Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Shuffle on Flower Street

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Seeing the situation, Liu Lecheng’s heart suddenly sank. He thought to himself that their boss was about to make a move. This Shopkeeper Chen was no ordinary man—he absolutely must not be killed!

“Boss Su...”

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of cold light appeared—a dagger shot straight into Shopkeeper Chen’s mouth. After a moment of struggle, his tongue fell to the ground.

Chen pressed both hands hard against the table, his face contorted in pain. From his throat came muffled sounds, and his eyes were filled with terror as he stared at Su Ming, as if asking how he dared do such a thing!

“Ugh... uh ugh...”

“Shopkeeper Chen, you’re so eloquent. Now’s your chance, speak up,” Su Ming tossed the bloodstained dagger aside casually, straddled the table, and raised an eyebrow at him.

“Ugh... wail...” Chen could only cry out in agony, tears streaming down his face.

He wanted to say something, but from now on, he wouldn’t have the chance.

Everyone was stunned, none had expected Su Ming to act so openly and violently in front of all. He was a madman, a thorough madman!

If the authorities got involved, Su Ming would be implicated for sure. He wouldn’t be able to keep his position as the small-time boss!

Everyone waited to see how he would handle this.

—Bang!

Su Ming pulled a bag of silver from his pocket and slammed it on the table, loudly declaring, “Whoever’s willing to take this matter to the authorities can have these five hundred taels of silver. From now on, your mother is my mother. I will hire the best lawyers to get you out as soon as possible. Once you’re out, you’ll continue working with me!”

Hiss.

At these words, dozens of gang members’ hearts skipped a beat.

They knew their monthly pay was barely one or two taels of silver—sometimes even less. And on Zhanhua Street, buying a decent courtyard house would cost at least a hundred taels.

Most of them would never have the chance to live in a grand three-compound mansion, forced to squeeze into dilapidated earthen houses like Su Ming had before.

Five hundred taels meant a ticket to a better life. This deal was tempting!

“Boss Su, I’ll go!” Soon, a sturdy-faced gang member jumped up, grabbed the silver from the table, and said, “I’ll take this risk. I only ask that you take care of my mother while I’m inside.”

“She’s old and won’t understand. Just tell her her son is far away on a trip.”

Immediately, the others regretted hesitating and hated that someone else had beaten them to it.

Damn it, why did I hesitate? As long as he wasn’t dead, surrendering to the authorities would mean only a few years at most. After that, the rest of their lives could be better. Why did I chicken out at such a crucial moment!

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“Rest assured, brothers, I, Su Ming, keep my word!” Su Ming pounded his chest in assurance and personally escorted the man out the door.

Returning, Su Ming stabbed his sword hard into the table and looked around at everyone.

“Shopkeepers, you know best whether my plan is profitable. Cooperation benefits everyone, butI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.