Chapter Twenty-Nine: Contemplation

Xiang Yang killing Hu Qiang avenged Xiang Da Niu and completed the task from the Wordless Book, obtaining the Hu Family Saber Technique. It was a great harvest. Meanwhile, Xiong Da and Xiong Er of the Giant Bear Gang were furious. They whipped the two Giant Bear Gang members guarding Hu Qiang fifty lashes each.

In the night, Xiong Da, clad only in a pale yellow robe, sat in a grand chair. Beside him sat Xiong Er and a thin middle-aged man with a goatee, about thirty years old. Below them lay two dying gang members and a stitched-up corpse – Hu Qiang.

"Big brother, what should we do? Hu Qiang died here. If the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold people find out, they definitely won't let us off."

Xiong Er scratched his head, fear and anxiety in his eyes. He had originally wanted to curry favor with Hu Qiang to help them deal with the other two gangs in Anyuan County. He never expected that the man would die in their care. This was a huge problem.

"What's the panic? Hu Qiang is dead, so be it. Now we need to think about how to deal with the aftermath. You know, Hu Qiang came to us, but the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold doesn't know. Mr. Wu, you've seen the scene. Can you find out who the killer is?"

Xiong Da cast a displeased glance at his second brother, let out a cold snort, and then turned to the goatee-sporting middle-aged man, his eyes filled with scrutiny and murderous intent. If nothing else, anyone who dared to kill their honored guest on Giant Bear Gang territory was not showing him any respect. Once he found that person, he would make them wish they were dead.

Mr. Wu stroked his goatee, his eyes narrowing slightly. He said softly, "Reporting to the gang leader, I have examined the Flower Alley inside and out, as well as the room where the incident occurred. I can only say that the clues are scarce. I only learned from Pei Lao San of Flower Alley and a few women from the Crimson Tower that a young man made the move. He's not old, at most fifteen or sixteen, but his methods were ruthless.

Also, I discovered that this person escaped through a dog hole in the second small house from the inside of Flower Alley. I asked the person in charge, and this dog hole is usually covered with straw, and very few people know about it. Therefore, either this person is a regular visitor to Flower Alley, or someone sold him information."

"Hmph, saying so much is still useless. What I want is the definite killer. There are many fifteen or sixteen-year-old youths in all of Anyuan. My son is only fourteen now. With so many people, do I have to investigate them one by one?

As for who knew about the dog hole, there are countless women and guests coming and going in Flower Alley. Who knows which scoundrel leaked it? In the end, it's still nothing gained."

Xiong Da slammed the square table beside him fiercely, his face full of rage. If he didn't catch the killer, he wouldn't be able to vent this anger. He, Xiong Da, who had been in the martial world for so many years, was actually taught a lesson by a brat today.

After a long while, the hall was silent. Even the two dying gang members gritted their teeth and dared not groan. Being able to survive now was already a blessing. If they angered Xiong Da and were whipped dozens more times, they would be as good as dead even if they survived.

"Enough, we'll talk about this later. Let's talk about Hu Qiang first. Now that he's dead, our plan to borrow the strength of the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold to eliminate the Little Knife Society and the Green Wolf Gang has fallen through.

Also, with Hu Qiang's death, the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold might not know for a short while, but it will be impossible to hide for long. Mr. Wu, do you have any strategies to cover this up?"

Mr. Wu nodded. "Gang leader, you're walking into a dead end. Whether Hu Qiang lives or dies might be important to the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold, but it doesn't affect us much. Our current strength far surpasses the Little Knife Society and the Green Wolf Gang. We don't need Hu Qiang to suppress them.

As for Hu Qiang's death, there's no need to conceal it at all. As long as the Black Wind Mountain Stronghold doesn't know Hu Qiang came to us, then we'll act as if Hu Qiang never came here and destroy the evidence.

Also, silence those who know about this matter. After some time, even if those bandits know Hu Qiang is missing or has met with misfortune, they won't be able to trace it back to us."

Upon hearing Mr. Wu's words, Xiong Er nodded repeatedly, his eyes flashing with cold light and murderous intent.

"Excellent, excellent. Hu Qiang's relationship with us was extremely secretive. Zhao Shan and Li Qian, who went up the mountain to communicate earlier, have also disappeared. With Hu Qiang's death, it's likely no one will know he came to us. Big brother, why don't we execute Pei Lao San and the two trash below as well, to prevent any leaks?"

Hearing Xiong Er's words, the two gang members below turned ashen. Mr. Wu also didn't expect Xiong Er to be so cruel. He wanted to say something cautionary, paused, and then decided not to speak, only looking at Xiong Da.

"Shut up! Pei Lao San is our brother. He has diligently managed Flower Alley for several years and is a great contributor to the gang. How can you say such unrighteous words? If there's a next time, I'll break your legs."

Xiong Da said angrily after a moment's thought. He then glanced at Mr. Wu, who breathed a sigh of relief, and the two gang members who were filled with gratitude, and said indifferently, "However, those four women from the Crimson Tower cannot be spared. They had close contact with Hu Qiang and saw him killed. To prevent them from reporting to the authorities or inadvertently leaking information, you will send them on their way later.

Also, withdraw a thousand taels from the gang and send it to Mama Hua of the Crimson Tower, asking her to be more understanding. After all, they are five popular girls."

Frankly speaking, five popular girls were only worth a thousand taels, which was a bit low. However, Xiong Da was neither a philanthropist nor a legitimate businessman, but a member of the underworld, an evil force. There was no reasoning to be had. Willing to pay a thousand taels was already his concession.

"Alright, I'll go over later. Let them serve me one last time before they die, consider it making use of waste. Also, let them talk about who's stronger, me or Hu Qiang, hehe."

Xiong Er was also a talent among perverts. With a lewd smile, comparing his abilities with a dead man, it was truly something.

As for Mr. Wu, he didn't find Xiong Da's actions improper. Unlike Pei Lao San, these girls from the Crimson Tower were not considered their own people and could not be trusted at all.

Xiong Da couldn't send people to follow and monitor them every day, so sending them on their way was the best option.

"Finally, send people to closely monitor the movements of the Little Knife Society and the Green Wolf Gang. I've always suspected they sent people to do this, including the disappearance of Zhao Shan and Li Qian. We must not let our guard down."

Zhao Shan, Li Qian, and Hu Qiang all met their fates after their Giant Bear Gang had raided the territories of the Little Knife Society and the Green Wolf Gang. This couldn't help but make Xiong Da think more.

Especially Hu Qiang's relationship with them, which was extremely secretive. Just like the two fallen gang members, they were old timers who had followed the two brothers for many years, only then could they be trusted.

"So, if someone could know the news of Hu Qiang coming here, it must have been leaked by Zhao Shan and Li Qian. This means that the people who killed Hu Qiang and killed Zhao Shan and Li Qian are likely the same group.

Also, we are publicly announcing that we have invited a master to guard our gang. This will have the biggest impact on the other two gangs in Anyuan. Even if they don't know Hu Qiang's identity, they will want to get rid of this mysterious master."

Listening to Xiong Da's analysis, even Mr. Wu nodded in agreement. In the end, it all came down to motive. Was this aimed at Hu Qiang or the Giant Bear Gang? If it was aimed at the Giant Bear Gang, then Hu Qiang's death might just be the beginning. Xiong Da's thoughts were not unreasonable.