Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist

WHOOSH!

Hong Wentong’s body suddenly leaped up. He moved with extreme speed, like an afterimage, appearing before Chen Xuan in an instant. His five fingers glinted with a sharp light as he reached out, aiming for the major acupoints on Chen Xuan’s body.

A fierce aura washed over him.

Chen Xuan’s expression changed instantly. For a moment, he couldn’t tell if Hong Wentong was testing him or trying to cultivate him.

He abruptly shifted his body, activating his perfected Thunderbolt Step. He spun like a top to evade, but Hong Wentong’s five fingers shadowed his every move. The moment he dodged, they were upon him again, fast and fierce, cutting through the air with a piercing whistle.

Chen Xuan dodged several times in succession, but he couldn’t escape the grasp of those five fingers.

The five fingers were terrifyingly sharp, following him like a shadow. The airflow they generated was enough to make his eardrums ache and tore his clothes to shreds.

The sharp fingers lunged straight for his face.

Chen Xuan’s expression changed again. With nowhere left to dodge, he gritted his teeth and threw a vicious punch toward Hong Wentong.

This punch was one of pure physical strength.

He didn’t use his Transforming Force!

BOOM!

The claw-hand and fist collided, unleashing a deafening roar as a massive shockwave swept outward.

Chen Xuan was thrown back on the spot, landing seven or eight meters away. His entire wrist went numb almost instantly, twitching uncontrollably.

Hong Wentong also showed a hint of surprise. His body swayed slightly as he looked at Chen Xuan.

"What incredible strength!"

He had long known that Chen Xuan had hidden his strength last time.

It now seemed he had hidden quite a lot.

He had actually managed to make him sway slightly.

Although he had only used thirty percent of his strength in that move.

But for Chen Xuan to be able to block it made him a rare gem among the younger generation.

"Good kid!"

Hong Wentong suddenly burst out laughing. "No wonder Song Ming and Fan Tao died at your hands. Your physical prowess is truly extraordinary. Forget about practicing Diamond Fist—even without it, ordinary experts would be no match for you!"

"Gang Leader, you flatter me!"

Chen Xuan cupped his hands.

"Rest assured, I’ve been thinking of cultivating you for some time. By killing Fan Tao and Song Ming, you’ve intimidated the docks and greatly boosted the reputation of our Red Sand Gang. This is the manual for the Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist. It’s an upper-mid grade Martial Arts technique with wide, sweeping movements and fierce power. It’s leagues stronger than Diamond Fist. Take it."

Hong Wentong smiled and took out a book from his side, handing it to Chen Xuan.

’Hundred-Splitting Slash and Hang Fist?’

’An upper-mid grade Martial Arts technique?’

A glint appeared in Chen Xuan’s eyes as he immediately stepped forward to receive the book.

’How could something so good be happening?’

"Study this Martial Arts technique well, and do not pass it on to others. If there is anything you don’t understand, you can come ask me at any time. If you can break through to Transforming Force because of this, you will undoubtedly become another fearsome general for our Red Sand Gang!"

Hong Wentong’s tone was calm.

"Thank you, Gang Leader. May I ask, Gang Leader, what is your realm?"

Chen Xuan’s eyes flickered as he asked subconsciously.

"Chen Xuan, don’t be too ambitious!"

Su Qingliu, at his side, suddenly warned.

"It’s fine!"

Hong Wentong waved his hand dismissively. "It’s no secret. Anyone who bothers to ask around can find out. I am merely at the Transforming Force Ninth Layer, still unable to break through to the more powerful realm of Gang Energy."

’Transforming Force Ninth Layer?’

Chen Xuan’s mind reeled.

’He really is powerful!’

’At least, from my current perspective, he’s unbelievably powerful.’

"What realm is above Gang Energy?"

Chen Xuan asked.

"Above Gang Energy..."

Hong Wentong sighed softly. "Above Gang Energy is the realm of True Qi. It involves refining Gang Qi into True Qi. As the saying goes, ’Let him be as strong as he may, my own breath of True Qi is sufficient.’ The power of True Qi is immeasurably greater than Gang Energy. It can protect the body from destruction, make one impervious to fire and water, and even keep one from dying for a short time!"

"I see!"

Chen Xuan was secretly awed.

He finally understood what the Heart Method column on his panel meant.

’It’s used to cultivate True Qi.’

’The methods of this world are truly strange.’

"Gang Leader, this subordinate will take his leave then!"

Chen Xuan cupped his hands.

"Go."

Hong Wentong waved his hand dismissively.

Chen Xuan promptly departed.

Only after Chen Xuan had completely left did Hong Wentong’s eyes narrow. "The way Elder Ge and Elder Fang died... I’m afraid there’s something suspicious about it."

"Suspicious?"

Su Qingliu asked doubtfully.

"Judging by Chen Xuan’s strength, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to kill those two,"

Hong Wentong mused.

He had pressed Chen Xuan so aggressively today precisely to find his limits.

And the result was the discovery that Chen Xuan’s hidden strength was indeed immense.

He had even managed to make him, a master of Transforming Force, sway.

Making a Transforming Force master’s body sway was an incredible feat in itself.

"That’s impossible, isn’t it? Even if Chen Xuan is powerful, he had no conflict with either of them. And Elder Ge was his benefactor. He wouldn’t attack Elder Ge, would he?"

Su Qingliu said quickly.

Hong Wentong gave her a calm glance.

Su Qingliu seemed to realize something and immediately fell silent.

"All in all, he’s a very interesting little fellow. I like young men like him,"

Hong Wentong said faintly.

...

「The Right Protector’s residence.」

Xiang Tao received the report immediately, learning about the attack on the docks and that Chen Xuan had returned to headquarters carrying two bodies.

"Are you saying he killed Fan Tao and Song Ming?"

Xiang Tao’s eyes showed a hint of astonishment.

"This subordinate doesn’t know if he was the one who killed them. In any case, he was definitely carrying two bodies."

A trusted gang member standing before him replied.

"Interesting."

Xiang Tao’s eyes flickered as his fingers tapped restlessly on the table.

Ever since his trusted subordinate, Fang Tingyun, was killed, he had kept a much lower profile.

But while he was quiet on the surface, he was secretly keeping a close watch on Chen Xuan.

He never would have expected Chen Xuan to be able to kill Fan Tao and Song Ming, both at the Dark Force Ninth Layer.

Song Ming had his clavicles pierced, was severely injured, and his strength was limited, so his death wasn’t surprising.

But what about Fan Tao?

He was a legitimate Dark Force Ninth Layer master.

’Could the cause of Fang Tingyun’s death really be related to him?’

Xiang Tao wondered.

But regardless.

’This is a very good chess piece.’

If used properly, he could cause huge trouble for Zuo Qiuyun.

"Tell me, what scheme should I use to continue provoking Chen Xuan?"

Xiang Tao suddenly smiled, gazing at the subordinate before him.

"This... This subordinate is dull-witted!"

Cold sweat beaded on the trusted subordinate’s brow.

"Useless!"

Xiang Tao’s tone was cold. "Good for nothing but chasing women."

"Yes!"

"Get out!"

Xiang Tao said coldly.

The subordinate hastily withdrew.

A slight smile touched Xiang Tao’s face. He picked up a black chess piece from the table and murmured to himself, "No need to rush. A true player knows how to endure the quiet."

...

「The Thirteen Golden Dragon Stronghold.」

「Morning came.」

Bright sunlight bathed the entire stronghold.

Inside the spacious main hall, two bodies, one large and one small, lay sprawled out.

One was a demon beast covered in green fur. Its facial features were displaced, its skull shattered—a gruesome sight.

The other was the corpse of a man. His head had exploded, making his face unrecognizable, but the ornaments on his body clearly identified him as Bai Qianli.

Just then!

An old man with a gaunt face and dressed in magnificent robes walked in from outside. His icy cheeks held a terrifying rage, and his clothes fluttered though there was no wind.

A dreadful, majestic aura emanated from him.

"Who did this?"

His eyes shot toward Yue Kaishan as he roared in anger.

"I... I don’t know!"

Yue Kaishan’s expression was exceptionally grim.

Not only was Bai Qianli dead, but the trusted men he had sent out were also dead.

Everyone he had tried to rescue was dead!

"Useless!"

The old man bellowed.

Yue Kaishan’s face turned uglier, but he didn’t dare to refute.

This old man was an elder of the Bai family from the commandery city.

His strength was unfathomable!

He couldn’t afford to provoke him.

"Where is Ling’Er? Where did Ling’Er go?"

The old man suddenly realized, his pupils constricting as he shouted.

"I didn’t see Miss Bai. I only saw the bodies of Young Master Bai and this demon beast. I’ve already sent men to search the area."

Yue Kaishan said quickly.

"Ling’Er should be fine. She must be fine..."

The old man’s mind was in turmoil. He kept trying to console himself, his hands clenched into tight fists as murderous intent surged within him.

’No matter who did this!’

’How dare they kill a member of my Bai family!’

’I’ll have their entire family exterminated!’

’Not one, old or young, will be left!’

’I’ll scramble the yolk in their eggs!’

’I’ll slice their earthworms lengthwise!’

"We’ve found Miss Bai!"

Suddenly, a panicked shout came from outside.

A group of gang members, soaking wet, ran toward the hall. They carried a corpse whose face was deathly pale and bloated from water, eyes wide open, and neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

The old man rushed forward in a single stride. When he saw the corpse, his body swayed, his vision went black, and he nearly collapsed.

"Ling’Er!"

He bellowed, unable to believe his eyes.

Even Ling’Er had been murdered!

Yue Kaishan and a group of his core subordinates were all stunned and quickly rushed over.

A chill ran down their spines, their minds reeling.

’Just who did this?’