Chapter 73 - The Overlord of Song Village (Part Two)

“Zhang Jing, quick, reverse the car and let’s get out of here!” Seeing my bedraggled state in the headlights, Zhang Jing was so stunned she just stared dazedly at me, frozen in place. This wouldn’t do—if those thugs caught up, we wouldn’t even have a chance to escape! I shouted at her, sprinting toward the passenger side to open the door and leap in.

Just then, several honks blared unexpectedly from behind the BMW. Turning, I saw a few luxury business vehicles pulling up, stopping right in front of us. I glanced questioningly at Zhang Jing inside the car.

Tears were already streaming down her face, but she seemed to have snapped out of her stupor. She nodded anxiously and said, “Xiao Qiang, don’t worry, that’s Li Dabiao—the very Li Dabiao you asked me to contact last time! He’s back from the northeast, just arrived yesterday…”

Li Dabiao! At the sound of his name, a broad grin spread across my face. With Li Dabiao here, there was nothing to fear. Even on my own, I could take down those remaining thugs—let alone with Big Brother Li Dabiao, whose skills made these punks no match at all.

“Boss, Li Dabiao’s here!” Under the glaring headlights, a group of burly men emerged from the two business vehicles. At their head—who else could it be but the sworn brother I once called Big Brother, Li Dabiao himself! Overjoyed, I strode up and pulled him into a hearty embrace, laughing. “Big Brother, thank goodness you’re back at last!”

He shook his head vigorously. “Don’t call me that anymore! From now on, you’re my boss, the leader of all our brothers!” Li Dabiao grinned. “Sorry to have worried you. Now that I’m back, I’ll follow you wherever you lead—I’m not leaving again!” As he spoke, he noticed the group of thugs already closing in. With a fierce wave of his hand, he turned to his men. “Brothers, this is our new boss! Tonight, show him your loyalty—teach those fools a good lesson!”

“Don’t worry, boss!” came the thunderous roar from over a dozen strapping men from the northeast, their knuckles cracking audibly. The thugs, who had just rushed up to the BMW, froze in terror. Even a fool could see now that these men were under my command.

I nodded approvingly at the men. “You must all be Li Dabiao’s brothers. Since you’re willing to join me and fight for our future, I have nothing more to say except this: we share blessings and hardships together! From now on, you are all my brothers.”

Li Dabiao nodded. “Boss, to be honest, I was a bit wild in my youth and mixed in the underworld, so I got to know these brothers—men who’ve fought by my side. I brought them all to swear allegiance to you! Some have served in the military, some are martial artists like me. Whatever you need, just call on them.”

“At your command, boss!” The dozen men saluted in unison, then charged at the thugs. My heart surged with joy—these men were a tremendous asset.

“Xiao Qiang…wuwu…” Just as I was about to discuss his mother with Li Dabiao, a lovely fragrance enveloped me, and a delicate, curvaceous figure pressed into my arms—who else but Zhang Jing! I awkwardly patted her back in comfort, unable to bear the sight of her tear-streaked, sorrowful face. “There, there, I’m fine—see? No real danger. But I’m filthy—don’t get your clothes dirty…” Good grief, Zhang Jing’s exquisite figure in my arms—even if it wasn’t the first time, it was almost too much to handle. Who could stay unmoved with such a beauty in their embrace? What am I, a saint?

Hearing my words, Zhang Jing’s lovely face flushed, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she clung tighter, her voice soft. “You have no idea how worried I was… When I heard you fell off that cliff, my heart nearly stopped…”

Li Dabiao, clearly embarrassed by the scene, gave a sheepish cough. “You two carry on—I’m going to go teach those fools a lesson.” With that, he plunged into the fray, leaving us alone.

I was left a bit helpless, her soft warmth pressed close, the scent of her skin intoxicating. Zhang Jing, hastily dressed, wore only a thin slip dress, her damp hair draped over her shoulders, clearly fresh from a bath. Such a ravishing beauty in my arms—I couldn’t bring myself to push her away, nor could I not.

After a while, seeing I made no move, Zhang Jing reluctantly pulled herself from my arms, shivering slightly in the mountain chill. “Why are you dressed so lightly—didn’t you bring a coat?” I asked.

“I left in such a rush, I forgot…” She bit her lip, looking every bit the demure lady—my heart nearly melted. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I tried to lead her back to the car, but she stubbornly sidestepped, looping her arms around mine, cheeks flushed. “No, I’m not going back in! I want to stay by your side—only then can I feel at ease…”

“Zhang Jing…” At last I noticed the faint affection in her eyes. If a man couldn’t sense that, he might as well be dead. Facing such a beautiful, alluring woman, I suddenly found myself at a loss. Refuse her? I couldn’t get the words out. But not refuse? That wouldn’t do either. Embarrassed, I lowered my head, finally mustering the courage to say, “Zhang Jing, you and I…there’s a… well, something between us, but you know I… I have a girlfriend.”

I could see the disappointment on her face, her tender body trembling slightly. I didn’t dare meet her gaze—truth be told, I was a little afraid. Yes, afraid. I didn’t want to hurt her, but…

“I understand. I just want to be by your side—is that too much?” Her voice trembled on the verge of tears. Looking up into her plaintive eyes, I felt a sharp pang in my heart and could only nod silently.

Soon, Li Dabiao and his brothers had thoroughly dealt with the thugs. Wang Changshun lay beaten on the ground, Li Dabiao’s foot planted firmly on his chest. Dragging Zhang Jing with me, I strode up to Wang Changshun and sneered, “Wang Changshun, you truly are ruthless—bullying villagers, using violence as law, and you even tried to kill me. You deserve to die!”

Wang Changshun struggled to lift his head, his expression still defiant. “Looking at these men and these cars, I know you’re not from around here. I advise you not to meddle in my business. Hmph, I know some big bosses in the underworld too, don’t push things too far! Sure, you might not be afraid of the local officials, but what about the big shots in C City? I’m not someone to be trifled with. I bet you only came here because you listened to those two old fools—otherwise, I wouldn’t be talking to you now.”

His words made me raise an eyebrow. Old Wu said he had connections to the mayor of C City, and I was going to use that as leverage, but now this guy claims ties to the underworld?

“The Ax Gang and Green Gate in C City—you’ve heard of them? I have friends in both. I used to run with Boss Chen. Even if you have no sway in the underworld, you can’t touch me—I have government backing. Don’t get yourself killed over this! Let me tell you, I know all the local officials, and you may not care about them, but are you sure you’re not afraid of the top dogs in C City? I don’t scare easily. I bet you were led astray by those old men, otherwise, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”

His words made my mind race. If Old Wu was right, then this man’s background was truly odd—sometimes underworld, sometimes the mayor’s man… Then it hit me, and I nodded. “Fine, if we’re all in this world together, I won’t make things difficult for you. No need to cause trouble with those two bosses. But how can I trust you? You claim to have left the gang for the government—who’d believe that? If you’re lying to me, I’ll make sure you tell the truth. You know what gangs do to liars, don’t you?”

Pinned beneath Li Dabiao’s foot, Wang Changshun’s face darkened. “My real name is Wang Dashan. I used to work for a high official in C City, but something happened last year and I had to come to this place. If you don’t believe me, have your men check my records. I left the Ax Gang two years ago, worked with Boss Chen near Wangshan Gate in C City—ask anyone in that area, they’ll know me.”

His detailed response convinced me. “Alright, I believe you. But I promised Old Wu you’d release his son and stop causing trouble for him. And the business with Ergou and Erdan—that was your fault. Don’t make trouble for them again. Can you do that?”

Old Wu and Old Zhang, who had been watching in stunned silence, suddenly grew red-faced with excitement at my words. They probably never expected a young man like me to wield such power.

Wang Changshun shot Old Wu and Old Zhang a venomous look but finally nodded in silence. I gave a cold laugh and continued, “One last question—this ‘backer’ you mentioned, is it the mayor of C City?”

At my words, Wang Changshun’s head snapped up, a wary look in his eyes. He hurriedly shook his head. “No, it’s someone else. Enough talk—let me go, or else…!” But before he could finish, his voice choked off, his eyes fixed not on me, but on Zhang Jing beside me! Clearly, he recognized her. How did he know Zhang Jing? Yet from her expression, she didn’t know him at all—which only deepened my confusion. Still, if he had ties to the mayor and the underworld…

A cold smile crept over my lips. “Well, Wang Dashan, you’ve certainly hidden yourself well! Today, whether you talk or not, I’ll get the truth out of you!” I was certain this man held secrets that could be of great use to me—especially as his gaze lingered on Zhang Jing. No matter what, I would get his secrets out, one way or another. “Li Dabiao, show him what it means to wish he were dead!”

“Yes, boss!” With a chilling laugh, Li Dabiao grabbed Wang Changshun’s arm and, with a swift twist, dislocated it. “You dare! If you cross me, you’ll never survive in C City…” Wang Changshun’s threat was cut short by a scream of agony as his arm was wrenched from its socket.