Chapter Seventy: The Gate of Yu (V)

"Give me one minute—let me try to persuade you not to kill me."

Master Shen was quite something. Though his body trembled uncontrollably, he forced himself to remain upright, refusing to kneel. He knew that such cowardice meant nothing to someone truly powerful.

"Very well, I’m listening," Jiang An replied graciously, granting him a chance.

"If you kill me, the Shen family will lose both a grandmaster and a direct heir in this place. My family will never let this go. Our patriarch is also a master of the third realm—should he intervene, I doubt you could withstand him. But if you spare me, I can promise the Shen family won’t seek vengeance for my third uncle’s death. After all, we provoked this conflict. In fact, to buy my life, I can have the Shen family pay a generous sum—no, not money, but divine stones. I hear you’re fond of those. I assure you, our reserves would astonish you! I’ve said my piece. The choice is yours."

Shen’s analysis was swift and sharp, without a wasted word. When he finished, he waited anxiously for his fate to be decided.

"Well argued," Jiang An said with a smile, "but how can I be sure you’ll keep your word if I let you go?"

"That…" Shen hesitated, but before he could continue, Jiang An interjected.

"I’ve decided not to kill you!"

A spark of hope flashed in Shen’s eyes, but the next moment, Jiang An pressed a finger to Shen’s brow. Instinctively, Shen thought Jiang An was about to strike and his legs gave out; he slumped to the floor—only to realize he was still alive.

"Trust me, for your insolence, I won’t kill you. But after midnight tonight, you may find death preferable to life," Jiang An said with a faint, inscrutable smile, his gaze tinged with pity. He gestured toward the door. "You’re free to go."

Shen was overjoyed. He scrambled up and rushed for the exit with no care for his dignity. As long as he got out of here, things weren’t over yet! But as he left, the followers he’d brought with him wailed in despair.

"Young Master, take us with you!"

"Don’t leave us behind!"

"Master Jiang, we’ll pay for our lives too—name your price!"

The heads of several prominent families cried out for mercy, desperate for a way out. But three people remained silent: Sun Yuntai, head of the Sun family; White Boss of the Black Dragon Society; and Mistress Feng of the Unity Guild.

"Master Jiang, I think you’d better let us go too," Sun Yuntai suddenly stood up, calm amidst the surprised looks of his peers. "Otherwise, if things go south, none of us will come out looking good."

"Old Sun! What are you doing? Don’t say another word!" The head of the Qiu family pulled at his sleeve, terrified of provoking Jiang An into slaughtering them all.

"Oh? So you still have a card to play?" Jiang An said, extending his hand. "No matter—go ahead, show me what you’ve got. I’m waiting."

Sun Yuntai gritted his teeth. "If my calculations are right, they should be here soon. I hope you’re as calm in a few minutes."

Everyone stared in shock—did Sun Yuntai really have something up his sleeve?

Soon, a commotion erupted outside. A lackey burst in: "Boss, a whole battalion of armed police just arrived! They’ve surrounded the place!"

What was going on now?

"Tsk, tsk, what a tragedy! The caller wasn’t exaggerating—what a heinous massacre this is, a true slaughterhouse!"

A young man entered, flanked by armed police, filming with a digital camera and marveling at the scene.

"Yuan… Young Master Yuan!" several family heads gasped.

Fan Jun leaned in to whisper to Jiang An. "Your Highness, that’s Yuan Feng, the only son of the city secretary. He’s the most influential young man in Lincheng. They’ve clearly come prepared."

It was obvious—they must have been lying in wait at the foot of the mountain, to arrive so quickly.

"Yunshi, you’re finally here!" Sun Yuntai called, and from among the police, a middle-aged officer stepped forward, smiling. "Big Brother, thanks to your call, we arrived just in time. So many dead—this place is clearly a den of vice. The evidence is all here. Anyone willing to testify?"

That single sentence was loaded with meaning—Young Master Yuan and the Sun family hoped to use official power to bring down the Divine Blade Sect!

White Boss and Mistress Feng quietly stood behind Sun Yuntai, their stance clear. The other three family heads glanced at each other, then rose and moved to the opposite side, declaring, "We saw nothing!"

Their fear of Jiang An was real. They’d rather stand quietly on the sidelines than cooperate with the Sun family.

Sun Yuntai’s face darkened; he snorted coldly. "Master Jiang, things have come to this. I have no more demands. Let’s just call it quits tonight—no further entanglements, agreed?"

Before Jiang An could answer, Yuan Feng interrupted, disgruntled. "Head of the Sun family, what do you mean, call it quits? What about the Xishuang formula you promised me? Without it, you’re not getting away with this!"

Sun Yuntai looked troubled and lowered his voice. "Young Master Yuan, things have changed. Jiang An isn’t what he seems—we’ve all been played by the Shen family…"

"Save it! He’s just a gang leader, right? A martial grandmaster? You think he can stand up to a few guns?" Yuan Feng waved his hand impatiently. "My factory’s ready, the formula means endless wealth. Don’t worry, if anything happens, I’ll take care of it—my connections go all the way to the top!"

He pointed commandingly at Jiang An and his group. "Don’t you see the murder suspects standing right there? Arrest them all!"

Commander Sun Yunshi looked uneasily at his brother. Yuan Feng, spoiled son of a high official, had spent a decade abroad picking up bad habits, only to return even more arrogant and greedy. Backed by his father’s protection, he’d never faced a setback and cared for nothing and no one. Working with him was a risk.

"What’s the holdup? I guess we need a new commander," Yuan Feng sneered.

The officers exchanged glances—better to keep their jobs than defy orders—so they drew their guns and cuffs and moved to arrest everyone.

"Arrest them all! Leave the people on the first floor. Seal off and search this place—don’t let even a fly escape. We must eradicate all evil!" Yuan Feng directed with righteous flourish.

But the Divine Blade Sect wouldn’t go quietly. Their people drew guns, facing off with the police. The standoff was tense—one accidental shot and it would be a bloodbath.

Yuan Feng was delighted. "Resisting arrest with firearms? That’s an even greater crime! If they shoot, don’t hold back!"

"Impressive," Jiang An said, looking at Yuan Feng with pity. "But do you dare to fire? I doubt your men will obey you."

"Oh, I know what you’re getting at—‘How can a mere civilian command armed police?’" Yuan Feng mocked, exaggerating a gesture at his ear. "I’ve heard it all before, but it doesn’t matter. My father is powerful! Hand over what I want, or neither your Green Sea nor Xi Zi will survive in Lincheng!"

"No," Jiang An said coldly. "If anyone fires, it’s treason. Shoot to kill!"

Before everyone’s eyes, Jiang An produced a badge. "I am Major General Jiang An of the Eastern Military District, here on a secret military mission. You have unlawfully entered a military restricted area with weapons—this is a grave crime. If you open fire, it’s treason!"

If ever there was a time to show his credentials, it was now.

Everyone was stunned. Another major general?

"Ridiculous! Just because you say so?" Yuan Feng burst out laughing.

"Don’t you have experts here?" Jiang An tossed the badge over. Sun Yunshi examined it carefully—it looked genuine. He decided to confirm by phone.

Soon after, he ended the call, his face ashen.

"Major General, sir! Your credentials are confirmed. We’ve been reprimanded and instructed to obey your orders!" Sun Yunshi snapped to attention and saluted Jiang An.

What a reversal!

Jiang An had no intention of making things difficult for the police—they were as much victims as anyone—but his smile was cold. "Take your men and withdraw immediately. How you’re punished for unauthorized action is your superior’s concern."

"Yes, sir!" Sun Yunshi obeyed at once. He had no choice—the voice of his furious superior still rang in his ears. He’d be lucky to get away with his skin, but staying might be even deadlier. But what about his brother and the Sun family?

He clenched his jaw, knowing there was no going against orders. "All units, withdraw at once!"

The well-trained police knew this was a quagmire and wasted no time in filing out.

"I order you not to leave!" Yuan Feng was dumbfounded, shouting in frustration. "Come back, all of you!"

But no one listened. They ignored him completely.

"Gaocao!" Jiang An suddenly called.

"Here!" Gaocao responded instinctively, perhaps still influenced by Jiang An’s rank.

Jiang An pointed at the now-isolated Yuan Feng, expressionless. "This man is suspected of stealing state secrets, a crime beyond redemption. I authorize his immediate execution!"

Trying to play the authority game with me? Outdo me in ruthlessness?

The entire room was stunned by the escalation. Gaocao, never afraid of anything, had long disliked Young Master Yuan. Hearing the order, he grabbed a subordinate’s gun and pressed it coldly to Yuan Feng’s forehead.

"Time to die, brat!"

Yuan Feng’s mind went blank. How could anyone dare kill him? He was the only son of a high-ranking official!

"You can’t kill me! You have no right! My father is Yuan Kai, secretary of Lincheng! If you touch me, you’re all dead men!" Yuan Feng screamed, his face twisted with desperation, but his voice was weak.

Gaocao snorted and was about to pull the trigger.

"Stop! Who dares harm my son?"