**: Taking Control of the Black Market Again**

The first leader of the Beak Gang was a herb gatherer who possessed a family heirloom, a pickaxe法器. This tool was highly effective for harvesting wild spiritual plants.

Herb gatherers banded together for mutual support, resisting extortion and bullying, which eventually led to the formation of the Beak Gang.

Thus, the gang's foundation was never particularly strong.

During Sun Lingtong's era, the Beak Gang capitulated under pressure.

When Sun Lingtong was wanted and the Viper Gang rose rapidly, appearing poised to take control of the black market, the Beak Gang was the first to send congratulations.

Now, when the Monkey Head Gang leader presented the head of the Viper Gang leader as a greeting gift to the Beak Gang, the Beak Gang leader felt not the humiliated anger of being threatened, but rather a deep sense of reflection.

He had seen the mansion built, the guests feasted, and the mansion collapsed.

Not long ago, the ambitious Viper Gang leader was now just a head, his eyes wide open in death.

Not long ago, the Viper Gang, which had exuded an air of ruling the black market, had disintegrated and vanished overnight.

"The old leader was right!" he thought.

"Those who live by the sword, die by the sword."

"Fighting and killing are things best avoided unless absolutely necessary."

"A life like ours is quite good: gathering herbs, selling them, paying some protection money."

"There's always a higher mountain; someone will always be stronger than you."

"Without innate talent, without superior spiritual roots, and without reliable backing, to survive long in this world, one should become like an herb, a spiritual plant. Offer your fruits, demonstrate your value, rather than baring your fangs."

The Beak Gang leader sighed inwardly.

He had his own survival strategy.

The Monkey Head Gang leader issued him a warning, informing him that the Monkey Head Gang was intervening in the black market with the Ning Family as their backer, and hoped the Beak Gang would know which way the wind was blowing.

The Beak Gang leader said he needed to convene the gang's elders for discussion and requested the Monkey Head Gang leader wait a moment.

After only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the Monkey Head Gang leader received the Beak Gang's response: the entire Beak Gang was willing to submit, but the specific terms needed to be discussed face-to-face with Ning Zhuo.

The Monkey Head Gang leader was pleased. Having annihilated the Viper Gang, his gang had suffered heavy casualties and urgently needed rest. The Beak Gang's willingness to yield was the best possible outcome.

He laughed immediately, "Smart move! Come with me, don't keep Young Master Zhuo waiting."

Ning Xiangqian stood by the window, staring at the Beak Gang's headquarters. His brow furrowed with worry as he monitored the situation.

The Monkey Head Gang leader had been inside for some time with no sign of him, which gradually increased Ning Xiangqian's anxiety.

"Why is there still no movement?"

He couldn't help but glance at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo sat in the main seat and hadn't risen since sitting down.

Clusters of pure white clouds enveloped him, tightly concealing all fluctuations from his cultivation.

"Quite diligent..." Ning Xiangqian thought to himself.

Before publicly supporting Ning Zhuo at the ancestral hall, he had never been in close contact with him.

This joint operation to intervene in the black market was Ning Xiangqian's first time cooperating with Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo's various actions had truly surprised him.

"Extremely diligent in cultivation, seizing every minute!"

"Very shrewd, completely unlike a recent graduate from the academy."

"But still young, a bit impulsive in his actions!"

Ning Xiangqian believed Ning Zhuo's order for the Monkey Head Gang leader to go persuade the Beak Gang to surrender was too radical and risky.

The Monkey Head Gang leader was the key figure helping Ning Zhuo control the entire Monkey Head Gang.

The battle against the Viper Gang had shown the Ning clansmen the Monkey Head Gang leader's value.

He had commanded well during the fight, effectively mobilizing all gang members, continuously boosting morale, and maintaining discipline.

This showed the third leader had the gang's support and sufficient control over them.

There was no second person who could replace him.

This was also evident from the battle.

No one else had the prestige of the Monkey Head Gang leader or had performed notably during the fight.

"If the Monkey Head Gang leader dies, controlling the entire gang will become very difficult, and it might just fall apart."

"Sigh..."

This was Ning Xiangqian's greatest concern.

Footsteps approached, and then the door was knocked.

Ning Xiangguo's voice came through: "Young Master Zhuo, the Monkey Head Gang leader has completed his mission. He has brought the Beak Gang leader to see you."

Ning Xiangqian's eyes widened. He had been watching from the window and hadn't seen anyone leave the headquarters.

It turned out the Beak Gang leader had used an underground passage to bring the Monkey Head Gang leader over.

Specific terms needed discussion and negotiation to be finalized.

Based on the terms, the Beak Gang would determine the manner of their surrender.

The Beak Gang leader entered the room and bowed towards the cloud mass.

The clouds gradually dissipated, and Ning Zhuo's cold voice came first: "Since you're surrendering, why don't you kneel upon seeing me?"

"Kneel!" Ning Xiangqian immediately shouted coldly.

The Beak Gang leader's heart trembled. Numerous spiritual senses from inside and outside the room locked onto him, and the gazes of the Ning Family's Foundation Establishment cultivators rested upon him.

Under pressure from the enemy's force, the Beak Gang leader gritted his teeth and knelt.

The clouds vanished. Ning Zhuo saw the Beak Gang leader; to Ning Zhuo, the latter was an old acquaintance.

The Beak Gang leader had met Childish Guest many times but was "seeing" Ning Zhuo for the "first time." He didn't know the secret that Ning Zhuo was Childish Guest.

"So young!" was the Beak Gang leader's first impression.

Ning Zhuo was only sixteen, truly too young.

This young, tender face instantly gave the Beak Gang leader a bit more courage.

He began stating his demands, attempting to retain autonomy.

Ning Zhuo sneered, "It seems you still don't understand the current situation. What you hold are mere delusions and fantasies!"

The Beak Gang leader said, "Lord Ning Zhuo, this old man might be able to offer you unexpected assistance."

"Take the present situation: you seem intent on unifying the black market. You might not yet be fully aware that there are three major gangs in the black market."

"Any individual or force wanting to control the black market cannot bypass these three gangs."

"Currently, among these three gangs, the Viper Gang has been eradicated by you, and my Beak Gang submits to you. The third gang is the most mysterious, rarely known, but its influence is immense."

Ning Zhuo chuckled, "Are you referring to the Turtle Breath Gang?"

"Uh." The Beak Gang leader's expression froze.

Ning Zhuo looked towards the door, his gaze seeming to pierce through it. "By my estimate, he should be arriving just about now."

The next moment, Ning Family cultivators outside shouted, "Who goes there?!"

A middle-aged man's voice replied, "I am the leader of the Turtle Breath Gang. Persuaded by the envoy, I have come to pledge allegiance to Lord Ning Zhuo."

Ning Zhuo laughed, "Invite him in."

The Turtle Breath Gang leader, dressed in black, entered.

He was followed by two Ning Family Foundation Establishment cultivators, who looked wary and sent mental messages to the others: "Be careful! This man's stealth skills are exceptional. He got within three meters of me before triggering my法器's alarm."

The Ning Family Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately became stern, their eyes and spiritual senses focusing on the Turtle Breath Gang leader.

The Turtle Breath Gang leader remained expressionless, feeling somewhat disdainful internally. Trained by Sun Lingtong, he was highly skilled in concealment and stealth. He had deliberately leaked his aura just now to be discovered.

If he used his full ability, he could reach behind the Ning Family cultivators without them noticing.

"It really is you!" the Beak Gang leader exclaimed, wide-eyed.

He found it incredible!

In his understanding, the Turtle Breath Gang was extremely mysterious, without a conventional headquarters. Even gang members often didn't know each other's identities, usually contacting each other through single channels.

Even during Sun Lingtong's time, the Turtle Breath Gang remained independent.

When the Viper Gang rose, swallowing Sun Lingtong's territory and riding high, their leader woke up one morning to find a letter on his bedside, written by the Turtle Breath Gang leader.

This incident spread quickly.

The Viper Gang consequently became much more restrained, shedding their previous arrogant and unrestrained demeanor.

"How could such a gang, such a leader, submit to Ning Zhuo for no apparent reason?!" The Beak Gang leader was deeply puzzled.

"So Ning Zhuo really had a plan and arrangements!"

"Besides us, this talented youth seems to have another force at his disposal."

"Remarkable. His move into the black market wasn't impulsive but carefully planned!"

For a moment, the Ning Family Foundation Establishment cultivators also frequently cast admiring glances towards Ning Zhuo.

Despite having only "Qi Refinement level 3" cultivation, Ning Zhuo's methods commanded respect.

The Monkey Head Gang leader was intimidated by Ning Zhuo.

He had heard many rumors about the Turtle Breath Gang.

That Ning Zhuo had quietly secured this gang's allegiance far exceeded his expectations.

"The Turtle Breath Gang has always dealt in information. With such personnel monitoring us, we must be extremely cautious under Ning Zhuo's command!"

The Monkey Head Gang leader's mood grew heavier.

He had originally considered some minor schemes, but the Turtle Breath Gang's submission made him abandon those thoughts!

The Monkey Head Gang leader took a deep breath and suddenly spoke up loudly, congratulating Ning Zhuo on unifying the black market, achieving an astonishing feat overnight, turning clouds and rain with a flip of his hand.

The Turtle Breath Gang leader remained silent.

The Beak Gang leader paled.

The Turtle Breath Gang's submission threw him into disarray. Ning Zhuo had become even more dominant. His Beak Gang was too weak; what qualifications did they have to negotiate?

However, upon hearing the Monkey Head Gang leader's flattery, Ning Zhuo shook his head.

"Still far from it."

"To control the black market, one must at least master the Three Gangs and Three Solitaries."

"Now, the Monkey Head Gang has replaced the Viper Gang, and the Beak Gang and Turtle Breath Gang have submitted to me."

"Next, we need to deal with Feng Heizi, the One-Armed Artisan, and the Unclean One."

Hearing this, the Ning Family cultivators looked at each other.

They were largely unfamiliar with the black market's inner workings and were hearing these names for the first time.

The Beak Gang leader's face turned even paler.

The Turtle Breath Gang leader remained expressionless, but his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

The depth of Ning Zhuo's understanding of the black market surprised them both.

(End of )