Chapter 103: Your Song Ends, I Take the Stage

It was noon, and Jiang Cheng still hadn't appeared.

Lin Quanliang and the others discussed for a while, then decided to head straight to Jiang Cheng's stall on the street.

When they arrived, they found other vendors crowded together, but this spot was left empty.

"Huh? Junior Brother Jiang hasn't set up his stall yet?" Tan Lei scratched his head.

"Probably. Should we wait a bit longer?"

"Then let's wait."

The few of them chatted aimlessly while glancing toward the distance.

But after waiting a good while, Jiang Cheng still didn't appear.

"What's going on? It's almost one o'clock, and Junior Brother Jiang still hasn't set up?" Lin Quanliang looked at his watch and asked, puzzled.

Tan Lei and the others looked at each other, not knowing how to answer.

"Um, are you waiting for Jiang Cheng?"

Suddenly, a timid voice sounded from behind.

The group turned and saw that the speaker was a street vendor selling grilled sausages.

"Right, we're waiting for Junior Brother Jiang. He hasn't been to the Martial Arts Hall all morning. Do you know any news about him?"

"What about yesterday?" Lu Zicheng asked in surprise upon hearing that.

"Yesterday? He was here in the morning, then left in the afternoon," Lin Quanliang was startled, realizing something, and quickly asked, "Did he not set up a stall yesterday afternoon?"

"Yes."

Lu Zicheng gave a wry smile, "Jiang Cheng usually comes to set up at noon. I didn't see him all afternoon yesterday; I thought he went to the Martial Arts Hall to train. He hasn't shown up today either; maybe he'll come after a while?"

"I see."

"Probably, right?"

Lin Quanliang and the others agreed, but each silently entertained the thought that Junior Brother Jiang might have gone back yesterday and met with an accident.

They recalled that a few days earlier, Jiang Cheng had been threatened by several members of the Wild Wolf Gang; although the gang had temporarily withdrawn, they surely bore a grudge against him.

But Jiang Cheng's skill wasn't lacking; he had sparred evenly with Senior Brother Zeng, so there was no reason for such an easy mishap.

"Let's wait a bit longer. If Junior Brother Jiang still doesn't show up, we'll head back and see tomorrow whether he appears," Lin Quanliang said.

The others also voiced their agreement.

After another while, the group still hadn't seen Jiang Cheng, but instead a dozen or so men brandishing Watermelon Knives, looking fierce and murderous.

The once noisy street fell silent in an instant.

Usually, those who appeared in this manner were members of the Wild Wolf Gang, but these were all unfamiliar faces, and the number was far too many!

"Everyone."

The leading burly man, clasping his fists toward the crowd, said, "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Hall Master of the Iron Fist Gang's Third Hall, Cao Kun. You may also call me Brother Kun."

As his words finished, a wave of startled gasps rose from the surroundings.

Iron Fist Gang—it's the Iron Fist Gang's own people!

Cao Kun and the dozen or so behind him each curled the corners of their mouths, seeming to relish the moment.

"I'm here to inform everyone that three days from now this street will be under the Iron Fist Gang's control; the Wild Wolf Gang has become a thing of the past."

Cao Kun Sweeped a glance around, only then noticing Lin Quanliang and his companions among the crowd.

A hint of gloom flickered in his eyes; he shifted his gaze and continued, "Since that's in the past, those old rules no longer count. With the Iron Fist Gang here, we'll set new rules. Of course, you needn't be too nervous; we understand everyone's hardships—everyone's out here making a living, none of us have it easy."

The surrounding crowd, hearing this, didn't feel reassured; instead their hearts rose to their throats.

Because next, they would likely discuss money.

"Including today, there are three days left. During these three days you may set up stalls freely, but after that, anyone who wants to set up here must buy a stall permit from me. I heard the Wild Wolf Gang charged a Stall Fee last month of 2000 plus thirty percent—so 2600. The Iron Fist Gang, understanding everyone's difficulty, will only charge 2500."

"2500?"

"2500 per month?" "But it's usually two thousand!"

"Yes, that's 500 more than usual, my goodness."

Various murmurs rose from the crowd.

"Hm?"

Cao Kun snorted coldly, "What, someone dissatisfied with the price I quoted? Then shall we adopt the Wild Wolf Gang's charging standard, uniformly 2600 per month?"

"No, no, we're satisfied. We're satisfied."

"Yeah, yeah, 2500 is 2500, that's fine."

The crowd quickly echoed in agreement.

Even if it's only a hundred saved, that's still a hundred—a day's earnings.

"You scum, will you give us any face?"

Someone behind Cao Kun sneered.

"Since everyone is satisfied, that's perfect."

A smile spread across Cao Kun's face.

"Everyone rest assured, the Iron Fist Gang is no match for the petty Wild Wolf Gang. There are many things we won't even dare mention, but at least for the coming years this place will be under the Iron Fist Gang's rule. If you pay on time, we won't sit idle or cause trouble for you. However, anyone short‑sighted enough to oppose the Iron Fist Gang—hum, don't blame me for not warning you, that's courting death."

Cao Kun said that, his expression turning cold again, his demeanor shifting smoothly.

The crowd shook their heads repeatedly.

Even without the other party saying it, they already knew this.

The Wild Wolf Gang was already ruthless enough.

Who could possibly be so kind‑hearted as to drive the Wild Wolf Gang away? As Cao Kun's group was about to leave, someone mustered courage and asked, "Kun, Brother Kun, may I ask what the Iron Fist Gang's management fee will be per month going forward?"

Who could be the kind‑hearted, soft‑handed character capable of driving the Wild Wolf Gang away? As Cao Kun and his party were about to leave, someone mustered the courage and asked, "Kun, Brother Kun, may I ask how much the monthly management fee is for your Iron Fist Gang thereafter?"

Yeah, yeah.

Many people chimed in.

Stall fees are high; you can skip setting up a stall.

But the management fee must still be paid.

"Management fee?"

Cao Kun turned, the corners of his mouth turning up, "Although this isn't under my jurisdiction, I can give you a heads-up so you can prepare in advance. We're not like the Wild Wolf Gang, extorting people; the management fee is two thousand per month, but one thousand five hundred is enough."

"One thousand five..."

Having learned from last time, not many people discussed it this time.

"What are you all standing there for? Why aren't you thanking us?" a member of the Iron Fist Gang shouted.

Instantly, the whole venue erupted in thanks.

"Hahaha."

The Iron Fist Gang members swaggered away.

"These people are bullying too much!"

Seeing this, Tan Lei and the others felt their blood pressure rise.

Whether it's the stall fee or the management fee, both are higher than what the Wild Wolf Gang charges; to top it off, they have the nerve to say no one else charges more, and even worse, they make people thank them.

"Hasn't it always been like this? The Iron Fist Gang just arrived; surely they're at their most arrogant. We few had better not clash with them."

"Yeah, but we're from the Martial Arts Hall; they wouldn't dare do anything to us."

"Hmm, forget it, let's head back first."

Several people walked toward the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, and once again, discussion rose from the surrounding streets.

(End of chapter)