Chapter 32

In the main hall of the Flying Eagle Gang, the gang leader Sha Feiying and the three hall masters were all stunned upon hearing that Wei Feng had been assassinated.

"Who sent the assassin!?" Sha Feiying's gaze swept over Dong Chengwu and Zhuang Li, finally landing on Lin Fuhu.

Among the three, Lin Fuhu was the most impulsive and never considered the bigger picture.

Moreover, only the people from his Combat Hall had the strength to carry out a solo assassination of Wei Feng in the Green Bamboo Gang.

"Wronged, Chief! It really wasn't me who sent the assassin! Although the Green Bamboo Gang has been overstepping, I know the gravity of the situation. How could I send someone to retaliate at this time?" Lin Fuhu looked aggrieved.

Sha Feiying glanced at him and did not press further.

Lin Fuhu was a rough man, not the type to hide things. If he said it wasn't him, it probably wasn't.

Zhuang Li said, "Chief, it's meaningless to investigate who sent the assassin now. The Green Bamboo Gang has already lost face this time, and even their leader almost died at the hands of the assassin. We must fight this battle."

Sha Feiying nodded, "That's right, we must fight, but if we fight, we can't afford to lose. Tell everyone, the entire Flying Eagle Gang must prepare for a full-scale battle, ready to attack at any time! This time, we can't afford to lose!"

"Yes, Chief!"

The three nodded and turned to leave the main hall.

After returning to the Punishment Hall, Dong Chengwu summoned a gang member and asked, "A few days ago, I asked you to keep an eye on Su Xin. Has he made any moves recently?"

The gang member replied, "Su Xin has a very regular schedule. Apart from patrolling the Happy Forest in the morning and evening, he stays at home the rest of the time."

"Are you sure he didn't leave the Happy Forest today?"

"Definitely not. We followed your orders and set up lookouts at the exits of the Happy Forest. If Su Xin had left, they would have reported it immediately."

Dong Chengwu waved the gang member away, rubbed his chin, and wondered, "Could it really not be him?"

At the Happy Forest hall, Su Xin had already taken off his clothes and the human skin mask, burning them all.

Su Xin always prioritized caution. Since this identity had already been used once, it was better to dispose of it.

Huang Bingcheng knocked and entered, his face beaming with excitement, "Boss, the gang has already issued the order, everyone is preparing for battle, ready to attack the Green Bamboo Gang at any time!"

"The plan succeeded, and it wasn't a waste of my efforts. How are the spoils divided?"

"Still the old rules, whoever captures the territory, it belongs to them. They just need to pay the monthly dues on time."

Su Xin nodded. The Flying Eagle Gang's rules were clear, and no one would contest a clear victory.

If I capture the territory, it's mine. However, I have to pay two-tenths of the monthly income from the territory to the higher-ups.

The small leaders pay two-tenths of their income to the big leaders, and the big leaders pay two-tenths of their total income to the gang.

Su Xin received 180,000 taels of silver as monthly dues from the Happy Forest in the first month, and he gave nearly half to Tiger San, just to keep his adoptive father quiet. Normally, he wouldn't need to give so much.

"Go tell Li Hua to prepare for action. Gather all the subordinates, and we'll move tonight."

Although acting now would give them the advantage, the rules don't allow it.

This is Changning Prefecture, and even if the major gangs are in conflict, it's still the territory of the imperial court.

Therefore, there has always been an unwritten rule in Changning Prefecture: large-scale gang battles can only take place after dark. At that time, all shops will close, and the gangs can fight as they please.

If anyone dares to break the rules, the constables will step in to teach them a lesson.

As evening approached, the sky gradually darkened, and over 200 of Su Xin's subordinates had already gathered at the hall, holding weapons, waiting for Su Xin's orders.

They knew what they were going to do tonight, and their faces showed signs of tension. After all, most of them were participating in a gang battle for the first time.

Su Xin held a heavy sword and stood in front of everyone, speaking loudly, "I've told you before, if you want to achieve wealth and status, you must fight and kill! Now the opportunity is here, it's up to you to seize it! Tonight we attack Yongle District, and for each person killed, there's a reward of 10 taels of silver!"

The promise of wealth and status stirred the hearts of the subordinates. Su Xin didn't need to say more; just this promise made their eyes turn red.

At the current prices in Changning Prefecture, one tael of silver could last a month if used frugally. Now, each subordinate receives 10 taels of silver as monthly pay, which makes their lives more comfortable, but it's still not enough!

A life for 10 taels of silver, if they can kill ten people tonight, they could immediately afford a wife!

While the Happy Forest was still brightly lit, the opposite Yongle District was already pitch black. All the merchants had received the message and covered their doors, leaving only a lantern in front.

The dim light illuminated the long street, making it look eerie and ghostly. It also cast a cold gleam on the long knives held by the Green Bamboo Gang subordinates guarding the street entrance.

Changning Prefecture has 49 districts, and the Green Bamboo Gang controls three of them.

Next to Yongle District are Changle District and Shunyi District, which belongs to Tiger San.

Therefore, the subordinates in Yongle District were divided into two groups, one guarding Shunyi District and the other guarding the entrance to the Happy Forest.

There were over 1,500 Green Bamboo Gang subordinates in the entire Yongle District, and only one-third, all under the command of Chen Lao, were guarding the Happy Forest.

Chen Lao was a peculiar character, still trying to be clever during a gang battle.

He knew that Tiger San had nearly a thousand subordinates and was not easy to provoke, but Changle District only had the Happy Forest, with only a small leader and about 200 subordinates guarding it.

Could he not take it? So he requested to be transferred here.

Wei Feng wasn't stupid either. He was also afraid that Ma Qingyuan and Chen Hong would use his loyal subordinates as pawns, so he immediately agreed.

"Everyone, stay alert! Defeat the Flying Eagle Gang's bastards, and you'll each get 100 coins as a reward in the morning!"

Chen Lao, holding a knife, shouted in the crowd, boosting their morale a bit.

On the opposite street, Su Xin led his people slowly approaching. Facing an enemy more than twice their number, he simply waved his sword and shouted, "Kill!"

This wasn't a war, but a gang battle. In the narrow street, it all came down to one thing: the brave win in a narrow encounter!

In terms of morale, Su Xin's subordinates clearly had the upper hand. Even facing an enemy more than twice their number, no one retreated.

Li Hua was about to charge forward but was stopped by Su Xin, "Wait, this battle is a true test for them. Without blood and without fighting to the death, even if they learn internal skills and martial arts, they are still useless."

Experience in life-and-death battles is far more valuable than practicing at home. Before and after assassinating Dai Chong, Su Xin's strength was like the difference between heaven and earth.

At this moment, the subordinates of the two gangs had already engaged in close combat.

As soon as the battle began, the numerical advantage of the Green Bamboo Gang became apparent.

Two or three subordinates surrounded one Flying Eagle Gang member, their long knives chopping down. The lack of experience in life-and-death battles was immediately evident.

Most of the subordinates were flustered, even forgetting the dog-beating staff technique they had learned, and even forgetting to form a three-person formation. In an instant, several of them were killed!

"Boss, let's go!" Huang Bingcheng urged anxiously.

"Wait, if they can't even pass this test, what's the point of training them?" Su Xin was unmoved.

Huang Bingcheng had once said that encountering Su Xin was the fortune of these subordinates, but Su Xin said it could also be a curse.

Those who survive are fortunate.

Those who die are paying off their past sins.

Su Xin went to great lengths to train these subordinates not because he was merciful, but because he needed them to provide him with power. He needed them to become a sharp blade in his hands.

If they could show their worth, Su Xin wouldn't mind spending more silver and effort.

But if they couldn't, as Su Xin said, he wouldn't keep useless subordinates.

Fortunately, these subordinates were up to the task. After the initial panic, they gradually found their footing, forming formations to protect themselves and counter-attacking.

In terms of individual quality, Su Xin's subordinates, who had trained in internal skills and the dog-beating staff technique, were clearly superior. Once they stabilized, the Green Bamboo Gang immediately fell into chaos.

Although the Green Bamboo Gang had over 500 subordinates, most of them were only good at fighting when things were going well.

When things went wrong, their morale plummeted.

Chen Lao couldn't understand how a small leader from the Happy Forest could train such elite subordinates.

Seeing that his side had already lost ten men and was on the verge of collapse, Chen Lao gritted his teeth, drew his waist knife, and charged forward.

Seeing Chen Lao in action, Su Xin shouted, "Li Hua! Clear the way for me!"

Li Hua drew his two short swords and charged into the crowd. The short swords flew up and down, instantly cutting the throats of several subordinates. The subordinates in front were shocked and immediately scattered, clearing a path.

Su Xin followed closely behind, his heavy sword in hand, and swung it directly at Chen Lao!

The fierce wind whistled as Chen Lao's waist knife met the sword. He felt a powerful force, his hands went numb, and he had to take three or four steps back to stabilize himself.

Looking at his waist knife, he saw a thumb-sized notch!

"How can he be so strong!"

Chen Lao was secretly distressed. He never expected that a young man who looked inexperienced could have such strength!

One sword knocked Chen Lao back, and Su Xin didn't hesitate, advancing with his sword and engaging Chen Lao in a fierce battle.

Using the Great Mount Sword Technique, Chen Lao felt as if he was facing a massive mountain, heavy and powerful!

Each sword strike carried immense force, making his blood boil.

He tried to counterattack, but Su Xin's heavy sword was flawless, leaving no opening. It was like a large net slowly closing in on him!

The essence of the Great Mount Sword Technique is to contain the vast in the small, to overcome the strong with the weak, and to defend effectively.

But Chen Lao was too weak. Su Xin estimated he hadn't even opened ten acupoints.

This wasn't containing the vast in the small, but the vast containing the small!

The heavy sword's shadow fell from all sides, forming an impenetrable net, locking Chen Lao in!

At this moment, Chen Lao remembered that the one who assassinated Dai Chong last month was this young man!

Thinking of this, Chen Lao lost all fighting spirit, threw his knife at Su Xin, and turned to run.

But before he could fully turn, a cold light flashed past his eye, piercing his throat!

Su Xin slowly pulled his thin sword from Chen Lao's throat, watching his eyes of不甘 (unwillingness) slowly fade.

He died unwillingly, because until the end, he never saw how Su Xin had delivered that fatal strike.