Li Hu and Zhang Bao were drinking with Ren Fei.

During this time, Ren Fei had been directing his people to commit thefts in the Qingshui Pier district, earning several hundred taels of silver in the process.

Meanwhile, Li Hu had received one thousand taels of silver from the Zhou Family and extorted another thousand from Yang Xingyao.

Spirits were high on both sides.

After a few bowls of wine, once everyone was warmed by the alcohol, Li Hu said with a chuckle, "Master Fei, you’ve raked in quite a bit lately. Isn’t it time to make a move on Chen Cheng?"

Zhang Bao added, "That punk Chen Cheng has some skill, I’ll give him that. He captured fifteen of your men in a single day, Master Fei.

He’s acting so hastily, it’s obvious he’s getting antsy. Master Fei, it’s time to strike!"

Ren Fei raised his wine bowl, drained it in one go, and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Only then did he speak, his voice unhurried. "Gentlemen, your sincerity is lacking. I’m afraid I can’t take this job."

Li Hu’s anger flared. "Master Fei," he said coldly, "are you trying to back out of our deal?"

Ren Fei remained perfectly calm, saying leisurely, "We agreed on one thousand taels of silver for killing Chen Cheng. Yet, you want to give me a deposit of five hundred taels first. Don’t you think that shows a lack of sincerity?

Chen Cheng is a Chief Constable of the City Guard Department. Killing him will undoubtedly bring them hunting for me. I’ll be too busy running for my life to dare come to the Tiger and Leopard Gang’s headquarters to collect the remaining five hundred taels of silver.

Besides, what if I do risk coming back for the money? You two could trap me and hand me over to the City Guard Department to curry favor. Wouldn’t I be done for then?

Rest assured, gentlemen. I can’t afford to offend the person backing the Tiger and Leopard Gang. As long as the silver is paid in full, I will naturally kill Chen Cheng as we agreed. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

We’re all veterans of the Jianghu here. Whether or not this deal goes through is for you two to decide."

Li Hu and Zhang Bao exchanged a look, both falling into contemplative silence.

In fact, the two of them had seriously considered double-crossing him. Once Ren Fei killed Chen Cheng, they planned to eliminate him.

Although the Tiger and Leopard Gang controlled a territory and many lucrative enterprises, the bulk of their income had to be paid up to the Zhou Family. They also had to make routine payments to the City Guard Department, not to mention paying their own members.

Very little of the money actually ended up in Li Hu and Zhang Bao’s pockets.

Ren Fei, on the other hand, surely had several thousand taels of silver on him. By killing him, the two of them could make a small fortune.

But clearly, Ren Fei was a true veteran of the Jianghu and had seen through their plan long ago.

"Fine! We’ll do it your way, Master Fei!" Li Hu finally relented. He pulled a stack of silver notes from his robes and slapped them down on the table in front of Ren Fei with a flourish.

...

「The next day.」

After breakfast and roll call at the City Guard Department, Chen Cheng changed into plain clothes and headed to the Qingshui Pier district.

The day before, the thieves under the Thief Gang’s control had been wiped out in one fell swoop. The few who remained were likely just small-time stragglers. Chen Cheng patrolled two marketplaces frequented by thieves but came up with nothing.

As Chen Cheng walked down the street, wondering if he should head home, the sky suddenly filled with dark clouds. The light faded quickly, and then fine, grain-sized snowflakes began to fall with a soft SWISH.

People on the street scattered, running for cover.

Chen Cheng also began to walk quickly toward home. As he went, a slender man in black, his face hidden by a Conical Hat, came running toward him from down the street.

The man looked ordinary, but his steps were exceptionally light and quick. Chen Cheng frowned and came to an abrupt halt.

The man in black, however, kept running, his pace accelerating. When he was about seven or eight meters from Chen Cheng, he suddenly flicked his hand, sending a Flying Saber whistling straight for Chen Cheng’s face.

The Flying Saber was incredibly fast. Thrown amidst the swirling wind and snow in the dim light, its trajectory was nearly impossible to track.