Chapter 269: Green Fire Society

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

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

That was the cinema's opening ritual, Xiao 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 Xiao Genzi and Xiao Xiao Chuanzi led their men to clean up in front of the cinema.

That blow from the cinema was brutal.

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

Li Li Banfeng returned to the factory and ordered Bai 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 Liang 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 Liang 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 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 Li Banfeng had shared this concern, but in such a short time, he could only build one newspaper.

Fortunately, he had another ally.

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

The worker was puzzled: "Why summon him?"

Li 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 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 Ceng 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 Li Banfeng stepped out to greet him personally: "Lu Lu Er Ye, I invited you here so we could settle accounts face to face."

Zeng Ceng Wenbing sized up Li 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 Li Banfeng blinked: "Lu Lu Er Ye, twenty thousand is a bit much."

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

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

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

SLAP!

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

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

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

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

His men rushed forward, but Zuo 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 Ceng Wenbing stared at Li Li Banfeng in terror.

Li Li Banfeng slapped Zeng Ceng 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 Ceng Wenbing's jaw was dislocated; Bai Bai Qiusheng stepped out from the factory: "Lu Lu Er Ye 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 Ceng Wenbing answered honestly: "I control three newspapers, one magazine publisher—fifteen total under the Gate's control; two might shut down soon."

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

Bai Bai Qiusheng followed Zuo Zuo Wugang—they were truly negotiating; Li 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 Zuo Wugang, they froze, unsure what this giant black man wanted.

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

One writer, with sharper eyes, stared a moment, then recognized him: "Is that Lu Lu Er Ye Zeng?"

Zuo Zuo Wugang nodded: "Understood?"

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

What did this mean?

Was Zeng Ceng Wenbing no longer in charge of this territory?

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

Bai 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 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 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 Ceng Wenbing—Zuo Zuo Wugang slapped him again: "Answer!"

Zeng Ceng Wenbing nodded weakly: "Yes…"

These people were ruthless—they'd beaten Zeng Ceng 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 Zuo Wugang dragged Zeng Ceng Wenbing to the next newspaper.

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

Zuo Zuo Wugang slapped Zeng Ceng Wenbing: "Speak!"

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

What newspapers?

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

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

Zeng Ceng Wenbing stayed silent.

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

Zeng Ceng Wenbing still said nothing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As expected, two ghost servants stood guard at the gate; as Li 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 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 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 Li Banfeng strode toward the factory building; two hoodlums at the gate stepped forward to block him: "What do you want?"

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

One young hoodlum shoved Li 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 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)