Chapter 012: Surrounded

In the alley, Liang Kefeng was caught between a blockade in front and pursuers behind. Standing in the middle, she brazenly taunted them, telling them not to regret it.

“Hah! Big talk!” Chao Pi commanded, “Get her!”

The henchmen charged all at once!

One of them, a lecherous guy known for his wandering hands, was the fastest. He reached out, aiming to grope somewhere inappropriate, but before he could touch her, Liang Kefeng grabbed his hand, twisted, and flung him aside.

*Crack!* A bone broke!

“Ahhhhhh!!!!” The pervert screamed in pain!

The next one rushed in, only to be met with a flying kick from Liang Kefeng that landed squarely on his chin. He was sent flying backward, slamming into a wall.

*Thud!* The impact made his head spin, stars dancing before his eyes.

No one expected this delicate-looking woman to fight so fiercely!

Chao Pi and another man followed closely behind. Seeing their comrades suffer, one pulled out a knife while the other grabbed a pair of nunchucks!

Meanwhile, the two thugs at the other end of the alley grabbed bamboo poles lying nearby and charged toward her!

Liang Kefeng didn’t move, waiting for them to get closer. Just as they were about to reach her, she swiftly dodged, pressing herself against the wall. The nunchucks whizzed past her ear. She grabbed them mid-swing, stabbing her knife toward the attacker’s wrist. Terrified, he immediately let go, and the nunchucks fell into her hands.

With the nunchucks now in hand, she took on four of them, quickly overwhelming her opponents.

Unfortunately, Liang Kefeng’s physical condition wasn’t great. The pain from the injury on the back of her head was affecting her, and the two henchmen whose hands were broken and chins kicked had gotten back up and rejoined the fight!

Now fighting six at once, the battle became evenly matched for a time.

Though the six men were clearly stronger, Liang Kefeng relied on skillful techniques to gain the upper hand each time.

But as the saying goes, “A flurry of punches can take down even the most skilled fighter.” One of the thugs managed to hit her on the back with a bamboo pole, and another snatched the nunchucks from her hand!

Chao Pi saw his chance to subdue her and lunged forward with his knife, but she dodged and suddenly pressed a gun against his throat!

“Don’t move!” Liang Kefeng had taken Chao Pi’s knife.

Three of the henchmen were already lying on the ground. Only three were left standing.

Chao Pi, panting heavily from exhaustion, was terrified she might not know how to handle the gun properly and couldn’t resist reminding her, “Be careful, you might accidentally fire!”

With the gun barrel still pressed against Chao Pi’s throat, Liang Kefeng started moving toward the exit. “Six grown men couldn’t beat one woman. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Indeed, they were.

Six men hadn’t been able to defeat a single, seemingly weak woman!

The thugs’ faces burned with humiliation. They wanted to jump back in and try again, but they didn’t dare.

Liang Kefeng, still holding the gun, backed up a few steps.

Some passersby at the entrance of the alley were startled by the scene and hurriedly moved out of the way.

Just as Liang Kefeng momentarily lost focus, Chao Pi ducked, avoiding the gun barrel, and swung his nunchucks at her weapon!

*Bang!*

Chao Pi screamed and dropped to his knees.

He had been shot in the leg!

The remaining henchmen stared in shock, unable to process what had just happened.

With the gun still trained on Chao Pi, Liang Kefeng coldly said, “If you don’t have the skills, don’t try sneak attacks! Who else wants to try? Let’s see if you’re faster than my gun.”

Whether they were lying on the ground or standing still in fear, none of them dared speak. They might have been resentful, but they knew better than to push their luck—guns don’t discriminate.

And she was undeniably quick!

At this point, none of them doubted how ruthless she must have been when she killed Babi.

Liang Kefeng took a few more steps back, finally retreating out of the alley. Then she turned and ran. But she hadn’t gotten far when she bumped into Guizai and Cheng Yaojin.

Guizai’s face was covered in injuries. When he saw Liang Kefeng…

There was a brief moment of hesitation.

Although Cheng Yaojin had received a favor of 800 yuan from Liang Kefeng, he had never met her before. He glanced at Guizai and then at Liang Kefeng, asking in confusion, “Is it her?”

With no time to waste, Guizai shouted at Liang Kefeng, “Hide, quickly!”

They immediately dragged her into a nearby barbershop.

It was the holiday season, and the shop was empty except for the owner, who was reading a newspaper.

“What are you doing?” the owner asked.

Before he could finish, he saw the woman who had just entered holding a gun. Terrified, he quickly raised his newspaper to cover his face, pretending he hadn’t seen anything. “You… you do whatever you need to!”

Cheng Yaojin pulled the curtain closed over the shop’s front window. He and Guizai then peered through a small gap to watch outside.

Meanwhile, Liang Kefeng stowed away her gun and surveyed her surroundings. It was a typical shopfront, with living quarters at the back. Since it was the fourth day of the New Year, the barber’s family was probably out visiting relatives.

Just seconds later, a few lightly injured henchmen came running by outside, rushing past the shop.

After waiting a few more minutes and seeing Chao Pi being helped away, Guizai finally turned to the shop owner and said, “Boss, we need to borrow your place for a private discussion.”

The barber, showing great tact, folded up his newspaper and hurried to the back of the shop, out of sight.

Once the owner was gone, Guizai spoke up, “Uncle Tian knows about you now.”

Liang Kefeng, eyeing the wounds on Guizai’s face, asked, “How does he know?”

Guizai, a bit embarrassed, explained, “Yesterday, Uncle Tian somehow got hold of your photo. He forced Fenchang to identify you, and threatened to cripple him if he didn’t. Fenchang had no choice.”

So it was Fenchang who had pointed her out. Liang Kefeng understood now.

Guizai continued, “Uncle Tian thinks Cheng Yaojin and I were in on covering up the truth, and now he’s spreading the word to get us exposed too…”

“What are you going to do?” Liang Kefeng asked.

“We’re planning to ask Brother Gu Ding for help and plead for mercy. At worst, we’ll get a beating. But you’re in more danger. Babi was Uncle Tian’s only nephew, and he won’t let you off easily. Should you consider fleeing to Southeast Asia? We can help you find a way.”

Looking at these two gangsters she had only recently met, Liang Kefeng asked in puzzlement, “Why are you helping me?”

“Why help you?” Guizai was momentarily stumped by her question.

Yeah, why was he helping her?

Cheng Yaojin, who had been keeping an eye on the street, answered straightforwardly, “You killed Babi for the sake of justice! To me,you’re a heroine at the very least! And besides, thanks for returning that 800 yuan Babi owed me!”

Guizai chimed in, “Yeah, and we… we’re all just in it for the money. I remember you said that when you got the chance, you’d pay me back 2,000 yuan.”

“Thank you for your kindness. But I won’t be leaving Hong Kong,” Liang Kefeng said, offering them an idea. “How about this: you can leak my whereabouts to Uncle Tian and redeem yourselves. Even if it means getting beaten up, at least you’ll avoid getting your limbs chopped off.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll cooperate with you,” she continued. “We’ll rent a place somewhere, and you can tell them you happened to bump into me on the street. Then, when they come after me, I’ll make sure they see me and chase me. I’ll run all the way to the sea and then jump in…”

Guizai suddenly realized, “So they’ll think you drowned?!”

Cheng Yaojin nodded, “This plan seems pretty doable!”

Both of them couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly this woman had come up with a scheme to get all three of them out of trouble.

Without wasting time, Liang Kefeng, who liked to act fast, said, “I’ll go find a place to rent now. But once I’ve got it, how will I notify you? Do you have a phone at home?”

Neither of them had a phone.

Cheng Yaojin said, “I know a place nearby with rentals. How about this—I’ll walk you there. I won’t rent the place myself, but I’ll lead the way. You can follow me at a distance.”

Liang Kefeng agreed to the plan.

Cheng Yaojin laughed, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll trick you?”

Liang Kefeng, trusting her instincts, replied, “You’ll walk ahead, and I’ll follow behind. If it’s a trap, I’ll shoot you before you can set it.”

Cheng Yaojin responded, “Don’t worry. I, Cheng Jin, do things openly and honorably. I won’t deceive you.”

After quickly finalizing the plan, Liang Kefeng pulled 2,000 yuan from her wallet and handed it to Guizai. “This is for you.”

Guizai was surprised. “You got the money so fast?”

“Take it. You’ve earned it.”

Meanwhile…

At Liang’s mansion on Fenghuangshan Road No. 1, Liang Dalong sat silently on the couch.

He watched Qin Qiming, the young man before him, whose refined features and upright demeanor impressed him. Liang Dalong was pleased with him.

After Zheng Fuying finished her interrogation, Liang Dalong picked up an orange from the table and handed it to Sang Ming. “Young man, have an orange.”

Qin Qiming quickly accepted the orange with both hands. “Thank you, Sir.”

Seeing Liang Dalong personally offer an orange to Sang Ming, Cheng Biao, sensing Liang’s approval, immediately took the opportunity to praise him. “Sang Ming has been a great help. Thanks to him, we managed to drive the Vietnamese gang out of Hongsha Bay. Truly impressive for someone so young!”

Normally distant from Cheng Biao, Zheng Fuying also offered rare praise this time. “Securing Hongsha Bay is indeed important to us. Sang Ming’s contribution is significant.”

The real reason for Liang Dalong’s joy was that Sang Ming had provided a lead on Liang Kefeng, bringing him good news. Therefore, Zheng Fuying was happy to play along and do him a favor. “Previously, Wan’an wanted to open another branch and add a new character to the organization.”

The room suddenly grew quiet as everyone turned to Liang Dalong.

Liang Dalong, aware of their ambitions, generously said, “Then let it be done.”

Cheng Biao, overjoyed, thanked him profusely. “Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Brother Ma Ying.”

With Wan’an already having four “characters” under its banner—Plum, Orchid, Chrysanthemum, and Bamboo—adding one more would make them the first organization among the three major societies to have five “characters,” solidifying their position as the largest group.

Qin Qiming held the orange tightly in his hand, feeling that this trip had not been in vain.

The question was whether he could smoothly become the new branch leader.

If that decision wasn’t made here, there was no guarantee that Cheng Biao would promote him once they returned. After all, Cheng Biao had many loyal followers, all eyeing the opportunity for themselves.

Liang Dalong wrote the word “Pine” on a piece of paper.

Cheng Biao, smiling from ear to ear, complimented, “‘Pine’ is an excellent character!”

Qin Qiming seized the moment to express his gratitude. “Thank you, Sir, for granting us this character.”

Zheng Fuying, always perceptive, glanced at Cheng Biao and then at Sang Ming. Realizing that Sang Ming was vying for an opportunity, he asked, “Cheng Biao, who do you think is most suitable to lead the new ‘Pine’ branch?”

Cheng Biao saw that Zheng Fuying intended to support Sang Ming. If he didn’t back Sang Ming now, Zheng Fuying would still push for it, and Cheng Biao knew he wouldn’t win in front of Liang Dalong.

Not wanting Zheng Fuying to take all the credit, Cheng Biao smiled and said, “Sang Ming reclaimed the Hongsha Bay territory. Although he’s young and lacks seniority, he’s capable, and times have changed. Why not give the young ones a chance?”

Liang Dalong turned to Zheng Fuying. “What do you think?”

Zheng Fuying smiled. “Cheng Biao is right. Sang Ming is a good fit. We should let the young ones step up and bring some fresh blood into the fold.”

The decision was made on the spot—Sang Ming was appointed as the new branch leader of the “Pine” character.

As for finding Liang Kefeng, that was beyond Sang Ming’s control, and he didn’t dare to inquire further.

Still, no one could stop him from secretly searching for her himself. After all, such a powerful ally was worth holding onto! Fewer people knew about the situation, and he planned to take full advantage of that information gap.

Wasted.

*

After leaving the barbershop, Guizai didn’t dare go home and temporarily went to hide at a relative’s place. Meanwhile, Liang Kefeng followed Cheng Yaojin from a distance as they headed north.

Just as they stepped out of Fengwei Street, a van suddenly stopped on the road ahead. Seven or eight men got out, holding iron pipes, and among them, a mixed-race guy with snow-white hair was brandishing a gun!

In front of the van stood two people ready to assist. Liang Kefeng immediately recognized them—they were the thugs she had almost beaten to a pulp earlier.

Impressive efficiency, calling for reinforcements so quickly.

Cheng Yaojin reacted swiftly. He quickly turned toward her, signaling with his eyes as he walked, urging her to run.

Before Liang Kefeng turned around, she saw one of them raise his gun and couldn’t help but shout to warn Cheng Yaojin: “Watch out!”

“Cheng Yaojin! You traitor!”

Bang!

With the gunshot, the crowd on the street scattered, screaming!

Cheng Yaojin rolled on the ground and hid behind a stack of fruit crates at a nearby stall.

Bang! Bang!

The bullets pierced through the fruit crates and hit the glass door behind him…

Crash! The glass shattered all over the place!

Shards flew toward him, slicing under his earlobe and embedding into his scalp.

Cheng Yaojin had no weapon, and with the thugs carrying iron pipes fast approaching, while the white-haired gunman was still nearby, he couldn’t fight back or risk running. In desperation, he kicked the stack of apple crates, which was piled two or three meters high.

The crates toppled, hitting the awning’s support pole. Unfortunately, though the awning sagged, it didn’t collapse completely.

From her hidden spot, Liang Kefeng shot at the last support of the awning, causing it to crash down, blocking the attackers’ view and path. Cheng Yaojin seized the moment and dashed forward.

He followed closely behind Liang Kefeng, turning a corner and running into an alley!

The pursuers were fast, but the thugs with iron pipes in front blocked the gunman’s view, giving them just enough time to escape the alley.

Another turn brought them back to the barbershop they had left earlier.

Liang Kefeng and Cheng Yaojin burst into the barbershop, leaving the shop owner, who was sweeping the floor, frozen in shock.

W-what?! Back again?!

Liang Kefeng asked, “Can we get through?!”

The owner quickly pointed to the back: “Yes, you can!”

Before he finished speaking, the two had already dashed through to the back.

Realizing something was wrong, the shop owner rushed to pull down the metal shutter and lock it, but before he could, the door was pushed open again. This time, four, five, six, seven, eight burly men barged in!!!

Terrified, the owner gulped, and before anyone could ask, he immediately pointed to the back: “They ran that way!”

By the time the men chased out the back door, there was no sign of the two.

The white-haired thug cursed angrily: “Damn! You bunch of useless fools! Can’t even catch them, and you blocked my shot! Damn it, my brother took that bullet for nothing!”

It turned out that the white-haired guy was Chao Pi’s younger brother.

Fuming, the white-haired thug kicked a basket of salted fish from a nearby stall flying!

The shopkeeper’s wife stormed out, hands on her hips, and yelled, “You bastard! That basket of mackerel is expensive!! Can you afford to pay for it?!”

“It’s New Year’s and you call me a bastard?” The enraged white-haired thug pointed his gun at the shopkeeper’s wife.

Her face was rough and tough, clearly a domineering person by nature, and she wasn’t scared: “What’s your problem? You kicked over my basket of salted fish! Got the guts to shoot? Go on then, you thug!”

The white-haired thug glared with bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth. Just then, he noticed a little boy, about four or five years old, running out of the shop, holding a piece of chocolate, calling for his mom.

“Mama, I want chocolate.”

Infuriated, the white-haired thug’s face twitched, and he aimed his gun at the child…

The shopkeeper’s wife, horrified, tried to stop him: “No! It’s just a kid!”

“Weren’t you just acting tough?!” The white-haired thug waved his gun arrogantly in front of the shopkeeper’s wife before pointing it back at the child.

Bang!

The sound of crying filled the air!

The shopkeeper’s wife threw herself at the child, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Someone’s been killed! Help!! Baby, mama’s here! Help!” The mother’s trembling hands didn’t dare press on the wound in the child’s stomach, as she watched helplessly as the blood poured out.

And in the child’s hand, he still clutched the chocolate he wanted to eat.

People on the street scattered in panic, while the neighbors from nearby shops wanted to come closer but were too scared.

A bit further away, a shop with a phone quickly and secretly dialed the police!

Realizing they had caused a death, the thugs began to panic. After all, this was on a busy street, and the victim was just an ordinary citizen, not some rival gang member.

If the police caught them, they’d be done for.

“Go, go, go! Hurry, let’s split!” The thugs quickly scattered.

Despite the chaos, the white-haired thug still strutted arrogantly. The sound of the mother’s wails only made him feel more triumphant!

He blew on the muzzle of his gun, then slowly sauntered back.

As he passed the barbershop’s back door, he saw a familiar figure flash inside. With the dim lighting inside the shop, he couldn’t see clearly, so he raised his gun and peeked in.

Suddenly, sensing danger, he quickly ducked. But as he turned, a wire looped around his neck from behind!

Half of his body was yanked inside the shop.