The Golden Wolf Gang

He woke up.

It was nearly time to call it a day.

After hearing reports from his men, with nothing major having happened, Fang Xing left the County Yamen.

But just after leaving the County Yamen, as he passed through Nanshan Ward, someone stepped forward and stopped him.

The young man looked like a scholar and wore a smile.

"Are you Lord Fang Xing?"

Fang Xing looked the young scholar over and frowned. "Who are you?"

The young man chuckled. "Lord Fang, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Lin Qiu of the Golden Wolf Gang. Our leader has reserved a private room at the Spring Breeze Restaurant and would like to invite you to dinner. We hope you'll do us the honor."

"The Golden Wolf Gang..."

Fang Xing narrowed his eyes as relevant information quickly surfaced in his mind.

A third-rate gang.

They had some renown in North City and were stronger than the Black Tiger Gang.

Their leader was also at the peak of Bright Force.

And the Golden Wolf Gang had more than just their leader, a Bright Force martial artist. They had two other Bright Force martial artists holding down the fort.

Though neither was at the peak of Bright Force, a gang with three Bright Force martial artists was still powerful.

At the very least, they were powerful compared to him right now.

As the thought crossed his mind, Fang Xing looked at Lin Qiu. "I don't believe I know your leader."

Lin Qiu smiled warmly. "Lord Fang, strangers become friends after a couple of meetings. Our leader has long admired you, and he'd like to get to know you today."

Hearing that, Fang Xing understood what he meant. He pretended to ponder for a moment before replying, "All right. I have nothing on at the moment, so I'll go meet him."

Fang Xing didn't mind if they were trying to win him over.

After all, his main goal right now was to improve his strength, and he didn't want to antagonize the local gangs.

sooner or later, he would have to meet them.

Besides, he had only recently entered Bright Force, and there was still plenty of time.

He could make contact with them now; when the opportunity came, he could wipe them out in one fell swoop.

He was quite interested in the heretical cultivation methods.

He simply wasn't strong enough yet.

"After you, Lord Fang!"

Lin Qiu said with a smile. Fang Xing nodded, then followed him toward the Spring Breeze Restaurant.

North City, Anqing Ward.

Fang Xing followed Lin Qiu to the entrance of a restaurant.

This was one of the busiest streets in the city.

Restaurants, inns, and brothels lined the street.

It was the central thoroughfare of Anqing Ward.

Quite a few factions operated in the area.

Fang Xing had patrolled here before, so he was well acquainted with the local power structure.

They entered the restaurant, and Lin Qiu soon led him to a private room on the top floor.

Lin Qiu pushed open the door.

Three people were seated inside.

At the head of the table sat a bald, burly man in a black tunic. He was powerfully built, with bright, alert eyes.

Of the other two, one was a middle-aged man with a refined air.

The other was a tall, thin man.

These three were the core figures of the Golden Wolf Gang.

As the door opened, all three turned their eyes toward Fang Xing.

Their gazes met.

The bald man rose first and greeted him with a smile. "Welcome, Lord Fang."

The other two stood as well, smiling in welcome.

"Lord Fang, please come in."

Lin Qiu gestured for him to enter. Fang Xing nodded, then stepped into the private room.

Once Fang Xing was inside, Lin Qiu closed the door and tactfully left.

"Lord Fang, you're truly young and accomplished. On your very first day in office, you eliminated the scourge that was the Black Tiger Gang. Impressive!"

The refined middle-aged man spoke with a genial smile.

"Keeping North City safe is simply my duty," Fang Xing replied coolly.

"Lord Fang, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Jin Xiong, leader of the Golden Wolf Gang."

The bald man spoke with a smile.

Fang Xing nodded. "I've heard of Leader Jin for a long time. Meeting you today, I see the reputation is well deserved."

At that, Jin Xiong laughed heartily. "You flatter me, Lord Fang. I'm merely a man of the martial world. I could never compare to you."

Fang Xing smiled. Jin Xiong then introduced the refined middle-aged man beside him. "This is Jiang Tao, the general manager of the Golden Wolf Gang."

Jin Xiong made the introduction. The refined man smiled and nodded at Fang Xing, who nodded back in greeting.

Then Jin Xiong introduced the other man. "This is my younger brother, Jin Cheng."

The tall, thin man cupped his fist toward Fang Xing. Fang Xing gave a slight nod.

"I've prepared a modest banquet today so I could get to know you, Lord Fang. I'd also like to make your acquaintance and be your friend. Please, have a seat."

Jin Xiong spoke cheerfully and gestured toward the table. Fang Xing didn't stand on ceremony and sat down.

He glanced over the table of delicacies and fine wine, then looked at Jin Xiong.

"You're too kind, Leader Jin. I'd also like to get to know you."

"Ha! Then it seems we were of one mind."

Jin Xiong laughed heartily and glanced at Jiang Tao. Jiang Tao picked up the wine jug and poured Fang Xing a cup.

"Lord Fang, let's drink to our meeting. Please!"

Jin Xiong raised his cup. Jiang Tao and Jin Cheng followed suit.

Fang Xing smiled and raised his cup with one hand. "Please!"

With that, Fang Xing took a small sip, then set down his cup.

"Come, come, Lord Fang, try the dishes first. The Spring Breeze Restaurant's finest chef prepared them. They're delicious."

Jin Xiong spoke warmly. Fang Xing returned his smile, picked up a piece of tender fish, and took a bite.

The atmosphere was cordial.

They ate and chatted together.

They seemed like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years, and soon they were calling one another brothers.

After a few rounds of wine and several courses of food,

the private room rang with laughter and conversation.

Fang Xing set down his chopsticks and looked at Jin Xiong. "Brother Jin, I have something I'd like to ask you. I wonder if you might be able to tell me a little about it."

Jin Xiong put down his cup, his expression open and forthright. "Go ahead, Brother Fang. If I know, I'll tell you."

Fang Xing's eyes flickered as he smiled. "How much do you know about the Black Tiger Gang?"

"The Black Tiger Gang?"

Jin Xiong paused, then said, "I don't know much, to be honest. I only know a little about Xu Hu, the leader of the Black Tiger Gang. He used to be a street thug in Baichao Township outside the city. Later, somehow, he got lucky and became a martial artist. Then he gathered a group of people and carved out some territory in North City."

"I haven't had much contact with him myself."

"But I have heard a few rumors."

"Oh?"

Fang Xing's eyes lit up. He watched Jin Xiong without giving anything away. "What sort of rumors?"

"I heard it might have something to do with some heretical cult," Jiang Tao interjected.

"A heretical cult..."

After hearing Jiang Tao's remark, Fang Xing turned to look at him.

Jiang Tao met Fang Xing's gaze. "I don't know the details. I've only heard a few rumors."

"Then it seems there's a good chance the emissary behind Xu Hu was from the Fire Worship Cult..."

The thought crossed Fang Xing's mind, and his expression grew serious.

Heretical cults were deeply hidden.

If the emissary Xu Hu had mentioned really belonged to a heretical cult, he probably wouldn't be easy to draw out.

Fang Xing didn't know how powerful the Fire Worship Cult was, but the fact that it had endured for so long was proof enough of its strength.

"He came from Baichao Township... Could the Fire Worship Cult have a hideout there?"

A thought flashed through his mind.

"Even if there is a heretical cult hideout, going there with my current strength would be like delivering a meal to them. Better to stay in the city, where it's safer..."

Fang Xing sighed inwardly.

Even if there was one, he couldn't go.

He wasn't strong enough!

Still, learning this gave him a clearer idea of things.

At the very least, he could be fairly certain that the emissary Xu Hu had mentioned was a member of the Fire Worship Cult.

And it was quite possibly the fugitive from before.

"Brother Fang, hasn't the Black Tiger Gang already been wiped out? You even killed Xu Hu yourself. Are you worried that this heretical cult might come after you?"

Jiang Tao looked at Fang Xing and asked.

Fang Xing came back to himself. "It's nothing. There are just some cases from above that require my help with the investigation."

The others nodded and didn't press him further. They continued drinking and chatting.