Apocalypse: Grinding EXP through Hunting

Chapter 268: Chapter 232: So Young, Yet Exaggerating Time

"’A great reputation is never unearned?’ Little brother, you have such a way with words." Feng San Niang’s bold, greedy eyes raked over Tang Wen, from his head to his waist, then from his feet back up.

’This is what passes for literary talent?’

’Well, I suppose there aren’t many scholars in this day and age.’

’The cultural decline is staggering.’

"I don’t have time today, but why don’t you come to the Spring Breeze Once Pavilion tomorrow, little brother? Big sister will be sure to treat you well!" Feng San Niang said, pulling a black silk handkerchief from her bosom and handing it to Tang Wen.

The silk handkerchief was still warm.

’Spring Breeze Once Pavilion.’

’Tomorrow?’

’Damn, she’s a Sixth Grade master.’

’Without revealing my true strength, wouldn’t visiting you be like walking right into the tiger’s maw?’

"Definitely. When I have the chance, I’ll definitely go."

"’When you have the chance?’ So you can’t make it tomorrow?"

"After all, such a major incident just occurred."

"True. In a couple of days, then."

After exchanging a few more words, Feng San Niang departed reluctantly.

Tang Wen paid her no mind.

After getting Liang Yu settled, he prepared to head to Zhao Zhe’s residence.

He was starting to understand why murderers liked to return to the scene of the crime.

’If nothing else, it’s a real thrill!’

Zhao Zhe’s massive estate was completely surrounded.

Tang Wen entered through the main gate, and the members of the Black Water Gang parted to make way for him.

He made his way to the very front.

"Senior Sister!" he said, taking the initiative to reach out and interlock his fingers with Shui Yun’s.

To see his loving and considerate display, you’d never guess that just ten minutes prior, he’d been acknowledging another "sister" outside—one with a deeply affectionate and lingering gaze.

Shui Yun squeezed his hand back, her face etched with concern. "Are you a suspect, too?"

"I’m fine. What’s happening with the Eldest Young Master?"

Shui Yun’s expression was grim. "Red Bee from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall tracked the trail here. They found what they were missing."

"What was it?"

"They were in jars, stacked inside a secret room."

"They didn’t catch him red-handed. It could be a frame-up," Tang Wen said, offering a defense for the Eldest Young Master.

’He knew that as the Eldest Young Master of the Black Water Gang, Zhao Zhe wouldn’t be killed.’

’Besides, he’d only set this up on the fly; he never intended to kill him.’

Shui Yun nodded. "It must be a frame-up. Who would be foolish enough to keep something so incriminating in their own secret room?"

A few high-ranking members of the Black Water Gang were standing nearby.

Hearing the two’s conversation, a warmth spread through them. ’These two young masters really see the bigger picture!’

But one of them spoke up. "Miss, Young Master, it’s not that simple. The items were discovered in a secret room directly beneath the Eldest Young Master’s own bedroom."

"So what?" Tang Wen shot back.

"Er, you two arrived late, so you don’t know. The experts from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall also found a mysterious person—a Sixth Grade master who was living in that secret room."

"What? A Sixth Grade master?" Shui Yun was shocked.

Since Tang Wen dared to show up at the scene, he was already well-prepared. He had silently rehearsed his lines a dozen times in the carriage on the way over.

Now, he put on a consummate performance. "What do you mean, a ’mysterious person’? Could it be one of our own?"

His voice dropped to a near-whisper as he finished.

But those around him were all experts.

The weakest among them were at the Extraordinary realm, so there was no one who couldn’t hear him.

Reading between the lines, the crowd understood his intention: he wanted to protect the Eldest Young Master and the mysterious individual.

Shui Yun added, "I’m sure there must be a misunderstanding."

Seeing the two of them so intent on protecting their own, the hearts of the Black Water Gang’s upper echelon warmed even further.

The Eldest Young Master was usually at odds with the pair, yet they were still thinking of the gang’s interests.

’When these two take charge in the future, life will be much better for all of us!’

The high-ranking members exchanged knowing glances.

Their gazes toward the pair softened considerably.

This was how prestige was built.

Today, Shui Yun and Tang Wen, working in perfect concert, had managed to build their own prestige right in the Eldest Young Master’s home.

And everyone present was cheering them on from the bottom of their hearts.

After all, to put it bluntly, making a living in Ganshan City was all about fighting and killing.

Who could guarantee they wouldn’t meet with some misfortune tomorrow?

When that time came, with Shui Yun in charge, she would surely look out for them.

What was not to like about that?

Many secretly thought to themselves, ’I’ve been neutral for so long. It’s time to pick the right side.’

Weren’t all the high-ranking members of the gang shrewd operators?

After today’s incident, the Eldest Young Master’s reputation was bound to plummet.

If they didn’t pick a side now, what were they waiting for?

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.

"The Eldest Young Master of the Black Water Gang is here!"