Chapter 64

Chapter 65: Killing the Sharpness

Zhang Ningyan's eyes flashed with anger as she rebuked Zhao Heng for his interference: "If it weren't for him injuring One-Eyed Biao, Song Qingguan would have signed the documents long ago; if it weren't for his curiosity, Lawyer Song would have deceived Song Qingguan; if it weren't for Zhao Heng causing trouble at the bar, Song Qingguan would have signed the documents with a high probability."

In the calm of the middle-aged man, Zhang Ningyan was still seething with resentment: "Moreover, he attacked the Song family's network system, causing losses totaling thirty million. How can these accounts be reconciled? Even if we were willing to reconcile, what could Zhao Heng, who has no money, compensate us with? Therefore, he must die to atone for his mistakes."

Women's grudges are often held until death.

Fei Hu also stepped forward half a step, lowering his head and speaking softly: "That's right, Sister Zhang is absolutely correct. Zhao Heng must die to settle the matter. Not only did he sever the hands of over a hundred brothers, who will have to stay in the hospital for three months, but he also severely injured One-Eyed Biao's injured toe and left hand, likely leaving him disabled for life."

"Zhao Heng must be eliminated."

The middle-aged man smiled faintly, as if he had already anticipated these responses. He straightened his back, sat up, and played with the bamboo leaf green snake, scanning the three of them: "The blood debts of the brothers, the twenty billion yuan of the Qing Gang, and my face, Zhang Xiaolin, are all at stake. However, these are not enough to make me compromise in the face of Mr. Du."

Money, face, and blood debts sound tough, but if Du Tianxiong really wanted to erase them, Zhang Xiaolin could do little but bow his head. Although the Qing Gang's black and white connections are enough to make ordinary people look up in surprise, they are powerless against Du Tianxiong. The four words "red-topped merchant" are enough to make the Qing Gang gasp for breath.

Seventeen years ago, the Du family nearly bankrupted themselves to support the front lines. Who would dare to lightly shake the foundation they laid?

Hearing Zhang Xiaolin mention Mr. Du again, Zhang Ningyan and Fei Hu, who had vented their anger, fell into a brief silence. Calming down, they realized that their previous words were childish. If Du Tianxiong wanted to reconcile, the Qing Gang would have to agree, whether they wanted to or not. Who in Huanghai could resist Du Tianxiong's orders?

Although the Du family appears to be just merchants in the eyes of the public, and their intimidation is not as high as the Qing Gang's, the top circles in Huanghai all know the Du family's background. Those top officials who live in the capital and occasionally tour Huanghai always specifically request Du Tianxiong, the red-topped merchant, to accompany them.

This honor is rare in all of China.

There is a rumor that a second-generation military brat came to Huanghai to show off, and after playing with ecstasy and killing an innocent singer, he arrogantly shouted at the police, daring them to touch him. However, he was coincidentally seen by Du Tianxiong, who, without a word, took the police's gun and disabled the military brat.

Afterward, Du Tianxiong was unscathed. Zhang Xiaolin's power might not be lower than that of the military brat, but in the face of the Du family, whose background remains unknown, the Qing Gang always shows respect. The most terrifying thing in the world is not a powerful enemy, but an enemy whose strength is unknown, which can make one feel powerless.

Zhang Xiaolin still does not know who the Du family's backer is, so he maintains absolute friendliness toward Du Tianxiong.

Zhang Ningyan also knew this, but she still struggled: "Letting Zhao Heng go is really hard to swallow."

"There are many things in this world that are hard to swallow!"

Zhang Xiaolin narrowed his eyes and scanned the three of them, casually throwing out a few words: "Actually, I am also unwilling. So last night, I had Iron Arhat send out experts to assassinate Zhao Heng, and I was prepared to use the excuse of a time difference and the commander's autonomy to evade Du Tianxiong. However, Zhou Qixuan failed."

"This leaves us with no more opportunities to move against Zhao Heng."

He pointed at the sky: "The Du family inquired about last night's assassination this morning. Du Tianxiong is very angry, feeling that we, the Qing Gang, are not giving him face. Although I can say that Zhou Qixuan acted on his own, this excuse can only be used once. If we send more people to move against Zhao Heng, the Du family will protect him at all costs."

The three of them were silent, unable to believe Zhao Heng's good fortune and Du Tianxiong's strong protection. A look of displeasure flashed across their faces, as they deeply hated Zhao Heng and did not want to see him thrive. Moreover, with Zhao Heng now connected to the Du family, he might seek revenge in the future.

"By the way, have you thoroughly investigated Zhao Heng's relationship with the First Floor?"

The middle-aged man's finger traced the snake's head, and the bamboo leaf green snake obediently allowed him to touch it. A plain black-clad man stepped forward, slightly straightening his body and replied: "We have investigated. Zhao Heng saved Headmaster Ye, so the First Floor's involvement is out of gratitude. In other words, Ye Shishi doesn't even know who Zhao Heng is."

This man had a scar more than three inches long on his face, giving his plain face a ruthless and terrifying look. A quick glance revealed that it was a bullet wound, indicating that he was a ruthless killer. Zhang Ningyan and the others preferred to stay close to Zhang Xiaolin rather than get too close to the scar-faced man.

The scar-faced man ignored their attitude, his voice cold: "That night, Yan Ruyu asked Zhao Heng to join the First Floor purely to provoke the Qing Gang. The brothers did not find any contact between the First Floor and Zhao Heng, so we don't need to worry about the First Floor's stance. Du Tianxiong's involvement is because Zhao Heng helped Du Ziyi."

"I'm not worried about the First Floor... on the contrary, I wish they had a connection."

The middle-aged man showed little emotion, yawning: "It seems that the Qing Gang has really stumbled over a powerless pawn this time. A century of shame, Fei Hu, you have really brought shame to the Qing Gang. Your face is lost because of you, and I have to smile and drink the peace wine."

Fei Hu quickly knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly: "Master Zhang, I am incompetent."

"Incompetent? Can incompetence restore your face?"

The middle-aged man suddenly leaped from his chair, like an enraged lion, kicking Fei Hu away. When Fei Hu crawled back, he punched him in the jaw, knocking out two teeth that fell beside Song Shijie, shocking him: Zhang Xiaolin was truly unpredictable.

Zhang Xiaolin's punches and kicks rained down on Fei Hu, venting the anger of a generation of warlords:

"You useless fool! Idiot! Making the Qing Gang lose so much face, what use are you?"

"If I don't cripple you today, how can I vent this anger?"

Zhang Xiaolin's beating was fierce and satisfying, causing Zhang Ningyan and Song Shijie's faces to change dramatically. However, Fei Hu breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that he had saved his life. If Master Zhang had politely not beaten him, he might not have left the garden today and would have been thrown into the Huangpu River.

After about five minutes, Zhang Xiaolin stopped and sat back in his chair.

He exhaled a long breath, still playing with the slippery bamboo leaf green snake. Without looking at the bruised and bloodied Fei Hu, he smiled brightly: "I will be drinking the peace wine tomorrow night. I must give Du Tianxiong face, but should I also reconcile with Zhao Heng?"

The middle-aged man ignored his shouting, sighing as the sun set. At this moment, Song Shijie suddenly stepped forward, stopping when the scar-faced man's eyes flashed, and respectfully addressed the middle-aged man: "Master Zhang, no matter what, Zhao Heng must be eliminated."

"Hmm? Scholar, your reason."

The middle-aged man's face lit up with a smile: "If you can't move me, your life is over."

Song Shijie, a great lawyer, was still an outsider to Zhang Xiaolin. His failure to deceive Song Qingguan into signing the documents had already displeased him, and now he dared to speak up with reasons. If he couldn't handle the last matter, what could he do this time? However, he didn't mind using this opportunity to kill Song Shijie.

To prevent him from flirting with Zhang Ningyan.

Song Shijie trembled slightly, Zhang Xiaolin was truly hard to please, but he dared not show any dissatisfaction. He had already witnessed the Qing Gang's tyranny. When he returned to Huanghai with the intention of swallowing his nephew's property, he was intercepted by the Qing Gang as soon as he got off the plane, and his five assistants were buried alive on the spot.

The Qing Gang then threw him a box of money, giving him the choice to cooperate with them to deceive Song Qingguan into signing the documents or to disappear like his assistants. Faced with the Qing Gang's tyranny, Song Shijie had to change his mind, turning his intention to embezzle into serving the Qing Gang to save his life and secure a position as legal advisor.

So, despite his disdain for Zhang Xiaolin as a rough and brutal man, he cautiously spoke: "Master Zhang, the Qing Gang has countless reasons to eliminate Zhao Heng, but the most critical point is that we cannot nurture a tiger to our own detriment. Zhao Heng is not an ordinary person. Once he gets an opportunity, he will rise like a dark horse."

Song Shijie's eyes glinted with a murderous intent: "Perhaps in three to five years, Huanghai will have four major forces. Zhao Heng and the Qing Gang already have a grudge, and with the limited interests in Huanghai, his existence poses a significant threat to the Qing Gang's development. Therefore, he must be eliminated in the cradle."

"If we don't act now, the cost will be even greater later."

Zhang Xiaolin glanced at Song Shijie, a hint of appreciation in his eyes: "This reason is very good. Money, face, and blood debts are nothing compared to the threat of a tiger. Bowing to Du Tianxiong is normal, but nurturing a tiger cannot be allowed. I cannot let the Qing Gang's century-old legacy be destroyed in my hands."

"Lawyer Song, your reasoning is very sound!"

The middle-aged man handed this difficult task to the three of them: "Here's what we'll do. You three are all involved in the Zhao Heng incident. How to deal with him without leaving a trace is up to you to plan. Bring me the plan when it's ready. Remember, Zhao Heng must not live, but Du Tianxiong must not be offended. The matter must be handled properly."

"I will drink the peace wine tomorrow night, and no matter what, I will first kill the sharpness of that punk."

The three of them bowed their heads in unison: "Understood!"