Chapter 71

This vicious battle in the provincial capital shocked two Jianghus.

Ever since Qiao Xin dominated the provincial capital, he had never been defeated so pitifully. No one had ever dared, and no one could touch him like this. Qiao Xin’s people had lost greatly, and they had lost even more face.

This vicious battle shook the provincial capital. For many years later, it was treated as a representative textbook on fighting and was constantly used for teaching. At that time, the gangdoms of both cities knew that Luo Jiu and Qiao Xin were going to fight until the end. No matter if it was for money, for reputation, or to be able to continue on in the gangdom, this was the dignity of being a boss.

Qiao Xin provoked Luo Jiu first, and he had prepared to be counterattacked, but Qiao Xin hadn’t thought that this battle would be lost so miserably and humiliatingly. Dozens of brothers were seriously injured and lying in the hospital. Liu Pao was nearly crippled, and it was even in the provincial capital, on their own territory. They were laughed at by other gangs. They had lost face to the uttermost. Qiao Xin was furious.

Not long after that night, Qiao Xin’s people came again to seek revenge. Both sides fought with each other. Although it wasn’t a large-scale confrontation, many brothers were injured. Finally, Qiao Xin challenged Luo Jiu and set the stage for a confrontation.

Fighting was always the very first start that the gangdom used to solve disputes, and it was also the very first end.

Everyone knew what the scale of this confrontation was. Over ten years ago, there was a famous “railway war” between the two gangdoms of Jianghai and the provincial capital. There was a railway between the two cities. The two cities were very close, just 20 minutes away by train. At that time, a dispute arose between the Jianghu bosses of the two cities because they were competing for the same section of the railway business. Thus, both sides arranged to have a large fight next to the middle of the railway. There were currently various versions of the legend for that war. How many people participated in that fierce battle and how many casualties there were, had all become figures in the legend. But one thing was for sure. Blood flowed like rivers, and the sun and moon stopped shining.

Since the railway war, no more large-scale armed fights had broken out between Jianghai and the provincial capital, until Luo Jiu and Qiao Xin more than ten years later.

Both sides knew that, after this confrontation, some people may never again see the sun on the next day.

The night before the confrontation, Luo Jiu called several of the core brothers under his leadership to his house.

“The situation is tense and there’s a crackdown right now. If something happens, the sentence will be heavy.”

Luo Jiu looked at the faces of the several young people one by one before he spoke. Everyone understood his meaning.

“You all have followed me for so many years. You’ve risked your life and you were not careless. If anyone can’t go tomorrow, say the word. I definitely won’t look down on him. Just say the word.”

Luo Jiu had already made up his mind. But he wanted to give these confidants a way out.

No one responded.

“Drink wine!” Luo Jiu was a little excited.

“Jiu Ge, I have something to say,” Fang Yu said.

“Say it!”

“Yang Lei doesn’t need to go.”

“Fang Yu!”

Yang Lei had come with Fang Yu. In this matter, from beginning to end, everyone had seen how Yang Lei had given his all. No one took him as an outsider. Yang Lei hadn’t thought that Fang Yu would suddenly say such a sentence at this point.

“What do you mean??”

Yang Lei was angry. He knew what Fang Yu meant, but he was a gangster! Fang Yu wanted to protect him, but could he watch Fang Yu risk his life, while he hid at home?

“That’s right, Yang Lei. Don’t go! Don’t make it difficult for your Da Ge! Jiu Ge thanks you!”

“Jiu Ge!!”

“That’s settled, then!”

When they left Luo Jiu’s place, Yang Lei rounded on Fang Yu.

“Don’t fucking talk nonsense. I’m definitely going tomorrow!”

No matter what Fang Yu said, Yang Lei just had this one sentence!

Later, Fang Yu didn’t say any more. He was unusually silent.

Before that, Yang Lei received a call from Yang Datian. Recently, Luo Jiu and Qiao Xin’s series of armed fights had already attracted the attention of the police in both places. Although no one had died yet, if they continued fighting like this, something big would happen sooner or later. The police were also constantly keeping an eye on the movements of these gangs. They knew that Luo Jiu and Qiao Xin were fighting incessantly recently. It was just during the crackdown. Yang Datian knew that Yang Lei was also involved. Fang Yu was Luo Jiu’s number one confidant, and Yang Lei and Fang Yu were that close. That day, Yang Datian’s reminder was not without reason. Yang Datian called Yang Lei for the purpose of once again solemnly warning him: this time is different. If something happens, the consequences will be very serious!

“Don’t participate in this matter. Don’t go anywhere! If you go again, I’ll lock you up!”

“Uncle, don’t scare me.”

“I’m not scaring you! Crackdown is not child’s play!”

“All right, all right. Uncle, I know!”

Yang Lei hung up the phone.

The next morning, Yang Lei, Fang Yu, Lao Liang, and Hua Mao each brought their own people and met at the gathering place. To guard against public security, none of them brought weapons. The weapons were all already placed together in a hidden place the night before. When everyone had arrived, they would take the weapons together and rush to the place of confrontation.

A group of people had already gone. Tens of people gathered here again. Some were driving cars and some were straddling a motorcycle. By the streets, several vans were parked. The windows of the vans were black and the insides couldn’t be seen, but if you got close and looked, it was dark inside and full of men with chilling expressions.

These people gathered by the streets. Although they left space on the road, there were no cars. No passerby passed by their side. They all circled around them.

There were many people, but it was not noisy. The atmosphere was ice-cold and heavy.

No matter how fierce an outlaw was, they had instinctive fear. But loyalty, courage, and impulsiveness overwhelmed these fears and let them work themselves up into violence.

When most of the people had gathered, the engine of the motorcycle started and roared, and the car also started. Everyone looked at Fang Yu. Fang Yu didn’t speak.

“Da Ge, it’s almost time,” Lao Liang reminded him.

“Get in the car,” Yang Lei said. He threw his cigarette onto the ground, turned around, and pulled open the door of the first car.

Just when Yang Lei pulled open the car door, a police car appeared at the street corner and drove over.

Everyone stopped, staring rigidly at that police car.

The police car stopped across from them. Several policemen got out.

“Yang Lei! Come over!”

The person shouting was Yong Ge. Right now, he had a business tone and a serious expression.

“Yong Ge? Why did you come?”

Yang Lei asked these words in a lowered voice. He didn’t let the group of brothers hear him.

“Get in the car and go back with us. The director wants you for something.”

Yong Ge also spoke quietly and quickly.

Hearing these words, Yang Lei looked at the expressions of the several people and immediately became alert. He understood at once.

“I have something to do. I’m not going!”

Yang Lei turned around and was about to leave. Yong Ge was anxious: “Xiao Lei!”

The brothers at the end of the street all watched without understanding. No one dared to move. They didn’t know what the purpose of these policemen was, let alone what they were saying to Yang Lei.

Yang Datian was sitting in the car, and he leaned out.

“Come back!”

Yang Lei knew that Yang Datian had come to intercept. He didn’t have the time to think about how Yang Datian knew about this matter today and how he found them so quickly. Yang Lei didn’t even look back. He ran away, and several policemen rushed up as they chased and caught him. These policemen couldn’t really treat Yang Lei like they were catching a criminal. They half coaxed and half pulled. Yang Lei struggled, kicked, and hit. The several policemen didn’t know what to do.

“Go back!” Yang Datian scolded.

“I’m not going back!”

Yang Lei roared at the top of his voice, desperately struggling to turn his head.

“Fang Yu—!”

Fang Yu stood right across the street, but he was completely indifferent. He only watched silently.

“Handcuff him!”

Yang Datian was angry.

Yong Ge was helpless. He pulled out handcuffs and handcuffed Yang Lei with a click. Several policemen half wrenched and half dragged Yang Lei as they pushed him into the police car.

“Fang Yu!! Was it you!!”

As Yang Lei was pushed and pulled, he turned around and roared with shock and urgency!

“Was it you—!!”

He was forcefully pushed into the police car and the door was closed. Yang Lei’s loud roar of anger mixed with sadness still came out through the car window…

“You all don’t make trouble! If you’re caught, you won’t have it easy!”

The police left these words. The police car roared away.

The fighters watched this scene before their eyes dazedly. They could tell that these policemen didn’t seem to be arresting Yang Lei, but they also didn’t know just what was going on.

The police car disappeared at the corner. Lao Liang turned his eyes to Fang Yu.

Fang Yu turned around and opened the car door.

“Go!”