The Wutu Gang

"Lu Zhan, congratulations on getting out of the hospital in one piece!"

"We haven't seen each other in ages since you moved out!"

"We grew up together-we're brothers! Keeping us at arm's length like this is treating us like strangers."

The vehicle's door slowly opened, revealing a pale-faced young man with a head full of yellow hair.

The moment Lu Zhan saw him, memories of their past together came flooding back.

But in those memories, they had hardly been as close as brothers. They had been bitter enemies.

The yellow-haired pretty boy was named Lin Kexian.

Like Lu Zhan, he was an orphan raised by the Wutu Gang.

But unlike the honest, guileless man who had previously inhabited Lu Zhan's body, Lin Kexian had been cunning and devious since childhood, with a knack for forming cliques.

Lu Zhan, who had always kept to himself, had suffered plenty of exclusion at their hands.

After reaching adulthood, a bootlicking rotten egg like Lin Kexian had naturally joined the Wutu Gang and become one of its thugs.

Convinced that he was now a cut above the rest, he had nothing but contempt for the idea of associating with Lu Zhan.

In fact, manual laborers like Lu Zhan had been driven out by thugs like him.

Otherwise, Lu Zhan would not have ended up with nowhere to live and been forced to rent a place elsewhere.

"Lin Kexian, what are you doing here?"

"Don't tell me you've come down with something incurable?"

Lu Zhan glanced at Lin Kexian's pale face, then at the nearby hospital, and put on a sympathetic expression.

They might not truly be brothers, but they were both men, after all!

"Lu Zhan, don't play dumb with me!"

"I came here specifically to find you."

"I've been staking out the hospital entrance for three days just to catch you."

As sharp as Lin Kexian was, how could he possibly miss the mockery in Lu Zhan's words?

In the past, if Lu Zhan had dared insult him like this, Lin Kexian would have slapped him already.

But things were a little different this time.

He had been sent to fetch Lu Zhan on the orders of Helmsman Ma of the Wutu Gang.

Just as I thought, the Wutu Gang sent Lin Kexian.

The gang really did find out about my Armored Warrior talent.

But he's been waiting here since three days ago?

That means the Wutu Gang has some impressive sources of information.

Lin Kexian's "restraint" confirmed for Lu Zhan that he was merely an errand boy.

Lu Zhan was not at all surprised that the Wutu Gang had come looking for him.

The Wutu Gang had long since ceased to be the mutual aid organization it once was. It had degenerated into a criminal outfit driven solely by profit.

The Wutu Gang might have already sold Lu Zhan once.

But in their eyes, he was still their property.

Their reaction upon discovering that they had sold him far too cheaply was easy to imagine.

From the moment he decided not to conceal his talent, Lu Zhan had been prepared for the Wutu Gang to come knocking.

But Lin Kexian having started his stakeout three days ago was a little too early.

That could only mean the Wutu Gang had learned of Lu Zhan's talent before the medical staff had.

My Armored Warrior talent was discovered during the final screening.

Only Xin Ya had that information until she told me herself.

That means the leak could only have come from one of those two patrol officers from the Public Security Office.

It was probably Wang Yang, wasn't it?

That guy knew the Wutu Gang's affairs inside out. I'd believe it if someone told me he was a mole planted by the gang.

The reach of the Wutu Gang's tentacles surprised Lu Zhan somewhat.

But upon closer consideration, it made perfect sense.

After all, the Wutu Gang operated primarily within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Public Security Office.

"Lin Kexian, you actually spent three days out here in the wind and sun waiting for me?"

"Well, thanks for going to all that trouble."

"Tell me, what exactly do you want with me?"

Although Lu Zhan had already guessed why Lin Kexian had come, he did not mind learning a little more.

When dealing with a gang as ruthless as the Wutu Gang, a little extra preparation never hurt.

"Enough chatter. Get in!"

"Lu Zhan, Helmsman Ma specifically asked to see you."

"Since we grew up together, let me give you a word of advice."

"Once we get there, answer whatever Helmsman Ma asks."

"You must have had some damn lucky break to survive that Mutant Beast."

Seeing that Lu Zhan still refused to take the hint, an impatient Lin Kexian pulled him straight into the vehicle.

Fortunately, Lu Zhan did not resist. Otherwise, Lin Kexian would definitely have lost his temper.

"Whooo! Whooo! Whooo!"

The door closed, and the steam-powered vehicle set off again, shaking all over.

Once he was certain his "capture" mission had gone smoothly, Lin Kexian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Kexian simply could not understand why Helmsman Ma wanted to see Lu Zhan.

Was it just because he had encountered a Mutant Beast and somehow survived?

That couldn't be right!

Everyone avoided anything involving Mutant Beasts like the plague. Small gangs like theirs had no business getting involved.

Under normal circumstances, Lu Zhan would have been treated like a steaming pile of dog shit, and the gang should have cut ties with him immediately.

But instead of cutting ties, Helmsman Ma had strictly ordered him to stake out the hospital entrance without leaving his post for even a moment.

He was to bring Lu Zhan back to the gang at the earliest opportunity.

None of it made any sense!

Looks like Lin Kexian isn't doing all that well in the gang!

The lousy wheels are one thing, but more importantly, he doesn't seem to know anything about what's really going on.

Inside the steam-powered vehicle, Lu Zhan curiously examined everything around him.

All he could say was that its bare-bones interior lived up to its bumpy ride.

Although Lu Zhan also worried that the vehicle might

fall apart at any moment, this was his first ride in this lifetime, after all.

It was still worth savoring the experience.

"Lu Zhan, nice ride, isn't it? Helmsman Ma assigned it specifically for my use."

"What important inside information do you have that even Helmsman Ma wants to see you?"

"We grew up together-we're brothers. You're not going to keep it from me, are you?"

Watching Lu Zhan look all around the vehicle like some country bumpkin, a trace of disdain flashed through Lin Kexian's eyes.

But to satisfy his curiosity, he still put on an act of brotherly affection.

In Lin Kexian's opinion, with him being so "friendly" to Lu Zhan, the fellow was bound to feel overwhelmed by the favor and moved to tears of gratitude.

"Lin Kexian, this vehicle really is something. It suits your character perfectly."

"As for inside information?"

"I'm just an innocent passerby. How could I possibly have any inside information about Mutant Beasts?"

"Isn't Helmsman Ma summoning me because the gang found out I tested positive for Armored Warrior talent?"

"Lin Kexian, I think I'm really going to hit the big time now."

"Don't worry. We grew up together, after all. I'll never forget you!"

Seeing that Lin Kexian was treating him well, Lu Zhan kindly satisfied his curiosity.

Joy shared was joy doubled, after all!

The next second, perhaps because the "pleasant surprise" had come too suddenly,

Lin Kexian slammed on the brakes, and a wheel promptly made its own escape.