Chapter 36: If the Young Aren't Spirited, Can They Still Be Called Young?

Evening approached...

The site that once belonged to the Chishui Gang was now the hall of the Qingsha Gang.

Tables were not only set up in the main hall, but also scattered throughout the courtyard, both inside and outside, with food and drink served in waves.

Members of the Qingsha Gang gathered in the courtyard, familiar faces clustered in groups of three or five, chatting idly; while the hall masters and vice-hall masters, those in higher positions, congregated in the main hall, lounging in conversation, exchanging banter, and bursting into laughter...

Additionally, those who had surrendered from the former Chishui Gang were present as well, though compared to the relaxed demeanor of the Qingsha Gang members, these newcomers were clearly more reserved.

After all, they were “defectors,” captured after the Chishui Gang’s defeat at the hands of the Qingsha Gang. Such a dramatic shift in identity left them uneasy and apprehensive.

By now, Liu Shen had changed into a blue, fitted martial outfit and, led by Feng Jun, strode confidently into the hall.

As he passed through the inner and outer courtyards, people began to notice his presence. Acquaintances whispered among themselves, discussing Liu Shen.

Some, with admiration in their eyes, remarked, “That young man beside Master Feng is Liu Shen—the one who chopped down Zhang Wannian’s son right in front of him. Bold!”

Others scoffed, “He’s nothing but a treacherous little man. Just look at his shifty eyes—a wolf’s gaze. He’s no good, shouldn’t have been allowed into the gang.”

Liu Shen’s senses were sharper than most, and the voices of both praise and scorn were not particularly concealed, so he heard them all clearly.

Feng Jun, seeing Liu Shen’s calm expression, as if unbothered, asked, “Boy, didn’t you hear them cursing you?”

“I heard.”

“And you’re not angry?”

“Why should I be angry?” Liu Shen replied coolly. “Those who aren’t envied are mediocre. Whether praised or criticized, it all adds to my reputation. Besides, how many of those who curse me understand the truth? Most are simply jealous that I seized the opportunity.”

“Oh?” Feng Jun asked, a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. “What opportunity?”

“Zhang Shichen!” Liu Shen countered. “Just a few days ago, I was nothing but a dockhand. But because I killed Zhang Shichen in public, I’ve risen to vice-hall master of the Qingsha Gang. Isn’t that an opportunity?”

“Some of them have been in the Qingsha Gang for three, five, even ten years, and are still just ordinary members. I, a nobody, have suddenly leapt above them—how could they not be jealous?”

“If they were in my place, and had the same opportunity, I bet those who curse me would behave even worse.”

“But who’s to say…” Liu Shen curled his lip and added, “Given their ‘see the thief eat meat, never see the thief beaten’ mindset, if they really were in my position, not only would they fail to seize the chance, it’s uncertain whether they’d even survive.”

“Hahahahaha!” Feng Jun clapped his hands in loud laughter.

---

As they neared the main hall, Feng Jun lowered his voice with pointed advice, “Boy, you’re still young. Don’t let your youthful arrogance get the better of you. Too much sharpness draws unwanted attention.”

With that, he smiled, bowed, and strode into the hall to greet his acquaintances...

Liu Shen stood silent for a moment, feeling the urge to ask, ‘If a young man isn’t brash, what’s the point of youth?’

He had learned about the use of ‘momentum’ from Old Master Song, and after experiencing the thrill of unleashing that momentum at its peak against Zhang Shichen, he realized something.

The release of peak momentum might benefit one’s cultivation!

So lately, whether in words or actions, Liu Shen subconsciously fought for dominance, hoping to confirm this theory.

He knew that vying for dominance in human interactions could be both advantageous and risky.

The advantage was that it could quietly build momentum, allowing him to ‘overwhelm others’ when needed—a useful tactic.

The risk was that such assertiveness would inevitably attract attention, for not everyone was willing to bend beneath another’s presence.

He understood this, but he had no intention of changing.

After four years of struggling at the bottom, he’d finally broken through the barrier and had a chance to climb higher—how could he not show his worth?

If he continued to shrink from the spotlight, how could he ascend? How could he build his own momentum?

‘Youth must be bold and spirited.’

Liu Shen’s gaze flickered as he followed into the hall, noticing several eyes upon him—some curious, some admiring, some disdainful, and some cold...

Feng Jun exchanged pleasantries with his old friends, then pulled Liu Shen over, smiling as he explained, “Let me introduce you all. This is—”

“Liu Shen, yes, I know.” Before he could finish, a middle-aged man interrupted, grinning at Liu Shen. “You killed Zhang Wannian’s disgraceful son right in front of him, and even told him you were teaching his son to be cautious in word and deed. For that alone, I respect you—bold!”

“Bold, indeed...” Another man sneered, speaking in a mocking tone, “But how long can he live, that’s the real question.”

Liu Shen smiled knowingly, understanding the meaning behind the mocking words.

A few days ago, after Liu Shen killed Zhang Shichen, Zhang Wannian had lost his will to fight and fled, pursued for dozens of miles by the Qingsha Gang’s second leader.

But Zhang Wannian, seasoned in the four territories for years, was still cunning. Though badly wounded, he eventually escaped Ning San-niang’s pursuit.

And if one were to ask who Zhang Wannian now hated most, who he most wanted dead, Liu Shen would undoubtedly top the list—even above Ning San-niang.

After all, Zhang Wannian and Ning San-niang were both seasoned fighters; losing to the younger Ning San-niang was embarrassing but not something the martial world would dwell on...

But Liu Shen?

He was just a lowly dockhand in the Chishui Gang, someone Zhang Wannian wouldn’t even glance at...

---

Yet right before Zhang Wannian’s eyes, in front of all the martial world, Liu Shen killed his only son, and even boasted about teaching him caution!

This wasn’t just humiliation—it was tearing down Zhang Wannian’s dignity, trampling it on the ground, and spitting on it.

This hatred went beyond irreconcilable...

Now, Liu Shen’s name was rising in Heyang County, riding atop the corpses and faces of father and son.

Meanwhile, Zhang Wannian, wounded and on the run, would undoubtedly, once recovered, seek revenge against Liu Shen—the thorn in his side!

In the hall...

The mocking man, seeing Liu Shen remain silent, assumed he was afraid, and teased, “But Liu Shen, don’t worry. You’re now the vice-hall master of our Qingsha Gang. As long as you stay in the hall and don’t leave, Zhang Wannian won’t be able to touch you.”

“Hiding in the hall and never leaving?” Liu Shen raised his brows, feigning concern, and asked, “How long should I hide, then?”

“Oh, ten years or so should do it…” the mocking man laughed. “Zhang Wannian’s already old, and now wounded. Even if he recovers, his vitality will fade in ten years. And Liu Shen, you’re still young—you’ve got a long road ahead.”

He paused, scanned the room, and grinned, “This ebb and flow—not only will it keep you alive, maybe you’ll even outlast Zhang Wannian! Hahaha!”

Laughter filled the hall, even Liu Shen couldn’t help but chuckle...

“Master Qian, that’s enough!” Feng Jun frowned slightly, smoothing things over. Seeing Liu Shen’s expression change, he comforted, “Don’t mind their nonsense. Zhang Wannian may have escaped, but he’s badly wounded. Even if he’s not crippled, it’ll be a year or more before he recovers. Besides, you’re now part of the Qingsha Gang—your safety is assured!”

“Master Feng, you can’t blame me…” Master Qian shrugged innocently, laughing, “Look, even our Vice-Hall Master Liu is smiling happily!”

“Yes…” Liu Shen nodded, bowing with a smile. “I laugh because Master Qian has such rich experience in hiding from enemies, and is generous enough to share it. I truly admire your open-mindedness!”

“You…” Master Qian’s face darkened and he stood, about to scold Liu Shen for his impudence, but before he could speak, a voice from outside interrupted impatiently, “Enough!”

Ning Hongwu entered the hall with several Qingsha Gang hall masters, glanced at him, and said, “You started the jest, and now you’re angry?”

Master Qian’s face froze and, embarrassed, he fell silent...