Chapter 140: The Head Has Returned

Office of the Deputy Head of Internal Affairs.

Wang Fuhai, who was just about to open the door and leave, halted his steps upon hearing Zhao Renli’s lavish praise of Zhao Renwu, his face darkening as he continued listening.

Courtyard.

Zhao Renli heaped extravagant praise upon his clan brother Zhao Renwu; upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, acknowledging that Zhao Renwu had indeed made tremendous contributions to the Warwolf Gang, and they all recognized it in their hearts.

The Head has been away for over twenty days, and the Deputy Head of Internal Affairs barely manages anything—occasionally visiting the Warwolf BBQ stall to check accounts or assign tasks, rarely even coming to the base.

The Warwolf Gang is no different with or without them.

Zhao Renwu, the Deputy Head of Routine Affairs, has truly fulfilled the meaning of “Routine Affairs” to the utmost—he has worked tirelessly and deserves great credit!

Everyone admired him deeply; someone whispered they would vote for him as Head in next year’s gang election.

Zhao Renwu was overjoyed but showed no expression, merely giving his clan brother a approving glance—he was a master at flattery, truly worthy of greater use.

Haha! When I become Head, I’ll make you Deputy Head.

In high spirits, Zhao Renwu was about to speak a few words to boost morale and win hearts, when he saw Wang Fuhai silently emerge from the room, his face grim...

Why is Fatty Wang here?

Did he hear what we just said?

Zhao Renwu was slightly startled and a bit embarrassed, but quickly regained his composure, swiftly fanning himself twice before stepping forward with a smile: “Deputy Head Wang, what brings you here today?”

“Can’t I come here if I have nothing to do?” Wang Fuhai sneered, turning to gaze at the eight dead beasts on the ground, his expression darkening further.

Seeing Wang Fuhai’s hostile demeanor, Zhao Renwu felt a flicker of anger but said nothing, snapping his fan shut and turning to leave.

The others glanced at Wang Fuhai, seeing his cold tone toward Zhao Renwu; many were indignant, but since Zhao Renwu said nothing, none dared speak up, and they all followed him away, ignoring Wang Fuhai entirely.

Seeing this, Wang Fuhai was furious, and spoke slowly: “Why are the number of beasts decreasing day by day? On the sixth and seventh, we caught fifteen or sixteen daily—why has it dropped to only seven or eight lately?”

Zhao Renwu spun around sharply, frowning: “What do you mean, Deputy Head Wang? Are you accusing me of not trying hard, or of embezzlement?”

Wang Fuhai immediately replied: “I didn’t say that—I’m just curious...”

“What are you curious about?” Zhao Renli cut in, continuing: “Do you know how much blood and sweat we’ve shed just to keep the Warwolf BBQ stall running?”

In the early days of the stall’s opening, with so few gang members, only a dozen or so went out to hunt beasts—we split into multiple teams and could barely catch two or three beasts per day.

Deputy Head Zhao realized these few beasts couldn’t possibly meet demand, so he paid out of his own pocket to keep a few men at camp buying beasts from others, while the rest continued hunting—only then did we barely satisfy the BBQ stall’s needs.

Wang Fuhai nodded; Zhao Renwu’s actions in this matter were indeed flawless—but one thing is one thing, achievements and faults must not be confused.

He frowned: “Then why has the number decreased further?”

“Hah!” Zhao Renli sneered: “Deputy Head Wang, you return to the gang only every few days—do you know how many BBQ stalls opened on Tianmen Street in the past half-month? How many new competitors have we gained?”

“This...”

Wang Fuhai frowned again, about to speak, but Zhao Renli didn’t give him the chance, rushing on: “Some outer-gang factions saw our BBQ stall thriving and making big profits, grew envious, and copied us—opening their own BBQ stalls.”

In just half a month, eight have opened—all on Tianmen Street, directly competing with us.”

“What does that have to do with your decreasing beast catches?” Wang Fuhai interjected: “I checked the accounts—beast meat sells out every day. It’s not that we’re losing customers.”

Zhao Renli shot back: “Of course it’s related! Other stalls need supplies—where do they get them?”

“One: hunt in the Beast Forest. Two: buy from us, by collecting from others.”

“The first isn’t a problem—the Beast Forest has plenty of beasts; how many you kill depends on your skill. But the second matters greatly.”

“Our Warwolf Gang is too weak—our strongest, Deputy Head Zhao, is only Cultivation Level 9 Warrior. When buying beasts, if the price is equal, others won’t sell to us.”

“As for high-level purchases? Hah—the gang’s funds are in your hands. Where would we get the money?”

Zhao Renli’s words ignited fury among the crowd; all eyes turned to Wang Fuhai.

Someone shouted angrily: “We’re the ones working hardest and suffering most—hunting beasts every day, fighting for the gang’s future—yet we’re suspected of embezzlement by those who do nothing but enjoy the fruits of our labor!”

Wang Fuhai’s face darkened instantly—he realized he’d stirred up public outrage, and hurriedly said: “Who says I do nothing? I’m preparing another project assigned by the Head.”

“Besides, gang funds aren’t in my hands—they’re in the gang’s accounts. It’s not end of the month yet—payment comes at month’s end...”

Zhao Renwu frowned slightly—another project assigned by Cang Luo?

He remembered, on the day Cang Luo left, he’d outlined many business plans, and the one he mentioned most was the fashion project.

But Cang Luo had not returned, and Wang Fuhai had been elusive—Zhao Renwu had almost forgotten.

Could it be... that Fatty Wang has been preparing the fashion project all this time? His family deals in clothing and fabric—this suits him perfectly...

As Zhao Renwu pondered Cang Luo’s original business plans for the Warwolf Gang, Zhao Renli continued steering public opinion, sneering: “Deputy Head Wang, there’s another thing you probably don’t know.”

“What?” Wang Fuhai asked grimly. Zhao Renli’s arrogant tone annoyed him, but he dared not explode—afraid of provoking full-scale outrage.

Zhao Renli pointed to a gang member with a bandaged arm hanging from his neck: “The competition isn’t just about business—other stalls’ skewers aren’t as tasty as ours, so their sales are worse.”

“So they’ve been harassing us—not just competing for beast meat, but also coming to our stall to cause trouble and threaten us.”

“If our brothers hadn’t fought back fiercely, and some hadn’t been injured in those clashes, we might not even still be open—how dare you stand here counting money and scolding us?”

Zhao Renli spoke with bitter indignation; many injured gang members erupted, loudly accusing Wang Fuhai.

Zhao Jin, Master of the Vermilion Bird Hall, roared: “While we hunted beasts in the Beast Forest, what were you doing? While we fought other gangs to the death, where were you? And where is the Head?”

“Isn’t a gang leader supposed to stand up and lead us precisely in times like these?”

“But where is he?”

“He’s been gone nearly a month—does he even care about the Warwolf Gang anymore?”

Someone else shouted: “At next year’s election, we’ll vote to remove Cang Luo and make Brother Zhao Head!”

“In terms of contribution, Deputy Head Zhao is second to none—who dares claim first? In terms of cultivation, he’s Level 9 Warrior—stronger than Cang Luo!”

“For the Warwolf Gang’s future, Brother Zhao must become Head!”

The speaker was a new recruit who joined after Cang Luo’s departure; after speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

Zhao Renwu shook his head: “Don’t say that. You joined late—you don’t know the Head’s contributions. The Warwolf Gang’s founding, the opening of the BBQ stall—all were his achievements.”

“As for cultivation, the Head was already Level 9 Warrior over half a month ago. Though I am also Level 9 Warrior, I know I’m no match for him.”

“Back then, the Head, at Level 9 Warrior, defeated Zhang Zhen, a Level 1 Martial General—none of you know how magnificent he looked...”

Mentioning Zhang Zhen, Zhao Renwu felt a pang of doubt—Zhang Zhen had vanished for over twenty days since his crushing defeat by Cang Luo.

Logically, his injuries should have healed by now—why hasn’t he come to seek revenge?

Could he be afraid of Cang Luo? Too scared to show his face?

Impossible! Even if he himself dares not come, he has the Lie Tian Gang behind him...

As Zhao Renwu praised Cang Luo and pondered Zhang Zhen’s absence, the new recruit spoke again: “Brother Zhao... why do you lack confidence in yourself?”

“Times change. Cang Luo could fight beyond his level—so can you.”

“A few days ago, the Lie Tian Gang came to provoke us—their leader was Level 2 Martial General—and you held your own against him, forcing him to retreat!”

“Besides, a gang leader isn’t just about strength—he must also have virtue. Brother Zhao has strength and commands respect—why shouldn’t he be Head?”

The new recruit’s words were logical and compelling, drawing fresh applause from the crowd.

Wang Fuhai was stunned—Zhao Renwu could fight beyond his level?

Oh no, oh no—Cang Luo is finished.

The Head’s position is truly about to change hands...

Zhao Renwu was overjoyed—he’d thought today was ordinary, but now Fatty Wang had shown up, stirred up outrage, and nearly pushed him straight to the Head’s seat.

That new recruit was good—worth promoting—but he overdid the flattery. Zhao Renli knew how to strike the right balance.

Held his own against a Level 2 Martial General?

Sigh—it was only because we were in Xuantian Town, with Enforcement Pavilion disciples patrolling nearby; the opponent dared not unleash his full power...

Still... I only used eight-tenths of my strength. In a real fight, I couldn’t win—but I could hold out for a hundred or so moves without losing.

If I could advance to Martial General, I’d have nothing to fear.

Level 2 Martial General? Not that impressive!

At this moment, Zhao Renwu was brimming with confidence—he even admired himself. His progress over this period had been astonishing.

In just half a month, he’d advanced from Level 7 Warrior to Level 9 Warrior; his cultivation technique had also progressed rapidly, reaching peak mastery in all aspects.

Was he a genius?

Had his slow cultivation before been due to lack of resources?

Now that resources were plentiful, he’d soared to new heights?

Hah! He truly owed Cang Luo a great debt—if not for him founding the Warwolf Gang, Zhao Renwu might never have reached this point.

And now, he’s even making clothes for Zhao Renwu.

Who really runs the Warwolf Gang now?

I, Zhao Renwu!

Once I become Head at next year’s election, I’ll fully control the gang—then all its resources will be mine.

And Yin Mengruo and Xiang Yunjiao—they’ll be mine too...

Thinking of this, Zhao Renwu nearly burst into laughter.

But just then, someone burst through the gate—his smile froze instantly.

Zhao Renwu frowned—he recognized the man: Zhang Yidao, a subordinate of Cheng Datong, the Right Protector—and Wang Fuhai’s man, whom Zhao Renwu had failed to win over.

Zhang Yidao shouted joyfully: “The Head is back!”

Zhao Renwu: “...”

Zhao Renli: “...”

The courtyard fell silent. Moments ago, everyone had been loudly criticizing the Head—now, he’d returned?

Zhang Yidao sensed the awkwardness—he’d come to find Wang Fuhai, didn’t expect Zhao Renwu to be here. Seeing no one speak, he added: “The Head is back—at the stall...”

This time, the crowd finally reacted—whispering among themselves, but no one showed any joy at the Head’s return.

Wang Fuhai glanced at them, said nothing, and pulled Zhang Yidao straight toward the Warwolf BBQ stall.

After they left, Zhao Renwu chuckled: “The boss is back—let’s go welcome him.”

“Yes...”

“Understood...”

The others responded listlessly and began to leave the Wolf War Band base, leaving only Zhao Renwu and Zhao Renli behind.

Once everyone had gone, Zhao Renli said at once: “Brother...”

Zhao Renwu gestured with his hand, thought for a moment, then said: “Go tell Chen Dahu of Lie Tian Band—Cang Luo has returned. The killer who murdered your brother Chen Dalong has come back...”

He paused, then added: “Also tell him about Zhang Zhen—say Zhang Zhen has been gone a long time; he’s probably been killed by Cang Luo...”

Zhao Renli’s eyes lit up, and he departed at once.

Watching his younger cousin leave, Zhao Renwu sneered: “Cang Luo, you frolic outside while we toil and fight to the death for you? Do you really think your strength lets you sit back and do nothing?”

Others work, and you take the money?”