Chapter Twenty-Two: The Landlord Makes His Move

"Remember to cash out all my seven hundred million chips," Yang Wenhao's calm voice sounded from behind just as the Axe Gang's second-in-command was about to leave. The second-in-command staggered at the sound, nearly stumbling.

"Yes, yes," he hurriedly nodded in response.

"And by the way," Yang Wenhao continued, "if I recall correctly, you still have a strategist in your gang, don't you? Call him here."

Sitting comfortably on the sofa, Yang Wenhao sipped his freshly brewed tea, exuding utter ease.

After a while, a thin man wearing glasses entered the room. This was the Axe Gang's strategist—no small feat to hold such a position.

"Boss, you called for me." The strategist was already aware of what had transpired. In the underworld, the strong were revered, and he quickly grasped the situation, choosing to pledge his allegiance to Yang Wenhao.

Yang Wenhao said indifferently, "Find someone named Ah Xing. He's one of yours."

The strategist asked in confusion, "And after I find him, Boss?"

"Bring him to see me. Afterward, prepare for me the location of the number one assassin on the Killer List, Firecloud Evil God," Yang Wenhao waved his hand. "I don't need to spell out the rest, do I?"

The strategist was no fool; he instantly understood Yang Wenhao's implication and nodded, "Understood, General."

"Go handle it, then."

After the strategist left, Yang Wenhao gazed out the window and saw that night had already fallen.

Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency, ranked second on the Killer List, had headed to the slums. But this was not on Yang Wenhao's orders—it was the will of Brother Chen, the former Axe Gang boss. Even so, he saw no need to recall them; their actions were their own concern.

But he could certainly enjoy the ensuing spectacle.

Under the respectful eyes of the Axe Gang, Yang Wenhao exited the casino and got into the car the gang had arranged, heading for the slums.

The car stopped, and Yang Wenhao got out. The slum was quiet and deserted at night, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the day. But the silence would not last; things were about to get lively.

Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency were already in position.

Yang Wenhao's gaze settled on two figures standing in the slum square. Noticing one was missing, he shook his head—clearly, someone had ignored his warning and, in all likelihood, was already dead.

This time, Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency had come to wipe out the den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers that was the slum.

"Boss, a cigarette?" The second-in-command offered a cigarette.

Yang Wenhao hesitated but accepted it.

With a click, the second-in-command lit it for him.

Yang Wenhao took a drag and immediately coughed—it burned his throat. The truth was, he didn't smoke, though his good friend Wang Xin was a seasoned smoker.

He shot a cold glance at the second-in-command, who was trying to suppress a laugh, then turned his attention back to the slum, occasionally taking a puff. The initial harshness faded, and he grew accustomed to it.

By now, fighting had erupted in the slum.

Even though the Five Wolves Eighteen Staffs and the Hong Family Iron Wire Fist had repelled dozens of Axe Gang members during the day, they now faced Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency, the Killer List's number two.

One had to admit, after witnessing their skills, it was clear that being second on the list required real strength. At the very least, the two martial artists before them were no match.

"System, can you analyze the techniques used by Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency?"

"System scan: Heavenly Cripple uses Six-String Zither Technique, valued at five hundred points. Earthly Deficiency uses Dragon Claw Silk Fingers, also valued at five hundred points. Their combined techniques allow them to challenge above their rank. Together, their strength matches a fourth-level Qi Practitioner."

"Not bad, you even detected their comparative rank," Yang Wenhao mused.

Currently, Yang Wenhao was at the fourth level of Qi practice. Unless one was a monstrous genius, challenging someone a rank above was impossible. But with his cultivation, he could easily defeat both Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency together; if they were separated, he could kill either instantly.

On the battlefield, the duo's combined techniques were formidable—each note from the zither transformed into a blade or sword.

A moment later, leaning against the car, Yang Wenhao flicked the smoldering butt to the ground. "It's over," he said.

The second-in-command glanced over in confusion, only to see that the two martial experts who had battered the Axe Gang earlier now lay bleeding and defeated, utterly powerless.

"Boss, impressive! You predicted it all," the second-in-command flattered him.

Yang Wenhao ignored the sycophancy.

"What's all this racket in the middle of the night!" Suddenly, a window in the slum building was thrown open, and an overweight woman with a cigarette dangling from her lips appeared.

This woman was the landlady of the slum—an incognito Little Dragon Maiden.

No sooner had she spoken than a man appeared behind her—the landlord.

"Sorry, sorry, please continue," the landlord apologized profusely, pulling the landlady back and shutting the window.

With the disturbance gone, Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency turned their attention once more to the two incapacitated figures.

The zither's melody surged, and phantom blades formed from the music flew at the two fallen men.

Their eyes empty, the two on the ground were utterly despairing. All that awaited them was death.

But just as the spectral blades were about to strike, a deafening roar shook the entire slum.

"Give them a chance, will you? Don't push them to the brink!"

Even Yang Wenhao was forced to use his true energy to shield himself from the sonic assault. The sound was incredible.

The Lion's Roar technique truly was a non-discriminatory attack.

Under its force, the blades dissolved into mist, and the zither strings snapped.

"Another master!" Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency, being skilled martial artists, had expected to face more experts after defeating the earlier pair.

As they prepared to leap onto the building, they inexplicably landed back where they started.

Two became three—not a ghost, but another person had appeared.

Without a word, Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency attacked the newcomer.

But each time they struck, their blows landed not on their intended target, but on themselves.

"Tai Chi Fist," Yang Wenhao narrowed his eyes.

Tai Chi Fist, much like Tai Chi Sword, appeared soft and powerless but was as boundless and enduring as a river—one was a fist, the other a sword. All else being equal, the sword wielded greater destructive power, especially since Yang Wenhao's strength far surpassed the landlord's.

With two thuds, the pair were tossed aside like stones.

Heavenly Cripple and Earthly Deficiency had been defeated—not by superior strength, but by superior technique.