Gang Internal Strife

The chaos in the alley had just subsided. Two thugs from the Firewood Gang were subdued, and the onlookers gradually dispersed, leaving the alley quiet once more.

A breeze swept down the street, carrying a faint scent of blood and damp mildew. It brushed past their clothes and stirred the withered leaves in the corner of the wall.

Liu Wei stopped, glanced at Gu Chang'an, and said in a steady, approving tone:

"You're quick and efficient. You don't seem like someone new."

Zhou Yue, on the side, rubbed his chin and chuckled playfully:

"Didn't they say new guys should watch and listen more and act less? Yet here you are, hand strikes like a seasoned veteran."

As he spoke, he gestured towards the Firewood Gang members lying on the ground.

"Look at their positions; they'll probably be bedridden for half a month."

Song Zong, however, didn't look as relaxed. He frowned slightly and said slowly but seriously:

"Little brother Gu, the Firewood Gang has been entrenched in Nanning County for years, colluding with street ruffians, gamblers, and brothels. It's a complex network. Just the 'Qingzi Hall' alone has over a hundred men."

"You've injured their people today, so you'll need to be extra careful from now on."

Gu Chang'an slightly raised his eyes, his gaze calm, and said word by word:

"Heh, it's the Firewood Gang I've offended."

He stood in the wind, his tone plain, yet carrying an undeniable firmness.

"The Firewood Gang's affairs need investigating, and I'm willing to see it through to the end."

As his words fell, the air seemed to freeze, and the three fell silent for a moment.

Song Zong looked at him for a few moments, then finally sighed, his tone complex:

"It seems little brother Gu and the Firewood Gang have... a past grievance."

Gu Chang'an didn't respond directly, his expression grim.

Liu Wei nodded, his voice low:

"Since you're not afraid, we won't back down either. The Firewood Gang has indeed become more arrogant these past few years. If we can make a breakthrough today, it might not be a bad opportunity."

He turned and instructed: "Zhou Yue, escort these two back to the yamen. Interrogate them thoroughly and see if you can pry anything out of them."

"Understood." Zhou Yue agreed, untied a rope from his waist, and quickly bound and dragged away the two thugs. He couldn't resist a jibe:

"If they need someone to cover their backs later, remember to hide behind me first."

Gu Chang'an gave a faint smile, "You run fast, no need for me to block for you."

The few of them chuckled, the atmosphere easing slightly.

After seeing Zhou Yue off, the three continued their patrol, walking slowly along the western avenue of the city.

Night had fallen, and the sky was darkening as lights began to appear.

The western district was adorned with lanterns and lined with restaurants, the most prosperous area in Nanning County.

The sounds of pipa music, laughter, and the aroma of wine and food mingled, creating a lively scene.

Liu Wei explained in a low voice as they patrolled:

"These restaurants, flower houses, and teahouses all have to 'pay their respects' to the City Guard monthly. Ostensibly, it's respect, but it's actually for protection."

"Of course, there are also contributions to the gangs. The Firewood Gang, the Horse Gang, and even some outside forces have informants here."

Song Zong chimed in: "Our patrol tonight is just for show. The real deterrence is letting people know the City Guard is still here."

As he spoke, his gaze swept unobtrusively towards a window on a nearby restaurant. A few figures were peering down from the window before discreetly drawing the curtains.

After completing their round, Liu Wei clasped his hands behind his back and said leisurely: "Well, we've patrolled enough. 'Zui Shuang Tower' is just ahead, shall we go in for a drink?"

Song Zong quickly waved his hand, his tone polite but firm:

"No, thank you. The situation is tense right now, and the yamen's internal affairs investigators are watching us secretly. If someone finds an excuse to make trouble, it might not be good."

Liu Wei pouted, seemingly unconvinced, but ultimately didn't insist.

"Alright, then let's have tea."

The three turned into a quiet teahouse on the street corner and took seats by the window, away from the noise.

Outside the window was the Nanning cityscape, and amidst the fragrant tea, the three sat calmly, each with their own thoughts.

The tea aroma wafted, and candlelight flickered as the three sat quietly at a small table by the window, chatting pleasantly. Suddenly, they heard a commotion from the street outside.

"Bang--!"

"Get out of the way!"

"Scram, you Black Sand scum!"

An angry roar mixed with the sound of clashing weapons suddenly erupted. Outside the teahouse window, in a secluded alley, torchlight flickered, and figures crisscrossed as over a dozen people fought fiercely.

Clubs, swords, and fists flew. Curses and cries of pain were incessant, even overturning nearby vendor stalls, shattering pottery bowls, and scattering fruits and vegetables across the ground.

A child was startled into crying, and his mother quickly scooped him up and fled.

But inside the teahouse, as Gu Chang'an was about to stand up, Liu Wei raised his hand to stop him, his expression as calm as water:

"Sit."

Gu Chang'an was slightly taken aback.

Song Zong picked up his teacup and took a sip, his expression as usual:

"As long as these gang disputes don't harm merchants or civilians, we generally don't interfere."

Outside the window, a flash of blade light, someone cried out as their shoulder was struck by a club and they fell to the ground, then were kicked into a roadside ditch, yet still, no one intervened.

Gu Chang'an asked in a low voice, "You're just going to let them run wild like this?"

Song Zong shook his head and smiled, his gaze sweeping towards the defeated group at the street corner. "That's people from the Black Sand Gang and the Flowing Gold Gang. This isn't the first time today; their grievances have piled up like a mountain."

"The Black Sand Gang is an old gang in the western district, once dominating the area in earlier years. Their Hall Master, 'Black Snake' He Tong, is a Ninth Rank peak expert. Unfortunately—"

"On his last outing, He Tong returned severely injured and has been bedridden ever since. Several Hall Masters have also met with misfortune, some dead, some missing. The outside world suspects foul play."

"And the Flowing Gold Gang only emerged in the last two years," Liu Wei interjected, his tone carrying a hint of unease. "Initially, they were just a small force controlling a few streets, but they've recruited many itinerant martial artists and rogue cultivators. They act ruthlessly and have expanded rapidly."

"Now, the Black Sand Gang has changed Hall Masters three times, their members are restless, and they're already on the verge of collapse. The Flowing Gold Gang has been encroaching on their territory, and now half of the western district is already in their hands."

Song Zong sighed lightly. "If it continues like this, in a few more days, the western district will be the Flowing Gold Gang's domain."

As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Chang'an, his expression becoming a little more serious. "In the future, the ones we'll likely be dealing with won't be the Black Sand Gang, but these newly risen powers like the Red Gold."

Gu Chang'an nodded slightly, his gaze passing through the window frame towards the group of disheveled men in black fleeing at the alley entrance.

He suddenly said in a low voice, "How much do you know about the origins of the Flowing Gold Gang?"

Song Zong shook his head. "I don't know much. I've only heard that although they don't have many people, their higher-ups are almost all experts, with at least five Ninth Rank martial artists backing them."

"And their origins are mysterious, their movements secretive, and many of their subordinates have accents from other regions."

Liu Wei said slowly, "It's not that we haven't investigated, but we can't. The City Guard is vast, divided into nine divisions, each with its own responsibilities. It's better not to stir up trouble."

"Even if they grow powerful, as long as they don't cross the line, at most, we'll just grease each other's palms and maintain appearances."

Gu Chang'an fell silent, but his heart stirred.

Although he now possessed martial arts and the identity of a constable, if such a dark force were allowed to grow, it would only bring more suffering to the people and greater chaos to public order in the future.

He murmured in a low voice, "But the Flowing Gold Gang… may not play by the rules."

The three sat in the tea room in silence for a moment.

When the moon was high in the sky, Liu Wei got up and said, "It's about time. Let's do one last patrol and head back to the yamen to hand over our duties."

The three left the tea house, patrolled once more along the city walls, and after confirming no unusual activity in the streets and alleys, they returned to the City Guard yamen.

At this time, the yamen was brightly lit. Constables returning from their shifts were coming back one after another, chatting in groups in the courtyard and preparing their weapons.

Suddenly, steady footsteps echoed from the inner hall.

Wang Hao walked with a firm stride, his expression solemn. His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention. He swept his gaze around and said sternly, "Everyone stop. I have something to announce."

The constables snapped to attention.

Wang Hao said, "First, the City Guard is not to interfere in the conflict between the Flowing Gold Gang and the Black Sand Gang—no matter how many are killed or injured, we will not intervene."

As soon as this was said, everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

"Second," he paused, his gaze sharpening, "if the Flowing Gold Gang engages in any overstepping behavior, you may report it directly to me or the squad leader. Do not handle it privately."

Song Zong and Liu Wei's eyes flickered, and they exchanged a look.

Gu Chang'an stood among the crowd, clenching his fist silently, a thought gradually forming in his mind:

Since the Flowing Gold Gang is aiming for dominance, is there truly a hidden hand behind them? If one day, they dare to shake the foundations of the law, I will not stand by and watch.

After Wang Hao finished speaking, he turned and left, leaving only one sentence:

"Dismissed. Go rest, patrol tomorrow as usual."

The crowd responded in low voices and dispersed one after another.