Chapter 112: Negotiation
Chapter 112: Negotiation
The Sea Dragon Gang was already at an absolute disadvantage in its conflict with the Hundred Families Association. Most of the port territory had also been completely taken over. Just as gang members were leaving the Sea Dragon Gang one after another, and everyone thought the Sea Dragon Gang would soon be destroyed, a glimmer of hope appeared.
A middle-aged man named Song Hao joined the Sea Dragon Gang. Someone recognized him as Old Man Song, the fisherman who often sold fish at the port. Most members of the Sea Dragon Gang looked down upon this sudden newcomer, who seemed honest and more like a farmer than a gangster.
But for some reason, Long Feiyang, the leader of the Sea Dragon Gang, took very good care of him. What happened afterward seemed to prove that Long Feiyang had not misjudged him. Old Man Song stole the spotlight in several gang fights. His strength, speed, and explosive power clearly exceeded those of a normal person.
Especially the strength in his hands—he could even bend an iron pipe with his bare hands. Relying on this suddenly appearing excellent fighter and brave warrior, the Sea Dragon Gang actually managed to reclaim several pieces of dock territory.
In the missions and activities Old Man Song participated in, some official presence could often be seen behind him. For example, constables would lead raids on the opposing side’s turf but turn a blind eye to the areas under Old Man Song’s control.
Leaders of other gangs would be arrested, while Old Man Song was often released. As a result, rumors spread that Old Man Song had backing and that Long Feiyang had connections with higher-ups.
Today was the day when, after many fights, the Hundred Families Association planned to negotiate with the Sea Dragon Gang. Long Feiyang walked on the street with more than thirty gang members behind him, but he did not feel spirited at all.
He had been hiding behind the scenes for a long time and was now white-haired, yet he had to step to the front again. Thinking of this, he could not help but feel sorrowful. As for today’s negotiation, he was not very confident. Heaven knew he did not know any official figures who could support him.
As for the so-called protection the Sea Dragon Gang received from officials in recent times, he was even more puzzled. The only thing he knew was that it must be related to Song Hao beside him, or rather, the person behind Song Hao. Thinking of this, he could not help but ask, “Old Song, about today’s matter, did that person give any instructions?”
The so-called that person naturally referred to Ghost Fist behind Song Hao. Remembering this ghost-like man, Long Feiyang felt a chill of fear. It now seemed that yielding to Ghost Fist back then was absolutely the right decision. Not only was the other party highly skilled in martial arts, but he also had a line to the upper echelons of Xinlu, allowing the Sea Dragon Gang to be revived from near destruction.
Faced with Long Feiyang’s question, Old Man Song frowned and smiled wryly, “What that person is thinking, I don’t know either. But he is immensely powerful; we just need to follow along.”
Old Man Song felt grateful to Ghost Fist, who had taught him martial arts and given him a Psychic Energy Fruit. Even though during the training, he often felt he would rather die. But he remembered the kindness of saving his life and giving him a new start. So when the other party asked him to join the Sea Dragon Gang and later help manage the gang, he agreed without a word.
As for who Ghost Fist really was, whether he had connections with officials, or what those connections were, he did not know. Just as the two were discussing today’s negotiation—what to say and how to act, though it was mostly Long Feiyang instructing Old Man Song—a young man walked up to them.
“A Zuo?” Old Man Song glanced at him. “Why are you here too?”
Because Zuo Zhicheng had suddenly displayed high-level martial arts, Old Man Song had some suspicions. But Qingyue Qiu had not revealed anything to him, and Zuo Zhicheng had not said anything either, so he naturally did not know the identities of Zuo Zhicheng and Ghost Fist.
Old Man Song continued, “Isn’t the Association busy? Why did you come?”
Zuo Zhicheng smiled faintly. “I heard you’re negotiating with the Hundred Families Association today. I came to back you up. Not welcome?”
Old Man Song sighed. “Why get involved in this messy business?” He still did not want Zuo Zhicheng to be exposed to gang matters like he was. He had even kept these things hidden from Xiao Lan.
Zuo Zhicheng explained, “It’s fine. The martial hall also has conflicts with the Hundred Families Association. We’re helping each other.”
Old Man Song had heard a little about the conflicts between the Association and the Hundred Families Association. Finally, thinking that he had Ghost Fist backing him and that Zuo Zhicheng was now very skilled in martial arts, he agreed to let him come along.
“So you are Master Zuo. Truly, a hero emerges from the young.” Zuo Zhicheng and Long Feiyang introduced themselves to each other along the way. It seemed as if the previous unpleasantness between the Sea Dragon Gang and the Haoran Martial Hall had never happened.
Long Feiyang was very pleased to have another ally on his side. Besides, people in the underworld knew that Zuo Zhicheng had single-handedly taken on most of the Martial Arts Association members, so he knew Zuo Zhicheng had real skills.
More than ten minutes later, the group arrived at the top floor of the appointed Qingfeng Tower. There, several hundred members of the Hundred Families Association had already been waiting for a long time. Zuo Zhicheng swept his gaze over them; they were mostly Hante People. At the central round table, five or six Hante leaders sat, including Xing Feng, who had spoken to Zuo Zhicheng before.
His strength was the highest present, with a purple Innate Primordial Breath coverage of 15%.
Seeing Zuo Zhicheng behind Long Feiyang, he gave a sinister smile and whispered to the people beside him, clearly having told his companions Zuo Zhicheng’s identity. A few men came forward and escorted Long Feiyang, Old Man Song, and Zuo Zhicheng to the seats.
At first, they were polite, but before long, the leader of these Hante People, a middle-aged man missing a finger and the head of the Hante People in the Hundred Families Association, Tai Tai, said, “Boss Long, we’re old acquaintances, so I’ll speak frankly. You must return all the territory the Sea Dragon Gang swallowed in the past half month. Otherwise, we’ll have to settle this elsewhere.”
Long Feiyang smiled. “Whoever takes the territory keeps it. Asking me to return what we fought for isn’t following the rules, is it?”
“Rules my ass!” A big Hante man smashed his glass and pressed a shard against Long Feiyang’s shoulder. “Those are your Qi People’s rules! They mean nothing to us!”
“What are you doing!”
“Let go!”
The subordinates Long Feiyang brought tried to rush forward, but they were intentionally or unintentionally surrounded by the several hundred Hante People around and couldn’t get through. The Hante leaders acted as if they didn’t see what was happening and continued chatting and laughing.