every muscle beneath his skin brimming with explosive power.
"Hah!"
Once ashore, he circulated his scorching Vital Energy, instantly warming his entire body.
He quickly dressed, concealing his lean, perfectly toned physique beneath his clothes.
"Let's head down the mountain!"
Li Qing whistled sharply into the depths of the mountains, the clear sound echoing through the rugged landscape.
Soon, Fan Tong, burdened with numerous luggage bundles, emerged from between the mountain rocks, his steps swift and steady.
"Arooo!"
Just moments ago, Li Qing had returned the remaining large vat of Tiger Bone Wine and other useless items to Shengtian's blacksmith shop.
He kept only a few unfinished rations and two gourds of Tiger Bone Medicinal Wine as his personal luggage.
He took a swig from the gourd hanging at his waist, and the last vestiges of coldness in his body vanished instantly.
While the medicinal power and alcohol spread through his system, Li Qing shouldered a heavy bundle and took the lead, sprinting south towards Black Wind Mountain. Fan Tong followed closely behind.
Blackrock City.
The city walls had become largely unnecessary, so no one had bothered to repair the dilapidated structure over the years.
At the crumbling city gate, a tall, straight figure had appeared at some point, standing beside a ferocious shadow crouching on the ground.
"Looks like the Righteous Gang has been doing quite well in my absence!"
The figure was none other than Li Qing, accompanied by Fan Tong. He stood atop the highest point of the city wall, his keen eyes surveying the scene below.
The city appeared much more prosperous than when he had left.
Along the main streets, luminous night mushrooms glowed with a crystalline light.
And on this street, people were even carrying baskets filled with various mushrooms.
The types of mushrooms had also expanded beyond just the Dark Wheat Mushroom. The previously rare Blood Jade Mushroom, a fungus equivalent to meat, could now be seen in a few people's baskets.
In the past, no one would have dared to flaunt even the Dark Wheat Mushroom openly in the streets, let alone the even more precious Blood Jade Mushroom.
Watching the orderly city, Li Qing smiled and leaped from the high city wall.
Bang!
Dust swirled as Li Qing landed smoothly, without the slightest difficulty.
As soon as he entered the city streets, he sensed a few faint gazes fixed on him, sizing him up and the gluttonous Fan Tong by his side.
He paid them no mind, striding purposefully toward the location of the former Yan Manor, as he remembered it.
With his current Inner Strength cultivation, he wouldn't fear these spies, not even if the entire Righteous Gang's elite forces were to attack him simultaneously.
As he walked through the city streets with the tiger, many people scattered in fear, their faces pale.
Though most of them had no idea what a tiger was, the ferocious aura emanating from Fan Tong's movements was enough to send shivers down their spines.
This was a beast that devoured humans, its sharp fangs and teeth hinting at its ferocity.
Meanwhile, at the Righteous Gang Headquarters, formerly the Yan Family mansion...
A figure rushed in urgently, shouting, "Gang Leader Tian Long! Something's happened! A man has arrived outside the city gates, and he's heading this way with a strange beast!"
At the head of the grand hall, a burly, bald man sat upright in his seat, gnawing on a greasy meat leg of unknown origin.
Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, he leaned forward, narrowed his eyes, and asked, "Describe him in detail. What does he look like? How old is he? And what does this strange beast look like?"
"The man came from the northern city gate. He looks very young, dressed in loose black robes. He carries a large hammer on his back and is carrying a pile of luggage."
"I've never seen the beast before. It looks fierce, with sharp fangs and teeth, and stripes all over its body. It's definitely a ferocious beast."
The subordinate recounted everything he had seen without reservation.
As Gang Leader Tian Long listened, he continued chewing on the unknown meat, his eyes flickering slightly.
"Carrying a great hammer and accompanied by a striped beast... from the north?"
Even after nearly six years, the moment Tian Long heard "carrying a great hammer," his mind immediately flashed back to the young man who had fought alongside him to overthrow the Yan Family.
Could it be him?
He couldn't be sure. It could also be a powerful outsider, a dragon crossing the river.
Life had become too comfortable in recent years. No one threatened his position, and as a result, he had neglected his Martial Path cultivation.
As he grew older, his youthful vigor faded, and his Vital Energy began to decline slightly. Now, Tian Long could barely maintain the level of an External Strength Martial Artist.
"Go, summon the Seven Killers Team, and call Zhao Kou over as well."
After speaking, he wiped his greasy hands and picked up the Golden Silk Great Ring Blade that had remained sheathed beside his seat for far too long. His expression became momentarily dazed.
It had been six years since he last properly wielded his blade after overthrowing the Yan Family. Now, it felt strangely unfamiliar in his hands.
"Come, let's go see who dares to challenge us!"
Not long after, several key figures from the Righteous Gang had gathered together.
They were all veterans who had once fought against the Yan Family: Zhao Kou, Wei Tian, and several familiar faces from the Seven Killers Team.
It was worth noting that even after the Yan Family's downfall, the Seven Killers Team structure had been preserved. However, it now included many new faces—promising young recruits who had joined the gang in recent years.
Soon, the Righteous Gang's core members had assembled at the headquarters, which faced the street.
Wei Tian immediately asked, "Gang Leader Tian Long, what's going on?"
"Yeah, has an enemy arrived?" Zhao Kou, the ruthless young man with eyes like a wolf, grinned, a hint of anticipation in his gaze.
Before Tian Long could answer, the glow of nightlight mushrooms on the street cast a long, slanting shadow of a figure.
Close behind came a ferocious beast whose mere gaze sent a chill of primal terror through those who met its eyes.
Clang!
Upon recognizing the newcomer, Tian Long's grip on his Golden Silk Great Ring Blade instantly loosened. The heavy blade clattered to the ground.
(End of the Chapter)
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