Xing City.
A burly, rough-looking man had just stepped out of the restroom when one of his underlings “cornered” him at the door.
“What’s the matter? Why so panicked?”
“Boss, it’s Tang Hu—he’s here.”
The man his subordinate called “Boss” was none other than the leader of the Black Dragon Gang—Heilong himself, a C-rank powerhouse.
Heilong clapped a hand on his subordinate’s shoulder. “So what if he’s here? That stray mutt’s nothing to fear. Look at you—you’re embarrassing me.”
“But Boss, he brought backup.”
“Backup?” Heilong raised an eyebrow. Tang Hu was just a small-time gang leader—any backup he could muster would be from the same underworld circles. And in those circles, the only person Heilong respected was Ye Qingyu.
Everyone else? Ha! Trash.
“Boss, she’s—”
“Enough. Quit cowering like a coward. Stand tall like a man and take me to him.” Heilong puffed out his chest, sneering. “Watch me knock him flat with one punch.”
He didn’t give his subordinate a chance to explain, strutting out like an angry rooster.
By the time he reached the main hall, his voice boomed ahead of him:
“HAHAHA! To what do we owe the pleasure of such esteemed guests gracing us with their arrogant presence?”
Su Mo (currently impersonating Ye Qingyu) sat coldly in the guest seat of honor, while Tang Hu stood respectfully beside her like a subordinate.
“I said, you—Ye-Ye-Ye-Ye-Ye Qingyu?!”
Su Mo’s icy gaze flicked toward him. “My friend here mentioned that a few of his brothers have been lodging with the Black Dragon Gang… and were detained due to unpaid accommodation fees?”
Heilong froze in the doorway, staring for a few seconds to confirm that the person sitting inside was indeed Ye Qingyu. Then, his demeanor instantly shifted to fawning sycophancy as he scurried forward.
“President Ye, such harsh words! I merely wanted to extend our hospitality to our brothers from the Black Tiger Gang. Detained? Never!”
“So I should thank you, then?” Su Mo’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her eyes sharp enough to kill.
“N-No, no, no!” Heilong waved his hands frantically. He shot a sideways glance at Tang Hu, testing the waters. “If they’re your friends, of course we wouldn’t dare cause trouble. But this Tang Hu… what exactly is his relationship to you?”
“He’s a member of the Qingyu Society.”
Heilong’s face paled. “Tang Hu joined the Qingyu Society?!”
Su Mo ignored him, sipping water calmly.
Noticing this, Heilong barked at his men outside: “What the hell are you all doing, serving President Ye plain water?!”
Immediately, someone rushed in with tea and alcohol.
“Please, have some tea first—”
“No need.” Su Mo’s tone was indifferent, as if the Black Dragon Gang wasn’t even worth her attention. “I have urgent matters to attend to. Let’s settle this first.”
Heilong hesitated. “It’s not that I don’t want to release them, but—”
“But what?”
He sighed dramatically. “Ah, forget it. Since President Ye has personally come, any obstacle is worth overcoming. However… I do have one tiny request. I hope you’ll indulge me.”
“Speak. I’ll consider it.”
A sly glint flashed in Heilong’s eyes. “President Ye’s strength is legendary—ranked eighth on the Heavenly Leaderboard. To meet you today is an honor. I’d be grateful for a sparring lesson—something to inspire my future cultivation.”
Both Su Mo and Tang Hu knew what he was really asking: He was testing whether “Ye Qingyu” was real.
Su Mo’s expression turned frosty. She stood and walked toward Heilong.
“You suspect I’m fake?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” Despite his words, Heilong’s earlier subservience was fading—as if he’d noticed something off.
“Then do as I say.” Su Mo “lightly” placed a hand on Heilong’s shoulder.
CRACK.
His entire arm went limp, dangling uselessly.
Heilong: “!!!!”
Tang Hu pressed his lips together tightly, fighting back laughter.
“G-Get those Black Tiger Gang b—no, no, honored brothers—bring them up NOW!” Heilong hissed through gritted teeth, his face twisted in pain as he barked orders.
Damn it all!
So what if you’re strong?! Ripping off arms like it’s nothing—I was just testing you! Was that necessary?!
Soon, Black Dragon Gang members escorted over twenty bruised and battered men into the room—clearly, they’d suffered.
Tang Hu’s breathing turned ragged. “You captured over a hundred of my men. Where are the rest?“
“Boss… the others didn’t make it. Only we survived. You have to avenge them.“
Heilong stood frozen, stealing glances at Su Mo’s expression, praying she wouldn’t snap. If she did, ten of him wouldn’t be enough to stop her.
Fortunately, Su Mo remained calm. Only then did Heilong relax.
Tang Hu looked at his surviving men with guilt. “Let’s go. They won’t die in vain.“
Heilong and his men “escorted” Su Mo’s group all the way out of their base before his rage finally erupted.
“Pah! Since when did Tang Hu join the Qingyu Society? What rotten luck!”
“Boss… that ‘Ye Qingyu’—could she have been fake?”
Heilong shook his head. “Probably real. But at this point, it doesn’t matter. If she could cripple my arm without effort, she could kill me in a blink. Fake or not, we can’t afford to provoke her.”
The underling hesitated. “Should we inform them? Maybe they’ll help you get revenge—”
“And why would they risk angering Ye Qingyu or the Qingyu Society for me?” Heilong snorted. “But we can milk them for sympathy—and better rewards.”
“Boss, you’re a genius!”
…..
Once safely out of Black Dragon Gang territory, Tang Hu’s remaining followers were already waiting. Though their hearts sank at seeing only twenty survivors, it was still better than their worst fears.
No time for reunions—they quickly boarded vehicles, ready to flee in case of pursuit.
“Tang Hu, take them to Jiangcheng. Those who wish to join the Qingyu Society will be welcomed. Those who don’t—no hard feelings. Wang Er’s team will meet you there.”
“You’re not coming with us, Boss?”
“No. I have other business.”
Tang Hu’s expression was complicated. “Aren’t you afraid we’ll just… run? All of us are here now.“
Su Mo smirked. “I trust my judgment.”
With that, she turned and left.
Behind her, the Black Tiger Gang survivors murmured among themselves—but Tang Hu’s heart burned with admiration.
Strength. Intelligence. Integrity. And damn, she’s even beautiful.
For the first time, he felt the urge to pledge absolute loyalty—“Through fire and flood, I’ll follow her.”
Meanwhile, Su Mo arrived at a café where Ye Qingyi was already waiting.
“Done?”
“Of course. Your side?”
“Also done~” Ye Qingyi patted her chest proudly. “I’ll give it to you later—too many eyes here.”
“Good.”
They each ordered a coffee for appearances, and only then did the café owner relax.
After they left, a young woman in the corner—her face hidden behind a mask, though her striking eyes hinted at beauty—stood to follow.
But the moment she stepped outside, her phone rang.
“Yes?”
“Busy lately. I’ll make it up to you later.”
“You’re the best, hubby~”