Jiang Dao's brutality sent a wave of sheer terror through the hall. They couldn't wrap their heads around what kind of monster this was. Every man there had a past, sure, they'd all done bad things. But this? Killing a man at the drop of a hat? That was a line none of them had ever crossed. In an instant, the entire room went dead silent.
Yang Xu watched from the side, completely floored. Incredible. My nephew is absolutely unbelievable. A hall full of hot-headed troublemakers, and he'd brought them to heel in a matter of seconds.
"You," Jiang Dao said, his voice cutting through the silence. His calm gaze landed on the man who had snitched. "You did the right thing. What's your name?"
"M-my name's Wang Bao," the man stammered, his voice trembling.
"Good. As of today, you're a Helmsman. Now go get me the roster," Jiang Dao commanded.
"Yes, sir!" Wang Bao was a mess of joy and fear, his heart hammering against his ribs. It felt like a dream. He scrambled into the back room and returned with a thick, leather-bound book.
The roster listed over 600 members, although most were out on assignments. Only about a hundred were regulars at the hall. Jiang Dao's eyes scanned the pages, and he quickly noticed a pattern. The Flying Eagle Hall had eight Helmsmen, and every single man he'd just sent to shovel horse manure was one of them.
"And you have the nerve to tell me you didn't get here through connections?" Jiang Dao's voice was ice. "Eight of you, all Helmsmen at the same time? Something's rotten. In my hall, there's nothing I hate more than nepotism." He swept his gaze over the remaining men. "That leaves seven empty spots. We'll fill them the old-fashioned way: by skill. Anyone here who thinks they can outfight the man next to them, step forward. I'll make you a Helmsman."
A murmur of shock and excitement rippled through the crowd. A promotion? Just like that? Men started to step forward, but then froze, a sudden chill running down their spines as they retreated into the crowd.
Taking this job meant making an enemy of the Left Protector. Everyone knew he had stacked the Flying Eagle Hall with his own people. If they took those positions, how long would it be before the Left Protector came to collect? The thought made them tremble, and every head in the room dropped.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Dao's brow furrowed as he stared at the sea of bowed heads. "A Helmsman position, and nobody wants it?"
Silence.
A cold smirk spread across Jiang Dao's face as he realized what was happening. "Don't worry," he said, his voice laced with confidence. "Once you take this job, you're one of mine. Nobody—and I mean nobody—has the right to touch you. Anyone who tries is picking a fight with me. That includes the Left Protector." He let that sink in. "Still hesitating? This is your shot. Take it. An opportunity like this doesn't come knocking twice."
You could see the struggle on their faces. Finally, one man broke from the ranks and stepped forward, his fists clasped in a salute. "Hall Master, my name is Guo Dutian. I'll take the position. I'm a master of the fast blade—sixty-four forms. I know I'm one of the best fighters in this hall. I hope you'll give me a chance."
"A fast blade?" Jiang Dao asked, intrigued. "With a skill like that, why were you never promoted before?"
"Because… because I don't have anyone backing me," the man admitted quietly. "So I was stuck with the grunt work."
"I see." Jiang Dao smiled. "Well, that changes today. From now on, you're the Helmsman of the East Gate, in charge of the entire East Gate district."
"Thank you, Hall Master!" Guo Dutian beamed, bowing deeply.
That was all it took. Seeing Guo Dutian's success, the rest of the skilled but overlooked fighters surged forward, each one pleading their case. Jiang Dao was pleased. One by one, he filled the empty slots.
"Listen up," he announced once all the new Helmsmen were in place. "You stick with me, and I'll take care of you. It's my first day, so everyone gets a bonus. Ten taels of silver for every man here. One hundred taels for the Helmsmen."
Ten taels was more money than an ordinary person made in five years. It was a fortune. A hundred taels was a king's ransom. The hall erupted in cheers as the men dropped to their knees, their loyalty bought and paid for.
A force of nature. He's truly in a league of his own, Yang Xu thought, amazed. First, the iron fist to establish fear, then the open hand to win their loyalty. It was a masterclass in leadership. The Left Protector's cronies never stood a chance.
"Third Uncle," Jiang Dao said, turning to him. "Everything's under control here. You can go if you have other things to attend to."
"I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle this hall," Yang Xu admitted with a sigh. "It's clear I shouldn't have been." He swung himself onto his horse and galloped away.
"Everyone else, dismissed!" Jiang Dao ordered. "The eight Helmsmen, with me." He started for the main hall, then paused and looked back at the disgraced men still kneeling on the ground. "Watch them," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "Don't let a single one of them leave. If anyone escapes, I'm holding all of you responsible."
The sun was just breaking over the horizon when Jiang Dao rode out for the Blazing Flame Gang's headquarters. With his new Helmsman, Guo Dutian, as a guide, he soon arrived before a massive, five-story building that loomed like a fortress.
The Martial Arts Pavilion.
It was a staggering sight, built of heavy timber and stone, surrounded by a legion of elite guards who watched every angle.
"Hall Master, this is as far as I can go," Guo Dutian said. "I don't have enough contribution points to get inside."
"Understood." Jiang Dao nodded and walked toward the entrance. No one dared to stop him. He strode through the doors and into a vast, open room filled with towering bookshelves.
He spent a few minutes glancing over the titles on the first floor before heading up. As he expected, the second and third floors had fewer scrolls, the techniques growing rarer and more powerful with each level he ascended. On the third floor, he pulled a silk-bound manual from a shelf.
Wind and Thunder Palm.
Isn't this Fei Bin's technique? he thought, flipping through the pages. It was a complex art with forty-nine forms. At its peak, a single palm strike was said to carry the force of a thunderclap, capable of shattering boulders. The legends claimed that a true master could even channel the raw power of a storm into their hands. But it was just a legend. No one, not even the man who created it, had ever reached that level. He had died chasing a theory.
Jiang Dao absorbed the text before moving on, his eyes scanning other titles: Furious Wind Blade Technique. Long Rainbow Swordplay. Golden Bell Body Shield.
He was lost, completely absorbed, devouring every scroll and manual like a starving man at a feast. He committed three techniques to memory: the Wind and Thunder Palm, the Furious Wind Blade, and the Golden Bell Body Shield. As he finished the last page of each, he felt the knowledge settle within him, instantly appearing on his internal status panel.
He was reaching for a fourth manual when a gang member rushed in. "Hall Master Jiang," the man said, bowing. "The Gang Leader summons you."
Jiang Dao frowned. "What for?"
"I don't know, sir. He just said to come at once."
"Fine." Reluctantly, Jiang Dao placed the manual back on the shelf and followed the man outside. He was surprised to see the sun already beginning its descent in the afternoon sky.
He walked into the main hall and was hit by the oppressive atmosphere. The air was thick with tension. The Gang Leader sat on his throne, flanked by his deputy and the Left and Right Protectors. Every Hall Master was present, their most formidable fighters standing behind them like statues.
"You summoned me, Gang Leader," Jiang Dao said with a customary bow.
"Take a seat," Fang Tianba, the Gang Leader, said, his voice heavy. "Let's get straight to it. Two nights ago, another group went missing. Two deacons and sixty-two of our men vanished into thin air in Greenstone Town. No witnesses, no bodies. I'm almost certain we're dealing with another… mysterious incident." He looked around the room. "Who will volunteer to lead the investigation?"
A heavy silence fell over the hall. Mysterious incident was code for something unnatural, something monstrous. No matter how skilled they were, their martial arts meant little against whatever lurked in the shadows of Greenstone Town. They'd lost too many good men, including Hall Masters, to those things already.
Fang Tianba's jaw tightened at the lack of response. Just as he was about to order someone, the Left Protector, Guo Linyu, rose to his feet.
"Gang Leader," Guo Linyu said smoothly, "I would like to recommend someone for this important task."
"Who?"
"Hall Master Jiang," he said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "His Eagle Claw technique is legendary. He is more than capable. Besides, he's new. He holds a high rank but has yet to prove his worth. This is the perfect chance for him to earn his stripes, solve this mystery for us, and silence any naysayers."
Jiang Dao's eyes narrowed. The old bastard. This wasn't a recommendation; it was a death sentence.
Even Fang Tianba looked hesitant. "He's strong, yes, but he's new. He has no experience with these kinds of threats. It seems too risky."
"Don't worry, Gang Leader," Guo Linyu said reassuringly. "I wouldn't suggest he go alone. We can send other experienced Hall Masters with him for support. With their combined strength, they should be able to handle anything that comes their way, or at least retreat safely."
"With backup, the risk would be much lower," Fang Tianba mused, then turned to Jiang Dao. "What do you say, Hall Master Jiang? Will you accept this mission?"
Guo Linyu's smug gaze fell on him. "Come now, Hall Master Jiang. You weren't afraid to kill your own men to seize power. Surely you're not afraid of this?"
"Protector Guo," Jiang Dao replied, his voice dangerously low. "Why don't you come with me? Just the two of us. No backup. We will investigate this 'mystery' together. Whoever dies, dies. Do you have the guts?"
Guo Linyu let out a short laugh and shook his head. "This is a task for a Hall Master. If you fail, then perhaps I will be forced to step in."
"I think we should go together, Left Protector," Jiang Dao pressed, staring him down. "I've heard you're the second-strongest fighter in the gang. We could get this done twice as fast."
"Your tone is out of line, Hall Master," Guo Linyu said coolly. "It is not your place to tell me what to do. Focus on your own duties."
"So, when it comes down to it, you're just scared to go, is that it?" a new voice, raspy and thin, cut in from the side.
"And who are you?" Jiang Dao asked, turning to face a tall, gaunt man.
"Hu Biao," the man sneered. "Hall Master of the Flying Leopard Hall."
"Enough," Fang Tianba declared, raising a hand. "The Left Protector has a point, Jiang Dao. You're new, and you hold a high rank. This will put any disputes to rest. You will have backup. You won't be in any real danger."
Jiang Dao's heart sank. He was trapped. "Yes, Gang Leader," he said, bowing his head.
"So, who will accompany Hall Master Jiang?" Fang Tianba asked the room.
"I will," two voices said at once. Two men stepped forward. One was tall and dressed in linen, the other short and clad in black robes. It was Hu Biao and another man, their hands calloused and their eyes sharp.
"Very well," the Gang Leader said. "Hall Master Hu and Hall Master Fan, you will depart with Hall Master Jiang at once."
"As you command," they both said, their eyes fixed on Jiang Dao.