After my rebirth, my Martial Sect will surely sweep the martial world in blood.

The training ground was packed with gang members, from dock managers to the lowest-ranking laborers; almost everyone was present.

On the high platform, the gang leader Li Canglan sat in the center, his face solemn. The second-in-command, Zhou Meng, stood beside him with his hand on his sword, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

Lin Mo stood a little further behind Zhou Meng, his expression calm, as if everything before him had little to do with him.

"Bring him up!" Li Canglan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly echoed throughout the entire training ground.

Two disciples from the Enforcement Hall escorted a man up to the high platform. The man's clothes were still relatively neat, but his hair was disheveled and his face was ashen. He was none other than Zhao Kun, the once powerful third leader. His arms were tied behind his back, his steps were unsteady, and he had long lost his former imposing manner.

A suppressed murmur arose from the crowd, as many of the lower-ranking gang members were seeing their fallen leader in such a disheveled state for the first time.

Li Canglan slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below the stage before finally settling on Zhao Kun. His voice carried an undeniable authority: "Zhao Kun, as the third-in-command of this gang, you have received great favors from the gang, yet you have shown no gratitude. You have embezzled public funds, colluded with external enemies, and embezzled tribute goods. You even attempted to kill someone to cover your tracks and frame your colleagues. The evidence is overwhelming. Last night, your trusted confidant, 'River Rat' Hu San, and others attempted to seize false evidence but were apprehended on the spot. Do you have anything else to say?"

Zhao Kun raised his head, a bitter smile on his face. He knew the situation was hopeless. Since Li Canglan dared to conduct a public trial, he must have solid evidence and had already taken control of the situation. He said in a hoarse voice, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. I, Zhao Kun, admit defeat! I only regret that my planning was not thorough enough, and that I could not get rid of that informant sooner!" As he spoke, his resentful gaze suddenly shot towards Lin Mo.

Lin Mo met his gaze, her eyes remaining completely unwavering, as if she were looking at an insignificant dead man.

"Stubborn to the end!" Li Canglan snorted coldly, no longer looking at him, and turned to the crowd below the stage, saying loudly, "Brothers, you have all seen it! The Canal Gang has achieved its current success because of the unity of its members and the principle of integrity! People like Zhao Kun, who betray their own side and abandon their promises, are parasites of the Canal Gang and our common enemy! Today, he will be dealt with according to the gang rules as a warning to others!"

He paused, then his voice suddenly turned stern: "Disciples of the Enforcement Hall, heed my command!"

"Here!" Four burly men dressed in black, with the character "法" embroidered on their chests, responded in unison and stepped forward.

"According to Article 3 of the gang rules, anyone who betrays the gang or harms its vital interests will have their martial arts skills crippled, their tendons severed, be expelled from the gang, and never be rehired! Execute!"

At the command, the training ground fell silent, save for the heavy breathing that filled the air. To cripple someone's martial arts and sever their tendons was tantamount to rendering them completely useless, a punishment far more painful than death. This was one of the most severe punishments the Canal Gang inflicted on traitors.

Fear finally crossed Zhao Kun's face. He struggled to his feet and roared, "Li Canglan! You can't do this! I've rendered meritorious service to the Canal Gang! I... Ah!"

The screams abruptly ceased. A disciple, his fingers swift and precise, struck Zhao Kun's dantian (lower abdomen) with incredible speed. A burst of energy shot through Zhao Kun's body, causing him to shudder violently. His face turned deathly pale, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood, collapsing as if his bones had been removed. Immediately afterward, two other disciples swiftly wielded their knives, the cold light flashing as they accurately severed the tendons in his wrists and ankles.

Blood gushed out, staining the wooden planks of the platform red. Zhao Kun collapsed to the ground like a lump of mud, his body convulsing from the excruciating pain, uttering incoherent moans.

The entire training ground was deathly silent. Everyone was stunned by the bloody and cruel scene, and some of the more timid ones couldn't even look directly at it.

Two law enforcement disciples dragged Zhao Kun away, who was lying like a dead dog, without any expression on their faces, leaving only a winding trail of blood on the ground.

Li Canglan looked at the bloodstains, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but it quickly returned to its cold indifference. He spoke again, his voice breaking the silence: "Zhao Kun has been brought to justice, but the losses he caused have not yet been fully recovered. This time, the exposure of his crimes and the capture of his accomplices are all thanks to him alone."

His gaze shifted to Lin Mo: "Lin Mo!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate is here."

"Although you have only been in the gang for a short time, your loyalty is commendable, your courage is exceptional, and your skills are outstanding. Your recent exposure of Zhao Kun, your scheme to capture his henchmen 'River-Turning Rat' Hu San and others, and your preservation of the gang's assets are all meritorious achievements. According to gang rules, meritorious service must be rewarded! Effective immediately, you are promoted to the position of Chief Manager of the C-Class Warehouse, overseeing all affairs of the C-Class Warehouse, and may report directly to the Second-in-Command or the current gang leader!"

These words immediately caused an uproar in the audience. The head of the C-class warehouse! This was a truly powerful position, overseeing one of the dock's most important warehouses, with at least dozens of people under his command. His monthly salary and power were incomparable to what they had been before. How could Lin Mo, a newcomer, rise so quickly in such a short time not be astonishing?

However, considering that he had taken down the third-in-command, Zhao Kun, and that rumors circulated last night that he had subdued the infamous "River-Turning Rat" Hu San, this achievement certainly deserved the reward. Many people looked at Lin Mo with envy, awe, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.

"Furthermore," Li Canglan continued, "I will reward you with five hundred taels of silver as encouragement! I hope you will remain humble and diligent, and make new contributions to the gang in the future!"

An elderly man who looked like an accountant walked up to the platform carrying a heavy wooden tray. The tray was neatly filled with snowflake-white silver, which shimmered with an alluring luster in the morning light.

Five hundred taels of silver! For most ordinary gang members, this was an unimaginable fortune. A year's hard work would only earn them a dozen or twenty taels of silver. This reward was enough to buy a decent house in Qinghe Town, or to acquire a sizable property.

The breathing of the crowd below the stage became heavier, their eyes fixed intently on the plate of silver.

Lin Mo remained calm, as if the promotion to steward and the five hundred taels of silver were nothing more than ordinary matters to him. He bowed again, his voice steady and unwavering: "Thank you for the reward, Chief! Lin Mo will certainly do his utmost to live up to your expectations."

He stepped forward and accepted the heavy wooden tray with both hands. The cool touch sent a shiver through his fingertips. This was the first pot of gold he had earned through his own abilities since coming into this world, and also the first stepping stone on his path to establishing himself and seeking revenge.

Seeing Lin Mo's calm and composed demeanor, Li Canglan's admiration deepened. He waved his hand: "Disperse, everyone. Go back to your work! Remember today's lesson: the Canal Gang will not tolerate traitors!"

Led by their respective leaders, the gang members gradually dispersed with mixed feelings. Soon, only a handful of people remained on the training ground.

Zhou Meng walked up to Lin Mo, looked at the silver tray in his hand, and grinned: "Good lad, now you're a true Manager Lin! How do you plan to spend these five hundred taels? Want your older brother to take you somewhere to have some fun?"

Lin Mo shook his head slightly, revealing a faint smile: "Thank you for your kindness, Second Master. I have other uses for this money." He paused, then said, "As I am new to managing the C-class warehouse, I am still unfamiliar with many matters and need to learn more from you, Second Master."

Zhou Meng patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry, feel free to ask if you don't understand anything. Although Zhao Kun has fallen, he has been running the business for many years, and the C-class warehouse may not be clean. After you take over, you can take this opportunity to reorganize it properly. If you have any difficulties, just come to me or the gang leader."

"I understand," Lin Mo nodded. He naturally knew that being promoted to manager did not mean he could rest easy; on the contrary, it would place him in a more complex environment and subject him to more direct open and covert attacks. Zhao Kun's remaining forces, as well as other potential envious individuals, would not allow him to feel secure.

But he was fearless.

Holding the silver tray, Lin Mo returned to his newly assigned private courtyard near the dock. It was a managerial-level accommodation; though small, it was quiet and peaceful.

He carefully put away the money, keeping only a few loose coins on his person for emergencies. Sitting at the simple wooden table, he began to plan his next move.

Power and money were merely tools. His goal was never to seize power and profit within the Grand Canal Gang. His true aim was to leverage the gang's influence and channels to quickly enhance his strength, gather intelligence, and find clues to his past enemies.

Now that he has the status of a manager, his actions are more convenient, and he can also access more information circulating within the Canal Gang. This five hundred taels of silver can be used to purchase some basic cultivation resources, or to bribe and train people.