Chapter 80: Discovered? [First Chapter Request]

Jiang Cheng felt a sudden joy, but to be cautious he first surveyed the situation before making a plan.

He pressed against the wall, slowly moving toward the courtyard gate.

At the same time, the sounds from inside the courtyard grew clearer.

"Hey, brothers!"

"Six six six!"

"Hahaha, I guessed right! Drink!"

"Four, get rich!"

"Five, champion!"

"Again!"

Even from outside, Jiang Cheng could already imagine the group inside drinking until their faces were flushed.

"Truly, Heaven aids me."

Jiang Cheng silently drew two Iron Staffs from behind him.

Drunk people lose bodily balance and agility, but they also have advantages: reduced pain sensation, making them fight more ferociously.

However, diminished pain isn't like in movies where they're invulnerable; any wound still counts, so a fatal strike still kills.

After a few more steps, with the courtyard gate just ahead, Jiang Cheng sensed something was off.

The sound was wrong!

Jiang Xiong's group had only five people, yet the noises inside the courtyard were far more than that.

Jiang Cheng's expression instantly grew solemn.

At that moment, a somewhat familiar voice reached his ears.

"Brother Bao, thank you for honoring us tonight; I'll raise a cup to you."

It was Jiang Xiong's voice.

After he finished, the courtyard grew considerably quieter; the hand‑clap players lowered their volume.

Yet the moment he called out "Brother Bao," Jiang Cheng outside widened his eyes.

"Nothing special, come on, let's do it."

Wei Bao's voice rang out.

A clink of glasses followed.

"Jiang Xiong, you really won't join us?"

After a moment, Wei Bao spoke.

"Brother Bao, to be frank, I'd love to follow you on a grand adventure, but my body gets weaker each year. I worry that staying with you would not only be useless but would become a burden, so I'm sorry, Brother Bao—I'll punish myself with three cups."

The sound of liquor being poured into cups echoed in the courtyard.

"Heh."

Wei Bao let out a cold snort.

After a while he said, "Not following is fine, but younger brother, don't blame the elder for not warning you—when the Iron Fist Gang shows up, you few may not have good days ahead."

"Exactly, Jiang Xiong, you think that when the Iron Fist Gang arrives you can still live like this? Occupying such a huge courtyard with money delivered daily?" A tongue‑tied voice interjected, "Brother Bao says that for your own good, but you must think it through."

"I get Brother Dong's point. Honestly, we're already mentally prepared; if the Iron Fist Gang comes and won't relent, we can at most move out and start a small‑scale trade."

"You, doing small‑scale trade? Hahaha, that cracks me up." The person called Brother Dong laughed loudly.

"Enough."

Wei Bao's voice rang out, "Everyone has their own aspirations; talking more is pointless. We have a few days before we leave; Jiang Xiong, if you change your mind, you can come find us anytime."

"No problem, Brother Bao."

Jiang Xiong seemed to sigh in relief, "Here, Brother Bao, I'll raise another cup to you, thanking you for the care you've given me these past three years."

"And Brother Dong and you all—without you, I, Jiang Xiong, wouldn't be where I am today. Come, drink; tonight, nobody goes home sober!"

"Drink!"

"Drink!" The clink echoed, and soon the courtyard fell back into noise.

Jiang Cheng knit his brows.

He never imagined that Wei Bao and his men, who collect management fees during the day, were also present.

By that count, including Jiang Xiong's five, there were at least fifteen or sixteen people inside.

That was beyond his expectation.

Fortunately, no one had noticed his arrival; he could still leave in time now, but listening to Jiang Xiong's intent, they weren't planning to follow Wei Bao away, so in the next few days there would definitely be a chance.

But from another angle, this is also an opportunity.

A chance to wipe out that whole group in one sweep!

Jiang Xiong's few men need no further comment, and the Wild Wolf Gang's crowd is even more obvious; killing the former is relatively easy, but taking down Wei Bao and his group is not, as even locating where they live is a challenge.

Now, a good opportunity lies before him! Miss this village and the shop will be gone.

The only concern is that killing Wei Bao would not satisfy the Wild Wolf Gang; they would surely launch a search.

Using the Double Staff myself might also draw suspicion.

But it would be merely suspicion.

If I do it cleanly, who would know it was me? Even if suspected, just never admit it.

At that moment, a burst of footsteps suddenly sounded.

The sound grew nearer.

Someone was walking from the courtyard toward the outside.

Jiang Cheng quickly retreated, hid in the corner, slightly peeking out to observe covertly.

Two people stepped out, and five or six meters away, their alcohol scent could be smelled.

The next moment, the two actually turned around and, wobbling, walked toward him.

Jiang Cheng's heart pounded instantly, and his hand gripping the Iron Staff tightened a bit.

Why did these two just walk out, then walk toward me—could they have noticed me?

That's not right; impossible. If they had discovered me, they'd definitely shout for help.

Now it's dark, vision is impaired, but unless they're blind, anyone who comes here could spot the one hiding in the corner.

Since that's the case.

Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes, murderous intent flashing.

Then let's act: first take out these two, then wipe out everyone inside! A rustling sound rang out, and a whiff of urine drifted in.

Jiang Cheng's face darkened, he stuck his head out again, and indeed the two were two meters away, backs to him, pouring water against the back wall of the house.

They kept pouring water while still chatting.

Heh heh, that kid Jiang Xiong really thinks we can't see it? He knows our Wild Wolf Gang is finished, refuses to join, wants to stay here and wait to cling to the Iron Fist Gang's thigh.

They think, think beautifully! Do they really believe we can see them, that we could look at them? Another person stammered.

Heh heh, they'll find out later, but that kid still has some profit on him; if we leave before we go, we could skim another cut.

That kid, even if he has more money, can he collect as much as we did today?

Yeah, that's right, heh heh.

They collected several hundred thousand in management fees today; although most were turned over, the group grabbed a lot, and they wouldn't be foolish enough to hand that part over—they kept it for themselves.

After finishing the water, the two shook themselves, put on their pants, and turned toward the courtyard gate.

Bang! Bang!

Two Iron Staffs heavily Smash the two men's occiputs.

The two didn't even have time to make a sound before they fell softly forward.

Jiang Cheng, quick-eyed and swift-handed, grabbed the two bodies and dragged them into the corner alley; to be cautious, he delivered two more Iron Staff strikes to their occiputs.

(End of chapter)