Chapter 13: Strangulation

Huai-shu Street is located on the edge of the Outer City, three parts filthier and more chaotic than Yazi Bay.

The sides of the street are packed with ragged beggars, and emaciated children rummage through sewage ditches for food scraps.

The air is thick with the pungent stench of rot and excrement, and occasionally, bloated, bluish corpses can be seen lying abandoned by the roadside.

In a place like this, the death of a person is less noticeable than the death of a rat.

Chen Qing lay in wait within the shadows of the eaves, scanning the intricate, narrow alleys below.

Qian Biao’s death is like an invisible thorn. As long as the Golden River Gang remains, this thorn will stay embedded in the flesh, and there is no telling when it might fester and rot.

Rather than waiting for trouble to come knocking, it is better to strike first.

Suddenly, Chen Qing’s eyes narrowed.

Two figures turned the corner of the alley, acting furtively. One of them was Liu Laizi, and beside him was a man with a shifty, rat-like appearance.

The two walked in a hurry, their expressions tense, looking back every few steps like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring.

"Brother Liu, do we really have to go out now? Those bastards from the Tiger Gang are biting at our heels..."

The yellow-toothed man lowered his voice, his tone filled with unease.

"Nonsense!"

Liu Laizi rubbed his hands irritably and cursed in a low voice: "I’m so bored I could die! Who can stand gnawing on dry crusts for two days? Hurry up! Buy it and let's go!"

The two hugged the wall and quickly darted toward the other end of the alley.

Chen Qing’s heart stirred. He held his breath and moved silently across the roof ridge, following them with the agility of a civet cat, his gaze locked firmly on the two figures.

Liu Laizi and his companion navigated several turns with practiced ease, arriving at a relatively busier small crossroads.

He looked around vigilantly for a moment before stepping forward, pulling out a few copper coins, grabbing some food wrapped in oil paper, and immediately turning back with the yellow-toothed man, walking even faster than before.

From the rooftop, Chen Qing could see clearly that this food was not meant for just two people.

He followed silently, maintaining a safe distance and elevation.

Liu Laizi and his companion twisted and turned through the alleys, finally ducking into the end of an exceptionally secluded dead-end.

Before them stood a dilapidated wooden door.

Liu Laizi checked left and right again nervously to ensure no one was tailing them before knocking quickly on the door.

The door creaked open a crack, the two flashed inside, and the door shut immediately.

"I’ll test the waters first."

Chen Qing took a deep breath and climbed along the adjacent courtyard wall onto the roof.

He carefully poked his head out to look into the courtyard.

On a wooden table in the yard lay two or three long blades, and fragments of a woman’s torn skirt were scattered on the ground—a scene of utter chaos.

At this moment, the sound of conversation drifted from inside the house.

Chen Qing carefully pried up a tile and peered downward.

It was a bedroom. A messy quilt was piled on the bed, a medicine bottle sat on the table, and blood-stained bandages were tossed on the floor.

"Not this room." Chen Qing understood. He gently replaced the tile and crouched as he moved to the eaves of the next room, prying up another tile.

The scene in the main hall came into view. Four or five burly men were sitting around, and at the head of the table sat a middle-aged man in a black robe with a cold expression.

"It really is the Golden River Gang!"

Chen Qing’s eyes narrowed; he recognized the middle-aged man as Song Tie, the leader of the Golden River Gang.

It was said that Song Tie was highly skilled and proficient in blade techniques; Yazi Bay was carved out by the very blade in his hand.

Chen Qing had seen him once before.

"Boss, the supplies are bought!" Liu Laizi wiped his sweat and handed over the oil paper package.

Song Tie tore it open impatiently, glanced at it, and immediately cursed: "Cornmeal buns?! Not even a drop of grease? My mouth feels like it’s being scraped by knives!"

Liu Laizi smiled bitterly: "Boss, in a godforsaken place like Huai-shu Street, it’s not easy to even get something warm."

"Damn this cowardly life! When will this hiding ever end?" one man couldn't help but mutter.

"Go out? Do you want to end up like Qian Biao?" another sneered. "He didn't even know how he died!"

Several gang members couldn't help but complain in low voices. When they mentioned the state of Qian Biao’s death, their voices were tinged with fear.

Liu Laizi’s eyes darted around, and he tentatively suggested: "Boss, the Tiger Gang is biting too hard... how about we try... negotiating a peace?"

"I think peace sounds good."

Liu Laizi’s proposal was immediately agreed upon by many present.

"Smack!"

Song Tie slammed his palm heavily onto the table, and the sturdy wooden table instantly splintered into pieces.

The room fell into dead silence; all the gang members were terrified into silence.

What powerful force!

Chen Qing, on the roof, was secretly shocked.

Song Tie’s *qi* and blood were vigorous even among those at the level of *Mingjin*. If he were to face him head-on, he likely wouldn't gain any advantage, let alone with so many Golden River Gang members present.

Song Tie said expressionlessly: "Peace? I think you lot just want to take my head to surrender, don't you? Hmm?"

Liu Laizi shivered and said: "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare! Boss, please calm your anger!"

Song Tie’s long-standing prestige remained, and the gang members lowered their heads one after another.

"All cowards now? Qian Biao’s revenge, the territory in Yazi Bay—I will take it back with my own hands! Listen to me!"

Song Tie’s hawk-like gaze swept over his silenced subordinates, and he sneered: "Ah Hu! Do you remember him? He is coming back! Once he arrives, let’s see if there’s any room left for the Tiger Gang to jump around in this Gaolin County?!"

"Master Hu is returning?!" A bright light erupted in Liu Laizi’s eyes, and his voice trembled.

"Would I lie to you?"

Song Tie waved his hand impatiently and said: "Go back now. Don't let those Tiger Gang bastards catch your scent."

"Yes!"

The men, as if granted amnesty, bowed and retreated in a hurry.

"Ah Hu?"

Doubts swirled in Chen Qing’s mind.

Who is this person? To be so highly regarded by Song Tie?

He committed the name to memory.

This place is not a place to linger.

Chen Qing silently pulled back his body, preparing to withdraw.

"Wait, no!"

Chen Qing paused. He was incredibly sharp; he could see through anything.

Connecting this to the medicine bottle and bandages he saw earlier... this old fox is likely injured?

Chen Qing lowered his body again, moved to the roof above the side room where he had seen the medicine bottle and blood-stained rags, held his breath, and gently pried open a gap in the tiles.

Inside the room, as soon as Song Tie confirmed the last subordinate had left, he collapsed onto his chair like a deflated ball.

"Bah! A bunch of treacherous bastards!"

Song Tie gritted his teeth as he poured medicinal powder onto his wound, the powder mixing with blood to form a dark red scab.

As a gang leader, he knew all too well how ridiculous the "brotherly loyalty" written in the gang rules was. As long as he showed even a hint of weakness, his head would be hanging on the Tiger Gang’s flagpole by tomorrow.

"Good thing I was smart enough to keep an ace up my sleeve."

Song Tie snorted coldly while applying the medicine: "All hoping I’ll fall so they can lick a new master’s boots?...Just wait. Once I catch my breath..."

"...That palm strike just now was likely a bluff from someone at the end of their rope."

Above the eaves, Chen Qing saw this scene clearly.

If he were to launch a sneak attack, it looked like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

He narrowed his eyes and began to calculate secretly.

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. How severe is Song Tie’s injury? Is it just a superficial mess, or is he truly at the end of his strength?

Besides, a rabbit will bite when cornered, and a dog will jump over a wall when desperate. A man who has survived gang infighting and risen to the position of leader must have a ruthless streak and hidden cards that cannot be underestimated. He might even have hidden weapons, deadly poisons, or the like.

The terrain of this dilapidated courtyard is unknown. Are there other traps inside? Are there secret passages? If he couldn't finish Song Tie instantly, the commotion would draw others—what then?

If he failed, or left a survivor, his identity would be completely exposed.

If the sneak attack succeeded, the benefit would be obtaining Song Tie’s wealth, though looking at him, he didn't seem particularly rich.

"Borrowing a knife to kill!"

Chen Qing had an idea.

He slid off the roof like a falling leaf, not even stirring up a speck of dust when he landed.

In less than a moment, Chen Qing’s figure had merged into the darkness of the alley.

(End of chapter)