Chapter 7

North City Pier, Qingjiang Gang Headquarters.

Xu Hai clasped his hands, "Mr. Wu, the three days are up. Please follow me, the gang leader, to the Luo family to retrieve the Heavenly Bones of the father and son!"

He wore a broad smile, feeling extremely pleased.

"Report!"

A gang member rushed in, "Someone has come from outside, claiming to be Luo Guan of the Luo family, requesting to see the gang leader."

Xu Hai frowned, then sneered, "Let him in!"

Over these three days, he had not been idle, constantly keeping an eye on the Luo family.

Luo Zhenyang and his brothers had hurriedly sold and mortgaged their properties. The Qingjiang Gang had deliberately spread rumors, and various families had colluded to suppress the prices, allowing him to make a substantial profit in secret.

The Luo family could absolutely not come up with ten thousand taels of gold!

He had originally worried that this young man would flee, but he never expected him to come forward voluntarily.

Soon, Luo Guan strode in.

Xu Hai smiled sardonically, "Young Master Luo, are you here to pay?"

Luo Guan replied coolly, "That's right. Mr. Wu is also here, which simplifies things." He took out a gold note, "Ten thousand taels of gold. If there are no objections, Gang Leader Xu, please bring out the bone-selling contract."

"What?!"

Xu Hai carefully examined it and confirmed it was indeed ten thousand taels. His face immediately turned grim! He had been certain the Luo family could not afford the compensation, and with Luo Guan betting on his own Heavenly Bone, he had agreed to the deal.

But now, Luo Guan had actually produced a ten-thousand-tael gold note... He had miscalculated!

Luo Guan loudly said, "Ziyunzhai values its reputation, and Gang Leader Xu's word is as good as gold. You certainly won't go back on your word, right?"

This young man is despicable!

Seeing Mr. Wu's expression, Xu Hai gritted his teeth, "I, the gang leader, never go back on my word."

"Go, bring the contract!"

Someone was dispatched to fetch the contract and handed it to Luo Guan. After confirming it was correct, he took out a fire striker and burned it on the spot.

This scene made Xu Hai's eyes twitch.

Luo Guan clasped his hands, "Gang Leader Xu, Mr. Wu, the matter is settled. I'll take my leave."

Mr. Wu stood up and said coolly, "Since the contract is nullified, I'll be leaving as well."

He vanished in a flash.

The Grand Elder said solemnly, "Gang Leader, are you just going to let this go? We have already agreed to..."

Xu Hai waved his hand to interrupt, sneering, "If the Luo family could really come up with the gold, would they have been selling their properties at low prices and suffering everywhere these past two days? This young man must have a big secret!" His eyes glinted with a sinister light. "Grand Elder, take some men and follow him. Bring him back!"

...

Outside the pier, Luo Zhenshan and others walked heavily.

Over the past two days, they had been running around, selling family properties, but faced with various obstacles, they were still far from the ten thousand taels of gold.

The deadline had arrived, and they did not know what the outcome would be today.

Just then, a figure approached.

Luo Zhenshan's face changed, "Luo Guan, what are you doing here?"

The others nearby looked displeased. If it weren't for this young man, the situation might not have escalated to this point. Not only had he caused a major disaster, but he had even dared to come to the Qingjiang Gang's territory.

Could he have done something else?

Luo Zhenshan thought the same and quickly asked, "Did you see Xu Hai?"

Seeing the expressions of the others, Luo Guan understood, "Uncle, don't worry. I redeemed Father's bone-selling contract and burned it on the spot."

"The matter is completely resolved."

Luo Zhenshan's eyes widened, "How did you manage that?"

Luo Guan said, "It's a long story. I have something to do outside the city. I'll explain it to you later."

He clasped his hands in a salute and walked away.

"This..." The others looked at each other, unsure what to think.

Luo Zhenshan gritted his teeth, "Fifth Elder, go and check if it's true."

The Fifth Elder hurried over and soon returned, his face full of disbelief.

Seeing his expression, Luo Zhenshan felt relieved, "It's actually true..." He took a deep breath, "Let's go home!"

On the other side, Luo Guan left Jiangning City directly, a cold smile on his lips as he entered a dense forest.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Several figures blocked his path.

The Grand Elder said, "Young Master Luo, you left in a hurry. The gang leader has sent me to invite you to stay at the gang for a few days."

Luo Guan replied, "What if I refuse?"

"Then Young Master Luo will have to endure some physical pain." The Grand Elder waved his hand, "Seize him!"

Several people leaped forward.

Luo Guan casually sent one flying, and with a series of loud cracks, the man's chest caved in, clearly not surviving.

He moved forward, and the Qingjiang Gang members fell like paper, all dead in an instant.

The Grand Elder exclaimed, "Hundred-Man Realm!"

He was not alarmed but delighted, his old eyes gleaming with greed.

"A waste of a talent, failing three times to condense his bones, yet in such a short time, he has reached the Hundred-Man cultivation level."

"Moreover, he could casually produce ten thousand taels of gold... The gang leader was right; you do have a big secret!"

He raised his hand and threw a punch.

"But now, everything is over!"

Boom—

The aura of the Thousand-Mountain Realm erupted.

"Come on!" Luo Guan growled, excitement in his eyes. He was eager to know his current strength.

He moved forward without dodging, throwing a punch as well.

The two fists collided heavily!

Boom—

A loud explosion, Luo Guan was forced back, his chest heaving with blood surging, his face pale.

On the other side, the Grand Elder also took a step back, his face full of shock.

"You have such strength!"

He felt a chill of fear.

Luo Guan was only slightly weaker than him.

But he was just a young man who had just condensed his bones, while the Grand Elder had practiced for decades. They were incomparable.

If given more time...

No, today, since he had taken action, he must eliminate the root of the problem!

The Grand Elder's face turned ruthless, "Die!"

He stomped his foot and pounced again.

Luo Guan silently channeled the Twelve Emperors' Sword of the Great Wasteland, his blood quickly settling, confirming he had not suffered substantial damage, his mind at ease.

"Old man, you're not good enough to kill me!"

He faced him head-on.

In an instant, the two were locked in a fierce battle. A Thousand-Mountain Realm expert, each punch and kick carried the force of a thousand pounds, like two human beasts.

Soon, the ground cracked, and thick trees were snapped in half!

Although Luo Guan was at a disadvantage, the recovery effect of the Twelve Emperors' Sword was astonishing, his internal blood and qi flowing continuously, making him more and more formidable.

In contrast, the Grand Elder, old and past his prime, had a slower recovery.

The longer the fight, the more alarmed he became!

"This isn't good. This young man's momentum is overwhelming. If we keep fighting, I will surely lose!"

The Grand Elder gritted his teeth, his eyes turning bloodshot.

Boom—

His aura surged!

In an instant, he reached the peak of the Thousand-Mountain Realm, his body swelling with the sound of bones and flesh.

"Young man, to force me to use my trump card, you can die in peace!"

A punch came, the air whistling sharply, carrying at least six thousand pounds of force.

Luo Guan remained expressionless. A man who had lived for decades having some tricks was normal.

But he had his own trump card!

He raised his hand and gripped forward.

Buzz—

A thin sword shadow appeared between his fingers.

It was ethereal, like a wisp of smoke, easily blown away by the wind.

But now, this sword shadow released a terrifying aura that made one's heart race.

"Slash!"

Luo Guan swung forcefully!

Thud—

A dull sound, the Grand Elder, who had been full of momentum, froze in place, his eyes wide with shock and fear.

Snap—

His head fell to the ground, blood spurting three feet high!

Luo Guan panted heavily, his face extremely pale. Using the Twelve Emperors' Sword was extremely draining for him.

"This sword is powerful, but it can only be used as a trump card, not lightly."

Feeling the emptiness within, Luo Guan smiled bitterly.

After resting for a while to recover his strength, he quickly searched the bodies and threw them off a cliff.

Wild wolves would destroy all traces by night.

Xu Hai was a Ten-Thousand-Realm expert, and Luo Guan had no confidence, only hoping to buy himself some time.

After doing this, Luo Guan found a mountain spring, washed himself carefully, and returned to the city from another direction.

The next two days were calm.

Luo Guan did not know how long he could keep the secret of killing the Grand Elder, so he practiced even harder.

After Luo Zhenyang woke up, he talked with Luo Zhen and the others once. With the bone-selling contract resolved, no one pursued the matter further.

Three days passed quickly.

In the room, Luo Guan opened his eyes, feeling the obvious increase in his strength, his face showing gratitude.

The Twelve Emperors' Sword of the Great Wasteland suited him well, making his cultivation more efficient. His teacher had keen eyes and must have chosen it with great care, though he did not tell him the truth.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door.

Uncle Ku said, "Young Master, the family head asks you to go to the ancestral hall."

Luo Guan opened the door, "Understood."

In the ancestral hall, the atmosphere was solemn.

Luo Zhenshan scanned the crowd and said solemnly, "Today, apart from the elders and tributes, all are young talents of the Luo family who have condensed their Heavenly Bones."

"I have gathered you because the current situation is critical."

He waved his hand, and a report was distributed to everyone.

Luo Guan glanced at it and couldn't help frowning.

The cause of the problem was simple. To raise funds, the Luo family had sold and mortgaged many clan properties. Although they had recovered some, the losses were severe.

Now, a dark tide was surging in Jiangning City, aiming to overthrow the Luo family!

Previously, the situation was still somewhat hidden, but today, the Fifth Elder was severely injured during a patrol, a dangerous signal.

If the Luo family did not counterattack and suppress the unrest in time, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Luo Zhenshan said, "From today, the Luo family will be on high alert!"

"All elders and tributes, move to stabilize the situation in various areas."

"Additionally, young talents who have condensed their Heavenly Bones will also participate in maintaining order."

Assignments were quickly made.

Xu Tai, the tribute, temporarily took the Fifth Elder's position, responsible for the Qinghua Street area, with Xu Qingqing, Luo Cheng, and Luo Guan working together.

After leaving the ancestral hall, everyone hurriedly dispersed.

On the way to Qinghua Street by carriage, Xu Tai said solemnly, "The enemy is in the dark, and we are in the open. We must be extra cautious."

"If you encounter trouble, send a distress signal immediately, and I will come to your aid."

Qinghua Street, located in the western part of the city, was a traditional stronghold of the Luo family. It had two casinos, three brothels, and several taverns and shops, always bustling.

Upon arrival, Xu Tai took charge of the Black Mountain Casino, where the Fifth Elder had been injured. No further accidents could be allowed.

Luo Guan and the other two were assigned to patrol the street.

The street was crowded and lively, but the atmosphere among the three was cold.

Luo Ning, who knew the inside story, felt a headache. Why would the clan head assign these two to work together? Was he trying to reconcile them?

At this moment, Xu Qingqing suddenly stopped, "Luo Guan, do you really hate me so much that you won't even speak to me?"

Luo Guan looked at the delicate and slightly angry girl in front of him, his thoughts drifting far away.

Xu Qingqing, the daughter of the tribute Xu Tai, was a year younger than him.

Since childhood, she had been Luo Guan's little tail, calling him "Brother Guan" and crying bitterly if she couldn't play house and be his wife.

At sixteen, she successfully condensed her bones.

From then on, their relationship gradually grew distant.

Actually, this was understandable.

Faced with a young man who had failed to condense his bones twice and had a bleak future, the childish affection from childhood had largely faded.

And she, with her astonishing cultivation talent and growing beauty, had become the center of attention.

On a rainy day, a young man holding an umbrella was turned away at the door when he came to discuss cultivation. He stood silently in the rain for a long time, then turned and left, never returning.

Luo Guan reined in his thoughts and said calmly, "No, it's just that it's been a long time, and I don't know what to say."

The calm tone made Xu Qingqing's eyes well up. She glared at Luo Guan and turned to leave.

Luo Ning smiled bitterly, "Luo Guan..."

Luo Guan waved his hand, "Brother Luo Ning, go check on her. Don't let anything happen. I'll patrol this area alone."

"Alright, be careful!"

Luo Ning hurried after her.

Luo Guan smiled, turned, and walked forward.

He had no resentment in his heart, but some things, once they happened, could never be undone.