Under normal circumstances.
Tang Wen would have already cursed the Lin family's ancestors eighteen generations back in his heart.
But not today.
In fact, he was secretly cheering him on, thinking, "You old geezer, you sure know how to pick the right angle to argue."
If you've got something to say, say more.
Today, I'll let you say whatever you want.
Just make sure it's not about me being some damn prodigy.
At this moment, Tang Wen truly understood the frustration of being an "undercover agent."
He was afraid that the Blackwater Gang wouldn't pay enough attention to him, leaving him stuck at the bottom with no resources, no time to investigate or train.
But he was even more afraid of them paying too much attention to him.
Once they labeled him as a prodigy, it would be a disaster.
A prodigy, at the very least, would probably need a bodyguard, right?
Vice Leader Lin:
"Martial Practitioners are like trees. The foundation is the root. If the foundation isn't solid, it's like the roots aren't deep.
It's indeed rare to see a Martial Master at seventeen or eighteen.
But if the foundation isn't strong, breaking through to the Transcendent level is impossible.
Everything else is just empty talk."
After listening, Tang Wen nodded repeatedly, as if he had been convinced.
But before he could say anything.
Old Physician Zhang spoke up, clearly displeased:
"Old Lin, you're still as impatient as ever at your age.
I just checked his pulse and felt his bones.
Do you think I wouldn't know if his foundation is solid?
Moreover, didn't you hear me say earlier that he's trained his body well?
Are your ears stuffed with donkey hair?
Let me tell you the truth!
His foundation is solid, almost perfect.
His yang energy is so abundant it's practically overflowing. He probably doesn't indulge in women much, does he?
Talent and self-discipline!
He's definitely a genius."
Tang Wen was almost moved to tears by the praise.
Old Zhang, I know you're amazing.
But could you please stop praising me?
"You flatter me too much, Old Physician Zhang."
Old Zhang waved his hand, a smile spreading across his face: "Your name is Tang Wen, right? I'm also a Transcendent, and the top physician in the outer city. How about it, want to become my disciple?"
"Huh?" Tang Wen blinked: Becoming a disciple of a physician didn't seem like a bad idea. This old man seemed to have a lot of influence in the gang, but not too exaggerated.
With him as a backer, I could still maintain some freedom.
"Junior," Tang Wen was about to agree.
Suddenly, there was a cough from behind.
It was the Gang Lord.
Tang Wen sighed silently.
Old Zhang, as if he had expected this, pursed his lips and stopped talking.
"Gang Lord, I'm currently in seclusion trying to break through to the Martial Master level. I'm not quite there yet."
Tang Wen said with a sincere expression.
Behind him, Elder Li almost wanted to kick him. Do you even know what you're saying?
This is an opportunity many people would kill for.
Vice Leader Zhao stepped in to salvage the situation: "He's already mastered the first form of the Dark Night Divine Fist. He's already crossed the threshold of a Martial Master."
Elder Li also added: "That's right. This kid can even lift a cauldron weighing thousands of pounds. Old Zhao and I saw it with our own eyes."
Vice Leader Zhao nodded: "One of my instructors said he's a once-in-thirty-years genius."
The two of them sang in unison, praising Tang Wen to the skies.
Tang Wen had completely given up at this point.
There was no way to downplay it now.
If he kept refusing, it would only raise suspicions.
"Old Zhao, Old Li, you flatter me too much. I'm no genius. I just want to join the Blackwater Gang for a better future."
The Gang Lord smiled slightly: "Then tell me, what kind of future are you looking for?"
Tang Wen said, "Before coming here, I thought that if I could become Transcendent in this lifetime and gain some status in the city, marry a few wives, and have a bunch of children, my life would be complete."
"Haha, your aspirations are truly simple!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Tang Wen scratched his head, laughing along with the crowd.
Vice Leader Lin also laughed, though his expression was more akin to crying.
Elder Li and Vice Leader Zhao smiled with great satisfaction.
Tang Wen was their man.
The two of them were planning to invest heavily, dedicating resources to nurture him.
Little did they expect that just after the seed round of investment, the Gang Lord would directly "acquire him at a premium."
How could they be happy about this?
The Gang Lord said, "Your plan is good, but don't plan anymore. You need to think long-term."
As he spoke, his expression turned serious, and his voice deepened.
Everyone suppressed their laughter, knowing that the main event was about to begin.
Vice Leader Lin wanted to intervene but couldn't bring himself to speak.
"Tang Wen!"
"Your subordinate is here," Tang Wen replied.
The Gang Lord declared in a loud voice, "From this day forward, you have rendered meritorious service to the gang and are a Martial Arts prodigy. You shall be the Seventh Young Master of the Blackwater Gang!"
"Thank you, Gang Lord!"
Upon hearing "Seventh Young Master," Tang Wen was momentarily stunned.
But he quickly regained his composure, feeling slightly relieved.
"Someone, bring the Young Master's token!" Elder Li called out to the outside.
A black token was presented on a tray.
The Gang Lord casually picked it up.
Tang Wen glanced at it and was surprised to find that the token was completely smooth, with no characters engraved on it.
Just as he was puzzled, he saw the Gang Lord raise his finger and gently press it into the metal token.
It was as effortless as poking into tofu.
Metal shavings fell like snow.
By the time Tang Wen knelt on one knee to receive the token, two characters had already been inscribed on it: "Seven" and "Tang."
Tang Wen, the Seventh Young Master of the Blackwater Gang.
"Greetings, Seventh Young Master!"
The Gang Lord's guards bowed in unison.
Tang Wen felt a bit like "Fan Jin passing the imperial exam," standing dazed for a few seconds before hurriedly clasping his fists in return.
Seeing him so bewildered and unsure of the situation, Vice Leader Zhao chuckled and explained, "In our Blackwater Gang, the Gang Lord's successors are called Young Masters. You are the Seventh Young Master, seventh in line."
Seventh in line.
Not too bad, not too exaggerated.
The Gang Lord said, "Today, we will first establish your title. In half a month, there will be a grand banquet in the gang to celebrate you."
Tang Wen replied, "Thank you, Gang Lord."
"Kid, why are you still calling me Gang Lord?"
Tang Wen was momentarily stunned, but seeing the Gang Lord's smiling face, he quickly understood and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Master!"
The Gang Lord nodded.
"Master" — that was a good title.
Tang Wen had also come to terms with it.
The die was cast, the train had left the station, and the doors were welded shut.
Since there was no way to resist, he might as well enjoy it!
As long as his true strength remained hidden, this identity would bring him many benefits.
The Gang Lord offered a few words of encouragement.
Everyone stepped forward to congratulate him.
Only Vice Leader Lin lingered behind, his face flushed red, unable to utter a single word of congratulations.
He was an old-timer in the gang, and the Gang Lord didn't reprimand him.
In fact, this was exactly the scene the Gang Lord wanted to see.
Whether it was the elders and vice leaders below or the Young Masters among themselves, there had to be conflict and competition.
Otherwise, if everyone below was united, the Gang Lord would truly have a headache.
The Gang Lord said, "The [Azure Stone Slate] I brought back yesterday can rapidly enhance spiritual power. Once your realm stabilizes, you will be the first to use it."
"Ah, thank you, Master," Tang Wen quickly lowered his head, afraid that his expression might betray him.
[Azure Stone Slab]He was familiar with it; he had hidden one himself.
But the Gang Lord didn't know that and assumed he hadn't heard of it: "The [Azure Stone Slab] is a rare artifact, greatly beneficial for the cultivation of a Martial Master's mental strength. You'll understand its value once you use it in the future... Someone, call the painter over."
The painter?
Tang Wen was barely holding it together.
Was he going to be painted?
(End of Chapter)