The Foundation Was Established

Du Ge looked up.

Wang San's arm was smeared with blood, and the Willow Leaf Knife had fallen to the ground.

At that moment, he looked utterly deranged as he clutched Qiu Yuanlang's head and vented his emotions. With his one good hand, he tore away the bandages around Qiu Yuanlang's wounds and clawed at them wildly. "Why? I gave you a chance..."

Qiu Yuanlang cried out and struggled in agony, his face full of terror. Like a frightened child, he repeatedly struck Wang San in the lower back, babbling as he fought. "No! Let go of me, you fiend! Let go! Let me go..."

Qiu Feilong charged at Wang San with his saber, trying to save his father.

When Wang San saw Qiu Feilong, his eyes turned bloodshot. He abruptly lifted Qiu Yuanlang and held him in front of himself as a shield, grinning ferociously. "Sweetheart, are you going to kill me too?"

Qiu Yuanlang had injured Wang San internally. When Wang San opened his mouth, it was full of blood.

With Fear of the Delicate amplifying the sight of this terrifying figure, Qiu Feilong was frightened out of his wits. His father was being used as a shield, and his hand loosened despite himself. Clang! His saber fell to the ground. "No!"

Seeing Qiu Feilong ruin the advantage they had gained, Du Ge was furious. He grabbed Feng Zhong by the neck and activated Backstab, charging straight at Qiu Feilong.

Bam!

He kicked Qiu Feilong more than five meters away. Blood sprayed through the air as he crashed to the ground. He struggled a few times, then slipped into unconsciousness, his life or death unknown.

Under the influence of Fear of the Delicate, and with Wang San having torn at his wounds, Qiu Yuanlang was in pain and terrified. He, too, passed out.

At the sight of this, all the Iron Palm Sect members who had rushed forward to surround Wang San froze in place.

They stared at Du Ge and Wang San in terror, trembling and daring neither to move nor flee.

The commoners who had just been shouting their grievances didn't dare approach. They watched from a distance.

Du Ge let go of Feng Zhong's neck, walked over, and took Qiu Yuanlang from Wang San's hands. Holding him high, he announced, "Justice must be upheld with decisive force! Friends, don't be afraid. The Qiu father and son, who disrupted our hearing, have been captured.

"Qiu Yuanlang was the former leader of the Iron Palm Sect, a renowned first-rate expert in the martial world. Now he's like a rag in my hands, and I can do as I please with him. Qiu Feilong practiced Martial Arts for over thirty years, yet he couldn't last a single exchange against me. What are you still worried about? That these two good-for-nothings will rise again and take control of your lives?

"You had reason to worry when I held a sword to his neck. But now he's as good as dead. What are you afraid of?

"What you should fear is your own lack of courage, your weakness in refusing to trust in justice.

"If you don't dare save yourselves when I'm here, then who in this world will be able to save you in the future? Friends, don't disappoint this heart of mine, devoted to justice. I'm putting away my sword today. I'll leave Qiu Yuanlang right here and see who dares come to his rescue.

"Come on! If you have a grudge and the courage to act, step forward. I'll help you get justice. Let's uphold justice to the very end..."

"Liu Cheng, stop pretending to be dead over there. Come help keep order, and find someone to see if the Qiu father and son can still be saved." Without needing to hold a sword to Qiu Yuanlang's neck, Du Ge somehow felt even more confident. He tossed Qiu Yuanlang onto the table and sat down behind it, legs planted wide. "What are you standing around for? Form a line and start the hearing. From this moment on, there's no more Grand Elder. I'm the leader of the Peacekeeping Gang."

The former Iron Palm Sect members serving as constables were cowed by Du Ge's imposing presence. Each one hurriedly grabbed a short staff and returned to their positions, quickly restoring order.

Han Zuo and Qiu Muqian had gone to Luyang City to discuss a plan under the pretext of apologizing, and they hadn't returned yet. With Qiu Feilong's life or death unknown, Liu Cheng was the only senior Iron Palm Sect member left at the scene. He met Du Ge's gaze from a distance, his heart jolting. He obediently came back, faced Du Ge, and knelt on one knee with his hands clasped. "Liu Cheng, Hall Master of the Hidden Dragon Hall of the Peacekeeping Gang, greets the leader."

He'd switched sides!

Du Ge's eyes lit up. Sure enough, threats alone wouldn't get things done. Keeping Qiu Yuanlang alive had made them feel that Du Ge couldn't control the whole situation, leaving them a sliver of hope that they could turn things around.

Only by cutting off that hope and leaving them no way back could he truly put this force to work for him.

Wang San had stumbled into doing something good.

Of course, the circumstances were different now. Yesterday, Du Ge hadn't been strong enough to suppress everyone. If he'd lost Qiu Yuanlang, that useful pawn, they would have hacked him to pieces long ago.

Spider-Man was right: the greater the power, the greater the influence.

"Good." Du Ge walked around the table and helped Liu Cheng to his feet himself. "You're right. There's no more Iron Palm Sect. From now on, there's only the Peacekeeping Gang. Liu Cheng, the Peacekeeping Gang exists to uphold justice in the world. We don't need any Flying Dragons or Hidden Dragons. From this moment on, you're the Hall Master of the Justice Hall."

Whew!

Liu Cheng let out a sigh of relief, then knelt again. "Liu Cheng thanks the leader for putting aside past grievances. From today on, I'll serve you with all my heart, even if it costs me my life."

"No. Not for me, but for justice in the world and peace in the martial world." Du Ge helped him up again and raised his hand, speaking fervently. "Let's dedicate ourselves to justice, peace, order, faith, ideals, and everything good that can be protected. Let's serve until our dying breath."

How awkward!

For a brief moment, Liu Cheng felt the faintest twinge of regret. But now he was in too deep to back out. He forced out a smile. "Yes, leader."

The sudden upheaval had frightened the commoners. Even though Du Ge had quickly taken control of the situation, they were still watching from a distance, afraid to approach.

Du Ge simply ignored them and turned his gaze to the Iron Palm Sect members. "And you. I know many of you have made mistakes and are worried I'll punish you.

"No one is perfect, and nothing is flawless. When those above set a bad example, those below follow. Growing up in the Iron Palm Sect's filthy environment, it's only natural that you were influenced by them. People are born good. Who comes into this world a villain? Most of you took the wrong path because of this world: if you don't bully others, they bully you. Over time, you got led astray. I don't blame you for that.

"So I've decided to give you a chance to turn over a new leaf. For the wrongs you committed before, unless they were heinous crimes, I'll do my best to compensate your victims with money.

"But I hope you'll turn toward the light from now on and become truly good people, upright and honorable. The kind people give a thumbs-up to when you pass by, not the kind they curse behind your back."

The former Iron Palm Sect members stirred uneasily, whispering among themselves.

"Well said!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

In an instant, cheers, shouts of approval, and applause filled the air.

Du Ge raised his hand high, then lowered it. The scene fell quiet again. He looked around at the Iron Palm Sect members. "I know what you're worried about. You're afraid you won't be able to make a living with me. But I'm the Heavenly Demon, and money is what I care about least. Besides, I didn't build the Iron Palm Sect's vast holdings. I can promise you this: as long as you sincerely support the Peacekeeping Gang, everyone's monthly pay will be doubled."

He paused. "You help me uphold justice, and I'll look after you. I'll keep you safe and make sure you have food and clothing."

At those words,

the Iron Palm Sect members who hadn't done much evil to begin with quickly wavered. Before long, someone stepped forward. "Leader, I'm willing to join the Peacekeeping Gang and serve you."

"I'm willing to serve you too."

"Me too."

More and more people stepped forward.

The situation was against them. They weren't Qiu Yuanlang, with his far-sighted vision, nor were they hall masters or incense masters. They had little savings to begin with, and if they left the Iron Palm Sect, they had nowhere else to go.

Feng Qi had promised to pardon their crimes and raise their pay. Why not stay here? Whoever they worked for, they still had to work.

Du Ge looked over the crowd with a smile. "Good, good, good. I knew most of you had a sense of justice. You were just waiting for a chance. Liu Cheng, after today's public hearing, register everyone again..."

Thanks to Fire-browed Appetizer and Mr. Shamen for supporting me with leader-tier donations. When Fire-browed Appetizer first became a leader, the chapter had already been scheduled for release, so I didn't include an author's note. I planned to thank them when the book went on sale. I didn't expect Mr. Shamen to become a leader yesterday, too. It wouldn't feel right to stay silent any longer. The Cotton-Clothed Guards thank both of you for your support. I'll add extra chapters for you after the book goes on sale. ^_^