Chapter 532: Updating the Game of Power, Stubborn Han Duo

Besides gestures and slang, the Hongmen have always mainly used tea formations; in the past, the Heaven and Earth Society's contacts often met in tea houses at liquor markets, where the tea formation played a crucial role. Apart from the Loyalty Formation and Rescue Formation, there is also the Wood Poplar Formation used to test each other's identities.

For example, the formation set up by Chen Xiao is the legendary Hongmen Wood Poplar Tea Formation used to mutually test identities; it looks like an invitation for tea, but if you lift that cup and drink it all at once, the surrounding Hongmen men will blast open a hole in your head.

The proper response to counter it is to place the tea from outside the plate into the tea, then lift it and offer it.

"Within Wood Poplar City lies the universe; brotherhood relies solely on a hint of Hong. Today, sworn brother comes to interrogate, a flood dragon from the South Sea East Mausoleum." After moving the plate, I lifted the tea cup and drank it all, then announced my name.

"So you're from East Mausoleum? I don't know what your relation is to the Southern Heavenly King." Chen Xiao asked doubtfully.

Although the testing was over, words alone aren't proof, so I immediately took out the gold coin I carried and handed it to Chen Xiao. The coin was a gift from Fan Wuchang, said to be related to a certain Hongmen forefather.

"The sun rises in the east, a speck of red; Qin Qiong rides his horse through Shandong, dismounting onto a yellow piebald horse, visiting brothers across the four seas. Su Qin visits Zhang Yi among the six states; King Wen visits Jiang Ziya by the Wei River; Zhang Yang carries his sword to visit Han Xin; Liu Bei visits Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to see Zhuge Liang; Yuchi Jingde visits the white-robed general; heroes of the world visit heroes; underground champions visit friends; only brothers have nowhere to go. Fortunately I have met you, sworn brother; the gratitude of sworn brothers has nowhere to be repaid; the bond of brothers is hard to find; passing through the gate without clarity, I pray for tolerance, tolerance......"

After seeing the gold coin, Chen Xiao's expression changed instantly; he stood up, clasped his fists, and recited a Hongmen poem for meeting friends.

"Boss Chen, it's not that we don't want to help, but my friend here is injured, willing but unable; please excuse us." I likewise clasped my fists, believing that with East Mausoleum's protection, Chen Xiao wouldn't dare to make things difficult for us.

After hearing my words, Chen Xiao's face turned a dim, ashen gray. Unexpectedly, Han Duo then blurted out this sentence.

Han Duo stared at Chen Xiao and said: "I want three million; if you can give it to me, I'll help you find the killer."

"Are you crazy? Look at your condition..." I never expected Han Duo to suddenly say such a thing. Although I don't know who killed Chen Xiao's son, the corpse exudes a chilling, cracking aura that shows the person's ability is at least three times mine; such a person, even Han Duo at her peak might not be a match.

"I only need three million; pay one million upfront, and after I find the killer, you pay the rest. If you agree to this, I'll take the job." Han Duo ignored me and continued pressing Chen Xiao.

"No problem, not just three million—I'll give you three times more if you want." Chen Xiao was excited, trembling as he urged his subordinates to write a check. Even after Chen Xiao and Han Duo signed the contract, I remained stunned like a block of wood.

I had planned to take out the gold coin Fan Wuchang gave me, reveal my identity, and make Chen Xiao back off; but now that Han Duo and Chen Xiao have signed a contract, intervening would violate jianghu ethics, bullying the weak with strength. No matter which gang, no one would help in such a case; out in the world, even in a fight, you need a plausible justification to have proper cause.

After leaving Chen Xiao's villa with Han Duo, just as we ran out the gate, I couldn't wait to question her.

"Han Duo, are you crazy? You clearly know you need rest now, why take this job? Don't you see that the hole in Chen Xiao's son's skullcap couldn't have been made by an ordinary magical device?"

I earnestly advised her, but she remained unmoved. For some reason, after leaving the villa, Han Duo's face stayed gloomy; even though I earnestly pleaded from behind, she kept a stern expression, walking ahead without glancing at me.

"I'll do what I want; what's it to you, one-eyed dragon?" Han Duo finally couldn't stand my nagging, turned and shouted at me: "Don't you think you're like a meddling old woman? Nobody wants you to interfere, yet you shamelessly cling on."

"Damn, my good intentions are getting struck by lightning! I'm obviously caring for you; if you don't appreciate it, fine, but you're scolding me?" I instantly flared with anger, feeling my good intentions were wasted like donkey lungs.

"Fine, you're so capable, do whatever you like; I can't control you." I'm no pushover either, and I won't put a warm face on a cold butt; since Han Duo won't appreciate me, I have nothing more to say.

Fuming, I turned and walked away, too lazy to say another word to Han Duo. Walking down the road, a surge of anger boiled in my heart—truly, for the first time ever. I cared so much for someone, only to have my good intentions struck by lightning; not only unappreciated, but she even cursed me.

Only after reaching the street's end and drinking a cup of iced herbal tea did my excited mood gradually calm. But… after calming down, the more I thought, the more something felt off; I sensed a lingering suspicion.

I mean Han Duo's attitude toward me; although she's a bit stubborn, her sense of duty is strong. I've saved her several times; even if she isn't grateful, she shouldn't turn against me and deny knowing me, right?

The more I thought, the stranger it seemed. Only when I recalled the large hole in Chen Xiao's son's skullcap did a sudden insight flash through my mind.

Right… Han Duo isn't repaying kindness with resentment; she's worried I'm in danger, so she deliberately insulted me to make me angry and leave.

Regardless of whether I'm being sentimental, if Han Duo investigates this, she'll surely face certain death. As a friend, even if I can't stop her from risking herself, I should at least lend her a hand.

Just as the thought turned, I turned back, but when I returned to the place where we argued, Han Duo was gone. Frightened, I searched everywhere for her, scouring the street corners.

Finally, I found Han Duo sitting on a step at a street corner, hugging her knees. As I approached, I heard her sobbing. She was actually crying?

At that moment, the sky suddenly darkened, thick clouds covered the heavens, and boom—boom—pouring rain fell, mercilessly drenching Han Duo's body, soaking her clothes.

"Han Duo, hurry up, it's raining." I took off my coat and quickly stepped forward to shield her; just as I neared her, something unexpected happened.

Han Duo suddenly threw her arms tightly around me, lowered her head onto my shoulder and wailed loudly, letting me instantly feel a soft, fragrant embrace.

Instantly, my mind went blank; I forgot what I wanted to say, my earlier doubts vanished to the west, and my heart pounded nonstop. This automatic delivery of tofu to my door— I've never seen such a thing before.

The two of us embraced at the street corner as the rain poured down pattering; I could almost feel the impact of raindrops striking my head, and moreover, both our clothes were completely soaked……

After a long while, I finally came to, took a deep breath, and softly called: "Han Duo..."

"Mm..."

"Even if, even if you want to eat my tofu, couldn't we go somewhere else? Out here on the street, we're still getting drenched... ow"

Han Duo suddenly turned fierce, biting down hard on my shoulder and refusing to let go.

"Let go, let go…… I say, what kind of habit is this—liking to eat people's tofu while out in the rain? Eating tofu is fine, but tofu isn't your enemy; why bite so hard? Listen to me, this habit is a bad flaw; it must be changed, must be changed, otherwise you'll get used to it and catch fevers and colds." Pain, piercing to the heart, Han Duo this lass must be born in the Year of the Dog; she bites people like second nature, the force of her lower jaw makes the victim's whole body go numb.

No sooner said than done—another gust of wind, rain, lightning struck before I could react; Han Duo then launched a crotch-kick at me, the pain making me drop straight to the ground, covering my **.

"Chen Hai Sheng, you bastard." A sharp scold came from beside me; I lifted my head and saw Han Duo, her face flushed crimson, standing in the rain.