The gate of Cangshan City fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Blood Fiend, kneeling on one knee before Jiang Chen. The infamous leader of the Blood Fiend Gang—a warrior at the eighth level of the Qi Protection Realm—was now humbly recognizing Jiang Chen as his master.
This was the same Blood Fiend who had terrorized the region, ruling as a tyrant. Now, he knelt like a loyal subordinate.
The crowd couldn't believe it. Jiang Chen had truly subdued the Blood Fiend Gang on his own! And not only that, but he had also conquered Blood Fiend himself.
Unbelievable!
Too powerful!
"Patriarch," Blood Fiend spoke, breaking the stunned silence. "These men have followed me for many years. They all possess at least the strength of the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm. They are willing to join the Jiang family alongside me, if you'll have them."
Jiang Chen nodded, his expression calm. "No problem. Their strength will be a valuable addition to the Jiang family."
As soon as Jiang Chen agreed, the men behind Blood Fiend dropped to one knee, their voices echoing in unison: "We pledge loyalty to the Patriarch!"
Hold... Hold the grass!
The onlookers were once again stunned.
The Jiang family, already formidable with Jiang Chen at the helm, had just absorbed the entire Blood Fiend Gang. This influx of talent—especially warriors at the ninth level of the Body Tempering Realm—meant the Jiang family's strength had skyrocketed.
They were now even stronger than they had been under Jiang Wuya's leadership.
Blood Fiend stepped forward, presenting a storage ring. "Patriarch, this contains all the wealth the Blood Fiend Gang has accumulated over the years. Please accept it."
The crowd gasped.
The Blood Fiend Gang had ruled Cangshan City for years, amassing unimaginable wealth—comparable to that of the city's three major families combined. Now, all of it was being handed over to Jiang Chen.
Jealousy and awe filled the air. The crowd could only look on with envy, but none dared covet what now belonged to Jiang Chen. The Jiang family had become an unshakable force.
"Rise," Jiang Chen commanded, his voice firm but reassuring. "You are now part of the Jiang family. As long as you serve faithfully, you will be treated well."
With that, Jiang Chen led his new allies and a contingent of Jiang family disciples back into Cangshan City, under the astonished gaze of the crowd.
---
News of Jiang Chen's triumph and his subjugation of the Blood Fiend Gang spread through Cangshan City like wildfire. It wasn't long before it reached the ears of the Lin and Li families.
For years, the balance of power among the city's three major families had remained relatively stable, especially after Jiang Wuya's disappearance, which had left the Jiang family weakened.
No one had expected Jiang Wuya's son—once scorned as a "waste"—to transform into a powerhouse and rise to prominence so suddenly.
Now, with the Blood Fiend Gang under his control, Jiang Chen had elevated the Jiang family's strength to unprecedented heights. It seemed inevitable that the Jiang family would become the dominant force in Cangshan City.
The heads of the Lin and Li families couldn't sit idly by. They sensed the looming threat and, without hesitation, formed an alliance. Meeting in secret, they discussed their next move.
If the Jiang family rose to supremacy, there would be no place left for them in Cangshan City.