Chapter Eleven: An Eye for an Eye

(1/3)

“Young Master, shouldn’t we make further preparations? I’m worried the Second Young Master might come up with some plan to resolve this crisis,” Old Du advised calmly, noticeably less agitated than Yang Hai.

“What are you talking about, Old Du? The Second Young Master is nothing but a good-for-nothing—how could he possibly compare to the Young Master? With his paltry skills, he’ll certainly have to bow his head to the pressure from the Shark Gang and the Sea Shock Gang this time. We’ll make sure he doesn’t even have a chance to rise again,” Yang Deyi spat venomously.

“Don’t speak too soon. If the Second Young Master were truly useless, what does that make you? Don’t forget who defeated you last time,” Old Du replied with a hint of disdain.

“You—” Yang Deyi was momentarily rendered speechless, his anger choking his words.

“Enough, stop arguing. Old Du has a point. Lately, Yang Ze has been acting strangely; we can’t afford to be careless. Here’s what we’ll do: Old Du, go inform the Shark Gang and the Sea Shock Gang to make their move tonight—have them keep Yang Ze under surveillance. At dawn tomorrow, seize him directly. That way, no matter what Yang Ze intends to do tonight, he won’t get the chance,” Yang Hai quickly decided.

“Young Master, I think we should target the people around the Second Young Master, like Yan Bawei. He’s the perfect target—”

“That’s enough. There’s no need to waste money bribing someone of little use. Old Du, perhaps you’re getting old and losing your edge. No matter what, Yang Ze won’t be able to cause any trouble,” Yang Hai interrupted before Old Du could finish, dismissing both him and Yang Deyi without another word.

Meanwhile, Old Xie brought back two skilled martial artists of the Qi Guiding stage to the Yang family manor. Just as he led away more than seventy bodyguards, Old Du left for the outer city to contact the two gangs.

While everyone was moving according to their own plans, Yang Ze remained in the inn, eyes closed, conserving his strength. He had plans for the night, and now was the time to prepare.

Barely an hour had passed before someone knocked on his door. When he opened it, Old Xie and Yan Bawei entered.

Yan Bawei stepped forward. “Second Young Master, here’s what you requested. This map marks not only the locations of the two gangs’ bases in the southern city, but also their monopolized businesses, and the estimated numbers stationed at each base.”

He unfolded a map that covered almost the entire table, detailing most of the southern city, with numerous red dots and annotations.

“Well done. Now, show me the bases with fewer than thirty men. Tonight, we’re going to make a big move!” Yang Ze began scanning the map eagerly.

Yan Bawei’s expression was somewhat stunned. He could guess what Yang Ze intended, but still found it hard to believe. To take such action under the oppression of the two gangs seemed unthinkable.

Yang Ze gazed deeply at him. “What’s wrong? Are you afraid? Is this really too much for you to handle?”

Swallowing hard, Yan Bawei recalled the humiliation he’d suffered earlier that day and gritted his teeth. “Fine. Let’s do it.”

Old Xie, who had been watching Yan Bawei closely, finally relaxed, and the three of them began quickly selecting targets.

An hour later, the three left the inn. The men Old Xie had sent out had returned, bringing with them over seventy bodyguards, all waiting outside the Prosperity Tavern.

(2/3)

Yang Ze summoned the remaining twenty-some men on his side, and together they hurried to the Prosperity Tavern.

By now, it was already late at night. The whole Ningyu Street was deserted and cloaked in darkness, except for the crowd gathered outside the tavern.

When Yang Ze appeared, the bodyguards were visibly excited, each greeting him with respect. They’d heard he was in trouble and needed help; instantly, more than seventy had volunteered. In truth, more wanted to come, but any larger group would draw unwanted attention—this was already the limit.

“Thank you all for coming. Tonight, I have a favor to ask. This isn’t just about me—it concerns the reputation of our Yang family. I hope you’ll all help me through this crisis,” Yang Ze addressed them at the tavern entrance.

“Second Young Master, just give the word. No need for formalities.”

“That’s right. The Master instructed us to listen to you while he’s away. Whatever you say, we’ll do.”

“Exactly! If anyone dares tarnish the Yang family’s name, we’ll make them pay!”

Their eagerness made it clear they were ready for action at a moment’s notice, and Yang Ze was pleased—this was precisely the effect he wanted.

“Settle down, everyone. Since you’re willing to help, I couldn’t be more grateful. The Shark Gang and the Sea Shock Gang have gone too far. Look behind me—this tavern was destroyed by them. They’ve hurt many of our people and even tried to force me to sacrifice the family’s interests to save my own skin.

But I, Yang Ze, am not a coward who values his own life above all else. Nor is our Yang family a pushover. Tonight, we will strike back and show them the cost of crossing us!

We have over a hundred men. We’ll split into two groups: I’ll lead one to strike the Shark Gang’s base, while Steward Yan Bawei will lead the other to the Sea Shock Gang’s. Once we succeed, we’ll reward everyone according to their merit!”

Not only did Yang Ze appeal to righteousness, he also understood the importance of reward. Not a single bodyguard objected.

The group split into two and charged in opposite directions down Ningyu Street. The shopkeepers on either side dared not make a sound. All they knew was that something momentous was certain to happen the next day.

...

At dawn, word of the previous night’s events spread among all the powers of the southern city.

“Last night, the Yang family wiped out one base each of the Shark Gang and the Sea Shock Gang. The two gangs lost more than ten men combined, over ten were captured alive by the Yang family, and hardly any escaped. The bases themselves were burned to the ground!”

“The Yang family really has guts. I heard their tavern on Ningyu Street was smashed by those gangs—this must have been revenge.”

“Do you know who led the attack? It was the Yang family’s Second Young Master. No one expected the always-quiet Second Young Master to be so ruthless. But those two gangs aren’t to be trifled with. I doubt this will end well.”

“The gangs are formidable, but the Yang family isn’t weak either. I hear they’ve already set up on Ningyu Street—let’s go see what’s happening!”

Such was the conversation in one of the southern city’s taverns. That day, nearly all of Yuyang City’s martial world was abuzz with the news, and many flocked to Ningyu Street, eager to witness the spectacle.

(3/3)

In the Yang family manor, Yang Hai’s face was ashen.

“Very good, very good. My dear brother has outdone himself—I really underestimated him,” Yang Hai muttered, barely keeping his anger in check. He never imagined his timid younger brother would show such backbone.

“Young Master, shall we go see for ourselves?” Old Du inquired.

“What’s there to see? My intent was only to sacrifice a bit of the family’s interests, using the gangs to suppress Yang Ze so he’d never compete with me again. Who could have guessed he’d dare to openly break with them? I never meant him any real harm. If he loses his life now, it has nothing to do with me.

We’ll wait and see. I’m curious to know what my brother’s really capable of, to give him the nerve to defy both gangs at once.”

In the end, Yang Hai chose not to get involved. No matter how chaotic things became, he knew he couldn’t be implicated. Otherwise, if Yang Yuanzhen didn’t punish him, the elders of the Yang family certainly wouldn’t look kindly on him.

...

On Ningyu Street, outside the Prosperity Tavern, hundreds had gathered.

Yang Ze stood proudly at the front, his family’s bodyguards and clansmen arrayed behind him. Some still bore fresh wounds, but most were spirited and eager, as if their blood was still racing from the night’s battle.

Across from Yang Ze stood Geng Song and Niu Juli, each flanked by their own men, faces dark as thunderclouds. Behind them were over two hundred gang members—nearly half the combined forces of both gangs.

“I truly underestimated you. I underestimated your death wish. We gave you a chance, and you refused—don’t blame us for being ruthless,” Geng Song said coldly.

Yang Ze laughed. “Did you think the Yang family was soft clay for you to mold as you please? Since you refuse to compensate us, I’ll just have to collect the debt myself.”

“Niu Juli, what other option do we have now? Only by taking his head can we answer to our leaders,” Geng Song said grimly.

The two exchanged a glance. With a single gesture, the Shark Gang and the Sea Shock Gang surged forward, more than two hundred strong.

The Yang family’s men didn’t hesitate. Outnumbered, they still charged, meeting the gangs head-on.

As hundreds clashed, Geng Song and Niu Juli moved simultaneously, both targeting Yang Ze. Among the crowd, only they had reached the advanced stage of Qi Guiding; no one could withstand them. In a flash, they were upon Yang Ze.