#184 - Chapter 184 Arrangement

As midnight approached, the Hongmen was fully prepared, the air thick with a sense of impending violence. Cheng Feng, dressed in black, strode out of his study, the Silver Feather Saber at his waist glinting menacingly.

“Assemble everyone! Tonight, we will show the Green Bamboo Gang the price of provoking the Hongmen!” Cheng Feng’s voice echoed clearly and powerfully in the night, stirring the blood and fighting spirit of every Hongmen disciple.

The Green Bamboo Gang was formidable, but the Hongmen's strength was not to be underestimated. After their previous victory, every Hongmen disciple eagerly anticipated the mission. Anyone who dared to retreat in the face of battle would face immediate execution according to Hongmen rules.

The disciples had developed a favorable impression of missions as a way to earn money. Moreover, if they died during a mission, the Hongmen would provide ample compensation to ensure their families could live comfortably.

On one hand, there was a double guarantee; on the other, a blood-soaked code.

Was there any question as to the choice?

The Hongmen disciples moved swiftly and methodically. Like specters in the night, the Hongmen quietly surrounded an important stronghold of the Green Bamboo Gang.

Inside a carriage, Cheng Feng and Xu Miao sat upright, their eyes fixed on the first Green Bamboo Gang stronghold to be besieged.

Baibai and Cheng Yi, armed with weapons, and Wu Feng, carrying a sword, all clad in black uniforms with red emblems embroidered on their chests, led three hundred Hongmen disciples, weapons in hand, directly into the fray.

Tonight, a Blood Refinement Elder from the Green Bamboo Gang was scheduled to inspect the location. Naturally, Cheng Feng planned to concentrate his superior forces to eliminate this vital force of the enemy.

As the Hongmen disciples burst through the gates, the Green Bamboo Gang Elder was drinking wine. He exclaimed in surprise, “Hongmen disciples? Are you truly going to completely break ties with our Green Bamboo Gang?”

The three leaders remained silent, merely advancing, ready for close-quarters combat.

The Blood Refinement Elder roared in fury and fearlessly raised his broadsword to meet the enemy. At the same time, his personal guard said to the surrounding disciples, “Send a signal to the main headquarters that the Hongmen is attacking!”

With that, the guard also brandished his broadsword and slashed fiercely at the onrushing Hongmen disciples. The stronghold was lightly defended, with fewer than a hundred men, and the presence of a Blood Refinement Elder did little to alleviate their predicament.

Baibai, wielding his saber, charged menacingly towards the Blood Refinement Elder in the mid-stage of Blood Refinement. The blade in his hand glinted coldly, each strike carrying a fierce killing intent.

Cheng Yi, armed with a long staff, weaved nimbly through the battlefield. His staff techniques were like a tempest, giving the Elder no chance to breathe.

Wu Feng, carrying a sharp sword, moved with the fluid grace of flowing water. His sword tip constantly threatened the Elder's vital points, forcing him to remain constantly vigilant.

The Blood Refinement Elder, already seriously injured in his fight against Lin Ming, secretly lamented his misfortune as he faced the combined assault of the three. Despite his strength, his wounded state made it increasingly difficult to withstand their attacks.

Finally, with their coordinated teamwork, the Elder left an opening. Baibai seized the opportunity, slashing his saber fiercely at the Elder's back. The Elder twisted to dodge, but the blade still grazed his arm.

Seeing this, Cheng Yi immediately swung his long staff, striking fiercely at the Elder's legs. The Elder hurriedly leaped back to evade, but Wu Feng's sword darted out like a venomous snake.

The Elder narrowly avoided the sword, but he knew he could not continue to fight. Taking advantage of a momentary lull in the attacks, he turned and retreated swiftly.

Wu Feng sneered inwardly, having anticipated everything. Naturally, he would not allow them to escape. With a flash of movement, he appeared like a ghost before the fleeing Elder, his sword gleaming coldly as it pierced the man's throat.

The Elder's eyes widened in disbelief and despair, but he quickly lost all signs of life. With the Elder's death, the entire battle situation instantly reversed. The remaining Hongmen leaders, seeing that the situation was hopeless, turned to flee the scene.

However, they had already been cornered. The surrounding Hongmen disciples surged forward like a tide, completely encircling them. No one could escape this battle, and they all eventually fell into pools of blood.

Thus, the fierce battle came to an end. Cheng Feng looked at the corpses strewn across the ground, his face impassive, showing no hint of pity. These Green Bamboo Gang leaders were all heinous criminals who deserved to die.

“Clean up the battlefield and tally the casualties,” Cheng Feng ordered. Then, he turned and left, leaving a group of Hongmen disciples to busily clear the battlefield.

Although the Hongmen had won the battle, they had paid a considerable price. But Cheng Feng did not care; as long as they could completely eliminate the enemy, it was all worthwhile.

Inside the Green Bamboo Gang headquarters, the lights were bright, and people bustled about. Recent Hongmen activities had been frequent, especially tonight. Peng Yuyan sensed something amiss when the Hongmen suddenly mobilized again. He hurriedly got out of bed and summoned disciples to protect the Green Bamboo Gang headquarters.

“Report! Gang Leader, the Hongmen is indeed preparing to go to war with the Green Bamboo Gang! Elder Xu was ambushed by Hongmen disciples while inspecting the stronghold. According to the disciples who escaped, Elder Xu has… died in battle!”

Peng Yuyan's heart skipped a beat. It was as he suspected. However, he did not show much panic on his face. Instead, he said in a deep voice, “Has it been determined why the Hongmen suddenly attacked?”

The disciple looked troubled and replied hesitantly, “The specific reason is currently unclear.”

Peng Yuyan did not pursue the matter. He waved his hand to dismiss the disciple, then turned to the surrounding disciples and said, “Everyone, be vigilant tonight. Someone wants to provoke our Green Bamboo Gang. Will you allow it?”

“No! No! No!” The Green Bamboo Gang disciples were filled with righteous indignation.

“Very good!”

After the crowd dispersed, Peng Yuyan sat alone on the head seat, his brow furrowed. After pondering for a moment, he had a plan in mind.

He stood up and ordered loudly, “Send out the Green Bamboo Gang's Sky Piercing Signal! Summon all gang members to come! Let this old man see if this newly rising brat can stand before me!”

The disciples obeyed the order and began to act. Peng Yuyan walked out of the main hall, his eyes sharply fixed on the distance, as if he could see the storm that was about to come through the night. He secretly pondered how to respond to the Hongmen's attack.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the Green Bamboo Gang headquarters was tense. Everyone felt the pressure of the impending battle. However, facing the enemy's threat, Peng Yuyan did not show the slightest intention of retreating. Instead, he appeared even more determined and decisive.

Cheng Feng looked at the signal flare from the Green Bamboo Gang headquarters in the distance and thought to himself, “It seems they've been discovered.” He turned to a disciple beside him and said, “Have Baibai, Cheng Yi, and Wu Feng each lead a team to set up ambushes on the inevitable routes. Remember, we will fight and retreat, and not engage the enemy head-on!”

The disciple respectfully replied, “Yes, Sect Leader! This disciple will go and convey the order.” With that, he hurried away.