Night had fallen over Longhai, yet the city still gleamed with life and luxury.
At the entrance of Xintiandi Restaurant, a bald man nicknamed "Bald Snake," his wrist wrapped in gauze, scanned the street restlessly as if waiting for someone important.
Behind him stood dozens of young men dressed in black. They weren't ordinary thugs—their eyes were cold, and an air of menace hung around them.
"He's here!"
Bald Snake suddenly spoke and stepped forward just as several sleek black sedans rolled to a stop outside the restaurant.
From one of the cars stepped a man in his forties.
"Brother Xing, you made it!"
Bald Snake greeted him with a respectful grin.
"Master Xing!"
The crowd of black-clad men bowed in unison, their voices booming. The display drew curious glances from pedestrians. Some thought they were watching the filming of a gangster movie, while others, recognizing the man, quickly looked away—this was Huang Xing, head of Falcon Hall under the Flying Eagle Gang, known in the streets as Master Xing.
Huang Xing gave a curt nod and swept his gaze across his men. "Bald Snake, have them clear out."
"Yes, Brother Xing!"
Without another word, Huang Xing strode into Xintiandi with a few of his most trusted men.
"Everyone, disperse!" Bald Snake barked.
But just as the crowd began to move, seven or eight men in black grabbed two bystanders—young men who had been watching the spectacle.
"Hey, what are you doing?! Help!" the two cried, realizing too late that this was no movie. They were dragged into a nearby alley; the sound of fists and muffled screams followed.
"It's done." Bald Snake muttered and entered the restaurant, heading straight for the fourth floor.
Inside, Huang Xing stood by a window, cigar in hand, gazing at the glittering city lights. "Bald Snake, are the arrangements in place?"
"Everything's set, Brother Xing," the bald man replied, touching his bandaged wrist. "A hundred blades on each side. The moment you toss the cup, they'll storm in and carve that kid up."
Huang Xing nodded with approval. "Good. Any other preparations needed?"
"No, sir. Even if he's a top-tier fighter, we've got our own. Add two hundred swordsmen—if he listens, fine. If not… he'll learn that the Flying Eagle Gang isn't to be trifled with."
Huang Xing turned toward a man in a checkered shirt. "Fei, when you strike, cripple him—or kill him. If we leave a master like that alive, he'll come back for us later."
"I understand," said Sun Fei, the top fighter of Falcon Hall, himself a first-class master.
Bald Snake's confidence grew when he looked at Fei. With someone like that, Xiao Chen wouldn't stand a chance. But the thought of the burly man who followed Xiao Chen made him uneasy.
"Brother Xing," he hesitated, "that guy's got a bodyguard—a big one. I'm worried he might come tonight too."
"Oh?" Huang Xing raised a brow. "How strong?"
"Hard to say, but maybe around second-tier," Bald Snake guessed.
"Second-tier?" Huang Xing exhaled smoke, then gestured toward a few men behind him. "No problem. They're armed. No matter how skilled someone is, they can't dodge bullets."
"Guns? Then he's dead for sure," Bald Snake said, relieved. No matter how tough you were, nobody could outrun bullets.
"Orochi," Huang Xing said, using his nickname, "if that kid does agree to work for me, drop your personal grudges. Think big—I'll make sure you're rewarded."
"Yes, Brother Xing," Bald Snake nodded, though secretly he hoped Xiao Chen would resist—so they could kill him.
"The Flying Eagle Gang's in turmoil," Huang Xing continued coldly. "If I take control, life will be good for those who back me. Otherwise, no one's future will be bright—got it?"
"I got it!" Bald Snake said firmly.
"Oh, and what's Liu Dakui been up to lately? Tell him I'm recruiting. If he helps me, I'll see he's well compensated."
"Understood. I'll talk to him."
Huang Xing exhaled another plume of smoke. "The rules in the underworld have changed. It's not about numbers anymore—it's about masters. A single first-class or second-class fighter can turn the tide. Word is, God Hall brought in two first-class masters. If that's true, it's bad news."
"Why don't we just hire some ourselves?" Bald Snake suggested.
Huang Xing chuckled. "You think first-class masters grow on trees? Even the three major gangs barely have a handful. Money alone can't buy them." He glanced at Sun Fei. "If I hadn't saved this man's life, he wouldn't be here either."
Still, a smile crept onto his face. Soon, he might gain another top-tier fighter—if he could persuade Xiao Chen to join them.
---
Meanwhile, on a nearby street, a bizarre scene stunned onlookers.
A black Maserati sped along at nearly a hundred kilometers per hour—and behind it, a towering man nearly two meters tall was sprinting to keep up. His strides were massive, his long legs pounding the pavement like pistons.
"Brother Chen! Slow down! I can't keep up!"
From inside the car, Xiao Chen chuckled at the voice behind him. Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw Li Hanhou still running, sweat flying.
"Heh, looks like Dahan's gonna need an extra few bowls of rice after this," Xiao Chen grinned.
Ding Li, sitting beside him, had relaxed a bit. "Brother Chen, he runs like a beast. He should enter the Olympics!"
"What are you two talking about?" Li Hanhou shouted, catching up, grinning ear to ear.
"Just wondering how much you'll eat later," Xiao Chen joked.
"Oh, maybe ten bowls," Li Hanhou said innocently.
"Eat as much as you want," Xiao Chen said.
Ding Li pointed ahead. "Brother Chen, that's Xintiandi."
The four-story restaurant loomed ahead, lit with ornate lanterns.
"Still scared?" Xiao Chen asked.
"Maybe a little," Ding Li admitted.
"Heh, as long as you don't wet yourself in the car."
"Of course not!" Ding Li said quickly.
Xiao Chen parked the Maserati about fifty meters from the entrance. He wasn't worried about the fight—only about the car. It belonged to Su Qing, and he didn't want it wrecked by gangsters.
The three got out and approached the restaurant.
"Brother Chen, this the place?" Li Hanhou asked, eyes bright.
"Yeah. Let's eat."
Li Hanhou's stomach growled audibly as they walked to the entrance.
But two men in black stepped forward, blocking their path. "No customers tonight."
"Huang Xing invited me," Xiao Chen said coolly.
"You're Xiao Chen?" one of them asked.
"'Master Xing,' huh?" Xiao Chen sneered. "Since when does any cat or dog get called 'Master'? Take me to him."
The men bristled but held their tongues. They led the three into the building, where the air was unnervingly still—too still. Xiao Chen sensed danger lurking all around.
Even Li Hanhou's smile faded, his instincts sharpening. Only Ding Li, trembling behind them, seemed unaware of the tension, knowing only that this "banquet" would not be a peaceful one.
The elevator took them to the fourth floor, where four more black-clad youths waited.
"Hold up," one barked. "We need to search you. Hands up!"