Chapter 172 - 169: Little Zhi Returns
"Reporting to the Gang Leader, these men all deserve to die! Before establishing the Sea Shark Gang, this Yu Longxing was nothing more than a local tyrant, colluding with the Government Office to plunder wealthy families and wipe them out completely. His only son, Yu Dazhi, is even more lawless, openly abducting women from the streets. Any woman who was even remotely attractive would be dragged back for his amusement, and many of them took their own lives out of shame and anger," Ma Feng reported.
"So they’re the perfect punching bags. You’re saying that by killing them, I can not only vent my anger but also rid the public of a menace?" Ye Xing said with a slight smile.
"Master Ye, I advise you to think twice before you act!" Sea Shark Gang Leader Yu Longxing’s face was livid as he said in a grave voice, "The Sea Shark Gang is not to be trifled with!"
"ROAR!" The Golden Frenzied Lion beside Yu Longxing seemed to sense its master’s mood. It let out a deep growl, its golden fur bristling as it radiated an intimidating aura.
The Golden Frenzied Lion was a Demon Beast known for its formidable combat strength. This one, in particular, had reached the Peak of Level 5 in its Cultivation and served as the Sea Shark Gang’s guardian beast.
Ye Xing completely ignored the Golden Frenzied Lion’s roar, saying nonchalantly, "Heh. Whether or not you can be trifled with isn’t your call. It’s mine."
Ye Xing’s voice was grim. "Ma Feng, Niu Dequan, hear my order! Kill these men from the Sea Shark Gang!"
"As you command!"
At Ye Xing’s command—
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The hall instantly filled with the ringing of steel. Sabers were drawn and swords unsheathed as the members of the Great River Gang charged toward the Sea Shark Gang.
DONG! PING! PANG!
In an instant, the entire hall erupted into a fierce battle.
"Damn it, the Gang Leader of the Great River Gang is completely insane! Isn’t he afraid of damaging his own gang’s foundation?"
"When the two biggest gangs in Green River Town go to war, the only outcome is mutual destruction!"
"Master Yu, we have to retreat! We shouldn’t be fighting this lunatic!"
"Retreat? What for? This is a god-sent opportunity! To catch the bandits, you first catch the leader. Golden Frenzied Lion, go! Capture that Martial Arts Third Realm whelp!" Sea Shark Gang Leader Yu Longxing bellowed.
"ROAR!" With a mighty roar, the Golden Frenzied Lion’s paws thundered against the ground as it charged toward Ye Xing.
The expressions of the Great River Gang members changed drastically. Left Guardian Ma Feng hastily broke away from his opponent to support Ye Xing.
Suddenly, just then—
A flash of cyan light appeared at the entrance. A powerful gust of wind swept through the hall, sending tables and chairs tumbling and teacups shattering to the floor. The crowd saw only a blur, and in the next instant, a Gale Leopard had already charged in. It moved as fast as the wind itself, instantly catching up to the Golden Frenzied Lion. It raised a paw and slammed it down on the lion’s head.
THUD!
With a muffled thud, the Golden Frenzied Lion was sent tumbling across the floor by the Gale Leopard’s strike. The impact was so violent that it caused the ground to crack.
The Golden Frenzied Lion’s eyes filled with terror. It glanced at the Gale Leopard, which was wreathed in Qi Force, then scrambled to its feet and turned to flee the hall.
But the Gale Leopard was even faster.
WHOOSH! It closed the distance in a blur, its speed dazzling to the eye. It pounced on the Golden Frenzied Lion, pinning it to the ground before opening its cavernous maw and sinking its sharp fangs into the lion’s neck.
SQUIRT!
A spray of fresh blood fanned out like a ghastly flower. In an incredibly gruesome scene, the Gale Leopard immediately began to devour the Golden Frenzied Lion’s corpse on the spot.
This sudden turn of events left the members of the Sea Shark Gang utterly stunned. ’Their greatest asset—the Golden Frenzied Lion at the Peak of Level 5—was killed just like that?’
"What a terrifying demonic aura! That Gale Leopard! Retreat! Run for your lives!" The faces of the Sea Shark Gang members contorted in terror as they frantically scrambled for the hall’s exit.
Suddenly—
BANG! A gunshot suddenly rang out.
Sea Shark Gang Leader Yu Longxing felt a searing pain in the back of his head. His vision went black, and he lost all consciousness. A bloody hole was visible at the base of his skull; a bullet had entered from behind, pierced through his head, and exited through his forehead.
THUMP! Yu Longxing’s body fell stiffly to the ground. Warm blood trickled steadily from the hole in his head.
At the same time, an icy voice rang out—
"Anyone who dares take one more step will share his fate!"
The words had barely left Ye Xing’s mouth when a collective shiver ran through the Sea Shark Gang members. They all froze in their tracks, their apprehensive gazes fixed on Ye Xing.
The men of the Great River Gang closed in, tightly surrounding the Sea Shark Gang members.
"Your Gang Leader, Yu Longxing, is dead. Don’t say I never gave you a chance. I’ll give you two paths. The first is to get the hell out of Green River Town right now and never come back. The second is to surrender and join my Great River Gang. But if you join and I find out you’re not completely loyal, don’t blame me for what happens next. I will make your death a miserable one!" Ye Xing said coldly. "You have a few minutes to think it over. Make your choice now!"
The men of the Sea Shark Gang looked at each other, their expressions wavering with indecision. They began whispering among themselves, weighing their options.
After a moment, one of the Sea Shark Gang’s Squad Leaders asked Ye Xing hesitantly, "Master Ye, if we choose to leave... you’ll really let us go?"
"Of course. I prefer quality over quantity, and I have no need for half-hearted subordinates," Ye Xing said plainly.
"Very well. I am an old man and only wish to live out my final years in peace. I choose to leave," the Sea Shark Gang Squad Leader said after a brief hesitation.
Ye Xing nodded.
The Sea Shark Gang Squad Leader immediately grew vigilant. He backed away slowly, never taking his eyes off Ye Xing, wary of a sudden attack. Once he had put some distance between them, he turned and bolted out the door.
Soon, the allotted time was up. One other person had chosen to leave.
Of all the Sea Shark Gang members who had come, not counting the deceased Gang Leader Yu Longxing and his son Yu Dazhi, there were eight remaining. Two of the older Squad Leaders chose to leave, leaving six men in the hall who were willing to surrender.
"Since you’ve chosen to surrender to the Great River Gang, you will serve me well. I don’t mistreat my own men! In time, you will realize just how wise your choice today was," Ye Xing said gravely. "Ma Feng, Niu Dequan, take these men and go to the Sea Shark Gang’s headquarters. Offer them a chance to surrender. Those who are willing will be absorbed into our Great River Gang. Kill anyone who dares to resist on the spot!"
"As you command!"
Ma Feng and Niu Dequan were ecstatic. They immediately bowed in acceptance and led a large contingent of men, marching majestically toward the Sea Shark Gang headquarters.
Once the Sea Shark Gang was absorbed, the Great River Gang’s power would undoubtedly swell, making them even stronger.
With the gangs in upheaval, Green River Town was destined for a sleepless night.
...
The night was as black as ink. A crescent moon hung in the sky, bathing the hazy world below in its serene light.
Inside his room, Ye Xing sat cross-legged on the wooden bed in the Five Hearts Facing Heaven posture, cultivating the *Innate Skill*.
Suddenly—
"CHIRP! CHIRP!"
The clear, tender chirping came from outside the window, growing closer and closer. A small purple hawk flapped its little lavender wings, flew through the window, and entered the room.