Chapter 236 - 236 She's Even More Beautiful than a Heavenly Immortal
Ye Qing said, "I'm not familiar with her; I've only met her once."
"Not familiar? Impossible, right?" Zhao Chengshuang glared, saying, "If you're not familiar with her, would she take care of you like this? Having you help collect debts, it's clear that she's telling everyone you're working for her, the Poisonous Mantis. If this news gets out, within the whole Shenchuan City, who would dare to lay a finger on you?
Let alone Shenchuan City, even throughout the entire Eastern Province, who would dare to touch a hair on your head. Even the Fire Butterfly of West Gate, if she wanted to move against you, she'd have to weigh her options carefully first!"
Ye Qing furrowed his brow slightly, saying, "Is it really that exaggerated?"
"Damn, what I'm saying is the truth, not an exaggeration at all!" Zhao Chengshuang said. "The Poisonous Mantis! This woman, who in the entire Underworld of Eastern Province would not be afraid at the mention of these three words?"
Reflecting on when he had met the Poisonous Mantis, Ye Qing had to admit that he too could feel a terrifying aura emanating from this woman. Only, he hadn't expected her to have such a reputation in Eastern Province. Even if Zhao Chengshuang was exaggerating, it was enough to indicate the woman's formidable strength!
"Right, you just said you've met her once..." Zhao Chengshuang looked at Ye Qing, hopeful, saying, "So, you've seen her face?"
"Yes." Ye Qing nodded.
"Damn, you're so lucky!" Zhao Chengshuang was immediately full of excitement, saying, "They say the Poisonous Mantis is as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal, is that true or false?"
Ye Qing thought for a moment, then said, "In your eyes, what would qualify as a Heavenly Immortal?"
"Uhh..." Zhao Chengshuang pondered, saying, "Using my cousin as an example, I think she's close to a Heavenly Immortal. Right, there's a campus beauty from Shenda University who lives with you, she's at the level of a Heavenly Immortal in my heart."
"Oh." Ye Qing nodded, saying, "If that's the case, she's probably even more beautiful than a Heavenly Immortal."
"Ah?" Zhao Chengshuang's mouth hung open, and after a long while, he exclaimed, "You... You're not seeing things, are you? Is she really that beautiful? Holy crap, no wonder so many men would gladly give up ten years of their life just for a glimpse of her."
"She is very beautiful, but..." Ye Qing said, "I would advise you it's best not to look at her."
"Why?" Zhao Chengshuang asked curiously. "A beauty, why can't I look? You've seen her, why can't I?"
Ye Qing frowned, saying, "This woman, she's not like a Heavenly Immortal, but more like a demon. It's better if those with weak wills do not look upon her. Whatever you're thinking, you can't hide it from her eyes."
Zhao Chengshuang thought for a moment, then said, "Damn, you curse without using dirty words!"
Black Bear scratched his head on the side, puzzled, saying, "Did the captain curse at you? I didn't catch that."
Zhao Chengshuang said, "You didn't hear him saying that Huangfu Ziyu can see through what others are thinking. Then he tells me not to see Huangfu Ziyu, isn't that clearly implying that if I saw Huangfu Ziyu, my mind would definitely be filled with dirty thoughts? If she sees through the things I'm thinking, wouldn't she personally kill me?"
"I didn't think that much." Ye Qing said, "I just feel that women like her, you're better off staying away."
"I would like to get involved, but I don't have the opportunity," Zhao Chengshuang said with a helpless shrug, "Anyway, you're really lucky. From her debut until now, the East State Poisonous Mantis hasn't set foot in Shenchuan City. The first time she enters Shenchuan City, she helps you out big time and gives you such a great opportunity.
The Poisonous Mantis having you collect debts means you're basically her spokesperson in Shenchuan City. Those underworld figures in Shenchuan City, who wouldn't want to show you some respect? I just wonder, why no woman fancies me when I'm handsomer than you?"
Ye Qing and Black Bear glanced at Zhao Chengshuang, then both bowed their heads and continued eating, ignoring him.
With an embarrassed face, Zhao Chengshuang said, "Damn, can't a guy boast a little to save face? Alright, no more nonsense, with Huangfu Ziyu's Imperial Edict in hand, going to the Fierce Tiger Gang to collect money will be a cinch. After we eat, I'll take you to collect the debts, and let's see who dares not to pay up!"
Weidi Hall belonged to the Fierce Tiger Gang and was their most profitable venue in Shenchuan City. When Tiger King was alive, he always managed this venue. After Tiger King was killed by the Poisonous Mantis and several of his close followers were wiped out. Now, Tiger King's faction had all but dispersed, and the Fierce Tiger Gang had fallen apart.
The one currently in charge of Weidi Hall was the son of the previous Gang Leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, Pi Junchao. After his father's gang was swallowed by Tiger King, he knew how to endure. He had kept a low profile within the gang for so long, never once showing any sign of wanting vengeance.
Together with the support from some of the old gang members, Tiger King also didn't dare to kill him, wanting to maintain a good reputation.
As a result, after Tiger King died, the first person who rose up to eliminate Tiger King's old forces was Pi Junchao. He joined forces with the former gang leader's supporters and became the largest power within the Fierce Tiger Gang, controlling nearly one-third of the gang's profitable venues.
However, the Fierce Tiger Gang was now too scattered, and his attempts to reconsolidate the gang faced significant challenges.
When Zhao Chengshuang arrived with Ye Qing and Black Bear to find Pi Junchao, he was in the midst of discussing future plans with his supporters. Hearing that Zhao Chengshuang was coming, Pi Junchao and the others were somewhat surprised.
In the past, Zhao Chengshuang was nothing more than a wastrel, a status that wouldn't have warranted Pi Junchao's concern. At most, he would have personally entertained Zhao, perhaps bribed him a little. As long as he provided enough face, such a wastrel could easily be sent away.
But now, Zhao Chengshuang had cracked several major cases and established significant achievements, causing his reputation to soar in Shenchuan City, where he was now regarded as a rising star within the city's police force. In other words, Zhao Chengshuang was sure to go far in his police career and was already wielding considerable influence in Shenchuan City's police circles.
Thus, Zhao Chengshuang's visit to him was now an entirely different matter. Pi Junchao couldn't help but wonder what Zhao Chengshuang's intentions were for this visit!
With doubts in mind, Pi Junchao personally went out to greet Zhao Chengshuang and invited him to sit down in the upstairs office.
"This morning when I left my house, I saw magpies calling at the door, and I felt for sure that something good would happen today. And look, I don't know what auspicious wind blew you here, Captain Zhao. It's truly an honor!" Pi Junchao said, buttering him up as soon as he sat down.
Zhao Chengshuang laughed, "Oh, are you sure it was magpies at your door and not crows?"
Pi Junchao laughed heartily, saying, "Captain Zhao really knows how to joke. Your visit is a good omen. Of course, they were magpies. How could they be crows?"
"I doubt it," Zhao Chengshuang said with a grin. "I'm afraid you won't be saying the same after you hear why I'm here."
Pi Junchao felt a chill in his heart but maintained a calm demeanor, saying, "Captain Zhao loves his jokes. No matter what the purpose, I welcome your presence!"
"Hahaha..." Zhao Chengshuang laughed heartily and turned to Ye Qing sitting beside him, saying, "Let me introduce you first. This is my brother, Ye Qing!"
"Ye Qing!" Pi Junchao's eyebrows shot up, and he was stunned for two seconds before immediately plastering a smile on his face. He extended both hands to shake with Ye Qing, saying, "So you're the Mr. Ye that everyone has been talking about recently. I've long heard of your great reputation, and it's a real honor to meet you in person today. Mr.
Ye rescued Miss Lin from the big thief He Ziqiang on his own and won twenty-two consecutive bouts at the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena, setting a new record. These feats have spread all over Shenchuan City. I didn't expect Mr. Ye himself to be so young. Youthful heroes indeed!"
Ye Qing calmly shook his hand, finding Pi Junchao too slick and not wishing to engage in much conversation with him.
"All right, let's cut to the chase," Zhao Chengshuang said. "We are here to collect a debt."
"Collect a debt?" Pi Junchao was taken aback, saying, "Forgive my forgetfulness, but I genuinely don't remember owing you anything."
"It's not you who owes it, but the Fierce Tiger Gang!" Zhao Chengshuang said. "You've forgotten. Your Fierce Tiger Gang still owes the East State Poisonous Mantis eighty million. This debt, Poisonous Mantis asked Ye Zi to collect on her behalf."
Pi Junchao, with an embarrassed face, said, "Captain Zhao, I have indeed heard about this debt. But that was Tiger King's debt, and it doesn't have much to do with me!"
"Is that so?" Zhao Chengshuang looked at Pi Junchao with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, and although he said nothing, Pi Junchao felt sweat bead on his forehead.
Pi Junchao was very clear about this debt. Even though it was Tiger King's debt, the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena was also the Fierce Tiger Gang's property. Poisonous Mantis had made it very clear when she left: the debt was on the Fierce Tiger Gang's shoulders. If the eighty million wasn't repaid within three days, she would personally come to Shenchuan City to collect the debt.
If the Fierce Tiger Gang were still intact, they would have found a way to repay this debt no matter what—who dared owe Poisonous Mantis money? But now, the crux of the problem was that the Fierce Tiger Gang was in disarray, and the part Pi Junchao had taken over was less than one-third of the whole gang. He was naturally very reluctant to shoulder this debt!
Yet, since the debt was owed to Poisonous Mantis, he didn't dare to flatly refuse. So, while he was sweating profusely, he didn't know how to answer.
Seeing Pi Junchao's discomfort, Zhao Chengshuang stealthily gave Ye Qing a thumbs-up. It had to be said, the name Poisonous Mantis was very effective. Seeing Pi Junchao's embarrassed state, Zhao Chengshuang felt a sense of vicarious power.
The three words "Poisonous Mantis" were even more useful than their police names. The police could at most find evidence and arrest some members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and they had to act according to law. But Poisonous Mantis didn't need to do that—anyone who offended her was surely doomed!
Just then, a man in his fifties came in from the outside, saying, "Junchao, some guests upstairs are making trouble, and it seems deliberate. You should go take a look."