Chapter 72

Sha Hu abruptly turned his head.

My several important strongholds have been taken by them; now I barely have a place to stand.

If this continues, I'm just waiting to die; what do you expect me to do?

The confidant swallowed, trembling as he spoke.

According to the scout's report, Ma Ning and Wei Tong seem to have reached some kind of agreement.

They've joined forces to deal with our Sand Gate Gang, even declaring they'll wipe us out completely, leaving no future trouble.

"Bullshit!" Sha Hu kicked over the table in front of him.

What makes those two trash think they can challenge me?

Back when I was mixing in the underworld, they didn't even know where to suckle!

Boss, the situation is different now...

The confidant said with a bitter face.

Ma Ning and Wei Tong have both defected to Li Zhen, with Lixiongtu backing them; their strength cannot be underestimated.

"Lixiongtu? Hmph!" Sha Hu snorted coldly.

That old fogey can barely protect himself; how could he look after them?

I think they're trying to profit from the chaos and carve up my territory!

The confidant dared not retort, merely standing silently aside, waiting for Sha Hu's next order.

Sha Hu paced back and forth, anxious and uneasy.

The joint effort of Ma Ning and Wei Tong undoubtedly brought him immense pressure.

"Damn it, go, quickly fetch my uncle Sha Kui!"

Sha Hu suddenly stopped, then said to the confidant.

Now only he can help me.

The confidant blinked, somewhat hesitant as he spoke.

Boss, Old Sha has been retired from the jianghu for years; I'm afraid...

"Cut the crap!" Sha Hu barked sternly.

Even if we have to dig three feet deep, I want him found!

Tell him, if the Sand Gate Gang falls, he won't fare well either...

A light cough came from outside the tent, forcing Sha Hu to swallow the words he was about to say.

Sha Hu froze for a moment; his formerly fierce expression stiffened instantly, replaced by a fawning smile.

A white-haired figure slowly entered the tent, holding a long pipe, smoke swirling around.

The visitor was none other than Sha Hu's uncle—Sha Kui, former chief of the Sand Gate Gang, an old fox who had vanished from the jianghu for years.

Uncle! How did you come here?

Sha Hu greeted him with a beaming face, bowing and scraping, like a fawning lapdog.

Sha Kui leisurely walked to the main seat and sat down, saying nothing, merely narrowing his eyes as he took a puff of his pipe.

Sha Hu stood aside, wringing his hands, not daring to breathe, fine sweat beading on his forehead.

This uncle of mine is no pushover; although he's retired from the jianghu for years, his ruthlessness hasn't diminished in the slightest.

I hear... you've messed up the Sand Gate Gang badly?

Sha Kui finally spoke, his voice hoarse and low.

Sha Hu's heart jolted, and he hurried to explain:

Uncle, this... this is all the scheming of those two bastards, Ma Ning and Wei Tong!

They colluded with Li Zhen, joined forces against our Sand Gate Gang, and took several of my important strongholds...

"Hmph!" Sha Kui snorted coldly, cutting off Sha Hu's words.

Victors and losers—if your skill is inferior, don't make so many excuses!

Back then, I came out into the world with your father, starting from a stall and building up to a brand.

Keep your head out of your waistband; only with blades flashing and blood rain did the Sand Gate Gang come to be!

Your father died helping me seize territory, ending up without a whole corpse.

It's also out of respect for him that I passed this position to you!

I hoped you would glorify the Sand Gate Gang, not run it into ruin!

Sha Hu's face alternated between green and white, yet he dared not retort, only able to speak meekly:

Uncle's lesson is noted; I, the nephew, know I was wrong.

You know you were wrong? What exactly did you get wrong?

Sha Kui's gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing straight into Sha Hu's heart.

Your biggest mistake is being too contemptuous of the enemy and too self-assured!

You think your little cleverness can fool everyone, but you don't realize it only fools yourself!

With such ability, you still want to rule the jianghu? Pure delusion!

Sha Kui's words were like hammers, repeatedly striking Sha Hu's self-esteem.

But he could only endure it, daring not to show any displeasure.

Now that Ma Ning and Wei Tong have joined forces, what are you going to do?

Sha Kui asked again, his tone laced with mockery.

Sha Hu gritted his teeth and said:

Uncle, I... I want to ask you to come out of retirement and lead our Sand Gate Gang against Ma Ning and Wei Tong!

Sha Kui did not answer immediately; instead, he took another puff of dry tobacco, slowly exhaled the smoke, forming a weird skull, which made Sha Hu's heart go cold.

"Leaving the mountains? I'm old, I can't move anymore, I don't want to get involved in martial affairs again."

Sha Kui said expressionlessly, his tone weary.

Years of a life licking blood from the blade have left Sha Kui scarred and his skills far inferior to before.

Upon hearing this, Sha Hu panicked and quickly said:

"Uncle, you can't ignore us! If you don't come out of retirement, the Sand Gate Gang is finished!"

Sha Kui glanced at him, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, and said:

"The Sand Gate Gang finished? That's your own doing!"

"I warned you long ago not to trust anyone."

"Especially Ma Ning and Wei Tong, those two sneaky villains—you still wouldn't listen!"

Sha Hu's face turned pale; he really had messed things up this time.

"However..." Sha Kui changed the subject.

"For the sake of your dead ghost of a father, I can lend you a hand."

Upon hearing this, Sha Hu's hopes flared and he hurriedly asked:

"Uncle, what do you have in mind?"

Sha Kui leisurely pulled a small cloth bag from his bosom, inside which lay some dark tobacco.

Seeing this, Sha Hu eagerly stepped forward, took out a match from his bosom, and carefully lit Sha Kui's smoke.

Sha Kui took a deep drag, "cough cough..." and coughed twice.

"That brat Ma Ning has been riding high lately..."

Sha Hu quickly echoed:

"Damn right, that kid's now teamed up with Wei Tong."

"Their power keeps growing; soon they'll be riding on our Sand Gate Gang's head and taking a dump!"

Sha Kui let out a cold snort:

"Riding on our head and defecating? I'll make him eat shit before he can even finish!"

He narrowed his eyes, a vicious glint flashing in them:

"I've heard that Ma Ning's wife and children are returning to their maiden home to visit relatives, in Li Family Village outside the city."

Upon hearing this, Sha Hu's eyes lit up: "Uncle, you mean..."

Sha Kui tapped his pipe:

"Seize them and use them to blackmail Ma Ning into killing Wei Tong."

"Hmph, let them fight like dogs; we'll reap the benefits as the idle fisherman."

Hearing this, Sha Hu couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

This ploy of borrowing a knife to kill is truly ruthless!

But the underworld's rule is that harm does not extend to families; anyone who's been in the business knows this is a major taboo—though now we can't worry about that anymore.

"Uncle, you're brilliant!" Sha Hu hurriedly flattered him.