The ugly man brusquely ignored the monkey and kicked aside a trembling young man, shouting, "Everyone get down and stay still! If I find out who's the fool that called the cops, I'll slaughter his entire family!"
"Hey, Black Dog, what's the purpose of bringing so many people here?" The monkey, undeterred by his smaller numbers, stood firm, confident with a formidable expert backing him.
"Is it a crime to take a stroll? Who do you think you are?" Black Dog spat on the ground and swaggered toward the bar, where the beautiful woman he had just spotted lingered.
"Black Dog, this place is mine!" The monkey, not easily intimidated, brandished his knife to block Black Dog's advance.
"Oh really? After a few days apart, you dare to draw a blade on me? Let's see if my boys agree!" Black Dog disregarded the threat, continuing his approach.
"No one agrees!" The chorus of over forty voices thundered, creating an imposing atmosphere.
"Do you wish to disrupt the gang's rules?" The monkey pressed forward, halting before the ugly man with a stern glare.
"Rules? What rule have I broken? Did I cut you? Or steal your wife?" Black Dog sneered, again spitting on the floor.
"Open your eyes, you fool! This establishment is the gang's private property! Since your arrival, none of the patrons dare to engage in activities that might harm our interests. You know what punishment awaits such offenses, Black Dog," the monkey retorted coldly.
"And for this, you've made a fuss?" Black Dog's foot connected with a woman hiding behind a nearby sofa, causing her to bleed as she collapsed. He then bellowed at the cowering patrons, "Everyone stand up and get on with it! Anyone who disobeys will find themselves in pieces!"
Intimidated by his tyranny, the crowd slowly rose, returning to their seats, though the lively atmosphere had vanished, replaced by an air of palpable anxiety.
"See that, monkey? No harm done, and I've not breached any gang rules. Just so you know, I'm here to have a good time! Hand over the girl behind you, and I'll be on my way." Black Dog leered at Tie Wan.
"That's my brother's woman; you'll have to step over my dead body first," the monkey replied, having noticed the stunning beauty beside the God of Wealth. He admired his brother's taste while feeling a tinge of jealousy, but knew he was out of his league. Better to act bold; who knows, the God of Wealth might reward him handsomely for bravery.
"Your brother? The Wild Wolf? Who are you trying to fool! I'd recognize Wild Wolf's woman anywhere. If she's still untouched, I'd be surprised!" Black Dog pointed out the glaring inconsistency, showcasing his sharp eye.
Xiang Ri halted mid-sip, glancing at the woman nearby. "Black Dog" was indeed no amateur, even privy to such intimate details. A twenty-something virgin as beautiful as her was indeed a rarity in the city—and perhaps the entire country.
Tie Wan's expression darkened at Black Dog's words, regretting not bringing a firearm to end him right then and there. She had heard tales of the perverse reputation surrounding Eastern District women, yet lacked the evidence to bring him to justice. Little did she know she would become one of his prey; with her current abilities, taking on dozens of men was out of the question, especially when they wielded weapons.
Should she reveal her identity? No! Not only would he likely disbelieve her, but it could provoke his viciousness even more. Her only hope lay with the monkey, this enigmatic "brother." For some reason, she felt safe beside him, though she couldn't explain why, cursing her own irrationality.
"Black Dog, which ear heard me say Wild Wolf? Don't test my patience—leave now, and perhaps my brother will spare you."
"You're mistaken, monkey! He'll leave on a stretcher." A nonchalant, arrogant voice interrupted the monkey.
"Brother!"
"Stop acting noble and get lost!" Xiang Ri pushed past the monkey, facing the ugly man.
"You're the skinny monkey's brother?" Black Dog eyed him skeptically. He assessed the young man's affluent attire and, despite his youth, recognized that being called "brother" by the monkey suggested he had some backing. But saying he'd leave on a stretcher in front of everyone? That was insulting! And that girl was undeniably tantalizing; offending this man seemed a risk worth taking.
"Sort of!" Xiang Ri replied ambiguously, taking a swig from his glass.
"Brother!" the monkey complained, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction.
"Shut it! Get me a bottle of liquor; this cup feels too limiting." Xiang Ri handed his empty glass to the monkey, who obediently turned to fetch the drink.
"Who would have thought the monkey could be so obedient? Heh, which faction does this big brother belong to?" Black Dog inquired, his ugly face betraying a grin that showcased his yellowed teeth. Seeing the monkey behave like a servant made him uncertain; if this leader had a formidable background, he might have to withdraw.
"This seems to have nothing to do with you," Xiang Ri replied lazily.
Upon hearing such arrogant words, a flicker of anger ignited in Black Dog's eyes. "Sometimes, it's best not to be too cocky; it can lead to unforeseen consequences."
"Brother, the drinks are here!" At that moment, the monkey approached, holding a bottle of liquor.
Xiang Ri took the bottle, glancing at the whiskey. "What, are you trying to incinerate me? Fortunately, I'm not here to drink." He disdainfully eyed the brooding ugly man, coolly retorting, "And what if I am cocky?"
"Damn it! How dare you speak to my brother like that!" Black Dog's followers erupted, their eyes gleaming with menace, itching to charge at Xiang Ri.
"Ha ha, just a joke, no need to take it so seriously," Xiang Ri suddenly softened his tone, smiling.
"A joke? Many jokes are best left unspoken!" Black Dog replied ominously, sensing a shift in Xiang Ri's demeanor. He mistakenly believed the latter was intimidated by their numbers, emboldening him slightly; what good was a deep background when faced with so many blades?
The monkey and a few others who knew Xiang Ri exchanged confused glances. This leader did not seem the type to be easily swayed, and given his extraordinary strength, he likely didn't need to ingratiate himself.
Tie Wan felt a weight in her heart; she shared Black Dog's concerns. If the big brother capitulated to him, the monkey would inevitably follow suit, and her chances of escape would diminish dramatically.
"Indeed, some jokes should not be made lightly," Xiang Ri approached Black Dog with the bottle, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"If you claim to be the monkey's brother, letting this slide might be acceptable, but my subordinates..." Black Dog, still wary of the unknown background, chose his words cautiously, though the threat was unmistakable.
"Oh? What do you have in mind?" Xiang Ri subtly adjusted his grip on the bottle.
"I, Black Dog, am not without compassion. If you allow me to spend the night with that girl, I assure you she will come to no harm."
"Crash!" Before Black Dog could finish his sentence, Xiang Ri smashed the bottle over his head, sending him crashing to the ground.
"Brother!" A throng of Black Dog's minions, witnessing the assault, were poised to pounce.
"Don't move!" Xiang Ri crouched low, pressing the jagged edge of the bottle against Black Dog's throat, his eyes filled with disdain.
The lackeys hesitated, fear gripping them, though they muttered curses under their breath.
Tie Wan stared at the once-commanding man, who had gone from jovial to bloodied in a heartbeat.
A cold dread settled within her as she assessed this man's character; from now on, she would need to tread carefully.
"Everyone shut up!" Xiang Ri's voice drowned out the angry shouts of the lackeys. "Keep it up, and I'll kill him!" He pressed the glass shard slightly into Black Dog's skin.
The lackeys fell silent, but the monkey approached with a worried expression. "Brother, this is my subordinate's territory; please don't actually kill him!"
"Relax! I won't kill him!"
"Thank you for sparing my subordinate," the monkey replied.
"I'll just leave him half-dead at most!"
The monkey fell silent; half-dead? That sounded even worse than dead.
"You won't kill me today; I'll kill you instead!" Black Dog howled hysterically, his appearance grotesque with blood flowing from his head, shards of glass embedded in his forehead. His already ugly face was now a sight more terrifying than a demon.
"At this point, you still dare to be arrogant?" Xiang Ri lightly pressed his foot against Black Dog's groin.
"What do you want?" Black Dog's fear was palpable.
"Don't worry, I'm merely going to castrate you! No need to thank me; I'm just someone who enjoys helping others," Xiang Ri said casually, applying pressure as if he heard a soft *pop*.