Eve of the Storm

Dug stabilized the Iron Palm Gang quickly, using a mix of coercion and persuasion, acting with a benevolent heart but employing decisive methods.

The doctor from last night was summoned again to examine the injuries of the old gang leader and his son. As he diagnosed them, he mumbled, "If this keeps up, they'll be crippled. Why bother? Isn't it better to take care of your body?"

Dug approached the doctor and asked, "Doctor, can Gang Leader Qiu be saved?"

"Gang Leader Qiu is strong, so he can be saved, but it will take at least two years of recuperation for him to recover," the doctor said, glancing at Dug with a flicker of fear in his eyes, but still answering honestly, "Even if he recovers, the old gang leader's martial arts won't return to their former state."

"Save him, spare no effort in saving them. We must save both father and son. Without the old gang leader, there would be no Peacekeeping Gang today. Feng Qi is not an evil person; he stands for justice in this world and would never commit such acts of murder and robbery. The old gang leader misunderstood me!" Dug looked regretfully at Qiu Yuanlang, then cupped his hands to the doctor and said, "Doctor, you must save the old gang leader. I want him to see that the Iron Palm Gang he painstakingly founded hasn't disbanded; it's merely changed its name, and under my care, it will flourish even more."

How can he say such blatant lies with a straight face and an unblinking eye? You want them alive to keep Qiu Yuanlang's children in check, don't you? The doctor's eyelids twitched involuntarily a few times, and he sighed helplessly. Although he saw through everything, for a doctor to live a long life, the most important thing was to mind his own business. So, he lowered his head to tend to Qiu Yuanlang and his son's injuries. "I will."

Meanwhile, Liu Cheng had men bring in chests upon chests of gold and silver. They opened the lids, displaying the glittering contents to everyone. The Iron Palm Gang controlled waterway transportation, so they were never short on money.

Money makes the world go round, and money makes people cry out for justice.

Throughout history, being wronged and victimized has always led to families being ruined, but never before has it led to people getting rich.

However, the common people in this world had long suffered oppression. Except for those with deep-seated grievances, like the limping old man from before, for everyone else, silver was the best thing, capable of healing all wounds.

Moreover, Dug, who was decisive in his actions, publicly admitted that he was the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang. He clearly wasn't just in it for fame. This gave them a great sense of reassurance.

The common people who had been scared away earlier now flocked back, and their numbers were even greater than before.

Dug happily resumed his role as the benevolent official, distributing large amounts of gold and silver to the victims, enjoying the benefits that peacekeeping brought.

"Old Yuan, did you see clearly?" the Beggar Gang's Seven-Pouch Elder asked the middle-aged beggar beside him. "What movement technique did Feng Qi use to kick Qiu Feilong away?"

The beggar, Old Yuan, had been focused on Dug. He shook his head. "Elder Ding, if even you couldn't see clearly, then I certainly couldn't. My eyes blurred, and he was already past. He might really be a Heavenly Demon! Thankfully, it was the Iron Palm Gang that provoked him. Otherwise, if he had truly come for us, with his skill, no one in our Luyang City branch, except for you, Elder, would have been able to escape his deadly grasp."

"You overestimate me. Even Qiu Yuanlang fell into his hands, so how could I possibly defeat him?" Elder Ding's expression was exceptionally grave, yet also incredibly relieved. "However, with his skill, he probably wouldn't even bother with our small branch."

"Even if he did bother, he wouldn't dare provoke us, right? After all, we're the number one gang in the world. If he provoked us, we'd pile people on him until he died," Old Yuan said.

"Did the Iron Palm Gang, with all their numbers, pile him to death?" Elder Ding snorted. "Qiu Yuanlang's fate is unknown, and with the dragons leaderless, wasn't the massive Iron Palm Gang completely transformed by his mere words? Martial arts cultivated to his level can no longer be defeated by sheer numbers. Originally, I was still skeptical about whether they were Heavenly Demons, but now I'm about seventy to eighty percent certain."

"Exactly, a normal person couldn't do such things. The one playing mind games by Feng Qi's side is like a lunatic," Old Yuan said. "And Feng Qi, don't look at him trying to win people over; what he's doing is also illogical. When Martial Saint Qiao He rose, he befriended martial arts sects, but what benefit does he gain by helping the common people? In times of crisis, can these ordinary people truly help him? Perhaps only his talk of 'maintenance' can explain everything he does. Even if he wants to be emperor, he first needs the support of the three gates and five factions!"

"Feng Qi's attribute is 'maintenance.' What about the lunatic playing mind games?" Elder Ding asked. "And who is the person he would rather release Qiu Yuanlang to capture? They must also be a Heavenly Demon! Old Yuan, we know too little about Heavenly Demons. Find someone to investigate the Feng Family and uncover the true nature of these Heavenly Demons…"

"I understand." Old Yuan nodded, shouldered his dog-beating staff, and turned to leave.

Elder Ding considered for a moment, then walked towards the Taishan Sect's representative. With the drastic changes in the Iron Palm Gang, regardless of whether Feng Qi was truly a Heavenly Demon, he felt that this fire would eventually reach him. He needed to discuss it with the sect leaders stationed in Luyang City and prepare in advance.

Luyang City.

Qiu Muqian and Han Zuo quickly learned about what happened at the Iron Palm Gang.

Upon hearing that Qiu Yuanlang was severely injured again, Qiu Muqian's face paled, and she swayed slightly. She gritted her teeth and said, "More harm than good."

Han Zuo remained silent.

"Hall Master Han, can I trust you?" Qiu Muqian stabilized her emotions and looked at Han Zuo.

"Third Miss, my life was saved by the old gang leader. How could Feng Qi's few words sow discord?" Han Zuo said. "If you have any instructions, Third Miss, just say them. Even if it costs me my life, I will save the old gang leader."

"Father and Eldest Brother are in Feng Qi's hands. If we go back, we'll be walking into a trap," Qiu Muqian said, steadying her emotions. "Feipeng and Hall Master Yan were sent by Eldest Brother to the Feng Family to gather information. By my calculations, they should be returning soon. Go intercept them on the way and prevent them from returning to the Iron Palm Gang. After you rendezvous, find a way to intercept Hall Master Lou and Hall Master Li, especially Feibao. Feibao is impulsive, and I'm afraid he'll rush to save Father and fall into Feng Qi's hands again. Our main gang has few people. As long as we control the forces outside, Feng Qi won't be able to continue encroaching on the Iron Palm Gang, and we'll still have a chance to fight."

"I understand." Han Zuo nodded, then asked, "Third Miss, what about you?"

"I'm going to the Divine Fist Gate to find Gate Master Tong. He's an old acquaintance of Father's. With his help, our chances of saving Father are greater," Qiu Muqian said. "Before I return, no matter what Feng Qi does, don't interfere. Let him cause trouble. Remember, you must wait for me to return."

Han Zuo hesitated for a moment. "But, the old gang leader…"

Qiu Muqian bit her lip lightly and glanced in the direction of the Iron Palm Gang. "Feng Qi won't let Father die before he gains complete control of the Iron Palm Gang. Just do as I say."

The two discussed some more details, then left the gang members in the city and went their separate ways.

Leaving aside Qiu Muqian, who went to seek reinforcements, let's talk about Han Zuo. There was only one official road from the Feng Family to Luyang City. He had just left Luyang City and hadn't gone ten li when he intercepted Qiu Feipeng and others returning from the Feng Family.

Not only were they returning themselves, but they had also captured Feng Shiren and other key figures from the Feng Family. Feng Shiren and the others had their acupoints sealed and were stuffed into a carriage, each looking dejected, as if they had just lost a parent.

Feng Jiu, on the other hand, was inside the carriage, eating and drinking heartily, practically bursting his stomach, completely oblivious to conversation.