Old Locust Attends the Gathering, A Justification!

Ruan Jin did not refute this: "Drastic changes in the upper echelons of a gang will certainly invite prying eyes from other gangs, especially since our Black Dragon Gang now occupies the territories of both the Green Tiger Gang and the Golden Fish Gang; our territory far exceeds that of an ordinary small gang."

He paused, then continued: "And as of now, the gang leader's strength has only been displayed within the gang; it has yet to be revealed to other gangs, so it is inevitable that they harbor suspicions."

"Furthermore, our Black Dragon Gang currently only has four hall masters. Compared to the territories we annexed from the two former gangs, the number of hall masters is clearly insufficient."

"Hah!"

Liu Chu gave a cold, mocking laugh: "In other words, they believe that my Black Dragon Gang is currently at its weakest moment?"

The several hall masters dared not speak, all remaining silent.

The Wild Wolf Gang likely thought exactly this, which is why they took action to probe, injuring one of the Black Dragon Gang's hall masters to gauge the Black Dragon Gang's reaction.

"Gang leader, the Wild Wolf Gang has wild ambitions and wants to use this to test your bottom line. If the gang leader's attitude is not tough enough, they will likely assume that our Black Dragon Gang is in a weakened state."

Ruan Jin suddenly had a flash of cold light in his eyes as he said: "Why don't we feign weakness? Given the irritable personality of the Wild Wolf Gang leader, he certainly won't let such a great opportunity pass. Once they attack us..."

He chuckled, his laugh sounding somewhat sinister: "That will be the moment they witness the gang leader's true strength. At that time, we might be able to swallow the Wild Wolf Gang in one fell swoop and grow stronger!"

"Absolutely not!"

Another hall master immediately objected: "At a time like this, with wolves circling us, it is not just one Wild Wolf Gang eyeing us."

"There are no telling how many gangs watching us from the shadows; they are all waiting for the Wild Wolf Gang to test our true strength."

"The Wild Wolf Gang is merely a vanguard. If we feign weakness, it is very likely that other gangs will smell the scent of blood and join the Wild Wolf Gang in carving up our Black Dragon Gang!"

"By then, our Black Dragon Gang will be in a situation of being besieged on all sides. We might even have to face the encroachment of two or three, or even four or five gangs simultaneously!"

He cupped his fists and bowed to Liu Chu: "This subordinate suggests that we should display a tough attitude, return tooth for tooth, and directly inflict heavy injuries on one of their hall masters!"

Liu Chu sat upright at the head of the table, one hand supporting his cheek and the other resting on the tiger-skin-covered armrest, listening to both suggestions with a lazy expression.

"What you both say makes sense!"

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, agreeing with both of their proposals.

Then, he stood up and slowly stretched, the laziness in his eyes abruptly turning into sharpness: "But... why go through all that trouble!"

His voice was cold, carrying a hint of overbearing intent: "Since the Wild Wolf Gang is seeking death, then we shall simply annihilate them!!"

"What, annihilate the Wild Wolf Gang!!"

The three hall masters, including Feng Sheng who was lying on a stretcher, all looked at Liu Chu in astonishment, their expressions varying.

Among them, Feng Sheng was the most delighted, and he hurriedly said: "Is the gang leader planning to adopt my strategy, feigning weakness to lure the enemy deep, and then annihilating them in one go?"

Liu Chu shook his head, his expression arrogant: "Too much trouble. In the face of absolute strength, schemes and tricks are all futile!"

He instructed Ruan Jin: "Hall Master Ruan, send someone to deliver a letter, inviting the Wild Wolf Gang leader to meet at Old Locust Flat to discuss this matter!"

Ruan Jin's expression changed: "Gang leader, Old Locust Flat is the Wild Wolf Gang's territory..."

"If I don't do this, how would they dare to meet with me?"

Liu Chu said, not caring in the slightest.

"This..."

Ruan Jin frowned, not quite understanding Liu Chu's thinking, and he couldn't help but look at the other two hall masters.

He found that both of them were also completely confused.

"Even if the gang leader wants to show a tough attitude, there is no need to put yourself in danger."

The two hall masters advised one after another.

Liu Chu, however, shook his head and waved his hand: "Just go and deliver the letter."

Seeing that Liu Chu's mind was made up, the three hall masters had no choice but to give up and leave to carry out the order.

Inside the Wild Wolf Gang.

"Inviting me to Old Locust Flat?"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader, with a face full of thick whiskers, looked at the envelope in his hand and burst into loud laughter: "This Black Dragon Gang leader seems to be very confident!"

"Could it be that the Black Dragon Gang leader is truly a mysterious expert!?"

One hall master asked doubtfully.

"Not necessarily!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader shook his head and snorted: "Perhaps he just wants to bluff."

"Then gang leader, shall we go to the meeting?"

Another hall master asked.

"Naturally!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader sneered: "I, Lin Sanlang, was not scared into growing up. Thinking they can scare me with mere bluffs? Keep dreaming!"

He stood up abruptly and pointed at four hall masters: "You four will accompany me to the meeting. In addition, have Chen Jiu take men to watch the only road to Old Locust Flat. Once he enters our territory, send twenty gang members to ambush him. This time, I want to make sure he never returns!"

"Understood!"

Hall Master Chen Jiu departed respectfully.

The leader of the Wild Wolf Gang licked his lips, then led his four hall masters and forty to fifty gang members in a grand procession toward Old Locust Flat.

Old Locust Flat.

A thick, ancient locust tree grew in solitude on the flat ground, the surroundings desolate and filled with a sense of vicissitudes.

The locust tree spread like a canopy, and a lone figure stood beneath it.

Liu Chu wore black robes and a Black Dragon Mask, a long blade strapped to his waist. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the locust tree before him with a cold expression.

Ten zhang away, two Black Dragon Gang hall masters led twenty or thirty gang members in a defensive formation, their expressions puzzled.

"What is the leader thinking? Why order us to retreat ten zhang? Wouldn't this make it impossible to provide immediate support if he's attacked!?"

Hall Master Ruan Jin frowned as he watched the solitary black-clad figure under the tree, his face showing confusion.

"Does the leader intend to intimidate the Wild Wolf Gang leader? This seems a bit arrogant, doesn't it? The Wild Wolf Gang leader is reckless by nature; he isn't someone who scares easily."

Another hall master was also perplexed, feeling confused by the leader's actions.

If the leader truly wanted to scare the Wild Wolf Gang leader, it would likely be difficult to succeed!

Just then, a burst of loud laughter echoed through the air.

The Wild Wolf Gang leader arrived at Old Locust Flat in a grand display, accompanied by his four hall masters and forty to fifty gang members.

"Black Dragon Gang leader, you truly have guts to come to my Wild Wolf Gang's territory for a meeting!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader wore a fierce expression, striding forward with a Gold-Threaded Great Ring Blade strapped to his back. His movements were bold and imposing.

"The Wild Wolf Gang leader is here!"

"And he brought four hall masters and forty to fifty gang members!!"

The two Black Dragon Gang hall masters looked at the dense crowd behind the Wild Wolf Gang leader, shocked and grave.

The sheer scale of the force made them instinctively take a step back, and some of the gang members behind them even began to harbor thoughts of retreat.

The nearly twofold difference in numbers made them instinctively fearful.

As the Wild Wolf Gang leader strode forward, he glanced at the scene, feeling quite satisfied.

Outsiders only knew him as reckless and impulsive, unaware that he possessed a "fierce tiger in his heart, sniffing the roses." Beneath his rough and impulsive exterior lay a cunning mind.

Otherwise, he would not have survived until now!

Seeing that his group's momentum had intimidated the two Black Dragon Gang hall masters and their men, he did not stop, continuing to stride toward Liu Chu.

However, when he was still five zhang away from Liu Chu, his footsteps suddenly faltered.

Looking at the black-clad figure standing with hands behind his back under the locust tree, he saw that in the face of his own imposing aura, the man remained as steady as a mountain. Even his breathing was calm and restrained, showing not a hint of nervousness.

"Does this man... truly have the confidence?"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader's eyes flickered, his heart heavy. He felt that the other party did not look like he was merely bluffing.

At that moment, he made a decision. His fierce expression suddenly shifted, transforming into a friendly smile: "Brother Black Dragon, what is it you wanted to see me about?"

He thought to himself, Better to test him first.

Liu Chu's composure had ultimately made him wary, and he decided to probe the situation.

"An explanation!"

Liu Chu turned slowly. His face, hidden behind the Black Dragon Mask, was cold and stern. He glanced at the Wild Wolf Gang leader, his voice indifferent yet exceptionally overbearing.