How to put it, in truth, such matters rely on improvisation... At least before Li Yan went to meet Prince Le, he hadn't anticipated gaining the upper hand so effortlessly.

In Chang Kailai's view, what Consecutive Victories could offer Li Yan, Judy, and even Taisui, could also be provided by others, with less risk.

All they needed was a seemingly reasonable explanation...

"So that's what he said."

Chang Shen sat on the sofa, his hand resting on his cane, his expression peculiar.

Floral Shirt Nine, seated beside him, quietly nodded in agreement.

Chang Shen let out a laugh: "More thrilling than a TV drama from the wireless station." After a moment of thought, he added, "Ah Le doesn't seem inclined to share this matter with me."

Floral Shirt Nine responded with silence, his expression a stark contrast to the hearty Yau Ma Tei tough guy he once resembled.

"How much do you believe of what that man said?"

Floral Shirt Nine pondered for a long while before cautiously observing Chang Shen's expression and replying, "Unless that kid's heart has been blinded by lard, he would never dare to cheat the money from Consecutive Victories."

"Actually, whether he's telling the truth or not doesn't really matter..."

The old man's eyelids drooped.

"At Ah Le's age, it's normal to have his own ideas. But now is not the time to burn bridges with Taisui. I can wait at my age; what can't he wait for?"

"Should I go and persuade Brother Le?"

Chang Shen shook his head: "He's got a fire inside him now; you can't suppress it by force."

The old man pursed his lips, a shadow of dark intent passing over his face.

"Take care of that boxer, make it clean."

Chang Shen squinted his eyes, "Five million? He can earn it if he lives, but can't spend it if he's dead."

...

When Floral Shirt Nine left Chang Shen's room, his expression was icy cold.

"Big Spring!"

The youngster in the red tank top came over.

"Brother Nine, you called for me."

"When you go to find that kid, do you know his door number?"

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

The man from Four Nine recalled seeing Li Yan come out of the room.

"I remember, it's 411."

"Are you certain there's no mistake?"

"Brother Nine, you can be assured, there's no mistake."

...

"You have obtained the Fragmented Manuscript of the Ancient Novel 'Sinker Records'."

"You have acquired a Fragmented Manuscript depicting the Guhuo Bird!"

The Guhuo Bird flies by day and hides by night, considered a type of Ghost God. Its feathers resemble those of a flying bird, but when it sheds them, it becomes a woman. Known by names such as Heavenly Empress Maiden, Nocturnal Wandering Woman, Hook Star, and Hidden Flight. The bird bears no offspring, delighting in taking human children to raise as its own. Therefore, parents are wary of leaving children's clothes out at night, for the creature marks them with a spot of blood as a sign, and then takes the child away. Hence, the world calls it the Ghost Bird.

In the dim glow of a streetlamp, Li Yan crouched silently in the corner, surrounded by scattered cigarette butts, his mind filled with images of Ah Xiu's pristine feet and her trembling eyelashes, and the late-night snacks she occasionally brought him. Here in Yan Fu, where survival demanded decisive action, this man who had learned to kill without hesitation was, for the first time, reluctant to shatter the fragmented dreams of a girl.

Lost in thought, his gaze suddenly shifted, catching sight of a pale face with severe dark circles in the shadows—a middle-aged man staring intently at Li Yan, his body shaking from drug withdrawal, unmistakably an Old Daoist.

"Scram."

Li Yan's voice was not loud, yet it was laced with a fiery temper.

The person's gaze lingered on Li Yan, seemingly weighing options, but in the end, slowly backed away.

Li Yan took a deep breath, stood up, and felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

"I'm sorry, she's dead, but I need to live."

...

Fuk Yee Mansion

Li Yan entered the room, and was confronted by a rack of weapons that exuded a chilling presence.

The sword's inscription read "Vitality spawns myriad vistas, circles entwine to form the coiled dragon."

The Eight-sided Han Sword.

He took down the sword, turned to leave, when suddenly a woman's voice came from the doorway.

"Taking my sword so late, where are you off to?"

"Taisui?"

Li Yan raised an eyebrow, not showing the slightest hint of panic.

"Just some personal matters to attend to, nothing to do with the Boxing Ring."

"Speak Mandarin, it's more convenient for everyone. If you're not in a hurry, shall we talk?"

Li Yan's lips twitched imperceptibly, and he nodded: "Sure."

Yu Shu walked in, found a chair to sit on, and said with a hint of a headache:

"What's the deal with you and Judy?"

"Um..."

"Women, you know." Yu Shu took over the conversation with a serious tone. "Once you've been to bed, it's easy to blur lines. You need to make sure... Hey, why do you look so pale?"

Li Yan blinked: "Do I? I don't see it."

Yu Shu didn't dwell on it and continued: "Running the Boxing Ring isn't easy, show some understanding for me. It's all playacting, you don't lose out, right?"

Li Yan gave Yu Shu a peculiar look.

"Don't look at me, just talk. If there's an issue, we can sit down and discuss it."

"Taisui." Li Yan felt stifled, and not just because of the matter concerning Ah Xiu's mother.

"They say that the toughest fighter in Nine Dragons City isn't Red Ghost, it's you. Why don't we put on some gear and spar a bit?"

Yu Shu tilted her head upon hearing this, her waterfall-like long hair cascading down.

"Heh, you're quite heated."

"Just ran into some unpleasantness."

"No worries, I'm quite good at helping people cool off."

In the spacious room, they stood opposite each other. Li Yan held the Eight-sided Han Sword, its cold light rippling, his expression solemn.

Yu Shu wielded a blue-black broadbacked saber, five fingers wide, the blade mottled. Her ponytail hung down to her waist.

Bagua Sect, Battle Body Blade.

"Bagua, Yu Shu."

"Between the Rivers, Li Yan."

**********

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