Chapter 43

Dong Chengwu is a man who strictly adheres to the rules. The Flying Eagle Gang, which started with nothing, has become one of the three major gangs and four associations in Changning Prefecture in less than thirty years. This is not only due to Sha Feiying's strength but also to the rules set by Dong Chengwu, which have played a significant role.

All members of the Flying Eagle Gang, including Sha Feiying, are from the streets, except for Dong Chengwu, who comes from the Xiangxi Divine Knife Sect, a genuine martial arts school.

Because of this, Dong Chengwu values the rules more than Sha Feiying and the others.

Hierarchy, laws, and regulations—these are the rules!

And now, Su Xin has broken his rules more than once!

The last time Su Xin defied the gang's orders and acted on his own to assassinate Dai Chong, it made Dong Chengwu extremely angry.

Now, Su Xin's actions are directly challenging his authority as the head of the Punishment Hall!

Dong Chengwu's large ringed blade suddenly slashed out, the massive blade tearing through the air like a storm, with an unstoppable momentum and overwhelming power!

Su Xin quickly retreated, but without his heavy sword, even with the Great Mount Sword Technique, he could not withstand this powerful and ruthless strike.

Li Huan's movements were like a ghost, and he unleashed the Exorcism Sword Technique, sending a fierce sword beam down. However, Dong Chengwu's large ringed blade cut horizontally, and the powerful strike sent Li Huan flying!

Li Huan had not yet reached the early stage of the Inner Strength realm, while Dong Chengwu was already a mid-stage Inner Strength martial artist with over seventy acupoints unblocked. The power difference was too great, and even the Exorcism Sword Technique, with its ruthless and bizarre nature, could not withstand the absolute power.

Seizing this opportunity, Su Xin finally drew his left-hand sword, delivering a ruthless and bizarre strike directly at Dong Chengwu's side, making his hair stand on end and sensing a wave of killing intent.

"Wind Sweeping the Clouds!"

Dong Chengwu wielded the heavy ringed blade like a whirlwind, shattering all the surrounding tables and chairs, forcing Su Xin to retreat.

Dong Chengwu, coming from a martial arts school, had a fighting style very similar to Luo Zhen of the Green Bamboo Gang. His style was methodical and flawless, leaving no room for error.

At the same level, this fighting style was rigid, but when the power was overwhelming, it left Su Xin with no way to counter, finding no flaws.

Even if Dong Chengwu occasionally exposed a weakness, Su Xin's current strength was not enough to seize it.

After a few moves, Su Xin was cornered, and his sword had not even touched Dong Chengwu.

"Tell me, Dong Chengwu, you're getting more and more capable, fighting a young punk with such enthusiasm. If you're so skilled, why don't we spar?"

A mocking voice came from outside the door, and Dong Chengwu put away his large ringed blade, turned around, and his face turned dark.

"Lin Fuhu, what are you doing here?" Dong Chengwu asked coldly.

"Why can't I come if you can?" Lin Fuhu retorted.

He and Dong Chengwu had been at odds for over a decade, and he was always happy to see Dong Chengwu in trouble.

"Su Xin dared to attack the gang's leader, which is a grave act of defiance. He must be executed to uphold the gang's rules! Lin Fuhu, if you want to cause trouble, pick a better time. Wait until I execute him, and then I'll spar with you."

"Coincidentally, I won't let you kill this kid today."

Lin Fuhu spat and said, "What is Hou Tong? He's just a gambler who lives off his past achievements. Has he ever fought in a gang war in recent years? Even if Su Xin doesn't kill him, I'll do it myself if he annoys me."

"Lin Fuhu! This is no small matter! Defying the hierarchy is a major taboo in the gang! He must be punished according to the rules!" Dong Chengwu shouted.

"Rules are rules. Why are you shouting? Besides, the rules weren't set by you alone. Since it's a big matter, we should inform the gang leader and let all the major heads decide."

With Lin Fuhu present, Dong Chengwu knew he couldn't do anything to Su Xin.

So he just gave Su Xin a deep look and had someone take his one-armed subordinate away.

After they left, Su Xin bowed to Lin Fuhu and said, "Thank you, Hall Master Lin, for your help."

Lin Fuhu waved his hand generously, "No need to thank me. I just don't like that old man. Today, I happened to see him leaving the headquarters with his men, so I followed to see what was going on. Don't worry, I'll speak up for you when we see the gang leader."

"Your great kindness, Hall Master Lin, I am deeply grateful." Su Xin put on an emotional expression, which made Lin Fuhu quite happy.

It wasn't because Su Xin flattered him, but because he enjoyed seeing Dong Chengwu in trouble.

The incident from over a decade ago had deeply offended Lin Fuhu, and he still harbored resentment.

Lin Fuhu, to put it bluntly, was simple-minded and strong, with a one-track mind.

Back then, Dong Chengwu had completely disregarded his face and severely punished his Combat Hall disciples, which made Lin Fuhu feel humiliated for a long time, even to the point where he was embarrassed to show his face to his subordinates.

For Lin Fuhu, this was a great humiliation, enough to make him resent it for life.

Although he had sent Dong Chengwu away, the matter was not over. Su Xin's right and wrong still needed to be decided by the gang leader, and even Lin Fuhu dared not make the decision.

So, Lin Fuhu directly took Su Xin and Tiger San Ye to the headquarters, where Dong Chengwu had already gathered Sha Feiying and the other major heads.

Seeing Su Xin and the others enter the headquarters, the other major heads all looked at them with strange expressions.

This Su Xin was not an easy person to deal with. In just a few months, he had caused another meeting to be called.

"Su Xin defied the hierarchy and violated the gang's rules. He should be executed! Please, Gang Leader, take all his territory and execute him on the spot!" Dong Chengwu said sternly.

Lin Fuhu sneered, "Defying the hierarchy needs a reason, right? I heard that Hou Tong was the one who started the trouble at Kuaile Forest."

"Regardless of the reason, defying the hierarchy should be punished with death!"

"Do you think you can just execute anyone you want?"

Seeing the two about to argue again, Sha Feiying cleared his throat, and they immediately stopped.

"What do you all think about this matter?" Sha Feiying looked at the major heads below.

They all looked left and right but remained silent.

After all, they had taken ten thousand taels of silver from Su Xin, so they wouldn't speak well of him, but they could remain silent.

Moreover, they were already fed up with Hou Tong, especially those whose territories were close to his, who had been harassed the most.

Now that Su Xin had finally dealt with that troublemaker, they even wanted to thank him.

Dong Chengwu's face darkened. Why had these guys suddenly changed their attitude?

In the past, when such things happened, they would mock and criticize, but now they were silent.

Su Xin's face showed no emotion, but his eyes looked at Tiger San Ye.

Feeling Su Xin's gaze, Tiger San Ye gritted his teeth and said, "Gang Leader, I have something to say."

The others all looked at Tiger San Ye, and some even gave Su Xin a helpless look.

Your adoptive father is going to betray you, and we can't do anything about it. Ten thousand taels of silver can only buy our silence, not our support.

Dong Chengwu also breathed a sigh of relief.

As Su Xin's adoptive father, if Tiger San Ye also demanded punishment for Su Xin, it would be more effective than any three other major heads combined.

"Gang Leader, actually, killing Hou Tong is not Su Xin's fault. I ordered him to do it because Hou Tong was too much!

Su Xin won Yongle Fang with his own strength, and some people were jealous and wanted a piece of the action.

Hou Tong personally came to me and demanded one million taels of silver, which I refused. He then tried to bully Su Xin with his status.

In a fit of anger, I told Su Xin to go all out and kill that bastard!

This was my order, and it has nothing to do with my adoptive son, Su Xin.

He should become a major head, not be punished by the gang's rules."

Everyone was stunned, looking at Tiger San Ye as if he were a madman.

What was he doing? Elevating Su Xin to a major head and taking the blame for killing Hou Tong himself—was this the same cunning and ruthless Tiger San Ye they knew?

Dong Chengwu looked at him in disbelief, while Sha Feiying gave Su Xin a deep look.

After decades with Tiger San Ye, he couldn't believe that Tiger San Ye would be the kind of person to sacrifice himself for others.

Dong Chengwu slammed the table, "Tiger San Ye! Do you know what you're saying? Even if you are a major head, you can't bear this responsibility!

Fighting among ourselves, according to the gang's rules, all your territory will be taken by the gang, and all your subordinates will be handed over to other major heads!"

Tiger San Ye secretly smiled bitterly, "I know, but I did it."

Dong Chengwu looked at Tiger San Ye in confusion. What leverage did Su Xin have over him that made him willing to risk losing all his territory to protect Su Xin?

The other major heads looked at Tiger San Ye with even stranger expressions.

The relationship between Tiger San Ye and Su Xin, his adoptive son, had been a topic of gossip since Tang Taihe was crippled.

At that time, they had mocked Tiger San Ye, saying he was raising a tiger to his own detriment, as both of his adoptive sons had become problems.

Later, Su Xin bypassed Tiger San Ye and paid the dues directly to the gang, which was almost a public challenge to Tiger San Ye's authority.

The two were already at odds, and now Tiger San Ye was willing to give up his territory to protect Su Xin. If there wasn't some hidden agenda, they wouldn't believe it.

At this moment, Sha Feiying said, "Killing a major head is a serious matter. You must give the gang a reason. I'll give you a chance to speak."

Su Xin looked up at Sha Feiying and said calmly, "I am young, I have strength, and I have contributed to the gang."

PS: Thanks to the reader Meng Qianban and Bu Yuan Xing for their support.

Continued PS: There will be another chapter in half an hour, as a response to the催更票 (urge for an update) from reader Zhuge Moshen. The author originally didn't want to do it because too many updates during the new book period can affect the recommendation cycle, but this is the first time someone has urged for an update, which is very meaningful, so the author feels it's only right to do it. ~_~