Crack!
The short old man’s cervical spine snapped, his body crumpling to the ground, twitching uncontrollably.
The cervical spine, a critical part of the body, doesn’t cause instant death when shattered.
The old man was in that state now, blood gushing from his mouth, yet still alive.
Ye Qiu said coldly, “I’ve killed plenty from the Wushen Sect.”
“You’re not the first, nor the last, plenty more will join you in hell.”
“Hit the road!”
Boom—
Ye Qiu’s foot crushed the old man’s skull.
Those who touch my family die without mercy!
Beyond being Wushen Sect, this old man had cursed Old Man Qian, so Ye Qiu showed no leniency.
Sweeping a glance over the corpses, Ye Qiu remarked flatly, “Not one worth a fight, boring.”
Huang Laoxie shivered at the words.
Ye Qiu plopped onto the wide desk, then said to Huang Laoxie, “You’re lucky you met me today, or you’d be dead like Sun Wu, courtesy of the Wushen Sect.”
Huang Laoxie bowed deeply, “Thank you for saving us.”
His shift to “您” showed his gratitude and awe.
Ye Qiu added, “I saved you because I think you’re still useful.”
Huang Laoxie caught on, smiling bitterly, “Pity I’m cursed, won’t live a week, can’t serve you.”
“What if I can lift it?” Ye Qiu asked.
Huang Laoxie stared, stunned, then dropped to his knees, “If you can remove my curse, my life’s yours from today.”
“Excellent!”
Ye Qiu pulled out gold needles, swiftly jabbing a few into Huang Laoxie, then asked, “How’s that?”
Huang Laoxie closed his eyes, testing his inner energy, finding it flowing freely, his body back to normal.
That’s it?
Shock hit him, he hadn’t realized Ye Qiu’s combat prowess came with such medical skill.
Truth was, he didn’t know the curse died with its caster.
In his earlier daze, he hadn’t noticed his energy return the moment the old man died.
Ye Qiu’s needling was just for show.
“Thank you,” Huang Laoxie bowed again.
Ye Qiu said, “I’m Ye Qiu, a doctor, also Dragon Gate’s Xuanwu Envoy.”
“They say a nation needs a ruler, a home needs a head, and a gang needs a boss.”
“You’ve been with Sun Wu for years, know the Qinglang Gang inside out, he’s dead, so you’re the boss now.”
“Three days, clean it up—no more protection rackets, usury, or illegal trades.”
“I want the Qinglang Gang fully legit in three days.”
“Then lead your brothers to join Dragon Gate.”
“Can you do it?”
Huang Laoxie vowed, “Rest assured, I’ll make it happen.”
“Good.” Ye Qiu glanced at Xiao Yu, “Your name?”
“Yu Yi!” Xiao Yu replied.
“Yu Yi, help your master with the gang for three days, then head to Jiangzhou, report to Han Long.”
Yu Yi frowned, puzzled, why Jiangzhou? He didn’t know it.
“At your age, matching Tiger List pros, your master taught you well, but he can’t guide you further.”
“Go to Jiangzhou, I’ll teach you a few moves when I’ve got time.”
“In a few years, you’ll surpass him.”
Yu Yi’s eyes lit up.
Ye Qiu’s skills were unreal, his guidance could land him on the Dragon List someday.
“Yes!” Yu Yi agreed eagerly.
“Handle these bodies, find me at the Qian’s if you need me,” Ye Qiu said, leaving the office.
Once he was gone, Yu Yi buzzed, “Master, you heard him, he’ll teach me, I’ll be a top fighter soon!”
Huang Laoxie eyed Yu Yi, sighing inwardly, naive kid.
Yu Yi missed it, but Huang Laoxie saw clear as day.
Sending Yu Yi to Jiangzhou was Ye Qiu’s way of saying, “Your apprentice is with me, serve me well, or you know the consequences.”
But loyalty to Ye Qiu would earn Yu Yi real mentorship.
A mix of favor and threat.
“Since ancient times, emperors atop power wielded both grace and might, didn’t expect this kid to master it so young, terrifying,” Huang Laoxie mused, then told Yu Yi, “He’s our savior, follow him in Jiangzhou, stay loyal, got it?”
“Master, don’t worry, I know what to do.”
…
Out of Sun Wu’s office, Ye Qiu didn’t spot Qian Duoduo in the hall, puzzled.
Wasn’t that guy tailing me earlier?
A call revealed Qian Duoduo had taken Xiao Tao to the hospital for her injuries.
“That simp, forgets his cousin for a girl, hmph,” Ye Qiu snorted, taking the elevator down.
Outside the building, he dialed Cao Yuan to report the Qinglang Gang situation.
The call connected.
Before Ye Qiu could speak, Cao Yuan’s laugh cut in, “Ye Qiu, calling now, got good news, huh? Took down Wushen Sect folks and the Qinglang Gang?”
“How’d you know?” Ye Qiu was floored.
Cao Yuan chuckled, “Heard you went to Suhang, knew you’d snag the gang, you didn’t let me down.”
It clicked for Ye Qiu.
Cao Yuan had eyes on the Qinglang Gang long ago, knew Wushen Sect was in Suhang, and bet Ye Qiu would clash with them, taking the gang in the chaos, which is why no Dragon Gate crew showed up.
Everything danced in Cao Yuan’s palm.
Sly old fox!
Ye Qiu cursed inwardly.
“Once Dragon Gate fully takes Suhang, I’ll reward you, but careful, Ye Qiu, trouble’s coming,” Cao Yuan warned.
“What trouble?”
As Ye Qiu asked, a chill flashed behind him, too late to dodge, a longsword pressed against his neck.
