Volume One, Chapter 20: Ten Seconds

"Ten seconds. Give me a reason not to kill you."

Qi Wei’s black hair billowed wildly, his majestic aura seemingly poised to swallow the two men whole. Every step he took felt as heavy as a mountain, as if he were treading directly upon their hearts.

Liu Lecheng, long since crushed by this overwhelming pressure, was already sprawled on the ground, unable to even stand.

Su Ming knelt on one knee, feeling the surging shockwaves. He struggled to ask, "I killed your sworn brother because I had just cause. He sought to kill me first; he hired the Green Dragon Gang to strike at me. I discovered it beforehand. Was this something you instructed, Master Qi?"

*Thump. Thump.*

Qi Wei took another step forward, his pressure intensifying. The killing intent, nearly solidified, stung their skin like needles.

"No."

"You have eight seconds left."

Su Ming circulated his inner energy to resist the crushing force, speaking rapidly: "He wanted me dead, so I killed him. That is justice. It holds true anywhere."

Qi Wei ignored him, taking another step.

"Five seconds."

Seeing the man pressing ever closer, Su Ming realized he had severely underestimated this long-renowned high-ranking leader of the River and Sea Gang. This aura and killing intent alone were far beyond what he could currently contend with.

He hurriedly continued: "Master Qi, you never intended to kill me. You sent Pang Sandao merely for show, to make a statement—I, Su Ming, understand that. But Pang Sandao took a minor order as a royal decree. He colluded with the imperial court to lure me into a trap and stole ten thousand taels of silver from Zhanhua Street. My revenge is a matter of discipline."

"I will help you kill him, and I will take his place. There will be no shortage of silver!"

Qi Wei’s footsteps faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly spoke again. "Three seconds."

"Money!"

"Everything in this world has a price. Furthermore, I have already established channels within the imperial court. Master Qi, just state your price, and I, Su Ming, will agree without bargaining."

Qi Wei sneered, his killing intent surging. "You are but a minor leader, managing nothing more than a single street. How much could you possibly offer? I think taking your life is the only sensible path!"

Seeing the man arrive before him, those iron-pincer-like hands reaching for his throat, Su Ming decided to stake everything on one final gamble. He spoke at breakneck speed:

"Kill Master Tiger San, and I will rise to power. There will be plenty of money, and you will gain another ally within the River and Sea Gang!"

"Master Qi, you have been a high-ranking leader for ten years, yet you have been denied further promotion. Is it for lack of ability? No! It is because the three Hall Masters and the Gang Leader fear you. Your cultivation is profound, and you have rendered distinguished service in the wars against the Brotherly Association."

"As long as you live, they cannot sleep in peace!"

Qi Wei scoffed, his movements unceasing. "On your word? What makes you think you have the capability to pull this off?"

A finger strike, infused with sharp, violent spiritual energy, arrived in an instant. Su Ming knew he could not withstand it; if that strike landed, he would surely die.

At this critical moment, a voice drifted from the inner room, as soothing as the chirping of cicadas on a summer day.

"Husband, do not be so temperamental. You frighten me."

The moment the voice sounded, Qi Wei’s movements halted. The oppressive killing intent vanished, and his demeanor returned to its simple, unassuming state. He looked toward the inner room, scratched his head, and chuckled foolishly, "My lady, I apologize for my lack of consideration."

The person in the inner room replied, "It is fine, husband. Deal with it quickly."

Qi Wei acknowledged her, then turned to look deeply at Su Ming. He sat back down in the main seat and said coldly, "You only pledged your loyalty to Tiger Xing San recently, becoming his adopted son. Yet today, you come to me talking of toppling him."

"A servant of three masters—how can I trust you?"

Tiger Xing San was the true name of Master Tiger San. Qi Wei’s remark was a naked insult.

Su Ming rose, realizing only then that his back was soaked with cold sweat. He steadied himself and said, "Master Qi is unaware. It is true that Master Tiger San adopted me, but he has done no shortage of harm to me behind my back."

"Regarding this conflict with you, Master Qi, don't you find it too coincidental? Chen Dao was a mere merchant; how could he possibly come into contact with a faction like the Green Dragon Gang? If no one was whispering in the shadows, I would not believe it."

"I came here today to help you remove this scourge. If he does not die, I, too, cannot sleep."

Qi Wei narrowed his eyes, beginning to re-evaluate the young man before him.

Barely in his twenties, yet so meticulous in his thoughts. He had long known of Chen Dao’s death but had chosen not to pursue it for certain reasons—after all, nothing was more important than the woman in the inner room.

And indeed, Tiger Xing San’s fingerprints were all over it; he knew a thing or two about the scholar working under him.

"You have planted a spy near Tiger Xing San?" Qi Wei asked.

"I wouldn't call it a spy, just someone who happened to discover certain flaws," Su Ming said, finding a chair and sitting down. He picked up the cold tea on the table and poured himself a cup.

He remained calm and composed.

"Although I don't know why Master Tiger San is intent on fueling the conflict between you and me, I know one thing: he wants me dead. I am merely a blade in his hand, one he will eventually discard and break."

"Rather than waiting for the end, it is better to plan early. It is a way to secure my own path."

Su Ming finished speaking and placed his long sword on the table.

"I have already secured Zilin Slope. If you nod, Master Qi, I can manage two streets. Money will flow in abundance, and there will definitely be a share for you. Once Tiger Xing San is dead, as long as you speak for me within the gang and pull the right strings, I believe no one will care about the life or death of a dead man."

Qi Wei listened, a look of solemnity appearing on his face.

Murdering a colleague in the gang was a grave crime. If discovered, neither of them would survive, and the three Hall Masters, along with the Gang Leader, would descend upon them to ensure their total annihilation.

"Tiger Xing San wants to harm me for nothing more than old grievances. He is old, and he is afraid—afraid that on the day he can no longer wield his blade, I will personally take his head." A look of reminiscence crossed Qi Wei’s eyes, quickly replaced by hatred. "However, how can you make me believe you have the ability to do this?"

Su Ming saw it—the naked killing intent. If given the chance, Qi Wei would surely kill Tiger Xing San himself. He just didn't know what those "old grievances" were.

Su Ming clenched his hand into a fist, and the air in his palm turned scorching. Though there were no visual manifestations, he believed that Qi Wei, as a senior, would surely see it.

"Demonic arts?" A flash of astonishment crossed Qi Wei’s eyes.

"Correct," Su Ming nodded. "I have not even been in the martial ranks for a month, yet I am already a second-rank warrior. As long as I do not die, my cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds. If we join forces—one in the light, one in the dark—how could Tiger Xing San possibly survive?"

"When the time comes, I will present one hundred thousand taels of silver to you with both hands."