349 Ghost Piercing Mirror
Qin Huai strode purposefully through the room, weaving between mahjong and dice tables.
âGreetings, Fifth Master!â
âGreetings, Fifth Master!â
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.
âCome on, everyone, letâs toast our Fifth Master!â 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, âWeâre grateful for all your hard work, Fifth Master!â
âFifth Master, youâve been working hard!â
The crowd echoed in unison, their faces wreathed in smiles. The sole exceptions were Yin Rongen and Huang Qiguang.
âSit down.â
Huang Qiguangâs 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. âThird Brother, your rouge suits you well. Itâs even more vibrant than usual, rivaling the lead courtesanâs,â he commented with a grin.
Laughter reverberated around the room, with Yin Rongen guffawing the loudest.
Huang Qiguangâs gaze turned frosty, but Yin Rongen remained oblivious as he lifted his wine bowl in salute. âHereâs to the respect due to elders!â
âGood!â Qin Huai rose, clinking his bowl against Yin Rongenâs.
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 eagleâs beak.
The silver needle quivered in mid-air before falling harmlessly to the ground. Yin Rongenâs hand remained steady as he drained his bowl.
âHuang Qiguang, arenât you overstepping?â Yin Rongen sneered. âDo you plan on meddling even in my toasts?â
âIsnât it a rule of our Blood Poison Gang that power determines control?â Huang Qiguang retorted with a malevolent grin.
âIndeed⦠Thatâs why Iâm the second, and you can only be the third,â Yin Rongen retorted swiftly.
âAge is not always a measure of strength,â 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. âIâve warned you before. You dared to kill my casino staff last month! Do you really think Iâm made of mud?â
Huang Qiguang only smirked in response. âAnd did you forget that you slaughtered several courtesans on my boat first, Second Brother? Do you realize how much money Iâve lost because of you?â
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.
âDing! You have collected a [Poison King Technique Essence], [Poison King Technique] +1%!â
âDing! You have collected a [Arrow Dragon Technique Essence (Orange)], [Arrow Dragon Technique] experience points +20,000!â
Qin Huai stood to the side, pocketing all the experience points dropped by the two combatants.
âEnough!â
A stern voice echoed through the room, followed by the sound of footfalls.
âLeader!â
âLeader!â
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.
âYou two only know how to fight amongst yourselves. How do you think outsiders perceive us?â Wen Zonghaoâs 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.
âMeet Elder Feng Zhiqun of the Niu Gui Sect!â
Upon hearing this, everyone present grew more alert.
âGreetings, Elder Feng!â
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 Huaiâs heart race, and he noticed the middle-aged manâs essence was more potent than Wen Zonghaoâs.
Beyond the crowd, Qin Huai spotted several disciples dressed similarly to Feng Zhiqun, their expressions as icy as their leaderâs. One held a bronze mirror with a gray frame.
Understanding dawned on Qin Huai. He now grasped why Wen Zonghao had summoned them.
âIâm sure youâre all aware of the impending demon disaster. Iâve brought my sectâs Ghost Piercing Mirror to scan everyone present for traces of demonic possession. This is for your safety.â Feng Zhiqunâs voice echoed through the room, cold and devoid of mockery.
He was merely stating facts.