Liu Haoping, Sect Leader of the Cao Gang in Yu State City.
Since the founding of the Cao Gang, there have been thirty-six sect leaders. It may seem like a lot, but in reality, each one of them was a highly skilled master in the Jianghu, considered to be figures of great power and prestige in the eyes of ordinary people.
Among these thirty-six sect leaders, few could truly make a name for themselves throughout the Jianghu.
Liu Haoping was one of them.
He was originally a beggar in Lijiang City, sleeping on the streets and begging for food since he was young. By chance, he joined the Cao Gang and became one of its members. Due to his exceptional talent, ruthlessness, and decisiveness, he quickly made a name for himself within the Cao Gang. Later, he was noticed by the Cao Gang leader, Liu Qingshan, who took him in as an adopted son.
Liu Qingshan treated him as his own and nurtured him wholeheartedly. With Liu Haoping's abilities, he soon secured a position as one of the thirty-six sect leaders.
He was well-respected in the Jianghu, gaining infamy, especially among the underworld, where his notoriety struck fear into people's hearts.
The Cao Gang fought with the Nu Jing Gang for three years, eventually annexing the Nu Jing Gang and taking over all their territory. Liu Haoping played a significant role in this, though his methods were cruel and vicious. It was said that the wife of the Nu Jing Gang leader, Mrs. Chen, was tortured to death by him.
Ruthless, venomous, decisive, and exceptionally capable—such a person was the backbone of the Cao Gang and its future.
Since Liu Haoping was Liu Qingshan's adopted son, he must have also mastered Liu Qingshan's Qingshan Palm Seal, a martial art of True Martial level, and in addition, his cultivation was at the peak of the Third Grade.
If Jiang Sanjia were at his peak, he would not fear Liu Haoping, but at this moment, his lifeforce was dwindling, and his energy and blood were declining, making him no match for Liu Haoping.
Many thoughts flashed through his mind in a split second.
"Could this be my end?"
Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath, preparing to muster the last of his inner strength for a desperate fight.
At this moment, his eyes fell on the person who had rescued him. The black robe covered the person's face, hiding their features, but their eyes remained calm as still water.
Too calm, like a tranquil village at dusk, so serene.
But calmness was useless; in the face of absolute strength, everything was just an illusion.
Jiang Sanjia shook his head inwardly, sighing:
"What good is it to know the Hundred-step Flying Sword? What difference does it make if you know there is a Bodhi Bead? In the end, it's all in vain."
Just then, he suddenly noticed An Jing's hand caressing his sword scabbard.
What?
Was he also preparing for a desperate fight?
Or was he just scared witless?
"Everyone, move aside!"
Liu Haoping shouted in a low voice, like a roaring beast.
His burly figure, like a small mountain, seemed to make the dungeon tremble with each step he took.
Of course, this was just an illusion.
The dungeons were too solid to tremble under a few hundred pounds.
This was a manifestation of his aura!
Liu Haoping looked at Jiang Sanjia, his eyes cold enough to freeze a person to death.
This old man before him had been entrusted to his care by his adoptive father; there could be no mistakes.
With that, he stretched out his hand, ready to grab Jiang Sanjia.
But then, his gaze caught sight of the man in the dark blue black robe beside him, those indifferent eyes as calm as an abyss.
"Daring to break into the prison, you're seeking death!"
Liu Haoping sneered, twisting his hand toward him instead.
If Jiang Sanjia truly escaped, he would be a criminal. The man before him had almost caused him to make a mistake, so he had to die!
Boom!
A gigantic hand appeared in mid-air, descending like a mountain.
As the enormous hand descended, An Jing finally moved.
"This time, it must be a quick battle to avoid further complications."
"Swish!"
Sword light emerged from the scabbard, instantly illuminating the otherwise dim dungeon.
That sword, like the dawn breaking through the dark night, its blinding edge lighting up An Jing's face.
"This..."
Liu Haoping couldn't see the trajectory of the sword, but at that moment, he clearly understood that his life had faded with the darkness into the dawn.
.......
Yu State City, Pear Garden.
Night fell, and moonlight poured down like water.
"The colorful flowers of spring bloom splendidly, yet they all fall to the broken wells and ruined walls."
"This beautiful scene, who will enjoy it? Morning flies and evening reels, clouds and glossy pavilions, threads of rain and gusts of wind, smoke waves and painted boats, beautiful screens make light of this fleeting time..."
.....
Under the stage, an actor sang the opera.
Thunderous applause and shouts erupted from the audience.
"Miss, according to the plan, Jiang Sanjia should stand before you the day after tomorrow." Tan Yun spoke with confidence.
"It's best if nothing goes wrong."
Zhao Qingmei's brows were furrowed, her expression calm as still water despite her striking presence.
"Yes."
Tan Yun smiled, "The Cao Gang has been very influential lately; let's curb their momentum."
Tan Yun harbored great dissatisfaction toward the Cao Gang; since the Demon Sect left the Great Yan, no gang had claimed the top spot as they did.
"Alright, it's about time we head back."
Zhao Qingmei glanced at the moonlight above and couldn't help but smile faintly.
Suddenly, a breeze blew in.
The water cups on the table began to shake.
This slight change made Zhao Qingmei raise an eyebrow.
"Miss, what's wrong?"
Tan Yun asked, confused.
Zhao Qingmei said nothing and looked into the distance.
In the next moment, a sudden gust of wind surged.
Then, from the depths of the heavens and earth, a bright light shot straight up, piercing through to the heavens.
Whoosh!
The light resonated through the sky, its aura capturing the hearts and minds of those present.
"This... such powerful swordsmanship!?"
Tan Yun's mouth gaped open, a trace of amazement in her eyes.
The light illuminated the moment, she felt her body trembling, and the hairs on her skin stood on end.
Such swordsmanship and such sword light, while not entirely unheard of, were incredibly rare.
.......
On a barge on the Yu State River, at the Red House.
"Li Yue, hurry up and receive the guest. This time, it's a young master from the Ming Family." An old procuress with heavy makeup smiled as she lifted the curtain.
"I know, have the young master from the Ming Family wait for a moment."
Behind the curtain was an alluring and seductive woman.
Her eyes were as captivating as peach blossoms, and her slightly red lips were mesmerizing. Her figure was curvaceous, and with just a slight smile, she could seem to capture a person's soul.
This woman was Li Yue, the oiran of the Red House, and one of the most celebrated oirans of the Jiangnan Dao.
"But it's the young master of the Ming Family, the heir of Yu State City's largest family." The procuress urged anxiously.
"And what of that?"
Li Yue gently fastened her hairpin.
A courtesan, especially one like Li Yue, was not without status. Her talents matched those of any wealthy family's daughter, needing to be proficient in poetry, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Most importantly, she understood the hearts of men extremely well.
"Alright, I'll go inform him."
The procuress sighed and quickly walked out.
Li Yue smiled gently, touched her hairpin, and then adjusted her appearance before preparing to leave the boat.
Suddenly, a strong wind arose, causing all the barges on the Yu State River to sway.
"What's happening?"
"Why is the boat shaking?"
......
The people on the barges were curious and craned their heads toward the lake.
Ming Fei, the young master of the Ming Family, also walked onto the deck, puzzled and uneasy, wondering what had happened.
"Look, up in the sky!" someone shouted.
Everyone looked in the direction pointed out, and Ming Fei was no exception.
At the same time, Li Yue lifted the curtain, and at that moment.
A bright light reached its peak.
It pierced the night sky, tearing it apart, the gap growing larger and larger.
Dawn broke!