Chapter 395

People say some are born sharp‑tongued, but Pangzi doesn't follow the usual path—he's sharp‑tongued and clumsy‑handed at the same time. Only the gluttonous Pangzi's luck is good: whenever disaster looms, a lucky star always falls from the sky.

Fan Wuchang grew angry; under my gaze his face gradually turned livid. As he glared angrily at Pangzi and cracked his fists with a snap‑snap sound, Chen Zheng appeared suddenly and just in time.

The sudden applause all around made Fan Wuchang's livid face jerk to a halt. When he saw Chen Zheng escorting Dong Yumin's arm down the second‑floor stairs slowly, he could only temporarily suppress the surge in his heart.

After taking a deep breath, Fan Wuchang turned and walked away, his stride flamboyant, 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.

I stared at Pangzi's honest face for a while, then said in a deep tone: "I should have intercepted Brother Zheng earlier, so he'd come out later."

Pangzi: ……

……………………

The protagonist's entrance was sure to draw attention—Chen Zheng first took Dong Yumin's arm, went on stage and said a few polite New Year greetings to the crowd, then promptly engaged in courteous conversation with the guests at the banquet.

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'm counting on you." Chen Zheng patted Pangzi's shoulder, asking with deep concern and urgency. It was clear the ancestral home truly mattered to Chen Zheng.

Pangzi replied solemnly: "Entrusted with this duty, I will not be negligent. Brother Zheng, rest assured—once the time comes, I can set up the altar and perform the rites, using the formation to improve the ancestral home's fortune."

"Fine, tell me what you need—I'll make sure it's done." Chen Zheng's weathered cheeks finally showed a hint of a relieved smile.

"Don't worry, Zheng! The ancestral home means so much to you—I'm sure the several masters can handle it for you. You're such a good person; heaven will surely not disappoint your wishes." Dong Yumin clung to Chen Zheng's arm, comforting him softly.

She then broke into a smile, looking at us and said softly: "If the masters ever have free time, do come by my place. 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 chest.

Especially when Dong Yumin gave me a smile, I suddenly felt as if a beast were staring at me—my whole body went chilly, with an uncomfortable sensation I could hardly describe. It felt familiar, like I'd experienced it before, but… for a moment I couldn't recall where.

"Today is Brother Zheng's banquet—what are you lot doing here?" a noisy voice came from the entrance, drawing everyone's attention in the hall.

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

Chen Zheng nodded as usual and said indifferently: "Let's go see what's up."

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 visit at this time be related to what happened last night?"

Yao Yirong stood to the side, 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—peace is best in all things," Pangzi said, shaking his head, staying silent with lowered brows. Just as he lifted a foot to go watch the excitement, 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 bolted away like a gust of wind.

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

The disturbance over there had gradually wound down; its cause turned out to be the Tiger Gang sending a congratulatory gift. Although their intentions were unfriendly, Chen Zheng later still smiled and accepted their present.

At first, we also suspected that this scene unfolding was just like in the movies—the Tiger Gang sending gifts, which must be a weasel paying a New Year's call to a chicken, bearing no goodwill; perhaps 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 had risen to his position not by being a pushover—that gift had already been scanned by a device and was absolutely safe.

Unexpectedly, the Tiger Gang people seemed to have known Chen Zheng's doubts in advance; as they presented the gift, they also opened the gift box in front of everyone.

This 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, imposing 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 repentance.

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

According to rumor, the Dongbei Hu and Chen Zheng were both born in the East Mausoleum, and the Dongbei Hu had an extra incense burner on his head, giving him a higher seniority than Chen Zheng. After Murong Dong's death, the Dongbei Hu 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 martial world all worship Lord Guan, and anyone who joins a society must observe the three most important rules.

One, honor teachers and value the Dao; two, do not kill fellow disciples; three, those who slay their elder brothers or fathers must endure three cuts and six piercings before being expelled from the master's gate.

Since ancient times, the gangs of Gangao and the Hongmen have been inseparably linked. The Hongmen was initially formed by martial‑world folk who wholeheartedly resisted the Qing. As for gangs in the martial world, what matters most is nothing more than the two words loyalty and righteousness.

East Mausoleum, the Triad, and the gangs of Gangao have preserved this tradition: upon initiation, one must cut off a chicken's head, burn red paper, remove one's clothes and carve characters onto the body; afterwards, the uncle will ask whether you love brothers or love gold, and you must answer emphatically, 'I love brothers.'

Thus, the gangs of Gangao, whether their dealings are open or covert, all emphasize the two words loyalty and righteousness.

Now that the Dongbei Hu is dead, the Tiger Gang has sent this gift; its sinister purpose is plain to see—it's as clear as day on paper.

First, it tells Chen Zheng: you killed your uncle, violating the martial world's morality and the gang's rules. You, this disloyal and unjust traitor, would be wise to bind your own hands and meekly go to Lord Guan's altar to accept punishment.

Second, it also tells the martial‑world folk that Chen Zheng is a grossly unfilial disciple who personally killed his own uncle, violating the rites of loyalty and righteousness; anyone who allies with him will surely suffer the contempt of the martial world.

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

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

No one knows why Chen Zheng did this, but his cultivation and bearing genuinely inspire 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."

"Oh, where is it weird?"

"I don't know, but I feel Lord Guan is staring at me; I feel chilly all over, as if a pack of wolves is hiding in the pitch‑dark night, full of killing intent, staring at me; a pair of watery eyes burst forth with green light in the darkness… My goosebumps are standing up all over—it's terrifying." As he spoke, Pangzi also shivered, clutching his chest tightly with both hands.

Yao Yirong pursed her lips and scoffed, "Pangzi, with your looks, give it a rest! Not to mention wolves, even dogs wouldn't give you a second glance."

I and Yuan Qiu exchanged a glance and, in unison, said, "Yirong has voiced our thoughts."

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

………………

At that moment, the hall that had just settled underwent another change; after the Tiger Gang's people left, a lackey in a black suit hurried over to Fan Wuchang's ear to say a few words. Immediately, Fan Wuchang's expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly leaned over to Chen Zheng's ear, solemnly relaying it.

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

"Very sorry, due to some sudden circumstances, this banquet ends here; please ladies and gentlemen temporarily leave, and I, Chen, will certainly present gifts as an apology,"

Just as Chen Zheng's words fell, an uproar rose in the crowd; quickly, the uproar turned into dissatisfaction, because Chen Zheng's subordinates had already begun forcibly driving the guests out of the venue.

"What should we do now," Pangzi scratched his head bewilderedly.

I shook my head: "Don't move yet, let's see what Changge 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 rushed up to us anxiously, his face grim, saying: "Don't run around, follow Zhengge. The Tiger Gang has gathered over five hundred people, preparing to avenge the Northeastern Tiger."

Fan Wuchang's tone was very heavy, and his expression rarely showed a hint of anxiety. After instructing us, he then began using his mobile phone to orderly direct his subordinates in evacuating the guests in the villa.

When the guests had been mostly evacuated, a sharp female shout suddenly rang out in the hall: "Don't move, we're the police."

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

"Chen Zheng, I suspect you're involved in the case of the Northeastern Tiger's killing last night; please come with us willingly to assist the investigation." Chen Mo pulled out her police badge, ready to cuff Chen Zheng.

If it were before, I would have had no doubt that Chen Mo was acting lawfully. But just now, after Chen Mo explained the situation in Aomen to me, I realized this was her stalling 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 interference."

Chen Mo bit her lip, anxiously urging: "Zhengge, you're a good person! With you around, the ordinary folk of Aomen will suffer less bullying from thugs. But do you realize that the Northeastern Tiger's death means Aomen is about to change? You, who have always been uncompromising with the Northeastern 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 instantly—faster than changing June 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 Chen Zheng uttered "Take them down," more than a dozen black-clad bodyguards sprang out of the hall, each agile, and in a flash faster than thunder, they swiftly seized the guns from Chen Mo and the other plainclothes officers, then reversed and pinned them to the ground.

"Chen Zheng, you're openly kidnapping police personnel—that's illegal, you can't do this." Despite being restrained, Chen Mo still shouted defiantly.

Seeing Chen Mo being captured, I and Pangzi couldn't stay calm, we both went to Chen Zheng's side, intending to plead for her. But before we could speak, Chen Zheng waved his hand: "I know you have some shady dealings with this female police officer—don't worry, I won't hurt her. Sending her away is for her own good..."

Hearing 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, and he said anxiously: "I won't go; if anyone goes, it should be Zhengge and his wife first, with me covering the rear."

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

"Boo-hoo, I'm so moved, Sister Jingjing—I won't go either, no matter 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 matter of whether we can leave or not—we simply can't go out right now; we'd turn into a beehive the moment we step out… 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 cried out.

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 Erge's Green Dragon Blade flashed, he chopped off the head of the kneeling paper figure, then, with killing intent surging, he leapt forward, brandishing the Green Dragon Blade and slashing at Chen Zheng.

"This… is actually paper‑figure 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 Erge's Green Dragon Blade was too fast, a flash of its edge, and it was about to slash Chen Zheng's neck.

A generation's hegemon, in imminent peril.