Xiong Er's home stood in Westside District of Anyuan City: a sprawling estate covering roughly a thousand meters, with five successive courtyards, pavilions, towers, little bridges, and flowing water—everything one could want. It was the very picture of a nouveau riche display.
Following Wang Ying to Xiong Er's already-surrounded residence, Xiang Yang greeted the dozen or so constables waiting outside. As he sized up the vermilion gates, steeped in ancient charm, he pulled out some beef jerky and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Tut, tut. A gangster living in extravagance like one of the county's wealthy elite. Captain Wang, shouldn't we look into where he got all this silver?"
Wang Ying's face darkened. He ignored Xiang Yang as he looked at the Giant Bear Gang members standing outside Xiong Er's gates with sabers and swords in hand, then turned to ask Yu Fei about the situation. His expression grew uglier by the moment.
"Go knock on the door. Tell Xiong Er that if he does not hand the man over, he should not blame me for showing no courtesy. Also, where is Xiong Da? Why hasn't Xiong Da come?"
Xiong Da and Xiong Er were the Giant Bear Gang's founders and its soul. One handled letters, the other fists, and together they had built this vast enterprise.
Xiong Da was steady and understood the bigger picture. He would never do something as foolish as confronting the authorities. Xiong Er, meanwhile, was a rash and insolent sort; only he would dare openly shelter someone wanted by the authorities.
If Xiong Da had come to persuade Xiong Er, the County Yamen would not have been forced into such a passive position, making such a grand display and even calling in Xiang Yang, whose martial prowess was the highest.
"We just received word