Chapter Forty-One: The Stir on Xiangyun Street

Yang Ze had been sitting in his small courtyard, sipping tea, when he saw Old Xie stride in with a grave expression. Yang Ze set his teacup down.

"Second Young Master, something has happened outside." Old Xie spoke before Yang Ze could invite him to sit.

Yang Ze frowned slightly. "An accident?"

"There was no mishap on Black Tiger's end; in fact, everything went extremely well. In Black Tiger’s desperate assault, two of the business guild’s mid-level Qi-Channeling experts died, most of their key figures were killed, and less than five Qi-Channeling experts remain. Right now, the guild is at its weakest."

Old Xie relayed what Black Tiger had reported. Once chaos erupted at the guild’s temporary headquarters, he’d slipped inside to investigate, and all the information he now shared had been gathered by himself. Black Tiger truly lived up to his reputation as a leader—his strength formidable. He had single-handedly destroyed most of the guild’s elite. Old Xie could still recall the ghastly corpses he’d seen—each one had died a brutal death.

"If Black Tiger succeeded, that’s good news. Why, then, do you look so troubled? Has something else happened?" Yang Ze could tell from Old Xie’s expression that things weren’t so simple.

Old Xie hesitated, then continued, "Second Young Master, Tie Qi is dead. The Iron Hammer Gang has been wiped out by the Venom Sect."

Yang Ze, who had felt a measure of satisfaction at the initial success, turned pale at these words.

"What did you say? Explain this to me clearly!" Yang Ze could not afford to lose his composure. The Iron Hammer Gang was a crucial part of his plans—if they were destroyed, his entire scheme would be jeopardized.

"This happened this morning, just as Black Tiger made his move. The Iron Hammer Gang and the Venom Sect fought, and the Iron Hammer Gang was annihilated. The full story is..."

Old Xie explained, admitting he’d only learned of this on his way back. Outside, on Xiangyun Street, chaos was already erupting.

So much had happened in a single day; word spread swiftly through the city. The once-thriving Xiangyun Street was on the verge of turmoil, as everyone feared disaster might befall them.

When Yang Ze finished listening, he finally understood the true extent of the situation and couldn’t help but curse under his breath.

"Useless scum! Tie Qi died so quickly—utterly worthless!"

Yang Ze was furious. His original plan had been to let the Iron Hammer Gang and Venom Sect wear each other down, so he could swoop in at the end and seize the spoils.

He hadn’t expected everything to proceed so smoothly, only for the flaw to lie in Tie Qi himself—weak, yet arrogant enough to provoke his enemies. It was no wonder the Iron Hammer Gang had never amounted to much with such a leader.

Tie Qi had died before achieving anything worthwhile, leaving Yang Ze thoroughly disappointed.

"Black Tiger Hall, Iron Hammer Gang destroyed, the business guild dealt a heavy blow—what’s the situation outside now?" Yang Ze quickly asked the pressing question.

"It’s already in upheaval. If order isn’t quickly restored, Xiangyun Street will surely fall into long-term decline from this disturbance," Old Xie replied.

"We can’t just sit and wait. The way things are, no one can stop us now. This is our chance—let’s take Xiangyun Street." Yang Ze's eyes gleamed. If he kept hiding in the shadows, others would snatch the benefits from under his nose.

Only he knew the location of Black Tiger Hall’s treasury, and the guild had not yet completely fallen. As for the Iron Hammer Gang—now was the best time to strike. Yang Ze quickly made up his mind to seize their assets, only to be stopped by Old Xie.

"Second Young Master, it’s too late. As soon as word got out that the Iron Hammer Gang was destroyed, the Woodcutters’ Gang moved in. They stormed the Iron Hammer Gang’s headquarters and took everything—including all their industries. Even the Venom Sect didn’t see it coming, but since they’d just fought a tough battle and suffered many casualties, they didn’t retaliate against the Woodcutters’ Gang."

"The Woodcutters’ Gang? They’ve played their cards well. I never thought I’d hand them such a golden opportunity. Still, taking things from me won’t be so easy." Yang Ze toyed with his teacup, a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

"Then, Second Young Master, who should we move against next?"

"Come, let’s go to the guild. If those people want to keep doing business here, they’ll know what choice to make."

Yang Ze and Old Xie boarded a carriage and hurried to the guild’s temporary headquarters.

Along the way, Yang Ze peered outside. The streets bustled with anxious faces, some people clutching bundles as they hurried away.

"If we can’t provide a relatively stable environment, these merchants will abandon this place. Even if they struggle elsewhere, it’s better than risking their lives here," Yang Ze mused, gazing out the window.

Xiangyun Street was a patchwork of many people. Now, the power shift among the gangs had shaken the entire area, and the grassroots merchants were naturally concerned for their safety.

That was why he needed to seize control quickly; otherwise, even if he gained Xiangyun Street, it would be an empty, desolate place.

The carriage sped on, arriving soon at the guild’s temporary headquarters. The crowds that had gathered there earlier had dispersed, leaving only a few guild members guarding the gate.

Yang Ze and Old Xie dismounted and approached, only to be stopped.

"One of you go in and announce us. Tell your guild master that someone wishes to see him," Yang Ze said calmly, making no move to use force.

"You’d best leave. We’re not seeing guests today, and the guild master isn’t receiving anyone. In fact, no one inside will see any outsiders today," came the curt reply from the head guard, who directly ordered Yang Ze to leave.

Yang Ze, who had started out politely, now frowned coldly. "And if I insist on entering?"

"Are you going to force your way in?" the man retorted, his companions already placing their hands on their weapons.

"If you refuse a toast, you’ll have to drink the forfeit. Frankly, you lot aren’t nearly enough to stop me." As he spoke, Old Xie struck.

None of the guards had even reached the Qi-Channeling stage, so they had no chance against Old Xie. They didn’t even see how he moved before all of them were sprawled groaning on the ground.

"Let’s go," Yang Ze said, glancing at the fallen men, and strode with Old Xie into the guild headquarters.

Entering, Yang Ze couldn’t help but feel a surge of reflection. Of all the remaining powers on Xiangyun Street, this guild was indeed the most adept at making money. Even the interior décor of this temporary headquarters was the finest he had ever seen.

Yet, no matter how grand the building, it now looked battered and forlorn. Many parts showed signs of damage—several thick wooden beams had been completely severed.

Yang Ze found himself admiring Black Tiger—even in defeat, he hadn’t fled but fought to the death, dragging several enemies with him.

As they entered, they found the place still occupied by a number of people. The guild, having suffered such a blow, now sheltered either the kin of the dead or its last surviving members.

Seeing two strangers enter, the crowd was startled—their nerves frayed by the recent catastrophe.

"You—you’re the Yang family’s Second Young Master, Yang Ze!" someone cried. Faces turned ashen, and several people shrank back in fear.

Yang Ze’s reputation was now infamous—especially as many had died by his hand, cementing his fearsome name.

"Where is the guild master? I’ve come to speak with him." Yang Ze swept the hall with his gaze, his voice ringing out.

"I am Wang Cheng, guild master. May I ask what business brings you here, Chief Steward Yang? As you can see, our situation today is not suited for visitors. If your affairs are not urgent, I hope you might return another day, and I shall call upon you myself," replied an elderly man in a gray robe, bloodstained and weary.

"No need to rush me away. If I really leave now, you’ll regret it before long," Yang Ze replied coldly. His words sent a chill through the room.

"What do you mean by that?" Wang Cheng’s mind raced, but he forced himself to speak.

"You know your own situation. Continuing alone on Xiangyun Street is next to impossible. I offer you two choices: join my Tongyang Alliance and become a part of it—or..."

Yang Ze’s words trailed off. At that moment, Old Xie released his aura, making his meaning unmistakable.

"Are you threatening us?" Wang Cheng could hardly believe that, on the heels of disaster, another wolf had come knocking.

"I’ll give you a quarter of an hour to decide. You’re a smart man—I trust you’ll make the right choice," Yang Ze said, giving no room for negotiation. This guild was his for the taking, and these people didn’t merit any special terms.

Wang Cheng’s face turned pale. He looked back at the others, seeing only despair—the guild had never been Yang Ze’s match, and now, in its battered state, had no hope at all.

Within less than fifteen minutes, Wang Cheng sighed and said, "Very well. I accept."