Sovereign of Stars

Chapter 21 – Black Yan Gang

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

During this month, the faction of retainers had been completely dismantled, and Zhao Tianlei's subordinates and confidants were all cleared out one by one. The Su Family was now entirely rid of its malignant tumor.

Su Xin continued his regular cultivation, relying on the Bloodline Inheritance Cultivation Art. Over this period, the spiritual power within him had accumulated to the utmost limit of the True Martial Realm, just a step away from the Sea Transformation Realm, ready to break through at any moment.

He still frequently appeared in the martial arts arena, sparring with the Su Family's disciples and some of the stronger members. The strength he subtly displayed earned him increasing respect from the Su Family's disciples.

His prestige as the young master of the Su Family was also rising.

On this day, he was once again in the martial arts arena.

"Su Xin!"

Su Baihu arrived, accompanied by a man in purple.

"Second Uncle." Su Xin greeted with a slight bow.

"This is Ye Luo, a retainer of our Su Family," Su Baihu introduced.

"Young Master," the man in purple, Ye Luo, greeted.

Though the Su Family had declined, they still attracted many retainers, and not all of them were 'white-eyed wolves' who supported Zhao Tianlei.

Ye Luo, for instance, had always been relatively loyal to the Su Family.

"Su Xin, just over a month ago, you were at the peak of the ninth level of the True Martial Realm and could directly kill Zhao Ling, who had broken through to the Sea Transformation Realm and was highly skilled. Now that you have reached the peak of the tenth level, can your combat power compare to the Sea Transformation level?" Su Baihu asked.

Su Xin was taken aback, not expecting Su Baihu to ask this question, but he nodded, "I should be able to."

"Ye Luo, give it a try," Su Baihu instructed.

"Yes." Ye Luo nodded and stepped in front of Su Xin. "Young Master, please guide me."

"Feel free to go all out," Su Xin replied with a confident smile.

Soon, the two began their duel.

In just an instant, to be precise, Su Xin only used three sword strikes.

The first strike forced Ye Luo to retreat in a panic.

The second strike disarmed Ye Luo, sending his weapon flying.

The third strike placed Su Xin's sword on Ye Luo's shoulder.

It was completely one-sided.

The gap was too large.

Currently, Su Xin's normal spiritual power outburst was at the small success level of the Sea Transformation. With a slight activation of his bloodline power, his instantaneous strength could rival the full success of the Sea Transformation. Coupled with his swordsmanship, defeating an ordinary full success Sea Transformation was indeed too easy.

"Young Master's strength is admirable," Ye Luo conceded wholeheartedly.

He had only heard of the young master's extraordinary talent and ability to defeat enemies beyond his level, but today he had experienced it firsthand.

"Su Xin, your swordsmanship has improved over the past month," Su Baihu said with a smile, his eyes gleaming with a peculiar light. "In terms of swordsmanship alone, no one in the entire Su Family can surpass you."

The strongest in the Su Family was the Patriarch, Su Baichen, but his expertise was not in swordsmanship.

"Second Uncle, you didn't come to me today just to test my strength, did you?" Su Xin looked at Su Baihu.

"Of course not." Su Baihu smiled and then took out an envelope. "There's a letter inside, take a look."

Su Xin opened the envelope and quickly scanned the contents.

"A gang fight?" Su Xin's expression turned a bit strange.

"The letter is from Wan Chong, the leader of the 'Black Yan Gang.' Over the years, the Black Yan Gang has shown respect to our Su Family, sending tributes annually. This time, the Black Yan Gang is in trouble, and Wan Chong sent a generous gift, hoping our Su Family would send strong support. I've agreed," Su Baihu explained.

Su Xin immediately understood.

Yongning Prefecture, though just a prefecture, still had numerous towns and a population of millions.

With so many people, various gang forces naturally emerged. Most of these gangs had their own territories, and to maintain stability, they needed a powerful backer.

The Su Family, being one of the two strongest families in Yongning Prefecture, was naturally a significant backer.

Thus, many gangs in Yongning Prefecture sent tributes to the Su Family every year. By accepting these tributes, the Su Family acknowledged their existence, allowing these gangs to survive.

The Black Yan Gang evidently gave considerable tributes to the Su Family annually, and this time, they sent an even more substantial gift...

"Wan Chong wanted our Su Family to send two full success Sea Transformation experts, but I decided to send you and Ye Luo instead," Su Baihu said. "Now that Zhao Tianlei is dead, the threat from the faction of retainers no longer exists. Plus, your strength is sufficient, and it's time for you to see the world."

"See the world?" Su Xin's heart stirred, understanding what Su Baihu meant by seeing the world.

"Su Xin, are you willing to go?" Su Baihu asked.

"Of course," Su Xin nodded. "I'm just afraid Wan Chong won't be too happy to see me."

Wan Chong wanted two full success Sea Transformation experts, but based on cultivation alone, Su Xin was only at the peak of the tenth level of the True Martial Realm.

"Although the Young Master's cultivation is low, his strength far exceeds that of an ordinary full success Sea Transformation. Wan Chong should consider himself lucky to have the Young Master; how dare he be dissatisfied?" Ye Luo said coldly.

"In that case, after lunch, you two should set off on fast horses. You should reach Dongyang City, where the Black Yan Gang is located, before nightfall," Su Baihu said.

Before long, Su Xin and Ye Luo set off.

...

Dongyang City, located in the western part of Yongning Prefecture, was not far from the prefecture city.

Black Yan Gang headquarters.

As night approached, Wan Chong, the leader of the Black Yan Gang, lay on a recliner, constantly shifting, unable to find comfort.

His face was filled with worry.

Originally a bandit, Wan Chong had clawed his way up from a lowly position to become the leader of the Black Yan Gang in Dongyang City, commanding thousands of members and becoming a local power.

Though he had to pay large sums annually to appease some influential figures or forces in Yongning Prefecture, the remaining profits still allowed him to live quite comfortably.

But recently, another major gang in Dongyang City, the 'Liushui Gang,' suddenly rose to prominence.

The leader of the Liushui Gang was also a former bandit chief who brought his men into the city to establish the gang. It developed rapidly, and in less than two months, it had the strength to rival the Black Yan Gang, with even more powerful members in its upper ranks.

After several clashes, the Black Yan Gang was at a complete disadvantage, with only two of its original four hall masters remaining.

In a few days, the conflict between the Black Yan Gang and the Liushui Gang would reach its final stage, culminating in a decisive battle. Wan Chong had no confidence in winning with just the Black Yan Gang's strength, so he spared no expense to hire strong support from the Su Family.

"Boss, boss!"

A gang member suddenly rushed in, exclaiming, "The strong ones from the Su Family have arrived!"

"They're finally here!"

Wan Chong immediately stood up, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. "Quick, call the strategist and come with me to greet them."

Soon, a large group headed to the entrance of the headquarters, including Wan Chong, two hall masters, and an old man with a goatee, the strategist of the Black Yan Gang.

From a distance, they saw two figures standing at the entrance.

"Wan Chong, at your service, sir."

Wan Chong approached Ye Luo and immediately greeted him respectfully.

"I am Ye Luo, a retainer of the Su Family. Master Wan, this is your territory, and you yourself are a full success Sea Transformation expert. There's no need for such humility. Please rise," Ye Luo said.

Only then did Wan Chong lift his head, quickly scanning Ye Luo and feeling a surge of joy.

Though Ye Luo hadn't made a move, Wan Chong could still sense the powerful and hidden aura emanating from him, an aura no weaker than his own.

Wan Chong then turned to the other person.

"Hmm?" Wan Chong's brow furrowed.

It wasn't for any particular reason, just that this person looked... too young.

He didn't seem to be even twenty.

So young, how strong could he be?

"Lord Ye Luo, who is this?" Wan Chong cautiously inquired.

"This is the young master of the Su Family and the holder of the Su Family Sword Command Token among the younger generation, Su Xin!" Ye Luo introduced.

"Young Master?" Wan Chong was taken aback.

The title of Young Master alone indicated an extremely high status within the Su Family.

"I heard that the Su Family Sword Command Token is only held by the strongest among the younger generation. If the Young Master holds it, then his cultivation must be..." Wan Chong began, but before he could finish.

"Master Wan, I know what you're thinking, but unfortunately, you'll be disappointed. My cultivation hasn't reached the Sea Transformation Realm yet," Su Xin said directly.

"Not reached the Sea Transformation Realm?" Wan Chong's expression changed, and a wave of dissatisfaction rose in his heart.

"What, the Young Master of the Su Family personally comes here, and you're not welcoming?" Ye Luo immediately questioned.

In his view, the Young Master's identity and strength were extraordinary. Su Xin agreeing to come here and help the Black Yan Gang was already a great favor. How could Wan Chong look down on Su Xin's cultivation?

"No, no!"

Wan Chong quickly forced a smile. "I've already prepared a banquet to welcome the Young Master and Lord Ye Luo."

"No need for a banquet, just send some food to our rooms," Su Xin said.

"Yes, yes." Wan Chong nodded repeatedly. "Xu Laosan, quickly take the two lords to their rooms."

The one called 'Xu Laosan' respectfully led Su Xin and Ye Luo into the headquarters.

After Su Xin and Ye Luo left, Wan Chong's face immediately turned sullen.

Not long after, in a completely enclosed secret room, Wan Chong erupted.

"Bastards!!"

"Damn Su Family!"

"To think I used to pay such respect to the Su Family, even preparing a generous gift this time to request two full success Sea Transformation experts, but they only sent one full success Sea Transformation and some so-called Young Master!"

"This so-called Young Master, what does he take me for? Does he think the life and death of my Black Yan Gang is a joke?"

Wan Chong was furious.

He didn't believe that the Su Family's Young Master, who hadn't even reached the Sea Transformation Realm, could have any significant strength. He thought the Su Family sent the Young Master merely for training.

But using the life and death of his Black Yan Gang for training naturally made him dissatisfied.

However, he didn't dare voice his complaints openly, only daring to curse and vent in private.

"Boss, please calm down."

The goatee-bearded strategist tried to soothe him. "Although the Su Family didn't send two full success Sea Transformation experts as we hoped, they did send one. And the Young Master's identity is significant. In a critical moment, he might be useful."

"Moreover, the Liushui Gang rose quickly, but they lack a foundation. Unlike us, who have long established ties with the Su Family and can call on their experts in advance, the Liushui Gang has nowhere to find strong support. So, in the decisive battle, with the help of the Su Family's full success Sea Transformation expert, our chances of victory are still greater."

"Phew!"

Wan Chong exhaled deeply. "I hope you're right."

Meanwhile, as Wan Chong vented his frustrations, a few miles away at the Liushui Gang's headquarters...

"The Su Family's experts have arrived?"

The leader of the Liushui Gang was an exceedingly handsome man in a silver robe. Upon hearing of the Su Family's arrival, he showed no surprise or tension.

"According to our insider, the Su Family sent two people. One is a full success Sea Transformation expert, and the other seems to be a Young Master of the Su Family, whose cultivation hasn't reached the Sea Transformation Realm," a core member reported.

"Only one full success Sea Transformation?" The handsome man in the silver robe turned his head and shook it. "It seems the Su Family isn't genuinely intent on helping Wan Chong. I had prepared such a grand setup, but it seems unnecessary now."

"Since there's no suspense in this battle, let's start early."

"Tell the brothers to prepare for the decisive battle with the Black Yan Gang in three days!"

...