The Foundation Is Set

Dug looked up.

Wang San's arm, holding the blade, was stained crimson with blood, and his willow-leaf saber had long since fallen to the ground.

At this moment, he was madly clutching Qiu Yuanlang's head, unleashing his emotions. His intact hand tore open the bandages wrapped around Qiu Yuanlang and wildly clawed at his wounds: "Why? I clearly gave you a chance…"

Qiu Yuanlang shrieked and struggled in agony, his face filled with terror, like a frightened child. He repeatedly struck Wang San's lower back with his palm, babbling incoherently: "No, let me go! You demon! Let me go, let me leave…"

Qiu Feilong charged at Wang San with his saber, intending to rescue his father.

Seeing Qiu Feilong, Wang San's eyes turned bloodshot. He suddenly lifted his hand, raising Qiu Yuanlang and holding him in front of himself as a shield. He sneered, "My dear boy, are you going to kill me too?"

Wang San had suffered internal injuries from Qiu Yuanlang's blows. When he opened his mouth, it was full of blood.

This terrifying sight, amplified by Yandere's Fear, terrified Qiu Feilong. His father was being used as a human shield by Wang San, and his hand involuntarily loosened. Clang! His long saber dropped to the ground: "No!"

Seeing Qiu Feilong ruin such a perfect situation, Dug was furious. He grabbed Feng Zhong by the neck and activated Backstab, charging towards Qiu Feilong.

Bang! He kicked Qiu Feilong over five meters away. Blood spurted into the air as he fell to the ground, struggled a few times, and then fell unconscious, his life hanging in the balance.

Qiu Yuanlang, affected by Yandere's Fear and having his wounds torn open by Wang San, was both in pain and terrified, also falling into a coma.

Seeing this scene, all the Iron Palm Gang members who had rushed forward to attack Wang San froze in their tracks.

They stared at Dug and Wang San in terror, trembling, afraid to move, and afraid to run.

The common folk, who had just been crying out for justice, dared not approach, watching from a distance.

Dug released Feng Zhong's neck, walked over, took Qiu Yuanlang from Wang San's hands, and held him aloft: "To uphold justice, one must act decisively! Folks, do not be afraid! The Qiu father and son, who disrupted our assembly, have been apprehended by us.

Qiu Yuanlang was the former leader of the Iron Palm Gang, a renowned first-rate master in the martial arts world. Now, he's like a piece of rag, tossed around in my hands. Qiu Feilong practiced martial arts for over thirty years, yet he couldn't last a single round against me. What are you still worried about? Are you afraid these two good-for-nothings will rise again and once more dictate your fate?

When I had a sword to his throat, your worry was understandable. But now, he's half-dead. What more do you fear? What you should fear is your own lack of courage, your weakness in not daring to believe in justice.

If I am here, and you still don't dare to save yourselves, then in the future, who in this world will save you? Folks, do not let my righteous heart grow cold. Today, I will put away my sword. I will leave Qiu Yuanlang here. Let's see who dares to rescue him.

Come, those with hatred in their hearts, those with courage, come back! I will help you seek justice. Let us uphold justice to the very end…"

"Liu Cheng, stop playing dead over there! Come maintain order, and while you're at it, find someone to see if the Qiu father and son are still salvageable." Without needing to hold a sword to Qiu Yuanlang, Dug's confidence actually soared. He tossed Qiu Yuanlang onto a table, then sat behind it, grandly. "What are you standing around for? Form ranks, we're holding court! From now on, there's no more Supreme Elder. I am the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang!"

The former Iron Palm Gang members, acting as bailiffs, were stunned by Dug's imposing presence. Each of them, clutching their eyebrow-level short staffs, hastily returned to their positions, quickly restoring order.

Han Zuo and Qiu Muqian had used the apology as an excuse to discuss countermeasures in Luyang City and had not yet returned. Qiu Feilong's fate was unknown. Among the Iron Palm Gang's high-ranking members present, only Liu Cheng remained. He met Dug's gaze from afar, his heart skipped a beat, and he obediently walked back. Facing Dug, he knelt on one knee, cupped his fists, and said, "Liu Cheng, head of the Hidden Dragon Hall of the Peacekeeping Gang, greets the gang leader."

He's surrendered!

Dug's eyes lit up. Indeed, relying purely on threats won't get things done. Keeping Qiu Yuanlang around gave them the impression that I wasn't fully in control, leaving them a sliver of hope for a comeback.

Only by crushing their hopes, leaving them no retreat, can I truly harness this power for myself.

Wang San, by accident, actually did a good thing.

Of course, at that time, he didn't have the power to suppress everything. If he had lost Qiu Yuanlang, his "tool," he would have been chopped to pieces by them long ago.

Spider-Man was right: With great power comes great responsibility.

"Good." Dug walked out from behind the table and personally helped Liu Cheng up. "You're right. There is no more Iron Palm Gang. From now on, there is only the Peacekeeping Gang. Liu Cheng, the Peacekeeping Gang was born for justice in the world. We don't need any 'Flying Dragons' or 'Hidden Dragons.' From this moment on, you are the head of the Justice Hall of the Peacekeeping Gang."

Phew! Liu Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and knelt again: "Liu Cheng thanks the gang leader for overlooking past grievances. From today onwards, Liu Cheng is willing to serve the gang leader tirelessly, even unto death."

"No, not for me, but for justice in the world, for peace in the martial arts community." Dug helped him up again, raised his hand, and declared fervently, "Let us work tirelessly, even unto death, for justice, for peace, for order, for faith, for ideals, and for all good things we can uphold."

How awkward! At that moment, a flicker of regret crossed Liu Cheng's mind, but at this point, he was past the point of no return. He forced a smile and said, "Yes, gang leader."

The sudden turn of events had frightened the common folk. Even though Dug quickly brought the situation under control, they still observed from a distance, hesitant to approach.

Dug simply ignored them and turned his attention to the Iron Palm Gang members: "And you. I know many of you have made mistakes and are worried I will punish you.

But no one is perfect, and gold is not pure. If the upper beam is not straight, the lower one will be crooked. Growing up in the corrupt environment of the Iron Palm Gang, it's inevitable to be influenced. Human nature is good at birth; who is born evil? Most of you went astray because in this world, if you didn't bully others, others would bully you. Over time, you strayed from the right path. This is not your fault.

Therefore, I have decided to give you a chance to reform. For the mistakes you made before, unless they were heinous crimes, I will try my best to compensate the victims for the harm you caused with money.

But I hope that from now on, your hearts will turn towards light, and you will become upright, truly good people, the kind who earn thumbs-up on the street, not whispers behind their backs."

The former Iron Palm Gang members stirred, whispering and murmuring among themselves.

"Well said!"

From the crowd, someone shouted.

Immediately after, shouts, cheers, and applause erupted into a continuous roar.

Dug raised his hand high, then lowered it, and silence returned to the scene. He looked around at the Iron Palm Gang members: "I know what you're worried about. You're afraid that following me will leave you without food. But I am a Heavenly Demon; money is the least of my concerns. Besides, I didn't build the Iron Palm Gang's vast fortune myself. I can assure you that as long as you sincerely support the Peacekeeping Gang, everyone's previous monthly pay will be doubled."

He paused, "You help me uphold justice, and I will uphold you, protect your safety, and ensure you have food and clothing without worry."

At these words,

Those Iron Palm Gang members who hadn't committed many serious wrongs quickly wavered. Soon, someone stepped forward: "Gang leader, I am willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and serve you."

"I am also willing to serve the gang leader."

"Me too."

More and more people stepped forward.

Circumstances were stronger than individuals. They were not Qiu Yuanlang, lacking his foresight. Nor were they the hall masters or incense masters above him, with little savings of their own. Leaving the Iron Palm Gang meant having nowhere to go.

Feng Qi promised to pardon their sins and increase their salaries. Why wouldn't they stay here? Who cared who they worked for? Dug scanned the crowd, a smile on his face: "Good, good, good. I knew most people have justice in their hearts; they just lack an opportunity. Liu Cheng, after today's public trial, re-register everyone…"

Thanks to Huoshaomeimaoxijiu and Shamenchi1jun for their Alliance Leader support. When Huoshaomeimao became an Alliance Leader before, the chapters were scheduled to be released, so I couldn't add author's notes. I planned to thank them when the book went on sale. Unexpectedly, Shamenchi1jun became an Alliance Leader yesterday. It would be rude not to say anything now. The Cotton-Clad Guards thank these two Alliance Leaders for their support. I will add extra chapters for you when the book goes on sale. ^_^!