"At a time like this, what sort of joke are you making?"
Currents of force surged on all sides, yet the skiff beneath Hong Yuan's feet remained rooted like an old tree, unmoved by the battering waves. His gaze swept around, picking out several submerged reefs, and he chuckled.
Beneath the gate of the Canal Gang's stronghold, where a broad shadow lay, the burly figure sighed again. "Very well! Young man, you have come from afar as our guest. We ought to extend the hospitality of hosts. Please come inside."
Hong Yuan shook his head. "You're mistaken. I'm no guest, but a debt collector! In Lanyue Garden, your Canal Gang's third chief pocketed three thousand taels of mine. Then you put a bounty on my head. With interest compounding all this time, you owe me at least one or two million taels."
The banks of the gorge were far apart, and few people on either side heard those words clearly.
The Canal Gang disciples waiting in battle formation on the platform flushed red and began shouting curses.
Even the burly man seemed startled by this lion's gaping maw of a demand before sneering. "Three thousand taels, heh! Once three thousand taels reaches your hands, it becomes a debt of at least a million? Aren't you afraid of stuffing yourself to death?"
Hong Yuan said leisurely, "My interest rate is a little high. I know the Canal Gang can't afford it, so I've come to collect in person. Once I've dealt with you, I can take the Canal Gang in payment."
"I understand now. So you haven't come for the Raging Tide Hand-you've set your sights on the Canal Gang."
The burly man still did not emerge from the shadow of the gate, but his voice turned icy. "Very good. In