Making her escape

Pei Hu felt helpless. Jiang Nan was now far beyond anything they could handle, but seeing how furious his second son was, he could not bring himself to discourage him. He sighed and said, "At a time like this, we'd better tell your older brother to come back. We need to consider our next move carefully."

Just then, a subordinate hurried in to report that Jiang Nan, that demon of a man, had actually returned.

Pei Hu and his son exchanged a glance. Both knew Jiang Nan had probably finished dealing with Steven. They just did not know whether he had crippled Steven's legs as he had theirs, or killed him outright.

Pei Hu quickly ordered his men to find wheelchairs and push him and his son to the clubhouse lobby. When he saw Jiang Nan, he composed himself and said deferentially, "My dear-Lord Jiang Nan, do you have any further instructions?"

By now, much of Jiang Nan's anger had subsided. Seeing the father and son in their wheelchairs left him with mixed feelings, though he would not have called it guilt. They had brought this upon themselves, after all. More than anything, he still had not quite adjusted to his role as judge.

"You share the blame for this child's death. You can handle her funeral arrangements," Jiang Nan said.

Pei Hu nodded at once. "Of course, of course! We'll choose a good burial plot for her and hold a memorial service."

"Don't make it too elaborate. She didn't have much family. Let her go in peace." Jiang Nan paused for a few seconds before continuing, "Once her funeral is over, it'll be time for me to leave White Cloud City."

Pei Hu was secretly delighted. Good, he's leaving! Once Jiang Nan is gone, Black Tiger Hall will be calling the shots in White Cloud City again!

"But I could come back at any time. Remember the oath you swore yourself. If I discover Black Tiger Hall committing these atrocities again, I can promise you this..." Jiang Nan raised his voice. "Black Tiger Hall will cease to exist in White Cloud City, and not a single member of your Pei family will be left alive!"

Jiang Nan's words chilled Pei Hu to the bone. He hastily assured him, "Rest assured, Lord Jiang Nan. From now on, Black Tiger Hall will never cross the line, and we'll do more to contribute to White Cloud City."

Jiang Nan then turned to Tang Fei. "When we left the Lin family home, you were the one who tipped Pei Zheng off, weren't you?"

Tang Fei lowered his head, not daring to meet Jiang Nan's eyes. "B-Brother Nan, I... I..."

"You don't need to explain." Jiang Nan sighed. "You're not a bad person, and you value loyalty. He is your cousin, after all. In your place, I probably would've done the same."

Tang Fei wanted to summon the courage to ask Jiang Nan to take him along, but even after thinking it over for a long time, he still could not bring himself to speak.

"When I come back, I'll look you up again," Jiang Nan said calmly.

Tang Fei's eyes lit up. That promise from Brother Nan was enough!

"Let me know when the memorial service will be." With those words, Jiang Nan left alone.

A little while after Jiang Nan had gone, Pei Zheng suddenly let out a roar, venting the rage seething inside him.

Sister Lan dropped to her knees with a thud and bowed her head. "It's all my fault for failing in my duties. I've brought disaster on you and the former hall master. Please punish me, Hall Master!"

Pei Zheng's face twisted viciously. "Of course I'll punish you! If you hadn't botched things, would my legs be like this?! Someone, break both her legs too!"

Pei Hu leaned his head back and said wearily, "Enough. She was working for Black Tiger Hall too. Zheng, don't lose your head! All your subordinates are watching."

His words jolted Pei Zheng. That's right. If I break Xinlan's legs today, who'll still be willing to give their all for Black Tiger Hall?

After his chest heaved a few times, Pei Zheng said, "I lost control of my emotions. I'm sorry, Sister Lan. All the brothers and sisters of Black Tiger Hall are family. There's no need to talk about who brought trouble on whom."

Speaking of their own people, Pei Zheng suddenly realized that someone seemed to be missing.

Seeing Pei Zheng look around, Sister Lan also realized something was wrong. Where's Hu Mei?

While everyone in Black Tiger Hall had been scrambling to get Pei Hu and his son medical treatment, Hu Mei had realized nothing good would come of staying. She had slipped away amid the chaos. Once she was far from the clubhouse, she hailed a taxi back to Lin Bin's home.

She hurried up to the third floor. The door to the Lin family home was still open, and Lin Bin was still slumped on the living room floor, groaning in pain.

Seeing Hu Mei return, Lin Bin felt as though he had found a lifeline. He had thrown away his mobile phone some time ago to avoid his creditors, so he could not even call an ambulance. There was still a suitcase full of money under the bed in the bedroom, and he dared not shout for help either. He feared someone might see that he was alone and get ideas. If they stole his money, he would be in real trouble.

He had never expected Hu Mei to return alone just when he had lost all hope. Hardship really did reveal true love. Lin Bin called weakly, "Mei, hurry and call an ambulance for me. I can't hold on much longer."

Hu Mei glanced at Lin Bin, making no attempt to hide her contempt, then went straight to the bedroom without looking back.

Lin Bin's heart leaped into his throat. Mei said she loved me more than anything. Could her phone be in the bedroom? She definitely isn't planning to run off with the money alone!

His worst fear came true. Hu Mei appeared in the bedroom doorway, dragging the suitcase full of money. She had also found a hat and put it on, apparently hoping to avoid recognition.

"That's my money! My daughter's life paid for it! Put it down!" Lin Bin growled.

Hu Mei ignored him and simply dragged the suitcase toward the door.

Bracing his hands against the floor, Lin Bin crawled after her with all his strength and wrapped his arms around her legs, refusing to let her leave.

Hu Mei shoved at him several times, but she could not escape the vise-like grip of his arms. The thought that Black Tiger Hall would soon discover she had slipped away-and might already be coming after her-filled her with panic. In her desperation, she turned vicious.

Hu Mei grabbed the incense burner from the nearby table and smashed it down on Lin Bin's head.

Thud!

The incense burner struck his head with a dull sound. It hurt, but did not seriously injure him. He kept trying to trip Hu Mei with his hands, cursing nonstop.

She had already struck him once. A few more blows would make no difference.

Hu Mei raised the incense burner and brought it down on Lin Bin's head again. Her eyes reddened as she struck him over and over. Only when the burner was coated in sticky red and white fluid and Lin Bin lay completely motionless on the floor did she stop, panting.

Seeing blood on her trousers, Hu Mei hurriedly found a clean pair and changed. Then she grabbed the suitcase and left the Lin family home in a rush, remembering to lock the door behind her.

Just as she emerged from the old residential complex, Hu Mei saw two cars approaching, one behind the other. It looked as though Black Tiger Hall's men had already tracked her down. Fortunately, they had not yet noticed her as she rounded the corner.

Black Tiger Hall's men would probably discover Lin Bin's lifeless body inside within minutes. Knowing she had no time to lose, Hu Mei pulled her hat brim lower and hurried away from the trouble spot, dragging her suitcase behind her.