Translator: AnubisTL
"Oh? How could it be the Yan Family? I've never had any grudges with them. In fact, we've even had some collaborations before," Li Qing feigned disbelief.
Tian Long, the leader of the Tian Long Gang, probably anticipated Li Qing's response. He smiled and waved his hand, signaling the hidden individuals around them to retreat.
With this gesture, Li Qing could clearly feel the several gazes that had been fixed on him since he entered the room vanish.
"Your gang is truly full of talent. To think you've been willing to remain under the Yan Family for so many years—I must say, I deeply admire you, Leader Tian Long," Li Qing said with a smile.
Hearing this, Tian Long's expression brightened even more.
To be able to so keenly sense the presence of those around him—Li Qing had indeed stepped into the realm of Outer Strength.
"To be honest, not long ago, the second young master of the Yan Family sent that servant Yan San to incite me, urging me to teach you a lesson. The reason was that some time ago, a few of our gang's incompetent members were dealt with by you alone."
"Yan San's methods were quite crude. To be frank, you weren't at fault in that incident. It was those guys who were blind, and it's been so long that I'd almost forgotten about it."
At this point, Tian Long's voice suddenly lowered.
"However, in the end, I still sent Wei Tian to your place to test you, to see what kind of person could attract the Yan Family's attention."
Tian Long's intentions were clear. If Li Qing had turned out to be nothing more than a brute with some strength, he wouldn't have minded doing the Yan Family a favor.
But if Li Qing had been able to detect Wei Tian, then it was likely that he possessed real skill.
Now, the result was evident—Li Qing's current display of strength clearly marked him as an Outer Strength expert.
"Brother Li, would you be interested in joining me in plotting a grand scheme here in Blackrock City?" Tian Long asked with a serious expression.
A grand scheme? Did he mean engaging in petty theft around the markets under the guise of robbing the rich to help the poor?
Li Qing couldn't help but scoff inwardly, though his expression remained unchanged. He calmly asked, "Oh? What kind of grand scheme are you referring to, Leader Tian Long?"
Tian Long took a deep breath and said, "Join me in overthrowing the Yan Family!"
This statement didn't come as a complete surprise to Li Qing. Given the current state of Blackrock City, there wasn't much else to aim for besides the Yan Family.
However, Li Qing didn't immediately agree. Instead, he replied indifferently, "Leader Tian Long, your martial skills are exceptional. Surely there's no one in the Yan Family who could be a match for you?"
"Brother Li, do you really think the Yan Family has maintained their position for so many years just by relying on a bunch of ruffians?" Tian Long chuckled bitterly.
"The Yan Family has four retainers. Three of them are at the Outer Strength level, and one is a master of Inner Strength. However, that Inner Strength master has been in his coffin for over a decade."
With these words, Li Qing understood Tian Long's intentions.
He was simply trying to recruit Li Qing to help take down the Yan Family, promising various benefits—though all of them would only materialize after the deed was done. To Li Qing, these promises were little more than empty checks.
"How about it, Brother Li? If you can help hold off one Outer Strength expert, I and my men will handle the other two," Tian Long said earnestly.
"Once this is done, Blackrock City will be within our grasp, and I'll make you the second-in-command of the Righteous Gang!"
Li Qing pondered for a long while, not rushing to refuse.
If this matter were truly accomplished, there would indeed be many benefits. At that time, he would have unrestricted access to the Yan Family's martial arts library.
It was worth noting that the majority of martial arts schools in Blackrock City had already sold their most prized techniques to the Yan Family.
With so many martial arts collected, it was indeed something Li Qing coveted.
"Leader Tian Long, I can't agree to this hastily. There are some things I must clarify," Li Qing said seriously. "Are you certain the Yan Family only has three Outer Strength experts?"
"Absolutely, there's no mistake in such a critical matter. Over the years, I've thoroughly investigated the Yan Family's background," Tian Long nodded.
"Is it possible that one of those three Outer Strength experts has advanced to the Inner Strength level in recent years? As far as I know, the Yan Family possesses quite a few martial arts manuals."
"That's absolutely impossible!" Tian Long said decisively, then explained, "Brother Li, you may not know this, but achieving Inner Strength in martial arts is no simple feat. Unless one is exceptionally gifted, even decades of rigorous training might not yield progress. And that's assuming one has access to abundant meat and resources. Right now, the Yan Family likely doesn't have the means to support three Outer Strength experts, let alone nurture Inner Strength masters. They're probably just barely maintaining the three Outer Strength experts they have."
Martial artists consume a great deal of resources daily, something Li Qing understood well. Even he himself required a significant amount of food and meat each day.
If one didn't eat enough, their vitality would quickly weaken, making it difficult to maintain peak condition.
From this perspective, it seemed the Yan Family indeed only had three Outer Strength experts.
Tian Long wasn't finished. He continued, "The Yan Family has a few medicinal wine recipes. In the past, when times were better, they could have brewed a significant amount of vitality-boosting medicinal wine at great cost. Combined with sufficient meat, they might have been able to nurture a few Inner Strength experts."
"But now, even if the Yan Family still has a few jars of that medicinal wine hidden away, they don't have enough meat to feed their retainers. It's impossible for them to produce Inner Strength experts!"
Medicinal wine recipes?
Li Qing's heart stirred slightly, and he felt a surge of interest.
"Oh? Leader Tian Long, may I ask what kind of medicinal wine has such miraculous effects?"
Something that could help one achieve Inner Strength faster was indeed not to be underestimated.
"Ha ha ha! Brother Li, I knew you'd be interested in this. When I was young, I was the same, going to great lengths to advance further on the martial path!"
A hint of melancholy flashed in Tian Long's eyes as he sighed, "Unfortunately, this era is no longer suitable for martial arts. People can't eat their fill, and meat is a rare luxury. What a pity!"
"During the sunny days, the Yan Family somehow obtained a few wine recipes. It's said that they were brewed with precious ingredients like tiger bone and blood ginseng. This medicinal wine is extremely valuable. If an Outer Strength martial artist drinks just one cup, their blood and qi will feel as if they are on fire, greatly benefiting their martial path!"
"Practicing martial arts at this time will definitely lead to rapid progress!"
"If one can consume enough meat, reaching the Inner Strength level in a few years wouldn't be difficult."
As Tian Long said this, even he couldn't help but show a look of eager anticipation.
Li Qing was even more so; his heartbeat quickened slightly.
The medicinal ingredients that were hard to come by in this world, he could go back and get them!
Things like tiger bone and medicinal herbs, as long as he returned to the previous world, wouldn't be difficult to obtain. With money, he could buy them.
Originally, Li Qing wasn't very keen on getting involved in this matter, but now he was indeed somewhat tempted.
"What do you say, Brother Li? Join me in this venture, and you won't have to worry about food for the rest of your life," Tian Long pressed on.
Hearing this, Li Qing took a light breath and said, "Leader Tian Long, this is a significant matter. Please allow me some more time to consider!"
"Hahaha, good! I've waited for so many years; what's a little more time? Brother Li, take your time to think it over!" Tian Long said cheerfully.
Li Qing nodded, and as he got up to leave, he joked, "Leader Tian Long, aren't you afraid that after I leave, I might turn around and inform the Yan Family?"
Tian Long was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Brother Li, you're an honest man. I trust you!"
"Moreover, the second young master of the Yan Family has always been vengeful. If you offend him, you won't have a peaceful life in the future!"
With a clap, Li Qing cupped his fists in a salute, then left the headquarters of the Righteous Gang, carrying the Peerless Hammer on his back.
After Li Qing left, Tian Long looked at the slight crack on the ground, which had appeared when Li Qing sat down earlier, caused by the Peerless Hammer.
"This blacksmith Li is not simple. At such a young age, he has already developed Outer Strength. It's a pity he was born in the wrong era; even the best talent is useless."
(End of the Chapter)
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