The Welcome

Xiang Yang didn't have to wait too long. Three days after obtaining the Iron Finger Technique, Fu Da Chun sent word that the expert hired by the Giant Bear Gang had arrived at their territory and was being well-treated by the two gang leaders, Xiong Da and Xiong Er.

"It's about this time. According to Zhao Shan, Hu Qiang is extremely lustful and exceptionally talented. He usually goes to the pleasure district run by the Giant Bear Gang every night to have fun. We can go check tonight to see if it's really Hu Qiang."

The Giant Bear Gang was the largest underworld organization in Anyuan County, with two to three hundred members. Besides collecting protection fees from businesses, they also ran their own industries, one of which was this pleasure district.

The pleasure district consisted of dozens of houses funded by the Giant Bear Gang, inhabited by women who sold their beauty. They solicited customers on the streets all day, handing over seventy percent of their earnings to the Giant Bear Gang, with the remaining thirty percent being their net income. It was truly black-hearted.

This was different from typical high-end brothels. They preyed on the hard-earned money of the working class and operated on a low-end market. When Xiang Yang had passed by the pleasure district before, he had seen the women inside. Most of them were ordinary in appearance, and only those who couldn't afford brothels went to the pleasure district for enjoyment.

Hu Qiang was certainly not someone who couldn't afford to pay. Every time he visited the pleasure district, he didn't seek out the girls under the Giant Bear Gang's control. Instead, he paid to have girls from brothels brought to the pleasure district to serve him, always requesting several at a time.

On one hand, Xiang Yang was excited and apprehensive, thinking about going to the pleasure district that night to see if it was indeed Hu Qiang. On the other hand, Xiong Da and Xiong Er had booked a table of fine wine and food at the best restaurant in Anyuan County, the Spring Breeze Restaurant, to entertain Hu Qiang.

The Spring Breeze Restaurant was a century-old establishment with large red lanterns hanging high at its entrance. Its three floors, with dozens of tables, were bustling with people, its business booming, making many envious. However, the restaurant's owner was also a significant figure connected to many in the underworld, so even Xiong Da and Xiong Er could only swallow their envy and stare, not daring to forcibly take it.

In a private room on the second floor, Hu Qiang removed his bamboo hat and loosened the clothes around his chest, revealing bandages. He felt much more comfortable, leaning back in his chair and swaying his head as he said, "Does it have to be this troublesome? Every time I come, I have to dress like a mummy. No one in the county has seen me."

"Brother Hu, don't think of it as troublesome. It's better to be safe than sorry. This place is not like the mountain stronghold. If your whereabouts are discovered and the county yamen mobilizes a large force, it will be difficult to escape."

The one speaking was Xiong Da, a burly man with a face full of rough flesh, slightly shorter than Hu Qiang. His belly protruded like a woman ten months pregnant, filled entirely with fat. With a wave of his large, fan-like hands, a subordinate in brown clothes behind him understood and went to hurry the serving of dishes.

Beside Xiong Da was Xiong Er, who was similar to him but had a knife scar on his face, making him appear more ferocious. His eyes were fixed on Hu Qiang's chest, filled with confusion.

"Brother Hu is actually injured? That guy from the yamen, what's his name, Xiang Da Niu, does he have that kind of martial skill?"

Speaking of Xiang Da Niu, Hu Qiang's expression turned unpleasant. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and his voice was chilling, "If I hadn't been so careless, how could he have injured me with his meager skills? This scoundrel, I wish I could cut him into a thousand pieces. If it weren't for the urgent situation and the arrival of people from the yamen, how could I have left him with a whole corpse?"

Xiong Da and Xiong Er had no doubt about this. Hu Qiang was a person with a strong desire for revenge. Once, someone had insulted him, and he had cut the person into three pieces with a large saber, spilling their guts everywhere. It made one wonder if there was something wrong with his mind.

As the three spoke, the subordinate in brown clothes directed several waiters from the restaurant to serve the ordered dishes one by one. The aroma of food and the fragrance of wine filled the air, and Hu Qiang couldn't help but take a deep breath, a smile of contentment appearing on his face.

Xiong Er, seeing this, wanted to laugh. After the waiters retreated and he had his subordinates guard the entrance, he spoke, "What's wrong? Is life in the mountain stronghold that austere? If that's the case, what's the point of Brother Hu staying there? Why not come down the mountain and enjoy wealth and prosperity with us?"

Upon hearing Xiong Er's words, Xiong Da's right hand, resting on his thigh, trembled. His face showed a look of agreement, his smile feigned. Secretly, he wished he could strangle his blunt-witted brother. If Hu Qiang really abandoned everything at the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold and came down to the Giant Bear Gang, who would be the leader then?

Although they addressed Hu Qiang as "Brother Hu" now, it was merely a respectful term. They were in an equal partnership. I pay you to do a job, and when there's nothing going on, I'll pay to have you come down the mountain to have some fun. It's a win-win situation.

But if Hu Qiang truly abandoned everything at the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold and came down to the Giant Bear Gang, it would be a major issue. The partnership would turn into a merger, and there would have to be a leader. And based on Xiong Da's understanding of Hu Qiang, this person would definitely not be content to be subordinate, especially since his and his brother's abilities were far inferior to Hu Qiang's.

"Never mind, never mind. Second Brother Xiong, you mean well, but I have my difficulties and cannot come down the mountain."

Hu Qiang picked up his wine cup and drank it down, saying unhappily. Under normal circumstances, being a bandit was nothing compared to being part of a gang in the city.

After all, in essence, one was a wanted criminal by the authorities, while the other was a government-recognized civilian organization. The difference was vast. Any normal person would choose the latter, but he was bound by circumstances. He had chosen the wrong path in his early years, and it was too late to regret it.

At this moment, Xiong Er saw his elder brother's reproachful gaze and knew he had said the wrong thing. He chuckled and picked up his chopsticks, starting to eat heartily.

"Let's not talk about that for now. I've inquired, and that Xiang Da Niu has another son? Named Xiang Yang. Can you two tie him up and hand him over to me for disposal? I haven't been injured since I came up the mountain, and I can't let this go."

Hu Qiang put down his wine cup, his eyes filled with malice and ferocity, like a ferocious tiger ready to devour. Coming down the mountain this time was for enjoyment and to recover from his injuries, but another purpose was to capture that bastard's brat and humiliate and torture him severely.

Xiong Da and Xiong Er exchanged glances, their expressions turning somewhat grim.

"That might be a bit difficult. Brother Hu, you may not know, but after Xiang Da Niu died, Xiang Yang was specially promoted to constable by Magistrate Li. He's highly regarded by the yamen officials, especially Wang Ying, who treats him like a nephew. Taking action against him is not something we can afford."

The Giant Bear Gang was tyrannical, but that was only towards ordinary citizens. They still feared the authorities to some extent. Kidnapping a constable would be a serious crime. If the yamen found out, not only would their Giant Bear Gang be unable to protect themselves, but they might even have to flee for their lives.

"Actually, revenge doesn't have to be overt. As long as he's in Anyuan, we brothers can find a way to deal with him. If Brother Hu trusts us brothers, leave this matter to us, and we'll give you an explanation sooner or later."

Hu Qiang nodded. The reason he dared to kill Xiang Da Niu was first because he was a mountain bandit, already registered in various counties and wanted, so he didn't care. Second, he was acting on behalf of someone else. Although Xiong Da and Xiong Er had some influence in the county, they wouldn't directly offend the government for him.

"Alright, we're sworn brothers. Who else would I trust but you? Come, let's have a drink."