Chapter 73

First Volume, Chapter 73: Sweep Away Black and Eliminate Evil

Beside him, Gao Song was stunned into silence by the scene before him.

The Dragon Tiger Gang had managed to establish itself beneath the Son of Heaven's feet for one reason alone: besides Gao Song's connections, it posed no real threat—its members numbered barely forty or fifty—and both the Jingzhao Prefect and the City Patrol Bureau turned a blind eye, too lazy to intervene.

Qin Feng brought so many people at once that even if each one spat once, they could drown the Dragon Tiger Gang!

Moreover, Gao Song's plan was to trip up Qin Feng with charges of brawling, but the sheer number of people Qin Feng brought was no mere brawl—it was outright rebellion!

If this matter reached the Emperor's ears, he would launch a full investigation, and Gao Song would be left with nothing but trouble.

Gao Song swallowed hard, without a moment's hesitation, whirling around to shout at his servants: "Quick! Send word to the City Patrol Bureau! Qin Feng is staging a rebellion—hurry and send Iron-Gall Marquis Zhuge Xuan with troops to suppress him!"

Zhao Zhangfu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, turned to Gao Song, and said nervously: "Didn't I tell you? Qin Feng Xiao'er never follows the rules. Did you prepare a backup plan?"

Backup plan? Gao Song nearly laughed in anger.

To prepare a backup plan, you must first understand Qin Feng's mind and devise a corresponding strategy.

But this Qin Feng isn't even human—he already lost the opening move, let alone a backup plan!

Right now, all hope rests on Zhuge Xuan—hurry and bring the City Patrol Bureau to suppress Qin Feng before things spiral beyond control.

Zhao Zhangfu and Gao Song were as frantic as ants on a hot pan, unable to sit still.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng had already led hundreds of men toward the Dragon Tiger Gang.

Recalling the image of "Gudongzai" from movies, Qin Feng strode with the Eight-Character Step, his walk stirring the air, wearing a face that declared "Whether Jingdu is chaotic or not depends on the Qin Family," and loudly bellowed: "Everyone, shout with me: Sweep Away Black and Eliminate Evil, Protect the Realm and Pacify the People!"

Hundreds of voices roared in unison: "Sweep Away Black and Eliminate Evil, Protect the Realm and Pacify the People."

The thunderous chant drew countless civilians to gather and watch; the already crowded Street became utterly jammed.

Some ignorant Chiguo spectators, hearing the chant, grew excited.

"Could it be that the City Patrol Bureau is finally moving against the Dragon Tiger Gang? Wonderful! That gang, protected by Grand Commandant Gao, has long terrorized the people and acted with impunity—today at last they get their comeuppance!"

"Damn the Dragon Tiger Gang—how many times have they preyed on the common folk? Today they're finally being wiped out—what a relief!"

"Strange—there are so many people here, yet not a single official in uniform. Isn't this supposed to be the City Patrol Bureau's force?"

"Wait—look over there! Is the leader… the Qin Family's young master, Qin Feng?!"

"What? Qin Feng? It really is! Why is this guy clashing with the Dragon Tiger Gang?"

"Heh, why care? Both the Dragon Tiger Gang and Qin Feng are recognized as the Capital's Four Scourges—dogs biting dogs, spitting fur—our job is just to watch the show."

The Chiguo spectators gathered around chattered endlessly—some supported Qin Feng, others belittled him. After all, for many Jingdu commoners, Qin Feng's reputation as a Wanfu was no better than the Dragon Tiger Gang's.

Fortunately…

Qin Feng didn't care about his public image—no matter what mindset these Chiguo spectators held, as long as they came to gawk, they became his vanguards; when the Dragon Tiger Gang couldn't gauge the situation, sheer fear would crush them!

Inside the Dragon Tiger Gang, the members were already lined up in readiness—forty or fifty men stood in a row outside the gate, some holding WoodenSticks, others shouldering iron clubs, each looking like demons, their presence intimidating at first glance.

Long Batian, a man in his thirties with a leopard's head, ringed eyes, a tiger's back, and bear's waist, sat at the gang's entrance, gripping a Nine-Ring Blade, radiating terrifying authority.

Passersby didn't even dare steal a glance—they fled as if pursued; even occasional patrol officers, upon seeing Long Batian, detoured around him, unwilling to provoke the Gao Family behind him.

In this Jingdu, if you threw a brick, nine out of ten people you hit would be high officials or nobles. A commoner like Long Batian, having risen to this status, had already brought glory to his ancestors—his pride was unmistakable.

The Manager, standing nearby, offered the perfect compliment: "Even patrol officers detour around the Gang Leader—in all of Jingdu, you're unquestionably among the top figures. We smashed the Wuhu Da Jiu Lou long ago, yet Qin Feng hasn't shown his face—he must be terrified of your fearsome reputation and dares not come."

People of humble origins are most vulnerable to sweet-tongued flattery, and Long Batian was no exception—he was already floating on air, grinning as he wiped his beard.

"If Qin Feng is wise, fine. But if he dares to come, I'll chop off one of his arms on the spot! If he still resists, I'll chop off his leg too. So what if he's the Ministry of War's Minister's son? In Jingdu, who doesn't have connections?"

At these words, the gang members' eyes gleamed with excitement, their blood boiling.

In the past, the Dragon Tiger Gang had clashed with Noble Youth, but those rivals usually came from minor official families. Qin Feng was different—he was the son of the Ministry of War's Minister, whose family stood at the pinnacle of power.

Even the Yong'an Marquis and the Ministry of Revenue had been humiliated by him. Facing an opponent of this caliber, their boss showed utter contempt—and the disciples' morale surged, showering him with endless flattery.

"With the Gang Leader here, we have full confidence."

"Exactly! So what if he's the Ministry of War's Minister's son? Our Gang Leader stands behind the Second Prince!"

"That's not right! It's widely rumored in Jingzhong that Qin Feng enjoys the Emperor's favor. Since our boss doesn't fear Qin Feng, clearly he too has the Emperor's backing."

These underlings' minds were simple: they knew Long Batian's connection was Gao Song, Gao Song was the son of Grand Commandant Gao, Grand Commandant Gao was close to the Second Prince, and the Second Prince's patron was the Emperor—so indirectly, Long Batian's patron was the current Son of Heaven.

Listening to the flattery around him, Long Batian felt dizzy, and without realizing it, he began to believe his own hype—as if he were truly a fearsome figure in Jingdu who could reach the Heavenly Court. He grinned broadly, radiating grandeur.

"Listen up! When Qin Feng arrives, follow my orders. If I don't tell you to move, stay still. When I give the command, you all beat him until he's broken—break him, we'll nurse him; kill him, we'll bury him. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."

The gang members' blood boiled; their gaze toward Long Batian burned with adoration. They clenched their fists, eager to strike.

At that moment, the lookout ran over, stumbling: "Boss! Qin Feng's here!"