The term Gathering Power refers to a stage in a Martial Artist’s Cultivation. Once their bones and sinews have toughened and they have mastered control over their muscles, they can use a special technique to instantly concentrate their body’s full strength into a single point and unleash it in a devastating burst.

Once someone reaches the Gathering Power stage, the strength they can unleash is far greater than that of an ordinary, unranked Martial Artist. Taking on seven or eight burly men would be no problem at all.

In the County Yamen, the prerequisite for becoming a constable was to be a Gathering Power Martial Artist.

Among the many prominent families in the county, a Gathering Power Martial Artist could even serve as a Guard Leader.

For some small- and medium-sized gangs, a Gathering Power Martial Artist would already be the Gang Leader.

And Han Yuan was only five hundred proficiency points away from Gathering Power.

’Now that I’ve reached the Skilled level, my understanding of the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique has deepened. I can probably practice it twenty-five times a day.’

’At this rate... I’ll only need twenty days.’

Han Yuan calculated in his head.

This was the best-case scenario.

But after days of grueling practice, his funds were depleted, leaving him with only a few dozen copper coins.

The medicinal wine he’d prepared was nearly gone; it would run out in just a few more days.

Without the medicinal wine to aid his muscle recovery, his efficiency would plummet.

’Old Wang mentioned finding a way for me to make some money.’

’There’s been no word for days... I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.’

Han Yuan muttered to himself.

He took out the medicinal wine and applied some. Once his muscles felt warm, he resumed his practice of the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique.

....

Early the next morning, Wang Changbai walked into the warehouse, humming a little tune.

"Drinking this early?"

Han Yuan smelled the alcohol on him.

"A small cup in the morning keeps you energized all day."

Wang Changbai chuckled.

An old-timer like him knew that as long as he wasn’t dead drunk, Old Chen wouldn’t bother him.

Han Yuan was speechless.

"By the way... about that matter you mentioned."

"I’ve got a lead on it."

Wang Changbai lowered his voice.

"What kind of job?"

Han Yuan’s eyes lit up.

"There’s a restaurant on Changfeng Street that’s been constantly harassed by a group of thugs."

"The restaurant’s Shopkeeper contacted me, hoping to find someone to step in and teach those thugs a lesson," Wang Changbai said.

"A restaurant on Changfeng Street... That would be Changyun Restaurant."

The previous owner of his body had been very familiar with the streets and alleys of Qingshui County.

"Right... The streets around Changfeng Street were all your brother’s territory."

"When your brother was still around, no gangs dared to meddle."

"Now that your brother’s missing... Changfeng Street has naturally descended into chaos," Wang Changbai said, shaking his head.

"How much silver is the Shopkeeper willing to pay?" Han Yuan asked.

"Three taels of silver... Running a business isn’t easy, you know," Wang Changbai said.

"Alright... I’ll head over to Changyun Restaurant in a bit to ask about the situation."

Han Yuan nodded.

’Once I get my hands on these three taels of silver, I can buy more medicinal herbs to prepare the wine.’

"Remember to be discreet... That Guo Oldhei hasn’t been caught yet," Wang Changbai reminded him.

"Mhm... I’ll change my clothes and leave through the back of the County Yamen," Han Yuan said.

After changing his clothes inside the warehouse, he slipped out quietly through the County Yamen’s back gate.

.....

That night, a figure once again slipped out the back gate of the County Yamen.

The moment he was clear of the yamen, the figure quickly donned a Conical Hat and vanished into the dark streets.

After crossing several streets, the conical-hatted figure arrived in an area of low, single-story houses.

This place was called Well Street, named for a well in its center that hadn’t run dry in hundreds of years.

This area was one of the filthiest and most chaotic parts of Qingshui County. The ground was covered in foul-smelling wastewater, and rats were SQUEAKING in the stinking gutters.

At night, it wasn’t much quieter.

Underground casinos and brothels filled the area, and all sorts of commotion could be heard.

"You dare come to a brothel without even thirty copper coins?"

"Beat him to death!"

Han Yuan heard a shrill female voice from a distance.

It was followed by a series of miserable screams and wails.

He shook his head, dodged the filthy water on the ground, and moved quickly toward his target.

He had spoken with the Shopkeeper of Changyun Restaurant earlier that day and learned that the group of thugs lived in the Well Street area.

He had come to case the place during the day.

But no one was around at the time. Besides, it was inconvenient to make a move during the day, so he had no choice but to return at night.

’As for the warehouse, I’ll just have to let Wang Changbai cover for me.’

.....

Inside a low, single-story house, several thuggish-looking men were drinking and chatting.

The floor was a mess, littered with peanut and melon seed shells.

Among them was a tall, thin man with a ferocious expression, his left hand completely covered in tattoos.

His name was Zhao Qiang, and he was the leader of this group of thugs.

"Brother Zhao, that Shopkeeper Li still refuses to pay up."

"What’s the plan?" a young thug asked.

"Tomorrow, we’ll go and smash up Changyun Restaurant."

Zhao Qiang snorted coldly.

"Exactly. That Shopkeeper Li is just asking for it."

"Refusing to pay even a little protection money," the young thug chimed in.

"Enough. Let’s drink. We’ll deal with it tomorrow."

Zhao Qiang raised his large bowl and took a deep swig.

The others followed suit, refilling their bowls and drinking heartily.

Soon, one of the thugs couldn’t hold it in anymore and went outside to relieve himself.

After a while, Zhao Qiang, who was still drinking, furrowed his brow.

"That guy, Sixth, why’s he taking so long to take a piss?"

A thug laughed. "Maybe he’s got the runs."

"Go check on him," Zhao Qiang ordered.

The thug nodded and staggered drunkenly out of the room.

And then... he didn’t come back either.

Now, the men in the room sensed that something was wrong.

Zhao Qiang’s expression flickered. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "Let’s go see what’s happening!"

The other thugs scrambled to pick up their weapons from the floor—a mix of iron rods and wooden clubs.

Zhao Qiang himself gripped a short sword and cautiously stepped outside.

SWOOSH~

A cold glint of steel suddenly flashed from the left, as swift as a bird spreading its wings.

Before Zhao Qiang could even react, he felt a sharp pain in his throat.

Hot, metallic-tasting blood began to flood his throat...

As Zhao Qiang collapsed, the other thugs finally got a clear look at their attacker.

He was a Blade Master, wearing a Conical Hat and a black cloth that hid his face.

His visible eyes held a blood-red, chilling glint.

"Run!!!"

The thugs were scared out of their wits, their only thought to flee as quickly as possible.

But Han Yuan had no intention of letting any of them escape. He charged forward, saber in one hand, unleashing one cold slash after another.

A few breaths later, all the thugs lay dead.

Han Yuan was no longer panicked and bewildered like the first time he had killed.

His recent days of practice had made his blade faster and his heart colder.

He searched each body.

He found one tael of silver on Zhao Qiang, but the rest were destitute, carrying only a dozen or so copper coins among them.

Han Yuan wasn’t picky; he took it all.

He then searched the house but was stunned to find nothing of value inside.

’They’re even poorer than I am...’

Han Yuan sighed helplessly. After setting the house on fire, he quickly departed.

Usually, no one would care about the deaths of a few thugs.

However, the long, narrow wounds left by the Thousand Falcons Blade Technique were easily recognizable.

To prevent any complications, Han Yuan simply burned the place down, leaving no loose ends.