Seventh Master sat grim-faced, his voice low and steady: "Fifteen years ago, my brother, under the grip of narcotics, went mad. He roamed the village, hurting people. Many children lost their lives to his blade. I captured him and discovered he had been secretly dealing drugs. You were an adult by then—you must know what I did, right?"
"Seventh Master, I was wrong, so terribly wrong. Please spare me. I swear, I'll never make the same mistake again!" The skinny monkey wailed, his face pale with dread.
Seventh Master's gaze was ice-cold. "Say it. What did I do?"
Terrified, the man stammered, "Y-you... buried him alive..."
I was taken aback by the revelation. Seventh Master had been ruthless enough to bury his own brother alive. It was clear how deeply he loathed the drug trade. This gave me an unexpected sense of reassurance.
"Bring Qian Guang and Chen Xi in," Seventh Master ordered.
Malan nodded and left the room quickly. As I waited, muffled commotion drifted in from outside. I hesitated but remained seated—without Seventh Master's permission, I dared not act. Then he spoke, his tone unwavering: "Zhao Fei, this is a matter among us elders. You don't need to concern yourself. Go tend to your affairs. Rest assured, your family will be safe. This issue will be handled fairly—no harm will come to them, not today, not tomorrow, as long as I draw breath."
I nodded, smiling faintly. Casting a final glance at the doomed skinny monkey, I exited the room. It was clear his fate was sealed. Even if he survived the day, he wouldn't escape unscathed. Not only would Seventh Master punish him, but his collaborators on the island would surely make him pay after this debacle.
Outside, I loosened my collar and exhaled deeply. Qian Guang and Chen Xi approached, their expressions inscrutable. They glanced at me but said nothing as they passed. I masked my emotions with a calm smile. Though I didn't wield the same influence they did, I prided myself on my cunning. Anyone who crossed me would suffer consequences far worse than mine.
The bar was eerily quiet, the staff standing motionless. Across the street, chaos erupted as a group of men armed with blades went on a rampage. Some fled, some were bewildered, and others collapsed in pools of blood, caught unaware.
Zhao Kui and Wang Gui approached, concern etched on their faces. "Brother Fei, should we step in and help?"
I waved them off. "Let the dogs fight it out. Our involvement will only complicate matters."
Clapping my hands, I called out, "Alright, folks, stop gawking and get back to your drinks. Tonight, it's on me!"
Though they obediently returned to their seats, no one dared to touch their glasses. The brutality outside had unnerved everyone. The sound of police sirens soon cut through the tension. Patrol cars arrived swiftly, surrounding the combatants. Watching the arrests unfold, I couldn't help but smirk. The uproar would surely bring trouble to both the skinny monkey and his allies on the island. With so many foot soldiers detained, the bail costs alone would cripple them—and none of it would be on my tab.
As the last of the injured were loaded into ambulances, a police car stopped outside the bar. An older officer I recognized stepped out, flanked by others. Seeing him approach, Wang Gui and Zhao Kui bristled, ready to intervene, but I quickly stopped them.
"No need to escalate. Just mind the bar," I said, stepping forward with a calm demeanor.
The officer, Tian Bin, addressed me directly. "Do you recognize those men?"
I shook my head firmly. "No, I don't. Tonight's my opening, but this has nothing to do with me."
"Eyewitnesses saw them leaving your bar."
I frowned. "Perhaps, but that doesn't mean I know them. Surely, I can't be expected to know every patron who walks through my doors?"
"Come with us for questioning," he said, pulling out handcuffs.
Though Wang Gui and Zhao Kui were visibly angry, I gestured for them to stand down. "Watch over the place. I'll be back soon."
Without resistance, I extended my wrists, allowing myself to be cuffed.
This was my second time at the station, but the treatment was markedly different. Seated across from Tian Bin, I noticed his nameplate on the desk. Despite his age, he carried an air of authority that suggested deep experience.
"I've reviewed your file," he began. "You're from Kunming. A university graduate, from a prestigious school, no less. Why are you associating with someone like Qian Guang?"
His voice was steady yet piercing, as if he saw through every facade. I replied evenly, "I'm not 'associating.' We're business partners."
Tian Bin's expression darkened. "Qian Guang is no ordinary man. By twelve, he was already involved in gang activity. By thirteen, he had killed someone. At eighteen, he crippled another man. By thirty-five, he was running nightclubs with a history soaked in violence. You think partnering with him won't bring you harm?"
I was startled by the extent of his knowledge. "You're his father, aren't you?"
"Yes, a failed father."
I chuckled faintly. "Everything we do is legitimate business—bars, nightclubs, all above board. Feel free to investigate."
He shook his head. "I know my son too well. He's always chasing easy money. He's learned to hide his tracks, but the stains remain. Work with me. Help me take him down, and I'll ensure leniency for you."
I scoffed at the offer. "Why do you refuse to believe he's clean? If you lack evidence, why not trust his innocence?"
"Do you believe it?" Tian Bin retorted sharply. "How do you explain the deaths of Fei Zhu and Liu Qiang's disappearance? We're not just investigating Qian Guang, but also the Horse Gang behind him."
Though his words were chilling, I shook my head. "That has nothing to do with me."
Tian Bin studied me for a moment before saying, "I grew up in that same village. My father was part of the old Horse Gang, but I chose a different path. I know exactly how rotten that world is. Don't think your current success will shield you. When prison bars close around you, you'll regret every choice you've made."
I stood my ground. "Our business is clean. Check all you want."
He sighed. "You're the most arrogant fool I've encountered. Go on, then. But don't expect mercy when we catch you."
Leaving the station, I exhaled deeply. A father like him—unyielding and upright—was a strange twist of fate for someone as ruthless as Qian Guang. Their relationship was less of a bond and more of a lifelong rivalry.
But his words left me uneasy. If Qian Guang fell, so would we. Everything had to remain spotless in Ruili.
Returning to the bar, I found the crowd thinning. Wang Gui informed me Seventh Master was still inside. I gave strict instructions to keep others away and approached the private room. At the door, Malan stopped me.
"Don't go in. He's furious," she whispered.
I nodded, pulling her aside. Once inside another room, I thanked her.
"Don't thank me. Show it with action," she teased.
Smiling, I pulled her close. Though she struggled lightly, she didn't pull away entirely.
"Zhao Fei, you're crazy! Stop it—there are people outside!" she protested nervously.
Before I could reply, a blood-curdling scream erupted from the adjacent room. Malan and I exchanged uneasy glances, rushing out to wait by the door.
When the door opened, Skinny Monkey was dragged out, his hand severed and bleeding profusely. My stomach churned at the sight.
"Come in," Seventh Master called out.
Inside, I saw the severed hand on the floor, a grim reminder of his resolve.