Chapter 228: Starting the War

The night is like ink; the lamps of East City and the gangs of West City each carve out their own domains in the darkness, yet because of a single thought from Cheng Feng, a web that is about to stir up the winds and clouds is quietly being woven.

Cheng Feng stands on a hidden rooftop in East City, his gaze piercing through the dense eaves to reach the place where the lights are dimming in East City, a faint, imperceptible smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

On the other side, Wei Zhuang also appears in a stronghold in West City, beginning to execute Cheng Feng's plan.

"Since South City and North City are too far away, let the sparks between East City and West City become the most dazzling fireworks in this night," he whispers to himself, his voice soft yet carrying an unquestionable resolve.

The next morning, the market in East City is noisier than usual; the hawkers' cries and the pedestrians' laughter weave together into a scene full of vitality.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface, an undercurrent is quietly surging. The Outer Hall Disciples of the Hong Sect, dressed in plain clothes, mingle among the crowd, their eyes sharp, their movements carrying a hint of imperceptible tacit understanding.

By the time noon arrives, when the flow of customers is at its peak:

"Shopkeeper, this wine is no different from water after drinking it; are you afraid you haven't watered it down?" a burly man slams his bowl in anger and curses.

The waiter steps forward to explain, only to be struck by two heavy slaps from the man, his ears buzzing; seeing the waiter suffer such a cruel hand:

The Shopkeeper feels something is amiss; he knows this troublemaker is not to be trifled with, so he hurries to find the Red Star Gang's floor manager to handle the matter. After all, he is only a businessman and is not skilled in martial arts or fighting.

The Red Star Gang's floor manager is a sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked man with a burly physique and obvious muscle definition, but his expression appears overly lewd. Two underlings follow behind him.

He walks up and says to the troublemaker: "What's going on, brother? Don't you know this is a place watched over by our Red Star Gang? Come, come, let's go to the Rear Courtyard and have a good talk!"

As he speaks, he grabs the troublemaker and walks toward the courtyard. Just then, the troublemaker suddenly draws a Sword and stabs him.

Seeing their Lao Da stabbed, the underlings behind him prepare to shout for help, but the troublemaker quickly pulls the blade from the lewd man's body and stabs it toward an underling's throat.

The surrounding diners witness this scene and are shocked and terrified. Realizing the situation has become dangerous, they hurriedly get up and leave the scene, not daring to stay any longer.

At this moment, only twenty men seated at four tables remain, sitting quietly and keeping a close watch on the development of the situation. Once all the diners have left, they stand up and turn to walk toward the Rear Courtyard. The Red Star Gang's floor manager is still in there.

As a seemingly accidental dispute erupts in front of a restaurant in East City, the crowd gathers quickly, discussing it heatedly. This dispute,

is actually a part of Cheng Feng's carefully laid plan, aimed at provoking conflict between the East City gangs and external forces, laying the groundwork for subsequent actions. Sure enough, not long after, several core figures of the East City gangs arrive upon hearing the news, and the scene is momentarily tense.

At the same time, West City does not escape the reach of this storm. Similar small-scale conflicts appear in the streets and alleys of West City, each one touching the sensitive nerves of the West City gangs just right.

The news spreads as if it had wings, quickly passing between East City and West City, and the tense atmosphere in both places grows increasingly thick.

Cheng Feng sits in a secret stronghold in East City, fully aware of the situation's development through messages sent by Black Ear Secret Agents. He takes a light sip of tea, a glimmer of strategic mastery flashing in his eyes.

"Face comes first, but I will provide this face myself," he thinks to himself, preparing to enter the fray at the right moment to push this drama he orchestrated to its climax.

A few days later, the conflict between the Red Star Gang in East City and the Black Snake Gang and Hong Sect in West City seems to reach a critical point; both sides are poised and ready, waiting only for the order to completely ignite this surging undercurrent of a contest.

Just then, Cheng Feng's figure appears in an open area at the border of East City and South City; he is dressed in green robes, his face cold and stern, and he exudes an aura that cannot be underestimated.

The night is like ink; at the border of South City and West City, the dim streetlights stretch the shadows of two confronting groups, and the air is filled with a silence that is tense to the extreme. Wei Zhuang stands in the very center of the two forces, his black windbreaker fluttering gently in the wind, his eyes deep as if he can discern the deepest secrets of the human heart.

"Gentlemen, today's matter could have been avoided, but since it has come to this, let us resolve it using the rules of the road." Wei Zhuang's voice is not loud, yet it clearly enters everyone's ears; his appearance causes the originally tense atmosphere to instantly freeze.

As Wei Zhuang's voice falls, more Hong Sect disciples emerge from the shadows behind the Hong Sect.

"Brothers of the Black Snake Gang, I, Wei Zhuang, have always respected your prestige in this territory, but rules cannot be broken, and interests must be pursued together. Today's matter is merely a misunderstanding; if we can value harmony, that would be for the best." His words contain both unquestionable firmness and a hint of imperceptible softening, attempting to find a sliver of room for maneuver in the tense standoff.

The leader of the Black Snake Gang, a burly man with a ruthless face named Demon Horn, sneers upon hearing this, his voice low and dangerous: "Wei Zhuang? Never heard of you! Our gangs have always kept to our own affairs. But today, your Hong Sect has overreached, touching people who shouldn't be touched. Rules? Rules are set by people, and they are also broken by people!"

Following Demon Horn's words, the members of the Black Snake Gang step forward, looking aggressive as if ready to pour out their rage at any moment.

On the Hong Sect side, although they have the advantage in numbers and are all strictly trained elites, they merely adjust their positions slightly in the face of the provocation, their eyes filled with determination.

According to the plan, tonight is destined to erupt into a fierce battle, and everyone is waiting for Wei Zhuang to give the order. Just then, a breeze blows gently, bringing a trace of an unusual scent.

Wei Zhuang's eyes suddenly brighten, as if he has captured some important information. He slowly raises his right hand, signaling both sides to stop their actions for the moment.

However, Mojiao is completely unconcerned; he will not give up easily. If he does not get a satisfactory explanation, a big fight tonight is unavoidable.

As for the Hong Sect disciples, they carefully observe Wei Zhuang's hand gestures; if they see him make a hand-blade motion, then it will be their turn to enter the fray.

As for Wei Zhuang, he says nothing, standing quietly there like a silent mountain.