Urban Martial Saint

The man speaking was Xu Hongcai, one of the Tiger King’s most trusted subordinates. The day the Tiger King died, Xu wasn’t at the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena and narrowly escaped with his life.

Gathering the Tiger King’s former subordinates, he became a force to be reckoned with, now controlling a fifth of the Fierce Tiger Gang’s territory, making him the most powerful person in the gang after Pi Junchao.

Besides, the people he gathered were all fighters handpicked by the Tiger King, each with exceptional fighting skills, giving him the capacity to challenge Pi Junchao.

Xu Hongcai had taken an immediate disliking to Ye Qing from the moment he walked in, giving him dirty looks. This was because he was convinced that Ye Qing had colluded with Poisonous Mantis to kill the Tiger King. Lacking the strength to take revenge on Poisonous Mantis himself, he nonetheless wanted to kill Ye Qing, to avenge the Tiger King, if only in part.

Now, by bringing up this subject in front of everyone, he was effectively tearing off any veneer of civility, his accusation pointing directly at Ye Qing.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Ye Qing, including Pi Junchao, whose eyes flashed an imperceptible gleam of sharpness. He had been waiting for Xu Hongcai to speak up, waiting for Xu to put Ye Qing on the spot. Only then would Ye Qing and Zhao Chengshuang be willing to help him.

Before Pi Junchao could speak, Black Bear, standing behind Ye Qing, glared and said, ”What did you say?”

”Can’t understand human speech?” Xu Hongcai replied coldly, ”Ye Qing, you conspired with Poisonous Mantis to kill my brother, to eliminate the leader of our Fierce Tiger Gang. And now you dare to show up on our gang’s turf. Today, all of us members of the Fierce Tiger Gang will take revenge for our leader!”

”Stop framing people. It was your gang leader who kidnapped our friend first and forced the captain to fight. It was Poisonous Mantis who killed your big brother, what does that have to do with the captain!” Black Bear pointed at Xu Hongcai and shouted angrily, ”Talk nonsense again, and I won’t be polite!”

”Huh, talking nonsense?” Xu Hongcai sneered, ”If Ye wasn’t in collusion with Poisonous Mantis, how would Poisonous Mantis have asked him to help collect debts? If Ye wasn’t in cahoots with Poisonous Mantis, how come it just so happened that Poisonous Mantis attacked the Southern Suburbs Dogfight Arena right at that time?

Ye, you’re the prime culprit behind our gang leader’s death, no matter how you argue, it’s useless!”

Having said that, Xu Hongcai looked around at the crowd, declaring coldly, ”These past few years, under the leadership of big brother Tiger King, our Fierce Tiger Gang has become one of the top three gangs in Shenchuan City. Who would dare to look down on us from outside? But now, big brother has been killed by them, and we have become targets of scorn, like rats on the street.

Our fall to this state is all because of this Ye. I think, whoever wants to be the new Gang Leader must first avenge Tiger King. Otherwise, they are not qualified to lead the Fierce Tiger Gang!”

As soon as these words were spoken, several people showed their support. They weren’t out to make enemies with Ye Qing, but rather to use it as an excuse to challenge Pi Junchao, to see how he would handle the situation.

Pi Junchao remained silent, seemingly at a loss for words. It was then that Zhao Chengshuang made a move.

Zhao Chengshuang tapped on the table and said, ”Gentlemen, sorry for the intrusion. This is really an internal meeting of the Fierce Tiger Gang, and I shouldn’t interfere. But since the topic has shifted onto us, I think I should say something.”

Zhao Chengshuang looked at Xu Hongcai, ”Ye Zi was just helping Poisonous Mantis collect a debt. Whether or not he colluded with Poisonous Mantis is purely your speculation. There’s a saying that observers see things more clearly than those involved. I’m an outsider, and I’ve seen the whole thing with crystal clarity, and I don’t think Ye Zi has done anything wrong.

Tiger King targeted Ye Zi to avenge his cousin; it was a personal vendetta that ended up involving the Fierce Tiger Gang. Now you want to drag the entire Fierce Tiger Gang into it because of Tiger King’s private grudge – isn’t that a bit much?”

Pi Junchao smiled faintly and said, ”Captain Zhao is right, Hongcai. Tiger King really didn’t handle it well; how can a private grudge involve the entire gang?”

”Bullshit!” Xu Hongcai exclaimed angrily. ”The Tiger King’s cousin was also a member of our gang; his business is our business. Taking revenge for a member of the gang – how can that be a private matter? Going by what you say, if a brother from our gang has trouble outside, should the gang then not take care of it?”

Facial expressions chilled at Xu Hongcai’s rebuke, Pi Junchao responded gravely, ”Of course, the gang has to take care of the brothers’ matters, but we have to consider the situation. We do things with reason – an eye for an eye, that’s been our way of doing things. But this time, Tiger King went too far with his revenge; he was driven by personal interests!”

”I don’t see what was so excessive. They crippled our brother, and we killed them, what’s wrong with that?” Xu Hongcai replied coldly.

”Honestly, you just want to avenge Tiger King; why bother with all the excuses?” Zhao Chengshuang waved his hand and gesturing towards Ye Qing said, ”Fine, if you want revenge, Ye Zi is right here, come and take it.”

Ye Qing glanced at Zhao Chengshuang, and Zhao gave him a look, signaling him to stay quiet.

Xu Hongcai looked at Ye Qing and then at Pi Junchao and said, ”Pi Junchao, you claim to be the Gang Leader, right? If you want to be the Gang Leader, kill Ye first, then I’ll acknowledge you!”

Pi Junchao smiled indifferently, ”I don’t think Mr. Ye did anything wrong in this matter. If you want to avenge Tiger King, that’s your business. Right now, we’re discussing the gang’s major issues. We’ve turned the page on Tiger King, we need to look forward to continue developing the gang.”

Xu Hongcai looked around at everyone present, but no one met his gaze. Ye Qing represented Poisonous Mantis in collecting debts; going up against Ye Qing was tantamount to going against Poisonous Mantis, and no one wanted to do that.

”Damn it, a bunch of losers!” Xu Hongcai furiously pointed at Ye Qing and roared, ”Ye, they are scared of you, but I, Xu Hongcai, am not. I swear I’ll make you pay in blood for what happened to Tiger King!”

After speaking, Xu Hongcai angrily waved his hand and said, ”There’s no point in continuing this meeting. You all continue, I’m out of here!”

”Wait a minute!” Zhao Chengshuang knocked on the table again and said, ”Since you are a member of the Fierce Tiger Gang, you’d better stay until the meeting is over. You owe Poisonous Mantis money, and there needs to be an explanation. If you just leave like this, how can the rest of us continue the meeting?”

”If you want an explanation, go ask Pi,” Xu Hongcai glared at Ye Qing and said indignantly, ”Kid, you just wait and see. If I don’t kill you, my name isn’t Xu Hongcai!”

Ye Qing remained silent, but Black Bear was visibly upset, pointing at Xu Hongcai and shouting, ”Bastard, when will you stop? The captain is not stooping to your level, and now you are taking it too far? Always cursing and cursing; I’ve been tolerant for a long time. Keep it up, see if I don’t beat you up!”

Xu Hongcai glanced disdainfully at Black Bear and said, ”Ye, keep your dog in check. Keep barking, and I’ll sew his mouth shut!”

Ye Qing frowned slightly and turned to Xu Hongcai, saying, ”He is my brother, please speak with some respect!”

”Damn, I’ve lived this long and have never been polite to anyone except Tiger King himself. Who the hell are you to demand politeness from me?” Xu Hongcai raised his hand and said, ”Don’t think that just because you’re on Poisonous Mantis’s payroll, you can act tough in front of me. Ye, let me tell you, I’ve never held that ’cheap person’ Poisonous Mantis in high regard.

We’ll settle our accounts properly. For now, control your dog!”

Ye Qing suddenly stood up and slowly walked towards Xu Hongcai.

The two men beside Xu Hongcai immediately stepped forward, with Xu Hongcai standing behind them arrogantly saying, ”Ye, you want to start a fight, don’t you? I know you can fight, but what’s the use of fighting when it’s all about numbers these days. Try to touch me and see if I’m bluffing when I say I can make a call and have enough people to block this street!”

Without a word, Ye Qing moved forward quickly, charging straight towards Xu Hongcai.

The two bodyguards brought by Xu Hongcai were boxers handpicked by Tiger King; strong and quick to react. As soon as they saw Ye Qing make a move, they immediately grabbed his shoulders and tried to pull him back.

Ye Qing didn’t struggle with the two men; he went along with their tug, moving backward while simultaneously smashing his elbows into their backs. The heavy blows caused both men to let out a muffled groan and unintentionally loosen their grip.

Taking advantage of this, Ye Qing surged forward two steps, and just then, he was right in front of Xu Hongcai.

Xu Hongcai was taken aback, turned his head to run, but Ye Qing had already grabbed his neck and dragged him in front of Black Bear. With a casual toss, Xu Hongcai was thrown to the ground, sprawling before Black Bear.

”You dare touch me, I’ll fight you!” Xu Hongcai bellowed, pulling a dagger from his waist, attempting to get up. Then Black Bear suddenly kicked his wrist, sending the dagger flying out of his hand, and nearly breaking his wrist.

Xu Hongcai’s two bodyguards rushed over to help him, but Ye Qing met them head-on, punching each one in the face, making them squat on the ground holding their noses.

Ye Qing squatted in front of Xu Hongcai and said coldly, ”You should be careful whom you curse. You can curse me, but you cannot insult my family and friends, that’s my bottom line. You insulted my brother and you should pay for it. Now you have two choices: apologize to my brother or I will break your legs as compensation for my brother!”

Under normal circumstances, Ye Qing would have merely taught him a lesson. However, tonight was different. He could tell Zhao Chengshuang deliberately ignited the situation to give him an opportunity to show off, ensuring they could demand more in the forthcoming negotiation.

Ye Qing wasn’t greedy for money, but for the sake of the children, he had to be greedy this time!

”Ye, that’s enough!” A man at the table stood up, shouting angrily, ”This is Fierce Tiger Gang’s territory. No matter what, Xu Hongcai is one of our Fierce Tiger Gang. Treating him like this is like you’re completely disregarding our Fierce Tiger Gang. Do you really think we have no one left?”

After speaking, the man turned his head and glared at Pi Junchao, shouting, ”Pi Junchao, you call yourself the new Gang Leader of Fierce Tiger Gang. Now, a member of our gang is being humiliated right in front of you, and you just sit there without doing anything?”