When the security guard finished speaking, Ding Li's expression changed instantly. The Flying Eagle Gang had come for revenge?
"Nail, what's going on with the Flying Eagle Gang?"
Li Hanhou noticed Ding Li's reaction and asked in confusion.
"They're part of the underworld—they're here to stir up trouble," Ding Li replied, his voice trembling slightly. The gang hadn't appeared in days, and he'd assumed the matter was over. He hadn't expected them to show up now!
"Oh? Looking for trouble?" Li Hanhou's eyes brightened. He'd eaten too much at lunch anyway—this might help him digest!
"How many of them?" Xiao Chen asked calmly.
"Three."
"What? Only three?" Xiao Chen was a bit surprised. Thirty or even three hundred wouldn't have shocked him, but just three? Were they really that confident—or was one of them a real master?
Ding Li was also stunned. "Three? Brother Zhang, are you sure it's not three hundred?"
"Just three," the guard confirmed. "The bald snake brought two of his men. They don't seem to be here for a fight—they said they wanted to talk to Minister Xiao."
"Oh, talk? Heh, let's see what they have to say," Xiao Chen said as he stood up.
At the security office, Xiao Chen saw the three men. The bald snake's eyes briefly flashed with hatred when he spotted Xiao Chen, but he quickly stood up, no longer as arrogant as before.
"Brother Snake, right? What advice do you have for me this time?" Xiao Chen asked casually, crossing his legs as he sat down and glancing at the bandage on the man's wrist.
"Minister Xiao, I'm here today on behalf of my boss," the bald snake said cautiously. Xiao Chen's composure unnerved him. Ever since hearing from Liu Dakuina that Xiao Chen was a top-tier martial artist, he hadn't dared to act rashly. In their world, even second-rate masters were rare—first-rate ones were almost unheard of. He had every reason to be careful.
"Your boss? And who might that be?"
Xiao Chen lit a cigarette, which Ding Li quickly helped him light.
"My boss is Huang Xing."
"Never heard of him," Xiao Chen said flatly. He'd visited Longhai before but had only interacted with top-level forces. Second-rate gangs like the Flying Eagle Gang were beneath his notice.
The bald snake thought Xiao Chen was mocking him. Everyone in this area knew Master Xing—was this man pretending ignorance on purpose? His two followers looked furious, and if not for his warning, they would've already lashed out.
"Brother Chen," Ding Li whispered, "Huang Xing is one of the Flying Eagle Gang's hall masters."
"Oh, a hall master. I thought he was the boss," Xiao Chen said with a faint smirk. "If the gang leader doesn't impress me, why would a hall master?"
The bald snake's mouth twitched. His expression darkened. "The Flying Eagle Gang has four halls. My boss, Huang Xing, leads the Falcon Hall—he commands three thousand men."
"Three thousand? Impressive," Xiao Chen said mockingly, then his tone turned icy. "Are you trying to intimidate me?"
"…"
"Fine, what does your boss want?"
"He's hosting a banquet at Xintiandi tonight at eight. He'd like to treat you to dinner," the bald snake said through clenched teeth.
"Invite me to dinner? Heh, sounds like a Hongmen Banquet," Xiao Chen said with a knowing smile.
"No, he just wants to meet you. What's wrong—won't you give him some face?"
"Face? I don't even know the man. Why should I give him any?" Xiao Chen replied bluntly.
"Watch your mouth! My boss showing you this courtesy means he thinks highly of you. Don't push your luck—"
Before the man could finish, Li Hanhou's face turned cold. He stepped forward and kicked him across the room. The man slammed into the wall and coughed up blood.
"If you insult Brother Chen again, I'll finish you off," Li Hanhou said grimly before returning to Xiao Chen's side.
The bald snake froze, glancing between his injured subordinate and the towering Li Hanhou. He no longer dared to act tough. His remaining follower clenched his jaw but wisely stayed silent.
"Minister Xiao, what is this supposed to mean? I came here in good faith!" the bald snake growled.
"If you can't control your men, you'll get beaten," Xiao Chen said calmly. "As for your so-called sincerity—I don't see it."
"I only brought two people with me. Isn't that proof enough?"
"Heh. Bring two hundred next time, and I'll break your other arm," Xiao Chen sneered.
The bald snake inhaled sharply. "Minister Xiao, as a first-class master, don't tell me you're afraid to attend a simple banquet?"
Xiao Chen chuckled. So that's what they thought of him. "Are you threatening me?"
"I'm just giving you advice," the bald snake said and turned to leave.
"Brother Chen didn't say you could go," Li Hanhou said, blocking his path with his massive frame.
The bald snake hesitated, clearly intimidated. After a long pause, Xiao Chen finally spoke: "Dahan, let them go."
"Yes, Brother Chen."
The three men started to leave, but Xiao Chen's voice stopped them at the door:
"Go back and tell your boss—I'll be there on time tonight."
"Fine," the bald snake said, eyes glinting with malice as he left.
"Brother Chen, you're actually going?" Ding Li asked nervously as soon as they were gone.
"Of course. If someone invites me to dinner, how could I refuse?" Xiao Chen said with a smile.
"But this is clearly a trap!"
"Hah, you give them too much credit," Xiao Chen said disdainfully.
"Brother Chen, can I come too?" Li Hanhou grinned. "If there's food, I'm in."
Xiao Chen laughed. The guy might be simple, but he wasn't stupid—he just wanted to tag along to protect him.
"Alright, you can come."
"Great! I'll work out this afternoon so I can eat more tonight!"
Ding Li was speechless. "This is a Hongmen Banquet, not a wedding feast…" Still, after a moment, he said, "Brother Chen, if you're going, I'm coming too!"
Xiao Chen was surprised. Li Hanhou wanting to go was expected, but timid Ding Li? The same guy who was shaking earlier?
He tried to dissuade him. "Ding Li, no need. It's enough that the two of us go."
"Brother Chen, you're my boss. If you're walking into the tiger's den, how can I stay behind?" Ding Li said firmly.
Xiao Chen's eyes softened. He could see the fear in the young man's trembling hands, but his determination moved him.
"You really want to go? You could get hurt—or worse," Xiao Chen warned seriously.
Ding Li hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "Even so, I'll go."
Xiao Chen nodded. "Alright then. Tonight, we'll go together—brothers side by side."
Ding Li straightened his back. "I'm not afraid. If I die, it's just one scar the size of a bowl. After eighteen years, I'll be a man again!"
Li Hanhou laughed. "Exactly! Nothing to fear—though, Nail, why are you still shaking?"