Chapter 143: Iron Elder (Part 2)

“Xiao Hu! Sit down!”

The one who had been silent the whole time — Brother Long — suddenly spoke. His voice carried an unquestionable authority that pressed down like a mountain. He reached out a strong hand and clamped it onto Brother Hu’s trembling shoulder.

“You drank two cups of ‘cat urine’ (cheap liquor) and now you don’t know what Iron Master is saying anymore?”

“Exactly, Xiao Hu.” Beside him, Brother Hai quickly put down his chopsticks and chimed in with fake concern. “Iron Master has eaten more salt than we’ve eaten rice. The old man naturally has his reasons. Don’t go acting like you’ve forgotten basic manners. If word spreads, people will laugh at us for being uneducated.”

The two of them echoed each other so smoothly that Brother Hu’s raging temper — which had been burning to the heavens — was doused like cold water thrown over his head. His neck veins bulged violently.

But eventually, he gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and squeezed out through clenched jaws: “…I’m sorry, Iron Master. I was impulsive.”

He dropped heavily onto his chair. The Taishi chair creaked loudly beneath him.

Iron Master chuckled softly. “Heh… heh…” But the smile never reached his eyes. Behind his black-framed glasses, his gaze was ice-cold. He had seen right through their little performance.

One plays the red face, the other two play white face… This cheap little opera… they really think I’m too old to tell which role each of them is playing?

Brotherhood? Loyalty? Dying together? All bullshit.

Last month, you bastards were tearing each other apart over a few smuggling routes, practically hoping the others got hit by a car the moment they stepped out the door. Now that Wrench is dead, suddenly they’re acting like loyal wolves grieving for a fallen brother? Ridiculous.

It’s simple: Wrench’s territory is ownerless meat now. All three of them are salivating over it. But they’re also afraid. Afraid of the mysterious force that killed Wrench. Afraid it might come for them next.

So — they want him, Iron Master, to step out, take the hit, clear away the danger… …and once the road is paved, they’ll jump in to swallow the entire territory clean.

A fine plan. Neat. Calculated.

Iron Master lifted his teacup, blew across the surface, and sipped. “Unfortunately… you idiots only stare at the little profit in front of your eyes…” “…yet fail to see the Damocles sword hanging above your heads.”

“For ordinary civilians, the Akacheng Gang may be a raging beast…” “But in front of the true state apparatus— we are nothing.”

His eyes drifted toward the floor-to-ceiling window. Toward the endlessly dark sea outside.

“And beneath the glossy surface of New Sea City… …lurks a group of ‘cleaners’ who deal with filth.”

Creatures with inhuman power. Iron Master had personally witnessed, years ago, how his godfather Tai Lao, along with an entire force, was wiped out overnight by such monsters. That was when he finally understood the truth of the world.

In this era, it is not fists… …but survival that is the ultimate law. The days of charging through the streets with machetes, acting like wild bandits… …belong to the old world, long gone.

He looked back at the three men. “So—tell me. After all this buildup… what is it you want to do?”

The Proposal

Brother Long sat upright, finally dropping the gentle mask. A predatory gleam shone in his narrow eyes.

“Iron Master, you should’ve heard…” “…about the major gas explosion at the Xinhai Public Security Bureau some time ago, right?”

Iron Master lazily removed his glasses and wiped them. “Why? Was that your doing?”

A smug, cruel grin curled Brother Long’s lips. “That’s right.”

“That Fremao incident that cost me Wrench— it also left me with plenty of useful material.”

He lowered his voice, excitement trembling in it. “I’ve recently formed ties with a certain Master.”

“That Master said… the corpses of our brothers — filled with fear and resentment — are the best sacrifices for summoning a real immortal.”

“Not the fake stuff Wrench’s monster was playing at…” “But a being ten times… a hundred times stronger.”

“A Great Luo Golden Immortal!”

Brother Long spread his arms wide, as if reveling in an apocalyptic vision. “Iron Master, don’t you want to see it? As long as this fire is lit — as long as fear and chaos engulf New Sea City — order collapses.”

“And once order collapses…” “…we can take back everything we ever lost — with interest.”

Iron Master stared at him quietly. He had once admired this young man. Ambitious, sharp, capable. That was why he’d promoted him to East Hall Master.

But now? This boy had strayed. Far. Too far.

The future Akacheng Gang should be like a wintering snake — shedding its bloody skin, putting on a legal suit, and walking into the sunlight as a legitimate force. But Brother Long wanted to turn the whole city into a slaughterhouse… And crown himself king.

Impossible. Insane.

Iron Master exhaled. “Great Luo Golden Immortal… I’ve never heard of such a monster.” He shook his head. “Xiao Long, is your brain fried by that so-called Immortal Dust?”

“You really think you can crush SkyDome Group with this nonsense?”

Brother Long only smiled wider. “Iron Master, don’t be so pessimistic. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake.”

“If our two forces join hands — even SkyDome will have to kneel in our territory.”

Iron Master’s patience snapped. “Enough!” He slammed his palm down. “I’m not in the mood for your daydreams.”

“This matter — I do NOT agree. So long as I sit in this seat— there will be NO chaos in New Sea City!”

He turned sharply toward the other two. “Xiao Hu. Xiao Hai. What do you say?!”

The two kept their heads lowered. Too low. Iron Master’s heart sank. Something was wrong. These men normally never dared act this defiant.

At that moment, Iron Master’s secretary rushed in, pale as paper. She leaned close and whispered a few words.

Iron Master froze. His usually unshakable expression twisted into stone. He jerked his head toward Brother Long—

—just in time to see him lounging back with his polished leather shoes propped arrogantly on the priceless zitan table. A mocking smirk played on his lips.

“Looks like you’ve received the news.” Brother Long toyed with a lighter. “That’s right. As of a few minutes ago…”

“…those old fossils in the board have signed the equity transfer.” “I am now the majority shareholder of the Group.”

Iron Master’s face darkened into a terrifying shade. “You bastard… my top bodyguards protect those old men day and night. How did you—?”

Brother Long shrugged lightly. “Nothing much. I just brought a few of the Masters to have a nice, heart-to-heart talk with them.”

He smiled cruelly. “Your so-called elite guards… are nothing but mortals with pretty muscles.”

“And before the great Abyssal Power… mortals are ants.”

Iron Master instantly understood. The boy had sold his soul for strength.

“Xiao Long…” Iron Master’s voice trembled with fury. “Are you not being too impatient?”

Brother Long laughed. “Impatient? No, Iron Master…” “New Sea City is a deep ocean. The waves are enormous.”

He leaned in, pupils glowing with madness. “And when waves grow big— the fish grow fat.”

He grinned like a demon. “When I first entered the Akacheng Gang, you said we’d work together to rebuild it strong. So why… when I finally rise to power… are you the one standing in my way?”

Iron Master slammed his palm onto the table—

But a split second before he could speak—

BOOM!!!

Brother Long struck the zitan round table with a single glowing palm. The table — worth a fortune — exploded into fragments.

Silence. Only the sound of wood debris falling.

After venting, Brother Long calmed. He reached out and patted Iron Master’s shoulder gently… Almost tenderly.

“Iron Master… I’ll always remember your guidance.” “So don’t worry.” “I’ll make sure you rest… peacefully.”

“Under my lead, the Akacheng Gang will become stronger, fiercer, more glorious than ever.”

Iron Master’s face turned ashen.

Brother Long clapped twice. Pa. Pa.

At once, the decorative screen behind Iron Master crashed to the ground. Wind howled into the room. The corridor outside was revealed—

Iron Master’s pupils shrank to pinpoints. His most trusted bodyguards… …were now mangled pieces of meat scattered across the floor.

And on top of those corpses— several deep-red monsters were gnawing greedily at fresh flesh. Wet, horrifying chewing sounds echoed.

Iron Master closed his eyes. He suddenly felt twenty years older.

But he did not beg. He did not kneel. As a man of the previous generation, he chose to keep the last shred of his dignity.

He stood up slowly. Straightened his Tang suit. And walked toward the door… …the door to hell.

Brother Long waved his hand. Xiao Hu obediently closed the door behind Iron Master.

Bang.

The sound sealed the world. And sealed the coming screams.

Brother Long exhaled sharply, collapsing into the Taishi chair. His fingers caressed the armrest still warm from Iron Master’s touch. The warmth of power. The warmth of blood.

“Xiao Hu. Xiao Hai…” He pointed at the secretary who was shaking uncontrollably. “Take that woman away.”

The two men grinned, dragged the woman off.

Once he was alone, Brother Long pulled out an encrypted phone. The moment the line connected, his voice trembled with zeal.

“Lord Kong…” “It’s done. The old relic has been handled.” “…Yes. Akacheng now belongs to us.” “…Yes, next we deal with Dawn Company…” “…and that troublesome fox-demon woman—”

“What?!” His voice cracked.

“That’s impossible! That woman is—?!”

The call ended abruptly.

Brother Long exhaled shakily. Pulled out another number.

His voice was almost reverent: “The Akacheng (Red City) Gang… It’s my turn now.”

“And Dawn Company…”

“That witch who ruined everything for us…”

“Perhaps—”