Chapter 116: Gyeon's Ten Rounds (5)
One hundred members of the Western Gang gathered at the top floor of the brothel to hold a banquet.
It was an occasion to celebrate the retirement of the former boss, Ximen Qing, and the inauguration of the new boss, Pei Yehai, at the same time.
Since it was a special day, the Mandarin Duck Pavilion did not receive general guests today.
Because Pei Yehai, the new boss of the Western Gang, did not like crowded places, all employees inside the pavilion had also been off work, except for the essential personnel.
“Congratulations on your inauguration, Boss.”
A dozen or so executives bowed their heads.
Every single one of them was a martial artist with bulging temples.
Pei Yehai nodded his head to receive their greetings.
“What do you mean congratulations? The real thing starts only after preparing the retirement pay to give to Brother Ximen.”
He knew well that a heavy price accompanied the inauguration to the position of the Western Gang’s boss.
For instance, having to prepare the retirement pay of the predecessor boss, and such.
“Cash is not circulating among the family members these days. It is a huge headache.”
Thinking about the amount he had to provide to the former boss, Ximen Qing, his head was already throbbing.
Hearing Pei Yehai’s words, one of the subordinates frowned.
“Big Brother. Isn’t the amount of the retirement pay a bit too much? Why bother for someone who is leaving the organization anyway……”
“Do not talk about things you know nothing of.”
Pei Yehai waved his hand.
“Brother Ximen is not leaving because he lacks strength. He is a person who could slaughter about a hundred of us overnight if he made up his mind.”
“Is Brother Ximen really that strong? I thought he would not be much different from you, Big Brother.”
“I cannot even withstand a single strike from Brother Ximen.”
“……!”
Hearing Pei Yehai’s words, all gang members opened their eyes wide.
Yet Pei Yehai showed no particular concern.
“In my view, Brother Ximen’s martial prowess seems to have already reached the Realm of Harmony. If he goes to the Martial Alliance, he is a prominent figure who could easily seize at least an elder position.”
“I-if that is the case……”
“Yes. Although Brother Ximen is starting in a low-ranking instructor position, he is someone who will eventually rise to instructor, head instructor, and dean within that place. There is nothing bad about showing him favor in advance. Who knows? We might even end up supplying some goods to the Ascending Heaven Academy.”
At Pei Yehai’s words, the expressions of the executives brightened.
Ascending Heaven Academy.
Located at the center of the Central Plains, it was in name and reality the finest educational institution representing the righteous path and a prominent training center for rising stars that had produced countless heroes.
Since its establishment, it had also produced eight Martial Alliance Leaders, 188 currently surviving multi-millionaires, and 161 patriarchs and sect leaders.
Within the vast grounds enclosed by high walls, numerous buildings, rivers, bridges, and martial arts training grounds were situated, and the number of people working inside reached as many as ten thousand, even excluding the five thousand students and eighteen hundred faculty members.
“Hahaha…… how amazing is it that someone who can associate with that place has emerged from scoundrels of back alleys like us? Now, we only need to hold tightly to that connection.”
Watching the executives’ cups filled to the brim, Pei Yehai raised his own cup.
“Now, hoping that Brother Ximen achieves great success at the Ascending Heaven Academy! And hoping that he leads us! Cheers!”
The cups were emptied.
One subordinate tossed back his liquor and laughed heartily.
“How great would it have been if Brother Ximen were present at this auspicious occasion?”
“It is a pity. He is probably busy as he has to dispose of things like houses and lands. Also, he was someone who had quite a lot of women. He must have much to sort out on that end as well. So, let us enjoy this round just among ourselves.”
At Pei Yehai’s words, the subordinates also nodded their heads.
Right at that moment.
“Big Brother.”
One guard standing at the entrance came and whispered something into the executive’s ear.
Soon, the executive spoke toward Pei Yehai.
“Boss. It seems pests have gathered outside.”
“Pests?”
“Yes. They are wicked debtors who borrowed money but didn’t pay back, and they’ve come all the way here claiming the interest is too excessive. Right now, they are crying and begging prostrate in front of the brothel…… what should we do?”
The executive’s gaze was sharp.
It looked as if he would immediately rush out and swing his sword if Pei Yehai only gave the order.
However, Pei Yehai simply smiled in a leisurely manner.
“Anyway, lowlifes…… we collected collections a bit harshly because we needed cash, and immediately such backlash occurs. It was all expected.”
“Should we govern them by making an example of one to warn a hundred? I will immediately beat them up and kick them out.”
“No, no. Where else would there be a side dish as sweet as the tears of the weak? Let them in for now.”
“Yes, Big Brother.”
A fishy smile also appeared on the executives’ faces.
Soon, the Western Gang members brought in the debtors who had been appealing outside the brothel.
Their number was about ten people.
“They are all familiar faces.”
Pei Yehai whistled as he looked at the young woman standing at the very front of the crowd.
“At the very front, is it the female owner of the tavern across the street? Correct? Yes, there is no way I would forget that beauty. You look pretty whenever I see you.”
“…….”
Yulan the inn owner. She looked at Pei Yehai and spoke.
“Hello, Chief Administrator Pei.”
“Chief Administrator? I am the boss now. Today is precisely the day of my inauguration.”
“I see. I did not recognize you. Congratulations on your inauguration, Boss.”
“Right. One can make a mistake once. You just have to do well in the future. Yes. You say you have something you want to say?”
“Yes.”
Yulan stepped in front of the intimidated debtors and continued speaking.
“I would like to say a word regarding the protection fee.”
“Just the main point quickly, please.”
“Yes. Then I will speak only of the main point. After paying the protection fee, exactly enough money remains for just me to make a living. Nevertheless, I have always paid the protection fee consistently. But to ask to raise the protection fee by double right away…… that is too harsh a treatment.”
“How is it harsh treatment? While prices rise every year, the protection fee was always the same. We haven’t raised it once in the past five years. Furthermore, we even said that if you couldn’t pay the protection fee, we would lend it to you to some extent without collateral. How could we show any more kindness than this?”
“This inn is mine. I am already paying taxes to the state, so why must I pay a separate protection fee to the Western Gang?”
“That is a very fundamental question. Of course, you might be confused because of the concept of a protection fee. So I will point it out for you on this occasion. To be precise, it is not a protection fee, but the concept of a security fee. It is the price for us protecting your inn.”
“From whom?”
“From anyone. For instance, those who commit outrages habitually.”
“The only people committing outrages in my inn are the Western Gang members.”
“Hahaha—a very bold woman. The more I look, the more I like you.”
Pei Yehai, burying his buttocks in a plush cushion, continued speaking in a sluggish tone.
“Look here, Yulan. Yulan, who knows only one thing and not the second. A security fee, you see, is bound to be regarded merely as a troublesome expense in times of peace. However, when times of chaos arrive, the story becomes different. What will you do if the orthodox and heterodox fight, and the Demonic Cult invades again? Who will protect a fragile woman living alone then? Eh? Think about it. Won’t the security fee you pay to us shine then?”
“That would depend on whether you possess the courage to stand up and fight against foreign enemies or not.”
At Yulan the inn owner’s words, Pei Yehai’s face stiffened.
“Does that mean we look like cowards who would collect security fees during times of order and then flee when times of chaos come?”
“I say this because I have never once received protection until now.”
“Well, well—this won’t do. The prestige of our Western Gang has crawled all over the ground.”
Pei Yehai turned his head as if his appetite for alcohol had been ruined.
At that, the low-ranking gang members next to him rose in a crowd.
“I will go and rip out that wench’s tongue.”
“Boss. Just give the order.”
“Daring to target the grand Western Gang…….”
Yet Pei Yehai still sat with a leisurely attitude.
“Enough, you guys. What would we do with a wench’s tongue?”
“…….”
Soon, Pei Yehai’s gaze swept every nook and corner of Yulan’s body.
“No. There indeed seems to be a place to use it.”
Pei Yehai’s insidious smile was growing deeper and deeper.
“If you serve me with devotion using that tongue tonight, I might consider a reduction in the protection fee.”
“……!”
Yulan’s expression distorted as if she had chewed a cockroach.
However, the atmosphere was already solidifying in that direction.
Step—
Members of the Western Gang blocked the exit door.
Pei Yehai spoke.
“Send everyone out except for that female inn owner.”
“Yes, Big Brother.”
The gang members dragged the remaining people out.
In the banquet hall teeming only with men of sinister appearance, Yulan ended up left all alone.
Pei Yehai looked back at his subordinates and giggled.
“After my turn is finished, you guys take her and play too. Ah, as for the protection fee. Since we are a hundred people, we can deduct a hundred months’ worth. Haha—isn’t that great? Because in exchange for sharing the joy of clouds and rain with a hundred people in a single day, you will be exempted from the protection fee for ten years. The surrounding merchants will surely be dying of envy?”
“……I would rather bite my tongue and die.”
“Why bite that cute tongue? Just leave it. I will pull it out myself.”
Pei Yehai raised his hand and received the tool handed by his subordinate.
It was the iron pincers used in the Western Gang to pull out a debtor’s tongue.
“Let’s see. If you can still be that arrogant even before your tongue is pulled out. Lads, lock the door.”
Led by Pei Yehai, all the Western Gang members began to smile sinisterly.
Right at that moment.
…Thud!
A dull noise was heard from somewhere.
It was a very small sound, as if occurring a few floors below.
Pei Yehai and the gang members did not pay attention to that sound.
But.
…Thud! …Thud!
That sound, which they had tried to ignore at first, began to be heard gradually louder, more frequently, and repeatedly.
…Thud! …Thud! …Thud!
As if approaching toward this place.
…Thud! …Thud! …Thud! …Thud!
Only then did some people among the gang members begin to murmur.
“What is this sound?”
“It seems to be drifting from below.”
“Hmm—isn’t it the sound of something like a gourd breaking?”
“But that sound is heard this loudly? And in the first place, who is breaking so many gourds and why?”
Just then, Pei Yehai raised his hand as if telling them to be quiet.
As the gang members’ murmuring ceased, the noise was finally heard clearly.
…Thud! …Thud! …Thud! …Thud! …Thud!
Before they knew it, it was being heard from the other side of the door.
Pei Yehai’s expression stiffened.
“This is the sound of a person’s head shattering, though?”
He had heard it many times, so he knew.
The sound of a human skull shattering was unexpectedly loud, rivaling the sound of a large block of gunpowder exploding.
Before long.
…Crack!
A chaotic noise drifted from right across the banquet hall door.
Simultaneously, the banquet hall door vibrated faintly once with a thud sound.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
The gang members standing guard at the banquet hall door exchanged looks.
Right before Pei Yehai was about to direct them to open the door.
Crash!
The door leaf made of wood and paper was shattered, and someone walked inside.
A tall man whose face could not be recognized because his entire body was stained with blood.
Blood dripping down from the large Dog-Head Guillotine held in his hand.
And the headless corpses piled up in layers in the hallway he had walked along.
“……Lads. Where is Ximen Qing?”
It was the appearance of Dog Thousand-Head Gyeon Sul of the Twelve Yangtze River Water Fortresses.
Unrivaled Spear Ghost