Chapter 112: The Top Dog of Hedong

Chapter 112: The Leader of Hedong

Qian Feng was deeply shocked. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Boss, how did you manage to withstand that bastard after he took those performance-enhancing drugs?"

Everyone in Dragon Rage knew Xu Yun's strength: he was a top-tier master at the peak of the ninth level. But even at the peak of the ninth level, it would be difficult to resist a super-master created by banned stimulants.

"Actually, I should thank him. If he hadn't forced my inner demons to manifest, I might not have been able to break through my state of mind," Xu Yun said with a faint smile. He picked up his glass and clinked it against Qian Feng's, signaling him to drink along, as he didn't care for solitary drinking.

Qian Feng felt a tremor in his heart; his hand shook so much he almost dropped his glass.

A breakthrough in his state of mind?!

Damn it! This news was so shocking that Qian Feng nearly coughed up blood.

As expected of the boss! Qian Feng still remembered that even their master, a Grandmaster-level expert, had once said that Xu Yun might never be able to break through his state of mind in this lifetime. He hadn't expected that in the mere year since Xu Yun left Dragon Rage, he would have achieved that breakthrough and reached the realm of a super-master!

One had to realize that, despite his own rigorous training over the past year, Qian Feng had only managed to move up two levels.

"Boss, you're not kidding me, are you?" Qian Feng swallowed hard. "Why do I feel like I'm dreaming? I haven't even had that much to drink, have I?"

Xu Yun smiled slightly. "It's true. At the time, the master had indeed passed a 'death sentence' on my progress, but perhaps I’m just lucky. My inner demons were supposed to lead me to a deviation in my cultivation, but I ended up stumbling into a breakthrough instead."

Qian Feng was now overwhelmingly excited. He kept muttering to himself, "This is great, this is great! If the master finds out you've broken through, he’ll definitely make you come back!"

"I won't be going back," Xu Yun said, dropping two ice cubes into his glass and swirling it. "As for my affairs, you'd best not mention them to the master."

"Why?!" Qian Feng was stunned.

Xu Yun didn't hide it. "I left Dragon Rage not just because I couldn't suppress my inner demons, but for other reasons as well. So, even though I can control myself now, I still won't be returning."

Qian Feng said nothing more. He knew that once Xu Yun made a decision, it was impossible to persuade him otherwise. "Boss, since you've broken through your state of mind, Red Scorpion shouldn't be your match, right?"

"Drug-induced breakthroughs are artificial. So, even though Red Scorpion can temporarily boost his abilities to the level of a super-master, he possesses no true internal energy," Xu Yun said calmly. "Although I severely injured him, I let my guard down for a moment, which allowed someone to rescue him."

Qian Feng was taken aback. "Who could have rescued someone right under your nose? Could they be a super-master too?"

"I'm not sure, but I don't think so. If they were truly a super-master, they probably wouldn't have just rescued him and left without engaging me." Xu Yun felt a headache coming on at the thought. "Qiu Yan was struck by Red Scorpion's scorpion-tail needle. I was too focused on detoxifying her at the time, which gave that person the chance to take him away."

Qian Feng paused. "Boss, speaking of which, how did you get mixed up with people from the underworld?"

...

After a violent bout of vomiting in the restroom, Fan Shuang'er finally felt better. She truly couldn't understand why so many people drank such foul-tasting stuff—it was spicy and harsh. She rinsed her mouth vigorously. "Pfft!"

"Hmm... mmm..."

Once Fan Shuang'er finished rinsing, she noticed a sound nearby. Realizing what was happening, she saw a couple dressed in ultra-trendy clothes passionately embracing and kissing wildly in the restroom without a care in the world.

The man, with pink hair, didn't seem to care that there were others around; he was all over the girl in the barely-there skirt, even hiking it up further.

Several fashionable girls walking in and out of the restroom just smiled and walked past, with some even whistling to add to the atmosphere.

This chaotic scene was part of the bar culture. These souls, who had completely discarded their moral shackles for the night, didn't care about the eyes of others. They only chased after a sense of thrill and pleasure, with no regard for shame or modesty.

Having grown up in the military, Fan Shuang'er had never seen such a scene; it was her first time in a bar, and she had only ever seen such things in movies.

"Indecent," Fan Shuang'er spat out in disgust.

The passionate couple suddenly stopped. The woman, not even bothered by her hitched-up skirt, shot a look of contempt at Fan Shuang'er. "Damn, what's with the 'holier-than-thou' act? Stop pretending to be a maiden."

The yellow-haired man licked his lips, leering at Fan Shuang'er with lustful eyes. He had seen all kinds of 'green tea bitches' in this bar, but this was the first time he'd seen someone like her. Her attire didn't have a hint of a 'club girl' vibe, but there was a certain intensity in her bones that was much more enticing than those other women.

Faced with the woman's rudeness, Fan Shuang'er clenched her fists and turned to leave. She held herself back, not wanting to cause trouble.

"Hold it." The yellow-haired man laughed. "Quite the temper. First time here, right?"

"Pfft, you can tell by how she's dressed that she's a virgin. A virgin with such a temper—aren't you afraid of getting gang-raped?" the woman mocked, pulling her skirt down.

The yellow-haired man smirked. "I happen to like this type. Heh heh."

Fan Shuang'er suppressed her rage, determined to leave.

However, the man didn't seem ready to let her go. Just as she was about to step out, he grabbed at her from behind.

Fan Shuang'er's reflexes were several times sharper than an ordinary person's. The moment his hand was about to grab her, she sidestepped and delivered a fierce kick, landing it squarely on the man's face.

The yellow-haired man let out a miserable shriek as he flew backward, slamming into the woman, who let out a shrill scream.

From beginning to end, Fan Shuang'er didn't say a word. After kicking him, she walked straight out; she still needed to hear news about Red Scorpion.

When Fan Shuang'er returned, she happened to hear Qian Feng asking why the former Dragon Rage boss was mixed up with underworld types. She couldn't help but chime in, "Yes, and why was the 'Violent Fox' Qiu Yan at that medicinal restaurant too?"

Xu Yun glanced at Fan Shuang'er and gave a dismissive answer: "Can't we be dating?"

"Clang!" Qian Feng banged his head against the table. What kind of joke was this? The former Dragon Rage special forces instructor, Yan Long, was dating the notorious 'Violent Fox' of the underworld? Who would believe that?!

Fan Shuang'er narrowed her eyes. "So, after leaving Dragon Rage, you joined an underworld organization. Red Scorpion coming here must have something to do with you. You wouldn't be working together, would you?"

"Qiu Yan was in the underworld before, but she's turned over a new leaf," Xu Yun shrugged. "Even if Red Scorpion's goal here was Qiu Yan, that doesn't mean I have any connection to him."

Qian Feng glared at Fan Shuang'er. "Are you an idiot? If the boss were in league with him, you'd be dead already. Besides, Red Scorpion was severely injured by the boss; obviously, he can't be working with him."

Fan Shuang'er raised an eyebrow. "Are you lying?"

"Do I have any reason to lie to you?" Xu Yun said, speechless.

"Then where is Red Scorpion?" Fan Shuang'er continued.

Xu Yun shook his head. "Maybe he's already left, or maybe he's hiding somewhere here. But I can guarantee he won't show his face easily. You won't find him, so there's no point in staying. You should just go back."

"What makes you so sure we can't find him?" Fan Shuang'er challenged.

Xu Yun smiled slightly. "In Hedong City, I have as many eyes and ears as the police."

"Bragging," Fan Shuang'er didn't believe him.

Xu Yun continued, "And even if you did find him, with the two of you, you wouldn't be able to catch him."

Fan Shuang'er glared. "I don't believe it."

Qian Feng was already considering whether to follow Xu Yun's advice. Perhaps their staying was meaningless. If that was the case, it would be better to go back early and write their report.

"It's that bitch!!"

A sudden, furious roar interrupted their argument. Over twenty men with tattoos of dragons and tigers surrounded the three of them, all filled with rage and killing intent.

The yellow-haired man, who had been kicked over by Fan Shuang'er, clutched his swollen mouth and pointed at her. "Big brother, that's the bitch who kicked me!"

"Damn it! Look at whose turf this is! How dare you lay a hand on my brother!" The leader was bare-chested, sporting a dragon tattoo that made him look incredibly vicious.

Qian Feng calmly placed his glass on the table. If these bastards dared to attack, he would surely teach them how to write the word "death."

"A bit hot-headed, aren't you?" Xu Yun smiled and stood up, walking toward them.

The angry leader suddenly froze, squinting at the young man in beach shorts and flip-flops. His eyes glazed over. "Who... who are you?"

"Xu Yun," he said nonchalantly. "I'm from the medicinal restaurant nearby. I hang out with Sister Shuang."

The man, who had just been fuming with rage, instantly deflated. "Ah? It's Brother Yun! I'm sorry, brother. Please forgive me. Brother Yun, I'm with Brother Feng. I didn't know these two were your friends. I... heh heh, Brother Yun, you're a big man, please be generous."

The other twenty-plus men were stunned, staring at Xu Yun as if he were a god. This was a heavy-hitting figure.

Xu Yun waved his hand. "It's fine, just a misunderstanding. Go on."

Under the leader's scolding, the twenty men quickly retreated, and the yellow-haired man was slapped hard several times. After the leader cleared the area, he even had more drinks and fruit platters sent over and settled the bill.

Xu Yun looked at Fan Shuang'er with a smile. "Now do you believe me? My people are everywhere in Hedong. If even I can't find Red Scorpion, how could you?"

Qian Feng smiled bitterly. "I never in my wildest dreams thought the mysterious figure Chief Chen mentioned, who unified the Hedong underworld, would be you, Boss. We'll head back tomorrow."

"No way?" Fan Shuang'er was stunned, staring at Qian Feng.

Qian Feng ordered sternly, "I remember before we left, headquarters said you must follow my orders."

Fan Shuang'er wanted to object, but after feeling the seriousness and authority in Qian Feng's voice, she chose to obey. Perhaps she was still too green and didn't know how to handle such tricky situations.

Xu Yun smiled. "Since you're leaving, let's drink until we're drunk tonight."