"Good. Now, tell me about some information about the gangs within the Wind Cloud City that you have gathered so far. I heard that the Falling Leaves Gang and the White Tiger Gang are the more prominent ones?" Long Chen leaned back on his seat and glanced towards Huo Yan as he mildly asked.
"Yes, Young Master. The Falling Leaves Gang and the White Tiger Gang had abruptly risen up to take the crown of the North and South of the city, respectively. On the other hand, in the West, two gangs are fighting for supremacy, which is the Misty Rain Gang, and the Autumn Snow Gang.
"In the East, there are yet again two gangs which are fighting head to head, which are the Great Branch Gang, and the Golden Medallion Gang." Huo Yan spoke in a clear voice that was loud enough only for both him and Long Chen to hear.
He paused for a while, and after seeing Long Chen gesturing for him to continue, he slightly coughed, before saying, "There is a ranking list formulated to judge the power, influence and authority within the Wind Cloud City. Based on the ranking list, the Falling Leaves Gang and the White Tiger Gang are tied for first, while the Misty Rain Gang and the Autumn Snow gang are tied for second, and lastly, the Great Branch Gang and the Golden Medallion Gang are both ranked third. "
Long Chen took a while to digest this long chain of information, before he slightly creased his eyebrows and asked, "What is our rank then?"
Huo Yan gave an awkward smile and began to dryly cough, "Young Master, in the past, we were ranked at 60th Place, but know, under the guidance and blessings by the Young Master, we have risen to the 45th Place."
"But we have not revealed the entirety of our forces, under your instructions, and I gauge that our real strength will probably rank around the 20th."
Long Chen's eyes glinted with a shimmer as he heard this. Even though the strength of a gang could not be compared to most Sects and Associations, to have a gang which power ranked around 20th in the entire Wind Cloud City was quite the force for someone like him.
"Discreetly take care of the much weaker gangs. For those who don't want to join, kill them, and as for those who joins, assimilate them, but don't announce it to the world."
"And the most important thing of all, is to stay inconspicuous. We cannot afford to draw any unwanted attention from our actions. It is better if we do it slow and carefully, then fast and reckless. " Long Chen cast a sharp glance at Huo Yan as he instructed.
"Yes, Young Master." Huo Yan replied in gusto.
Long Chen then remembered something and instructed, "Huo Yan, try your best to show off your talent in the Alchemy Association, and make sure you gain the attention of an old fogey or Alchemist. It is best for you to try to get a teacher to help you in your Alchemy path."
"Yes, Young Master. I will do my best." Huo Yan acknowledged.
Seeing this, Long Chen light smiled, before he turned his head towards a direction of the Inn with an obscure gaze, "Huo Yan, looks like they are some flies that were sent to follow you."
Huo Yan's body lightly shuddered, when he realized what his words meant, "Young Master, I seek your forgiveness. I will immediately take care of them."
After saying this, Huo Yan prepared to stand up, but Long Chen instantly stopped him, "Don't. What did I say about staying low? If you kill them right now, the power behind them will definitely be alerted, and I won't want that to happen."
"I'm sorry, Young Master." Huo Yan sat back down and sincerely apologized.
"It's alright. It seems like they are now taking note of me right now." Long Chen lips rose up into a smirk, as he slowly stood up, "Huo Yan, help me pay for the food."
Long Chen then moved out of the Inn with unhurried steps, and from the corner of his eyes, he sense the presence of one of the flies who was sent to watch over him.
His eyes flashed with a gleam, and he acted like an normal cultivator, visiting a few shops here and there, haggling and bargaining with the store owner, till he got chased out of the shop, and going to a few other boring places.
Only after a long time had passed, had the pair of eyes aimed towards him disappeared, most likely because his actions did not raise any suspicion.
The corner of his lips lifted up into a gloating smile. When he was stronger, he would definitely find out who was that hidden power behind them.
For now, it was good to keep his strength hidden, and not raise any flags of alarms, until he had the capabilities to deal against them.
He turned the corner, and walked back towards the Sect.
He had gotten 550 Crystals from the pill auction, then spent 190 Crystals on his cauldron and pill ingredients, before receiving 20 more Crystals.
Not counting the Crystals already within his hand, he had earned 380 Crystals from the trip to the City.
On top of this, the Sect also gave him an allowance of 500 Crystals every week.
Keeping his disguise off, he placed the Alchemy token off his waist, then played around with his Sect token in his hands while walking towards the Sect Collection site, where a disciple was working as the attendant there.
There was no queue today, so he went directly towards the disciple behind the counter, and then placed his Sect token on the counter, "I would like to retrieve my Crystals, along with the new robes."
The attendant's eyes shimmered when he saw Long Chen, and he took his time to take out the items, as he unceasingly chattered, "Senior Brother Long Chen! I heard many stories about you! It is my pleasure to be able to see you today…"
"Senior Brother Long Chen…although I heard that you the most elegant and handsome person in the Sect, I never believed it, until I saw you with my own eyes! Even I feel a faint bit of attractiveness to you…"
"Senior Brother Long Chen, I really admire you from the depths of my hearts. Not only are you a peerless genius, but also unrivalled in looks! This is not just it…you are also humble, generous, kind, noble, refined, gentlemanly, polite…, unlike the rest of the geniuses who always put up a long face and an air of superiority as though they are self-proclaiming themselves as king!"
Long Chen could only give an awkward smile at the unending praises that were thrown upon him, and even he felt rather embarrassed by all these exaggerated compliments.
After quite a long while, the attendant finally found the items he was looking for and gave it towards Long Chen, "Senior Brother Long Chen, these are you 500 Crystals, as well as the new Elite Disciples' robes."
The disciple added in a low, secretive voice, "I also added in a few crystals inside, I hope you won't tell the Sect Master about this."
"Of course I won't! As long as we both don't say anything, who would know?" Long Chen heartily laughed while patting the disciple on his shoulder.
Truly a great disciple indeed, to be so considerate to give him a few more crystals. He now had a good impression of this chatterbox.
He talked with the disciple for a while, and then kept the 500 Crystals within his storage bag, and holding the robes within his hands.