Chapter 30: Want to Fight? Come at Me!

Chapter 30: Want a Fight? Come at Me!

Thunder roared, torrential rain poured down, murderous intent permeated the air!

Luo Zhen strode into the council hall with brazen confidence, followed by dozens of retainers, among them Hu Zhong, who had vanished without a trace during this period!

From start to finish, Luo Zhen's eyes never once glanced at Li Jun or Kuang Qingyun; they remained fixed solely on Zhao Ding's coffin.

"This official hadn't even made a move before you died. Tsk tsk tsk, Zhao Ding, you make winning dreadfully boring."

Kuang Qingyun clenched his fists tight, the mechanized heart in his chest roaring; he forcibly suppressed his rage, his voice deep: "Luo Zhen, I don't want to see blood today. If you know what's good for you, scram now."

Luo Zhen narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Second Master Kuang has quite the temper. But I advise you not to move; otherwise, Longjie Street will run red with blood today."

"You have the guts to try..."

Kuang Qingyun hadn't finished speaking when Luo Zhen waved a hand, raising his voice to cut him off.

"Giving you face once doesn't mean you, Kuang Qingyun, have the standing to bristle before me. One more word, and I'll send you down to keep Zhao Ding company this instant."

Click-click-click..

A series of sharp, metallic clicks of hammers cocking suddenly rang out in the council hall; the men behind Luo Zhen threw open their coats, revealing black pistol grips at their waists, hammers cocked, ready to fire.

The Shenji Camp Model 1410 Pistol, produced by the Tianfu Heavy Industries Group, the standard-issue weapon of the Chengdu Prefecture Tianfu Guards.

To be equipped with guard weaponry on such a scale, the identities of the men behind Luo Zhen were self-evident.

Kuang Qingyun's eyes flashed with shock and fury: "You actually dare bring Tianfu Guards into Longjie Street?"

Since its founding, the Jie'e District had always adhered to the rule of 'refugee self-governance'.

The Tianfu Guards, responsible for local security, had always merely collected 'protection money' and never actively intervened in the internal gang disputes of the Jie'e District.

This was a tacit understanding both sides abided by, and the rules of the game set by the powers behind the scenes.

So even with his Inspector status, if Luo Zhen wanted to meddle in Longjie Street's affairs, he needed the Jidao Society and Zhao Dou as a fig leaf.

But now Luo Zhen didn't even want the fig leaf, brazenly leading Tianfu Guards into the Paoge Society's main hall.

Kuang Qingyun roared: "Luo Zhen, you've broken the rules! The Clear Water Paoge brothers of the Paoge Society will never let you off!"

"Hiding and sneaking—it's just Gu Yong of the Shudao Logistics, you think I'm afraid of him?"

Luo Zhen sneered, disdainful: "Besides, Kuang Qingyun, is your brain broken? Has this official said he's doing anything? With so many gang members gathered, what's wrong with this Inspector bringing men in for an inspection?"

Kuang Qingyun's expression froze, leaving him speechless.

Luo Zhen settled leisurely into a rosewood armchair, speaking slowly: "This official is here today only to keep the peace, and incidentally to see an old friend off on his final journey. As for what others want to do, that's beyond me."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the tall, burly guards behind Luo Zhen instantly parted to make way, and several old men walked out slowly.

These men varied in appearance—tall, short, fat, thin—and many bore obvious physical mutilations.

Their only commonality was the distorted, twisted Yazi tattoos on their necks, warped by loose, sagging skin.

The instant he saw their faces clearly, Kuang Qingyun's eyes nearly split with rage, his body trembling uncontrollably with sheer fury.

He finally understood now why the elder generation of the Muddy Water Paoge hadn't shown up until now—they had all already thrown their lot in with Luo Zhen.

Kuang Qingyun raised a hand, pointing at a sinister-looking old man, and shouted: "Wang Mingguang! You bastards actually dare to betray us!"

Facing Kuang Qingyun's tirade, Wang Mingguang didn't react at all, his expression blank: "Kuang Qingyun, watch your tongue. We elders do this for the future of the Paoge Society."

"All these years, Master Ding worked for Shudao Logistics; it seemed like sheltering under a big tree, but in reality, the brothers didn't make much money. Still, for the sake of a stable life, we old-timers kept our mouths shut."

"But now Master Ding is dead. Will Shudao Logistics still acknowledge us? Even if Gu Yong honors old ties, he certainly won't stick to the old profit split; the brothers' lives will only get harder."

Wang Mingguang looked sincere, earnestly persuading: "Things have come to this; I'll lay it all out. We've already struck a deal with Lord Luo. As long as we follow him, not only does the cut go up a tier, but we'll also have the Tianfu Guards' protection—better than now, not worse."

Kuang Qingyun's gaze was contemptuous, sweeping across the faces of these elders one by one, coldly laughing: "In the end, it's still just for the money."

Wang Mingguang fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Kuang Qingyun, reality is what it is. You cannot change it."

"I've wasted this much breath on you only because your prestige among the brothers is high enough, giving you a chance to live. I'll ask one last time: walk with us, or part ways!"

"Hahahaha, walk with you? You're not worthy!"

Kuang Qingyun laughed miserably, "Master Ding has barely passed, and you beasts can't wait to jump out one by one—have you any conscience left?"

"Conscience? A junior like you has no right to speak those two words before me!"

Wang Mingguang seemed enraged by those two words, instantly flying into a fury, jabbing a finger at his own chest, roaring: "When we old men risked our lives to wrest this street back from the Nanyue gangs, where were you?"

"When we old men carried our heads in our hands and fought those criminals to the death, where were you?"

"When we old men cast aside our dignity and knelt everywhere begging for shelter, where were you?"

"You, a brat riding on your ancestors' coattails, what right have you to talk conscience before us?"

Wang Mingguang sneered: "Or did Zhao Ding leave the helmsman's seat to you? What, no heirs for succession, so you want abdication? Who the hell does Zhao Ding think he is!"

Hum!

The mechanized heart whirred at full power, emitting a tidal roar that echoed through the empty council hall.

Kuang Qingyun's sleeves shredded on both arms, the red light in his artificial eye a ghastly crimson: "Wang Mingguang, you're courting death!"

Wang Mingguang's face instantly drained of color, staggering backward under the wave of killing intent washing over him.

"My Lord, save me!"

Seated in his chair, Luo Zhen smiled faintly at the sight, lazily lifting a hand.

Hu Zhong, standing behind him, instantly stepped forward to shield Wang Mingguang, lightning dancing on his forearms: "The Nine Dragons Arena fight isn't over. Today, we continue."

"Fine!"

Kuang Qingyun grinned savagely, digging his heel in to lunge at Hu Zhong, but a hand suddenly clamped onto his shoulder, freezing him in place.

"You're the highest-ranking man in the Muddy Water Paoge right now; how can you brawl with small fry? It lowers your status."

Kuang."

Kuang Qingyun whipped his head around, staring at Li Jun in utter shock.

Li Jun stared at Hu Zhong, raising a hand to stroke his razor-sharp eyebrows: "Want a fight? Come at me."

All eyes turned; they saw Li Jun slowly unwind the bandages wrapped around his forearms, bloodstained skin flaking off in pieces.

He narrowed his eyes and smiled: "Electric Rat, how do you want to die?"