Enlightenment: Beginning as a Disposable Warrior

After speaking, the two hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to meet Su Mu’s gaze.

"Oh? So you admit your faults?"

"Yes, I know my faults, subordinate acknowledges the fault."

"Young Master, subordinate knows the fault!"

"It’s good that you realize your errors..." Su Mu’s lips curled into a slight smile, "Tonight is the Cyan Fish Assembly called by the Vice Gang Leader, one of our Cyan Fish Gang’s grand events. Yet you three coincidentally caused a ruckus while drinking. If not premeditated, do you take everyone present tonight for fools? What are your true intentions?"

"Are you not spies from other forces infiltrating our Cyan Fish Gang, attempting to seize the opportunity to create chaos and challenge authority tonight?"

"Moreover, how could you so casually disparage my sister, Baili Feng?"

Su Mu’s words were shocking, causing even deathly silence to persist, and immediately, he coldly snorted, his gaze falling on the Law Enforcement Hall Master Xing Zhan dressed in a black robe.

"Elder Xing, would you kindly explain, according to the gang rules, how should this situation be handled?"

Saying this, Su Mu downed a bowl of wine in one gulp and slammed it down with a ’thud’ akin to a judge’s gavel sounding. His thought was simple; when eradicating evil, there was no retreating.

Moreover, a person like Baili Feng, who frequently battled river bandits, was anything but a coward. If it weren’t for needing to portray Baili Feng right now, had his own family been insulted, Su Mu wouldn’t hesitate to attack directly!

"Young Master, Zhao Ku is already dead, this..."

Law Enforcement Hall Master Xing Zhan seemed troubled, as Su Mu had already slain a Vice Hall Master tonight, which he felt was sufficient.

"Elder Xing, as the Law Enforcement Hall Master, do you also intend to disregard the gang rules?"

"You..."

Xing Zhan took a deep breath, then slowly replied, "Reporting to the Young Master, according to the gang rules, offending superiors per Article Seven should be punished by death. However, considering their years of service in the Vice Hall positions, they may be spared the death penalty... Instead, they should face demotion and the penalty of losing an arm."

"An arm, you say?"

Su Mu suddenly stood up, looking down at the two coldly, "Very well, come forth to receive your punishment."

After speaking.

Wang Zhong and Gongsun He involuntarily retreated a step, the gaze of ’Baili Feng’ at the head seat was not one looking to sever an arm, but rather as if gazing upon the dead.

In an instant, the two looked at Gongyang Jue across from Su Mu for help, knowing only he could save them now.

"Nephew, having been in seclusion for so long, a sudden agitation today could mean excessive anger. Why not let this matter rest, they merely spoke rashly after drinking..."

"Shut up, in the assembly address me as Young Master." Su Mu unceremoniously interrupted Gongyang Jue, his gaze remained coldly fixed on the two.

"What’s this? Are you planning to defy the gang rules?"

"Young Master, subordinate already knows our faults... why press so hard? One should leave a way out!"

Wang Zhong and the others weren’t foolish, they acted under Gongyang Jue’s instructions. Now that Zhao Ku was dead, they dared not proceed to ’accept punishment’, fearing they’d soon follow Zhao Ku’s fate.

Both had been Fourth-Grade Martial Artists for many years, and as vice hall masters of the Cyan Fish Gang, if driven desperate, they wouldn’t surrender easily. At this moment, their faces and eyes displayed determination and severity.

Meanwhile, the calm facade of Gongyang Jue, who had been directly rebuked by Su Mu, vanished, replaced by a shadowy expression. He considered that aside from the oblivious veteran martial deployer, only Baili Hong held any sway over him in the gang.

He never expected to be rebuked by Baili Hong’s son, a young upstart not deemed as a competitor.

But he couldn’t directly intervene, or it would be tantamount to admitting he was the one pulling the strings. However, not intervening would inevitably dishearten those following him.

The dynamics of attack and defense were subtly reversing!

At once, Gongyang Jue’s lips moved slightly, making a resolute decision before delivering a secret message, "Don’t panic, if he refuses to let this go, act directly and disable him, but spare his life."

"I will bear all consequences on your behalf!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhong and Gongsun He’s spirits were lifted. With Gongyang Jue supporting them, they instantly felt reassured. They realized that the Vice Gang Leader now controlled the situation, and Zhao Ku’s death was just a sudden surprise.

Both simultaneously surged with Qi Blood and Power, subtly forming the Martial Dao Tri-Flower of a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist; another’s feet slowly left the ground, hovering, as Dantian Spiritual Qi surged, and Water Spiritual Qi roiled between heaven and earth.

"Young Master, do not push us any further!"

The two had assumed a stance of fighting to the death. Should Su Mu dare press again, they would have no reservations and directly join forces to attack.

This was all within Gongyang Jue’s original plan. Losing an inconsequential Zhao Ku was no big deal, and should Baili Feng be injured or crippled next...

Everything would still be under his control, the outcome unchanged, just a little more complexity added to the process.

"Pill Master, do not act rashly; Wang Zhong and Gongsun He are not weak, they are not mediocre. If you act, it could easily expose you..."

Baili Hongtang’s voice carried a worried tone as it echoed in his ears. She naturally trusted Su Mu’s strength, but he needed to maintain his brother’s role without revealing flaws.

Su Mu said nothing, continuing to step closer.

"Against you who defy the gang rules, there is no need for a saber."

Passing them, Su Mu effortlessly removed the Whale-Slaying Saber from his waist and placed it at Baili Hongtang’s seat. Even though Su Mu had mastered a perfect saber technique, it was different from Baili Feng’s. Continuing to use the saber would reveal far too many openings.