Chapter 514: The Return Of Yamai Gang

"Mr. Nathan, we really don’t have that kind of money right now," Tanaka Kenichi pleaded. "The factory hasn’t received any orders for over half a month. The workers won’t even be able to afford mixed nutrient porridge starting tomorrow."

“Well, the protection fee must be paid even if you’re starving,” Scarface said impatiently. “If you can’t pay, then hand over a worker. Sell their organs or blood; after all, they’re worth something.”

“This...” Tanaka Kenichi’s face turned grim.

These damned gangs collected protection fees constantly, even for years in advance, yet offered no actual protection in return. The extortion never stopped even after paying. They didn’t see free citizens as people. Over the years, countless free citizens had been forced into slavery by these parasitic gangs after being squeezed dry until there was nothing left.

The workers in the shop were both furious and terrified. Hand over a worker? The outcome for whoever was chosen would almost certainly be death. In recent years, with the rise of New Martial Arts experiments in the Jiepeng Empire, countless human lives had been treated as raw materials and harvested for research.

The empire had once allegedly been importing materials from the densely populated Great Xia. But recently, Great Xia had severed diplomatic ties with the empire and sealed off the Cave Beast passageways, causing a severe shortage of experimental materials.

As a result, the corporations and gangs had turned their sights inward to target Jiepeng citizens. In recent weeks, even the number of young vagrants on the streets had noticeably dwindled. They had been taken and used as materials in these experiments.

"Pay what? We already paid the second half of the protection fee yesterday! What the hell are you robbers doing?" Li Xiaofei stepped forward, his tone filled with irritation. "You come in here and immediately injure one of my employees. Are you bandits?"

His words stunned Tanaka Kenichi and the workers into silence.

How can someone speak to the Yamai Gang like that? Does he want to get everyone killed?

Across the room, Scarface froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Haha! This kid looks unfamiliar.” He said, his wolfish eyes narrowing as a glint of cruelty flickered in them. Turning to Tanaka Kenichi, he asked, “Tanaka-kun, is he one of your apprentices? A new recruit?”

Tanaka Kenichi gritted his teeth and said, “I sincerely apologize, Mr. Nathan. Please forgive him; he’s just a foolish child. Could you give us a little time? We’ll scrape together the money and deliver it before sunset today.”

Scarface shook his head, smirking.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. This kid looks strong and healthy. He’s perfect for our experimental requirements. Hand him over to us, Tanaka-kun, and we’ll call it even for next year’s protection fee.”

Tanaka Kenichi’s mind was in turmoil. If he nodded and agreed to hand over the good-for-nothing Shinzu Genshi, the entire Dragon Bloom factory could be saved. They wouldn’t have to worry about Shinzu Genshi ruining the factory.

It would also cover next year’s protection fee. It was a perfect solution. Yet, when the image of Shinzu Ningoka, the late master of the house, came to mind, Tanaka Kenichi hesitated. The late master had always shown kindness and care for the workers, and in the end, Shinzu Genshi was the only son of the late master. The last of his bloodline.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Nathan, he's young and doesn't know any better. Please, I beg you to forgive him this time," Tanaka Kenichi continued to plead.

But Li Xiaofei stepped forward, parting the crowd as he spoke calmly, "Leave 4,000,000 in medical fees and get out. Otherwise..,"

"Otherwise what, you little brat?" Scarface sneered coldly.

He always relished this kind of cat-and-mouse game, especially when the mouse dared to resist. Slowly grinding down their courage was the most entertaining part.

Slap.

Li Xiaofei suddenly swung his hand and said, "Otherwise, I'll crush your dog head."

Scarface’s head exploded like a watermelon struck by a sledgehammer, bursting into a mist of blood on the spot. The headless corpse remained standing for a brief moment.

For an instant, the shop fell into complete silence. Everyone froze as they struggled to process the sudden turn of events. It wasn’t until a full ten seconds later that the members of the Yamai Gang turned to run.

They had barely made it twenty meters from the shop when one of them screamed, "You bastard! Just you wait! The Yamai Gang will never let this go! We’ll flatten this place—you’re all dead!"

Li Xiaofei’s eyes narrowed. With a flick of his finger, a burst of wind shot forth like lightning.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

In an instant, all the remaining members of the Yamai Gang fell to the ground in pools of blood. Not a single one escaped.

Damn. Killing these thugs felt exhilarating.

“Go search them and see if they have any money,” Li Xiaofei said as he turned around.

Tanaka Kenichi and the others stood frozen, staring at him as though they had just seen a ghost in broad daylight. Their eyes were filled with both shock and fear.

“You... killed all of them?” After a long silence, Tanaka Kenichi snapped out of his daze, shouting in a mix of horror and fury, “You’ve offended the Yamai Gang! We’re all going to die now! Dragon Bloom is finished! They’ll come for revenge. We’ll be done for!”

“Dead is dead,” Li Xiaofei replied calmly. “Then let’s die with full stomachs. Go search their bodies for valuables and prepare a lavish dinner. Let’s eat well tonight.”

He turned and walked toward the back door of the shop. As he passed Yokan Kasumi, an idea struck him. Reaching into his Secret Time Pavilion, he retrieved a potion vial and a tube of ointment. He cleaned the little girl’s wound carefully and then applied the ointment to her injured forehead, securing it gently with a bandage.

Although Li Xiaofei had no sympathy for the Jiepeng people, the sight of this timid, pitiful little girl reminded him of Little Jie. Both were unfortunate souls. Yokan Kasumi trembled in fear, too scared to resist. Li Xiaofei returned to the backyard and resumed his cultivation.

Some time later, Tanaka Kenichi and Yokan Kasumi came back with a few cans of premium mixed nutrient porridge and a small hot pot. They began preparing dinner in the dining area off to the side of the backyard.

“Master, dinner is ready,” Yokan Kasumi said cautiously as she approached Li Xiaofei.

The wound on her forehead no longer hurt. The ointment had worked wonders, but she still looked like a frightened little quail.

Li Xiaofei walked to the dining area and took one look at the food.

“What the hell is this stuff?” he asked, frowning at the pot of black, viscous stew. It seemed to be a chaotic mix of spoiled meat, grains, and vegetables that gave off a strange smell. “Even dogs wouldn’t eat this.”

“Y-Young Master, this is blackfish stew. It’s one of the best-tasting dishes in the world,” Yokan Kasumi said, staring at the pot, unable to stop herself from swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Tanaka Kenichi, standing off to the side, remained silent.

“And the others?” Li Xiaofei asked. “Is this really all the money we got from those Yamai Gang scumbags? Who are you trying to fool?”

Still, Tanaka Kenichi didn’t answer.

Yokan Kasumi timidly explained, “We found some cash, but Uncle Tanaka didn’t keep any. He gave it all to the workers so they could take their families and hide.”

Li Xiaofei let out a cold snort.

“You can eat it,” Li Xiaofei said.

There was no way he would touch something like that.

Moments later.

“Hmm, the taste isn’t bad.” He muttered.

He had reluctantly taken a bite of the blackfish stew after Yokan Kasumi stubbornly insisted he try it. To his surprise, it had a peculiar freshness and was much better than he had expected.

Before they could finish the meal, loud crashing sounds erupted from outside.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of something cutting through the air followed. Jiepeng experts appeared on the walls surrounding the courtyard.

Boom!

The front store was smashed through, as a group of men in black suits stormed in like a tidal wave through several large holes.

“Who killed my Yamai Gang members?”

They were led by a red-haired man with his hands in his pockets. His long red hair was slicked upright with hair gel, and every pore on his face exuded arrogance.