"It seems like Elder Wilcon has misunderstood my origins." Mark shook his head. He could no longer return the gift and doing so might offend the elder. He could only accept it and remember the favor in his heart.
He believed in karma so he couldn't pretend to forget this favor in the future.
Mark arranged his thoughts before he went to Jason's house.
"Wolf is back!"
"Where have you been, Wolf?"
The hunters shouted excitedly upon seeing him return. In the past few days, their respect for him increased the more they learned about Muay Thai. They knew that he was no longer the newbie that he was back then. His cultivation had even caught up with Jason and Kevin who had been cultivating for several decades! They all believed that he would soon become a figure that they could only look up to, just like Elder Wilcon of the Mystic Cloud Inn.
"Have you settled everything?" Jason asked as he brought Mark inside his home. He knew that the latter went to find Elder Wilcon to discuss about the escort mission.
Mark nodded. "Thank you for this opportunity. I will remember this favor, Sir Jason."
Jason smiled at him. "Why are you still acting formal with me? Just call me by my name."
Mark scratched his head in embarrassment. He was already used to referring to them formally so it felt awkward to change it right away. "Alright. I'll try."
Jason laughed lightly at his response. "Are we resuming the training?" He asked.
Mark didn't mind. He scanned everyone's faces to see their reaction.
"Don't underestimate us, kid. We might not have received professional training, but this little bit of physical activity is nothing to us. Don't hold back!" Kevin chuckled upon seeing his worried look.
"Don't look down on us, Wolf! We are not yet tired!" Larry patted his chest confidently.
The others also voiced their agreement.
Seeing this, Mark couldn't help but smile. "Good! Then let's continue!"
***
Inside a big house somewhere in the village.
A man wearing leather armor came in and reported to a bare-chested muscular man with a braided rat tail hairstyle.
"Sir, our boys discovered Jason and his people training some kind of martial arts."
Hearing this, everyone inside the house turned silent. No one dared to speak as they quietly stared at the man with a braided rat tail.
This guy was over two meters tall. His strong muscular body looked like it had been tempered into steel. There was a knife and lion tattoo on his chest, making him look domineering.
This man was Keith, the leader of the Iron Fist Gang. However, everyone in Greenwood Village knows him more as Wild Lion. This was the nickname he earned for his ferocious personality and fearless spirit.
"Training martial arts?" Keith's lips curved into a grin.
Jason was more skilled than him in leading a group, but Keith was confident that he was stronger than him in terms of cultivation and brute strength.
"No matter what useless tricks he learns, it will be meaningless in front of true power!" Keith smiled disdainfully.
The people around him also revealed mocking smiles. They were confident about their leader's strength. He had risen from a small hunter to a leader of a gang! Among the best hunters in the village, Keith was second to none!
"Sir Keith, do you want us to cause trouble for them?" Someone asked while rubbing his fists.
"Sir, how long do we have to wait? My knife has been itching for some blood!"
Keith chuckled when he heard his subordinates' words. "Just wait for a few more days. Once we've lured them out of the village, we'll kill them all!" His voice was filled with killing intent.
After years of fighting, the two groups had reached an irreconcilable point.
Keith turned his gaze to the person on his right. If Mark was here, he would certainly identify this guy. It was Edmund, the leader of the party who attacked him back then.
"What's the progress of your mission?" Keith asked with a stern voice.
Edmund took a deep breath before he replied. "Among the five targets, we have already captured two of them." He nervously stared at Keith after saying this.
Keith's face turned cold. He was dissatisfied with Edmund's performance. "What is taking you so long, Edmund?"
"S-Sir, give me another-"
"Hmph!" Keith cut him off with a snort. "Bring the two people you captured here!"
Edmund lowered his head. "Yes, sir!" He immediately left after bowing to Keith.
The atmosphere became tense after Edmund left. No one dared to speak, afraid that they would anger their boss.
***
The next day.
"Have you found those two?" Jason asked while looking at Larry.
Larry shook his head. "I went to find them in their homes, but they're not there."
Jason frowned. He felt that something was amiss.
"Did the Iron Fist Gang capture them?" Someone suddenly spoke.
Everyone became worried after hearing this. Mark also frowned.
All members of the Unbreakable Valor Brotherhood were here except for two people.
"Sir, I'll go and check Keith's turf! They must be responsible for this!"
"I'll go with you!"
"Me too!"
Jason glared at them. "Shut up!"
Everyone quickly shut their mouths upon hearing his words. They could hear the rage in his voice.
"If the Iron Fist Gang is really responsible for their disappearance, they should be waiting for us to visit them on their turf! We can't go there without knowing the situation!" Jason angrily slammed the wall, causing it to shake.
"Jason is right. We must not fall into their trap. Keith might be an idiot, but don't forget that Arman is working for him." Kevin muttered in a cold voice.
Everyone's faces turned serious at the mention of this name. Unlike Keith who was known for his brute strength, Arman was famous for his cunningness. He was the brain of the Iron Fist Gang, and even Keith respected his opinion.
Many members of their Unbreakable Valor Brotherhood had fallen because of his schemes!
It was the first time Mark had heard of this name. He nudged Max who was standing beside him and asked him about Arman.
Max moved closer to him and whispered. "Arman is only a Body Strengthening Second Level cultivator, but it was because of him that we couldn't win against the Iron Fist Gang. He is a cunning man!"
Mark's expression became serious upon hearing this.