Smoke Scattered, Clouds Vanished (Part Two)

As the sounds of fighting outside grew louder, Strategist Qian knew time was running short. He had spent years at headquarters and knew its layout like the back of his hand. He led the others straight to a warehouse with a locked iron door.

He opened it, and everyone froze. Boxes filled the room. Inside them were heaps of gold, silver, and valuables. Nearby stood an armory stocked with crossbows and iron armor.

Strategist Qian picked up a piece of gold, and at last a smile touched his face. Then, with a bang, the master of Dragonrise Hall arrived a step behind them and ordered his men to surround them.

"Wu Feng, what is the meaning of this?!" Strategist Qian demanded, shocked and furious at the sight of men who far outnumbered his own.

Wu Feng gave a cold laugh. "Strategist Qian, I should be asking you that. Everything in this warehouse belongs to the gang leader. With him gone, it belongs to everyone at headquarters."

"We're all preparing for battle, and you're helping yourself to silver?"

"Strategist Qian, while the gang leader lived, you were an old Examination Student who failed the exams time and again and couldn't even truss a chicken. Yet you had the nerve to lord it over me. Now I'll show you who the real hero of the Dragon-Tiger Gang is! Kill him!"

At Wu Feng's command, men rushed forward. "Rebellion! This is rebellion!" Strategist Qian shouted. "When the gang leader was alive, I outranked you!"

"You're the one defying your superior now! Men! Men!"

Wu Feng only sneered at his cries. Seeing his expression, Strategist Qian suddenly realized something. He turned and found that every man who had followed him stood silent. His heart sank further.

He froze for an instant, then cried out