Chapter Forty-Two: Battling the Poisonous Life

"Have you made your decision? Don't you want to consult with the others first?" Though Yang Ze addressed Wang Cheng, his gaze lingered on the people standing behind him.

Under Yang Ze's scrutiny, a few timid souls began to tremble, and even the remaining martial artists at the Qi Guiding stage dared not meet his eyes. The aura Old Xie had just unleashed was that of a high-level Qi Guiding expert. There had only ever been one such person on Xiangyun Street, and now there was another. They knew they stood no chance against Old Xie; Wang Cheng saw all this clearly, yet could do nothing to stop it.

"No need. Today, our merchant guild met with disaster—many dead, many wounded, and few survivors. Even if you hadn’t come today, Steward Yang, I couldn’t keep them here. I alone am enough to make this decision; there's no need to ask anyone else. What say you all?"

Wang Cheng’s final words were meant for those behind him, the last remaining important figures of the guild. Upon hearing his question, not a single one dared voice dissent; they all shook their heads, indicating their agreement.

"Steward Yang, from this day forth, the Xiangyun Street Merchant Guild is dissolved. We will all join your Tongyang Alliance!"

Tongyang Alliance was the new name Yang Ze had crafted, a simple modification of the Tongyang Bank to form a new coalition. After Wang Cheng declared this, his aged aura deepened; he looked even more defeated and weary.

A smile played on Yang Ze’s lips. He had not expected the process of absorbing the guild to be so straightforward; he had anticipated at least some complications.

"Very well. I’ll have someone come over for the handover shortly. Rest assured—we’re all on the same side now. I won’t treat anyone unfairly. If there’s money to be made, we’ll make it together!"

After a few more inspiring words, Yang Ze left. Old Xie did not linger either. Now that he had more capable men at his disposal, there was no need for Old Xie to oversee the handover personally. As a high-level Qi Guiding expert, Old Xie’s talents belonged on a more critical battlefield.

Climbing into the carriage, the two wasted no time and set off for their next destination. Yang Ze dared not delay; in the current climate, every second counted.

"Old Xie, to the Poison Gate—go!" Yang Ze had set his sights on his next target.

"Hyah!" Old Xie asked no questions, urging the carriage swiftly forward.

Yang Ze’s reason for targeting the Poison Gate was simple: it was the strongest remaining faction on Xiangyun Street. If he could crush the Poison Gate while momentum was on his side, the Woodcutter Gang would pose no further threat.

As for whether he could defeat the Poison Gate—he did not spare it a thought. In his eyes, he and Old Xie alone were enough. Both were high-level Qi Guiding experts, and within the Poison Gate, only Du Sheng had reached that stage. The two of them together would suffice.

After leaving the guild headquarters, their carriage sped through Xiangyun Street, so fast it drew the attention of many passersby. Several sharp-eyed onlookers recognized the Yang family’s carriage heading straight for the Poison Gate and instantly understood what was about to unfold.

With a thirst for drama, word of the development quickly spread, and some set off toward the Poison Gate to witness the spectacle.

...

Inside the Poison Gate, Du Sheng sat alone in his study—a vast room, empty but for himself. His mood was foul; though killing Tie Qi had vented his anger, his nephew was still dead. Worse, he had heard from his men that the Woodcutter Gang had seized the Iron Hammer Gang’s treasure vault, along with their various businesses.

This only made him more irritable. Several brothers dead, and nothing gained in return. Now he was left with a room full of Iron Hammer Gang members in custody, unsure what to do with them. After much thought, he devised a solution: though these men were criminals, they all had families. Keeping them would only be a drain on the Poison Gate’s resources. Since they couldn’t afford to feed them, why not demand ransom from their families? If no one paid, he would have them killed.

Having settled on this idea, Du Sheng was about to summon his men when shouts erupted outside his study.

Anger flared within him. He stalked to the doorway, only to see a disciple hurrying toward him in a panic, shouting, "Master! Master! Something terrible has happened!"

At these words, a shadow passed over Du Sheng’s heart. Since morning, his subordinates had done nothing but bring bad news. At this rate, even good fortune would turn sour.

Grabbing the disciple by the collar, Du Sheng demanded, "What is it now? Look at you, panicking like this!"

"Master, it’s the Yang family’s second son—he’s here! He demands to see you. Our men told him you’re not receiving guests, but he forced his way in. The gatekeepers tried to stop him, but he attacked them. Already, he’s put down more than ten of our men."

The disciple panted heavily, gasping for breath as he stammered out the report.

"What? How dare Yang Ze show such audacity?" Du Sheng’s rage exploded. He was the undisputed master of Xiangyun Street, respected by all in Sitong District, yet today he’d been beset by one affront after another. How much more contempt could he tolerate?

He threw the disciple aside and strode briskly toward the main gate.

The entrance to the Poison Gate was still in disarray, much of it wrecked in the earlier battle with the Iron Hammer Gang. Repairs had yet to begin, and now Yang Ze had arrived.

By this time, Yang Ze was already inside. Old Xie stood in a defensive stance beside him, with about twenty men lying incapacitated at his feet. Old Xie had held back from killing—those men were merely out of commission, none dead. The rest of the disciples dared not attack, simply encircling Yang Ze and Old Xie.

Yang Ze gazed at the Poison Gate disciples, none of whom had even reached the Qi Guiding stage, and said calmly, "You can’t stop me. Better call your master out."

"Yang Ze, don’t be arrogant! You dare break into the Poison Gate? When our master arrives, you’ll end up like Tie Qi. Leave now, and we’ll pretend nothing happened," shouted Sun Yu from the rear. He was still injured from his earlier clash with the Iron Hammer Gang.

Hearing Sun Yu’s words, Old Xie glanced at Yang Ze and, seeing his expression remain serene, suddenly leapt forward toward Sun Yu. His speed was lightning-fast, and Sun Yu, hampered by his wounds, had no chance to dodge. Old Xie seized his right shoulder, and, channeling his inner energy, unleashed a powerful force that shattered the bones beneath his grip. Sun Yu screamed in agony, his face ashen, barely able to remain standing. If Old Xie hadn’t held him up, Sun Yu would have collapsed already. Unable to endure the pain, Sun Yu began to beg for mercy.

Old Xie remained unmoved, but his ears caught a faint sound. With a swift motion, he hurled Sun Yu aside.

Sun Yu shrieked as he crashed to the ground—just as Du Sheng appeared and witnessed his elder fall heavily, nearly crippled, right before his eyes.

Fury boiled in Du Sheng’s heart. Even the Iron Hammer Gang hadn’t caused such chaos. Now, under his very nose, one of his elders had been crippled—how could he endure such humiliation?

"Yang Ze!" Du Sheng’s roar echoed as he took in the scene, his gaze glancing over Old Xie, whose aura clearly marked him as a high-level Qi Guiding expert.

"So this is your confidence? You think that with a high-level Qi Guiding servant, you can challenge my Poison Gate?" Du Sheng’s tone was cold and sinister. Outwardly, he appeared composed, but inside, he was anything but calm. He might be able to defeat one such expert, but it would hardly be easy.

"Master Du Sheng, you’ve finally deigned to show yourself. How did you raise such unruly men? I said I wished to see you; they told me you wouldn’t receive guests. I said I’d come find you myself; they refused. What choice was left but to force my own way?" Yang Ze spoke with a smile.

The sight of Yang Ze’s nonchalance enraged Du Sheng. "Very well, Yang Ze. You dare cripple my men? I’ll cripple you in return and let the Yang family come to collect your body!"

Seeing the murderous intent in Du Sheng’s eyes, Old Xie shifted to shield Yang Ze, but Yang Ze pushed him aside.

"Deal with the others. Du Sheng is mine. Today, I want to see just how formidable Xiangyun Street’s so-called number one master truly is," Yang Ze declared his challenge.

Du Sheng burst out laughing. "You, a snot-nosed brat? I was making my mark in the martial world before you were out of diapers. If you’re so eager to die, I’ll oblige you!"

With a thunderous shout, Du Sheng leapt forward and struck at Yang Ze’s crown with his palm. Before the blow even landed, Yang Ze caught a whiff of a foul, poisonous stench. Instantly, he realized this was Du Sheng’s signature poison technique. He circulated his internal energy to block the toxic fumes from invading his body, while twisting his right hand to draw his blade. The hilt met Du Sheng’s palm in a resounding clash.

The force of their collision sent both men staggering back two steps. Du Sheng exclaimed in shock, "Qi Guiding, high level!"