The Blackwater Gang had established its Seventh Young Master!
His portrait was drawn and circulated both within and outside the gang, even throughout Mountain Chasing City.
Introducing core leadership figures publicly had become standard practice among major factions in Mountain Chasing City in recent years.
This was primarily because they'd suffered several setbacks in this regard.
Years ago, an understated and plainly dressed heir of the Boat Gang was beaten by three inner disciples of the Giant Rock Martial Hall while competing for a courtesan's first night at Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
Both sides called for reinforcements.
The situation escalated.
Leading to large-scale clashes between the two major gangs.
Similar incidents had occurred several times.
The reasons for disputes were often laughable.
Usually involving romantic rivalries or wounded pride.
Such petty conflicts only arose among the promising youths of major factions.
Young, powerful, and privileged.
Accustomed to being fawned over within their gangs, they inevitably developed domineering, autocratic, and prideful personalities.
Conflicts outside were inevitable.
After repeated occurrences, the major factions grew weary.
They began publicly sharing information about their heirs' appearances.
Notifying other factions.
Subsequently, similar incidents decreased significantly.
The Blackwater Gang establishing a "Young Master" heir.
Was a major event.
When the news spread, along with the portrait artist came gang elders, hall masters, and other high-ranking members.
Upon meeting Tang Wen, they were first astonished by his looks.
Later, learning his strength was only at Martial Master level.
Though their smiles remained, Tang Wen keenly sensed something had changed.
Their courtesy became merely superficial.
Tang Wen felt slightly puzzled.
This shouldn't be the case!
Shouldn't his position as Seventh Young Master carry significant weight?
A candidate for Gang Lord.
Even if lower in succession order.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but ask Elder Li a few questions.
The elder laughed:
"Clever lad to come ask."
Previously, Tang Wen had no intention of staying long.
Planning to leave after achieving his goals.
Naturally, he hadn't cared about Blackwater Gang's succession!
Never imagined that.
As a mole, he'd somehow become high-ranking after simply washing his face.
Now facing succession struggles.
Now he had to care.
Otherwise, before achieving his goals, he might be eliminated by some faction or Young Master within the gang!
"Don't worry, the Gang Lord is in his prime. The First, Third, and Sixth Young Masters all reached Transcendent realm before thirty. Now each manages gang affairs and businesses—the situation is quite stable."
Tang Wen nodded doubtfully, then whispered:
"What about the other Young Masters?"
Elder Li's eyes flickered: "The Second died young in battle, the Fifth was crippled. The Fourth is a martial arts fanatic."
Two out of six disabled?
One obsessed with martial arts?
Are we sure he's not just hiding?
A 50% casualty/escape rate!
Tang Wen's expression shifted repeatedly: "Actually I'm also a martial arts fanatic. Does the gang have any safe places for seclusion? I could go today."
Vice Leader Zhao nearby said irritably:
"Too late! As Seventh Young Master, you're already involved!"
"Don't scare me! Is it too late to quit now?"
"You! Didn't seem so timid when taking things from the treasury!"
Tang Wen flushed.
"Those two Young Masters' incidents were accidents."
Tang Wen remained silent, casting a glance at Vice Leader Zhao: Are you trying to fool a three-year-old?
An accident.
For a young master of the gang to have such an "accident"—even the mortality rate among ordinary gang members isn't that high, is it?
Vice Leader Zhao explained solemnly, "There's nothing much to fight over in the gang. The Third Young Lady, also known as the Third Young Master, is the strongest and serves as the Seven Killings Hall Master. The other two young masters excel in business. As for the Fourth Young Master, he's solely devoted to martial arts. He doesn't even have a faction of his own—he's in a worse position than you."
Tang Wen was startled: "Don't say such things! I'm just a newcomer, a small-time Martial Master. How could I have any influence?"
"Heh! What do you think?"
Tang Wen froze, pointing at the two of them and then at himself.
"At least you're not completely stupid!"
Tang Wen relaxed. Right, in the eyes of outsiders, he was undoubtedly their man—someone with a faction and backing.
After a moment's thought, he asked, "Which young master do we support?"
The two elders exchanged a glance. Elder Zhao said softly, "We are the Gang Lord's staunch supporters. The Third Young Lady is the Gang Lord's own daughter. Who do you think we support?"
Tang Wen didn't quite believe it but could only feign enthusiasm: "Understood! Once the monthly stipend is issued, I'll ask you both to take me to meet the Third Young Master!"
The two elders smiled and nodded: Little Tang is sharp—he knows which side he's on.
Tang Wen mused to himself: Elder Zhao loves it when I call him Gang Lord. I don't believe he's truly loyal to the Third Young Master.
"Young Master, the portrait is ready. Please take a look."
The painter's voice interrupted their conversation.
He approached with the drawing board, standing behind the three of them.
Turning to look, Tang Wen saw a lifelike portrait on the paper—no less vivid than a black-and-white photograph.
At the top was written: [Blackwater Gang Seventh Young Master: Tang Wen—Portrait]
Tang Wen stiffened. Careless!
When he saw the painter bring out brushes and ink earlier, he assumed it would be a traditional-style painting. Even if it turned out well, it shouldn't have been recognizable as him.
But this was a sketch-style portrait?
This?
Absolutely absurd!
What if Bai Youruo or others saw it?
What would his friends and family in Flame Camp think if they saw it?
Great!
You were sent to Mountain Chasing City as an undercover agent.
And now you've become an heir of the Blackwater Gang?!
Tang Wen suddenly understood the feeling of "Infernal Affairs—three years, then another three years."
Hmm, the matter with the Bai family's expedition team needs to be expedited.
What if one day he really climbed the ranks of the Blackwater Gang, even becoming Vice Leader or Gang Lord... Hmm?
Tang Wen's eyes flickered.
It was as if a new door had opened.
Become Gang Lord?
No, I have no real influence.
My surface-level strength is only that of a newly advanced Martial Master.
With only unrealized potential, who would follow me?
The reactions of the others earlier made it clear.
None of the higher-ups truly took me seriously.
What about Wu Hao and the others?
They're Elder Li's people.
That kid from the Lin Family—who knows if he survived? Maybe he could be of some use.
After some thought, Tang Wen shook his head inwardly.
Even if he mobilized all of Flame Camp's strength, it wouldn't be enough to shake the Blackwater Gang.
And the Bai family's White Stone City is too far away—no help can be expected from there...
"Young Master? Are you satisfied?" the painter asked.
Elder Li, Vice Leader Zhao, and the others nodded slightly at the portrait.
It seemed they found it acceptable.
Tang Wen eyed the thick stack of portraits with growing unease: "These are meant to be distributed to the major factions, right?"
They won't be posted publicly, will they?
Surely not?
As long as they aren't displayed openly, Bai Youruo probably won't find out.
His eyes filled with hopeful light as he looked at the painter.
The painter said, "As per tradition, not only will it be sent to the key figures of the major factions in the city, but also posted at major intersections and all city gates. Surrounding factions like the Four Seas Commerce Guild will also receive your portrait."
I—thank you so much!
The light in Tang Wen's eyes dimmed.
Cutting off my escape route!
He had originally thought that if things ever became untenable in Mountain Chasing City, he could always go to the Four Seas Commerce Guild to scrape by.
But now, with these portraits being distributed everywhere, how could he possibly blend in?
This move by the Blackwater Gang had effectively bound him to them!
Elevating him to the position of "Seventh Young Master."
Martial arts resources would undoubtedly flow in continuously.
But what if, after being nurtured and trained, this rootless outsider suddenly declared:
"The world is vast, I want to see it."
And just disappeared without a word?
Wouldn't all those years of cultivation and countless resources go to waste?
By distributing the portraits, they made his identity known to all.
In the future, if he ever betrayed the gang, someone would always be able to recognize him.
Instantly grasping this point,
Tang Wen suddenly realized there seemed to be only one path left for him to take!
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