349 Ghost Piercing Mirror
Qin Huai strode purposefully through the room, weaving between mahjong and dice tables.
“Greetings, Fifth Master!”
“Greetings, Fifth Master!”
Upon seeing Qin Huai, the disciples bowed respectfully. After four months of growth, Qin Huai had become a figure of authority in the Blood Poison Gang, second only to the top leader. Power, reputation, and wealth placed him well above Yin Rongen and Huang Qiguang.
Indeed, wealth was a significant factor. His control of the pier and pharmacy ensured a steady influx of wealth, evoking envy among countless Blood Poison Gang members. Even those under Yin Rongen and Huang Qiguang could not help but admire Qin Huai.
“Come on, everyone, let’s toast our Fifth Master!” someone shouted as Qin Huai reached the table where Yin Rongen and Huang Qiguang sat.
The people on the first floor of the flower boat rose to their feet, raising their wine bowls towards Qin Huai.
The initiator of the toast guffawed, “We’re grateful for all your hard work, Fifth Master!”
“Fifth Master, you’ve been working hard!”
The crowd echoed in unison, their faces wreathed in smiles. The sole exceptions were Yin Rongen and Huang Qiguang.
“Sit down.”
Huang Qiguang’s icy command rang out abruptly, halting the merriment. The lively hall fell silent as everyone exchanged glances before obediently sitting down.
Qin Huai maintained a neutral expression as he calmly took his seat. “Third Brother, your rouge suits you well. It’s even more vibrant than usual, rivaling the lead courtesan’s,” he commented with a grin.
Laughter reverberated around the room, with Yin Rongen guffawing the loudest.
Huang Qiguang’s gaze turned frosty, but Yin Rongen remained oblivious as he lifted his wine bowl in salute. “Here’s to the respect due to elders!”
“Good!” Qin Huai rose, clinking his bowl against Yin Rongen’s.
At that moment, a silver needle sped across the table, aimed directly at Yin Rongen. Unfazed, Yin Rongen circulated a dark red poisonous mist, forming a protective barrier resembling an eagle’s beak.
The silver needle quivered in mid-air before falling harmlessly to the ground. Yin Rongen’s hand remained steady as he drained his bowl.
“Huang Qiguang, aren’t you overstepping?” Yin Rongen sneered. “Do you plan on meddling even in my toasts?”
“Isn’t it a rule of our Blood Poison Gang that power determines control?” Huang Qiguang retorted with a malevolent grin.
“Indeed… That’s why I’m the second, and you can only be the third,” Yin Rongen retorted swiftly.
“Age is not always a measure of strength,” Huang Qiguang dismissed with a shake of his head, seeming almost theatrical.
Bang!
Yin Rongen smashed his wine bowl onto the table, rising to his feet and pointing angrily at Huang Qiguang. “I’ve warned you before. You dared to kill my casino staff last month! Do you really think I’m made of mud?”
Huang Qiguang only smirked in response. “And did you forget that you slaughtered several courtesans on my boat first, Second Brother? Do you realize how much money I’ve lost because of you?”
Behind them, their respective supporters began to gather, creating an increasingly tense atmosphere.
Yin Rongen leaped onto the table, his fists shooting out walnuts like arrows. Huang Qiguang merely sneered, raising his hand and executing the earth dragon finger technique.
Bang!
Two walnuts exploded in mid-air, marking the start of a fierce face-off between the two men, their hands radiating lethal intent.
“Ding! You have collected a [Poison King Technique Essence], [Poison King Technique] +1%!”
“Ding! You have collected a [Arrow Dragon Technique Essence (Orange)], [Arrow Dragon Technique] experience points +20,000!”
Qin Huai stood to the side, pocketing all the experience points dropped by the two combatants.
“Enough!”
A stern voice echoed through the room, followed by the sound of footfalls.
“Leader!”
“Leader!”
The crowd parted instantly, forming a path out of respect. The two men forcefully held back their power, taking several heavy steps backward to distance themselves from each other.
“You two only know how to fight amongst yourselves. How do you think outsiders perceive us?” Wen Zonghao’s voice resonated through the room as the rotund, white-haired old man stepped into view.
Behind him was a tall, stern-faced middle-aged man.
“Meet Elder Feng Zhiqun of the Niu Gui Sect!”
Upon hearing this, everyone present grew more alert.
“Greetings, Elder Feng!”
Qin Huai appraised the new arrival. Dressed in a long gray robe, his muscular physique, marked with black veins, was evident. His powerful aura made Qin Huai’s heart race, and he noticed the middle-aged man’s essence was more potent than Wen Zonghao’s.
Beyond the crowd, Qin Huai spotted several disciples dressed similarly to Feng Zhiqun, their expressions as icy as their leader’s. One held a bronze mirror with a gray frame.
Understanding dawned on Qin Huai. He now grasped why Wen Zonghao had summoned them.
“I’m sure you’re all aware of the impending demon disaster. I’ve brought my sect’s Ghost Piercing Mirror to scan everyone present for traces of demonic possession. This is for your safety.” Feng Zhiqun’s voice echoed through the room, cold and devoid of mockery.
He was merely stating facts.