At least Lusheng never heard of famous masters able to heavily injure mastery realm experts with a single palm strike sans inner force. It must be known mastery realm united one's entire strength. Short boosts of vigor and blood flow possible. Power and speed increased.

On average, mastery realm could equal two peak mastery realm experts stacked.

Inner force only provided some speed and might enhancement. So even if famous grandmasters who cultivated both inner and outer force were stronger, the difference shouldn't be this massive.

It took great efforts before that Elder Wang finally revived. Spitting out another mouthful of congested blood, he sluggishly awoke amidst spectators. Struggling to prop himself up, he looked towards Lusheng.

"This is fucking Soul Breaking Palm!?! Which freak taught you this perverted Soul Breaking Palm!? Tell me! I guarantee not beating him to death!!"

Lusheng froze up. "Soul Breaking... could it be Elder Wang's hereditary Soul Breaking Palm??" Everyone blinked astonished.

"This old man's ashamed!!" Elder Wang loudly yelled. Flipping up in a smooth motion, he shook off support and stood up. "Where did you learn Soul Breaking Palm!? Mistakes all over! Inner force used completely wrong! That's fine but still heavily injuring me with one strike! Preposterous!!"

Both angry and frustrated, his gaze towards Lusheng increasingly brightened.

Lusheng speechlessly watched on. Connections tied everywhere huh. He obtained Soul Breaking Palm from Constable Zhang. Didn't expect it was this old man's hereditary skill. Looks of the crowds showed possibility of long-standing fame. Didn't seem fake.

"You're stronger! Much much stronger than me!" Elder Wang solemnly said. Pushing away Zhao Jie who tried supporting him.

"I can't teach you but my elder brother definitely can! He... He must be able! With your talents and his might, perhaps a path, a hope can be found!"

Lusheng listened confused.

The crowds also didn't understand his meaning. Only that middle-aged woman's eyes flashed, seemingly grasping Elder Wang's implication.

"Little brother, are you willing joining our Crimson Whale Society?" Elder Wang walked closer to Lusheng with gravity. Then he suddenly smacked his forehead. "Oh right, I forgot. You originally came to join us!"

"Elder Wang please go rest first. I can handle things here." That beauty softly said.

"That works too. Then Sister Cheng, I'll leave this little brother to you first." Elder Wang also felt unable to continue with his injuries. Necessitating recuperation.

Lusheng never got a chance to speak before seeing Elder Wang whisked away by groups. Some people remained behind with that woman.

Those left all sized up Lusheng with gazes resembling Zhao Jie and Elder Xiao's. Full of reverence.

"Brother Lu, why not we first sit inside to talk?" Elder Xiao suggested.

"Very well." Lusheng finally relaxed.

He didn't fear offending anyone but accidentally killing some innocent old man would be too unjust.

Seeing Lusheng agree, Elder Xiao sought permission from that middle-aged woman before leading the two inside. Only allowing the three entry, barring followers like Zhao Jie.

After sitting down inside facing each other, Elder Ouyang Chengzhi crossed her slender, rounded legs. Slightly tilted while resting. Ample bosom and upright waist gave her a refined yet dignified charm.

"We witnessed Brother Lu's extraordinary might. Suitable to be Foreign Affairs Envoy but we lack rights for appointments. Only able reporting to the chief for all elders' discussions first before deciding."

"No problems." Lusheng smiled. "I joined to exchange stronger martial arts so specific positions are unimportant."

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"Our gang stands unparalleled up north regarding martial arts. The chief holds fame as the foremost swordsman with none able surpassing us for optimal skills. Even authorities aren't comparable." Elder Ouyang laughed.

At the side Elder Xiao supplemented, "Our chief's prestige can be considered first-rate up north. Even the garrison general and city defense commander here can only refer to themselves as juniors before him."

"Oh?" This rather astonished Lusheng. Although worthless, these authorities still stood through ages. Some excellencies must be present. A mere gang leader able conversing on equal terms subtly reflected Crimson Whale Society's background wasn't so simple.

"Currently, monsters cause turmoil leaving many destitute. Many elders went assisting authorities dealing with chaos everywhere. The envoy role may require some time before approval. I'll promote Brother Lu to Ninth Rank Fish for now, please pardon me." Elder Ouyang smiled.

"No problems. Don't skimp on the benefits." Lusheng chuckled while asking, "May I know what contributions permit entering the Martial Glory Tower?"

"The Tower contains some basic, freely accessible martial arts. Fifth Rank Fish and above can browse them. Ninth Rank Fish permits viewing all mastery realm methods regardless inner or outer cultivation, entirely free." Elder Ouyang earnestly answered.

"All mastery realm?" Lusheng's eyes lit up.

That was the level of his Black Tiger Saber Arts. The manual itself capped at mastery realm with subsequent insight realm relying on personal comprehension.

Just like Lusheng after some pointers from Constable Zhang.

Actually, insight realm manuals detailing concrete steps for breakthroughs existed. Even rarer.

"Higher level techniques or receiving guidance from inner experts would expend gang contributions." Elder Ouyang smiled.

She and Elder Xiao then explained some Crimson Whale Society common knowledge to Lusheng.

Like the marks on attire indicating ranks. Ordinary members to sub-chiefs and chiefs were separated by fish counts from one to nine as the maximum.

Afterwards were white whale marks. The insignia for elders, external and home envoys. Further above were twin white whales belonging to the two deputy chiefs.

Lastly was the crimson whale symbolizing the chief.

After some dialogue, they finished when afternoon turned evening. Elder Ouyang took her leave early.

Elder Xiao and Zhao Jie invited Lusheng to lavishly drink at a restaurant outside celebrating his admission.

After hearty drinking, Elder Xiao heavily sighed while seated. "Frankly speaking, these are difficult times full of danger everywhere. Our casualties are also extremely high. Thus the tremendous demand for experts."

"Extremely high casualties? What do you mean Elder Xiao?" Lusheng asked puzzled. He had some guesses inwardly but didn't vocalize them.

Elder Xiao forced a bitter laugh. "Brother Lu might not know every threat and danger gets strangled in obscurity here despite surface prosperity. Our Crimson Whale Society helps process these matters as a head authority.

Otherwise why would court still permit existence of so many groups?"

Lusheng narrowed his eyes feeling some surprise at their candidness. "Dangers? May I ask what other perils could Mountain City have?"

The sidelined Zhao Jie couldn't resist cutting in, "Brother Lu, I'll arrogantly address you directly as brother, no objections right?"

"No problems." Lusheng smiled waving his hand.

Zhao Jie continued wryly, "You don't know these dangerous times! People joining us that I process daily exceed ten! Ten plus per day. Over three hundred days per year. That's three-four thousand people! So many years yet why only several tens of thousands in the gang? Where did the rest go if not dead or crippled?"

"Zhao Jie describes ideal circumstances for us. At least unable to work guarantees some benefits still. Other sects are the real tragedies..." Elder Xiao sighed again.

The swaying lamplight rendered a moment of silence between them.

After a spell, Lusheng slowly asked, "May I know just what these so-called dangers refer to...?"

"No taboos." Elder Xiao waved his hand. "We mainly handle manmade disasters. Capturing convicts. Murderers, arsonists, robbers, rapists and the like. Then turf wars, resource plundering, scuffling with longtime rivals. Those are manmade disasters.

Occasionally we also meet dark calamities. Bizarre and inexplicable events. Like a while ago when an outer city guardsman's second daughter vanished midnight. By the time she was found below a willow by Matsuba River outside the city, her entire body grew black fur impossible to cover despite clothes. I swear it's true despite how unbelievable it sounds."

"This matter is real?" Even Zhao Jie was shocked.

"Truly irrefutably so. I personally saw that girl around just eleven-twelve completely furry. Her family later came to our gang and none other than Envoy Li personally took action. Supposedly thundering rumbles resounded across the yard that very night during the deed." Elder Xiao sighed feeling strong emotions.

"Dark calamities... Very common occurrences?" Lusheng narrowed his eyes grasping Crimson Whale Society's collective term for bizarre paranormal events.

"Not common but perhaps once every few months. Sometimes even higher frequency. Basically no need handling them since it quickly vanishes on its own. For those that don't, impacts also remain limited to small regions. Just avoid those spots and it's safe." Elder Xiao explained.

Lusheng nodded. Now he understood how ordinary people dealt with strange happenings.

"Speaking of, there was recently another bizarre incident nearby. Don't know if Brother Lu heard about it?" Zhao Jie suddenly said.

"What strange event?" Lusheng asked.

Zhao Jie's brows knitted as he lowered his voice. "Previously there was a scholar living closeby called Wang Ziquan or something. Rumors say he inexplicably visited a flower boat deep in the night yet never returned. Still sensational gossip until recently."

"I inquired above whether handling it but direct instructions stated no need. It would naturally die down after some time." Elder Xiao followed up.

Lusheng's eyes narrowed. Now he vaguely grasped some understanding.