Era of Mist

Chapter 198: Chapter 197: A Summons from the Higher-Ups

A single race was enough to cement Shi Tiexin’s reputation. The moniker ”Black Venerable” was no longer just a simple codename; it had officially become his respected title in the underworld.

Reputation is a funny thing. It can be completely useless, or it can be incredibly useful. At the very least, after that race, his underlings were more obedient, there were fewer complaints about the strict training, and they looked at their boss with more respect. Furthermore, many young bikers, drawn by his fame, flocked to join his gang, with a huge new batch of applicants showing up every day.

Shi Tiexin’s crew could now ride through nearly half of Tokyo City unimpeded. Even some gangs they hadn’t directly competed against gave them the green light, swayed by Shi Tiexin’s immense prestige.

The off-the-books betting on the race also brought in a hefty sum. According to Mai Ba’s subsequent calculations, they had earned over 800,000 from the various scattered bets, which was a significant boost to their funds.

But for Shi Tiexin, none of that was important.

There were two gains that were most important.

First, the status of Destiny Mission 1 changed from ”Phase Complete” to ”Progressed.” This clarified his path, confirming that becoming a revered figure among the Biker Gangs was a viable way forward.

The second gain was, naturally, the Celestial Golden Light.

The amount of Celestial Golden Light he received this time was substantial—a full twenty points! Considering the level of the race and the number of participants, this was a truly generous amount.

’The race was so obviously unfair, so why did I still get Celestial Golden Light?’

After a moment’s thought, Shi Tiexin figured it out. ’I wasn’t the one who cheated; it was Death Fire. I still won the race despite being so clearly sabotaged. Thinking back to the crowd’s wholehearted and unanimous cheers, it was clear that everyone acknowledged my victory.’

’That must be why,’ he thought, ’the Celestial Golden Light was awarded so generously. All told, I’ve now accumulated eighty points. The award certificate icon is shimmering and almost full—a truly pleasing sight.’

’I wonder what will happen when the certificate is full.’

’If I get the chance, I’ll fill one up just to see what happens. Of course, if I need to use the points, I’ll use them. After all, I can always earn more Celestial Golden Light, but I can’t let my progress in strength fall behind.’

This race had shown him that in this timeline, strength was paramount. Even order had to yield to it. And here, Mind Arts and Force Arts represented a level of strength that was simply unstoppable.

The kind of power that let you do whatever you wanted.

Of course, the race wasn’t without its costs.

”It’s leaking oil?” Shi Tiexin looked at his motorcycle, then at the mechanic, repeating in disbelief, ”My bike... is leaking oil?”

”It’s leaking oil.”

”A bike this expensive, and it just starts leaking oil like that?”

”Yep. Leaks just like that.”

Shi Tiexin’s expression darkened.

Guobing quickly tried to console him. ”Boss, Harleys are known for leaking oil. It’s common for it to happen after 5,000 kilometers, so don’t worry too much about it. Besides, it’s a regular street bike. You’ve been using it as a race bike and riding it hard, so of course the wear and tear is going to be worse. A few repairs and it’ll be good as new. It’s not a big deal, don’t worry.” (I’ve heard this is a thing, but I don’t know if it’s true. Not trying to spread rumors, just making a note.)

”How long will the repairs take?”

”Three weeks.”

”That long?”

”Not that long.” The mechanic’s answer was firm. ”This kind of bike is very rare, and the parts are hard to find. We have to call in favors and pull some strings to get parts from the United States. Things are tough right now, so the supply channels aren’t great. All things considered, three weeks is actually very fast.”

’Damn, so my bike is a consumable now?’

’The cost of racing really isn’t low. No wonder they always bet something valuable on every race.’

’Still, my bike is out of commission, which means I can’t race for three weeks. It’s not like I can’t find another bike, but that one has become my signature. If I don’t ride it, people in the scene will probably laugh at me. It’d be like some aloof Sword Saint showing up to a duel without his sword and pulling out a winter melon mallet instead. The whole aesthetic would be wrong.’

Just as Shi Tiexin was lost in thought, Ah Fei burst into the repair shop in a flurry.

”Boss, I found it out!”

Hearing this, Shi Tiexin shot Guobing a look, signaling him to keep haggling with the mechanic over the price. He then led Ah Fei to a secluded corner, his expression turning serious.

Death Fire had shot at Shi Tiexin.

It was possible Death Fire had acted on his own, a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was also possible that it had been a premeditated ambush. But considering how so many people had suddenly swarmed the street, only a fool would believe he hadn’t prepared in advance.

So, Shi Tiexin had sent Ah D to interrogate the captured members of Death Fire’s crew, while Ah Fei was dispatched to gather intelligence.

He hadn’t expected results so quickly.

Shi Tiexin asked in a low voice, ”Who’s behind Death Fire?”

Ah Fei glanced around before answering in an equally low voice, ”It’s the Hongshun Society!”

Biker gangs rarely have significant sources of income, and biking is an expensive hobby. Therefore, most of them have backers—sponsors and financiers. This included Shi Tiexin himself, and Death Fire was certainly no exception.

Everyone out here is just a grunt trying to get by. Who would risk their life like that without orders from a boss? So, it was almost certain that Death Fire had been acting on his sponsor’s orders.

”The Hongshun Society?” Shi Tiexin thought of someone. ”Ouyang Hong?”

”The Hongshun Society has plenty of its own factions, so I’m not sure if it was Ouyang Hong himself. But he is one of the two top figures in the Hongshun Society.” Ah Fei also looked worried. ”The Hongshun Society has always been at odds with our Daxing. I just didn’t expect—”

RING RING RING. Ah Fei’s phone rang.

”Hello?”

”They talked, they talked!” Ah D’s irritable voice came from the phone. ”Those sons of bitches confessed! Ouyang Hong is behind that piece of shit Death Fire!”

Some of Death Fire’s underlings had been captured and left for Ah D to interrogate. Now, at last, he had results.

It really was Ouyang Hong.

Shi Tiexin remembered that Flying Goddess.

’Did he find out who I am and want revenge for me stealing his car right in front of him? Or did he just want to go after Daxing and cut down our influence on the streets, and that’s why he wants to kill me?’

”Ah Fei, gather some men and find someone for me.” Shi Tiexin suddenly remembered the middle-aged man who had been tailing Ouyang Hong that day. Shi Tiexin described the man’s appearance, then patted Ah Fei’s shoulder. ”Find him as soon as possible. I need to meet with him.”

”Don’t worry, Boss. Nothing’s easier than finding someone on these streets!”

Watching Ah Fei leave, Shi Tiexin’s face was like cold iron. He knew this wasn’t over. There would be more to come with Ouyang Hong and the Hongshun Society.

’Even if they let it go, I won’t.’

RING RING RING. The phone rang again. This time, it was Shi Tiexin’s own phone.

He pulled out his phone and looked. The caller ID on the screen showed ”Brother Fa.”

’Brother Fa?’

’Who’s Brother Fa?’

A knot in his consciousness suddenly shuddered, and fragments of memory flaked away. Shi Tiexin instantly knew: this ”Brother Fa” was none other than a Hall Master of Daxing—and the sponsor of his Biker Gang.

’In other words, my benefactor.’

BEEP. The call connected. Shi Tiexin’s voice was steady but cautious. ”Brother Fa, you were looking for me?”

The voice on the phone did not sound young. ”Stone, are you free tomorrow?”

”I’m fine.”

”I’m having a get-together at my place tomorrow night. Bring Handsome Fei, Dabing, and the others. It’ll be a good time.”

’So, it’s finally time to meet the higher-ups in the organization?’

Shi Tiexin knew this was a hurdle he couldn’t avoid.

”I’ll be there.”