Chapter 7117
Vicious Scheme
Chapter 7117 Vicious Scheme
Nuchuan City, a light mist in the early morning, clearing up.
A ray of morning light spills across the streets and alleys, and the city gradually comes alive.
The courtyards on Gusong Street remain peaceful and serene; once the wooden gate is closed, they become a small world unto themselves.
In the courtyard, a new leaf has unfurled in the lotus pot, swaying gently in the breeze.
After Tang Zhenchen finished his meditation, he stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, his gaze drifting indifferently toward the street corner, as if he had noticed something, yet also seemed completely indifferent.
Before long, a light footstep came from the alley entrance. When it reached the door, the footsteps suddenly slowed and became lighter, with a hint of caution and respect.
Lin Xiaoman was dressed in plain clothes, carrying a small book box sewn from coarse cloth on her back. Her clothes were neat and her hair was combed meticulously.
He walked quickly to the gate of the courtyard, bowed respectfully, and said, "Mr. Tang, I'm going to the school."
From inside the door came a soft "hmm," the tone of which was neither joyful nor angry, yet it brought a sense of peace to the young man's heart.
With the money given to them by Tang Zhen, Lin Dashan's family not only bought the small courtyard, but also paid off Lin Xiaoman's long-overdue tuition fees, allowing him to return to school.
For Lin Xiaoman, this hard-won opportunity to study was more precious than her life.
Being able to sit peacefully in the classroom, holding pen and ink, listening to the teacher explain the principles of the scriptures filled Lin Xiaoman's heart with joy.
He was increasingly grateful to Tang Zhen.
Inside the school, while the other children were either laughing and playing or dozing off, Lin Xiaoman sat upright with bright eyes, writing each stroke with utmost seriousness.
He memorized every word the teacher taught him, and continued to study diligently under the lamp after nightfall, unwilling to waste a single moment.
But beyond the books, a flame always burned in the boy's heart.
That is the yearning for the strong, the desire for cultivation.
Whenever he closes his eyes, the image of Tang Zhen effortlessly defeating the Black Snake Gang's experts with a flick of his finger appears in his mind.
That effortless and aloof demeanor was deeply imprinted in his heart.
Lin Xiaoman also has dreams; she doesn't want to be just an ordinary person for the rest of her life.
He wanted to cultivate himself, to become stronger, and to one day protect his father, Mr. Tang, and all the weak who were bullied.
This thought remained buried deep in my heart, never shared with anyone.
But his eyes were filled with an undisguised longing.
Tang Zhen understood, but didn't say anything.
The being is a reincarnation of a deity, with a resilient nature and an early awakening of the Daoist heart; forcibly guiding them would be counterproductive.
Only through the trials of life and the experiences of the world can one's foundation become more solid.
The Black Snake Gang's headquarters was shrouded in gloom.
Inside the lobby, Scarface Liu, his left arm dangling, knelt on the ground, trembling, his face deathly pale.
On the wooden chair and soft couch nearby, the expert whose arm had been broken by Tang Zhen's finger was still howling in pain.
A strange internal force kept moving around in the wound, and it was impossible to get rid of it completely.
The other three are bedridden and their bones are damaged; without rare and precious materials, they will find it difficult to cultivate in this lifetime.
Seated at the head of the table was a tall, brooding middle-aged man with a sinister expression; he was none other than Xiong Qianshan, the leader of the Black Snake Gang.
His aura surged with murderous intent, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a wolf's, his voice icy and chilling: "A bunch of trash! Five internal energy masters, and they didn't even touch a hair on the other side before their limbs were crippled? My Black Serpent Gang has been established in Nuchuan City for many years, when have we ever suffered such humiliation!"
Scarface Liu trembled and quickly kowtowed: "Chief, that Tang Zhen is no ordinary martial artist. He possesses astonishing power with every move. We... are no match for him at all!"
"Not a match for him?" Xiong Qianshan slammed his hand on the table. "Then send more men! My Black Serpent Gang has hundreds of skilled fighters. Surely we can kill a rogue cultivator of unknown origin?"
At this moment, a one-eyed man slowly spoke from one side of the lobby.
He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, but his right eye shone brightly. He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers; he was none other than the fourth leader of the Black Snake Gang.
He is malicious and cunning.
"Please calm down, Master."
The fourth leader, the one-eyed strategist, said in a hoarse voice, "That fellow's strength is unfathomable. Even if our gang wins a direct confrontation, we will suffer heavy losses, allowing other gangs to reap the benefits. If we lose again, our Black Snake Gang will lose all face and be ridiculed by the outside world."
Xiong Qianshan's face darkened: "Then, in your opinion, let's just let this matter drop?"
“Of course not.” The one-eyed strategist chuckled sinisterly, a ruthless glint flashing in his single eye. “If we can’t do it openly, we’ll do it covertly. Even the strongest have weaknesses. I’ve investigated and found that Tang Zhen is very close to a father and son surnamed Lin, and he’s especially taken good care of that boy named Lin Xiaoman.”
“You mean…” A fierce glint flashed in Xiong Qianshan’s eyes.
"Capture that boy and use him as a hostage to force Tang Zhen to show himself."
The fourth leader lowered his voice, filled with malice, "The area around the mass grave outside the city is deserted, perfect for an ambush. We'll prepare plenty of powerful bows and crossbows, and hire several spirit-powered musketeers to lie in wait. If he dares to come, we'll pierce him with a thousand arrows and turn him into mincemeat!"
What if he doesn't come?
The one-eyed strategist sneered, "If he cares about that boy, he will come. If he doesn't, we'll kill the boy, dump him at his doorstep, and then make further plans."
Upon hearing this, Xiong Qianshan slapped the table and laughed loudly: "Excellent! What a wicked plan! The strategist's plan is truly brilliant! This matter is now in your hands. Make sure it is done discreetly, leaving no trace!"
"Your subordinate obeys."
That evening.
After school, Lin Xiaoman walked towards Gusong Street.
Just as we entered a quiet alley, several dark figures suddenly darted out from both sides.
Before Lin Xiaoman could even cry out in alarm, a piece of burlap soaked in sleeping pills was placed over his mouth and nose.
The boy felt a sudden dizziness, struggled a few times, and then completely lost consciousness. He was stuffed into a sack and silently taken out of Nuchuan City.
As dusk fell, a ragged beggar, reeking of a foul stench, tremblingly knocked on the wooden gate of Tang Zhen's courtyard.
"Sir...someone asked me to deliver a letter to you."
Tang Zhen slightly raised his eyes, glanced indifferently at the beggar, took the envelope, and casually unfolded it.
The letter was written in messy handwriting and was filled with murderous intent:
"Tang Zhen, the person you're looking for is in my hands. Meet me at the mass grave outside the city at midnight tonight. If you don't come, then wait to collect the Lin family's corpses."
Tang Zhen held the letter, his expression remaining calm, neither angry nor happy, except for a barely perceptible glint of coldness that flashed deep in his eyes.
When the Black Snake Gang came to harass him earlier, he showed mercy, crippling them but not killing them, thus giving them a way out.
But these ants, oblivious to their own mortality, dared to set their sights on Lin Xiaoman.
Those who provoke them will pay the price.
The clear water in the jar rippled slightly, and the lotus in the bowl trembled gently, as if sensing the supreme majesty hidden beneath the tranquility.
Tang Zhen slowly clenched the letter in his hand, and the letter instantly turned into dust that scattered with the wind.
"Black Snake Gang".
He uttered those three words softly, his tone flat, yet carrying a cold indifference that seemed to pronounce a death sentence.
"Since you have brought about your own destruction, then so be it."
As night deepened, the lights of Nuchuan City began to illuminate the city.
The wooden gate of the courtyard on Gusong Street closed gently, and an inconspicuous figure walked out slowly, unhurriedly heading towards the outskirts of the city.
Outside the city, in a mass grave, a chilling wind howled, and weeds grew luxuriantly.
The one-eyed strategist and Scarface Liu stood on high ground, with over a hundred elite gang members lying in ambush behind them, and twenty-five strong archers ready to fire.
Three more spirit-powered musketeers were hidden in the shadows in the tree canopy, their guns already enchanted with runes, waiting for their target to appear.
"Strategist, is Tang Zhen really coming?" Scarface Liu was still panicking and couldn't help but ask.
The one-eyed strategist sneered, his single eye brimming with confidence: "If he doesn't come, that boy will surely die. If he does come... today will be his burial ground."
"No matter how powerful he is, he can't withstand the hidden arrows and spiritual firearms. He's doomed today!"
The night wind howled, and the grass and trees rustled.
In the distance, a solitary figure slowly approached, bathed in moonlight.
Seeing this, the one-eyed strategist's lips curled into a cruel smile, and he whispered the order:
"Everyone, get ready."
"Wait until he gets close, then fire the arrows, then the guns."
"Today, we will make sure he dies a gruesome death!"