Chapter 458: Movements In All Directions

The Haisha Gang's experts retreated like a receding tide. Yokoyama Chizang, who in life had seen himself as noble and superior, now hung like a tattered sack of rags against the wall.

No one dared to retrieve his corpse. The crowd quickly dispersed as Li Xiaofei returned to the apartment. He had chosen not to massacre the rest of the Haisha Gang.

First, they were his compatriots. Achieving a certain level of martial prowess was no easy feat, and if they could be reformed, their skills would be of great value in defending Haijing City during this era of population decline.

Second, Li Xiaofei did not believe that all of them were inherently evil. He doubted that there was not a single good person among the thousand or so members. Though he was decisive in taking lives, he was not bloodthirsty. These individuals could still serve a purpose in his future plans.

Back in the apartment’s living room, Li Xiaofei glanced at Nan Hua.

"Eh? What’s wrong with you? Are you okay?" he asked, noticing her strange expression and awkward posture.

"Ah, I’m fine... I just need to change clothes." She replied hurriedly.

Her pale feet pressed against the floor as she turned and scurried into her bedroom with an odd gait. Li Xiaofei watched her retreat, his gaze falling to the floor as he stood deep in thought.

A moment later.

“Was what you just said true?” Nan Hua, now dressed in denim shorts and a white camisole, had transformed from the sultry and alluring dancer into an innocent college girl.

Li Xiaofei, lost in thought as he planned his next steps, replied, “What exactly are you referring to?”

Nan Hua asked, “Do you truly plan to establish the Jingwu Sect here in the slums?”

Li Xiaofei nodded.

“But, Envoy,” Nan Hua hesitated, “what about the mission you were assigned this time?”

“It doesn’t conflict,” Li Xiaofei said simply.

“It will be incredibly difficult to establish a sect in the slums,” Nan Hua warned kindly. “Many top-tier experts from outside have tried to open schools and establish sects here in the past. None succeeded. There’s a rule here: outsiders must defeat the nine major gangs of the slums before they’re allowed to set up a faction.”

Li Xiaofei smiled but didn’t respond.

Nan Hua, interpreting his silence as confidence, added, “No one has ever truly won all nine battles. The so-called rule is just a trap. Once someone defeats eight gangs, all the factions unite to summon a top-tier master who will do whatever it takes to eliminate the outsider. This rule is like an iron wall; no one has ever broken it.”

“A rule?” Li Xiaofei asked calmly. “Who made it?”

Nan Hua replied confidently, “It’s been like this for as long as anyone can remember. All the gangs and martial artists in the slums established it together.”

Li Xiaofei chuckled lightly.

“You must remember one thing.” He said, his voice calm but commanding. “Rules are merely principles the strong impose on the weak. But when you are strong enough, you become the rule.”

Nan Hua froze as her mind went momentarily blank. She felt a wave of masculine dominance wash over her, leaving her breathless.

"The rule I speak of applies not only to the gangs in the slums but also to the Dragon Group," Li Xiaofei said, his tone steady and commanding.

"Why do you hide? Why do you remain in the shadows? Because you’re not strong enough. Because the power to set the rules lies in someone else’s hands. And so, you fall behind. You get beaten. But that changes now. Because I’m here."

Li Xiaofei smiled faintly, his confidence shining through. "I came to Haijing City for one reason, to rewrite the rules. What kind of rules? That’s for me to decide. Starting in the slums, anyone who wants to discuss rules with me can come forward and speak personally. These outdated practices in the slums should have been abolished long ago. The people of Great Xia must discard bad habits and unite completely if we are to stop being bullied by foreign invaders."

When he finished speaking, Li Xiaofei’s eyes were as clear and serene as autumn waters. This declaration brought a newfound clarity to the chaotic thoughts that had swirled in his mind since arriving in Haijing City.

Nan Hua stared at the young man before her, captivated. His calm words carried an energy as vast and overwhelming as a dormant volcano poised to erupt.

How could she describe it? This envoy who was younger than her was unlike anyone she had ever encountered, including powerful figures in the slums like the domineering Hai Tiankuo, the shrewd Long Zhengfei, the refined Wu Renzheng, or the world-weary Li Buyi. He was unlike the influential officials of Haijing City and the strong and wealthy foreign elites.

All of them were prominent, commanding voices in their own right. Yet none of them possessed the grand vision or the unique aura of this young envoy. He desired to challenge the heavens themselves! It was as though he cared about nothing, and yet cared about everything.

To be precise, the things he cared about were entirely different from those of the so-called great figures she had known.

"Establish a sect, teach true martial arts, strengthen the physical and mental resilience of our people, and set them on the path of self-reliance," Li Xiaofei declared with unshakable confidence. "There are so many people in the slums. I believe they dream every day of changing their fate, and I can give them that chance."

Nan Hua had to admit, if such a vision could be realized, the millions in the slums could become an unimaginably powerful force. It would be enough to influence not just Haijing City but the entire southern region of Great Xia.

Great Xia might truly find a moment to catch its breath. But... It was an almost impossible task. Even Saints couldn’t achieve such a feat. Haijing City was no longer a place dominated by Great Xia. The pervasive influence of foreigners had turned this southern pearl of Great Xia into a chaotic, lawless playground for adventurers.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

But when she looked at the confident young man before her, Nan Hua couldn’t find the words to dissuade him.

Instead, she spoke tactfully, "Sir, you still need to complete the mission assigned by the organization."

"I'm aware," Li Xiaofei replied. "So, tell me, what’s the Dragon Group’s most urgent matter right now? What’s the biggest challenge?"

Nan Hua thought for a moment before answering, "Rescue."

"Rescue whom?" Li Xiaofei asked.

A trace of sorrow appeared on Nan Hua’s face as she explained, "Many of our comrades have been accused of being spies, star beast puppets, or members of anti-human cults. They’ve been killed or captured. Two days ago, the deputy leader of the Dragon Group’s Haijing City branch, Hua Wuying, was ambushed and injured by Jiepeng’s people. Her whereabouts are currently unknown. The top priority is to locate her as soon as possible. She was carrying all the branch’s critical information."

Li Xiaofei frowned.

Finding someone? That isn’t exactly my expertise.

"Let’s have our people come out of hiding and start moving openly." He said after some thought. "We need to gather clues as quickly as possible. The moment there’s any lead, inform me immediately. I’ll take care of it personally."

"Understood," Nan Hua replied.

Although the Dragon Group members had gone completely underground, they still maintained their own intelligence networks. Once the message was sent out, the operatives in hiding would begin mobilizing immediately.

***

The Haisha Gang headquarters was in complete chaos.

“Gather everyone! I want revenge for my father!” roared Hai Liushang, the gang leader’s son, from his office. He continued to howl like an enraged young wolf, his voice filled with fury.

Hai Liushang had grown used to being arrogant and untouchable during Hai Tiankuo’s reign. But now, to his shock, he found that the gang’s once-obedient division leaders, altar masters, and Incense Masters were all looking at him with cold, mocking eyes.

“We should first figure out how to explain Mr. Yokoyama’s death to the Jiepeng Consulate,” said Luo Hong, the deputy leader, in a calm tone. “If we can’t satisfy them, we’ll all be dead. Revenge for the leader won’t even be a topic.”

“The Jiepeng have their own intelligence network,” added Lin Kangran, the Left Guardian. “It’s impossible to hide the truth from them. If we can act first, capture the killer, and hand him over to Jiepeng, we might avoid catastrophe.”

“Who can kill that maniac?” asked Yang Angran, the Right Guardian.

The meeting room fell silent. Having watched the footage of Hai Tiankuo being killed by three palm strikes, everyone present understood just how terrifying the young man was. No one in the Haisha Gang could stand against him.

Yang Angran spoke again, “We should seek help. Post a bounty on the darknet and mobilize the police force. After all the bribes we’ve paid them over the years, it’s time for them to take action.”

Luo Hong nodded and said, “Good. Let’s proceed with this plan. Also, take ten billion star coins from the gang’s treasury. I’ll personally visit the Jiepeng Consulate.”

“Old Luo, I’ll go with you,” offered Yang Angran.

Luo Hong shook his head. “I’ll go alone.”

Yang Angran’s expression darkened. With Hai Tiankuo’s death, the top leaders of the gang were all potential candidates for the position of gang leader. Though they were currently cooperating, each one was secretly making their moves.

Securing the support of Jiepeng was crucial to claiming the leadership position. Luo Hong’s intent to use the gang’s funds to curry favor with Jiepeng was clear to everyone.

However, since his reasoning was sound, no one could openly object. The room quickly emptied as the leaders, each deep in their own calculations, rushed off to act. The large meeting room was left with only Hai Liushang.

The once-arrogant and overbearing young heir now stood alone, like a discarded piece of trash. His face was blank, and his helpless rage was all that remained.

***

At the same time. In the Qiujin Boxing Gym.

Bang!

Twenty meters away, a sandbag made of top-tier combat suit material exploded instantly under the force of a punch.

“This punch represents sixty years of training. Can any of you withstand it?” asked the spirited old master, his face radiating authority.

The disciples surrounding him were filled with admiration and respect.

“Master, something’s happened at the Haisha Gang.” A disciple suddenly rushed in, his voice urgent.

The old master frowned. “What is it? Is that pack of traitorous dogs bullying people again?”

The disciple shook his head quickly. “This time, it’s something big. Hai Tiankuo and Yokoyama Chizang, those two treacherous scum, have both been killed.”

“What?”

“You’re not joking, are you, senior brother?”

The other disciples practicing nearby were instantly shocked. This news was simply too unbelievable. No one could easily accept it as truth.

The old master’s gray-white sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he asked, “What happened? Tell me everything.”

The disciple recounted all the information he had gathered. Hundreds of boxers from the Qiujin Boxing Gym crowded around, listening intently. By the time he had finished, they were both shocked and excited.

“This is truly justice served by the heavens!”

“Well done!”

“Who would’ve thought there’d be such a bold and heroic young man in Haijing City?”

The younger martial artists cheered enthusiastically.

However, the elder master, Long Zhengfei, immediately grew serious. “This young man has killed a Jiepeng national. That will undoubtedly bring disaster. Old One, Old Two, take a few disciples and monitor the movements of the Jiepeng Consulate. Jing’er, come with me to find him.”

“Father, who are we going to find?” asked Long Jing’er.

Long Zhengfei, walking briskly toward the door, replied, “Naturally, the young hero. No matter what, we must protect him this time. At the very least, we need to ensure his safe escape from Haijing City.”

“Oh, and send someone to notify that old rascal at Justice Academy and Li the blind fortune-teller at the street stall. Tell them to stop sitting idle and take action immediately.”

Long Zhengfei barked out his instructions as he hurried out.