The Old Locust Flat Meeting: An Explanation! (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets and Recommendations)

Ruan Jin didn't argue either. "A drastic shake-up in the gang's leadership could indeed attract the attention of other gangs. Especially since our Black Dragon Gang now controls the territories of both the Green Tiger Gang and the Golden Fish Gang—far more territory than an ordinary small gang."

He paused, then continued, "And so far, the gang leader has only demonstrated his strength within our own gang. He hasn't shown it in front of the other gangs, so it's only natural that they have their doubts."

"Besides, we have only four hall masters now. Compared to the territory we've taken over from those two former gangs, that's clearly not enough."

"Heh!"

Liu Chu gave a cold laugh. "So they think the Black Dragon Gang is at its weakest right now?"

The hall masters didn't dare answer. They all fell silent.

The Wild Wolf Gang probably thought exactly that, which was why they'd made their move—wounding one of the Black Dragon Gang's hall masters to see how the gang would react.

"Gang leader, the Wild Wolf Gang is full of ambition. They want to use this chance to probe your strength. If you don't take a firm enough stance, they'll likely decide that our Black Dragon Gang is weak."

A glint of icy light flashed in Ruan Jin's eyes. "Why don't we show weakness to lure them in? Given the Wild Wolf Gang leader's hot temper, he won't pass up such a golden opportunity. Once they attack us..."

He gave a sly, sinister chuckle. "That'll be when they see your true strength. We could seize the chance to swallow the Wild Wolf Gang whole and grow stronger!"

"Absolutely not!"

Another hall master immediately objected. "At a time like this, we're surrounded by wolves. The Wild Wolf Gang isn't the only one watching us."

"Who knows how many other gangs are keeping an eye on us in secret? They're all hoping the Wild Wolf Gang will expose our true strength."

"The Wild Wolf Gang is just the vanguard. If we show weakness, the other gangs may smell blood and join forces with them to carve up our Black Dragon Gang!"

"Then we'll be besieged on all sides. We might have to face two or three gangs at once, or even be gnawed apart by four or five!"

He cupped his fists toward Liu Chu. "I recommend that we take a hard line and fight fire with fire. We should seriously wound one of their hall masters!"

Liu Chu sat at the head of the hall, one hand propping up his cheek and the other resting on the tiger-skin armrest. He listened lazily to their suggestions.

"You both make good points!"

He lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest, approving both proposals.

Then he stood and slowly stretched. The languor in his eyes abruptly turned sharp. "But... why go to all that trouble?"

His voice was cold, edged with domineering certainty. "Since the Wild Wolf Gang is asking for death, we'll wipe them out!"

"What? Wipe out the Wild Wolf Gang?!"

The three hall masters, including Feng Sheng, who was lying on a stretcher, stared at Liu Chu in surprise, each with a different expression.

Feng Sheng was the most delighted. He hurriedly asked, "Gang leader, are you going to use my strategy? Show weakness first, lure them in, then wipe them out in one fell swoop?"

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

He ordered Ruan Jin, "Hall Master Ruan, send them a message. Invite the Wild Wolf Gang leader to meet at Old Locust Flat and discuss this matter!"

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

"If not, why would they dare meet me?"

Liu Chu said, unconcerned.

"This..."

Ruan Jin furrowed her brow, unable to make sense of Liu Chu's intentions. She couldn't help looking at the other two hall masters.

They were just as baffled.

"Even if the gang leader wants to show a firm stance, there's no need to put himself in danger."

Both hall masters tried to persuade him.

But Liu Chu shook his head and waved a hand. "Just go and deliver the message."

The three hall masters saw that Liu Chu had made up his mind. They could only comply, take their leave, and carry out his orders.

Inside the Wild Wolf Gang.

"He's inviting me to Old Locust Flat?"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader, a burly man with a full beard, read the letter in his hand and burst into laughter. "Looks like the Black Dragon Gang leader is pretty confident!"

"Could it be that the Black Dragon Gang leader really is a mysterious master?"

One of the hall masters asked, puzzled.

"Not necessarily!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader shook his head and snorted. "Maybe he's just trying to bluff us."

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

Another hall master asked.

"Of course!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader sneered. "I, Lin Sanlang, wasn't born yesterday. A little bluffing won't scare me. Dream on!"

He sprang to his feet and chose four hall masters. "You four, come with me. Also, have Chen Jiu watch the road to Old Locust Flat. Once he enters our territory, send twenty men to ambush him. This time, I'll make sure he never comes back!"

"Understood!"

Hall Master Chen Jiu left respectfully.

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

Old Locust Flat.

A massive old locust tree stood alone on the flat ground, its surroundings deserted and desolate, its weathered presence plain to see.

Its branches spread like a canopy, and beneath it stood a solitary figure.

Liu Chu wore black from head to toe, a Black Dragon Mask on his face and a long saber at his waist. With his hands behind his back, he stood motionless, gazing at the old locust tree before him, his expression cold.

Ten zhang away, two Black Dragon Gang hall masters stood with twenty or thirty gang members behind them, keeping their distance. They looked confused.

"What does the gang leader mean by this? Why have us hold back ten zhang? How can we help him right away if we're so far off?"

Hall Master Ruan Jin frowned at the lone figure beneath the tree, perplexed.

"Is the gang leader trying to intimidate the Wild Wolf Gang leader? Isn't that a bit presumptuous? The Wild Wolf Gang leader is reckless, but he won't be easy to scare."

The other hall master was just as confused, unable to understand the gang leader's actions.

If the gang leader really wanted to scare the Wild Wolf Gang leader, he probably wouldn't succeed!

Just then, a burst of laughter rang out.

The Wild Wolf Gang leader arrived at Old Locust Flat with four hall masters and forty or fifty gang members in a grand procession.

"Black Dragon Gang leader, you've got some nerve, daring to come meet me on Wild Wolf Gang territory!"

The Wild Wolf Gang leader wore a fierce expression and strode forward, a Gold-Threaded Great Ring Blade slung across his back. He moved with the swagger of a dragon and tiger, his imposing presence bearing down on them.

"The Wild Wolf Gang leader is here!"

"He brought four hall masters and forty or fifty gang members!"

The two Black Dragon Gang hall masters stared at the dark mass of people behind the Wild Wolf Gang leader, their faces tightening in alarm.

The sheer numbers made them instinctively take a step back. Some of the gang members behind them were already thinking of retreating.

The sides were nearly two to one, and fear rose in them by instinct.

As he strode forward with the swagger of a dragon and tiger, the Wild Wolf Gang leader glanced at them and was quite pleased.

Outsiders knew him only as reckless and impulsive. They didn't know that he had "a fierce tiger in his heart, yet could sniff the roses with care"; beneath his boorish, rash exterior, he was actually sharp-minded.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived this long!

Seeing his own group's imposing presence scare the two Black Dragon Gang hall masters and their men, he didn't slow down. He continued striding toward Liu Chu.

But when he was still five zhang from Liu Chu, he suddenly stopped.

The black-clad figure stood beneath the old locust tree with his hands behind his back. Despite the pressure of the Wild Wolf Gang leader's presence, he was as steady as a mountain. Even his breathing was calm and restrained, without the slightest sign of nervousness.

Does this man... really have the strength to back up his confidence?

The Wild Wolf Gang leader's eyes flickered. His expression turned grave as he felt that the other man didn't look like he was bluffing.

In that instant, he made a decision. His fierce expression abruptly changed into a friendly smile. "Brother Black Dragon, what did you want to see me about?"

Better test him first.

Liu Chu's composure had made him wary after all, so he decided to probe him.

"An explanation!"

Liu Chu slowly turned around. The face behind his Black Dragon Mask was icy, and he glanced at the Wild Wolf Gang leader. His voice was indifferent, yet overwhelmingly domineering.