Chapter 20: Heishe Society

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow as Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin walked side by side on their way home. Zhou Huimin held a trophy in her hands, a faint smile on her face.

"Brother Cheng Long's performance today was spectacular," she said softly. "I never expected his martial arts to be so impressive."

Xiang Qian smiled. "Indeed, he is a trained practitioner; those action sequences in his films are genuine kung fu."

Just as they spoke, several lewd whistles suddenly rang out from the street corner.

"Yo, what a pretty little girl!"

Three hooligans with dyed yellow hair swaggered over. The leader, a tall and thin man, squinted as he sized up Zhou Huimin, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

Xiang Qian immediately stepped in front of Zhou Huimin to shield her, saying coldly, "Gentlemen, is there a problem?"

The tall thin man sneered. "What hero act is this? We brothers just want to chat with this beauty."

He reached out to grab Zhou Huimin, but Xiang Qian, quick-eyed and fast-handed, seized his wrist and twisted it sharply.

"Ah!" The tall man cried out in pain. "You damn—"

Before he could finish, Xiang Qian drove an elbow into his face, knocking him flat to the ground. Seeing this, the other two hooligans cursed and lunged forward.

Xiang Qian sidestepped the first man's punch, then snapped a reverse hook into his abdomen, doubling the man over in dry heaves. Just as the third hooligan raised his club, Xiang Qian kicked him squarely in the knee; with a sharp crack, the man screamed and collapsed to his knees.

The entire ordeal lasted only a few seconds; all three hooligans were now sprawled on the ground.

Clutching his bleeding face, the tall man scrambled up, his eyes filled with vicious malice. "Kid, do you have any idea who I am?"

Xiang Qian looked at him coldly. "I have no interest in knowing."

"My name is Monkey!" the tall man gritted out. "Four-Eyes, the boss of the Kowloon branch of the Heishe Society, is my leader! Just you wait, this isn't over!"

Xiang Qian's gaze turned fierce; he stepped forward and kicked the man down again. "Speak another word of nonsense, and I'll cripple you right now!"

The three hooligans scrambled away in a panic, shouting threats as they fled: "Just you wait!"

Zhou Huimin's face was pale, tears streaming down unchecked. Xiang Qian quickly turned and gently embraced her.

"It's alright, don't be afraid," he whispered comfortingly. "As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."

Leaning against his shoulder, Zhou Huimin's voice trembled. "Will they... will they seek revenge?"

Xiang Qian patted her back. "They're just a few small-time hooligans; they can't stir up much trouble. Come, let me walk you home first."

Upon reaching Zhou Huimin's doorstep, she remained shaken.

"Would you like... to come in for a while?" she asked quietly.

Xiang Qian shook his head. "It's late. Get some good rest and don't worry too much."

Zhou Huimin bit her lip. "Then... be careful."

Xiang Qian smiled. "Don't worry. See you tomorrow."

After returning home, Xiang Qian sat on the sofa, his brows knitted tight. He knew this matter was not simple; the Heishe Society was a notorious local gang, and crossing them would bring trouble.

He took out his phone and dialed Sun Li's number.

"Sister Sun, I may have gotten myself into trouble."

On the other end of the line, Sun Li's voice immediately turned serious. "What happened?"

Xiang Qian recounted the events. After a moment of silence, Sun Li sighed. "You... are too impulsive."

"Those hooligans started it," Xiang Qian said grimly. "I couldn't stand by and watch them harass Ah Min."

Sun Li sounded helpless. "I understand, but the Heishe Society is not easy to deal with. Tell you what, tomorrow I'll have someone investigate and see if we can mediate."

Xiang Qian nodded. "Thank you, Sister Sun."

The next day at noon, Sun Li called back.

"I've found out," she said, her tone somewhat grave. "That Monkey is a minor lieutenant under Four-Eyes of the Heishe Society's Kowloon branch. Four-Eyes has made it clear that since you caused them to lose face, he refuses to let the matter rest."

Xiang Qian gripped his phone tightly. "What do they want?"

Sun Li paused. "Unless... you hand Zhou Huimin over to them, kowtow three times, and pay a hundred thousand yuan, this matter will not be considered settled."

Xiang Qian's eyes turned icy. "Dream on."

Sun Li sighed. "I knew you would say that. But the Heishe Society holds considerable power; you cannot withstand them alone."

After a brief silence, Xiang Qian said calmly, "I understand. Thank you, Sister Sun."

Hanging up the phone, he stood by the window, gazing out at the street below, his expression gradually sharpening.

He grabbed his coat and strode out the door. Since the other party refused to back down, he would not sit idle and await his doom.

In the shadows of the street corner, figures seemed to shift. Xiang Qian let out a cold laugh and walked forward without looking back.

"So it's the Heishe Society, is it? Then let's see who admits defeat first."