Chương 159: An Actor's Self-Cultivation

The Fierce Tiger Gang, Council Hall. As the place where the Fierce Tiger Gang decided on major affairs, this room was arranged to be extremely spacious and solemn, fully displaying its majesty. Atop the highest platform sat a throne as wide as a bed, intricately and exquisitely carved. Below it, on both sides, were two rows of seats, six on each side. Behind Lu Tianxiong's throne was a massive painting, the size of the entire wall, depicting a fierce tiger roaring at the sky with awe-inspiring majesty.

Looking at all this, Boss Song was thrilled inwardly. Motherf cker, he sure knows how to enjoy himself! * Tsk tsk, this tiger-skin chair is so soft to sit on! Looking down from this high position and commanding the masses truly is interesting! No wonder kings and nobles always place their seats so high up; this feeling is simply too intoxicating! Song Que was like a country bumpkin in the city, touching here, looking there, playing around tirelessly.

Only when he heard footsteps approaching from outside did he rein in his spirit and sit on the main seat with an imposing and dignified posture. The heavy doors opened, and a young man walked in. Grandee Song focused his gaze and realized it was an acquaintance: one of the 'Four Young Masters of Qinghe', Lu Zhongkang, the Free son of his current body!

"Father, I wonder what important matter requires you to urgently summon the gang's upper echelon?" Not knowing how this father and son usually interacted, Song Que didn't dare say much, just brushing it off vaguely:"Mhm. Sit down first. Wait until everyone has gathered, and I will announce it all at once." Lu Zhongkang naturally didn't know that the person in front of him was an imposter. Could I possibly misrecognize my own father's face?

If someone had the audacity to claim the person in front of him wasn't Old Lu right now, Young Master Lu wouldn't mind chopping them to pieces! Therefore, seeing his father act this way, Lu Zhongkang harbored no suspicions. He sensibly stepped forward and sat down in the first seat on the left row. Observing closely from this distance, he noticed the torn clothing on Boss Song's body. This cheap son was truly quite filial; his face filled with worry, he immediately ran over to ask:"Father, you're injured?!

Who did this?!"

"I just had a scuffle with someone and my clothes got torn, it's nothing serious. Rest assured, sit down and wait." Feigning the demeanor of a loving father, Song Que smiled amiably, nodded, and reassured him. Hearing Boss Song speak so calmly, Lu Zhongkang finally felt somewhat relieved. Although his heart was full of doubts, since his father didn't want to reveal anything yet, he obediently sat back down. The father and son sat in silence, waiting.

Gang Leader Lu sat unhurriedly on his throne, his eyes closed in repose. As people successively arrived upon being summoned and cupped their hands to greet him, he merely nodded coldly to acknowledge them, too lazy to even open his eyes.

"Father, everyone has gathered. What instructions do you have?" Waiting until almost everyone had arrived, Young Master Lu finally stood up and spoke. Slightly opening his eyes to sweep a glance around the room, seeing that this was likely all the core members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, Boss Song... no, Boss Lu, finally cleared his throat and began his performance!

"What I say now, everyone just listen and execute. No need to ask questions. Understood?!"

"Understood, Gang Leader!" The group of underlings shouted solemnly in unison. Nodding in satisfaction, Song Que continued:"Immediately have our subordinates spread the word around! Today at the Hour of the Sheep (1-3 PM), this Gang Leader will have an arranged duel with that brat Song Que! The location is outside the East Gate of Qinghe County. In a moment, send people to invite County Magistrate Xu, County Commandant Dong, Head Constable Wu, and the various factions in the city.

Request their presence on time to bear witness for us!"

"State clearly: the outcome of this duel will determine the future of the entire Fierce Tiger Gang! If I win, Song Que will submit to me from now on, obeying my every command for the rest of his life without disloyalty! And if I, Lu, lose, all the properties of the Fierce Tiger Gang will naturally be transferred to him! Invite all the commoners of the city to bear witness!" Nani?! Has this guy Lu Tianxiong gone mad?! This was the first thought that popped into everyone's mind in the room!

After all, just a short while ago, that fierce brute had pressed him, Old Dong, and the vast majority of the people here into the dirt and rubbed them raw! The memory hadn't even faded yet! This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Now, the scars haven't even healed, and you motherf*cking have the confidence to open your mouth and demand a duel with him?! Even seeking death shouldn't be this blatant!

Therefore, even though the Gang Leader had instructed them not to ask too many questions, and despite Old Lu's deep prestige within the Fierce Tiger Gang, the people below instantly exploded into a chaotic uproar, everyone talking over each other!

"Gang Leader! What are you saying?!" - First Elder Xu Chong.

"Father, what has gotten into you?!" - Cheap son Lu Zhongkang.

"Gang Leader! Please reconsider!" - A group of high-ranking members.... Seeing the chaos below, Song Que felt a faint headache. Fortunately, he had already thought of a countermeasure, not expecting a few words to convince this group. Raising his hand to signal for silence, Boss Lu finally displayed his true acting chops! He acted all mysterious, ordering people to check the surroundings. Only after confirming nothing was amiss did he lower his voice:"Don't worry, I'm not stupid.

Everything I'm doing is just to lure that brat out! You must have heard rumors that Gang Leader Du of the Lingjiang Gang wants to deal with this person? Keep today's matter to yourselves and don't leak it! Last night, I personally went with a group of elite experts from the Lingjiang Gang with a set plan to assassinate this brat. It's just a pity that the kid is as cunning as a fox and had already slipped away, his whereabouts unknown! Therefore, after discussing with Hall Master Lin, this old man devised a plan!

We will mix truth with falsehood regarding this duel and spread the word far and wide! That brat is young and hot-blooded; he definitely won't be able to endure the provocation and will show his face! When that happens, the Lingjiang Gang members who have already laid an ambush outside the city will naturally capture him! The duel won't even need to take place! We just need to perform this play well, the bigger the better!

Hall Master Lin has already said that as long as we complete this task, Gang Leader Du will reward us heavily!" So that's how it is! Hearing this, the members of the Fierce Tiger Gang suddenly understood and happily clapped their hands.

"So that's the truth! I was wondering how the Gang Leader could do something so foolish!"

"Hmph." Boss Lu, who had immersed himself quite deeply in the role, shot a sideways glare at the person who just spoke and snorted loudly in displeasure.

"This old man's cultivation has grown recently! Even if we truly exchange blows, I wouldn't necessarily lose to that kid!" Realizing he had misspoken, that high-ranking member hurriedly bowed and smiled obsequiously:"Yes, yes, the Gang Leader is right! That kid only relied on his external martial arts last time; he can't compare to you, Gang Leader!" Ignoring him, First Elder Xu Chong asked thoughtfully:"Gang Leader, are you certain that kid will appear?

What if he continues to act like a turtle hiding in its shell?" Not knowing this old man's name, Boss Lu could only laugh loudly:"Haha, if he doesn't come, doesn't that prove he's afraid of me? When that happens, we can freely spread the word! We'll say this Gang Leader's cultivation broke through, and the kid surnamed Song knew he wasn't a match and didn't dare accept the challenge! By then, the prestige of our Fierce Tiger Gang might even rise a level!" Isn't that the truth?!

Figuring this out, those people instantly broke into wide grins.

"Haha, the Gang Leader truly thinks far ahead! We admire you!"

"Father, what if Song Que actually shows up for the appointment? What then?" Unlike the overly optimistic others, Lu Zhongkang still harbored a pile of concerns and couldn't help but frown and ask. Seeing the others looking over, Gang Leader Lu smiled confidently:"Heh, needless worry! Do you think that kid can stand against the Lingjiang Gang? This was an order personally given by Gang Leader Du!" The name 'Lingjiang Gang' held a massive deterrent force in this region.

Hearing his excuse, the last remaining shreds of doubt in the minds of the people below were instantly swept away! That's right! With the Lingjiang Gang and Du Ruhui present, that kid Song Que truly wouldn't be able to escape even if he grew wings! This is a sure-win deal with no loss! Not only can we eliminate a hidden danger, but we can also establish ties with the Lingjiang Gang! Do it! We must do it immediately! The upper echelon of the Fierce Tiger Gang passed the motion with absolute unanimity!

What were they waiting for? The group joyfully and eagerly signed their names on the duel contract. After all, even knowing this was a sham, they still had to make it look authentic for everyone in Qinghe City to see, right?... That morning, no one knew where it started, but the entire Qinghe County was swept by an overwhelming wave of news! Everyone, even those who hadn't stepped out their doors, heard about a major event! Today at the Hour of the Sheep, outside the East Gate!

The Gang Leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, Lu Tianxiong, had challenged the newly risen young hero, Young Hero Song Que, to a duel! The loser would surrender all their properties to the winner! Naturally, Gang Leader Lu would be at a disadvantage in this arrangement. Therefore, if Song Que lost, he would also have to agree to sell himself into the service of the Lu family for the rest of his life! No one knew if the information was true or not, but by noon, no one had come forward to refute it.

People began to faintly sense that this was real, and the entire city instantly boiled over! Those with foresight even hurried out to the East Gate early to reserve seats with good vantage points, stubbornly holding their spots. They were terrified of missing this unprecedented, peak-level duel! Last time when Boss Song caused a huge ruckus at the Fierce Tiger Gang, the area had been tightly cordoned off by the gang members, so no one in the city had witnessed his demeanor.

This time, they were determined to get a good look! Many young ladies from wealthy families also abandoned their reservations, hastily urging their servants to prepare carriages to go out of the city to watch the battle. They also desperately wanted to see with their own eyes what kind of demeanor this 'jade-tree-facing-the-wind' Young Hero Song possessed, that a single glance could make the Tie family's precious daughter remember him so fondly!

It was said that after this little girl Tie Yuniang's courtship was rejected, she remained gloomy and depressed, hiding in the Tie Manor and refusing to come out! Boss Song's 'face as beautiful as jade' is truly worth anticipating!... The Fierce Tiger Gang. Gang Leader Lu, who originally wanted to hide in his room to 'focus' on cultivation, had lost count of how many groups of guests he had to receive from morning until now.

All of them were close partners of the Fierce Tiger Gang, terrified of any mishaps, and came specifically to gather information. Even though he truly didn't want to meet them, Grandee Song, having possessed Old Lu's body, had no choice but to show his face to reassure these people. And that wasn't all! Right now, he still had to sit and entertain his backstage backer, County Commandant Dong Zheng!