Chapter 168: Mad Dog Ma San

Late at night, Shen City East River Wharf.

The damp sea breeze, laced with salty brine, swept past rows of pitch‑black warehouses. Inside Warehouse No. 7, a thousand members of the Axe Head Gang, dressed in black suits and top hats, stood in perfect ranks. Each bore a gleaming Opening Mountain Axe at the waist, their faces bearing fierce looks.

These men were elite troops summoned by Lin Yu from the system, the core force of the Axe Head Gang. They differed from ordinary gang thugs; each was a battle‑hardened veteran, swift and ruthless.

Ma San stood on a wooden crate, a toothpick clenched between his teeth, his gaze sweeping over the brothers below. The oil lamp's light fell on his square‑shaped face, making it especially imposing.

"Brothers," Ma San spat out the toothpick, his voice low, "Director Lin gave a big order. Shen Qingshan, that guy who rides on the Foreigners' tyranny, actually wants to aid the Works Bureau today."

A burst of snickering rose from below.

"That old fool doesn't know death," Ma San sneered, "Since he dares to step out, don't blame us for being ruthless. Director Lin's command is: within two days, wipe out the entire Shen family."

Ma San looked around and continued, "Shen Qingshan's old hideout is in the British Concession's western district, with over eight hundred men under him. They're just a ragtag crowd, no threat. I've already sent people to watch their every move."

Ma San pulled a map from his chest, spread it out for everyone, "The operation splits into three routes. Route One: two hundred men led by Lao Hu, to block the rear gate of the Shen estate. Route Two: three hundred men, following me, to storm the front gate. Route Three: five hundred men, dispersed along the surrounding streets, to seal every escape route."

"Remember," he emphasized, "this isn't a ordinary raid. Director Lin wants root‑and‑stalk eradication. No one from the Shen family left alive!"

"Understood!" the gang members answered in unison.

Ma San nodded, "Shen Qingshan has made a fortune these years by opening opium dens and casinos, and he keeps many thugs. But those men are cowards who shrink from real steel. Our Axe Head Gang brothers are not comparable to that lot."

Ma San leapt down from the crate, drew the Opening Mountain Axe at his waist, "The operation is set for 3 a. m. tomorrow. By then the Shen family will be asleep—perfect for a surprise."

"Lao Hu, A Li, Xi Jiu," Ma San called out, "You three stay; we'll go over the details. Everyone else prepare—by this time tomorrow I'll show Shen Qingshan what happens when you side with the Foreigners and wreak havoc!"

"Yes!" the gang members shouted in unison, then streamed out like fish.

The warehouse soon held only Ma San and a few leaders. They gathered around a table, the oil lamp's glow guiding them as they began to work out the detailed plan.

3 a. m., British Concession western district.

Groups of black‑clad figures surged into the streets silently like a tide. Their movements were uniform, steps so light they were almost soundless. Under moonlight, the brim of their top hats sat low, hiding fierce eyes. The Opening Mountain Axes at their waists glimmered coldly in the darkness.

Ma San led at the front, with three hundred Axe Head Gang elites behind him. They split into several squads, maintaining a tight formation. This was not a chaotic gang brawl but a meticulously planned military operation.

"Lao Hu's men are in position," A Li whispered in Ma San's ear, "The rear gate and the wall are secured."

Ma San nodded, raised a hand in a signal. Instantly gang members scattered, occupying the high points on both sides of the street. Every intersection was guarded by Axe Head Gang men, ensuring no one could escape.

The Shen family's mansion lay ahead. It was a typical Western‑style villa, sprawling with towering walls. Normally it was brightly lit, with gang thugs coming and going. Tonight, however, it was unusually silent, only a few night‑watch men slumped at the gate.

"Fool," Ma San sneered, "Can't even set up a watch."

He gestured again. Instantly, a dozen agile gang members sprang out like specters; with a swing of their axes, the night‑watch men fell before they could even scream, landing in a pool of blood.

"Up!"

At Ma San's low shout, three hundred Axe Head Gang members surged toward the front gate like a tide. Their movements were unbelievably swift; in the blink of an eye they controlled the entire courtyard.

The courtyard guards barely reacted before being felled by a flurry of axes. The Opening Mountain Axe traced cold arcs in the air, each swing bearing ruthless intent. These system‑summoned elites were worlds apart from ordinary gang thugs.

"Bang!" The main gate was forced open, and Axe Head Gang members poured in like a black torrent.

"Kill!"

The entire estate erupted into chaos. Shen's gang members awoke from their dreams, but before they could arm themselves they were cut down by Axe Head Gang men.

Screams and clashing sounds rose and fell. Yet against this orderly slaughter, any resistance seemed futile. The Axe Head Gang coordinated flawlessly, leaving no corner unchecked, cutting down every would‑be resistor.

Inside the Shen mansion's great hall, lights blazed.

Shen Qingshan's family of seven knelt, bound with thick ropes. His wife and children sobbed quietly, none daring to cry out. Axe Head Gang members, axes in hand, stared like tigers from all sides.

Ma San lounged sideways in a high‑back chair, legs crossed, twirling an Opening Mountain Axe in his hand. He looked down at Shen Qingshan with a hint of amusement.

"Ma San!" Shen Qingshan spat, "All these years in Shen City I've kept the Axe Head Gang at arm's length. Why are you attacking me?"

Ma San spat, the saliva landing in front of Shen Qingshan, "Bullshit! What are you, Shen Qingshan, anyway? Do you think I'll specifically go out of my way to clash with you?"

"Then you tonight…"

"You've offended the wrong people," Ma San sneered, "You don't know life or death, siding with the Foreigners, offending Director Lin. This is your fate."

Shen Qingshan's face turned death‑pale instantly, "Director Lin? Which Director Lin?"

"Heh," Ma San scoffed, "You know it in your heart."

Shen Qingshan shivered all over, cold sweat breaking on his forehead. Of course he knew who it was—the young Fourth Bureau Chief, Lin Yu, who's been turning Shen City upside down lately.

"Ma San! You're a mad dog!" Shen Qingshan suddenly screamed hysterically, "We're Da Qian People, we're men of the jianghu! Why trouble our own for some outsider?"

"I was forced by the Foreigners too!" his voice cracked with tears, "You know, doing business in the British Concession, you can't succeed without leaning on the Foreigners, can you?"

Ma San's eyes hardened, and he sprang up. He kicked Shen Qingshan's chest, sending him sprawling, "Your mother's stinking dog fart! Director Lin an outsider? You, who leeches off our people with the Foreigners, are the real outsider!"

Shen Qingshan's wife let out a scream, but a gang member immediately muffled it with a handkerchief.

"You think I don't know?" Ma San looked down at Shen Qingshan, "All these years you've hidden behind the Foreigners' protection, opening opium dens, casinos, killing countless people. Now Director Lin is cleaning up the concession, and you still dare to side with the Foreigners?"

He crouched, speaking coldly, "You claim you were forced? You coveted the benefits the Foreigners gave, willingly sinking! Today, you'll learn what fate awaits those who betray their own countrymen!"