The Wild Wolf Gang's Backer

"My lord, something terrible has happened!"

The City Guard Office.

A subordinate unit established specifically by Spirit Hall.

It was a department created to make Spirit City easier to govern.

It was administered by Spirit Hall's Guard Corps.

At that moment.

The Wild Wolf Gang's second leader.

The skinny beanpole who had fled, his jaw hanging open in shock, after seeing his boss slapped flying by Li Mubai.

Had arrived at the City Guard Office, panic written all over his face.

As soon as he crossed the threshold of the City Guard Office, his anxious voice rang out.

However,

It drew the displeasure of a staff member.

"What are you shouting for? Don't you see where you are?"

"This is the City Guard Office. Who dares make a racket here?"

The speaker was a staff member dressed in a special uniform, with a City Guard Office identification badge hanging from his waist.

He was lying in a chair with his feet on the desk, enjoying a comfortable doze.

Hearing the skinny beanpole's anxious voice, he narrowed his eyes and spoke in a deeply displeased tone.

This man had disturbed his pleasant dream!

Then.

The staff member opened his eyes, put his feet down, and sat up.

But he rested a hand on the desk and propped up his chin, looking as though he still hadn't woken up.

Once he got a clear look at his visitor.

A mocking smile appeared on his face, and he teased:

"Well, if it isn't Ye Lao'er. What wind blew you here? Could it be you want to pay next month's protection tribute early?"

Ye Lao'er.

That was the skinny beanpole's nickname, because he was the Wild Wolf Gang's number two.

As for this protection tribute.

It was an established practice.

Everything in Spirit City fell under the City Guard Office's jurisdiction.

The Wild Wolf Gang occupied Jingxi Street and squeezed it for profit, so every month, they secretly handed half of the money they extorted over to the officials at the City Guard Office.

The people at the City Guard Office called this money protection tribute.

"My lord, you must be joking, right?"

Ye Lao'er kept his eyes lowered and his manner deferential, speaking with the utmost caution.

"Do I look like I'm joking?!"

The staff member suddenly straightened his face and put on a serious look, raising his voice considerably.

"My lord, I'd like to pay next month's protection tribute, but big brother has always managed the gang's money. How could I have any on me?"

Ye Lao'er was very clever.

A quick turn of his thoughts gave him a way to guide the conversation back on track.

Though he spoke politely.

Ye Lao'er felt anything but pleased.

He really hated talking to these officials.

They were far too shrewd.

They could lay a trap in just a few words, and one careless step would send him tumbling into it.

What was more.

The tone these people used made him very uncomfortable.

He didn't know if it was because of the skin they wore, but he always felt.

These officials always seemed so lofty and high-spirited, as if they were the gods in heaven.

They had never once looked him in the eye.

Only when he paid the protection tribute each month did he see a trace of kindness on their faces.

On ordinary days.

Like now, for instance.

They always wore sour faces, as if someone owed them money!

"If you don't have any money, what are you here for? Get out, get out, get out! Don't stay here and offend my eyes. This is the City Guard Office, not a place just any stray cat or dog can enter. If you have urgent business, go tell your big brother to bring money!"

The moment the staff member heard he had no money.

His face went cold, and he impatiently began driving Ye Lao'er away.

He knew Ye Lao'er's anxious tone might mean he had important business.

But he spoke that way all the same.

It was late at night, and he really didn't want any further dealings with these street thugs.

Most importantly.

This Ye Lao'er had no idea how to conduct himself.

When other people came to get things done, didn't every one of them offer a meal and tea, plus a trip to the pleasure house to listen to songs?

And before leaving, they would hand over a substantial gratuity.

But this Ye Lao'er?

He had come empty-handed.

What the staff member had just said was already a reminder to Ye Lao'er to offer him something.

Otherwise, who would be willing to help him in the dead of night?

But Ye Lao'er, for all his cleverness.

Insisted on playing dumb when he knew perfectly well.

Given that.

How could he expect to be treated with any good temper?

Hearing the staff member's words.

Ye Lao'er immediately felt displeased.

But he kept a submissive, fawning expression on his face.

He understood what the other man meant.

He simply wanted to seize the chance to get some benefits and line his own pockets.

But.

He really didn't have anything on him!

He had rushed straight here, bringing nothing but a dagger hidden at the back of his waist.

As it happened.

The dagger hidden at his waist was actually worth something; it was no ordinary short blade.

He had found this treasure while looting someone's home on a previous occasion.

He had originally wanted to keep it in his collection.

Now, it seemed he couldn't.

From the moment he entered, the other man had held a firm grip on the conversation, leaving him no opportunity at all.

Now he could only see whether the dagger would satisfy him.

Right now, the boss might still be lying on Jingxi Street, and he didn't know whether the other gang members were alive or dead.

Their opponent was powerful, and he could do nothing about him.

He could only come to the City Guard Office for help.

The City Guard Office belonged to Spirit Hall. Even an ordinarily powerful Soul Master couldn't possibly want to oppose it.

Once Spirit Hall became involved, things would get very troublesome.

When he and the boss heard that third brother had been bullied, they had originally wanted to come out in full force and regain their standing.

But they had never expected their opponent to be stronger than they had imagined.

Not only had they failed to regain their standing.

They had lost both the lady and their troops.

And now.

He had come to the City Guard Office for help, only to be shaken down as well.

What a calamity!

He had no choice.

Ye Lao'er could only reach for the dagger at the back of his waist.

But the movement caught the staff member's attention.

Just as the dagger at his back was revealed, like the blade at the end of an unrolled map.

The staff member's eyes flashed.

The imposing presence of a Soul Master above rank thirty erupted.

Several sheets of writing paper blew off the desk and fluttered through the air.

"What are you doing!"

The furious shout rang through the City Guard Office.

Xiao Li stared fixedly at Ye Lao'er, his presence surging around him and his eyes narrowed in vigilance. Soul Power had already gathered in his hands, and he looked ready to strike at the slightest disagreement.

"You misunderstand, officer!"

"Just a little something, a humble token of respect."

Ye Lao'er hurriedly waved his hands.

Then he drew the dagger all the way out and placed it on the desk.

Having done so, Ye Lao'er raised both hands and took two steps back to show he meant no harm.

Seemingly realizing that Ye Lao'er had no intention of causing trouble.

The chill in Xiao Li's eyes faded.

Then he lowered his gaze to the dagger on the desk.

He saw that the dagger's hilt was golden yellow, with a bright red gem set into its end. Its sheath was a simple, pale yellow, made from the horn of some unknown animal and adorned with exquisite, lifelike patterns that were a feast for the eyes.

A fine dagger!

Worth a great deal!!

Xiao Li's eyes lit up.

He had fallen deeply in love with the dagger at first sight!

He picked it up and examined it closely.

Only then did Xiao Li suppress his delight and say mildly:

"Go on. What are you here for?"