Apocalypse: Grinding EXP through Hunting

On any other day.

Tang Wen would have been cursing the Lin Family’s ancestors for eighteen generations in his head.

But not today.

He was even silently cheering him on. ’You old dog, you sure know how to pick a fight.’

’Keep it up. The more you talk, the better.’

’Say whatever you want today.’

’Just as long as I’m not labeled a damn peerless genius.’

At this moment, Tang Wen truly understood the helpless feeling of being an "undercover agent."

He was afraid the Black Water Gang wouldn’t pay attention to him, leaving him without resources, stuck at the bottom with no time to investigate or pursue his Martial Arts Training.

But he was even more afraid of them paying too much attention to him.

Once he was labeled a peerless genius...

...the consequences would be unthinkable.

’A peerless genius, at a conservative estimate, would surely be assigned bodyguards, right?’

Vice Gang Leader Lin:

"A Martial Artist is like a tree. The foundation is the root. If the foundation isn’t solid, it’s like a tree with shallow roots.

A Martial Artist in their late teens is indeed rare.

But without a firm foundation, one can never break through to the Extraordinary realm.

Everything else is just empty talk."

After listening, Tang Wen nodded repeatedly, as if he had been convinced.

But before he could say anything,

Elder Physician Zhang grew displeased:

"Old Lin, you’re getting on in years, but you’re still so hot-tempered.

I just took his pulse and examined his bones.

How could I not know whether his foundation is solid or not?

Besides, I just said his Body Refining was exemplary. Didn’t you hear me?

Got donkey hair stuffed in your ears?

I’ll tell you the truth!

His foundation is solid, practically at the level of Perfection.

His Yang Qi is so abundant it’s practically overflowing. I bet he doesn’t spend much time with women, does he?

He has talent, and self-control!

He’s an absolute genius."

Tang Wen was about to cry from all the praise.

’Elder Zhang, I know you’re incredible.’

’But can you please stop with the compliments?’

"You flatter me! Elder Physician Zhang, you truly flatter me."

Elder Zhang waved his hand, a wide smile covering his entire face. "You’re Tang Wen, right? I’m also an Extraordinary, and the number one physician in the Outer City. How about it, want to become my disciple?"

"Huh?" Tang Wen blinked. ’Becoming a physician’s disciple... that doesn’t sound half bad. This old man seems to have a high status in the gang, but not an overly conspicuous one.’

’I’d have a backer, yet still have a good degree of freedom.’

"This junior..." Tang Wen began, ready to accept.

Suddenly, a cough came from behind him.

It was the Gang Leader.

Tang Wen sighed silently.

Elder Zhang, as if expecting this, curled his lip and knowingly fell silent.

"Gang Leader, your subordinate is currently in seclusion to break through to the Martial Artist realm. I shouldn’t be considered a Martial Artist just yet."

Tang Wen said with a sincere expression.

Behind him, Elder Li looked like he wanted to kick him. ’You little brat, do you even know what you’re saying?’

’This is an opportunity countless people beg for and never get.’

Vice Gang Leader Zhao stepped in to salvage the situation. "The first form of his Night Divine Fist has long since reached the Beginner level. He has already crossed the threshold of a Martial Artist."

Elder Li added, "That’s right. This kid can also lift a cauldron weighing several thousand jin. Old Zhao and I saw it with our own eyes."

Vice Gang Leader Zhao nodded. "One of my instructors said he is a talent seen only once in thirty years."

The two went back and forth, praising Tang Wen to the heavens.

Tang Wen completely gave up hope.

No amount of modest words could salvage the situation now.

Persistently deflecting would only arouse suspicion.

"Elder Zhao, Elder Li, you’re too kind. Your subordinate is hardly a genius. I just wanted to join the Black Water Gang to seek a future for myself."

The Gang Leader smiled faintly. "Then tell me, what kind of future are you looking for?"

Tang Wen said, "Before I came here, I was thinking that in this lifetime, if I could become an Extraordinary and gain some status in the city, marry a few wives, have a bunch of kids... then my life would be complete."

"Heh heh, your aspirations are quite down-to-earth!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Tang Wen scratched his head and laughed along, fitting right in.

Vice Gang Leader Lin also laughed, but it looked uglier than crying.

Elder Li and Vice Gang Leader Zhao laughed with great satisfaction.

Tang Wen was their man.

The two had been preparing to invest heavily in him, using their resources to nurture his talent.

They never expected that just after the seed round of investment,

the Gang Leader would make a "premium acquisition."

How could the two of them be happy?

The Gang Leader said, "A decent plan, but don’t plan like that anymore. You need to set your sights higher."

As he spoke, his expression turned serious, and his voice deepened.

Everyone suppressed their smiles.

They knew the main event was about to begin.

Vice Gang Leader Lin wanted to object but couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth.

"Tang Wen!"

"Your subordinate is here."

The Gang Leader announced loudly, "From this day forward, in light of your prior contributions to the gang and your genius in Martial Arts, you shall be the Black Water Gang’s Seventh Young Master!"

"Thank you, Gang Leader!"

Hearing "Seventh Young Master," Tang Wen was stunned for a moment.

Then he came to his senses.

He felt a slight sense of relief.

"Someone, bring the Young Master’s Token!" Elder Li shouted to those outside.

A black Token was presented on a tray.

The Gang Leader picked it up casually.

Tang Wen glanced at it and was surprised to find...

...the Token was completely smooth.

There wasn’t a single word on it.

While he was wondering,

he saw the Gang Leader raise a finger and poke it gently. His finger sank into the metal Token.

He did it as easily as if he were poking tofu.

Metal filings trickled down.

By the time Tang Wen knelt on one knee to receive the Token,

two words had appeared on it: "Seven" and "Tang."

The Black Water Gang’s Seventh Young Master—Tang Wen.

"Greetings, Seventh Young Master!"

The Gang Leader’s Close Guard all bowed in salute.

For a moment, Tang Wen was so stunned by his sudden fortune that he just stood there, dazed. After a few seconds, he hastily cupped his fist in return.

Seeing his dazed and clueless look,

Vice Gang Leader Zhao chuckled and explained:

"In our Black Water Gang, the Gang Leader’s chosen successors are called Young Masters. You are the Seventh Young Master, seventh in the line of succession."

Seventh in the line of succession.

’Okay, that’s not too over-the-top.’

The Gang Leader said, "Today, we will just establish your title. In half a month, the gang will hold a grand banquet to celebrate you."

Tang Wen: "Thank you, Gang Leader."

"You little brat, why are you still calling me Gang Leader?"

Tang Wen froze, then saw the Gang Leader’s broad smile and understood. He quickly performed a deep bow. "Thank you, Honored Master!"

The Gang Leader nodded.

’Honored Master,’ a fine title indeed.

Tang Wen, for his part, had also figured things out.

The die was cast, the train had left the station, and the doors were welded shut.

Since he couldn’t fight it, he might as well enjoy it!

Besides, as long as his true strength remained hidden...

...this status came with many benefits.

The Gang Leader offered a few words of encouragement.

Everyone came forward to congratulate him.

Only Vice Gang Leader Lin hung back, his face flushed red, unable to utter a single word of celebration.

He was a veteran of the gang, so the Gang Leader didn’t reprimand him.

In fact, this was exactly the kind of scene the Gang Leader wanted to see.

Whether it was the Elders and Vice Gang Leaders below him...

...or the Young Masters among themselves.

There had to be conflict and competition.

Otherwise, if everyone below him was united as a single iron plate, he, the Gang Leader, would have a real headache.

The Gang Leader said, "The [Azure Stone Slab] I brought back yesterday can rapidly increase one’s Spiritual Power. Once your Realm stabilizes, I will let you use it first."

"Er, thank you, Honored Master." Tang Wen quickly lowered his head, afraid his expression would betray him.

’He was familiar with the [Azure Stone Slab]; he had one hidden away himself.’

But the Gang Leader didn’t know that, and simply assumed Tang Wen had never heard of it. "The [Azure Stone Slab] is one of the Curiosities. It is of great benefit to a Martial Artist’s Spiritual Power Cultivation. You will understand once you use it in the future... Someone, call for the Painter."

’A Painter?’

Tang Wen was starting to lose his composure.

’Don’t tell me he’s going to have my portrait painted?’