Chapter 86: Wang Hu

Cheng Feng watched silently as this man maneuvered among the surrounding gang members, going from at ease to pleading, from furious to utterly dejected.

This conversation lasted for nearly a day, and Cheng Feng could also see the man's helplessness; in the end, the man gave up.

The night was like ink, and the shadows under the streetlights were stretched long. Cheng Feng followed closely behind the man, their footsteps appearing exceptionally clear in the quiet alleyway.

Suddenly, the man in front stopped his steps: "Friend, you've been following for so long; if you have something to say, just say it. I, Wang, consider myself to have done nothing wicked or immoral, nor do I have any enemies. What business do you have with me?"

Watching Wang Hu speak up to inquire, Cheng Feng naturally responded with kind words: "Nothing major, I've just been looking for a way to make a fortune recently. I saw that you, brother, have a kind face and we were in the same boat at the teahouse, so I just wanted to come over and ask."

Hearing this young voice, Wang Hu turned around and looked at the young man, who was neatly dressed, possessed an impressive air, and was looking at him with a smile.

Feeling a bit unsure, this sense of confidence and being in total control made Wang Hu feel chilled.

Having turned around, Wang Hu slowly approached Cheng Feng and cupped his hands: "May I ask for your honorable name?"

Cheng Feng nodded: "No need for formalities, Cheng Feng."

Before Cheng Feng's words had even faded, Wang Hu had already drawn a small knife from his wrist and lunged straight for Cheng Feng's throat.

Wang Hu's sudden attack left Cheng Feng looking surprised.

Watching the surprised expression on the young man before him, Wang Hu seemed to see a scene of blood splattering everywhere, his face revealing excitement.

He thought to himself: "Where did this little punk come from, daring to act big in front of Master Hu? Since things aren't going smoothly today, I'll use you to vent my anger."

Suddenly, he felt his wrist being grabbed, as if locked by steel, remaining suspended in mid-air, unable to twitch.

Cheng Feng still wore a smile: "Why so impolite? Launching a sneak attack while we're talking?"

With a forceful squeeze on Wang Hu's wrist, the small knife dropped to the ground with a clatter.

Cheng Feng raised his leg and kicked, landing squarely in Wang Hu's abdomen. Perhaps the force was a bit too great; as Wang Hu flew into mid-air like a sack, he vomited a large mouthful of fresh blood, forming a blood mist in the air.

With a boom, Wang Hu hit the ground like a sack, curling up against the wall.

Cheng Feng smiled: "Can we talk properly now?"

Feeling the injuries on his body, he felt like two of his ribs were broken, but the rest were fine.

Looking at the smiling Cheng Feng from the corner of his eye, Wang Hu knew he had run into a tough nut to crack.

He remained motionless, slowing his breathing, as if he were dead.

Cheng Feng felt Wang Hu's breathing decreasing bit by bit and said unhurriedly: "If you die, I will just find a place to bury you, so you had better think it over."

Cheng Feng knew exactly how much force he had used and what the consequences were; at most, a few ribs were broken, but they could be set, and three months of recovery would be about right.

Killing him outright was impossible.

Cheng Feng had aimed carefully where he kicked.

Hearing Cheng Feng's blunt words, Wang Hu naturally wouldn't pretend to be dead anymore; he could only blame his bad luck. The business deal hadn't gone through, and he might be done for today.

But as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he didn't want to give up.

He hurriedly endured the sharp pain to climb up, cupping his hands: "I had eyes but failed to recognize a hero; please spare my life, great hero!"

Seeing Wang Hu lower his posture, Cheng Feng felt that kick was well worth it.

"I hear gangs make a lot of money. I fancy my strength is not bad, so I want to find a gang to hang out in, and incidentally get a position as gang leader to try out. Do you see any way to do that?"

Regarding Wang Hu, who was still an Ordinary person, Cheng Feng would not be careless, but he wouldn't be timid either. It wasn't like he hadn't killed before; relying on his own skills, an Ordinary person was easy to handle.

Hearing Cheng Feng's "not bad," "hang out," and "try out," cold sweat poured down Wang Hu.

Where did this second-generation heir come from, treating the underworld like a game?

But thinking of Cheng Feng's skills, Wang Hu felt that if it was a game, then so be it!

Saving his life was what mattered.

"Brother Wang, how does your gang usually operate?" Cheng Feng asked, appearing casual.

Yet his gaze was sharp as an eagle, attempting to capture every detail regarding the gang's operations from every word Wang Hu said.

Wang Hu sighed, seemingly unaware of Cheng Feng's true intentions, and just habitually replied: "Our gang started with freight, and in recent years we've also dabbled in some gambling dens and brothels. Usually, the brothers in the gang have their own jobs, but every month they hand over a certain amount of tribute money. As for business dealings, most are transactions with other gangs or merchants, among which there is no lack of shady dealings."

After hearing this, Cheng Feng felt a chill in his heart. This gang was not small in scale, and their business dealings were complex; wanting to replace them would be no easy task.

But Cheng Feng was not someone who gave up easily; he knew deeply that only by deeply understanding this gang could he find its flaws and subsequently replace them.

Cheng Feng figured that if it were just him and eight hundred, physically eliminating them would be very easy, but Cheng Feng was doing this to make money.

Without people to do the work, where would the money come from?

If he did it himself, would he still have time to gain Fortune Points?

Moreover, he had a technology in his hands that was just right for the gang to operate; the small bag in his bosom contained the things he had made this time.

He asked a few more questions about the gang's headcount, martial strength, weapons, relationships, and so on, and Cheng Feng had a bottom line in his heart.

This gang of Wang Hu's was called the Hutou Gang, with about thirty members, all men doing hard labor, a makeshift troupe gathered together to avoid oppression by others.

However, the leader had studied martial arts; it seemed he was at the Skin Refining Late Stage and could handle ten or more people without issue.

It was under his leadership that the Hutou Gang was founded.

The two walked all the way, passing through narrow alleys, and arrived before a dilapidated courtyard. Wang Hu stopped his steps, turned his head, and said to Cheng Feng: "This is our gang's base."

Cheng Feng looked around, seeing that although the courtyard was dilapidated, there were shadowy figures of hidden sentries inside.

Cheng Feng knew in his heart that this must be an important stronghold for the gang; if there was any disturbance, people would come to support.

He calculated inwardly that to successfully replace them, he might have to suppress them with force and entice them with profit.

Once this thing was brought out, he wasn't afraid they wouldn't be tempted, but rather that they would be tempted to act against him, and Cheng Feng estimated the probability of them making a move was one hundred percent.

Looking at the surrounding terrain, he also considered the retreat route in case things didn't go as planned.

Wang Hu didn't seem to notice Cheng Feng's thoughts, just leading him into the courtyard. Inside the courtyard, the lights were bright, and a group of gang members were drinking and making merry. Seeing Wang Hu return, they stood up one after another to welcome him, their gazes revealing a trace of awe.

Cheng Feng took the opportunity to observe these gang members; some had faces full of flesh, some were thin, but without exception, they all revealed a fierce temperament. He knew in his heart that these people were the elites of the gang, and wanting to subdue them would be no easy task.

Just then, a burly middle-aged man walked out from the crowd. His gaze was like a torch, his aura imposing; he was clearly the leader of this gang. Seeing this, Wang Hu hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "Gang Leader, this is a friend I met at the teahouse, named Cheng Feng. He has a business he wants to cooperate with the gang on. Cheng Feng, this is the leader of my Hutou Gang, Nie Hu."

Nie Hu nodded, his gaze sizing Cheng Feng up, then said: "Since you are his friend, then you are a friend of my gang. Come, sit down and drink together."

Cheng Feng laughed inwardly: "Wang Hu, Nie Hu, Hutou Gang, this name is really well chosen."

Nie Hu extended an invitation, and Cheng Feng knew this was a good opportunity for him to get close to him, so he nodded and sat down at the wine table with Wang Hu.

After three rounds of drinks, Nie Hu looked at Cheng Feng: "What is your background, friend? You injured Wang Hu and threatened him into coming to our gang's base; are you truly not afraid of death?"