Apocalypse: Grinding EXP through Hunting

The Black Water Gang has named a Seventh Young Master!

A portrait was to be drawn of him and announced to everyone within the gang, those outside it, and even the whole of Ganshan City.

This was to ensure that others recognized the core members of their leadership.

This had been standard practice for the major powers of Ganshan City in recent years.

This was mainly because they had learned this lesson the hard way a few times.

A few years ago, there was an heir to the Boat Gang who dressed simply and without fanfare.

While at Baihua Tower, vying for the attention of a top courtesan, he was ganged up on and beaten by three Inner Sect Disciples from the Giant Rock Martial Arts Hall.

Both sides called for backup.

The situation escalated.

The two major gangs erupted into a massive conflict.

Similar incidents had occurred several other times.

The reasons for the disputes were often ridiculous.

It was always over petty jealousies, matters of face, and other such trivialities.

This kind of bullshit...

...only ever seemed to happen among the young elites of the major powers.

They were young, powerful, and held high status.

Spoiled by constant praise within their gangs, they inevitably developed arrogant, domineering personalities, obsessed with their own prestige.

It was perfectly normal for them to get into conflicts outside.

After this happened too many times, the major powers grew weary of the trouble.

So they simply decided to publish the portraits and information of their heirs.

And sent them to all the other major powers.

Afterward, such incidents became much rarer.

The Black Water Gang naming a "Young Master" as a potential successor...

...was a major event.

As news spread, it wasn’t just the painter who arrived; Elders, Hall Masters, and other high-ranking members of the gang came as well.

When the crowd saw Tang Wen, they were first taken aback by his handsome features.

Then, they learned his strength was merely that of a Martial Artist.

Though their smiles only faltered slightly, Tang Wen keenly sensed that something had shifted.

Their courtesy was now just lip service.

Tang Wen was a little confused.

’This shouldn’t be happening!’

’Shouldn’t my title as Seventh Young Master carry some serious weight?’

’I’m a candidate for Gang Leader, after all.’

’Even if I’m low on the list.’

With this in mind, he couldn’t resist finding Elder Li to ask a few questions.

The latter chuckled and said,

"You’re a sharp kid, knowing enough to come and ask."

Previously, Tang Wen had no intention of sticking around this place for long.

He planned to achieve his goal and then make a run for it.

So naturally, he couldn’t have cared less who the Black Water Gang’s successor was!

But he never, ever expected...

...that he, an undercover agent, would just wash his face and somehow stumble his way into the upper echelon.

Now he was smack in the middle of the succession struggle.

And now, whether he cared or not, he had to.

Otherwise, he feared that before he could even achieve his objective, he’d be "taken care of" by one of the gang’s factions or another Young Master!

"Don’t be nervous. The Gang Leader is in the prime of his life. The Eldest Young Master, the Third Young Master, and the Sixth Young Master all became Extraordinary before the age of thirty. They each manage the gang’s affairs and businesses, so the situation is quite stable."

Tang Wen nodded, puzzled, but couldn’t help lowering his voice to ask,

"What about the other Young Masters?"

Elder Li’s eyes glinted. "The Second Young Master died in battle years ago, and the Fifth Young Master was crippled. The Fourth Young Master is a Martial Fool."

’Two out of six are out of the running?’

’And one’s a Martial Fool?’

’Are you sure he’s not just a recluse?’

’That’s a 50% rate of death, disability, or withdrawal!’

Tang Wen’s expression shifted drastically. "Actually, I’m a Martial Fool myself. I wonder, is there a safe place in the gang where I can go into seclusion? I can leave today."

Vice Gang Leader Zhao, who was standing to the side, said irritably,

"Too late! Now that you’re the Seventh Young Master, you’re already caught up in this!"

"Don’t scare me! Is it too late to back out?"

"You brat! You didn’t seem so timid when you were taking things from the treasury, did you?"

Tang Wen blushed.

"What happened to those two Young Masters were accidents."

Tang Wen said nothing, just shot Vice Gang Leader Zhao a look. ’Do you take me for a three-year-old child?’

’Accidents.’

’Prestigious Young Masters of the gang having "accidents" like that? The casualty rate for ordinary members isn’t even that high, is it?’

Vice Gang Leader Zhao explained in a low voice, "There’s not much to fight over in the gang. The Third Miss, who holds the title of Third Young Master, is the strongest. She’s the Seven Kills Hall Master. The other two Young Masters are excellent businessmen. As for the Fourth Young Master, he’s completely dedicated to his Martial Arts Training. He doesn’t have any power base to speak of—he has less backing than you do."

Tang Wen jumped in alarm. "Don’t be ridiculous! I’m just a new Young Martial Artist. What power base could I possibly have?"

"Heh! What do you think?"

Tang Wen froze, pointing at the two of them, then back at himself.

"So you’re not a complete idiot!"

Tang Wen relaxed. ’Right, in the eyes of outsiders, I’m definitely their man.’

’I have a faction, a backer.’

He thought for a moment, then asked, "So which Young Master are we backing?"

The two elders exchanged a look. Elder Zhao said softly, "The two of us are the Gang Leader’s staunchest supporters. The Third Miss is the Gang Leader’s own daughter. Who do you think we support?"

Tang Wen didn’t really believe them but put on an enthusiastic expression. "I understand! Once my monthly stipend comes in, I’ll ask you two to take me to pay my respects to the Third Young Master!"

The two elders smiled and nodded. ’Xiaotang’s alright. He knows which side he’s on.’

Tang Wen mused to himself, ’Elder Zhao enjoys it so much when I call him Gang Leader. I refuse to believe he’s completely loyal to the Third Young Master.’

"Young Master, the portrait is finished. Please, take a look."

The painter’s voice interrupted their conversation.

He approached from behind, holding a drawing board.

Tang Wen turned to look. On the white paper, the portrait was incredibly lifelike.

It was as detailed as a black-and-white photograph.

Inscribed above it were the words: "Black Water Gang’s Seventh Young Master: Tang Wen—Portrait"

Tang Wen froze. ’I’ve been careless!’

’When I saw the painter take out his brush and ink earlier, I thought it would be a classical-style painting.’

’Even if it was well-drawn, no one would probably recognize me.’

’I never expected it to be a realistic sketch.’

’This...?’

’This is absurd!’

’What if Bai You Ruo and the others see this?’

’What would my friends and comrades from Flame Camp think if they saw it?’

’Oh, great!’

’We sent you to Ganshan City to be an undercover agent.’

’And you ended up becoming a successor in the Black Water Gang?!’

Tang Wen suddenly tasted the bitterness of an undercover agent stuck in his role, one year after another.

’Right, I need to find a chance to get a move on with the Bai Family expedition team matter.’

’What if one day I actually become a high-ranking member of the Black Water Gang, or even a Vice Gang Leader, or the Gang Leader... Hmm?’

Tang Wen’s eyes flickered.

It was as if a new door had opened before him.

’Become the Gang Leader?’

’No, I have no power base whatsoever.’

’My apparent strength is only at the initial stage of a Martial Artist.’

’I only have unfulfilled potential. Who would follow me?’

’I could tell from how everyone acted just now.’

’None of the higher-ups truly take me seriously.’

’What about Wu Hao and his men?’

’They belong to Elder Li.’

’That kid from the Lin Family... I wonder if he’s still alive. Maybe I could use him somehow.’

As he thought about it, Tang Wen secretly shook his head.

’Even with the full might of Flame Camp, I couldn’t possibly shake the Black Water Gang.’

’And the Bai Family’s stronghold in White Stone City is too far away to be of any help...’

"Young Master? Are you satisfied with it?" the painter asked.

Elder Li, Vice Gang Leader Zhao, and the others were nodding slightly at the portrait.

They looked quite pleased with it.

Tang Wen eyed the thick stack of portraits, a sense of foreboding creeping in as he asked, "These are going to be distributed to all the major powers, right?"

’They won’t be posted up outside, will they?’

’Surely not?’

’As long as they’re not posted publicly, Bai You Ruo probably won’t find out.’

A hopeful glint in his eyes, he looked toward the painter.

The painter replied, "As is tradition, not only will they be delivered to the key figures of every major power in the city, but they will also be posted at all major intersections and at the gates of the city, both large and small. Even surrounding powers like the Four Seas Commerce Association will receive a copy."

’Well, thank you so much!’

The light in Tang Wen’s eyes died.

’They’re cutting off all my escape routes!’

’I was thinking that if I couldn’t stay in Ganshan City anymore, I could go make a living at the Four Seas Commerce Association.’

’Now that my portrait is being sent there, how am I supposed to lay low?’

’With this move, the Black Water Gang has really tied me to them!’

’They elevated me to the position of "Seventh Young Master".’

’Martial Arts resources would surely flow to me endlessly.’

’But if after they’ve cultivated me—an outsider with no local ties—I suddenly say:’

"The world is a big place, and I want to see it."

’and leave without a word, then what?’

’Wouldn’t years of training and countless resources all go down the drain?’

’By distributing my portrait, they’re making my identity known to everyone.’

’So that in the future, if I were to betray the gang, there would always be someone who could recognize me.’

The realization hit him in an instant.

Tang Wen abruptly realized it seemed there was only one path left for him to take!