The three tigers of the Steel Spike Gang didn't have the opportunity to witness Xiao Zihan's mighty display. While Liang Wenchao and Fei Yu were deeply engaged in their battle, Lei Dong suddenly swung a knife from behind. Despite the warning shout from Liu Wei, they were caught off guard, and Lei Dong managed to inflict a deep and bone-reaching wound on Xiao Zihan's shoulder, causing blood to flow profusely.
Lei Dong and Fei Yu had initially intended to use their combined strength to defeat Liang Wenchao, but even with Liu Wei's arrival, they couldn't succeed. With a sigh, they followed Xiao Zihan's instructions and retreated towards the second-floor terrace of the Qinghong Gang headquarters.
As they withdrew, they coincidentally met Jin Sheng and Yang Yuande. The four of them exchanged smiles, confident in their newfound strength that was a hundred times superior to before.
Meanwhile, upon Liu Wei's shout, Zhang Ding focused all his energy on Liang Wenchao, fearing for his brother's safety. The Steel Spike Ten Tigers were as close as brothers, and the death of Li Weizhi had left them in mourning for a long time. If not for Fu Chenhe's plan to destroy the Howling Gang, they might have already sought revenge.
Watching Lei Dong's knife slicing towards Liang Wenchao from behind, Zhang Ding's face turned pale with cold sweat. With a sudden surge of excitement, he gestured and immediately felt the wound on his right rib, letting out a painful cry as he clutched his side and bent over.
After Xiao Zihan's intimidating display against the Steel Spike subordinates, he couldn't afford any hesitation. He retreated two steps with his knife and smoothly turned towards the Qinghong Gang headquarters.
At this moment, Liu Wei, who had been supporting the wounded Liang Wenchao, shifted his gaze towards Xiao Zihan. Seeing Xiao Zihan retreating and his subordinates dumbfounded, Liu Wei, after a moment of confusion, erupted in anger, shouting, "Are you all idiots? Chase after him!"
The Steel Spike subordinates, now awakened from their stupor, responded to the command and rushed towards Xiao Zihan.
Xiao Zihan, with a steady pace, appeared composed as he retreated. However, only he knew that it was a facade. He had never felt so powerless before, sensing his energy depleting in an instant. Scanning the surroundings, he still saw no sign of Xing Ao's presence. Xiao Zihan couldn't help but complain about Xing Ao not following the plan. If he didn't show up soon, Qinghong Gang might not hold on much longer, especially with Liu Wei leading nearly two hundred men against Qinghong Gang's dwindling force of only a few dozen.
At this moment, U Hai, who had been on standby in the rear, witnessed Xiao Zihan and the others retreating. He made a forward gesture to his subordinates, signaling them to support Xiao Zihan.
Xiao Zihan gritted his teeth, made a firm decision, and shouted to U Hai and the others, "Everyone, fall back!" Although he used a commanding tone, U Hai showed no displeasure. He firmly believed in Xiao Zihan and, hearing his resolute order, knew that Xiao Zihan had a plan. Without hesitation, he shouted to his subordinates, "Fall back!"
The Qinghong Gang subordinates, scattered and confused, began running backward. Surprisingly, Liu Wei became suspicious, watching as the Qinghong Gang members who had retreated into the walled area suddenly emerged again. In the front row, sixteen stern-faced individuals stood in a conical formation, each towering over 180 centimeters. Silent and imposing, they radiated an immense pressure.
Upon seeing these sixteen individuals, Liu Wei's heart raced inexplicably. The uncertainty caused by Lei Dong and the others had already dimmed their confidence. Now, knowing that there were sixteen formidable individuals, even Liu Wei hesitated, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
As the Qinghong Gang members approached the sixteen individuals, the foremost figure, a tall and robust man, burst into laughter. With a swing of his knife, he attacked the frontmost Steel Spike subordinate. Despite the subordinate's attempt to block, it was ineffective, and he, along with his knife, was sent flying a considerable distance, lying on the ground twitching.
The man then let out a loud shout and charged into battle with the steel-tipped henchmen behind him. With a few slashes, four of the steel-tipped henchmen had been hit, and it seemed unlikely that they would survive. Others, facing the powerful blows of his blade, dodged left and right, unable to withstand a single strike.
Liu Wei, witnessing the fierceness of this man, whose every blow seemed to carry the force of a thousand pounds, silently acknowledged that he might not be a match. He sighed heavily, realizing that retreat was now his best option if he wanted to avoid the complete annihilation of his forces.
Originally coming to attack the Qinghong Gang with overwhelming superiority, Liu Wei found himself retreating in the end, and it was all caused by the so-called Ghost Face Team of the Qinghong Gang. He was well aware that the Qinghong Gang couldn't possibly have such people, or else their situation would not be as dire as it is now. If he didn't join forces with the Steel Tips, at least their influence would have been several times greater than it is now.
This retreat not only left him with an awkward explanation in front of Fu Chenhe and his brothers but also thwarted the Steel Tips' expansion of territory. Things would no longer be as smooth as before; their dominance was now in question.
While there were countless reasons in his mind not to retreat, the actual situation forced him to do so. Liu Wei's heart felt as if it were weighed down by a thousand-pound boulder. He commanded in a deep voice, "Retreat."
Without caring about the puzzled looks of his subordinates, he turned and walked away. He didn't want to say another word or linger for a moment.
Seeing their leader leave, the Steel Tips henchmen felt a sense of relief. Faced with the sixteen terrifying masked individuals, fear was inevitable, but in the world of the underworld, once you joined a gang, you had to give your all, or death would be the only outcome. If you were afraid of death, you shouldn't have joined a gang in the first place.
In a short while, the Steel Tips gang members retreated in disarray, leaving no one behind. They came and went in haste.
Xiao Zihan had already recovered at this point. After confirming that the Steel Tips gang had indeed retreated, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That was close." Among the sixteen people, except for Xing Ao and Lei Dong, the others were just filling the numbers. Moreover, Xing Ao and the others had already exerted a great deal of energy during the earlier fight. Xiao Zihan himself was burdened by the effects of "Extreme Speed." If Liu Wei had decided to fight to the death just now, they would have been the ones running away.
From Xiao Zihan's appearance, to charging into the enemy ranks, then retreating – everything was part of a deliberately laid out plan to create a deceptive formation, all for the purpose of scaring Liu Wei away.
Of course, this plan couldn't have been devised solely by Xiao Zihan and Xing Ao, as they were not well-versed in the intricacies of the underworld gangs. The mastermind behind this Empty City Strategy was Yue Feiyang, and everything that happened aligned with his preconceived expectations. Only Xiao Zihan's slip-up due to using "Extreme Speed" had occurred, but fortunately, it had no significant impact on the overall plan.
Although Yue Feiyang was the mastermind, Xiao Zihan's on-the-spot command and timing were impeccable. The footsteps approached from the side, and Xing Ao took off the uncomfortable mask, walked to Xiao Zihan's side, and grinned, "Old Third's move indeed worked. Scared Liu Wei away effortlessly."
Xiao Zihan dismissed it, saying, "Although A Yang calculated every detail, scaring off Liu Wei this time was somewhat lucky. If the Steel Tips had a few more skilled individuals, the outcome might not have been so certain."
After a moment of silence, Xing Ao spoke meaningfully, "Maybe A Yang had already calculated that the Steel Tips wouldn't send too many skilled individuals."
Xiao Zihan looked at him, suddenly smiled, and said, "That's possible. A Yang's mind is much sharper than both of us combined."
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Xing Ao shook his head, "Boss, don't be too modest. I can say with certainty that even without A Yang, you would have handled the situation. A Yang just wanted to let you showcase your abilities and gain the trust of everyone in the Howling Gang. Boss, your intentions are not hidden from me, Xing Ao."
While it remained uncertain whether Xiao Zihan could come up with an alternative solution to temporarily avoid the disaster for the Qinghong Gang, Xiao Zihan wanted to use this opportunity to let Yue Feiyang shine. By scaring off the Steel Tips using Yue Feiyang's plan, word would spread throughout the Howling Gang, earning respect for Yue Feiyang. As a talented individual, Yue Feiyang would play a crucial role if the Howling Gang aimed to expand its influence, dominate the Chang Liao region, or even larger territories. Xiao Zihan was well aware of this fact.
At eleven o'clock in the late night, in the conference hall on the first floor of the Qinghong Gang headquarters, Xiao Zihan, Wei Qinghong, and others had all gathered.
Wei Qinghong still had no idea who Xiao Zihan was or why he had saved them. She felt uneasy and exchanged a questioning glance with her capable subordinate, Wu Hai, who shook his head solemnly, indicating that he didn't recognize these people either. Wei Qinghong's heart trembled; if even Wu Hai didn't know them, understanding the background and motives of these individuals would be difficult.
Helping them definitely wasn't without a cost; there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, a principle Wei Qinghong had firmly believed in since joining the underworld. Now, it seemed she was destined to owe Xiao Zihan a significant favor, creating a heavy burden on her conscience.
The not-so-large conference room was packed with two or three dozen people, all of them with blood-stained clothes. Wei Qinghong looked at her once numerous brothers; now, only twenty-something remained. The loss was devastating. Her strong and beautiful eyes couldn't help but moisten, but she fought back the tears. She knew that crying now was not an option; if she fell, it would be as if the sky had collapsed for her brothers, losing their pillar of support. In that case, she wouldn't be able to avenge this blood feud with the Steel Tips.
She had never felt the need for a broad and strong shoulder to lean on as much as she did now. Her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Xiao Zihan. Thinking of his profound strength and the heroic posture when he saved her, an inexplicable throbbing surged in her heart, and a blush immediately spread across her face, adding to her beauty.
Beside her, Wu Hai, puzzled, asked in a low voice, "Sister Hong, what's wrong with you?"
Wei Qinghong panicked for a moment, then put on a stern expression, saying, "I'm fine. Go check on the injured brothers and call Wu Liu to ask how many establishments we have left."
Wu Hai nodded and left to make the call.
Inside the room, Xiao Zihan and Xing Ao were assisting Dr. Liao in treating the wounded members of the Qinghong Gang. Xiao Zihan's techniques were exceptionally skillful – examining wounds, treating them, applying medicine, and bandaging – all done seamlessly. It was as if he were even cleaner and more efficient than the doctor himself, raising suspicions about whether he had been a doctor before.
Wei Qinghong's gaze remained soft and calm as she watched Xiao Zihan. Only when Xiao Zihan finished treating the last person and turned his gaze towards her did she look away, pretending not to notice him.
Walking over to her, Xiao Zihan extended a large hand with a smile, saying, "Xiao Zihan."
Wei Qinghong hesitated for a moment before reaching out to shake hands with him. Xiao Zihan's palm wasn't exceptionally wide, but holding it gave her a stable and powerful feeling, as if she didn't want him to let go once he gripped her hand.
Wei Qinghong didn't reveal her name; she knew Xiao Zihan must already know. There was no need to state the obvious, and why add unnecessary details? Searching her mind for information about Xiao Zihan, she found nothing. She had never heard of this name before. Since she didn't know his intentions for helping, she decided to be straightforward and asked, "Why?"
Without saying much, Xiao Zihan understood her question – she wanted to know the reason he helped her.
Shrugging, Xiao Zihan said, "Friendly, not hostile." The reason was simple and straightforward, without any unnecessary words.
A flash of anger passed through Wei Qinghong's eyes. She wasn't accustomed to this blind exploration of the unknown. She needed to know Xiao Zihan's motives, or her heart wouldn't find peace.
Carefully appreciating Wei Qinghong's pretty face, full of anger yet even more alluring, Xiao Zihan leisurely spoke, "I want to deal with the Steel Tips. Anyone who opposes the Steel Tips is my friend. That's why I saved you. I hope we can cooperate pleasantly in the future."
"Cooperate pleasantly?" This wasn't a business deal. Hearing Xiao Zihan's tone, it seemed as if Wei Qinghong had already agreed to cooperate with him. However, after Xiao Zihan stated his purpose, whether it was true or not, she felt more at ease. Almost certain that Xiao Zihan was telling the truth, she sighed internally. He didn't need to deceive her; just the fact that he had saved her and her brothers was enough for her to do anything to repay him.
Glancing at her injured brothers, she noticed that most of them were looking at Xiao Zihan with unabashed admiration and awe in their eyes. Wei Qinghong sighed silently; this person was indeed too powerful. Even she, their leader, couldn't help but feel a great admiration for Xiao Zihan.
After the younger brothers left, Wu Hai entered the room. He quickly glanced at Xiao Zihan, saw no indication from Wei Qinghong, and then reported the current situation of the Qinghong Gang.
Under the circumstances, the large-scale nightclub had only one remaining, the small-scale ones had two, the bathing centers had two, and there was only one night club left. The rest were now under the control of the Steel Tips. Additionally, the loss of manpower was severe, with less than a hundred members remaining.
Wei Qinghong listened to everything without showing any emotion, as if it had nothing to do with her. In reality, she had anticipated this situation, and it should have been even worse than it currently was. Establishments could be reclaimed, but the genuine and devoted comrades who died and were injured were what pained her the most. All because of her personal vendetta, over a hundred brothers lost their lives, a truth as heavy as an immovable, unyielding boulder pressed on her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe.
Wu Hai silently observed Wei Qinghong. Despite her calm demeanor, he was extremely concerned. Having been by Wei Qinghong's side for so long, he knew her character very well. She tended to bury her troubles deep within, unwilling to share them with others. When faced with unsolvable issues, she would maintain a stoic expression to signify her composure, gaining the trust of her brothers.
Wu Hai knew that Wei Qinghong didn't willingly adopt this approach; she had no choice. Leading a criminal organization as a woman, regardless of its size, presented unimaginable difficulties.
Seeing Wei Qinghong appear so calm at this moment, he realized she was engulfed in profound self-blame and feared she might not withstand the pressure. If she weren't the daughter of the former Qinghong Gang leader, Wei Shan, and if she weren't so fiercely independent, she might be lying in her lover's arms right now, receiving all the care she needed.
Wu Hai understood he couldn't persuade Wei Qinghong; if he could, he would have already done so. He shifted his gaze to Xiao Zihan, a sudden and subtle wink conveying a silent message. Then, he directed his attention back to Wei Qinghong, pursed his lips, and silently mouthed three words, "Talk to her."
Although he wasn't familiar with Xiao Zihan, his valiant actions in battle and decisive command had earned Wu Hai's utmost admiration. Moreover, Xiao Zihan had saved his life, creating an inexplicable sense of trust.
At this moment, Xiao Zihan was observing Wei Qinghong from top to bottom, finding her figure exceptionally attractive. Not only was she tall and slender, but also gracefully poised, with a well-endowed chest and shapely hips. Especially the beautiful curves of her bosom, resembling elegant mountain peaks, were alluring, prompting imaginative thoughts. Unaware of Wu Hai's sudden gaze, Xiao Zihan was puzzled by his eyebrow movements and the mumbled words, "Circle Tower," something nonsensical.
Wu Hai, seeing Xiao Zihan furrow his brow, understood that Xiao Zihan hadn't grasped his meaning. It wasn't surprising; Xiao Zihan had never interacted with Wei Qinghong and wasn't aware of her personality or tendencies, let alone being in a position to offer her advice.
Wu Hai had no choice but to advise her himself, saying, "Sister Hong, you don't need to blame yourself for the deaths of our brothers. We're in this underworld, and who among us doesn't face life and death situations? Otherwise, why would we be in this business?"
Xiao Zihan, hearing this, immediately understood Wu Hai's previous intentions. Chuckling, he then adopted a serious expression and said, "Brother Wu is right. In the underworld, where life and death are often on the line, it's inevitable that some will not survive. We chose this path to escape a life without means, forced to face the consequences. It's one of the few options we have, even if it's a path of no return. Despite being at the bottom of society, it's still far better than not having enough to eat or decent clothes. Of course, the cost is high.
Qinghong may be a small gang, but if even weaker gangs bow to the stronger ones, the fierce competition in the underworld would have ceased long ago. The law of the jungle, where the strong remain kings, would have become the unchanging rule. However, that's not the case. Few gangs remain perpetually powerful; they always face challenges and replacements. Why? In five words: dignity and ambition. Qinghong is fighting for dignity, and even with significant sacrifices, it's worth it."
Xiao Zihan's words may not have revealed much, but spoken with a compelling aura, they carried an undeniable persuasiveness.
After the persuasion of Wu Hai and Xiao Zihan, Wei Qinghong finally dropped her facade, and a strong sense of grief surfaced in her eyes, cold as starlight. She wanted to say something but remained silent.
After a moment, she looked at Xiao Zihan and calmly said, "Thank you." Though few words were spoken, the gratitude in her eyes was sincere, visible to Xiao Zihan.
Xiao Zihan chuckled and slowly spoke, "According to Qinghong, it's either advance or retreat."
Wei Qinghong frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and decisively said, "Retreat."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zihan raised his head, laughed heartily, and stared at Wei Qinghong proudly. "Good — with the current manpower of Qinghong, resisting against Gang Jian is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. Qinghong Bang has repelled Gang Jian, making its name resound throughout Pinggang's underworld; that's enough. If you stay here in this dead place, I can't see Qinghong Bang lasting three days."
Wei Qinghong smiled lightly, unbothered by Xiao Zihan's straightforwardness. Instead, she seemed to appreciate the boldness he displayed in his words, feeling an indescribable sense of admiration. Suddenly, the burden on her heart felt lighter, and her chest expanded.
Beside Wei Qinghong, Wu Hai, seeing her smile, breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Wei Qinghong was safe, it meant Qinghong Bang still existed. When he heard Wei Qinghong decide to retreat, he almost cheered. It wasn't that he was afraid of death, but he felt it unnecessary to resist Gang Jian again; it would be futile. Just as Xiao Zihan had said, the battle tonight alone was enough to establish the reputation of Qinghong Bang in Pinggang's underworld.
He looked at Xiao Zihan gratefully, as everything was brought about by him. Seeing Xiao Zihan wink at him, he felt puzzled. Then, he stood up and said, "Since Qinghong has decided to take a break, there's no need for me to stay."
Wu Hai, hearing that Xiao Zihan was leaving, quickly tried to persuade him to stay. However, Wei Qinghong timely extended her fair and slender right hand, gazing at Xiao Zihan with soft eyes, and said gently, "Tonight, we are fortunate to have you."
Xiao Zihan squinted and smiled, replying with a meaningful tone, "When we meet again, we'll be old friends. I hope you won't be so reserved, sparing your beautiful and melodious voice."
As he extended his hand to shake Wei Qinghong's smooth and fragrant right hand, a mischievous gleam appeared in his eyes. Suddenly, he applied force, causing Wei Qinghong's delicate face to contort with pain, almost letting out a cry. The inherent tenderness and charm of a woman were vividly displayed.
Xiao Zihan chuckled, saying, "This adds a bit of femininity." He then turned to Xing Ao, who had been observing, and said, "Let's go, wooden stake."
With a cheeky smile, he left the meeting room. At this moment, several people from Lei Dong were chatting with Qinghong's brothers. Seeing Xiao Zihan come out, they quickly stood up and followed him.
The Qinghong gang members, upon seeing Xiao Zihan, also stood up respectfully, watching him leave.
After Xiao Zihan left, Wu Hai, still perplexed, stared at Wei Qinghong's reddened right hand, shaking his head in exasperation. Wei Qinghong, lost in thought, watched Xiao Zihan's departing figure, feeling a sense of melancholy.