Chapter 203 - 202: Making an Example of You

Su Yu had astonishing eyesight and saw the scene on the opposing ship’s bow with perfect clarity.

On the bow of the colossal ship stood a man as imposing as an iron tower, his Qi and Blood as terrifying as a blazing furnace. Behind him, fifty or sixty brutish-faced gang members held weapons, conspicuous green ribbons tied around their arms.

Su Yu even spotted a vaguely familiar, sinister face in the crowd—Luo Yuan!

"Water Snake Gang!"

Su Yu’s expression darkened instantly.

The enemy vessel swung its stern around with savage speed, completely cutting off the Qian Family’s ship’s only escape route into open water.

Qian Qinghong saw the killing intent in their opponents’ eyes. She snatched a specially made leather pouch from nearby, wrapped the Floating Light Silver Dragon Shuttle tightly within it, slung it over her back, and strode to the bow.

"Gang Leader Hong Lei! We are a Qian Family merchant vessel. We’ve always minded our own business. Please grant us passage and clear the waterway!"

Hong Lei!

The founder and undisputed master of the Water Snake Gang!

Rumor had it that he had reached the Perfection stage of the Muscle Forging Realm last year, and his Black Water Profound Python Skill was both ferocious and deadly.

In just over a year, he had brutally fought and clawed his way up, transforming the Water Snake Gang from a minor dockside group into one of the most powerful gangs in the Outer City. This even earned him the clandestine protection of a Commander from the Public Security Bureau!

"The Qian Family? Hahaha, you trespassed into a forbidden place, touched something you shouldn’t have, and you still expect to leave here alive?"

Hong Lei’s eyes were glacial as he burst into arrogant, wild laughter.

Though the two ships were dozens of yards apart across the river, his laughter, amplified by his formidable Qi and Blood, boomed like thunder right next to the ears of the Qian Family crew. The force of it made many of the sailors with lower Cultivation levels bleed from their noses and mouths.

’He’s so strong!’

Qian Qinghong’s face turned deathly pale, and her heart sank. ’There’s no way we can deal with Hong Lei’s power!’

’Damn it!’

’From the way Hong Lei is talking, does the Water Snake Gang also know about this treasure site?’

A direct confrontation was out of the question. The depths of the Black Water River were a truly lawless place, and the Water Snake Gang were old hands at robbery and murder.

Qian Qinghong made a snap decision, whipping her head around to give Qian Xin a meaningful glance.

Though Qian Xin was foolish, his skill at the helm was undeniable. He instantly activated the acceleration Array on the ship’s hull. The rudder spun wildly as he attempted to turn the bow and make a break for the channel on the other side.

"Haha, where do you think you can run!"

A vicious light flared in Hong Lei’s eyes. He waved his hand forward. "Ram them to pieces!"

The Water Snake Gang’s black behemoth had no intention of slowing down. Instead, it went full-throttle, charging forward like a stampeding rhinoceros and ramming them with brute force!

"BOOM—"

The Qian Family’s ship had barely turned its bow halfway when its broadside suffered a devastating impact. Amid the deafening crack of splintering timber, a spray of wood shards and river water shot into the air. The entire vessel listed violently, sending the sailors on deck screaming and tumbling into a heap.

"Kill them! Leave no one alive!"

Hong Lei gave the order.

Like a pack of wolves scenting blood, the Water Snake Gang’s ruffians threw their grappling hooks, howling as they swung onto the Qian Family’s deck. They had committed such acts of murder and piracy countless times on the Black Water River; their coordination was flawless.

In an instant, agonizing screams filled the deck. The Qian Family’s guards and sailors had some skill, but they were vastly outnumbered. In just the first few moments of the clash, seven or eight of them were cut down, and blood flowed freely.

Seeing the situation collapse in an instant, a flash of ruthless resolve appeared in Qian Qinghong’s eyes.

She quickly tied the leather pouch containing the precious fish into a tight knot in front of her, turned to Su Yu, and whispered urgently, "Brother Su, Hong Lei is too powerful. I’ll take the fish and lure him away! Use the chaos to escape!"

Without another word, Qian Qinghong shot into motion. Her figure became a white blur as she knocked aside three Water Snake Gang members blocking her path. Then, like a bird taking flight, she leaped off the ship!

"TAP! TAP! TAP!"

Qian Qinghong’s toes tapped lightly on the surface of the water, sending out concentric ripples as she fled at high speed toward the distant horizon.

"Get back here!"

Hong Lei had already noticed her and the pouch on her back, a flicker of greed in his eyes.

’The Qian Family must have found something good down in that vortex. A precious fish, a miracle herb, or maybe even some kind of artifact!’

’There’s no way I’m letting her escape!’

’A treasure like that can only belong to me, Hong Lei!’

With a furious roar, Hong Lei’s massive body shot from his ship like a cannonball, crashing down onto the water’s surface. He ran across the waves as if on solid ground, his speed easily double Qian Qinghong’s. The distance between them closed at a visible rate!

"Black Python Fist!"

With only a few yards between them, Hong Lei let out a bellow and threw a punch through the air!

Though his fist never made contact, the sheer violent force projected by his Muscle Forging Realm power created a visible depression in the air above the water. It formed into the shape of a giant black python that slammed viciously into Qian Qinghong’s back!

"SNAP!"

The crisp sound of tearing fabric echoed as the black water-resistant shirt on Qian Qinghong’s back was shredded by the terrifying force, revealing a shocking expanse of her fair skin.

"Pfft!"

As if struck by lightning, Qian Qinghong coughed up a mouthful of blood. She staggered on the water, nearly collapsing. A bitter thought filled her mind. ’Just the projected force from a Muscle Forging Realm Perfection expert was enough to injure me from a distance!’

"Stay put!"

A vicious glint flashed in Hong Lei’s eyes as he prepared to strike again.

Seeing that things were bad, Qian Qinghong immediately dove underwater. Hong Lei was too fast on the surface; she had no hope of escaping him there.

But underwater, she had her Bibo Fish Dragon Skill. There might be a chance.

...

Meanwhile, the deck of the Qian Family’s ship had become a Chaotic Scene.

The strongest fighters, including Captain Qian Xin and the Tributor Pan Guanyue, seemed to reach an unspoken agreement. They abandoned any attempt to fight their way out, instead scattering and diving into the water to flee for their lives.

Su Yu’s expression was grim. With a casual punch, he shattered the sternum of a charging Water Snake Gang member before also leaping from the ship and fleeing toward the horizon.

"Brother Cao, that kid! He’s Su Yu, the one who killed your adopted son, Cao Bin!"

On the bow of the ship, Luo Yuan pointed at Su Yu’s retreating figure and bellowed.

He had recently broken through to the initial stage of the Flesh Refining Realm and felt his power had soared. He had long been looking for an opportunity to wash away the shame of being intimidated by Su Yu and his companions in the past.

But Su Yu’s reputation in the city had grown immense lately, so Luo Yuan didn’t dare act recklessly. Instead, he decided to drag Cao Yuanshan into it with him.

Cao Yuanshan, Cao Bin’s adoptive father, was a veteran mid-stage Flesh Refining Realm expert.

Cao Yuanshan’s expression turned cold. Su Yu’s reputation was growing by the day. Although they had never directly clashed, there was already bad blood between them.

Now that Luo Yuan had called it out in front of everyone, he couldn’t just let it slide.

"Brat, you’re not getting away! You dare kill my adopted son? Pay with your life!"

Cao Yuanshan immediately gave chase alongside Luo Yuan.

"Brother Su! Why the hurry? Just stop and kowtow a few times, hand over all your treasures, and for old times’ sake, I, your Brother Luo, might just leave you with an intact corpse! Hahaha!"

Luo Yuan arrogantly tailed Su Yu, clearly intending to toy with him.

Up ahead, Su Yu’s face was grim as he glanced back.

’Good. One at the initial stage of the Flesh Refining Realm, and one at the middle stage.’

’You’ll be the perfect ones to start with!’