Chapter 123

People say some are born sharp-tongued, but Pangzi doesn't take the usual path; he's sharp-tongued and his hands are also petty. However, the glutton fatty's luck is good—whenever disaster looms, a lucky star always falls from the sky.

Fan Wuchang got angry; under my gaze, his complexion gradually turned dark as iron. When he angrily stared at Pangzi and cracked his fists with a snap, Chen Zheng appeared suddenly and just in time.

The sudden applause that erupted all around made Fan Wuchang's ashen face jerk to a halt; as he watched Chen Zheng take Dong Yumin's arm and slowly descend from the second-floor stairs, he could only temporarily suppress the surge inside him.

After taking a deep breath, Fan Wuchang turned and walked away, his stride rakish, leaving us a cold yet dignified silhouette.

"Really close… I reckon if Brother Zheng had been half a step later, Brother Wuchang would have chopped me up." Pangzi wiped his forehead, drenched in cold sweat, said.

I stared at Pangzi's honest face for a while, then spoke in a deep tone: "I should have gone ahead to intercept Brother Zheng, so he'd come out later."

Pangzi: "……"

……………………

The protagonist's entrance was sure to draw attention; Chen Zheng first took Dong Yumin's arm, walked onto the stage, faced the crowd and said some polite New Year greetings, then immediately proceeded to greet the guests at the banquet in a refined and courteous manner.

As Chen Zheng and Dong Yumin walked toward us step by step, I, Yuan Qiu, Pangzi, Silijing, and Yao Yirong all rose to our feet in unison.

"Weiqiang, the feng shui of the ancestral home is very important to me; I entrust it all to you." Chen Zheng patted Pangzi's shoulder, asking with deep concern and urgency. It was clear that the ancestral home truly mattered to Chen Zheng.

Pangzi replied solemnly: "Having been entrusted by you, I certainly dare not be careless, Brother Zheng—rest assured, as soon as the time comes I can set up an altar and perform the rites, using a formation to improve the ancestral home's qi flow."

"Then good—if you have any needs, just say them; I will certainly see to them." Chen Zheng's weathered cheeks finally broke into a relieved smile.

"Zheng, don't worry! The ancestral home is so important to you; I'm sure the few masters can handle it for you. You're such a good person, heaven will surely not disappoint your wishes." Dong Yumin took Chen Zheng's arm and comforted him softly.

She then broke into a smile, looking at us and speaking gently: "If the masters ever have free time, do come to my house for a visit. You've helped Ah Zheng so much, and I haven't properly hosted you—I really feel bad about that."

"Sister-in-law, please don't say that—we still need to thank Brother Zheng for the big favor he did us!" Dong Yumin's apology made Yuan Qiu wave his hands repeatedly in alarm.

Chen Zheng and Dong Yumin put on no airs at all, and soon they were mingling easily with us.

But… as I watched Chen Zheng's increasingly aged face and Dong Yumin's ever paler visage, a strange feeling suddenly welled up in my heart.

Especially when Dong Yumin smiled at me, I suddenly felt like a wild beast was staring at me, my whole body went cold, I felt an uncomfortable urge to speak; this feeling was very familiar, as if I had encountered it somewhere before, but... for a moment I couldn't recall.

"Today is Brother Zheng's banquet, what are you people doing here!" A noisy voice came from the entrance, drawing everyone's attention in the banquet hall.

At that moment, Fan Wuchang walked over to Chen Zheng with a somewhat grim expression, and said in a low voice: "Brother Zheng, the Tiger Gang has arrived."

Chen Zheng nodded as usual, speaking indifferently: "Let's go, let's go see what's happening."

I exchanged a glance with Pangzi, and we both saw the doubt in each other's eyes.

Silijing asked Pangzi with a hint of worry: "Could the Tiger Gang's arrival at this time be related to what happened last night?"

Yao Yirong pursed her lips and snorted coldly: "What's there to fear? If they dare provoke us again, I'll wipe them out in one pot."

"No, no, harmony is best in all things," Pangzi said, shaking his head, remaining silent with lowered brows; just as he lifted a foot to go watch the commotion, he turned back, full of interest, and asked Yao Yirong: "Are you planning to steam them or braise them, throwing Hai Sheng in as seasoning—what do you think?"

Everyone: "……"

I: "……"

"Haha, I was just joking!" Pangzi fled the scene like a gust of wind.

Everyone felt a chill, silently wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads.

The disturbance on that side had gradually subsided; the cause of the disturbance was actually that the Tiger Gang had come to deliver a congratulatory gift—though they came with ill intent, Chen Zheng still smiled and accepted their gift.

At first, we also suspected that this scene was just like in a movie—the Tiger Gang bringing a gift must be like a weasel paying New Year's respects to a chicken, with no good intentions; maybe the gift would turn out to be some kind of time bomb.

However, I could imagine, and everyone surely could as well, that Chen Zheng hadn't risen to his position today by being a pushover; that gift had already been scanned by a device and was absolutely safe.

To our surprise, the Tiger Gang seemed to have anticipated Chen Zheng's doubts; while delivering the gift, they opened the gift box in front of everyone.

The gift was quite strange: a box holding two small paper figures, one standing and one kneeling; the standing figure resembled Lord Guan, wielding a green dragon blade, looking mighty and fierce, with glaring eyes fixed on the kneeling paper figure.

The kneeling paper figure had its hands bound; although its head was lowered and its expression unseen, its hunched posture fully conveyed its humility and remorse.

At first, I wondered why the Tiger Gang would send such a strange gift to Chen Zheng, but after thinking it over, I also came to accept it.

According to rumor, both the Northeastern Tiger and Chen Zheng were born in Dongling, and the Northeastern Tiger has an extra incense burner on its head, giving it a higher seniority than Chen Zheng. After Murong Dong's death, the Northeastern Tiger refused to submit to Chen Zheng, leading a group of followers to break away and establish the Tiger Gang, standing in opposition to Chen Zheng.

It is well known that in Hong Kong and Aomen, those who wander the jianghu all worship Lord Guan, and anyone joining a society must observe the three most important rules.

One, respect teachers and value the Way; two, do not kill fellow disciples; three, those who kill their elder brothers or fathers must endure three cuts and six holes before being expelled from the sect.

Since ancient times, the gangs formed in Gangao and the Hongmen have had an inseparable relationship. The Hongmen was originally established by jianghu people who wholeheartedly resisted the Qing. As for jianghu gangs, what they value above all else are the two words loyalty and righteousness.

Dongling, the Triads, and the gangs of Hong Kong and Aomen all retain this tradition: upon initiation, one must chop off a chicken's head, burn red paper, strip off one's clothes and carve characters into the skin; afterward, the uncle will ask whether you love your brothers or love gold, and at that moment you must answer fervently, "I love my brothers."

Therefore, the gangs of Gangao, whether operating openly or covertly, all place great importance on the two words loyalty and righteousness.

Now that the Northeastern Tiger is dead, the Tiger Gang's sending of this gift reveals its malicious intent in plain sight—it is as clear as writing on paper.

First, it is telling Chen Zheng: you murdered your uncle, violating jianghu morality and gang rules. You, this disloyal and unjust traitor, had better bind your own hands and meekly go to Lord Guan's altar to accept punishment.

Second, it is also telling the jianghu people that Chen Zheng is an unfilial disciple who personally killed his own uncle, breaking the rites of loyalty and righteousness; anyone who associates with him will surely suffer the contempt of the jianghu.

This slap-in-the-face gift instantly ignited Fan Wuchang's anger; his expression changed, and he prepared to draw his sword.

But soon he repressed his anger again, because Chen Zheng had already smiled and accepted the Tiger Gang's gift.

No one knew why Chen Zheng did this, but his composure and demeanor genuinely inspired admiration.

At that moment, Pangzi suddenly shoved me for no reason: "Hai Sheng, you definitely don't think those two paper figures are a bit weird, do you?"

"Oh, where is it weird?"

"I don't know, but I feel Lord Guan is staring at me; right now my whole body feels cold, as if a pack of wolves were lurking in the pitch‑black night beyond reach, full of killing intent, fixing their gaze on me, a pair of watery eyes flashing green light in the darkness… my goosebumps are standing up all over, it's terrifying." While saying this, Pangzi shivered and tightly wrapped his arms around his chest.

Yao Yirong curled her lip in disdain: "Brother Qiang, with your looks, give it a rest—don't talk about wolves, even dogs wouldn't give you a second glance."

I and Yuan Qiu exchanged a glance and, in unison, said: "Yirong has already voiced what we feel."

Pangzi, eyes brimming with tears, said: "You lot are heartless."

…………

At that moment, after the Tiger Gang's people had left, the hall that had just been settled underwent another change; a lackey in a black suit rushed over to Fan Wuchang's ear and said something. Immediately, Fan Wuchang's expression shifted abruptly, and he hurriedly leaned in to Chen Zheng's ear to relay it solemnly.

Next, before anyone could react, Chen Zheng unexpectedly ran onto the banquet stage, grabbed a microphone, and said the following.

"I am deeply sorry; due to some sudden circumstances, this banquet ends here. Please, ladies and gentlemen, temporarily leave; I, Chen, will surely present a gift as apology another day."

As soon as Chen Zheng's words fell, an uproar rose among the crowd, which quickly turned into dissatisfaction, because his subordinates had already begun forcibly ejecting the guests from the venue.

"What should we do now?" Pangzi scratched his head in bewilderment.

I shook my head: "Don't move yet, let's see what Chang Ge says."

Although I didn't know what situation had arisen, I vaguely felt that this matter was inseparably linked to the Tiger Gang.

Not long after, Fan Wuchang ran up to us anxiously, his face grim, and said: "Don't run around, follow Zheng Ge. The Tiger Gang has gathered over five hundred people, preparing to avenge the Northeast Tiger."

Fan Wuchang's tone was very heavy, his expression rare showing a hint of urgency. After instructing us, he then picked up his mobile phone and orderly directed his subordinates to evacuate the guests in the villa.

When the guests had been mostly evacuated, the hall suddenly rang with a heroic female shout: "Don't move, we are the police."

It was Chen Mo, this female tough guy, and besides her, about ten scattered people stood behind Chen Mo, guns pointed at Chen Zheng and the others.

"Chen Zheng, I now suspect you are related to last night's case of the Northeast Tiger's killing. Please come with us willingly to assist the investigation." Chen Mo pulled out her police ID, took out handcuffs, and was about to go up and cuff Chen Zheng.

If it were before, I would have no doubt that Chen Mo's actions were lawful enforcement. But just now, after Chen Mo explained the situation in Aomen to me, I realized this was Chen Mo's delaying tactic. Taking Chen Zheng to the police station was merely to protect his safety.

Surrounded by the police, Chen Zheng calmly shook his head at Chen Mo: "Our underworld affairs don't need your police to intervene."

Chen Mo bit her lip, anxiously urging: "Zheng Ge, you're a good person! With you around, the ordinary folk of Aomen will suffer less bullying from thugs and ruffians. But do you know that the Northeast Tiger's death means Aomen is about to change? You, who have always been uncompromising with the Northeast Tiger, have become the Tiger Gang's primary target for assassination. If you don't come with us tonight, you'll likely lose your life at once."

"What good would it do to go with you? Can you protect my brothers, my wife?" Chen Zheng laughed loudly, then his face turned cold in an instant—faster than June's weather—and he coldly glanced at Chen Mo and the other police, then said coldly to the air: "Take them down."

No sooner said than done. As soon as the words "Take them down" left Chen Zheng's mouth, more than a dozen black-clad bodyguards burst out of the hall, swift and agile, and in a flash snatched the guns from Chen Mo and the other plainclothes officers, then reversed and locked them on the ground.

"Chen Zheng, this is an outright kidnapping of police personnel—it's illegal, you can't do this!" The restrained Chen Mo still shouted, oblivious to danger.

Seeing Chen Mo being captured, I and Pangzi couldn't stay calm, we both walked over to Chen Zheng to plead for her. Who knew we hadn't even spoken when Chen Zheng suddenly waved his hand: "I know you have a deep friendship with this policewoman; rest assured, I won't hurt her. Sending her away is for her own good..."

Seeing Chen Zheng say that, I and Pangzi could only angrily shut our mouths.

"A Chang, take Yumin and a few junior disciples out through the secret passage first; I'll hold the rear here." Chen Zheng lit a cigarette and calmly instructed Fan Wuchang.

Fan Wuchang's face changed, he said anxiously: "I won't go; if anyone leaves, it should be Zheng Ge and his wife first, with me covering the rear."

Dong Yumin tightly gripped Chen Zheng's arm, her expression resolute as she looked at him: "I won't go either, A Zheng—no matter where we go, life or death, I want to be with you."

"Wuwu, I'm so moved, Jingjing Jie—I won't go either, life or death, I want to be with you." Pangzi gazed at Chen Zheng and his wife, tears streaming, and took the opportunity to rest his head on Silijing's arm.

"Pangzi, it's not a question of whether we can leave; we simply can't—step outside and we'll immediately become a hornet's nest… be careful." Just as I, black‑lined with frustration, approached Pangzi, I suddenly felt a chill, a killing intent. My face involuntarily changed and I exclaimed.

At that moment, the scene changed again. It wasn't assassins attacking, nor cannons firing in.

Rather, the two paper figures placed on the gift box… moved.

Guan Er Ge's Green Dragon Blade flashed, severing the head of the kneeling paper figure, then, with surging killing intent, he leapt up, brandishing the Green Dragon Blade and slashing at Chen Zheng.

"This… is actually the Paper Man Troop Control Technique."

Everything happened in the blink of an eye; I and Pangzi wanted to save Chen Zheng, but realized it was already too late—the paper figure Guan Er Ge's Green Dragon Blade was too fast, a flash of its edge, and it seemed about to slash Chen Zheng's neck.

A generation's hegemon, in imminent danger..