Chapter 28

Regarding the matter of teaching his subordinates internal martial arts, Su Xin did not intend to hide it, nor could he hide it.

The first person to know was Ji Gang, who was still staying in the Happy Grove.

Ji Gang's first reaction upon hearing the news was envy, followed quickly by resentment.

Although he was not as obsessed with martial arts as Li Huai, who was a martial arts fanatic, which of the low-ranking martial artists did not yearn to master internal martial arts?

But now, all of Su Xin's subordinates had learned internal martial arts, except for Ji Gang. How could he not hate?

However, he also knew his awkward position under Su Xin. Even if Su Xin did not teach him internal martial arts, keeping him in the Happy Grove was probably just out of respect for Tiger San's face.

Ji Gang's current standing in the Happy Grove was extremely poor.

In the past, relying on his status with Tiger San, all of Su Xin's subordinates treated him with respect.

But ever since he openly opposed Su Xin's plan to assassinate Dai Chong, these gang members began to treat him with cold disdain.

Ji Gang could only endure this. He was not a fool; this was Su Xin's territory. If he provoked Su Xin, Su Xin might really go all out and kill him.

Ji Gang could not fully understand Su Xin. Although his actions seemed rash, there was always a deeper meaning behind them.

Moreover, Su Xin was unpredictable and had deep scheming. Ji Gang could not guarantee that he could leave the Happy Grove calmly if he angered Su Xin.

But Ji Gang was also very eager to learn internal martial arts. After some thought, he decided to seek out Li Huai.

Although Li Huai was now heavily favored by Su Xin, he was still one of Tiger San's people. With this connection, Ji Gang felt he could give it a try.

Every morning, the gang members would practice internal martial arts and train their physical bodies in the training ground.

During this time, Li Huai would also practice in his room, only going to the training ground in the afternoon to teach them combat techniques.

So, early in the morning, Ji Gang quietly came to Li Huai's door and gently knocked twice.

"Come in."

Ji Gang pushed the door open, and Li Huai frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Hehe, we've known each other for so many years, do we have to be so formal?" Ji Gang smiled, not minding Li Huai's harsh tone.

"Speak your business, don't waste my time." Li Huai said coldly.

Hearing this, Ji Gang put away his fake smile and said directly, "Alright, I won't beat around the bush. Give me a copy of the internal martial arts Su Xin taught you."

"Impossible! If Su Xin didn't teach you, I certainly won't. If you want to learn, go find Su Xin yourself." Li Huai refused without hesitation.

Ji Gang did not expect Li Huai to be so decisive. He said coldly, "Li Huai! You should know that your boss is not Su Xin, but Tiger San! I'm not learning this for myself, but to give it to San!"

"From now on, he's not my boss anymore." Li Huai glanced at him coldly.

"You..." Ji Gang pointed at Li Huai and said in a low voice, "Su Xin is so arrogant, why do you have to follow him all the way to the end? It's said that at the general assembly, Su Xin offended the head of the Punishment Hall, Dong Chengwu. Do you think Su Xin will still have a good future after offending him?"

"I only know that following Su Xin, I can get a lot. But following Tiger San, what have I gotten in all these years? I've killed hundreds of people for him, but the rewards I've received haven't even reached a hundred taels!" Li Huai said coldly.

Ji Gang was speechless. He could not refute this point. Tiger San was indeed stingy with his subordinates.

Perhaps because he had no children in his old age, Tiger San was abnormally fond of money but very strict with his subordinates.

Li Huai was Tiger San's top enforcer, but after each battle, the reward he received never exceeded ten taels.

Su Xin now gave his subordinates ten taels of silver as monthly pay, which Ji Gang considered extravagant.

"You don't like money, right?"

"I don't like money, but I need to eat!"

Seeing that Li Huai was determined to follow Su Xin, Ji Gang could only coldly turn and leave.

However, he did not return to his room but went to Tiger San's residence in Shunyi Fang.

Since he couldn't get the internal martial arts, he might as well tell Tiger San the news, which would at least be a contribution.

As one of Tiger San's favorites, Ji Gang could go directly to Tiger San's residence without needing to announce himself.

In the hall, Ji Gang bowed and said, "San, Su Xin has been teaching his subordinates internal martial arts these past few days, openly cultivating his own power. His intentions are despicable!"

Tiger San waved his hand casually. "Don't make a fuss. I already know all about it."

"Ah? You already know?" Ji Gang was stunned.

Tiger San said with a sneer, "That boy made such a big commotion, and I'm not blind or deaf. How could I not know?"

Ji Gang lowered his head. It seemed that Tiger San had other informants in Su Xin's camp besides himself.

"By the way, San, Li Huai is now very close to Su Xin."

Ji Gang did not explicitly say that Li Huai had completely joined Su Xin, as that would be too obvious. He just said this, and Tiger San should understand his meaning.

Sure enough, Tiger San's face darkened, and he smiled coldly. "Li Huai has been dissatisfied with me for a long time. But I didn't expect my adopted son to have such great skills, able to even win over Li Huai."

"San, what should we do? Just let Su Xin be so arrogant?" Ji Gang asked.

Tiger San clapped his hands, and Li Shiyi came out from behind.

"Give this to the boss and explain clearly about Su Xin teaching the subordinates internal martial arts. Don't exaggerate." Tiger San handed a thin book to Li Shiyi.

Ji Gang's eyes widened. "Is this the internal martial arts Su Xin taught?"

Tiger San nodded. "Just a low-level internal martial art, nothing special. Give it to the boss and let him decide."

"Then what should I do, San?" Ji Gang asked.

"You, of course, will return to the Happy Grove and continue watching Su Xin."

Ji Gang's face fell. "But San, I've completely offended Su Xin. If I stay, I'm afraid something might happen."

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Su Xin won't dare do anything to you." Tiger San assured him.

Ji Gang had no choice but to nod and return to the Happy Grove.

However, as he left Tiger San's residence, he felt a chill. He thought he was a trusted confidant of Tiger San, but it seemed he was far from it.

Tiger San had other informants in the Happy Grove, which he did not know.

And when Tiger San sent the internal martial arts and the message to the boss, he specifically called Li Shiyi, who did not know martial arts, to deliver it, not letting Ji Gang do it, for fear that he might peek at the martial arts.

This made Ji Gang furious. The internal martial arts had already been learned by over two hundred subordinates in the Happy Grove, yet Tiger San still wouldn't let him see it. What did Tiger San think of him?

Tiger San did not trust the powerful Li Huai, nor did he trust the scheming Ji Gang. It seemed only the weak Li Shiyi could be trusted.

Although he was resentful, Ji Gang had no choice but to return to the Happy Grove. After all, he had offended Su Xin so much that he could only stand by Tiger San.

At this time, the boss, Sha Feiying, and the three hall masters also learned about the matter from Li Shiyi. Sha Feiying threw the martial arts manual on the table and asked in a hoarse voice, "What do you think?"

The hall master of the Combat Hall, Lin Fuhu, grinned. "This kid is quite playful, with a lot of ideas."

Although this was a trivial comment, he actually supported teaching the subordinates internal martial arts, as it would greatly enhance the Combat Hall's strength.

The hall master of the Punishment Hall, Dong Chengwu, snorted. "Ridiculous! Who allowed him to teach the subordinates internal martial arts? Tiger San is getting old, unable to control his own subordinates!"

"The rules don't say it's not allowed to teach internal martial arts, right?" Lin Fuhu argued, but Dong Chengwu just snorted and ignored him.

The hall master of the Benevolence Hall, Zhuang Li, picked up the "Quanzhen Sect Beginner Internal Martial Arts" and flipped through it. "A beginner-level internal martial art, something a young Taoist disciple would practice. It's not worth much."

Sha Feiying coughed. "This kid is indeed being ridiculous. Even a low-level internal martial art shouldn't be taught recklessly. Go tell Tiger San to keep an eye on him, so he doesn't cause more trouble."

Dong Chengwu nodded, understanding Sha Feiying's meaning. This time, they would not take action.

Indeed, Su Xin had put them in a difficult position. The rules did not prohibit teaching subordinates martial arts, and Su Xin was teaching his own martial arts, not infringing on anyone.

If they punished Su Xin for this, it would cause dissatisfaction among the subordinates.

However, Sha Feiying and the others were not too worried. As Dong Chengwu said, if martial artists were so easy to cultivate and control, the Eagle Gang wouldn't be at the bottom of the three gangs and four associations in Changning Prefecture.

"By the way, how could a kid from Changley Fang have internal martial arts?" Dong Chengwu suddenly asked.

In Changning Prefecture, martial artists were extremely rare. The martial arts of the Eagle Gang were all learned from Sha Feiying.

The only other place with martial artists in Changning Prefecture was the government's bailiffs.

Zhuang Li stroked his chin. "It's probably a family martial art. I investigated Su Xin. This kid is not from Changning Prefecture. According to his neighbors, when he first moved to Changning Prefecture, his mother spoke with a Shengjing accent."

Dong Chengwu nodded, not asking further.

In Changning Prefecture, martial artists were scarce, but in the capital, Shengjing, martial arts were strong.

A beginner-level internal martial art like Su Xin's could be learned from any martial arts school. If Su Xin's family had moved from Shengjing, it was normal.

Sha Feiying stood up and said calmly, "Alright, stop discussing. In the future, keep an eye on this kid. Don't let him cause more trouble. If he goes too far, Chengwu, you deal with him."

Hearing Sha Feiying's calm words, Dong Chengwu shuddered, remembering a night over ten years ago when the boss had said something similar to him.

Back then, the Eagle Gang had no hall masters, only over thirty major leaders. But in one night, nearly half of them were executed.

They three became hall masters not because they were the strongest, but because they were the most obedient!