Chapter 269: Green Fire Society

Xiao Chuanzi prepared over a hundred barrels, each filled to the brim with human waste; the workers had complained bitterly about this task, though they were paid well, the work was unbearable.

All those who had been attacking the Qingshou Society had scattered, afraid of getting stained.

Not only was the human waste prepared by Xiao Chuanzi, but every mechanism and supply used in the battle outside the cinema had been pre-arranged by Xiao Chuanzi and his workers—otherwise, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

Seeing the time was right, Li Banfeng gave the order: "Ring the bell."

That was the cinema's opening ritual, Xiao Chuanzi said beside him: "Seventh Master, the rule in Heishi City is to sound the whistle."

The cinema had connected a steam pipe from the neighboring factory, used in winter for heating, and otherwise for cleaning and disinfecting; when the valve opened, the steam whistle would sound—every cinema in Heishipo used the whistle instead of the bell.

It wasn't just the cinema: in Heishipo, households with boilers burned them; those without bought steam from the factory, and every home had its own steam pipe.

As the steam whistle sounded, the audience streamed in, laughing and cheerful, ready to watch the movie!

With the onlookers gone, the Qingshou Society retreated in disgrace; Xiao Genzi and Xiao Chuanzi led their men to clean up in front of the cinema.

That blow from the cinema was brutal.

But Li Banfeng still held the Qingshou Society by the hair—he had no intention of letting go.

Li Banfeng returned to the factory and ordered Bai Qiusheng and others to rush out the drafts.

The front-page headlines were already written: "Qingshou Society Beats Elderly Woman in Public Street," "Elder Exposed to Human Waste, Infamous Far and Wide."

After the front-page news came detailed editorials, meticulously analyzing the entire sequence: the Qingshou Society's vandalism at the cinema, the public beating of the old woman, and the subsequent mob attack and dousing in waste.

This wasn't just one voice—several writers each had their own take.

One argued the Qingshou Society attacked the cinema because "Blood Spear Detective" was indecent and violated their moral standards.

But the Qingshou Society had beaten an old woman in broad daylight—photos proved it plainly—and these people hardly seemed moral at all.

So this explanation didn't hold water.

Another writer claimed Tang Pei, the Qingshou Society's elder, was old and impotent, yet kept one lawful wife and twenty-six concubines, under immense pressure.

Seeing "Blood Spear Detective," where the male lead Song Chunjie marched forward triumphantly, unyielding and fierce, Tang Pei felt anguish—so deep it ignited uncontrollable rage, driving him to declare war on the film.

This explanation was logically coherent.

Another theory was less logical but more dramatic: Tang Pei's twenty-six concubines were all obsessed with the male lead of "Blood Spear Detective," some even writing him letters; Tang Pei suspected he'd been cuckolded and thus hated the film intensely.

This theory had already spawned a serialized novel, published primarily on the newspaper's third and fourth pages, with Song Chunjie as the central character—he'd just conquered the first two concubines, and the story would continue in serialized installments across newspapers and magazines.

Another theory claimed Tang Pei had been bribed by Ling Family Film to target "Blood Spear Detective," eliminating a rival—this also implicated the interests of Lu Maoxian, the patriarch of the Lu family.

Editorials abounded, each offering a different view; nearly a third of tonight's "Ye Laixiang" was devoted to the Qingshou Society.

Such a major event couldn't be pushed forward by one newspaper alone—it lacked sufficient force.

Li Banfeng had shared this concern, but in such a short time, he could only build one newspaper.

Fortunately, he had another ally.

Li Banfeng summoned a worker, handed him a silver dollar, and told him to fetch Zeng Wenbing from the Green Fire Society.

The worker was puzzled: "Why summon him?"

Li Banfeng said: "Tell him we've made a fortune and want to settle his share."

The worker was even more confused: "We already paid him twenty thousand!"

Li Banfeng smiled: "I'm generous—I'll give a little more to ensure peace."

The worker didn't understand, but since he'd been paid, he followed orders.

Soon, Zeng Wenbing arrived, cigarette dangling, kicked the worker several times upon entry, and overturned a pile of folded newspapers.

"Fucking hell, now that you've made money, you've got airs—you can't even deliver the share? You make me come get it myself?"

Li Banfeng stepped out to greet him personally: "Second Master, I invited you here so we could settle accounts face to face."

Zeng Wenbing sized up Li Banfeng—this man seemed different from yesterday.

Different or not, a newspaper today might be gone tomorrow—he didn't care to think too hard.

"What accounts? Just hand over twenty thousand first!"

Li Banfeng blinked: "Second Master, twenty thousand is a bit much."

"I came here myself, and you dare complain? Do you think I'm giving you a favor?"

Li Banfeng stared in shock: "You came for your dignity? Then fine—twenty thousand."

Zeng Wenbing spat his cigarette butt on the ground, glaring at Li Banfeng: "What the hell are you saying? Are you tired of living—"

SLAP!

Li Banfeng suddenly appeared before him and delivered a slap that knocked out one of Zeng Wenbing's molars.

Zeng Wenbing's vision blurred, staring at Li Banfeng: "You dare—"

Li Banfeng swung back with another slap, crushing Zeng Wenbing's nasal bridge.

Zeng Wenbing clutched his nose and shouted to his men: "Fight him!"

His men rushed forward, but Zuo Wugang stepped in, grabbed two of them like chickens, threw them to the ground, and told the workers: "Step on their faces—yes, hold them down, press hard with your soles, stomp hard, don't let go."

Seeing all his men pinned underfoot, Zeng Wenbing stared at Li Banfeng in terror.

Li Banfeng slapped Zeng Wenbing again, smiling: "You demanded twenty thousand outright—that's hard to give. I'll give you three first; the remaining nineteen thousand nine hundred ninety-seven? We'll settle the interest slowly. You'll do me a favor."

Zeng Wenbing's jaw was dislocated; Bai Qiusheng stepped out from the factory: "Second Master Zeng, that slap was from our Night Boss. My accounts with you aren't settled yet—tell me, how many newspapers operate under your territory?"

Zeng Wenbing answered honestly: "I control three newspapers, one magazine publisher—fifteen total under the Gate's control; two might shut down soon."

Zuo Wugang lifted Zeng Wenbing: "Come with us—we're going to settle things with those three."

Bai Qiusheng followed Zuo Wugang—they were truly negotiating; Li Banfeng had no intention of profiting from newspapers or magazines, and saw no need to harass competitors.

At the first newspaper, two writers sat at a table, worrying over what to write for tonight's edition.

The paper had only two staff: they wrote, printed, folded, and delivered everything themselves; they sold two or three hundred copies daily, barely scraping by.

Seeing Zuo Wugang, they froze, unsure what this giant black man wanted.

Zuo Wugang dumped Zeng Wenbing before them—they recoiled at the bloodied, broken man.

One writer, with sharper eyes, stared a moment, then recognized him: "Is that Second Master Zeng?"

Zuo Wugang nodded: "Understood?"

Both writers shook their heads frantically—they didn't understand.

What did this mean?

Was Zeng Wenbing no longer in charge of this territory?

Were they now supposed to pay their share to this giant?

Bai Qiusheng stepped forward: "Gentlemen, we're colleagues—we're from 'Ye Laixiang.' We've come to ask if you'd run one news item tomorrow?"

"What news?"

Bai Qiusheng showed them the "Ye Laixiang" article—the two writers hesitated to speak.

Publishing a news item wasn't a big deal—they often copied others—but this involved the Qingshou Society.

Spreading rumors about the Qingshou Society invited serious trouble.

Bai Qiusheng, having done this work himself, knew their fears: "Gentlemen, this news is true."

And you won't be doing it for free—we'll pay you thirty silver dollars per day for publication!"

"If trouble comes, you just run to us—we'll take full responsibility!"

Thirty silver dollars a day!

The two brothers together earned less than thirty a month.

They glanced at Zeng Wenbing—Zuo Wugang slapped him again: "Answer!"

Zeng Wenbing nodded weakly: "Yes…"

These people were ruthless—they'd beaten Zeng Wenbing to this state.

They came with sincerity, offered payment, and asked for a small favor—how could they refuse?

The two agreed on the spot; Zuo Wugang dragged Zeng Wenbing to the next newspaper.

The next one was photographing a magazine; Zuo Wugang barged in with Zeng Wenbing, scaring off the girls.

Zuo Wugang slapped Zeng Wenbing: "Speak!"

Zeng Wenbing mumbled through blood and tears: "Print newspapers."

What newspapers?

Bai Qiusheng stepped forward: "We have a favor to ask…"

After visiting all three newspapers, Bai Qiusheng asked Zeng Wenbing: "Is your boss here? Take us to your hall."

Zeng Wenbing stayed silent.

Bai Qiusheng slapped him: "Won't talk, huh?"

Zeng Wenbing still said nothing.

Bai Qiusheng glanced at Zuo Wugang: "Left Master, my strength isn't enough."

As Zuo Wugang raised his hand, Zeng Wenbing spoke: "Our boss is at the hall—I'll take you."

Zuo Wugang dragged Zeng Wenbing: "Let's go find Seventh Master first."

Bai Qiusheng said: "Left Master, this is a small matter—no need to trouble Seventh Master. We'll handle it."

"No. Seventh Master gave orders: you must inform him about visiting the hall."

Zuo Wugang wasn't good at making decisions—he followed only Li Qi and Ma Wu's orders, no matter how simple or complex.

Zeng Wenbing led them to the Green Fire Society's hall.

The Green Fire Society wasn't even a third-rate gang in Puluozhou—their hall was small, just another factory.

Zuo Wugang moved to enter, but Li Banfeng stopped him, telling him to wait outside.

There was something at the entrance—Zuo Wugang couldn't see it, but Li Banfeng saw it clearly.

This gang is called the Green Flame Gang; Li Banfeng had already guessed their leader must be a Nightmare Cultivator.

As expected, two ghost servants stood guard at the gate; as Li Banfeng entered the factory, they followed behind him.

The front yard of the factory was overgrown with weeds, and the abandoned equipment had rusted beyond recognition.

Though the gang was small, it should still have had some resources—there was no reason for them to live in such a dilapidated place.

But Li Banfeng knew the reason.

The factory was heavy with yin energy, and many wandering souls lingered nearby—perfect for a Nightmare Cultivator's cultivation.

Reaching a secluded corner of the factory, Li Banfeng suddenly drew his pendulum and slashed both ghost servants, sending them into his Personal Dwelling.

The wife tasted the dish and exhaled steam: "Oh dear, husband, today's dish isn't fresh at all, and the quality is poor."

One sentence revealed the leader's identity.

The dish wasn't fresh—proof the ghost servants had been kept for a long time.

Even the old ghost servants were still so weak—proof the leader's cultivation base was limited.

Li Banfeng strode toward the factory building; two hoodlums at the gate stepped forward to block him: "What do you want?"

Li Banfeng asked politely: "Is your boss here?"

One young hoodlum shoved Li Banfeng: "I asked what you want!"

The older hoodlum said nothing.

There were ghost servants at the gate—this man had walked in unchallenged; he was no ordinary mortal.

Li Banfeng glanced at the young hoodlum, swung his sickle, and slit his throat.

The older hoodlum shuddered, bowed his head, and said: "I'll take you to the boss."

PS: Since we've struck, we must make the Qingshou Society feel the pain—next battle, fight them again!

(End of Chapter)