Apocalypse: Grinding EXP through Hunting

After the three of them reached an agreement, Tang Wen didn’t dare to linger. He took the Azure Stone Slab and the Stealth Technique Visualization Image and returned to his new residence that very night.

The next day, he returned to the Seven Kills Hall and immediately announced he would continue his seclusion.

Azure Stone Slab, Spiritual Power Lake, guided absorption...

A day passed, and the distending pain had eased significantly.

Tang Wen opened his eyes, but there was no joy in them.

The weakening of the distending pain was not a good thing.

It was a sign that the Azure Stone Slab’s effect was weakening.

He checked his Spirit Attribute Value.

Sure enough, it had only increased by less than "1.0".

The effect had greatly diminished.

The Martial Artists training outside the Seven Kills Hall were astounded to learn Tang Wen was in seclusion again:

"The Seventh Young Master is really pushing himself!"

"Yeah, if I became a Young Master, I’d spend the first few years having fun. I wouldn’t work this hard!"

"Pah! The gap between you and the Seventh Young Master is wider than the one between an Exotic Beast and a plowing ox! The nerve of you to even think it."

"..."

「Black Water Gang Headquarters.」

Today was the regular monthly meeting.

Gang Leader Shui Qianjun scanned the room and casually asked, "The Seventh Young Master isn’t here?"

Before anyone could answer, Vice Gang Leader Lin eagerly jumped in. "Gang Leader! That brat has no respect for the gang’s rules! This is the third time! Once or twice is forgivable, but not a third time! He must be severely punished!"

Shui Yun, Vice Gang Leader Zhao, Elder Li, and the others were not the least bit surprised.

Vice Gang Leader Lin was a blatant supporter of the Eldest Young Master.

However, he always put everything out in the open.

He rarely resorted to scheming behind people’s backs.

Therefore, both the Gang Leader and the other high-ranking members who didn’t get along with him were able to tolerate his presence.

After he finished his tirade, Shui Yun calmly stated, "Xiaowen is in seclusion."

"In seclusion again?"

"Is seclusion more important than gang business?"

"This Seventh Young Master seems to be in seclusion all the time, doesn’t he?"

"Yeah, for a Young Master, I bet he doesn’t even recognize half the people in the gang!"

"..."

The voices criticizing Tang Wen were many, and they were not quiet.

Shui Yun smiled. "That’s true. He has no gang responsibilities. As it happens, the warehouse manager position just opened up. Let’s have him manage the warehouse."

Everyone was startled and quickly fell silent.

Normally, every Young Master in the gang held a position of real authority.

Tang Wen should be no exception.

But this was the warehouse.

What was going on?

’Have the Seventh Young Master and the Third Miss set their sights on this lucrative position?’

The previous warehouse Commander, after embezzling a fortune, had deliberately orchestrated a minor incident and requested a transfer to guard a coal mine in the middle of nowhere.

For nearly a month, the position of warehouse Commander had remained vacant.

The Gang Leader turned a blind eye, allowing the factions below to vie for the spot.

A decision on the candidate was long overdue!

But if Tang Wen were to step up and vie for this position...

...his strength and status were more than sufficient.

He was the Gang Leader’s own disciple, after all.

If he just wanted a Commander position, who could possibly stand in his way?

Vice Gang Leader Lin’s expression soured.

The Eldest Young Master exchanged a look with one of the Elders.

The hearts of those who had just been criticizing Tang Wen sank.

"Ahem! Hall Master Shui," an Elder who supported the Sixth Young Master spoke up, "the Seventh Young Master’s talent is astounding, and he’s still young. I don’t think it’s suitable for him to be bogged down by mundane internal affairs just yet. Seclusion is good for him!"

Shui Yun’s smile vanished. "Cultivation is one thing, but he still needs to do his part."

Sensing the resolve in her voice, the crowd exchanged glances.

’Isn’t this just a regular meeting?’

’Why is she being so aggressive?’

Next, several more people tried to indirectly dissuade her.

Shui Yun changed her tune. "In that case, how about we make him Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall?"

The Law Enforcement Hall?

’They might as well just give him the warehouse!’

’Few who guard the warehouse are clean, so it’s easier to find leverage on them.’

Everyone present was an old fox.

After a moment’s thought, they all figured it out.

With Tang Wen’s current qualifications, it wouldn’t be easy for him to secure the position of Vice Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Shui Yun’s real target was likely the warehouse Commander position all along.

When Vice Gang Leader Lin, the Eldest Young Master, and the Sixth Young Master realized this, each felt more displeased than the last.

Meanwhile, the Fourth Young Master had been frowning the entire time.

He wanted to know what on earth Tang Wen had done to deserve his goddess protecting him like this.

Having made her move, Shui Yun now sat back and waited for the fish to bite.

The other factions shot hostile glares at Vice Gang Leader Lin.

’That old fool! Why does he have to target the Seventh Young Master all the time?’

’Great. Now none of us will be able to get our resources without a hassle.’

Seeing the atmosphere was perfectly set, Vice Gang Leader Zhao immediately chimed in with a smile:

"I am well aware of the Seventh Young Master’s capabilities. Since both the warehouse Commander and the Law Enforcement Hall’s Vice Hall Master positions are vacant, why not give both to him?"

Vice Gang Leader Lin’s face turned green when he heard this.

’Old Zhao, you crafty bastard!’

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense.

After a moment of silence, seeing the time was ripe, Shui Yun gave a subtle glance.

An Elder rose and said, "Vice Gang Leader Zhao’s proposal is excellent. Let’s keep the Seventh Young Master busy. It will put a stop to the rumors that he does no work while hogging resources."

The eyes of the Eldest Young Master and the Sixth Young Master flashed with understanding.

’So that’s what this is really about!’

They could take a hint.

An Elder immediately laughed. "The Seventh Young Master has only just been promoted. I don’t think we should burden him with too many complicated duties. His talent in the Martial Arts is a rare sight in all of Ganshan City. We shouldn’t waste it. It’s better to let him focus on his cultivation. I’ll state my position now: I will forfeit my three days with the Azure Stone Slab. I’ll give them to the Seventh Young Master to use for his seclusion."

As soon as he finished speaking, all eyes turned to Shui Yun.

Shui Yun lowered her head, sipping her tea.

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

’So it was the usage rights to the Stone Slab she was after!’

’A trivial matter!’

One after another, people began to speak up.

They all declared that they too would forfeit their time with the Azure Stone Slab and give it to the Seventh Young Master!

Each offered a perfectly plausible reason.

They claimed it was to nurture the gang’s future hope, asking for nothing in return, only that the Seventh Young Master accept their kind gesture.

Shui Yun set down her teacup.

Her gaze swept over the three Young Masters who had yet to speak.

The Eldest Young Master said stiffly, "I will have it sent to the Seven Kills Hall tomorrow."