Yuan's Ascension

Chapter 15: Vicious Tiger Gang

The first time Wu Yuan practiced the Tiger Leopard Bone Training Technique, he consumed fifteen low-grade body tempering pills. As his power surged, so did his consumption. He depleted a staggering 55 body tempering pills during the training session he had just completed.

Over the past three or so months, Wu Yuan had visited the Starcom Consortium four times in succession, buying a total of over 2000 low-grade body tempering pills. Though he had changed his appearance through Transfiguration every time, he could not escape their notice.

This did not surprise Wu Yuan. If he were the overseer of the Starcom Consortium, he too would be curious.

Now, Wu Yuan had less than a hundred body tempering pills left. His current supplies would only last him three more sessions at most.

Moreover, even with more body tempering pills, their effectiveness would only lessen over time. Wu Yuan furrowed his brows slightly. I must find a higher grade medicinal pill soon.

Body tempering pills were the most basic of auxiliary medicinal pills, only effective for low-level martial artists. Wu Yuan's current physique was extremely robust. Though he was still in the Strength Training phase, his raw strength was close to a fifth-grade martial artist. The energy contained in the body tempering pill was now insufficient to support his growth.

But even if I find a higher-grade medicinal pill, I am a little short on silver taels. I can't ask the chieftain for help again so soon.

Over these past three months, Chieftain Wu Qiming had taken the initiative to visit him, insisting that he take another 2000 silver taels. Of these, 1000 taels were given on behalf of the clan. The other 1000 came from a portion of the 5000 taels that Wu Qiming had reserved for Wu Yuan from back then.

Wu Yuan routinely cleaned up all traces of his training. His figure darted about unpredictably as he returned to the courtyard.

Home. Wu Yuan's gaze swept over the courtyard house. Even though it was still nighttime, with the sky not yet bright, it was hardly any different from daytime in Wu Yuan's eyes.

The courtyard wall was repaired, with a new layer of bricks. The gate and the interior of the house had been newly renovated, a huge improvement from when Wu Yuan first took over this body.

This was all thanks to the clan's help.

Mother’s health has improved considerably.

Two months ago, the family invited the alchemist in Li City to treat his mother. Wu Yuan didn’t have to do anything. Thanks to this, a great burden was lifted from Wu Yuan's mind.

The Chieftain is also under a lot of pressure. The Wu Clan isn’t a large clan and has many expenses. Inviting an alchemist is not just a matter of favors, but also a huge financial burden. I should not trouble the Chieftain with monetary matters anymore.

Wu Yuan knew that his upcoming cultivation needs would include advanced medicinal pills and many precious treasures. It would cost far more than what the Wu Clan could afford.

My strength has partially recovered, but it’s still far from my past life’s peak. Even after spending several months at the Rigid Yet Supple stage, I am still at a rudimentary level. Wu Yuan lightly leaped into his house, landing without a sound.

However, hardly anyone in Li City can intimidate me now. Looking across the entire Middle Land, I no longer fear any second-rate Adepts.

Sixth-grade martial practitioners were martial virtuosos. Fifth-grade martial artists were also known as third-rate Adepts, fourth-grade martial artists were known as second-rate Adepts, and third-grade martial artists were known as first-rate Adepts.

Wu Yuan’s pure physical strength fell short of a third-rate Adept, but his astonishing martial skills compensated for it.

...

After Wu Yuan returned to his own courtyard house, he slipped into bed before his mother awoke. Only a mile away, the ancestral mansion of the Wu Clan remained lit throughout the night.

Inside the meeting hall.

“Chieftain, we've done all we could. We've managed to scrape together 6,500 taels, but are still short of 1,500 taels,” the white-bearded accountant sighed, his desk piled high with account books, “Our clan's treasury is completely depleted.”

“1,500 taels?” Chieftain Wu Qiming’s eyes were lowered, appearing deep in thought.

“The Vicious Tiger Gang, that bunch of scoundrels! They're asking for too much! We’ve always paid 3,000 taels in the past years, but they want 8,000 taels this time. They are seriously pushing us into a corner!” A burly man dressed in linen clothes gritted his teeth, “Chieftain, maybe, we should refuse to pay.”

“Refuse to pay?” A middle-aged scholarly man shook his head, “The Vicious Tiger Gang, one of the top five gangs in Li City, is well known for their brutality. Any business operating within their territory, even big clans like the Luo Clan, would rather pay some silver according to the size of their businesses than get into a confrontation with them.”

"Compared to the Vicious Tiger Gang, our Wu Clan is weak. A direct confrontation would be suicidal."

"Even if their methods are brutal, that only applies outside of Li City. Does the Vicious Tiger Gang dare enter the city?" The man in linen garments glared.

"Enter the city? The Tiger Gang isn't that foolish," remarked another young man in a black robe, shaking his head. "The sect has dominion over a vast expanse of land. They only have enough manpower to oversee counties and municipalities. The numerous villages and towns scattered throughout their domain are beyond their reach."

"Those places are where these small gangs survive. Storming the city is equivalent to challenging the authority of the sect, which will alert and activate the Southdream Army."

The majority of people in the Middle Land practiced martial arts. When one's body was a weapon, one was naturally inclined to aggression. Martial artists were inherently unbound.

Therefore, the Cloudstride Sect had no intention of controlling their subjects at the grassroots level, it was far too costly. They merely controlled the overall situation within their territory, delegating a large portion of authority.

As long as a small gang did not expand excessively, the sect would not take action to exterminate it.

"If we want our fabric shop to thrive, we can't be confined to the city. We will have to head into the countryside, into villages and towns, to collect silkworms. It's impossible to avoid the Vicious Tiger Gang," another youth in a black robe calmly stated. "And if a conflict arises, I fear we might not be able to protect the two mansions we have outside of the city."

The running of fabric shops was a complex matter. To grow the business, they had to purchase silkworms, silk, cotton, and linen. They also manufactured a portion of the raw materials themselves. Otherwise, the overall cost was too high. All of these inevitably involved operations outside the city.

"But the Vicious Tiger Gang... is simply too ruthless." The man in linen clothing gritted his teeth. "We run a fabric shop, not a bank. This year they are demanding an additional 5000 taels from us. How much silver does our Wu Clan even make in a year?"

"They are driving us to our deaths!" The linen-clothed man's eyes were bloodshot.

"Dongyao." Chieftain Wu Qiming suddenly spoke. "Did you find out who is behind the Vicious Tiger Gang?"

"It's not clear. The rise of the Vicious Tiger Gang was very quick, and the gang leader along with several high-ranking members appear to have come from outside the city." The elegant middle-aged man responded. "With our resources, it would be difficult to decipher their background in a short time."

"It has to be either the county mayor, the general of defense, the county deputy, or the county magistrate." The man in linen garments snorted coldly.

"Be cautious with your words." Wu Qiming frowned.

However, those present knew well enough. A small gang of a few dozen or hundred men might lack any significant backing. But for a gang like the Vicious Tiger Gang with thousands of members, whose name reverberated throughout Li City, how could there possibly be no prominent figure sanctioning their actions?

The 3000-strong army of defense could scatter a large gang with tens of thousands of members with ease. For the 600 soldiers of the Southdream Army, defeating 100,000 renegades wasn't a big deal.

The title of 'leader of a big gang' sounded menacing, but they were mostly just puppets of the powerful used to accumulate wealth and do their dirty work.

"Chieftain, why don't we ask Brother Yuan if he has any spare silver?" The accountant suggested, "Once the clan has more resources, we can repay Brother Yuan."

Hearing these words, everyone turned to look at Wu Qiming.

"No!" Wu Qiming shook his head, "Here's what we will do, the clan's treasury must not be left empty. Prepare 5000 silver taels split into two piles: one with 3000 taels and the other with 2000 taels. I will personally make a trip to the Vicious Tiger Gang."

...

Days passed one after another.

This day, Wu Yuan came to the martial academy for practice as usual.

Having placed fourth in the last major tournament, he did not participate in this year's minor tournaments, but who amongst the recent batch of elite disciples dared claim they could beat him?

In Li City, Wu Yuan already earned a reputation as a martial arts genius. Headmaster Zhang Da even personally declared that Wu Yuan's practice room was to be his private space, and he would only have to return it after next year's major tournament.

Just after noon.

"Wu Yuan." His personal mentor, Huan Xinyan, appeared outside his practice room. "Your clansmen are looking for you. It seems like a very important matter, they are waiting for you outside the martial academy."

"Clansmen?" Wu Yuan was initially taken aback, then immediately nodded, "Thank you, Instructor Huan, I'll meet them right away."

Wu Yuan was somewhat puzzled. In the years of practicing at the martial academy, apart from the chieftain and his mother, no clan member had ever come to look for him at the martial academy.

Swiftly, he arrived at the large gates of the martial academy. With a single glance, Wu Yuan spotted a few individuals by the entrance. Among them was a refined middle-aged man who seemed to be in great haste. He had a look of distress and was panting heavily.

"Uncle Dongyao," Wu Yuan approached with long strides.

Wu Dongyao, one of the three scholars of Wu Clan's Li City branch, was renowned for his cunning intelligence and held a high position within the Wu Clan.

"Wu Yuan, right now, only you can save the chieftain," Wu Dongyao spoke hurriedly.