"Who the hell did this!?"

In a room in Tiger Run Lane, Young Master Xiao Hu was in a blind rage. A few ruffians stood to the side, silent as cicadas in winter.

When he learned of his trusted subordinate Liu’Er’s death during the day, Young Master Xiao Hu had been stunned for a good while! What’s more, Liu’Er had died in Tiger Run Lane.

He had gone to inspect the scene himself. Reconstructing the events, the two ruffians had been incapacitated in a single exchange. Liu’Er had reacted extremely quickly, and seeing things were bad, he tried to escape through the window. But he was subdued just as he broke it. The attacker was experienced and ruthless—definitely a seasoned professional!

Also...

Although Liu’Er’s strength was average, he had at least stepped onto the Martial Dao. With two ruffians to run interference and being in Tiger Run Lane, he shouldn’t have been so helpless that he’d resort to fleeing through a window, even against a Qi Blood Second Layer expert. The attacker was very likely a Martial Dao expert at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection, or even the Qi Blood Third Layer!

’The Qi Blood Third Layer!’

A Martial Dao expert of that Realm was no nameless nobody in Nanquan Lane!

"The Iron Bull Gang? The Wild Wolf Gang? Or the Flying Sand Gang?"

The names of the gangs flashed through Young Master Xiao Hu’s mind, but he dismissed them one by one.

Among these three gangs, only the Flying Sand Gang’s power was comparable to their Tiger Head Gang. The other two were far weaker.

Each gang’s Protectors were well-known figures. It seemed unrealistic for them to dispatch a Martial Dao expert at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection or Qi Blood Third Layer just to assassinate Liu’Er!

Besides, while the gangs had their conflicts of interest, killing Liu’Er ultimately offered them no benefit.

"Who could it be?"

Young Master Xiao Hu’s heart was heavy with frustration.

Normally, it wouldn’t have bothered him this much, but the timing of the incident was just too coincidental. Among the three Protectors of the Tiger Head Gang, his Martial Arts Cultivation was only at Qi Blood Second Realm Perfection, while the other two were both Qi Blood Third Layer experts. This already put him at a disadvantage, and he was often teased by the other two Protectors.

A few days ago, his adoptive father, Master Hu, had spent a small fortune to acquire a bottle of Qi Blood Pills, intending to bestow it upon him. This would have allowed him to break through to the Qi Blood Third Layer in one fell swoop, putting him on equal footing with the other two Protectors.

However, this matter was met with considerable resistance!

But a little resistance wasn’t a big deal. With his adoptive father’s strong support and his own efforts to prove himself, it was only a matter of time before that bottle of Qi Blood Pills would be his!

But who would have known... his trusted man, Liu’Er, had died last night in Tiger Run Lane!

Now, the other two Protectors had seized upon this incident, and it had become the biggest obstacle to him obtaining the Qi Blood Pills.

"Damn it!"

At this thought, Young Master Xiao Hu couldn’t help but curse aloud.

Just then, a series of urgent shouts came from outside the door.

"Young Master Xiao Hu, Young Master Xiao Hu!"

Already annoyed, Young Master Xiao Hu heard the shouting and felt a new wave of nameless anger rise within him. He was about to lash out when he saw several people enter. One of them was his confidant, Feizi.

Seeing Feizi, Young Master Xiao Hu managed to suppress his anger.

"What is it? Such a panicked rush, what’s the meaning of this!"

"Young Master Xiao Hu," Feizi ran to his side. "It’s that kid from the Chen Family!"

"The Chen Family’s kid?"

"Yesterday, Liu’Er just collected a batch of monthly protection money from quite a few families. After the brothers heard the news, we went door-to-door to question people and understand the situation. We just didn’t expect to run into trouble when we got to the Chen Family’s kid’s house!"

"What trouble?" Young Master Xiao Hu’s eyes sharpened, his aura flaring.

"We just wanted to question him about Liu’Er, but he yelled at us and then used the Daqian Law and the Garrison Commandant’s Office to pressure us. That kid isn’t an ordinary commoner; he has the status of a temporary constable for the Garrison Commandant’s Office. We figured a real conflict might cause a lot of trouble, so we had no choice but to run back here and ask you to handle it, Young Master Xiao Hu."

Feizi briefly recounted what had happened, deliberately omitting his own aggressive behavior.

"Useless trash!"

Young Master Xiao Hu berated them after hearing the story.

"When has the Tiger Head Gang ever had to care about so many rules? He dares to threaten my Tiger Head Gang? That kid has some nerve!"

Seething with fury, Young Master Xiao Hu shot up from his chair.

"Let’s go. Take me to that kid!"

"Yes, Young Master Xiao Hu," Feizi and the other two ruffians replied respectfully.

Watching Young Master Xiao Hu storm out of the room, the men exchanged glances, and each saw the schadenfreude in the others’ eyes.

’With Young Master Xiao Hu on the case, that Chen Family kid is probably screwed.’

Hmph!

’This will show everyone around here the consequences of offending my Tiger Head Gang!’

...

Young Master Xiao Hu, leading seven or eight ruffians, arrived at the Chen Family’s courtyard in a whirlwind. What greeted them was a wide-open courtyard gate, and Chen Ping’an, sitting calmly in a chair facing them.

Young Master Xiao Hu froze for a moment at the sight, his gaze falling on the axe in Chen Ping’an’s hand.

’Is the Chen Family’s kid planning to fight this to the bitter end!?’

In his memory, the Chen Family’s kid understood how the world worked and was a little clever, but when had he ever been this bold?

’Where did he get this nerve!?’

’From his unofficial status as a temporary constable for the Nanquan Alley Town Patrol Office!?’

"Good! Good! Good! Now every stray cat and dog dares to offend our Tiger Head Gang!"

After a brief stupor, a cold sneer appeared on Young Master Xiao Hu’s face.

Since he had come here, he couldn’t possibly back down. He represented not just himself, but the entire Tiger Head Gang behind him.

Although no one was around, the neighbors were all secretly watching the situation.

His purpose here was to establish his dominance—to show these commoners the reality of what happens when you offend the Tiger Head Gang!

"Chen Family’s kid, you’ve gotten bold lately! Daring to block even my Tiger Head Gang’s men."

Young Master Xiao Hu walked toward Chen Ping’an with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

’Holding an axe? Who’s he trying to scare?’

’I was playing with blades when you were still in your mother’s womb! Trying to scare me, Young Master Xiao Hu!? What a joke!’

"Ah, it’s Young Master Xiao Hu!" Seeing him approach, Chen Ping’an showed no intention of standing up. "Young Master Xiao Hu, you should control your men. They dare to break down my door in broad daylight. If they’re this barbaric now, will they try to slaughter my entire family at night!"

With his first words, Chen Ping’an slapped a heavy accusation on him.

"Anyone who didn’t know better would think the sky over Nanquan Lane belongs to the Tiger Head Gang, not the Garrison Commandant’s Office!"

"What a sharp-tongued brat!"

Young Master Xiao Hu sneered and strode forward.

’Unfortunately, a sharp tongue can’t withstand a few good beatings.’

’I wonder if this kid will still be so tough after I give him a sound thrashing.’

"Young Master Xiao Hu!" Chen Ping’an raised his axe. "A few more steps and you’ll be in my courtyard. According to Daqian Law, entering a courtyard without permission is considered forced entry. The punishment is twenty strikes with a rod and three years of imprisonment!"

Young Master Xiao Hu didn’t stop, a sneer on his face.

THWACK!

Chen Ping’an’s axe swung down viciously, stopping in mid-air, its blade pointed directly at Young Master Xiao Hu.

"If you take one more step, this will be a fight to the death."

There was no hysterical shouting, no loss of control—only a look of utter indifference. Chen Ping’an’s expression was impassive as he watched Young Master Xiao Hu quietly.

’He’s serious!’

Hearing this, Young Master Xiao Hu froze, his steps halting.