Urban Martial Saint

Chen Laojiu’s story was, of course, fabricated, but he saw clearly that Da Fei was on his side. Therefore, he kept making up more lies, the more beneficial for himself the better, since there were only three of them in the restroom at that time. If Da Fei was on his side, then whatever he said would go unchallenged.

When he heard what the short man said, Chen Laojiu paid him no heed and simply stared at Ye Qing without a word.

Ye Qing glanced coldly at the short man and said, ”Where is this place?”

This was the same question Ye Qing had asked the person before, and now he was asking the short man, who immediately clammed up. Recalling how the previous man had been kicked out by Ye Qing, he didn’t dare provoke this person who spelled trouble.

”Mr. Ye, what’s the point of intimidating these young brothers?” Shangguan Qing rapped on the table and said, ”Deputy Gang Leader Yue died here, his body not yet cold. You help him take revenge, but instead keep asking these useless questions. What are you trying to do? What, it’s not enough for you to investigate right and wrong? Mr. Ye, I think you’re a bit too full of yourself. We, who live in this world, talk about righteousness, and even more so about rules. Now that Deputy Gang Leader Yue has been killed by Chen Laojiu, that is a fact. Regardless of whether it’s Chen Laojiu’s fault or not, a life for a life, that is the rule among us. We’re not the police; we don’t talk about evidence and those legalities!”

Ye Qing smiled faintly as he looked at Shangguan Qing and said, ”Where is this place?”

Shangguan Qing’s expression turned icy. Ye Qing had already asked a few underlings from the Fu Bang this question, and now he was asking him again, obviously putting him on the same level as those underlings.

”Ye, don’t you fucking play that game with me!” Shangguan Qing said through gritted teeth. ”What if this is Tian Sheng? I came today to give you face, not to listen to your nonsense. If you can’t resolve this matter, then let’s disperse and don’t bother calling us for any meetings in the future. Your place isn’t safe, and I sure as hell want to live a few more years!”

”Since this place is Tian Sheng, it is my turf. If it’s my turf, then things should be done according to my rules!” Ye Qing said calmly. ”My rules are simple, all this legal, not legal nonsense doesn’t fly here. I only speak of reason.”

With that, Ye Qing turned to the Fu Bang crowd and said, ”I’ve said before that today’s meeting would only allow ten people from each gang to enter. But you Fu Bang brought over twenty people, which has already broken my rule. Furthermore, everyone here came unarmed, yet Deputy Gang Leader Yue brought a dagger, that’s another violation. Thirdly, Deputy Gang Leader Yue started the fight and brought a lethal weapon with the intent to kill, only to be killed in self-defense. I don’t see any fault with Chen Laojiu. You, with both numbers and weapons, are far stronger than Chen Laojiu, yet you were killed by him. Not only do you not recognize your own disgrace, but you also expect me to give you an explanation?”

Ye Qing said this and slammed the table, ”You want an explanation? Fine, I’ll give you one now! Mad Dog, search them, see how many are carrying weapons. Those with weapons, take off an arm each and throw them out!”

Upon hearing this, the members of the Fu Bang were stunned. They had brought weapons to the meeting and if a search were to take place, what would become of them?

”Ye Qing, I warn you, don’t go too far!” the short man said angrily through gritted teeth. ”If you lay a finger on us, that means you’ve declared a full-scale feud with Fu Bang. Ye Qing, I advise you to think carefully, don’t assume that having a few people backing you up means you can do whatever you want. I respect you, and you should return the favor. If you really want to mess with Fu Bang, we definitely won’t let it go!”

”I’m bullying Fu Bang?” Ye Qing laughed coldly. ”It seems to me that it is Fu Bang who is bullying me. I was the middleman, extending an invitation for a meeting. Yet you repeatedly break my rules, and then say I’m bullying you. Where’s the logic in that!”

The members of Fu Bang were suddenly speechless, and the short man could not argue with Ye Qing, so he could only turn to Shangguan Qing with a pleading look, hoping he would intervene.

Shangguan Qing was somewhat confused at the moment, too; Ye Qing’s assertiveness was completely beyond his expectations. Was he doing this to protect Chen Laojiu? But if he protected Chen Laojiu, that would mean making an enemy of Fu Bang. With Ye Qing’s current strength, just one command from Li Wenyuan, and all of Fu Bang could flatten Ye Qing’s territory, yet he still dared to offend Li Wenyuan?

Chen Laojiu and the others, however, watched Ye Qing with excitement. Ye Qing’s assertive stance earned their admiration, especially since Ye Qing was now protecting them, making their hearts pound with excitement. Everyone exchanged glances, each with the same thought: this was the true demeanor a boss should have, far superior to Pi Junchao!

Those behind Pi Junchao were thinking the same thing, weren’t they? Unknowingly, their allegiance had started to waver. Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang had taken their turf and made enemies of them, so they definitely wouldn’t side with Tianqing Gang or Fu Bang. And since Pi Junchao was useless, unable to protect them, and even sacrificing them as scapegoats at critical moments, the people were greatly disappointed in him. Now that Ye Qing had emerged so dominantly, capable of standing up to Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang, and crucially, willing to back them up, they suddenly felt the urge to side with Ye Qing!

This was precisely the outcome Ye Qing wanted from tonight’s events. Swallowing the Fierce Tiger Gang was not difficult, but deciding who would be in charge after taking over the Fierce Tiger Gang was the tricky part. Ye Qing’s move this evening was meant to make Pi Junchao’s followers disown him, causing the smaller powers within the Fierce Tiger Gang to pledge loyalty to Ye Qing, which would greatly increase Ye Qing’s power while also significantly weakening the Fierce Tiger Gang. Thus, for Ye Qing, swallowing the Fierce Tiger Gang would be like taking candy from a baby!

Poor Pi Junchao still failed to understand Ye Qing’s true intentions, instead feeling self-satisfied for having escaped the situation unscathed. Little did he know, he had already lost the support of the people!

Seeing Mad Dog and the others starting to encircle the Fu Bang members, Shangguan Qing knew that if he didn’t step in now, he would have no way of explaining himself to Li Wenyuan of Fu Bang later on.

”Mr. Ye!” Shangguan Qing stood up and said, ”Although the Fu Bang has done many things wrong, Deputy Gang Leader Yue is already dead. Now, not only are you not seeking revenge for him, but you’re also pursuing the matters of his subordinates, which is really too cold-hearted towards the deceased!”

Ye Qing glanced at Shangguan Qing and said, ”I act according to the rules, Gang Leader Shangguan, and it seems you have broken the rules as well!”

Shangguan Qing felt a surge of anger inside, but here, he truly didn’t dare to openly challenge Ye Qing. After all, Yue Gaoyang had died right here, and he didn’t want to end up lying on the ground as well.

Shangguan Qing struggled to maintain his composure and said, ”We were careless about tonight’s events. However, since Deputy Gang Leader Yue has already died, Mr. Ye, please prioritize the matter concerning him!”

Ye Qing and Shangguan Qing looked at each other, with Shangguan Qing’s eyes showing some retreat. He was quite wary of Ye Qing at this point.

”Fine, I will give Gang Leader Shangguan some face!” Ye Qing turned and sat down, saying, ”I will not pursue the rule-breaking matters of tonight. But the death of Yue Gaoyang was not Chen Laojiu’s fault. Therefore, I hope everyone can forget about this matter and stop troubling Chen Laojiu!”

”This is Tian Sheng, we won’t trouble him here!” the short man shouted, ”But once we leave Tian Sheng, it’s not Mr. Ye’s territory anymore. How we handle it then is our business, right?”

”I said, it was not Chen Laojiu’s fault. If you go out seeking revenge, are you saying that my judgment is wrong?” Ye Qing glared coldly at the short man and said sternly, ”Go back and tell Li Wenyuan that starting today, if I hear that anyone from the Fu Bang has sought revenge on Chen Laojiu, it means they do not respect me, Ye Qing. I am very fair in my dealings; for every person you kill of Chen Laojiu’s, I will repay tenfold. If you don’t believe it, you are welcome to try!”

Everyone was stunned; they hadn’t expected Ye Qing to support Chen Laojiu to this extent. Chen Laojiu and the others were, of course, extremely thrilled, whereas Shangguan Qing and Pi Junchao were both taken aback, realizing only now the true intent behind Ye Qing’s actions—he was garnering loyalty!

But by now, their realization was too late. Yue Gaoyang had died here; Shangguan Qing had no power to confront Ye Qing, Pi Junchao had lost the people’s hearts even more so, and Chen Laojiu and his crew were now thoroughly loyal to Ye Qing. At this point, trying to salvage the situation was utterly impossible!

”Ye Qing, you… aren’t you being too overbearing?” the short man cried out angrily, looking at Ye Qing, ”Even off your territory, you still want to control us?”

”I act based on reason and rules. These are my principles and rules!” Ye Qing shot the short man a glance and said, ”You should be thankful. If it weren’t for Deputy Gang Leader Yue’s death tonight, I would certainly have taken your arms!”

With that, Ye Qing stood up and waved his hand, saying, ”All right, you can leave. Remember, pass my words to Li Wenyuan. If he has any questions, he can come and ask me. If he’s not satisfied, he’s welcome to come and find me at any time—I’m always ready to accompany him!”

The Fu Bang members were full of rage but could change nothing. They could only lift Yue Gaoyang’s body and leave Tian Sheng with resentment.

”It seems like the peace talks tonight are not going to happen,” Shangguan Qing stood up and said, ”Mr. Ye, in that case, I won’t disturb you any further and will take my leave now!”

Shangguan Qing didn’t wait for Ye Qing to respond and promptly led his subordinates to leave. He too felt a bit panicky, fearing that Ye Qing might deal with him the way he did with Yue Gaoyang; he certainly didn’t want to die here.

With members from both Tianqing Gang and Fu Bang gone, Pi Junchao obviously had no intention of sitting down again. He stood up and said in a grave voice, ”Chen Laojiu, you and the others, come back with me!”

”Pi Junchao, have you lost your mind on pig fat?” a man shouted indignantly, ”Why should we follow you back? Damn, what a joke, thinking you’re the boss!”

Pi Junchao was furious, gritting his teeth and said, ”What did you say? Say that again if you dare!”

”Brother Pi…” Ye Qing interrupted Pi Junchao with a light smile and said, ”Where do you think you are?”