180: Xiao Li's Flying Dagger is gone, and he returns to take over the Jinqian Gang [Explosive Update]

“An accidental acquisition. It was meant to be yours, so let it be your farewell gift.”

Hunchback Sun saw the four characters on the cover—Treasury of Lianhua! His eyes immediately reddened.

In the valley, only Sun Xiaohong’s uncontrollable sobs echoed in the desolate silence.

“Tha… Thank you!”

Li Xunhuan’s hand finally dropped weakly.

The suicide note was clutched tightly in his hand.

He slowly closed his eyes, as if he was just too tired and had finally fallen asleep.

This time, that heart-wrenching cough would never sound again.

Little Li Flying Dagger became a swan song; there was no longer Li Xunhuan in the human world!

Lu Jiuyuan stood in place, silently drinking all the remaining wine from his flask.

The strong liquor burned his throat and chest, but it couldn't melt the faint ripple of emotion buried deep in his eyes.

He glanced at the suicide note clutched in Li Xunhuan’s hand, but ultimately did not take it.

He bent down and picked up a small dagger from beside Li Xunhuan’s weakly fallen hand.

It was as thin as a willow leaf, and as cold as autumn frost.

He put the flying dagger and the nameless Secret Manual together into his embrace.

Then, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally resting on the grieving Sun Xiaohong and the solemn-faced Hunchback Sun.

“Bury him well.”

His voice returned to its usual cold and steady tone, without a hint of emotional fluctuation.

“For his flying dagger, I will find a suitable successor. His Dao was not correct, but… I have remembered it.”

Hunchback Sun looked up at Lu Jiuyuan, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he only nodded heavily.

He knew that anything said at this moment would be futile.

The young man before him was the invincible Lu Jiuyuan, a peerless, formidable weapon that, once unsheathed, craved blood. If Li Xunhuan couldn't change him, who else in the world could?

“Let’s go, back to the Golden Money Gang!”

The Golden Money Gang’s main headquarters was as stern as iron.

Compared to the bloody clamor on Mount Shaoshi, the oppression here was of a different kind:

cold, austere, a silent operation like a precise machine.

High walls and deep courtyards, watchtowers standing tall, every pair of eyes sharp and vigilant, every figure exuding the fierce Aura of long training.

This was Shangguan Jinhong’s kingdom, built upon absolute power, discipline, and fear.

Lu Jiuyuan’s return was like a giant rock thrown into a deep pool, instantly breaking the balance here.

He did not hide his tracks. Carried on a bamboo chair by the four Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum maidens, with A Fei and You Longsheng as escorts, Han Zhen leading the way, and Yun Chang and Plum Orchid Bamboo Chrysanthemum following closely behind, he proceeded.

He passed through streets and alleys, heading directly to the two massive, black iron gates of the Golden Money Gang’s main headquarters, gates that seemed capable of devouring everything.

The gang members guarding the gates had already received the news. Seeing this team, which carried a clear scent of blood and fire yet was exceptionally composed,

especially the sky-blue figure on the bamboo chair, resting with his eyes closed, they all changed color, instinctively gripping their weapons, respectfully lining up on both sides, no one daring to step forward to block him.

A person’s name, a tree’s shadow.

“Invincible in the Human World!”

“One man suppresses the world!”

“Blood Asura of Jianghu!”

“Martial Forest Myth!”

These titles had already spread throughout Jianghu following that world-shaking battle, and naturally, they had already shaken every corner of the Golden Money Gang.

Han Zhen stepped forward, not shouting loudly, but calmly addressing the hall master who was waiting at the entrance:

“Inform the Gang Leader, Young Master has returned.”

His voice was not loud, but the hall master dared not delay, and hurriedly turned to go inside.

Before long, the large gates slowly opened, revealing a long passage.

There was no grand welcome, nor any intentional obstruction, only a deathly silence, as if a giant beast had opened its mouth, waiting for its prey to walk in on its own.

Lu Jiuyuan still had his eyes closed, as if he were truly asleep.

The bamboo chair was steadily lifted, and the group slowly walked into the Golden Money Gang’s main headquarters.

Along the way, countless Golden Money Gang members cast glances, some overt, some covert—curiosity, awe, fear, fanaticism… various emotions intertwined,

yet no one uttered a sound. Only footsteps echoed in the spacious courtyards and corridors, sounding exceptionally clear.

The atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip water.

Finally, the group arrived at the Wealth and Righteousness Hall, the core of the main headquarters.

The hall was vast and magnificent, yet the lighting was dim, giving it a cold, metallic texture.

Shangguan Jinhong sat on a high-backed chair at the far end of the hall, like a Dragon King entrenched in an abyss.

He wore a simple dark gold robe, but his profound, imposing Aura, one that commanded respect without anger, filled the entire hall, making it hard for people to breathe.

Jing Wuming stood slightly behind him, like his most loyal shadow, his eyelids lowered, as if indifferent to everything,

but the deathly Sword Qi emanating from him was more dangerous than any bared fangs.

On both sides of the hall stood the various hall masters and branch leaders of the Golden Money Gang, all elite members of the gang.

At this moment, all were holding their breath, their gazes complex as they watched Lu Jiuyuan and his entourage enter.

The bamboo chair stopped, and Lu Jiuyuan slowly opened his eyes.

His gaze calmly swept past everyone and landed directly on Shangguan Jinhong.

Their eyes met in the air.

One sat on a chair, the other also sat on a chair.

They looked at each other, with no warmth of reunion after a long separation, no excitement of father and son acknowledging each other, and not even overt hostility.

There was only a cold, almost scrutinizing calm, and beneath that calm, surging undercurrents.

The entire Wealth and Righteousness Hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard; the air seemed to have solidified into a block of iron.

After a long while, Shangguan Jinhong was the first to speak, his voice steady and low, without a hint of emotion: “You’ve returned.”

This was not a greeting, but rather a statement.

Lu Jiuyuan nodded slightly, responding with equal calmness: “I have returned.”

“The matter at Shaolin Temple was very… imposing.” Shangguan Jinhong’s tone remained flat.

“I dealt with some trivial matters, it was just incidental.” Lu Jiuyuan’s reply was understated.

This way of communicating, where the two did not seem like subordinates or father and son, caused a huge shock and made the hair stand on end for the Golden Money Gang’s high-ranking members on both sides.

There was always an ominous premonition.

Moreover, flattening Shaolin Temple, executing the abbot, overpowering all the heroes of the world, and forcing the Ten Great Sects to close their doors—these grand feats were merely “some trivial matters” in the Young Master’s mouth?

Shangguan Jinhong’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint sharp glint flashing: “Oh? Just some trivial matters? It seems your vision has indeed changed.”

“Vision depends on strength,” Lu Jiuyuan said lightly. “When strength is reached, it naturally changes.”

“Very good.” Shangguan Jinhong nodded, then suddenly changed the subject: “Then what is your purpose in returning this time?”

Lu Jiuyuan slowly stood up from the bamboo chair.

His movements were not fast, but when he stood up completely straight, an invisible yet mighty Aura naturally spread out,

naturally standing on equal footing with Shangguan Jinhong, and even adding a few points of oppressive force due to his youth, sharpness, and the bloody Evil Qi from countless battles.

His gaze swept over the Golden Money Gang’s high-ranking members on both sides of the hall, finally settling back on Shangguan Jinhong’s face, his voice clear and firm, resounding throughout the entire hall:

“I’ve returned to take over the Golden Money Gang.”