Chapter 19: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

The martial hall was packed with people. Since Bitter Master wasn’t present, Brother Xiao was in charge. All the hall leaders were there, and apart from the investigative team, only trusted associates were allowed to watch.

Faced with Liang Kefeng’s well-reasoned arguments and the sharp questioning from East District head Uncle Zhongzhi, Fang Fang merely raised an eyebrow. “Right now, we’re interrogating the Hu siblings, Hu Jin and Hu Feng. Everyone else, wait your turn, okay? Brother Xiao, I hear the Hu siblings are your cousins. Surely, you won’t cover for them?”

Brother Xiao, clearly unhappy about being called out, said, “I haven’t even said a word. How could I be covering for anyone? Fang Fang, I’m not saying you can’t question them, but you need to have evidence.”

Fang Fang, acting on Fei Qiang’s behalf, retorted, “Too many coincidences stop being coincidences. Hu Feng’s age, identity, and skills match exactly with the person Ah Dan wanted to meet last. Just now, Hu Feng claimed she had no weapon, but the barber’s razor went missing, and the Hu siblings just happen to be co-tenants with him.”

“She may be good with her fists, but she’s just a girl. She couldn’t have killed Ah Dan without him putting up a fight. At that time, Quail and his group were only about twenty meters away from the crime scene. For Miss Hu here to kill Ah Dan so quietly and then disappear without a trace—what, is she some kind of immortal?” This challenge came from someone Liang Kefeng didn’t recognize but who looked as thin as a Ma Liu; he was likely Ma Liu, the head of the South District.

Though both the North and South Districts were part of the Qinglong Gang, they were often at odds, and Ma Liu clearly wasn’t about to back Fei Qiang.

“She alone may not be able to, but she has a big, strong brother who could easily subdue Ah Dan.” Fang Fang pointed at Cheng Yaojin. “With the siblings working together, is it impossible?”

Cheng Yaojin, standing in the hall with Li Baozai, defended himself. “At the time of Brother Dan’s death, I was with Zhutuo Wei! Zhutuo Wei can vouch for me.”

Fang Fang sneered, unconvinced. “With you all covering for each other, how much credibility does that have?”

Liang Kefeng shook her head. “So even with witnesses, you still refuse to accept it? Then you’re simply being unreasonable and trying to make me guilty without cause.”

“Yeah, Fang Fang, dragging us all here on mere suspicion. Don’t tell me you’re planning to torture a confession out of them? I heard the Qinglong bosses are known for abusing their authority,” Ma Liu taunted.

Fang Fang, unfazed by the onslaught of opposition, said calmly, “Hold on, everyone! Why are you so sure I don’t have evidence? Just now, we searched the Hu siblings’ room and found some strange items.”

With that, she gestured, and someone brought over a dark blue cloth bag that Liang Kefeng recognized as her medicine pouch.

“I asked a doctor; these are all Western medicines for treating external injuries. Why do you have these? Were you injured while fighting with Ah Dan?” She reached out to snatch Liang Kefeng’s wig.

Liang Kefeng instinctively stepped back, but Fang Fang, not one to back down, lunged forward, only to be met by a swift kick to the knee from Liang Kefeng, nearly causing her to drop to one knee.

Four or five strong men from the North District rushed forward, only to be blocked by Brother Xiao’s people.

Ma Liu stood up first, pointing at the men, and mocked, “Let the girls fight it out, you bunch of fat-headed men. Hey, Fei Qiang, look at your men—all fat and shameless!”

Though the men weren’t as fat as Fei Qiang, Ma Liu was clearly taking the opportunity to insult him.

Fei Qiang tapped the walnut he held. “Ma Liu, you’re the one making the most fuss here. Perhaps Ah Dan’s death has something to do with you?”

Ma Liu shook his foot. “Look at you, biting everyone in sight. What is this? Guilty conscience!”

Fang Fang, still not giving up, braced her hands against the floor, sweeping her legs towards Liang Kefeng.

People were standing right behind Liang Kefeng.

As she had no way to avoid it, she had to leap upward, and as she landed, she accidentally pulled off her wig.

Everyone was shocked, especially Brother Xiao, who hadn’t realized how well the Hu siblings had concealed their identities. The crowd watching was even more surprised to see that the woman looked even more beautiful without the short wig.

Seeing Liang Kefeng take off her wig and reveal the bandage on the back of her head, Fang Fang was thrilled. “I knew it! There’s no way things would line up so perfectly! How did you injure the back of your head? Where did the medicine come from?”

Liang Kefeng explained, “The day we snuck into the harbor, we had an accident, and I accidentally hit my head on the fishing boat. Since we didn’t have Hong Kong IDs, we had to go to a private clinic to get medicine for the injury. This happened just before Lunar New Year, and you can bring a doctor to verify; the wound has already scabbed over. These medications were openly brought in through the south gate on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, and we registered them. When the investigation team first searched my room, they found them immediately; I didn’t hide anything.”

Uncle Zhongzhi, who knew a bit about medicine, stepped forward to check Liang Kefeng’s wound. He confirmed, “This is definitely not a recent wound; it’s already scabbed over.”

Fang Fang, however, didn’t intend to let Liang Kefeng off so easily. “Then why are you wearing a wig?”

“The wound looks too unsightly when exposed.”

Fang Fang took the wig from Liang Kefeng’s hand and examined it closely. “This wig is pretty good quality; it’s not cheap on the market. At the very least, it would cost one or two hundred. I heard you two were short on money, so why spend so much on a wig?”

“The wigs in that store were all expensive, and there weren’t any cheaper options. We were unfamiliar with everything here, so we impulsively bought it. Because we spent so much on the wig, we ended up being short on cash,” Liang Kefeng explained, sounding quite convincing, and everyone seemed to believe her.

Regardless of whether it sounded reasonable, Fang Fang pursued the matter further. “Wouldn’t a hat work? Why go for a wig?”

“A wig is more convenient; I can wear it indoors too. I haven’t seen anyone wearing a hat indoors.”

Getting impatient, Ma Liu cut in, “Why do you care if she wears a hat or a wig? Did you find a razor in her room? No, right? Did you find Ah Dan’s gold chain? No, right?! Fei Qiang, tell your people to stop stalling. Do you think we’re fools? My people are watching your dorm entrance; today, I want to see how this farce ends!”

Fang Fang was speechless under Ma Liu’s retort.

Liang Kefeng also realized that Fang Fang wasn’t genuinely suspicious of her and Cheng Yaojin but was using them as a delay tactic. It seemed likely that Fei Qiang had hidden something in Li Baozai’s room and didn’t want the investigation team to search there.

Uncle Zhongzhi said, “Continuing to interrogate these unrelated people won’t lead to any results. Can we finally question Li Baozai?”

Fang Fang glanced at Fei Qiang, who remained silent, idly playing with the walnuts in his hand.

Brother Xiao, who was overseeing the questioning, redirected the focus. “Li Baozai, around 8 p.m. on the eighth, where were you?”

Li Baozai appeared rather carefree, confident he hadn’t committed murder.

“I was with Ah Dan, Fang Fang, Ah Jiu, and several others eating dinner at Peng’s. Fang Fang and Ah Jiu left first, and I paid the bill with Ah Dan before we each headed back—me to the North District, and him to the East District.”

Brother Xiao asked, “Was anyone else around when you split up?”

“I was alone. Ah Dan ran into Quail’s group right outside Peng’s, and they can testify. Afterward, I returned to the dorm. I was a bit tired, so I lay down for a bit. Not long after, An came knocking, saying that Ah Dan had been killed.”

Unlike his earlier indifference during Liang Kefeng’s questioning, Uncle Zhongzhi now stood up and moved closer to Li Baozai. “What testimony could Quail provide for you? Outwardly, it seems you split up, but you could’ve trailed behind them. When Quail’s group went upstairs to grab something, you could’ve killed Ah Dan when he was alone, then quickly snuck back to the dorm. Isn’t that right?”

Li Baozai replied confidently, “Uncle Zhongzhi! Ah Dan was like a brother to me; how could I kill him?!”

“Because Ah Dan was secretly helping you all attract customers for drug trafficking on Shang Qinglong, and I warned him to stop. I don’t know what he told you afterward, but there’s even talk that you killed him over a dispute about dividing the profits!”

Fei Qiang interjected angrily. “What do you mean, helping us attract customers for drug trafficking on Shang Qinglong? When did we start trafficking drugs on Shang Qinglong? Our ancestors from the Hongmen forbid drug production and trafficking. I, Fei Qiang, am the most law-abiding!”

“Your stalls luring addicts to do drugs underground are known all over the Sifang City. Stop pretending to be so virtuous, Fei Qiang!”

Fei Qiang sprang up, his expression turning hostile. “Liao Zhongzhi! Don’t accuse me baselessly, or don’t blame me for what happens next!”

He stood up with a flash, and the men who came with him all drew their guns.

“You think I’m framing you? If you dare, let us search your hall.”

Uncle Zhongzhi was unfazed and slammed his hand on the table, prompting members of White Dragon to draw their guns as well.

More than a dozen people set up their stances in the martial hall, guns pointed at each other.

Everyone had come armed today. Without the gang leader to maintain order, they dared to bring guns into the Zhonghua Hall.

The West District leader, who hadn’t spoken yet, finally stood up to mediate. “Let’s talk this through calmly; we’re all brothers here. No need to draw guns at every turn.”

Brother Xiao, caught in the middle, looked helpless. Even if Master Ku were here, he’d struggle to handle this crowd, let alone Brother Xiao himself.

Seeing the situation, Liang Kefeng decided to stir the waters. “Aren’t we trying to prove our innocence here? Why don’t we let the investigation team thoroughly search both our room and Li Baozai’s room under the supervision of all the leaders? Fair and square!”

Their room had already been searched numerous times, so it didn’t matter to her if it was searched again. Her goal was to get the investigation team to search Li Baozai’s room.

Fei Qiang glared. “Who are you? Why should we listen to you? I’m saying this now—until Master Ku returns, I’m not letting anyone search Li Baozai’s room!”

Uncle Zhongzhi countered, “You agreed to form an investigation team at the outset, Fei Qiang. Why can others’ rooms be searched but not Li Baozai’s? If you don’t have something to hide, what are you afraid of?!”

Fei Qiang, stubborn and unyielding, replied, “It’s not fear; it’s just not fair. You’re clearly targeting us on purpose! Yes, the North District is wealthier than the other districts, but we haven’t stolen or robbed. We earned it through hard work in the factories, and our dues to the union are paid in full each month, not a penny less than yours.”

“Twisting the truth, huh! How unreasonable!”

Everyone could see that Fei Qiang was intentionally blocking the search of Li Baozai’s room.

But all they could do was argue; they had no way to handle him.

If they stormed the North District by force, it would lead to an armed clash. And with a clash would come bloodshed, something nobody was willing to risk over a single Ah Dan. Besides, the North District’s power exceeded the other three districts.

Unless the confrontation could permanently change the balance in the Shuanglongtang, everyone knew the risks and understood the odds. Fei Qiang knew this, so he was emboldened.

Both sides kept their guns trained on each other, waiting to see who would back down first.

Liang Kefeng saw through the situation and exchanged a glance with Cheng Yaojin, planning her next move.

They exchanged a quick look, and then she walked up to Fang Fang. “Give me back the wig.”

Fang Fang, standing beside Fei Qiang, initially didn’t want to return it. However, after their recent scuffle, she realized the strength gap between them and feared that Liang Kefeng might simply snatch it back. Unwilling to risk further embarrassment, she tossed the wig back.

“How vain can you be at a time like this!” Fang Fang sneered.

Liang Kefeng calmly put the wig back on.

Someone teased, “With a face that pretty, you’d look good bald!”

The onlookers burst into laughter, nearly forgetting that the North District and East District were facing off with guns drawn.

Meanwhile, Uncle Zhongzhi and Fei Qiang continued trading insults, with Ma Liu interjecting to mock Fei Qiang.

Liang Kefeng, now fully wearing her wig, scanned the crowd with a sidelong glance. Ma Liu was in the middle, taunting Fei Qiang and calling him out for wasting everyone’s time.

Everyone’s attention was on Ma Liu.

Seizing the moment, Liang Kefeng spun around and, in a lightning-fast move, grabbed the gun of the person standing behind Fang Fang. She swiftly stepped forward, pressing the gun against the back of Fei Qiang’s head.

The move was so quick that many hadn’t even reacted before Fang Fang hurriedly drew her own gun and aimed at Liang Kefeng.

Fei Qiang, with the gun against his head, dared not move, his tiny beady eyes widening in disbelief. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

Liang Kefeng grabbed him by the collar. “Tell your people to drop their guns and raise their hands above their heads.”

Ma Liu, reacting faster than anyone, shouted, “Put down your guns! You want Brother Qiang to get killed?!”

The North District crew was silent.

“I’ll count to three,” Liang Kefeng said swiftly. “If you don’t, I’ll shoot your boss. Three… two…”

“Drop them! Drop them!” Liu Changan was the first to put his gun down, raising his hands.

Fang Fang hesitated but Ma Liu walked over, snatched her gun, and threw it to the ground.

As he did, Ma Liu couldn’t resist a jibe, “What’s more important, Qiang’s life or your pride?”

The East District still held their guns but hesitated, unsure whether to target the North District or Liang Kefeng.

Ignoring them, Liang Kefeng demanded, “Release my brother.”

Ma Liu jumped in first, signaling his men to free Cheng Yaojin, smoothly acting like a double agent.

Once released, Cheng Yaojin immediately picked up a gun and aimed it at Fei Qiang as well.

Brother Xiao tried to mediate, “Kefeng, let’s talk this out calmly.”

A slight smirk touched Liang Kefeng’s lips. “I am calm. I have only one demand: clear my brother’s and my name. Our room was searched twice, yet Li Baozai’s room, with rumors swirling around him, remains untouched. Why?”

Ma Liu chimed in supportively, “Sure, go ahead, search it. Just say the word, Sister Feng!”

Uncle Zhongzhi also caught on; aligning with Ma Liu was the best way to break Fei Qiang’s hold.

He added, “We’ll guard Li Baozai’s room. Neither our people nor yours go in, but Brother Xiao can lead the search, and everyone else will supervise.”

“Brother Xiao will lead the search, then,” Liang Kefeng said, nudging the gun against Fei Qiang’s head. “Any objections, Brother Qiang?”

After years of unchecked arrogance, Fei Qiang was enraged, veins bulging on his forehead. “Threaten me, will you? I’ll make sure you don’t live to see the light of day!”

Cheng Yaojin gave him a swift kick. “Lay a finger on my sister, and I’ll kill you first!”

Fei Qiang, livid, nearly sprang up, yelling, “Anzi! Fang Fang! What are you waiting for? Take these punks out!”

Fang Fang moved to grab a gun, but Cheng Yaojin aimed at her. “Don’t move.”

She froze.

Ma Liu taunted, “Why bully your underlings, Fei Qiang? I bet your men couldn’t even take out those siblings—they’d probably end up getting you killed instead!”

“Brother Xiao! Are the people of the Shuanglong Hall just going to stand by?!” Fei Qiang shouted.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out.

The scene fell deathly silent.

Liang Kefeng had shot at Fei Qiang’s heel, missing the foot but damaging his shoe, causing Fei Qiang to instantly fall silent.

“Keep shouting, and next time I’ll aim higher!” Liang Kefeng restated her demand. “Go search Li Baozai’s room—any objections, Brother Qiang?”

In the crowd, some admirers were already in awe of Liang Kefeng.

Sweat beading on his forehead, Fei Qiang couldn’t bring himself to openly comply, but he finally gave a slight nod.

“A nod means agreement!” she declared.

Reluctantly, he nodded again.

“Brother Xiao, he agreed. Search Li Baozai’s room. My brother and I will stay here with Brother Qiang.” Liang Kefeng described the hostage situation as “accompanying,” and surprisingly, everyone accepted this wording.

Uncle Zhongzhi, after some thought, agreed, “For fairness, I’ll stay here too, but our men will go with you.”

*

The North District’s Shangqinglong dormitory was on the second floor of a gray building.

It was now evening, and the dimly lit dormitory required several people to hold up flashlights.

For fairness, Brother Xiao led the search, with people from the Central and West Districts conducting it.

The North and East Districts stood by outside, and the South District, led by Ma Liu, watched from the sidelines.

Before long, a triumphant whistle sounded from the search team.

They had found it! Ah Dan’s gold chain and the razor used in the murder!

Brought in to witness the search, Li Baozai stared in shock, shaking his head and denying everything. “I didn’t kill Ah Dan! I didn’t put that chain there! I’m not a killer!”

Before he could finish, the East District men surged forward, beating him half to death.

“If you didn’t kill him, why was Ah Dan’s chain in your room? And the razor!”

“Greedy for money, even killing your own brother—you’re worse than a dog!”

If Brother Xiao hadn’t intervened in time, Li Baozai might have been beaten to death.

Fang Fang shielded him, saying, “Enough! Let’s take him to the Zhonghua Hall for interrogation.”

Ma Liu, ever the opportunist, knew she just wanted the crowd to disperse, so he countered, “No, the search isn’t finished yet! Didn’t someone say Ah Dan was missing a wallet too? Keep searching!”

Fang Fang protested, “When did Ah Dan lose a wallet? The evidence is here, what more are you searching for? Brother Xiao, this isn’t fair!”

Brother Xiao, rarely insistent, said, “I’m handling this impartially. Since it’s a search, it must be thorough, or we’ll have to redo it if people are unsatisfied.”

Fang Fang fell silent.

Just then, a new discovery was made by the search team. But this time, it silenced the room.

They had found a package of white powder, nearly five hundred grams.

Ma Liu’s eyes lit up. “See? I knew it wasn’t that simple!”

Fang Fang’s face darkened. After all this, it had still been found.

Ma Liu looked the most gleeful among the group.

He sneered, “No wonder you were so dead set on stopping us from searching the place. Turns out there was something you hadn’t had time to move yet. Lucky for us, Uncle Zhongzhi and I were smart enough not to let you in the house while you kept us out. Otherwise, this stash would’ve been long gone.”

—

In the martial arts hall, the lights shone brightly.

Master Ku had returned.

He looked about sixty, with a small goatee and a cane, thin but spirited.

He sat at the head of the room, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Liang Kefeng.

Liang Kefeng and Cheng Yaojin were still aiming their guns at Fei Qiang.

Master Ku reminded them, “You can put your guns away now.”

Liang Kefeng kept her gun up. “I need Brother Qiang’s promise that he won’t come after us later.”

Master Ku thought this was reasonable. “Of course. After all, you’re just trying to clear your names. Isn’t that right, Fei Qiang?”

Fei Qiang, who was already feeling hopeless, knew that being caught dealing drugs meant he’d be removed from his position at the Shuanglongtang. Although he was confident no one would actually dare to push him out, he knew Zhongzhi and Ma Liu would seize this opportunity to make him pay.

Fei Qiang’s drug dealing was an open secret, but this time, the evidence was undeniable, and he couldn’t talk his way out of it.

His only hope lay in Li Baozai, who was already burdened with a murder charge. Li Baozai had to pay with his life, which gave Fei Qiang a glimmer of hope.

Forcing a smile, Fei Qiang said, “I won’t hold a grudge! Why would I come after you? I’m grateful you helped root out the pest in our North District. I had no idea Li Baozai was such scum, dealing drugs and killing people.”

Putting on a righteous facade, he continued, “Master Ku and everyone here can witness this. I, Fei Qiang, won’t go back on my word. Besides, you’re family to Brother Xiao, so naturally, I’ll treat you with respect. In fact, take these guns as a token.”

Master Ku nodded approvingly. “See? Fei Qiang is magnanimous. Go ahead, put your guns down.”

Liang Kefeng scrutinized Fei Qiang. With so many witnesses, he wouldn’t dare go back on his word, even if he disliked it. She slowly lowered her gun, but her finger remained on the trigger.

Seeing this, Fei Qiang finally dared to stand up. He walked over to Li Baozai and sighed heavily. “Why did you do this? Ah Dan was your good brother!”

Li Baozai, battered and bruised, truly felt he was in dire straits.

“It wasn’t me, Brother Qiang. I didn’t kill Ah Dan. Someone set me up!”

“Who set you up?”

Li Baozai looked at him blankly. “I don’t know.”

“I risked everything to protect you, and this is what you repay me with? You kill and deal drugs, crimes punishable by death! But for the years you’ve worked loyally for the Shang Qinglong, I’ll look after your family.”

Li Baozai understood what this meant. Despair overtook him, and he shook his head. He didn’t want to die.

“Brother Qiang, I didn’t kill anyone, truly. Please believe me.”

“The evidence is clear. What good would my belief do?” Fei Qiang turned to everyone. “Is further questioning necessary?”

Ma Liu was the first to oppose. “Of course! The murder charge may be clear, but he can still confess the details of his drug dealing.”

Fei Qiang glared at Li Baozai. “Did you hear that? The murder charge is clear, and you know murderers must pay with their lives.”

Ma Liu smirked, “Fei Qiang, I have no proof, but I can feel you’re threatening him.”

“Threatening him? How am I doing that? Fang Fang, make sure he confesses everything to Master Ku and the council.”

Ma Liu quickly intervened, “Fang Fang, stay where you are. You have no right to interrogate him. Don’t even go near Li Baozai.”

Fei Qiang’s smile faded. “What’s your issue, Ma Liu? Jumping around so much you’ll trip and break your neck.”

“I’m reborn as the Sun Wukong; I don’t break that easily! And I stand by my word—drug dealers meet terrible ends.” The moment he finished speaking, a gunshot rang out. He turned to see that Li Baozai had shot himself.

Li Baozai had grabbed Liu Changan’s gun while he was nearby.

Ma Liu, fuming, shouted, “Liu Changan! Did you hand him that gun on purpose? Idiot!”

It all happened so fast, and Liang Kefeng watched with indifference. She hadn’t intervened because she knew it would’ve been useless.

Li Baozai had to die. Fei Qiang would never let him live.

Even if Li Baozai had told the truth, it wouldn’t have undermined Fei Qiang’s power today. Besides, Li Baozai wouldn’t dare speak the truth with his family firmly under Fei Qiang’s control.

As for Uncle Zhongzhi, his goal was simple: justice through life for life. As long as Li Baozai died, he wouldn’t continue to press Fei Qiang.

Master Ku played mediator. “Ma Liu, I know your brother died from drugs, and you hate dealers. But now that Li Baozai has killed himself out of guilt, the matter’s settled. Let’s not let this affect brotherly bonds.”

Ma Liu, understanding the political landscape, knew that Li Baozai’s death left him powerless to deal with Fei Qiang. But he still pressed on, asking, “What will be done with the 500 grams of heroin found in Li Baozai’s room?”

After a lengthy debate, some wanted to store it, while others argued for its destruction. Master Ku made the final decision to destroy it immediately.

The method was simple: flush it down a saltwater toilet. Ma Liu even tested the drugs himself before flushing.

Just as they were about to flush, an unexpected commotion broke out. Li Baozai’s supposed creditor barged in, demanding they sell the heroin to repay his debt.

Master Ku, angered, strode forward, dumped a box of the heroin into the toilet, and pressed the lever…

Fei Qiang closed his eyes. A significant sum of money went down the drain.

As everyone prepared to leave, Master Ku stopped Cheng Yaojin and Liang Kefeng. “You two, stay here.”

Liang Kefeng and Cheng Yaojin exchanged a glance and stood still, holding the guns Fei Qiang had “given” them.

Moments ago, during the distraction, Liang Kefeng had noticed something. Master Ku’s men had quietly switched out the box of heroin.

It took only two seconds.

It was all a scam.

Master Ku, seemingly fair, was a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. He’d pocketed that kilo of heroin.

And the “creditor” was just a staged distraction to divert everyone’s attention.

As Liang Kefeng pulled her gaze back, she noticed Master Ku staring at her from behind…

She glanced at her gun—two bullets left.