Chapter 163

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Tuo Yan saw the outcome of this duel was already a foregone conclusion; staying would only add embarrassment. He let out a cold snort, stood up with an iron-blue face, and hurriedly left with a bunch of Dong Wake men. His retreating figure exuded a repressed anger and unwillingness, as if this defeat had made him, the Dong Wake boss, lose all face.

As for Wu Ya, his footsteps paused for a moment before leaving. He slowly turned around, his gaze like substantial sharp arrows, looking deeply at Lin Hao.

That gaze was full of resentment, hatred, and a trace of sinister calculation, as if silently telling Lin Hao that he had noted this debt and would make Lin Hao repay it double in the future.

The people on Hong Wake's side, however, were completely different. They were all in high spirits, their faces beaming with the joy of victory.

Especially Han Bin; his delight was beyond words. After all, Lin Hao's duel had won him several million — no small sum.

At this moment, Jiang Tiansheng walked over with a face full of smiles, his steps steady and composed.

He looked at Lin Hao with eyes full of praise and appreciation, patted Lin Hao's shoulder, and said: "Young man, truly not bad! You have guts, you have skill, you are a promising talent. In a couple of days, pick an auspicious day, and I'll install you as a Red Pole. That's a genuine high position in the society. And this bar — from today on it belongs to you. From now on it's your territory. You only need to pay the society two-tenths each month. Henceforth you'll plant your flag in Yuen Long. Run this place well and make more contributions for our Hong Wake."

Hearing this, Lin Hao was overjoyed. He knew this was a rare opportunity and hurriedly thanked Jiang Tiansheng respectfully: "Thank you, Mr. Jiang, for your recognition. I, Lin Hao, will surely exert my utmost and not disappoint your expectations. I will serve Hong Wake with devotion until death!"

Han Bin, listening from the side, also walked over and said to Lin Hao with a smile: "Lin Hao, I'm giving you that nightclub of mine as well. You only need to pay the society's share. If you rely on just this one bar, gaining a foothold in Yuen Long would still be a bit strained. With my nightclub backing you, doing things in the future will be much more convenient. You must work hard!"

Lin Hao offered another round of grateful thanks, tears streaming. He knew clearly that through this duel he had thoroughly established a foothold in Hong Wake and gained so many benefits. Future days would surely see him make an even bigger name in the jianghu. Yet he also understood that Dong Wake's side, especially Wu Ya, would certainly not let the matter rest. The road ahead, he feared, would still be full of hardships and dangers.

After Jiang Tiansheng, Han Bin, and the Hong Wake group left one after another, Fei Zai was so excited his whole face turned red. His chubby body lunged straight at Lin Hao, hugging him tight like a big bear, shouting nonstop: "Hao Zai, you're too awesome! Too amazing! I knew you could do it! This counts as avenging Xin Ge! We've finally held our heads high in Hong Wake, hahaha!"

But Lin Hao right now had no mind to feel Fei Zai's fervent joy. He only felt a violent wave of nausea surge up. His stomach churned like a stormy sea.

After all, this was the first time he had killed with his own hands. Just now on the stage, with Jiang Tiansheng and the others present, and immersed in that tense, jianghu-righteous atmosphere, he had forcibly suppressed his inner discomfort, striving to stay calm. But now the familiar people had all left, and that repressed emotion burst forth like a breached flood. He really could barely hold on.

Lin Hao frowned, forcefully broke free of Fei Zai's embrace, his face somewhat pale. He said in a slightly weak voice: "Fei Zai, I... I feel a bit unwell. My body is too filthy. I need to go to the Wei Sheng Jian to wash up."

Finished speaking, he didn't wait for Fei Zai to respond and hurriedly ran toward the Wei Sheng Jian.

Rushing into the Wei Sheng Jian, Lin Hao went straight to the sink, turned on the faucet, and let the icy water rush out. He cupped water in both hands and splashed it on his face repeatedly, trying to clear his head and also wash away the lingering discomfort and bloody smell in his heart.

But his mind involuntarily kept replaying the tragic scenes from the stage just now. The images of those men falling flashed before his eyes like slides, over and over, making his body tremble slightly.

After ten-odd minutes, Lin Hao kept splashing cold water on his face in the Wei Sheng Jian, taking deep breaths in big gulps, striving to recover from the post-killing discomfort and shock. Finally, the surging nausea gradually faded, his chaotic heartbeat slowly returned to normal, and he had at last recovered.

Lin Hao slowly walked out of the Wei Sheng Jian and returned to the bar hall, discovering a new scene had already taken shape here.

Mr. Jiang's arranged people were already cleaning in an orderly fashion. One look showed they were professionals at handling such scenes; their movements were extremely deft.

They held special cleaning tools, skillfully wiping away the bloodstains on the floor, erasing those shocking red traces bit by bit, while also carefully carrying away the several corpses for disposal. The whole process was quiet and swift, not attracting any outside attention at all.

Lin Hao secretly rejoiced. If he had to handle this mess himself, he truly wouldn't know what to do. Probably just that pungent bloody smell would have plunged him into collapse again.

Fei Zai, for his part, wasn't idle either. He excitedly gathered those brothers who used to be under A Xin.

Fei Zai stood in the crowd's center, waving his arms and shouting loudly: "Brothers, from now on, this Yuen Long territory follows Hao Ge's word! Hao Ge is formidable — he alone took on five from Dong Wake and beat them until they fled in disorder. That skill, that courage — who wouldn't be convinced? From now on everyone follow Hao Ge and work hard. Guaranteed we'll have days of eating well and drinking well!" Finished speaking, Fei Zai also gave Lin Hao a nickname with a proud face: "Boxing King Hao." This title gradually spread within Hong Wake and in the outside jianghu circles. Lin Hao could be said to have gained his own name externally, and in the Yuen Long area he gradually began to have fame.

Come evening, Lin Hao and the brothers all stayed in the bar, preparing to properly celebrate this hard-won victory.

The bar was bustling extraordinarily. Music deafening. Everyone drank alcohol, ate delicacies, laughed and talked loudly, as if venting all the previous repression and sadness in this joyous atmosphere.

Though Lin Hao was also happy inside, he kept a wary edge. He didn't dare drink much, only occasionally raising a glass to clink with brothers and sipping a few mouthfuls perfunctorily.

After experiencing so much, he knew the jianghu was treacherous; he had to stay clear-headed at all times. Not until early morning did the revelry gradually disperse. Everyone was drunk and staggering. Lin Hao arranged for the brothers to find places to sleep right in the bar so they could watch out for each other.