Chapter 471: Spring Boxer – I am the Future Gang Leader with Dreams!

“This silver level leather armor is quite nice.” In the black market, Spring Boxer was drawn to an item and couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

But when he inquired about the price, his expression turned slightly awkward.

He didn't have enough money on hand, not even half of what the silver level leather armor cost.

Accompanying him was a burly man with a triangular head and blue skin.

It was Lan Zao.

Seeing Spring Boxer's troubled expression, Lan Zao offered, “How much more do you need? Perhaps I could lend you some.”

Having survived several wild duels together, the two had built a solid rapport.

Their shared escape had laid the foundation for their friendship.

Of course, ulterior motives played a larger role.

Lan Zao knew his mission was to infiltrate the Bayonet Gang. As one of the gang's key ringleaders, Spring Boxer was relatively straightforward, an ideal target to approach.

Spring Boxer, too, sought to cultivate a relationship with Lan Zao. Not long ago, they had received a reply from the Axe Gang confirming Hen Fa's identity and background. Bing Xiao had directly assigned the task of recruiting Lan Zao to Spring Boxer. Lan Zao's recent actions had steadily increased his value as a recruit.

Spring Boxer himself held considerable admiration for Lan Zao.

Thus, before heading to the black market, he proactively sought out Lan Zao to invite him along.

Hearing Lan Zao wanted to borrow money from him, Spring Boxer felt somewhat conflicted.

His invitation to explore the market had been an attempt to find an opportunity to fund Lan Zao as a gesture of goodwill. Unexpectedly, the situation had reversed—it was Lan Zao who primarily intended to support him.

“But the fact that he proactively offered to lend me money shows he cares about me!” Spring Boxer thought to himself.

Spring Boxer had brought a substantial amount of funds this time.

This money was mainly intended to support Lan Zao, not for his own use.

The funds for his personal use weren't enough to purchase this silver level leather armor.

Unable to voice the real reason, Spring Boxer merely shook his head, “Let's browse around first. Maybe we'll find something better?”

Noticing Spring Boxer's awkwardness, Lan Zao asked curiously, “You've participated in several wild duels now. Haven't you earned any money?”

Spring Boxer sighed and spoke plainly, “I already told you before. I joined the wild duel mainly to earn rare alchemy materials. Our gang desperately needs them."

Lan Zao's gaze sharpened slightly. He thought to himself: "Desperately needed? According to Shuang Tu's analysis, these are most likely for the journey to Tranquil Hill."

Lan Zao asked again, “So, the gang didn't give you a reward? You know how dangerous the wild duel is!"

Spring Boxer scratched his head, “The old gang leader wanted to reward me, but I refused. After all, rebuilding the gang requires a lot of funds. If that money ended up in my hands, I honestly wouldn't know what to do with it.”

Lan Zao looked at Spring Boxer with a peculiar expression. " You truly put the gang first!"

Spring Boxer let out an “Ah” with a peculiar expression. He opened his mouth to explain but ultimately held back.

In truth, after Bing Xiao declared Spring Boxer as the next leader, his perspective on the gang had shifted considerably. As the future leader, he now prioritized the gang's growth over his personal ambitions.

Spring Boxer himself didn't harbor an overly intense thirst for power; his motivation stemmed more from carrying on Teng Dong Lang's legacy.

"So, maybe Shuang Tu's analysis is right. This guy is likely to be the next leader of the Bayonet Gang!" Lan Zao thought to himself.

Shuang Tu's assistance to Lan Zao extended beyond cultivating his combat prowess; he also subtly honed Lan Zao's intelligence-gathering skills during daily routines.

Shuang Tu shared extensive intelligence and his own assessments of the Bayonet Gang with Lan Zao, helping him gain a more accurate grasp of the gang's operations.

The conjecture that Spring Boxer would become the next leader of the Bayonet Gang wasn't difficult to deduce.

Shuang Tu knew Spring Boxer was Teng Dong Lang's coffin bearer, the most explicit connection. Bing Xiao, handling gang affairs these days, had also consciously promoted and trained Spring Boxer in many areas, a clear cultivation strategy.

"Keep browsing. We might find cheaper leather armor elsewhere." Spring Boxer led the way.

Lan Zao followed at a leisurely pace.

Soon, Lan Zao lingered at a stall, showing keen interest in a particular alchemy item.

It was none other than the alchemy projectile core.

“Who knew there'd be alchemy ammunition that pairs so perfectly with the Air Cannon!” Spring Boxer strongly urged Lan Zao to purchase them.

The vendor explained, "This isn't just for pairing with the Air Cannon. In fact, this core can be assembled into any shell casing. On the battlefield, it allows flexible allocation of ammunition to counter the enemy. What do you think? Would you like to buy some, sir?"

The vendor pitched to Spring Boxer with practiced ease.

This was actually Shuang Tu's arrangement.

Lan Zao purchasing it here would perfectly explain the origin of the alchemy warheads in his possession.

Spring Boxer had invited Lan Zao to the black market himself, an opportunity Lan Zao couldn't have asked for. Now, Spring Boxer was his best witness.

Spring Boxer shook his head, “I don't need these tools.”

He still wanted to recruit Lan Zao. Competing with him for purchases now would only ruin their friendship.

Spring Boxer asked again, "So, how about it, Hen Fa? Got enough cash? I don't have enough to buy a silver level leather armor myself, but I can definitely chip in for you."

Lan Zao shook his head, “Thanks, but I've got enough.”

Spring Boxer felt a pang of regret at missing this chance to extend goodwill to Lan Zao.

“You really are lucky. I'm looking forward to seeing you use that Air Cannon battle skill in the duels.” Spring Boxer expressed his envy.

“Let's keep browsing. Maybe we'll find other good stuff.”

The black market was vast; they'd only covered a third of it so far. Spring Boxer sought another chance to sponsor Lan Zao.

Lan Zao's primary goal for this trip had been achieved. Seeing Spring Boxer's behavior, a sudden thought struck him: Could it be as Shuang Tu had speculated? Was Spring Boxer trying to sponsor me to curry favor, building goodwill to recruit me again later?

He wasn't Cang Xu, nor was he as sharp-witted as Zi Di. It took him this long to grasp the implication.

His mood grew slightly peculiar.

He desperately wanted to blurt out to Spring Boxer: “Hurry up and recruit me! I'd join the Bayonet Gang right now and head to Tranquil Hill with you!”

But Lan Zao knew rushing this matter was unwise. He forced himself to suppress his strange feelings.

Rumble...

Just as the two were about to move forward, the entire underground space suddenly shook violently.

The black market was located within an underground cavern.

A torrent of debris rained down from above.

Chaos erupted throughout the black market.

The enforcement squad sprang into action, bellowing commands as they scrambled to restore order.

Fortunately, the tremor came and went swiftly, and the cavern soon settled back into silence.

“What on earth just happened?” The crowd was understandably unsettled.

A silver level enforcer stepped forward, loudly reassuring everyone that it was merely a normal crustal tremor.

The black market transactions continued uninterrupted.

Some, however, felt uneasy and ventured outside to the surface.

Lan Zao and Spring Boxer were among them.

Those around them were discussing the situation.

“There's a battle happening!”

“That direction... isn't that where Master Cai Jing's alchemy lab is?”

"Could it be that Ba Qi has returned? We haven't heard anything about the Heroism Pirates."

"Wait, this aura?"

The crowd was stunned.

Qian Xing's saint level aura spread out with his attack. Even here in the black market, it could still be sensed.

Spring Boxer and Lan Zao's faces also showed shock.

Saint level!

This was an absolute heavyweight.

Spring Boxer gazed toward the battle's epicenter and sighed deeply, “Seems the rumors about Master Fan Sheng Za Zhong's legacy aren't false after all. Even a saint level being has been drawn here. Master Cai Jing is truly formidable, to withstand a saint level fighter!”

Lan Zao replied, "He's a gold level magician, the next highest level below saint level. Don't forget, the Alchemy Guild's Da Bei has joined his side too."

This news had already spread across Flower Skirt Island and been confirmed.

Lan Zao's eyes flickered as he thought to himself: "My bloodline has been purified, I'm certain to reach silver level someday. But that's still only silver level. Gold level, saint level... Only figures like our commander can reach such levels."

At this thought, Lan Zao's expression grew somewhat complicated. He said to Spring Boxer, "Clashes between such powerful figures are not something we can get involved in. Even spectating carries life-threatening risks. We'd be better off returning to the black market. Finding suitable gear is far more practical than lingering here in speculation."

Spring Boxer nodded in agreement, finding Lan Zao's reasoning sound.

The legacy of Master Fan Sheng Za Zhong was undoubtedly valuable, but they had no place in it. In this saga, gold level and saint level were the protagonists. Spring Boxer and his companions didn't even qualify to take the stage.

At their level, they could only look up in awe. This battle would be a rare, spectacular moment in their lives, something to reminisce about in old age or brag about to others when bored.

In truth, they merely caught a distant glimpse from afar. The actual battle scenes would only reach them through hearsay afterward.

The two descended back into the underground cavern.

Soon after, Lan Zao stopped at a stall.

The air was thick with the pungent stench of fish.

The vendor was a fishmonger, specializing in magic beast sea creatures.

He warmly welcomed Lan Zao and Spring Boxer.

After several wild duels, the pair had gained some notoriety within the circle of transcendents on Flower Skirt Island.

Lan Zao was a dark horse who had emerged unexpectedly, his physique and appearance both highly distinctive.

Spring Boxer was a silver level.

Such a transcendent was already considered elite in most circles. In the vast majority of cases. The strongest individuals they encountered in daily life were of this level.

Compared to silver level beings, gold level powerhouses were far fewer in number.

Let alone saint level beings.

The emergence of figures like Master Cai Jing, Magician Da Bei, Ba Qi, and Qian Xing on Flower Skirt Island was purely due to the legacy of Fan Sheng Za Zhong.

Under normal circumstances, a neutral island like Flower Skirt Island wouldn't even warrant a permanent gold level presence.

Lan Zao showed no interest in the dead fish being sold. His daily supply of magic beast meat came from Shuang Tu. Not only did Shuang Tu provide ample food, but they also specially designed nutritionally balanced side dishes for Lan Zao.

Most crucially, Lan Zao didn't have to pay!

Lan Zao showed no interest in either live or dead fish. Pointing at a net piled high with dead fish, he asked, “How much for this gear?”

“Lord Hen Fa, this is my livelihood, I have no intention of selling it,” replied the vendor.

It was an iron level piece of equipment.

Lan Zao, hailing from a fishing village, had spent years making his living at sea and was a master net-caster himself.

He showed keen interest in the net: "If I'm not mistaken, this is an elastic black silk fishing net. My offer already exceeds the market price by nearly double. What do you say?"

The vendor was swayed, but after hesitating, he ultimately shook his head.

Seeing this, Spring Boxer stepped in to help Lan Zao, offering to fund the purchase and driving the price up once more.

But the vendor had made up his mind—he refused to budge.

His reasoning was understandable. This was his livelihood, the gear he depended on to survive. Selling it meant he'd struggle to find a suitable replacement anytime soon.

This would severely impact his fishing efficiency. While selling it could bring in a profit, failing to find a suitable replacement could delay his fishing later and actually lead to losses.

Spring Boxer shook his head helplessly.

Lan Zao could only leave with regret.

On the way, he curiously asked Spring Boxer, " If I joined your gang, could we snatch it from him?"

Spring Boxer immediately looked troubled: “Well...”

After a moment's thought, he decided to be honest: “The Bayonet Gang is indeed a gang. Robbery and bullying? We've done our share of that.”

“But I don't participate.”

“You might not know this, but I once served in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's regular army.”

"Even though I'm a gang member now, I have my own principles. I hope you won't do this either."

“Truth is, once you start down certain paths, it's hard to turn back.”

“You might think I'm hypocritical, a gang member holding onto such principles seems ridiculous.”

“But I feel better sticking to them.”

Lan Zao quietly studied Spring Boxer.

He could sense the sincerity radiating from Spring Boxer.

Combined with Lan Zao's intelligence, he was certain Spring Boxer wasn't lying—this was genuinely his nature!

“Military life forged his foundation and character. Even after falling into gang life, he hasn't lost his integrity.”

In this regard, Lan Zao held great respect for Spring Boxer.

For in Spring Boxer, he saw the reflection of his own commander.

“Our commander is that kind of man too.”

Spring Boxer had been tense, but after speaking honestly, his mood settled.

Lan Zao chuckled, breaking the silence between them, “Lord Spring Boxer, you've truly made me look at you with new respect.”

Spring Boxer smiled back, his words equally heartfelt, “It means so much that you understand me.”

He had thoroughly investigated Hen Fa and knew that in the past, Hen Fa had served as a bodyguard and had no record of any criminal offenses. The so-called crime was merely an act of forced self-defense, an accidental killing driven by anger.

Spring Boxer surveyed the numerous vendors in the black market: “Let me put it this way, if I ever lead the Bayonet Gang, I'll uphold order here, collect protection fees from them, rather than oppressing them with my gang.”

“I believe you, Lord Spring Boxer,” Lan Zao affirmed.

But at that very moment, the black market shook violently once more.

This tremor was far more intense than before. A massive section of the ceiling collapsed, crashing down.

Countless fragments rained overhead, dust billowing as the enforcement squad descended into chaos, utterly unable to maintain control.

Panicked crowds scattered in all directions, rushing toward the exits to escape to the surface.

Amidst this chaos, a group suddenly defied the flow, running downward and bursting into the black market.

At their head stood none other than Xiong Ju!

Xiong Ju spotted Spring Boxer immediately and bellowed at him, "Quick! Someone's selling mithril in the black market. We need it urgently; we must seize it!"

Lan Zao: ?

Spring Boxer: ??!!

Xiong Ju bellowed again, "What are you standing around for? This is the old gang leader's serious order, it must be carried out immediately!"

Spring Boxer's expression darkened. Bing Xiao knew him well yet issued this order. Had something changed?

Gang affairs took precedence over personal convictions.

Without hesitation, he turned and sprinted, shouting, “Follow me! I know where the mithril stall is!”