Chapter 233 - 219: Tang Wen: They Finally Took the Bait

Chapter 233: Chapter 219: Tang Wen: They Finally Took the Bait

Moreover, several of his trusted followers, all of them Martial Artists, stood behind him. If he dodged, they would certainly be injured, perhaps even killed.

Vice Gang Leader Lin had seen his fair share of crises. After the initial shock, he pressed his hands on the armrests of his chair, his body hovering slightly, but he didn’t charge forward.

’My son is a Veteran Extraordinary.’

’He’ll be fine.’

’If I rush over, I’ll only make him a laughingstock.’

Within the black mist, Tang Wen sneered at Lin San.

’Since Zhao Xiong came here to kill me...’

’...why should I be polite with the Lin Family?’

[Night Divine Fist, Eighth Form—Assassination]

Before the assassination came the spiritual Locking.

Under the cover of the dark mist, a terrifying wave of Spiritual Power focused into a needle and shot toward Lin San.

BUZZ!

Lin San’s mind reeled.

It was as if a great bell was tolling right next to his ears.

His defensive stance was perfect, but his Power wavered and dispersed.

Tang Wen instantly withdrew his attack, silently and without a trace.

"Damn it!"

Vice Gang Leader Lin saw that something was wrong. His feet erupted with power, leaving a blur of afterimages as he tried to charge forward and block the axe.

But it was too late.

BAM!

The Fine Steel Giant Axe shattered both of Lin San’s arms before cleaving into his shoulder.

VMMM!

Vice Gang Leader Lin gripped the axe handle tightly.

He halted the giant axe’s momentum.

’What a shame.’

Tang Wen’s eyes narrowed as he began to disperse the black mist.

Vice Gang Leader Lin roared like a madman, "Who’s behind this? Who is it? Who?!"

No one answered.

Lin San’s agonized screams echoed through the hall.

Some people shouted warnings, others called for a physician.

Vice Gang Leader Lin fixed his gaze on Tang Wen, who had now dispersed the mist, his eyes filled with vicious fury. "It was you! You’re behind this!"

Vice Gang Leader Zhao and Elder Li immediately stepped forward, shielding Tang Wen.

"Old Lin! Get a grip!"

"That’s right, Old Lin. The Seventh Young Master has a Dark Ability, but he’s just a natural Dark Awakener. How could he possibly take on an Extraordinary?"

Vice Gang Leader Lin was hopping mad. "Then how do you explain this?!"

"Explain it? Two Martial Artists were fighting, and an Extraordinary got accidentally injured! What’s not to understand?"

Someone in the crowd chimed in sarcastically.

Vice Gang Leader Lin grew even more furious. A black mist began to emerge from his body as an astonishing Martial Arts aura surged upward.

"The Seventh Young Master couldn’t have used some external aid, could he? Otherwise, how could the battle have ended so quickly?"

Members of the Eldest Young Master’s and Sixth Young Master’s factions chimed in, starting to make accusations:

"Exactly. We all know Zhao Xiong’s strength. He could hold his own even against an Initial Stage Extraordinary. How could he be defeated so utterly?"

"If you ask me, there’s something fishy going on here."

"What about Zhao Xiong? Bring him up here to testify."

"My lords, Zhao Xiong’s coccyx is shattered, his internal organs are injured and displaced! I’m afraid he won’t be waking up anytime soon."

"..."

Tang Wen took note of everyone who spoke, memorizing each of their faces.

’A bunch of nobodies! Sooner or later, I’ll settle the score with all of you.’

The discussion on the stage was heated, but it all boiled down to one thing: Tang Wen had cheated!

With so many people backing him, Vice Gang Leader Lin directly demanded, "Tang Wen! Did you use an external aid?! Did you use a Jade Talisman someone gave you to orchestrate this attack on my son?!"

There was no avoiding this.

Tang Wen had never intended to evade the issue anyway.

He had anticipated a scene just like this the moment he made his move.

Feeling Vice Gang Leader Lin’s sky-high aura...

...he wasn’t alarmed, but secretly pleased. ’He’s much weaker than Bai Shuo.’

’If Bai Shuo is a ferocious tiger...’

’...this man is, at best, a slightly oversized wolf!’

The first objective had been achieved.

Tang Wen now had a rough idea of Vice Gang Leader Lin’s strength. He was a Senior Sixth Grade, a considerable distance from the Peak Sixth Grade.

Given his age and Talent, he probably had no hope of ever breaking through the Sixth Grade in his lifetime.

In the face of this accusation, Tang Wen spoke up:

"I didn’t want this accident to happen either. You accuse me of using an external aid, so let’s make this simple."

"The truth will come out with a simple inspection."

"Elder Li, would you be so kind as to check Zhao Xiong for any used Jade Talismans or other such items?"

The aggressive accusers were taken aback.

Hearing the confidence in Tang Wen’s voice, Elder Li immediately went to find Zhao Xiong.

Then, in full view of everyone, he searched him.

He did, in fact, find a Jade Talisman.

However, the Jade Talisman was intact.

As everyone knew, the only way to use a Jade Talisman was to shatter it, activating the power hidden within.

A whole Jade Talisman meant it had not been activated.

The Vice Gang Leader in charge of the Law Enforcement Hall stepped forward. "I recognize this Jade Talisman. It was a reward from the gang to Zhao Xiong, a life-saving measure. If anyone disagrees, I can break it open and inspect it."

This particular Vice Gang Leader had always maintained a neutral stance.

No one doubted his word.

Besides, Zhao Xiong was Vice Gang Leader Lin’s own man; Lin knew perfectly well whether he had a Life-Saving Jade Talisman.

"Never mind breaking it," Vice Gang Leader Lin said, his eyes fixed on Tang Wen.

Tang Wen then added, "And there weren’t any Jade Talisman fragments on the giant axe, were there?"

"None!"

Several people spoke up at once, all of them either Extraordinary or Sixth-Grade Masters within the gang.

They were all experienced enough to have seen clearly the moment the axe flew—there was nothing on it.

Vice Gang Leader Lin sneered. "Who said anything was on the axe! The item is probably on you. You must be searched!"

Tang Wen’s expression turned cold. "Vice Gang Leader Lin, do you know what you are saying? Remember your place."

’Search me?’

’An ordinary Martial Artist...’

’...you can search whenever you please.’

’But I am Tang Wen, the Seventh Young Master, the Gang Leader’s own disciple! You think you can just search me on a whim?’

"You!"

Tang Wen suddenly smiled. "It’s not that I can’t be searched. But if I’m proven innocent, what then?"

"What are you getting at?" Vice Gang Leader Lin asked, calming himself.

"Two months of Cultivation time in the Main Hall’s Core Secret Chamber. That’s what I want," Tang Wen stated his purpose.

"Don’t bite off more than you can chew, kid! That’s a place only those at the Extraordinary Peak are qualified to enter."

Tang Wen shrugged nonchalantly. "Fine. I’m not the one being wronged here. So, does this mean you no longer suspect me? Let’s be clear about this. If I hear any more conspiracy theories after today, Vice Gang Leader Lin, you’ll be slapping the face of the entire gang."

His demand was perfectly reasonable.

’I’m giving you face by letting you search me.’

’How could you expect to pay nothing in return?’

With that said, Tang Wen turned to return to his seat.

Behind him, Vice Gang Leader Lin, who had been frowning and watching his every move, suddenly noticed a subtle slump in Tang Wen’s shoulder.

"Wait! I accept your terms! I’ll be present for the search."

His voice was exceptionally calm, yet it betrayed an unshakeable confidence.

"So you’ll search me just because you say so!"

"I’ll add another month of Cultivation time."

There were only a handful of Core Secret Chambers in the Main Hall.

A Vice Gang Leader was entitled to ten days a month in the Main Hall’s Core Secret Chamber.

His promise of "two months" was twenty days of access.

"Fine," Tang Wen said, his expression darkening as he shot a look at Shui Yun.

Vice Gang Leader Lin’s faction was overjoyed. ’What’s this? So Tang Wen really is guilty!’

’It makes sense!’

’For a brat not even eighteen years old to have such strength, he must be using some dirty tricks!’

"Search him!"

The Gang Leader remained seated on his high platform, noncommittal about the actions of those below.

One thing was certain, however: the Black Water Gang had lost face today.

Shui Yun and several of the Young Masters.

Several Vice Gang Leaders and Elders.

All walked into the Council Hall together.

As everyone watched.

Tang Wen began to strip without the slightest hesitation.

One piece after another.

Down to his shorts, Tang Wen showed no sign of shyness or hesitation, and was about to take those off too.

’Getting naked isn’t scary. The only one who gets embarrassed is the one who’s smaller!’

’When it came to pissing contests in the latrine, Tang Wen had never lost, not even as a kid.’

He certainly wasn’t going to be shy about an opportunity like this.

’It’s a shame the Eldest Young Master’s wife didn’t follow us in.’

’A real shame!’

Shui Yun had had enough. She stepped forward, grabbed his hand, and said in a chilling tone, "Vice Gang Leader Lin, do you think we need to continue?"

Vice Gang Leader Lin glanced at the... *outline*... then turned and left.

In truth, he had already scanned him with his Spiritual Power.

’Tang Wen is clean. The kid is just that cunning!’

A few of the Vice Gang Leaders who were just there for the show cursed under their breath and walked away.

"Alright! Hurry up and get dressed. What kind of spectacle is this?"

Shui Yun said, and then, to Tang Wen’s speechless bewilderment, she reached out and poked his abs.

The Vice Gang Leader of the Law Enforcement Hall stepped outside and announced that the duel was legitimate and valid. The Seventh Young Master was the winner!

The two of them dallied for a moment before emerging.

Vice Gang Leader Lin was in the middle of an announcement regarding the Black Water Gang’s internal tournament for young Martial Artists.

The preliminary selections had already concluded before today.

Now, the top four were set to compete for the championship.

As he spoke, he suddenly looked toward Tang Wen. "Does the Seventh Young Master want to come up and have some fun? As luck would have it, one of our top four Martial Artists is seriously injured and can’t compete. We’re one short!"

Tang Wen raised an eyebrow. "I don’t know about that. If I compete, wouldn’t I be stealing an opportunity from my fellow brothers? Besides, there’s no reward for first place."

"Of course there is! If the Seventh Young Master can take first place, I’ll give you my four months of Cultivation time in the Main Hall."

Tang Wen pursed his lips and glanced at the others. "What does everyone else think?"

Seeing that he seemed tempted, Vice Gang Leader Lin, the Eldest Young Master, the Sixth Young Master, and other high-ranking members all chimed in:

"If the Seventh Young Master can take first, we’ll all give you our month of Cultivation time in the Main Hall’s secret chamber!"

Clearly, even after seeing Tang Wen send Zhao Xiong flying, this group was still confident in their own people.

Tang Wen sneered inwardly. ’Cultivation Resources are exactly what I need. They’ve finally taken the bait!’