Chapter 85: A True Master

A foot wearing leather shoes stepped into the courtyard first.

He appears to be a man in his early forties, wearing a suit and trousers, his hair meticulously groomed with a few strands of white at the temples.

His features are rugged, his gaze resolute, his bearing imposing; even standing there in silence, he exerts pressure on others.

As he entered, a group followed behind him, numbering at least twenty.

The members of the Wild Wolf Gang turned their heads in unison, then promptly bowed and saluted.

"Gang Leader!"

"Gang Leader!"

Yue Shan extended his palm, signaling that no formalities were needed, walked straight ahead, and upon seeing the corpse on the ground, first showed sorrowful expression, then burst into tears.

The surrounding people, seeing this, also shed tears.

After a while, Yue Shan took the tissue handed by a subordinate, wiped his tears, and asked, "Do you know who killed them?"

The crowd wore bewildered expressions.

Some people looked toward a middle‑aged man still sobbing.

Among the cries just now, the latter was not the loudest, but certainly the most sorrowful.

The reason is simple: that man is Wei Bao's boss, Wang Weisen, nicknamed Brother Sen, and also one of the Deputy Gang Leaders of the gang.

"I don't know."

Wang Weisen spoke, his tone laced with hatred, "The incident happened suddenly; no one saw the killer's face, and we don't even know how many people were involved."

Yue Shan furrowed his brows and turned to look at a tall man behind him.

"A Tai, go take a look."

"Yes, Gang Leader."

The tall man stepped forward, squatted before a corpse, first examined the body, then repeatedly inspected the head.

He inspected each corpse once, and the later ones took progressively less time.

The scene was silent.

Even the few subordinates of Wei Bao who had cried the loudest earlier sealed their lips, daring not to make any sound.

Soon, the tall man stood up and returned.

"Gang Leader, I've examined Wei Bao's bodies; they were likely struck on vital spots of the head by a blunt weapon such as an Iron Staff, most probably a single fatal blow. The assailant was cautious, delivering two additional strikes, and also…"

"What?"

Wang Weisen, hearing this, clenched his teeth in anger.

"Old Wang, don't get worked up yet."

Yue Shan shook his head at him, "Let A Tai finish speaking."

The tall man continued, "Moreover, from these marks we can infer that the killer was most likely a single individual."

"What! One person!"

"There is only one killer!"

These words instantly caused a huge uproar.

Yue Shan's expression grew solemn, and he asked, "A Tai, is what you said true?"

"At least an eighty‑percent probability."

The tall man replied without hesitation.

"If it were you, could you do it?"

"If we strike under cover of night and take them out one by one, it wouldn't be a big problem."

"Hmm."

Yue Shan nodded.

His gaze returned to the corpses on the ground, and he sighed, "Gather their bodies, give them proper burials, compensate any surviving families sufficiently; we are brothers, we cannot let them be disheartened."

"Yes, Gang Leader!"

The crowd responded.

"A Tai, dispatch some men to inquire around and see if any clues can be gathered."

"Yes, Gang Leader."

The latter agreed.

But everyone knew that if the facts were as Li Tai said—that the killer was a single person—it would have to be a master; searching around would likely be futile.

Moreover, what if the killer belonged to the Iron Fist Gang?

Would they still be able to avenge?

"Everyone, be careful from now on."

Yue Shan let out a light sigh, and as he was about to leave, Wang Weisen spoke, "Gang Leader, may I have a word privately?"

The crowd was startled, all eyes on the two.

Yue Shan, hearing this, remained silent for a moment, then nodded.

The two entered the inner room and closed the door.

"Gang Leader…"

"Do you want to avenge Wei Bao?"

Yue Shan cut him off, asking first.

"Exactly!"

Wang Weisen, his expression agitated, said word by word, "Wei Bao is my brother, he even saved my life; he cannot die so inexplicably. I must find the killer and avenge him!"

"What if the murderer is from the Iron Fist Gang?"

「Iron Fist Gang……」

Wang Weisen hesitated a moment, his tone softened, 「Even if it's the Iron Fist Gang, they can't be this unreasonable? We had agreed to give us half a month to withdraw; the time hasn't even come yet, how could they attack my brothers, and use such underhanded tactics. 」

Yue Shan frowned.

He also felt it shouldn't have been done by the Iron Fist Gang.

But the problem is, if not the Iron Fist Gang, who else could it be? Someone with such strength couldn't be an unknown nobody; it must be someone from the martial arts halls on the street.

But this makes even less sense; over the past few years, he and the three martial arts halls on the street have kept to themselves, with no reason for them to provoke him now.

But after all, only these two forces have the greatest motive and are the most troublesome.

After a long while, he sighed, patted Wang Weisen on the shoulder, 「Old Wang, times are different; having lost this street, in the eyes of the city's nobles, we are already useless pawns, with no value left. 」

Fortunately, over these years we've saved some wealth, bought a few houses in the Outer City District; from now on, we can live comfortably as a wealthy family head, with wife, kids, and a warm kang—a fine thing; why drag yourself into this muddy affair? If you get burned, regret will come too late.

「Gang Leader, I know your good intentions, but that's my brother; if I don't avenge him, I fear I'll dream of him at night and not know how to answer. 」

Wang Weisen grabbed Yue Shan's arm and pleaded, 「Gang Leader, over the years I've never asked you for anything, but this time I beg you to help me. 」

Seeing Yue Shan silent, he bent down and knelt.

「Old Wang, what are you doing? 」

Yue Shan was greatly startled.

「Gang Leader, I beg you, just help me this once; if you're willing to help me, I'll give you half of my property. 」

「What are you saying? Am I that kind of person, Yue Shan? 」

Yue Shan flew into a rage.

「Gang Leader, a gentleman's word is hard to chase even with four horses; I, Wang Weisen, keep my word. 」

「Ah, fine. 」

Yue Shan looked helpless, 「First tell me how you want me to help; if it's too difficult, just forget it. 」

「Gang Leader, your connections are broader than mine; I want you to inquire where those Iron Fist Gang experts were last night, and whether they came to our place. 」

「What if someone did come? 」 Yue Shan's face showed vigilance.

Could this guy really be seeking revenge against the Iron Fist Gang?

If so, it could easily implicate me too.

「If it really was the Iron Fist Gang, then I could consider myself justified before Wei Bao; even in the afterlife he'd understand me. 」

Wang Weisen gave a bitter smile.

「Hmm. 」

Yue Shan nodded, 「Then what if it isn't? 」

「If not, then please, Gang Leader, help me buy a few more days; I'll send people to inquire everywhere—experts who can take on a dozen are rare, but we'll surely find some clues; if we still come up empty, I'll accept it, and when I dream of Wei Bao later, I'll have a clear conscience. 」

「Alright, I'll do my best, but why put yourself through this? 」 Yue Shan sighed again.

Wang Weisen's eyes flashed with killing intent.

Once he finds out who the killer is, whether it's someone from the Iron Fist Gang or a martial arts hall, he will kill them! Or rather, since the killer is likely from one of these two forces, that's all the more reason for him to investigate.

Even if those martial arts hall practitioners have trained in Secret Martial Arts, what of it? If they're accidentally hit by an arrow or bolt, it's still either death or injury.

A few years ago, for self-defense, he secretly spent a lot to buy a crossbow; Yue Shan didn't know about it, but now it finally comes in handy.

Of course, for gang members, using a crossbow or firearms to ambush someone is shameful, but by now they can't afford to worry about that.

As long as we know who the killer is, even if it's an Iron Fist Gang member, we can find a chance to shoot them dead with a crossbow, keep it quiet, and no one will know it was his doing.

After avenging Wei Bao, he'll wash his hands of the affair and live peacefully in the Outer City District.

Thank you, reader 36893, for the 100-point coin reward!!!!

(End of chapter)