Chapter 200: Chapter 123: Thunderous Methods

They had just been talking about Chen Cheng, and now he was here. He had moved far too quickly. The color drained from Li Hu’s and Zhang Bao’s faces.

The saying goes: he who comes, comes with ill intent. This Chief Constable was just as ruthless as the rumors claimed. Today’s matter would not be resolved peacefully. They had to prepare for the worst.

At this thought, Li Hu asked gravely, "How many men did he bring?"

The subordinate replied, "Chief Chen only brought five constables. He says he’s here to apprehend the true culprit of the Gentry Zhang familicide."

Hearing that Chen Cheng had only brought five men, Li Hu let out a huge sigh of relief. He then snorted, his fleshy double chin quivering as he said, his anger uncontrollable, "That bastard Chen Cheng is truly arrogant. Does he really think that just because he wears the uniform of the City Guard Department, he can do whatever he wants?

If he had mustered all his constables, I’d give him some respect. But to think he can come after the Tiger and Leopard Gang with just five men? Does he really think I, Li Hu, am a pushover? It’s laughable!"

The Tiger and Leopard Gang had carved out its territory at Qingshui Pier through bloody conflict. While its members weren’t as elite as the City Guard Department’s constables, each one was a ruthless killer who lived by the blade. In a true fight to the death, their advantage in numbers would allow them to contend with the constables.

The Tiger and Leopard Gang’s headquarters was a sprawling compound of interconnected courtyards.

A dozen or so sword-wielding gang members guarded the main gate. To get from the gate to the central plaza, one had to pass through two successive courtyards. Each of these courtyards was also guarded by a dozen members, with three archers positioned in ambush on the high ground.

The plaza itself was guarded by more than twenty men. At the first sign of trouble from the front, these members would immediately rush to provide support.

In total, there were sixty to seventy hardened Jianghu killers, making the defenses exceptionally tight. Even a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm wouldn’t dare force his way in. After all, the Tiger and Leopard Gang’s Gang Leader and Vice Gang Leader were both at the Skin Grinding Realm Perfection. Any Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm who dared to come would be walking into a death trap with no escape.

Although Chen Cheng was somewhat stronger than a Perfect Martial Artist of the Skin Grinding Realm, he shouldn’t have been strong enough to dare storm the Tiger and Leopard Gang’s headquarters with only five constables.

With so few men, Li Hu had no reason to be afraid.

Beside him, Zhang Bao had also calmed down considerably. "Big Brother," he said, "Chen Cheng only brought five constables. He probably doesn’t intend to fight. He’s just going through the motions, asking a few questions."

Li Hu nodded. "Mm, with a move like this, he’s obviously trying to make a show of force. We’ll just play it by ear when we see him."

Seeing that the two leaders hadn’t understood, the subordinate grew anxious and quickly spoke again, "Gang Leader, Vice Gang Leader, Chief Chen is actually fighting his way in! I’m afraid the brothers can’t stop him..."

Before he could finish, a commotion erupted from the plaza outside the hall, followed by the sounds of fighting—THUMP, CRACK—and pained cries.

Li Hu whipped his head toward the outside of the hall. He saw his Tiger and Leopard Gang members, wielding all sorts of Weapons, their faces filled with fear. They were on guard but retreating toward the hall.

A young Chief Constable in a black, cloud-patterned uniform, holding a Long Saber, advanced slowly, step by step. It was none other than the Iron Hand Chief Constable of Qingshui Pier himself, Chen Cheng.

Far behind Chen Cheng, five constables from the City Guard Department followed.

Li Hu and Zhang Bao were both startled. They grabbed their Weapons, rushed out of the hall, and stood before Chen Cheng.

The remaining forty-odd members of the Tiger and Leopard Gang quickly gathered, forming a protective wall behind the two.

In the distance, on the pathway leading to the plaza, several gang members lay scattered about. All were unconscious; it was impossible to tell if they were alive or dead.

Li Hu, wielding a Xuanhua Giant Axe, took in the scene before him, and his fleshy cheeks couldn’t help but twitch.

The Chen Cheng before him was silent, his expression serene. He advanced as if taking a leisurely stroll, yet Li Hu felt as though he were facing a savage beast.

In the short time it took his subordinate to deliver the message, Chen Cheng had already fought his way to the plaza. The men guarding the gate and the two courtyards had likely all fallen at his hand.

This was a direct, full-blown assault on their doorstep. There was no ambiguity whatsoever!

Li Hu believed he could have fought his way in as well, but nowhere near as quickly as Chen Cheng.

"To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Chief Chen?" Li Hu asked, suppressing his rage and cupping his fists. He clung to a sliver of hope that Chen Cheng wouldn’t actually come to blows with him.

Then again, even if Chen Cheng did attack, he and Zhang Bao together wouldn’t necessarily lose. Still, it was best to avoid a fight if possible.

Chen Cheng had, in fact, fought his way from the Tiger and Leopard Gang’s main gate. Among the members he encountered were two or three chieftains at the Small Success and Great Success in Skin Grinding Realm. But to Chen Cheng, they were no different from common thugs, as useless as clay chickens and pottery dogs. He had knocked them all unconscious with the flat of his blade.

Only the archers in the two courtyards had been any trouble, forcing Chen Cheng to waste a few copper coins to knock them off the high walls like he was shooting down birds.

’The point of this approach was to give the Tiger and Leopard Gang no time to prepare. That way, I can drag out the real killer in the Gentry Zhang familicide and see them brought to justice.’

’As for Li Hu and Zhang Bao, they must die too! Regardless of who actually carried out the Gentry Zhang familicide, those two were the ones who gave the order. By killing them, I, Chen Cheng, will have a legitimate reason to purge the Tiger and Leopard Gang and pocket a nice sum of money.’

’On this trip, I can punish the wicked and seize their wealth—kill two birds with one stone!’

His eyes narrowed as he carefully sized up Li Hu and Zhang Bao. "Li Hu, Zhang Bao," Chen Cheng said coldly. "You ordered your thugs to raid Gentry Zhang’s home at night and slaughter his entire family, young and old. Your crimes are heinous!

Hand over the perpetrators at once and accompany me to the City Guard Department!"