Volume One, Chapter Seven: Establishing One’s Place and Purpose

After seeing Su Ming off, Third Master Hu sat in the main seat of the grand hall, idly rubbing a silver note in his hand, deep in thought.

From behind the screen stepped out a middle-aged man resembling a scholar. His face was somewhat gaunt, but his eyes gleamed with a cunning fox-like sharpness. He asked, “Third Master, are we just letting it go like this?”

“Hm,” Third Master Hu replied absentmindedly, then asked, “What do you think of this young man?”

The scholar pondered for a moment before answering cautiously, “Though young, his scheming is profound—truly a dragon among men. He kills decisively and ruthlessly but knows when to advance and retreat. He is exceptional. If he continues to develop, his future is boundless.”

“Indeed,” Third Master Hu nodded in agreement, looking at the silver note in his hand with regret. “What a pity. Such a man can never be of use to me. He may seem obedient now, but the ambition in his eyes is unmistakable. To be so high-ranking in his early twenties, there must be other opportunities at play. People like him will never be content with the status quo. Eventually, he will turn against me.”

“So, Third Master, what do you intend to do?” the scholar asked, leaning in to listen.

“He’s not important enough to make waves yet. Even if he has some value, it’s too little. For now, let him be. The other old comrades are restless; when the time is right, we’ll have him test the waters for us.”

“If you’re going to use a blade, it must be sharp. Otherwise, cutting someone is just a scratch,” said Third Master Hu as he stood, tossing the silver note to the scholar coldly. “Keep this money for yourself. Su Ming is yours to manage. Make sure to keep your hands clean—no outsiders can know.”

“Thank you, Third Master. But aren’t you afraid of raising a tiger that will one day bring trouble?” the scholar asked as he pocketed the note.

“Hmph, a tiger? If the world had such a tiger, only I would be worthy of that title!” With a flick of his sleeve, Third Master Hu strode out of the hall without looking back, leaving the scholar standing alone.

“Mind your own business.”

...

Back on Zhanhua Street, Liu Lecheng kept wiping the cold sweat off his forehead, still shaken. “That scared me to death, Boss Su. Just now, I almost thought I’d end up dead here.”

Though some time had passed since then, he couldn’t stop trembling. Watching Su Ming and Third Master Hu face off felt like invisible hands pressing his head against the blade, rubbing it back and forth. One false move and he would be dead on the spot. In truth, his neck had been held tight.

“Boss Su, you’re really daring. After all these years in the Hehai Gang, your way of speaking is like spinning a tale. I’m truly impressed—heart and soul,” Liu Lecheng said sincerely, though his raised thumb still trembled.

“Enough of your nonsense,” Su Ming snapped, his mind still replaying the look in Third Master Hu’s eyes as he left.

He knew this matter was far from over. Third Master Hu was still wary beneath that seemingly cordial facade.

For someone who could so easily read his thoughts, Su Ming confessed to himself that he wouldn’t let his guard down either.

The so-called foster father and son relationship was merely a temporary arrangement.

It wouldn’t be long before Third Master Hu made his next move—and that time, there would be no more civility.

...

[Ping!]

[System Notification: Host has completed the novice task. New main quest issued: 1. Establishing a foothold in life.]

[A true man born under heaven and earth should never remain beneath others for long!]

[Time limit: three months. Earn 100,000 taels of silver!]

[Quest rewards: 10 points proficiency in the Nine-turn Swallowing Heaven Technique!]

[One medicinal pill of choice!]

[Failure penalty: loss of both arms!]

[Novice mission rewards have been granted. Current proficiency in Nine-turn Swallowing Heaven Technique: 10/100.]

[Can absorb cultivators of second rank or below.]

The moment the system’s prompt echoed in Su Ming’s mind, a ravenous hunger surged through his internal organs. An invisible furnace seemed to roar inside him, shaking his entire body.

Seeing Su Ming’s pained expression, Liu Lecheng recalled the previous scene cautiously. “Boss Su, could it be...?”

“Mm.”

“Boss Su, I don’t care about orthodox or demonic paths as long as I get by, but the righteous sects still hold power in this world. If one day they find out about this, trouble will follow...”

Liu Lecheng spoke delicately, but Su Ming understood the implication.

To be branded as demonic was no small matter. Immediate execution might be the least of it; anyone connected to him would be implicated. Worse than the emperor’s decree to exterminate your entire clan.

Not to mention the dreaded Demon Suppression Tower, a fate more terrifying than death for those of the demonic path.

“Then before anyone finds out, kill them first,” Su Ming suppressed the pain within, his voice icy. “Go. Summon every shopkeeper on Zhanhua Street. It’s time to let them know this place has a new master.”

“Yes, Boss!” Liu Lecheng hastened to obey, seeing the cold steel in Su Ming’s eyes and realizing peace on Zhanhua Street was unlikely.

...

Half an hour later, the Star-picking Tower was filled with dozens of shopkeepers from all over Zhanhua Street—brothels, taverns, inns, gambling dens, even street-side apothecaries—all were present.

“Boss Chen, you arrived earliest today. What’s the situation? Can you tell everyone who this Boss Su really is?” someone in the crowd asked the man at the head of the table.

“Bah, who cares who he is? Whatever he wants today, I won’t pay a dime!” The short, stout middle-aged man, Boss Chen, kicked his feet up on the table, face full of anger.

Originally, Zhanhua Street was territory controlled by the Ge Lao Association. Everyone here had to follow certain rules, from government officials to local powers, all neatly managed with some expense.

But after the battle between the Hehai Gang and Ge Lao Association at the start of the month, control of Zhanhua Street changed hands. The money they paid to the Ge Lao Association was wasted, only to fall under Bakun’s control instead.

And now, barely any time had passed before the street changed hands again.

With every new ruler comes new rulers’ demands. Su Ming had gathered them here likely for one reason: money.

Paying three rounds of tribute a month was tantamount to having their flesh ripped off.

Boss Chen ran the most lucrative business on Zhanhua Street—the gambling den. When the Ge Lao Association left, they squeezed him hard, and Bakun did not go easy either.

Besides the regular tribute, they extorted many extra benefits.

Being called to discuss matters at the Star-picking Tower left him deeply resentful.

“Though the Hehai Gang controls this area, I have connections in the imperial court. If they want to extort me, they’re dreaming!” Boss Chen slammed the table loudly, clearly furious.

“Calm down, Old Chen. They haven’t even said what they want yet. Let’s hear them out,” said Tan Wei, the proprietor of Star-picking Tower, seated beside him.

Though he ran a brothel, Tan Wei showed no trace of sleaziness or greed. Middle-aged and fit, he carried an air of cultured refinement.

“What are you looking at? Tell me, what’s there to look at? Tan, you run a tavern and treat them well so they give you face and don’t go too far. What about me?”

“Because my gambling den makes more money? Every clown who comes to power swings by to pay their dues once. That’s the rule. But have you ever heard of paying three times a month?”

Boss Chen’s anger showed no sign of abating. Some in the crowd seemed to find relief in his outburst, even from afar his shouts could be heard.

Tan Wei could only smile wryly and shake his head. Though he shared the dissatisfaction, he didn’t engage further.

Some nodded in agreement; paying tribute thrice a month was indeed excessive.

“Boss Su has arrived!” the gang members called out loudly.

Dressed in black, Su Ming walked slowly into the room, hands clasped behind his back, an inscrutable smile on his face.

“I think I just heard someone wasn’t very pleased.”