The Spirit Realm, Dongwu City.
Night had fallen. By this hour, any pedestrians strolling the streets had already gone home to rest.
The streets, paved with bluestone, were lined with Spiritual Artifact streetlights. These lamps drew power from the free-roaming Spiritual Energy in the air, standing silently as they cast a dim, yellow glow.
Just like the streetlights on Blue Star, these lamps in the Spirit Realm also attracted small insects that danced around their dim yellow light. Every so often, a few would get too close, burn to death, and fall to the ground.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the direction of the distant docks. It was strange for so many people to be making a racket there at this hour instead of being home asleep.
Silvery moonlight descended from the sky, casting a hazy glow upon the slowly flowing river.
Not far from the riverside docks was a large residential area for members of the Red Blood Gang.
At this moment, a group of people had surrounded the Red Blood Gang’s residential area.
"You bastards from the Flying Dragon Gang, don’t push it too far..."
Upon learning they had been surrounded by another gang, the members of the Red Blood Gang immediately grabbed their weapons, rushed out of their homes, and gathered to confront the enemy.
"Today, we’re here specifically to push it too far. What are you going to do about it?" a mocking voice called out from behind the crowd.
As soon as the mocking voice sounded, the members of the Flying Dragon Gang immediately parted to form a path.
TAP, TAP, TAP...
The sound of steady footsteps echoed. Moments later, a man appeared before the members of the Red Blood Gang. He was a middle-aged man, standing about six-foot-three, with a blank expression, a powerful build, and a body covered in corded muscle.
The Red Blood Gang captains, who had been leading their men in the standoff, turned pale the moment they saw him. They all took an involuntary step back, their fear palpable.
Clearly, they all recognized the muscle-bound, middle-aged man.
Seeing the Red Blood Gang fall silent in fear at the sight of their Gang Leader, one of the Flying Dragon Gang’s captains grew incredibly arrogant and issued an ultimatum.
"If you know what’s good for you, pack your things and get the hell out before dawn. Otherwise... you know the consequences..."
"..." The Red Blood Gang grunts exchanged glances, then all turned to look at their captains.
The captains felt the immense pressure as they noticed all their men staring at them.
They didn’t have the guts to speak out and defy the ultimatum from the Flying Dragon Gang’s captain.
After all, the Flying Dragon Gang’s leader was right there. Their own side had no one who could match his strength. If a fight broke out, they would be utterly crushed.
But if they backed down now, did as the captain said, packed their things, and slunk away in disgrace, the Red Blood Gang would collapse. Their men would surely scatter and find new gangs to join.
In this situation, they couldn’t be soft, but they couldn’t be hard either. They were truly caught between a rock and a hard place.
Watching their old rivals squirm, the members of the Flying Dragon Gang felt a wave of satisfaction, like taking a huge bite of ice-cold watermelon on a scorching summer day.
"We’re giving you a chance. Don’t be stupid. That river over there is pretty wide. It’d be a real shame if someone... ’accidentally’ fell in on a dark night like this..."
Suddenly, one of the Flying Dragon Gang’s grunts started shouting threats and insults at the Red Blood Gang, which immediately triggered a torrent of profanity from the others.
The Red Blood Gang members had never been so humiliated. They gritted their teeth and clenched their fists, wishing they could charge forward and fight to the death.
But the moment the thought of a life-or-death struggle crossed their minds, they were met with the sweeping gaze of the Flying Dragon Gang’s leader.
Remembering his terrifying power, the anger that had just begun to swell inside them was instantly extinguished, as if doused by a bucket of cold water. They no longer dared to even think of making a move.
While the Flying Dragon Gang was gleefully hurling torrents of abuse at the Red Blood Gang, a number of figures stood watching from the distant shadows.
These onlookers in the shadows were spies from other gangs, sent by their leaders to keep an eye on the Red Blood Gang.
Now that the spies saw the Flying Dragon Gang making the first move against the Red Blood Gang, just as expected, they prepared to rush back to their own gangs and report to their leaders.
But just as these spies were about to leave, a new development at the chaotic scene made them pause.
After thoroughly enjoying themselves taunting the weaker Red Blood Gang, the Flying Dragon Gang prepared to use force, drive out their bitter rivals, and seize the docks.
Just as they were about to make their move, two figures suddenly appeared behind them. One of them spoke to their Gang Leader.
"Wu Gang Leader, it’s the middle of the night. Instead of resting at home, you’ve brought your men to our territory. What do you want?"
The members of the Flying Dragon Gang froze for a moment when they heard this voice. In contrast, the despair of the Red Blood Gang members vanished upon hearing the familiar sound, and looks of joy appeared on their faces.