Chapter 77

First Volume_Chapter 77: Evil Men Have Their Own Torment

As Qin Feng folded the IOU and slipped it into Long Batian's hand, he patted Long Batian's palm and smiled warmly, kindly saying:

"Twenty-four ten thousand taels of silver is no small sum—I couldn't force you to pay it even if I tried. Just sign with your fingerprint on the IOU, and I'll give you ample time to raise the money."

Long Batian had no choice; after all, Qin Feng could "reach the Emperor's ears." If Qin Feng embellished today's events and reported them to the Son of Heaven, Long Batian's only fate would be death. Moreover, Gao Song and Zhao Zhangfu behind him wouldn't let him die—they'd suffer too if this scandal grew too large.

Anything that can be solved with silver isn't a problem!

With these thoughts settled, Long Batian no longer hesitated—he bit his finger and pressed his fingerprint onto the IOU.

The moment Long Batian stamped his fingerprint, Qin Feng—who had been smiling amiably and innocently a second ago—completely changed his expression, snatched the IOU back into his bosom, and sneered with a twisted mouth, embodying the very image of a bully:

"Deliver the money to my mansion within three days. For every day delayed, you'll pay ten percent interest—twenty-four thousand taels per day in penalties, compounded daily. Weigh your options carefully. If you don't repay within half a month, I'll write an Imperial Memorial and have my father submit it during Early Court—the consequences will be on you!"

Everyone present, without exception, stood frozen in shock.

People had seen moody individuals before, but none as fickle as Qin Feng—his change of heart faster than turning a page.

After a long while, the crowd slowly regained their composure, and a storm of heated murmurs erupted.

"Who's the real bully here—Qin Feng or Long Batian? Who's the victim?"

"That's the Gang Leader of the Dragon-Tiger Gang—the kind even constables avoid! How could he submit to Qin Feng like a lamb to slaughter, offering no courage to resist?"

"As the saying goes, evil men have their own torment. Long Batian, emboldened by his connections, has long ruled with Hengxing Badou, making neighbors weep in despair. Now he's bitten into Qin Feng—only to shatter all his fangs. Hahaha! Truly satisfying!"

"Exactly right! I don't care who it is—as long as Long Batian gets punished, he's a good man!"

The onlookers among the Common People cast burning glances at Qin Feng. Though Qin Feng was infamous, his infamy was confined mostly to the Imperial Court or noble circles; ordinary folks had little contact with him.

In contrast, Long Batian was a villain who harmed innocent Common People.

Now that a petty villain met a greater one and was crushed beneath his heel, the townsfolk all clapped and cheered.

Little did they know, Qin Feng had no interest in the honor of "upholding Heaven's justice" or "eradicating evil for the people."

Qin Feng believed in only two principles in life: one, "silver"; the other, "Anyone who dares touch me—I'll knock out their back molars!"

Glancing at Long Batian, now hollow-eyed and stripped of all arrogance, Qin Feng lost interest and waved his hand carelessly: "Come on, tear down the Dragon-Tiger Gang. Anything of value—transport it all to Wuhu Da Jiu Lou as compensation for the wine house's damaged furnishings."

Long Batian's face flushed red then pale—he wanted to swallow Qin Feng alive, yet feared the IOU in Qin Feng's hands. He gritted his teeth and demanded: "Qin, you're too cruel! You've got my IOU—why tear down my Dragon-Tiger Gang?!"

With the courtyard being torn apart, the Dragon-Tiger Gang was finished—Long Batian's reign as Gang Leader was over. Worse still, over the years the Dragon-Tiger Gang had done countless dirty deeds for Gao Song; all the incriminating evidence was stored inside. If Qin Feng seized it, Gao Song would never again hold his head high before Qin Feng.

Knowing Gao Song's nature, he'd blame this entire mess on Long Batian. Long Batian couldn't even bear to imagine his own fate.

Sensing Long Batian's hateful gaze, Qin Feng's expression turned unusually serious: "You smashed my wine house—I tear down your gang. Isn't that fair? Don't misunderstand—I'm not targeting you personally. I just want you to understand: don't touch what's mine. If you do, you'll be crushed utterly—no room for negotiation."

If I merely targeted Long Batian alone, Gao Song might sacrifice him to save himself—kill him to silence him and wash his hands clean.

Then Long Batian wouldn't have to repay the money, wouldn't bear responsibility, and might even turn around and bite Qin Feng back.

So Qin Feng must hold Gao Song's leverage in his hand, making him understand: there's only one path—repay the money, no alternatives.

At that moment, a roar came from the direction of the wine house.

"Qin Feng, you've gone too far!"

Gao Song stormed out of the wine house, furious. He could tolerate everything else—but tearing down the Dragon-Tiger Gang? No. Too many incriminating secrets were inside—he couldn't let Qin Feng hold them!

"Everyone stop right now, or you'll regret it!"

At Gao Song's shout, the crowd dismantling the gang wilted instantly—they dared not provoke Gao Song.

Qin Feng waved his hand and smiled sweetly: "Qin Family members keep tearing. Everyone else, wait outside and help carry the goods. Oh, and Qin Xiaofu—if you find any messy stuff inside, pack it all up and bring it back."

Qin Xiaofu was cunning—he knew exactly what Qin Feng meant by "messy stuff." He grinned: "Master, you can count on me."

Seeing he couldn't stop it, Gao Song gritted his teeth and hissed: "Long Batian, I give you one last chance—kill Qin Feng right now! I'll bear the blame. All these eyes are witnesses—this fire won't touch you."

Long Batian, already seething with resentment, felt reborn at these words. He leapt to his feet and screamed hysterically:

"Bring me my blade! Listen up—if the Dragon-Tiger Gang falls, none of you will escape blame. Kill Qin Feng, and Young Master Gao will smooth things over—then we'll all be safe!"

Hearing this, the gang's thugs' faces twisted into vicious grins.

Since they were doomed either way, they might as well fight!

"Attack him!"

At Long Batian's roar, his thugs lunged at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng sat comfortably in his chair, legs crossed, showing no fear—instead, he chuckled: "Good. If you lack this kind of courage, how can you survive in the Jianghu?"

As his words ended, a graceful figure appeared before Qin Feng—she kicked one thug down, then spun and swept her leg, felling another.

Two down in an instant. Long Batian froze, his gaze fixed on Shu Feng with grave intensity, no longer daring to advance.

Shu Feng's eyebrows arched sharply as she cried out sharply: "Dare to strike the Qin Family's Young Master? You seek death!"