Fang Jingtang, a man in his thirties with a medium build, a square face, and a scholarly air about him, was lying in bed asleep when a massive explosion in the distance jolted him awake.
After getting out of bed, he quickly threw on his clothes and rushed out of his house.
Looking up, he saw a pillar of black smoke rising in the distance.
Fang Jingtang’s usually calm expression changed drastically as he watched the black smoke billowing from the home of the Red Blood Gang’s most important figure.
Some of the minor bosses living nearby also heard the commotion and ran out of their homes. Upon seeing the same sight, they called for their men to assemble and rushed toward Hong Jiu’s mansion without a moment’s delay.
On the way, these minor bosses ran into Fang Jingtang, who was also hurrying to the Gang Leader’s home. No one said a word; they merely exchanged glances before continuing toward the scene.
Every member knew that the Red Blood Gang had grown to its current strength and avoided being crushed by other gangs primarily because of Hong Jiu, their backbone. He was the one who held up the sky for them all.
If Hong Jiu was killed by an assassin, the members of the Red Blood Gang would face a perilous future. Their enemies, who wished them all dead, would surely launch a frenzied campaign of revenge.
Over a hundred members of the Red Blood Gang stormed into Hong Jiu’s home, their destination clear: the place where the black smoke rose.
"Gang Leader...!!!"
When the hundred-plus Red Blood Gang members arrived at the chaotic battle scene, they saw a familiar figure pinned to the ground, a Nine-Ring Saber pierced through his heart. He was completely lifeless. A collective cry of grief escaped their lips.
Some of the minor bosses, men who had committed countless evil deeds, felt their vision go black at the sight of their great patron in such a state. If not for their underlings catching them in time, they might have collapsed right then and there.
’It’s over. The sky has fallen. The sky has fallen for the Red Blood Gang!!!’
...
The Night was hazy, the surroundings tranquil.
In the residential area for the Cyan Stone Gang members, it was already past ten at night—a time when most people should have been asleep. However, several houses were still brightly lit, and the sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard coming from within.
Drinking late into the night was a very common part of these gang members’ daily lives.
In one of these houses, the group that had tried to swindle the carriage driver earlier was gathered. The bearded man sat in a chair, his back against a pillar, drinking and eating meat with his men. He was in a very good mood.
Suddenly, the bald underling who had personally written the tip-off letter to the Red Blood Gang spoke with a smug grin.
"Boss, we played our hand well today, getting the Red Blood Gang to go after that guy for us. With them showing up at his door, there’s basically no chance he survived."
The bearded man nodded. "That guy is almost certainly dead, but we should still confirm it to be sure.
Tomorrow morning, go find that friend of yours in the Red Blood Gang and ask about what happened to that guy."
"Yes, sir." Although the bald underling felt it was a pointless waste of time, he had no choice but to comply since it was an order from his boss.
TAP, TAP, TAP...
Just as the group inside was happily drinking, eating, and boasting, a figure strode up from outside, reached the house, pushed open the door, and walked in.
Seeing the man who had entered, everyone in the room stopped their boisterous merrymaking. The bearded man stood up and warmly invited him in.
"Xiaowang, what brings you here? Come on, have a seat! Drink and eat with us."
This young man, called Xiaowang, was only in his early twenties and served as the Cyan Stone Gang Leader’s messenger.
He still had to notify the other minor bosses of the Cyan Stone Gang, so he wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"I’ll have a drink some other time when I’m free. The Gang Leader has ordered me to notify everyone to report to the main hall for a meeting. You are to go at once."
"Huh?" The bearded man was stunned for a moment. Then he asked, confused, "Why would the Gang Leader suddenly summon everyone to the main hall in the middle of the night? Did something happen?"
"I don’t know the details. I can’t stay and chat, I have to go notify the others." With that, the Cyan Stone Gang Leader’s messenger turned and left the house, heading for the next minor boss’s home.
Left without an answer, the bearded man scratched his head. He then took his previously removed jacket from one of his underlings and quickly put it on.
He could go shirtless and be slovenly at home, but he had to clean himself up for a meeting in the main hall.
"The Gang Leader is calling the boss and the others to the main hall in the middle of the night. Something big must have happened."
"What kind of big thing could it be?"
"How should I know?"
"I’ve been with the Cyan Stone Gang for several years now, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this."
The underlings in the room buzzed with discussion, each one filled with curiosity.
However, their status in the Cyan Stone Gang wasn’t high enough to qualify them for the meeting in the main hall.
"Alright, stop your wild guessing. You’ll all know what’s going on after I get back from the meeting. That’s all for tonight. All of you, head home and get some rest!"