Chapter 67: Shoot the Horse to Shoot the Man

The next day.

Money Gang headquarters.

Although the Money Gang's claim of three thousand members—like the Qinglong Gang—was merely bragging, they could still be considered well-equipped and numerous; it was not difficult to summon hundreds of people with a single order at their headquarters.

As the largest gang in the South City, the Money Gang had enclosed a plot of land years ago to serve as their base, building a proper assembly hall, council chamber, martial arts arena, and even houses and quarters for the gang's elite. Even the residence of the gang leader, Jin Taihong, was built within the headquarters, offering excellent security.

And this evening.

In the gang's council chamber, Young Leader Jin Zhenglin sat squarely in a tiger-skin chair, a trusted henchman standing by his side, while three men stood before him, respectfully presenting the accounts.

Jin Zhenglin was in his thirties, his brows and eyes revealing a hint of ferocity, and his temples were slightly bulging, clearly indicating his Martial Arts were quite formidable.

After simply flipping through the accounts in his hand, Jin Zhenglin's expression was not very pleasant:

"The opium dens only earned one thousand Silver Yuan this month after deducting costs. That bastard Qingyike, I don't know how many Silver Yuan he has caused me to lose!"

The three subordinates, keeping their heads low, exchanged glances and began to complain bitterly:

"Exactly, Young Leader!"

"With over a dozen opium dens, they have been closed for three or four months now on Master Jin's orders; the brothers below are barely holding on!"

"If it weren't for you, Young Leader, letting us secretly open three of them, we wouldn't even be able to pay the brothers' monthly wages!"

"Young Leader, if you ask me, that Qingyike has always only operated in the East City and has never crossed paths with our Money Gang; there's no need to be so afraid of him!"

"A single opium den can easily net several hundred Silver Yuan a month; ten of them would be several thousand. What a waste not to earn this money! We still have plenty of stock in the warehouse; if it sits for too long, the quality will go bad!"

Gang Leader Jin Taihong was over fifty and had gradually retreated behind the scenes, letting Jin Zhenglin handle some of the gang's affairs, but he still held absolute authority over major decisions.

Jin Zhenglin rubbed the space between his brows:

"Alright, I know. I will bring this up with my father later. Aside from the accounts, have there been any other issues at the opium dens?"

Both men said no, but one of them hesitated before saying:

"Young Leader, someone died in front of the opium den I manage yesterday."

"Oh?"

Jin Zhenglin's gaze narrowed: "What happened? Who was the person who died?"

The man said:

"That man was named Hou San. He had been smoking at the den for nearly two years and even sold his wife; yesterday he came to me begging for a few puffs, and I chased him away directly. Not long after I drove him off, I heard a commotion, and when I went out, I saw this Hou San dead outside with a knife in his back, though I don't know who killed him."

Jin Zhenglin did not care about the life or death of a junkie, only frowning: "Could it be he stole money on the street and ran into a tough character who slaughtered him? The opium den business wasn't affected, was it?"

The subordinate chuckled: "Don't worry, Young Leader, I discovered and handled it immediately; there was no impact at all."

"That is good."

Jin Zhenglin waved his hand:

"You all go back. I will sound out my father about the opium den matter, and I will notify you when there is news."

"Yes."

The three subordinates acknowledged and retreated respectfully.

Jin Zhenglin then stood up, passed through the council chamber and the courtyard, left his henchman waiting outside, and entered the back residence alone.

Their Jin family residence was built according to the layout of half a prince's mansion, with corridors and courtyards inside resembling a garden.

Arriving at the main courtyard of the back residence, he saw an old man dressed in plain clothes, his figure like a majestic lion, standing in the courtyard and slowly practicing a set of fist techniques.

It was the pillar of the entire Money Gang, Gang Leader Jin Taihong.

One could see that Jin Taihong was currently practicing what seemed to be a health-preserving fist technique; his movements were slow, and no power was visible.

However, Jin Zhenglin could clearly feel the surrounding air surging like a tide under the influence of some inexplicable force, which was truly eerie.

At the same time, where Jin Taihong stood, deep footprints were left in the blue-brick floor, as if they had been burned in by a red-hot iron.

A moment later.

Whoosh.

Jin Taihong slowly finished his practice, opened his mouth, and exhaled; a visible stream of air rolled out, actually sweeping up and blowing away all the withered branches and fallen leaves within a range of one zhang in front of him!

Jin Zhenglin immediately stepped forward and said respectfully:

"Father, your martial arts are becoming increasingly masterful."

Jin Taihong glanced at his son, walked to a grand armchair nearby to sit down, took the towel and tea offered by an old servant, and said leisurely:

"There are many affairs in the gang; how do you have the time to come here?"

Jin Zhenglin said respectfully:

"Father, I came to ask you about the opium dens. The dens, large and small, have been closed for over three months. The brothers below have been living quite hard these days, so they begged me to ask you when the dens can be opened?"

Jin Taihong swept a glance at his son, his gaze carrying the inherent dignity of a superior:

"I don't think it's the brothers below; it's you who wants to open the dens, isn't it? Now is not the time; wait a while longer."

Jin Zhenglin clearly did not understand and said:

"Father, that Qingyike has always operated in the East City, and I haven't seen him reach his hand into other places yet. Besides, our Money Gang is the largest gang in the South City, and you are a Martial Artist who has refined your blood, with a reputation that spreads far and wide. There are not even a handful of people in this Fengyang Prefecture who can defeat you; why fear such a petty thief who hides his head and shows his tail?"

"Arrogant! Have you forgotten everything I've taught you over the years?!"

Jin Taihong's face sank immediately, and he rebuked:

"That Qingyike is elusive and his methods are bizarre. The Jingwu Division has used all its strength for over half a year and still hasn't been able to do anything to this person. Our Money Gang has a large family and a big business; how can we not be on guard?

There is a rumor in the Jingwu Division that this person might be a high-level mage of the Sixth Realm. Although I have broken through to the Fifth Realm, my age is what it is, and my blood and physical strength are not what they used to be. Even I must tread on thin ice when facing such a person!

Especially since he might not be able to do anything to me, but he could strike at you all. If it weren't for this massive enterprise that I cannot abandon, I would have long wanted to take you all to another place to avoid the limelight!"

Not expecting that his father, who had fought his way out of blood and storms, would be so wary of Qingyike, Jin Zhenglin was speechless, but he bit the bullet and said:

"Our Money Gang has many experts; if that Qingyike dares to come, we will make sure he never returns!"

"Even the Jingwu Division wouldn't dare say such things; you certainly have a big mouth."

Jin Taihong knew his son's character well and said in a deep voice:

"I'll say it again: caution is the parent of safety. I've already turned a blind eye to the three opium dens you opened in secret, but the remaining dens are not to be opened without my permission!

The current situation is unclear, and the Silver Yuan stored in the vault are enough to last for a long time. If you are short on money, just go and withdraw it whenever you need; there is no need to make a big scene and attract the attention of Qingyike, understand?"

Although Jin Zhenglin managed the basic affairs of the gang and was usually imposing, at this moment he could only listen, and said helplessly:

"I understand, Father."

Jin Taihong nodded: "You may go."

Jin Zhenglin then left the back courtyard with a gloomy expression.

The sun had already set, and just as he walked out, his trusted subordinate Ma Kui, who had been waiting outside, hurried over to read his mood:

"Young Gang Leader, are you in a bad mood?"

"Damn it, that dog-son Qingyike has me feeling quite furious right now."

Having failed to achieve his goal, Jin Zhenglin waved his hand irritably:

"To the Warm Fragrance Pavilion!"

The Warm Fragrance Pavilion was opened by the Money Gang itself and was one of the top brothels in the southern part of the city; the quality of the women inside was quite high, and there were even foreign women from Shenluo.

Although Jin Zhenglin was already married and even had two concubines, he would still patronize the place when he felt depressed.

Upon hearing this, his trusted subordinate Ma Kui immediately arranged a carriage and personally drove him to the Warm Fragrance Pavilion.

With the arrival of the Young Gang Leader, the Warm Fragrance Pavilion naturally received him with the highest standards. Before long, the best rooms, the best wine and food, and several of the most popular and beautiful headlining courtesans were all presented; it was truly soul-stirring and bone-melting.

He then lit some Hibiscus Paste, which he dared not smoke at home, and as he puffed away, Jin Zhenglin completely vented the gloom in his heart, feeling extremely comfortable.

Hibiscus Paste is soul-stirring and bone-melting, causing great harm to ordinary people. Although martial artists have physiques far superior to ordinary people, smoking too much will still leave them weak and spiritless. Therefore, even though all the Hibiscus Paste in the southern part of the city flowed out from the Money Gang, Jin Taihong did not allow his children to touch the stuff.

As the Young Gang Leader of the Money Gang, Jin Zhenglin only smoked it occasionally, and thanks to his decent Martial Arts cultivation, he had not become addicted.

Just like that, after a bout of debauchery.

The time had reached the third watch.

Under the pitch-black night sky, Jin Zhenglin walked out of the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, reeking of smoke and alcohol, his footsteps unsteady.

Ma Kui, who had been waiting in the lobby, carefully helped him into the carriage and chuckled:

"Young Gang Leader, are you feeling better now?"

Jin Zhenglin only felt his bones had become a bit lighter, and he said lazily:

"Not bad. Hurry back; I'm a bit tired."

"I'll take you back right away!"

Ma Kui didn't say another word, sat on the driver's seat, and raised his whip:

"Giddy up!"

The carriage wheels rolled slowly along the main road, heading toward the gang's headquarters.

The Warm Fragrance Pavilion was at least ten miles away from the headquarters. Jin Zhenglin, whose energy and spirit had been drained, leaned against the carriage, closed his eyes to doze, and soon became drowsy.

However, he did not know how much time had passed.

Bang!

The carriage jolted violently, startling him out of his light sleep.

The carriage stopped abruptly. Jin Zhenglin angrily pulled back the curtain and scolded:

"Ma Kui, what are you doing..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the last word was stuck in his throat.

Because at this very moment, although the night was pitch black, at such close range he could already see that Ma Kui, who was sitting in front of the carriage, had somehow lost his head, leaving only a headless corpse maintaining the posture of driving!

The scent of blood rushed toward him. Jin Zhenglin was terrified out of his wits; he suddenly grabbed the Short Blade and the repeating Firearm he carried with him and jumped out of the carriage, using it as cover while shouting sharply into the darkness ahead:

"Who is it!"

However.

This was a secluded, deserted road with no houses nearby, and his sharp questioning did not elicit any response.

Jin Zhenglin was tense, gripping his blade and gun, and gritted his teeth as he shouted into the surrounding darkness:

"You have the guts to ambush me, but not the guts to show yourself!?"

"To dare to ambush me—no matter who you are, I will have your whole family wiped out!"

He never imagined that tonight, someone would dare to ambush him, the Young Gang Leader of the Money Gang, in the southern part of the city.

As Jin Taihong's successor, he was no weakling. Although his talent for Martial Arts was not outstanding, under the guidance of Jin Taihong, a great master, he had already reached the Bone Forging Peak realm. He was definitely a rare expert in the gang, and there were not many who could defeat him.

However, he was not in good shape today, and since the enemy seemed prepared, he did not intend to fight them head-on in such a passive situation.

Therefore, after a long silence and failing to spot the enemy, Jin Zhenglin steeled his heart, suddenly used the darkness as cover, and dashed out, sprinting toward the direction he had come from.

However, just as he made his move.

Boom!

Suddenly, the air in front of him was crushed without warning, exploding into layers of air waves, as if an invisible fist carrying peerless force had struck out, compressing and exploding all the air in front of him, creating a suffocating vacuum!

What!?

This sudden change was earth-shattering; it was too sudden and too violent. Although a terrifying gale rushed toward his face, he could not see anyone. Jin Zhenglin's face changed drastically, and in terror, he subconsciously blocked with his arms.

Crack!

The next instant.

His eyes bulged as he felt a terrifying force like a landslide or tsunami crash into him, shattering his hastily raised arms, and then striking his chest like a siege hammer, sending him flying backward like a bird hit by a cannon!

While flying backward, Jin Zhenglin's sternum fractured, and blood sprayed wildly from his mouth and nose. He only felt the sound of the wind tearing past his ears, and every inch of his bones and muscles felt as if they were being blown to pieces.

In the darkness, his body flew several yards before falling powerlessly to the ground and rolling repeatedly; the blade and gun in his hands had long since been lost, and he did not know where they had gone.

Clearly feeling that his sternum and even his internal organs seemed to have been torn apart, he let out a roar of extreme pain, struggling to get up.

But immediately after, it was as if an invisible hand had gripped his throat, choking off all sound.

Then, in his pain and powerlessness, Jin Zhenglin discovered with immense terror and shock that he was being hoisted up like a ragdoll, and then carried at high speed through the darkness!

With no living thing visible to his eyes, such a bizarre and terrifying scene nearly drove him mad with fear.

He struggled, his soul fleeing in terror, but his severely wounded body and the neck gripped so tightly he could barely breathe left him with absolutely no power to resist.

He did not know how much time had passed.

Amidst a dizzying spin, Jin Zhenglin was ruthlessly thrown to the ground, screaming in agony once more as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Enduring the immense pain, he lifted his head, his face twisted as he discovered this was an even more secluded and desolate place, a place where one could call to Heaven and get no response, call to the earth and get no answer.

Having never encountered such a horrifying ordeal, his teeth chattered as he looked around the surrounding darkness in boundless terror:

"Wh-what on earth is this..."

"Come out! If you have the guts, then come out!"

The next moment.

"As you wish."

A faint voice suddenly emerged from the darkness.

Jin Zhenglin's pupils constricted violently.

Then he saw, in the darkness less than seven feet before him, a human figure suddenly and unimaginably manifest from the void without any warning.

It was Lu Yuan, who was using his Invisibility Technique while under the gaze of another for the first time.

"You, you..."

Watching Lu Yuan appear out of thin air, he was stunned for a moment as if struck by a thunderbolt, before he tremblingly voiced his disbelief:

"Are you Qingyike? Are you human or a ghost?"

(End of chapter)