Urban Martial Saint

At 11:30 p.m., Pi Junchao finally gathered the fifteen dispersed leaders of the Fierce Tiger Gang. This was only possible by intimidating them with the names of Ye Qing and Zhao Chengshuang; otherwise, no one would have come to talk to Pi Junchao.

Pi Junchao cleared out the largest private room to use as a meeting room and invited Ye Qing and Zhao Chengshuang as well.

The fifteen leaders arrived, all uneasy, so each brought along two subordinates. Thus, the room was crammed with nearly fifty to sixty people. Among them, a few looked at Ye Qing with hatred in their eyes—they were the trusted subordinates of Tiger King.

Ye Qing remained calm, sitting by the table without glancing at anyone. Zhao Chengshuang, on the other hand, smiled at everyone, seemingly polite, but in reality, he was contemplating how to extort money from them.

Once everyone was seated, Pi Junchao reiterated the main purpose of gathering everyone.

”Eighty million, that’s the debt Tiger King incurred while he was alive. Although Tiger King is no longer with us, we, the Fierce Tiger Gang, cannot just default on this debt. It should be paid by us, the Fierce Tiger Gang!” Pi Junchao surveyed the crowd and said, ”We are all members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and this debt should be borne by us collectively.

Thus, I’ve called everyone here to discuss how much each person should contribute!”

After Pi Junchao’s speech, there was an immediate uproar. A man sitting not far away shouted, ”Pi Junchao, you’re the leader. This debt is your business. There’s no need to involve us.”

This statement quickly garnered support, ”Exactly, you’re now the leader. The gang’s debt is your debt. Naturally, you should handle it yourself!”

”I feel the same,” Pi Junchao nodded and said, ”The Fierce Tiger Gang was founded by my father. Though Tiger King took over as the gang leader for a few years, now that Tiger King is dead, it’s only right for me to step up as the gang leader. Naturally, I should assume this debt myself!”

A man voiced his frustration, ”Then what’s there to discuss? Just pay off the debt yourself. Why drag us here in the middle of the night? Do you think we have as much free time as you do?”

”It’s not about the money; it’s that some things still need to be said,” Pi Junchao replied with a faint smile. ”Since everyone agrees that I am now the leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang and should assume this debt, I shall not shirk this responsibility.

But, since I am the leader, since I am the gang leader of the Fierce Tiger Gang, there are rules in this gang, and we need to discuss these rules with everyone.”

As Pi Junchao spoke, he gently tapped the table, ”You all are the talents of our Fierce Tiger Gang, the pillars of our organization. Although the gang has undergone some turmoil, you have all managed your subordinates well, maintaining our gang’s territory, for which I am thankful.

However, since you all are members of the Fierce Tiger Gang, don’t you think you should return to your respective positions and allow the gang to operate normally?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd immediately became noisy. By saying this, it was clear that Pi Junchao was asking them to come back and work under him. These individuals wanted to be leaders themselves—who would want to come and serve under Pi Junchao?

”Pi Junchao, let’s not mix issues,” a man said. ”The eighty million is a debt the Fierce Tiger Gang owes to Poisonous Mantis. The Fierce Tiger Gang was founded by your father. It’s right for you to repay this debt. As for us returning to our positions, that’s a separate matter and doesn’t have much to do with this debt!”

”Why doesn’t it matter?” Pi Junchao looked at him with a faux amiable expression and said, ”If we are all members of the Fierce Tiger Gang and the debt belongs to our gang, then it should be our collective responsibility. If I am to assume it alone, then as the head of the household, I should have the final say.

If you don’t let me have the final say, then don’t sweet talk me with this leader talk and expect me to take on the debt alone. How is it that when it comes to paying the debt, I am the leader, but when it comes to discussing the rules of the gang, I’m not the leader? How could there be such a good deal?”

A fierce-looking man stood up, loudly exclaiming, ”Humph, Pi Junchao, you keep saying this is a matter for the Fierce Tiger Gang. Fine, I’ll make it clear right here and now—I, He Boyang, am leaving the Fierce Tiger Gang. From now on, the affairs of the Fierce Tiger Gang have nothing to do with me. How the debt is repaid, what the gang rules state, that’s your business, not mine anymore!”

After speaking, He Boyang stood up, pulled his chair aside, and waved his hand, ”Let’s go!”

In fact, many of those present shared He Boyang’s thoughts. These were individuals of lower status within the gang who, seizing this opportunity, had gathered some followers and become local big shots, effectively becoming leaders themselves. They didn’t expect to take over the entire Fierce Tiger Gang; they just wanted to be in charge of their small turf.

Thus, leaving the Fierce Tiger Gang was the best outcome for them.

However, nobody dared to make such a declaration alone. Otherwise, the strongest factions that had branched off from the Fierce Tiger Gang would target them immediately, since these factions still harbored ambitions of unifying the gang. Therefore, anyone declaring their intention to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang at this time would inevitably become the primary target of these powerful forces.

But tonight presented an excellent opportunity. With so many forces gathered in one place, at least six or seven individuals were considering leaving the gang. With so many people together, the situation was different—it essentially formed an alliance. He Boyang had seized this moment to declare his departure from the Fierce Tiger Gang.

Once he left, surely numerous others would follow suit in announcing their departure. With many making the declaration, the bigger forces would be unable to handle them.

Sensing He Boyang’s departure, a few individuals were restless, eager to stand up and follow in He Boyang’s footsteps.

However, just at that moment, Pi Junchao suddenly reached out to stop He Boyang, saying, ”Wait a minute.”

”What’s the matter?” He Boyang glared, saying, ”I’m no longer a member of the Fierce Tiger Gang. This is your gang’s business; what does it have to do with me? Why are you stopping me? Does the Fierce Tiger Gang allow only entry but no exit?”

”Indeed, no one ever stipulated that joining the Fierce Tiger Gang without the possibility of leaving was permitted!”

Several people backed He Boyang, and hearing everyone’s words, He Boyang also gained confidence. He smirked at Pi Junchao, saying, ”Young Master Pi, I’d advise you to focus your efforts in the right place. You better resolve this eighty million issue with the Poisonous Mantis quickly, otherwise, once the Poisonous Mantis arrives in Dongzhou, the Fierce Tiger Gang is really finished.”

”Thanks for your concern!” Pi Junchao smiled faintly, saying, ”You are free to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang, and I definitely won’t stop you. But, as I just said, the gang has its rules. Whatever we do, there must be some rules, right? If you want to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang, you must also follow the gang’s rules!”

”What rules?” He Boyang glared, saying, ”I know the gang allows people to leave!”

”The gang does allow people to leave, but there are conditions,” Pi Junchao said. ”You should remember, the gang’s rule is that after joining, you are under the gang’s protection and can manage the gang’s business. But, if you ever want to leave, you must follow a certain procedure. Leaving the gang in times of crisis is betraying and abandoning it!”

Pi Junchao smiled faintly at He Boyang, saying, ”Betraying and abandoning, according to our rules, should be punished with three cuts and six holes!”

He Boyang’s face changed, and he shouted angrily, ”You... you’re talking nonsense, when did I ever know about such a rule in the gang?”

Pi Junchao looked at the crowd, saying, ”So many people from the gang are here, whether there is such a rule, you can ask everyone!”

”Old He, you better sit down!” A middle-aged man wearing glasses spoke up, ”Indeed, there is such a rule in our gang. We who are in this life, the most important thing is to uphold loyalty. The gang is in a dire moment, and your leaving now would be betrayal and abandonment. If you want to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang, fine, but only after you take three cuts and six holes!”

This middle-aged man, named Zhou Yanyong, had controlled nearly one tenth of the gang’s territory and power after the Tiger King’s death, belonging to one of the few people with considerable power. He obviously did not want the gang to fall apart, as he also harbored ambitions to control the entire Fierce Tiger Gang.

Hearing Zhou Yanyong speak like this, those who initially supported He Boyang and even wanted to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang with him immediately fell silent. He Boyang looked around at these people, but not one met his gaze. He Boyang knew he was powerless alone, so he reluctantly returned to his seat at the table, saying, ”So I cannot leave, is that what you’re saying?”

Pi Junchao smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, asking, ”Is there anyone else who wants to leave the Fierce Tiger Gang?”

No one spoke up. Three cuts and six holes—who could endure that?

Ye Qing and Zhao Chengshuang sat at the table, listening to the conversation. Ye Qing’s brows were furrowed the whole time. He had never had much fondness for these gang figures, and if it were not for his goal of raising funds to set up an orphanage, he would not be sitting here at all.

Zhao Chengshuang, on the other hand, listened with great interest. This was an opportunity for an up-close and internal observation of the Fierce Tiger Gang. He was bound to advance greatly within the Shenchuan City police force, and it was essential for him to deeply understand all the gangs, so that he could gradually dismantle them in the future.

”Since everyone is not leaving the Fierce Tiger Gang, let’s continue our earlier discussion,” Pi Junchao said. ”The eighty million—should we raise it together, or should I alone bear the cost? As I said before, if I am to handle it alone, that means I am the Head of Household of the Fierce Tiger Gang. I wonder what you all think about that!”

The people looked at each other, none wanting to let Pi Junchao be the Head of Household. However, eighty million was no small sum, and these people were also reluctant to part with that money.

At that moment, a man suddenly stood up and spoke in a heavy voice, ”Pi Junchao, it’s not that you can’t be the Head of Household. But, you at least have to avenge the previous Gang Leader first. Not only do you not avenge the Tiger King, but you also bring his enemies here as honored guests, what is the meaning of this?”