Chapter 143: Chapter 84: Outstanding Alchemy! The Center of the Vortex!_3
Even if Liu Geng’s talent was far inferior to his, and it required several times, even ten times more resources and a much longer time to improve his alchemy to a usable level, he still wanted to make the exchange!
“Then just keep trying hard, there will always be a reward,” Su Changkong, seeing through the situation but not pointing it out, began to practice alchemy.
This made Liu Geng take several more glances at Su Changkong, “Does he not realize that he has already angered the Deputy Gang Leader and that disaster is looming?”
“Indeed… He is extremely talented in alchemy, but does not understand the ways of the world, nor the viciousness of the jianghu!”
Liu Geng sighed secretly. He had no personal grudge with Su Changkong and admired his alchemy, but there was no way around it; Meng Sang wanted him dead, and no one could save him!
After completing a day of alchemy, Su Changkong ate dinner in the evening and took a purposeless stroll within the Giant Whale Gang, sensing that wherever he went, there were eyes spying on him from the shadows.
Without asking, he knew it was Meng Sang’s men.
In the past few days, Su Changkong helped Sikong Huang with alchemy without following Meng Sang’s wishes, created a successful Pill Medicine without poisoning it, and this had completely infuriated Meng Sang, who felt that he had been played, and that a mere alchemist dared to defy him?
This had already prompted Meng Sang to harbor a killing intent; since this alchemist wouldn’t obey, it would be easy to replace him!
Su Changkong did not pay attention to the spies monitoring him nearby. He returned to his room, packed his belongings, donned his golden silk soft armor, fitted an arm crossbow on his left arm, wore the Iron-Cutting Sword at his waist, and tucked twenty thousand taels of silver notes into his chest.
Having completed these preparations, Su Changkong headed toward the exit of the Giant Whale Gang.
“The Giant Whale Gang is a good place, but it’s a pity… I have to leave!”
Su Changkong sighed to himself.
During the roughly half a year he had been with the Giant Whale Gang, Su Changkong’s gains had indeed been substantial: his alchemy rapidly advanced to the Fifth Realm, and on a daily basis he extracted many Pill Medicines for his cultivation, even achieving a breakthrough in his Turtle Breath Technique in a short time.
Not only that, but Su Changkong also learned the Giant Whale Skill, the Sect’s Top Skill of the Giant Whale Gang!
If possible, Su Changkong certainly would have liked to continue staying in the Giant Whale Gang, quietly practicing alchemy and cultivating.
But now, with the Giant Whale Gang internally divided into two factions on the verge of conflict, he had offended Meng Sang, and it was hard to stay out of it. Not wanting to remain in the center of this storm, there was only one choice left: to leave the Giant Whale Gang!
Of course, Su Changkong glanced around, seemingly offhandedly, knowing that it would definitely not be easy to leave. But that was all right; it was time to settle some scores! The frustration pent up in his heart also needed to be vented!
When he arrived at the main gate of the Giant Whale Gang, it was strictly guarded by one disciple after another. Someone noticed Su Changkong approaching.
A disciple of the Giant Whale Gang hurriedly stopped Su Changkong, speaking respectfully, “Master Su, judging by your attire… are you planning to go out? It’s quite late…”
Su Changkong was wearing a black, lightweight, fitted martial outfit, wielding a sword at his waist, and looking as if he was about to go out, which naturally aroused the curiosity of the Giant Whale Gang disciples.
“Yes! I have an appointment with a friend today to go see the lanterns nearby, to clear my mind. I will return early tomorrow morning.”
Su Changkong smiled, informing the guard that he was heading out to distract himself and would be back soon.
On hearing this, the guard said, “Master Su, please wait a moment. You have a noble status, and it’s chaotic outside. It would be unfortunate if you were to come to harm. Let me inform the higher-ups and seek instructions. We can arrange for some elite Martial Artists to accompany you and ensure your safety!”
Training an alchemist was too costly, and any mishap would be a massive loss for the Giant Whale Gang. Therefore, leaving required approval, and Martial Artists from the gang needed to accompany him to ensure safety.
“Sure, go report it,” Su Changkong agreed without making things difficult for the guard, seeming quite accommodating.
The guard quickly departed to report, and Su Changkong waited in place.
Before long, the guard returned, accompanied by three more Martial Artists, whose uniforms were embroidered with five blue fish tails, indicating that they all stood out as elites within the Giant Whale Gang!
“Master Su, my name is Zhang Yi, these two are Chen Wen and Chen Wu. The three of us are in charge of your personal protection during this journey!”
One man, who appeared simple and honest with a strong physique, said to Su Changkong.
The guard went to notify others and the Giant Whale Gang had also arranged for elite warriors to protect Su Changkong, specifically the three men before him.
“We’ve met before, Master Su.” Aside from Zhang Yi, the other two, Chen Wen and Chen Wu, bore a resemblance to each other, both under thirty, likely brothers, and they also nodded and greeted Su Changkong in a friendly manner.
“Well then, let’s go. It’s getting late, and we should reach our destination before nightfall.”
Su Changkong nodded and headed towards the exit of the Giant Whale Gang, with Zhang Yi and the Chen family’s brothers following him. This time, the guards did not stop them.
The four of them set off towards the distance, marking the first time Su Changkong had left the Giant Whale Gang in over half a year.
As Su Changkong glanced back at the gradually fading Giant Whale Gang complex, he felt a pang of regret, having enjoyed the past half year, but it was time to leave!
Along the way, Su Changkong noticed that the Chen family’s brothers spent most of their time keeping an eye on him, attentive to his every move.
As for the simple and honest Zhang Yi, he was constantly vigilant of their surroundings, ready for any unexpected incidents.
All four being Martial Artists with exceptional stamina, they covered twenty to thirty miles without much effort as the sky turned a dull yellow, the darkness fast approaching.
“Ouch… My stomach hurts a bit, I might have eaten something bad today. I need to go over there for a moment!”
Su Changkong suddenly clutched his stomach, his face twisted in pain.
“This… I’ll come with you.”
Zhang Yi immediately spoke, having accepted the internal task of the gang, he feared Su Changkong going alone might lead to an accident.
Besides, he was also concerned that Su Changkong might disappear without a trace.
While the Giant Whale Gang had assigned people to protect Su Changkong, it was true they wanted to protect him, but they also intended to prevent him, an Alchemist, from escaping.
But Chen Wu immediately said, “Brother Zhang, is it appropriate for a big man like you to follow? For such a short distance, if Master Su encounters anything, he only needs to shout, and we can rush over immediately. There won’t be any accidents!”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Zhang Yi hesitated.
“Just go, Master Su, we’ll wait here for you!” However, the two brothers Chen Wu and Chen Wen were urging Su Changkong to proceed.
Their behavior made it clear to Su Changkong that Zhang Yi was likely unaware, while the Chen family’s brothers were probably people of Meng Sang!
“Wait here for me!”
Without revealing his realization, Su Changkong pretended to be in a rush as he dived into a nearby small forest.
Upon losing sight of the three men, Su Changkong immediately picked up the pace, moving toward the other side. His speed was moderate, yet in a matter of minutes, he had covered seven or eight miles and arrived at a desolate forest, where he stopped, panting heavily as if out of breath.
“Kid, did you really think you could get away? You tricked me and offended the Deputy Gang Leader and still expect to live and leave?”
Su Changkong had not stopped for long when a cold voice sounded behind him. Under a large tree, a man clad in black appeared, staring at Su Changkong with a mocking look in his eyes.