Great-Aunt

Amidst the negotiations between the wolf pack and the hyenas, a soft, white little lamb suddenly strolled in.

That was, at this moment, the impression held by everyone in Haisha Bar, whether they were gangsters or bar staff.

Brian froze.

The man in black, Grey Wolf, who had just ascended to the position of the new leader of this district during the internal power struggle within Kalleva, also froze.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, it was the same subordinates of Brian who had previously "teased" Irin that were the first to exclaim: "Wait, isn't this that rich girl from before?"

"Damn! Why hasn't she left yet?"

"Could she be drunk? Damn it, of all the times to show up, she picks now!"

"This stupid girl! Now she won't be able to leave even if she wants to!"

The voices of his subordinates finally brought Brian back to his senses.

While he quickly cursed this "rich girl" in his heart for being such an idiot who couldn't read the room—as if her brain had been kicked by a donkey—he simultaneously took a few large strides, using his burly, sturdy frame to shield Irin, blocking her from the fiery gazes cast from all directions.

"Go back!" Brian tilted his head slightly, growling at the girl standing in his shadow.

He could bring his men to chat up and tease pretty girls in the bar; that was an unspoken, accepted rule of the establishment. But at the same time, as the owner, he was also responsible for ensuring the safety of every customer in his bar.

There had been many patrons who, fueled by alcohol, grew bold and crossed the line from flirting to unwanted physical advances. Without exception, Brian had beaten every one of them to a pulp and thrown them out.

That was why Haisha Bar was successful; it wasn't just because of Brian's past reputation.

But this time.

A few of Brian's more observant subordinates immediately understood their boss's intent and began walking quickly toward Irin, wanting to drag this rich, foolish girl out of there as fast as possible.

Unfortunately.

Bang!

A gunshot made the people in Haisha Bar freeze in their tracks.

Grey Wolf lowered his smoking gun, his gaze burning as he stared at Brian—or rather, at the beautiful figure shielded behind him.

"Move aside."

Brian didn't budge, staring into the other man's eyes. "We've brought the four crates of protection money. You should leave."

"I told you to move aside. Are you deaf!?" Grey Wolf roared impatiently.

"I've changed my mind. The four crates of money from your Haisha Bar aren't enough anymore. I want the woman behind you, too!"

Grey Wolf stated it bluntly, without the slightest attempt at concealment. To be honest, his earlier moment of shock wasn't just a delay in reaction; he had been genuinely stunned by the "little lamb."

As a mid-level leader for Kalleva, Grey Wolf could walk through the Black Cave Settlement as he pleased. Naturally, he had played with plenty of beautiful women, but compared to the girl who had just appeared, Grey Wolf instantly felt that all the ones he had played with before were nothing but defective goods.

Part of this was certainly due to the girl's high-class attire.

But Grey Wolf wasn't someone who couldn't afford such things; he had tried having his own women wear expensive designer clothes, but some things simply couldn't be changed by fashion—like fair, flawless skin, bright and spirited eyes, and an innate, seamless elegance.

For instance.

"Alright, old man, I think that bird's nest head is right. Stop blocking the way and move aside." An impatient voice also came from behind Brian.

And this voice, this tone, and this familiar form of address...

There was only one kid in Haisha Bar who would call him that.

Brian turned around in astonishment.

The bar owner's eyes widened.

"Hmph, I'll settle the score with you later!"

Irin gave the dazed middle-aged man a fierce, annoyed glare, then slipped past Brian in a flash, finally arriving in front of the man in black.

"Hey, bird's nest head, I heard you wanted to take me away?"

Upon hearing Irin's impolite address, the Kalleva members under Grey Wolf immediately grew restless, but this time, the man in black raised a hand, proactively stopping his subordinates.

It had to be said that a woman's beauty was indeed a weapon, one that could significantly increase a man's tolerance.

"I just think that someone as beautiful and elegant as you, Miss, shouldn't stay in a dirty, chaotic rat's nest, don't you agree?" Grey Wolf said, trying to appear suave.

He certainly wasn't a fool blinded by lust. Not only from Irin's appearance but also from the way the girl showed absolutely no fear of them, Grey Wolf was increasingly convinced that Irin might truly have some kind of background.

Therefore, Grey Wolf became patient, even introducing himself:

"Hamoud Mullen, current branch leader of Kalleva in the Beirang district, and the youngest leader in the gang's records to date. May I have the honor of knowing your name, Miss?"

"Want to know who I am? Come here, get a little closer."

Irin beckoned to the man in black with her finger.

Perhaps because she was a woman and her attire didn't seem to pose any threat, the man actually stepped forward a few paces toward the girl.

And just as he leaned his head down, waiting for the girl's reply, what he received was...

"I am your f***ing great-aunt!"

Following Irin's angry outburst was the girl's fist, which had long since hardened into a rock.

Irin felt not a shred of pity, fully adhering to what Liao Ji had just said, and put all her strength into a punch aimed directly at the face the man had leaned in close.

Bang!

The Kalleva gang members blocking the hall only heard a muffled thud, and in the blink of an eye, their boss—who had been right in front of the rich young lady a moment ago—was sent flying like a kite with a broken string, soaring at least seven or eight meters away before crashing into the bar, triggering a massive clatter as he was completely buried under shards of glass and overturned tables and chairs, falling deathly silent.

The entire process actually happened in a split second, and it was so sudden that neither side had time to react.

But the girl was different.

After her strike landed, Irin showed no intention of stopping, taking advantage of the moment to charge directly toward the Kalleva gang members who had yet to recover their senses.

The stiletto heels on the girl's feet were not actually Liao Ji's idea, but rather something the girl had chosen herself at the clothing store; for an ordinary person, let alone fighting, they would likely be difficult to even walk in, but for Irin, who had already become a Corrupted—

The sharp heel acted like a keen blade, and in the moment she swung her leg, it precisely slashed across the throat of the gang member in front of her. He widened his eyes, clutching his bleeding neck in shock and resentment, before finally collapsing limply before the girl.