Chapter 56: In Hand

“Nonsense! My father is a man of great strength. How dare you slander him like this? Men, drive these people out of Wen Family Street!” Fan Hao, already anxious about his father’s whereabouts, exploded in fury at Yang Ze’s words, as if his tail had been stepped on.

At his command, more than a hundred members of the Fan Family surged forward, weapons in hand, charging straight at Yang Ze.

Yang Ze’s eyes were cold as he spoke icily, “If a man like you is allowed to govern the Fan Family, it’s doomed sooner or later. It seems I must help you face reality.” With a tap of his toe, he leapt forward, skimming lightly over the ground. In a few swift steps, he slipped through the crowd; despite their efforts, the Fan Family’s guards couldn’t even touch him.

Fan Hao only saw Yang Ze flash out from the crowd and, in the blink of an eye, appear right before him. Stunned, he watched as Yang Ze’s right hand reached straight for his throat.

He tried to dodge, but at that moment, he realized the immense gap between his own strength and Yang Ze’s. He had no chance to escape; Yang Ze’s hand already gripped his neck.

“Cough… cough… let me go, release me, you—” Fan Hao struggled to slap at Yang Ze’s arm, his face flushing crimson as he managed to choke out a few words.

He had never imagined Yang Ze could have reached such a formidable level. The pressure radiating from Yang Ze was something he had experienced only in the presence of his own father.

Yang Ze was unmoved. He tightened his grip on Fan Hao’s neck, lifting him off the ground with a slight exertion.

Fan Hao dangled like a helpless chick, feet kicking in the air, utterly powerless to resist.

Yang Ze looked at him with utter disdain, his eyes full of mockery. The scorn in his gaze both startled and enraged Fan Hao, who now bitterly resented his own lack of ability. Forcing his gaze around, he saw Elder Fan Yongkuan and several others struggling to their feet, moving to rescue him.

Sensing movement behind him, Yang Ze’s grip tightened further. Fan Hao coughed violently several more times, his struggles growing even more frantic.

“If any of you dares take another step forward, I’ll kill him right here. If you don’t believe me, try it and see,” Yang Ze said coldly, not even bothering to glance back.

Hearing this, Fan Yongkuan and the others halted. They had witnessed Yang Ze’s skill and knew his methods well by now—a man with both strength and resolve. If they dared advance, Yang Ze would not hesitate to act.

“You… you can’t… you can’t kill me!” Fan Hao cried out in panic, watching the elders retreat as his vision blurred.

“This is more like it. Fan Hao, I’ll give you one last chance. Wen Family Street—will you yield it or not?” Yang Ze threatened, tightening his hold a bit more, so that Fan Hao’s feeble resistance weakened further.

“I yield…” Fan Hao muttered softly.

“Louder, so everyone can hear you!” Yang Ze loosened his grip slightly.

“I yield!” Taking advantage of the brief respite, Fan Hao regained some breath and shouted.

Yang Ze released him, tossing him to the ground. “Get up. Tell your men that Wen Family Street is no longer yours—make sure you say it well. If I’m not satisfied, you know the consequences.”

Fan Hao shuddered despite himself. He saw the killing intent in Yang Ze’s eyes; Yang Ze would truly dare to kill him.

“I declare: From this day forth, the Fan Family withdraws from Wen Family Street. All properties will be transferred to Yang Ze!” Fan Hao, barely able to catch his breath, hurriedly made the announcement.

“Did you all hear that?” Yang Ze turned to look at the members of the Fan Family. He knew well Fan Hao’s standing among them.

Quickly, the Fan Family’s people dispersed. None dared raise a word of objection. Fan Hao’s authority was gone, and even the elders had been cowed by Yang Ze’s strength. They would not dare oppose him.

As for Fan Yongnian’s fate, no one mentioned it again. Yang Ze’s power was plain to see; some even suspected that Fan Yongnian had truly perished by Yang Ze’s hand.

Yang Ze did not demand any written agreement from Fan Hao. With his strength, the ability to intimidate these people was more effective than any contract.

Compared to Xiangyun Street, Wen Family Street was in much better shape. There were numerous minor factions here, but all had to pay the Fan Family regularly for protection. Under their control, Wen Family Street had remained peaceful, without major disturbances.

Taking over presented little trouble for Yang Ze. He merely sent a few men to assume control for now. How to stabilize Wen Family Street and develop its industries was not his immediate concern. His foremost task was to bring all three streets of Sitong Lane under his command.

After seizing Wen Family Street, Yang Ze did not immediately lead his men to attack Chenglan Street. Instead, he returned to Tongyang Bank. Unlike the Fan Family’s endless scheming, the Feng Family had been strangely quiet.

In the main hall, Yang Ze sat at the head of the table, with several others seated below, including Old Xie and his fellow experts.

Not long after, Meng Yitian strode in briskly and reported to Yang Ze, “Master Steward, according to our spies, the gates of the Feng Residence have been tightly shut since yesterday. No one has gone in or out. I personally investigated and found the residence heavily guarded on all sides by capable men. Fearing discovery, I did not go inside.

“I also dispatched people to check on the Feng Family’s properties in the northern city, as you instructed. All appears normal—no increase in personnel, no signs of staff fleeing.”

Meng Yitian finished his report swiftly. Yang Ze listened without immediately responding, his right index finger tapping rhythmically on the table.

After a while, Yang Ze finally spoke. “The news in the martial world has already spread far and wide, yet the Feng Family remains unshaken. It seems they manage their affairs better than the Fan Family. Does anyone have ideas on how to respond to the Feng Family’s approach?”

As soon as he finished, Wang Cheng, seated farther back, answered, “Master Steward, our goal isn’t the entire Feng Family, just Chenglan Street in Sitong Lane. I don’t think we need to wait for any opportunity—we should strike directly and take Chenglan Street!”

After Wang Cheng spoke, Meng Yitian, who was still standing, also voiced his opinion. “I agree with Manager Wang. The factions that have targeted Feng Family properties so far have all been small fry—easily suppressed by the Feng Family’s sound management. But we, the Tongyang Alliance, are on a different level. We may not be able to take on the whole Feng Family, but seizing just Chenglan Street? We are more than capable!”

“Master Steward, let’s act. I’m willing to lead the charge!” Old Xie stood up, cupping his fist.

With Old Xie having spoken, a spark seemed to light in Yang Ze’s eyes. He slapped the table and declared loudly, “Good! Since everyone is of the same mind, there’s no time to lose—we strike at once!”

At Yang Ze’s order, the assembled men were stirred. Sitong Lane had been carved up for years—no one had ever truly unified it. If they succeeded in taking Chenglan Street today, then, short of the authorities, all of Sitong Lane would be theirs.

As for the authorities, no one yet dared challenge them. They all understood it was simply impossible.

A large group set out. This time, Yang Ze led over a hundred men straight toward Chenglan Street, preceded by a dozen swift horses clearing the way. The rest followed at a brisk pace—a formidable sight.

When they reached the outskirts of Chenglan Street, several local gangs had gathered to block their path, refusing to let them pass.

But this time, Yang Ze didn’t need to give the order. Old Xie leaped from a galloping horse and, with a series of fierce palm strikes, swept through the crowd. In the space of just a few breaths, he had felled a swath of foes—many of the weaker ones died on the spot.

Seeing Old Xie’s ferocity, the rest of the blockers quickly scattered. Old Xie snorted disdainfully, and Yang Ze’s company pressed on into Chenglan Street.

No one dared hinder them further as they made straight for the Feng Family’s stronghold on Chenglan Street.

Outside the stronghold, Feng Hai—the Feng Family’s manager in Chenglan Street—stood waiting with a sizable group. As soon as Yang Ze and his men arrived, they spread out wordlessly, surrounding Feng Hai and his people.

“I, Manager of Feng Family in Chenglan Street, hereby hand over all family properties here to Master Steward Yang!” Feng Hai raised a package high above his head.

Surprised that Feng Hai surrendered the goods without Yang Ze having uttered a word, Yang Ze asked, “Is this your decision, or the Feng Family’s?”

“It is not within my power to decide. The Patriarch ordered it,” Feng Hai replied, head bowed, still holding up the package.

“Very well. Then I’ll accept it. You may leave,” Yang Ze instructed, signaling a subordinate to take the package.

As soon as the bundle was out of his hands, Feng Hai departed with his people without a word or a backward glance. Not until they had left Chenglan Street did he dare look back, only then noticing his back was drenched in sweat.

He dared not linger, but hurried straight toward the Feng residence.

Yang Ze did not kill Feng Hai and his men. In truth, he had intended to kill a few as a warning to the Feng Family. But he hadn’t expected them to be so accommodating—yielding Chenglan Street with open hands, leaving even their possessions behind.

Yang Ze understood the Feng Family’s intent. By relinquishing Chenglan Street, they sought to write off any enmity between them. In their current state, the Feng Family preferred to have one less enemy rather than one more.

Given this, Yang Ze saw no need to take further action. His aim was achieved—both Chenglan Street and Wen Family Street were now his.