Chapter Fifty-Five: The Doom of the Boar and the Black Bear

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“Brother Nan, rest assured, I won’t dare do this again, never again…” By the end, Gui Nanchao’s voice had a hint of sobbing.

Zhuo Nan crouched down, reached out, and patted Gui Nanchao’s face. “Fatty, the first thing I want you to do is to take care of Pig Biao and Black Bear.”

A jolt of shock ran through Gui Nanchao’s heart. Enduring the pain in his hand, he said, “Brother Nan, those two have followed me for so many years, I…”

Before he could finish, Zhuo Nan’s eyes flashed coldly. Terrified, Gui Nanchao dared not say more and quickly changed his tune, “Brother Nan, don’t worry, I’ll handle them tomorrow…”

Zhuo Nan smiled in satisfaction. “No need for you to get your hands dirty. Just bring them to me.”

“Brother Nan, you have my word. I’ll do exactly as you say tomorrow…”

It was late, and with everything settled, Zhuo Nan prepared to leave. “Fatty, I’m going now. I’ll keep these things of yours safe for you, including this gun. When you retire, I’ll return them to you. How about that?”

Gui Nanchao forced out a smile. “Brother Nan, if you like them, take them. They’re safer with you, much safer.”

At this point, Gui Nanchao could no longer keep up the act of being the boss. If this fat man parted his hair down the middle, he’d be the very picture of a traitor.

Next, Zhuo Nan walked over to the television, removed the videotape from the VCR, and waved it in his hand. “I’ll take this too. If something like this got out, it wouldn’t do your reputation any good, would it, Brother Chao?”

Gui Nanchao felt like dying. The tape wasn’t of anyone else—it was of himself, with several others, both men and women. Men with men, men with women, everything mixed together. Who would have thought Brother Chao was such a versatile plug.

“Brother Nan, about that tape…”

“What, you don’t trust me?” Zhuo Nan’s tone turned icy, his eyes locking onto Gui Nanchao.

Gui Nanchao immediately said, “Brother Nan, how could I not trust you? It’s safest with you, really.” The situation was stronger than the man. No matter how formidable Brother Chao had been, at this moment, all he could do was surrender.

Zhuo Nan smiled slightly, as if recalling something. “You just said you’d give me five million, right?”

Gui Nanchao was speechless. He thought, “I said earlier, give me back my stuff and I’ll give you five million. But now, it seems I’ll have to cough up those five million anyway.”

By now, he’d long forgotten the pain in his right hand. Physical pain was nothing compared to the wound to his soul. Five million, just handed over for nothing, and he still had to keep a smiling face… “Brother Nan, yes, yes, I said I’d give you five million. But my hand is hurt, I can’t write a check…”

Zhuo Nan saw right through the fat man’s little game and shrugged. “No problem. Isn’t there a boxing match on Saturday night? Just hand over the cash you collect. Checks are too much hassle.”

Gui Nanchao’s mouth formed an O. What more could he say? Was there even anything left to say? He’d just have to obediently hand over the money.

“Is there a problem?” Zhuo Nan asked, feigning curiosity.

Gui Nanchao shook his head repeatedly. Zhuo Nan shrugged. “If there’s nothing else, I’m off. Don’t forget what I told you to do…” Then, his tone sharpened, “If you can’t manage it, I’ll do it myself…”

“Brother Nan, don’t worry, don’t worry, I’ll take care of it tonight, tonight…” Gui Nanchao nodded incessantly. It was already past midnight—so of course, it was tonight.

“Good. I’m leaving. Oh, and for Saturday’s match, I’m putting three hundred thousand on myself to win. You take care of it.” With that, Zhuo Nan opened the door and swaggered out.

Gui Nanchao let out a long breath and collapsed to the ground. After two or three minutes, the searing pain in his right hand reminded him to call for an ambulance.

Now that Gui Nanchao was under control, Long Kun could develop on his own. Without Gui Nanchao’s interference, it wouldn’t be long before Long Kun established himself in Deqing’s underworld. Once Gui Nanchao was dead, Long Kun only needed to call out, and the rest would be easy.

Brother Chao’s four fingers were all broken, but thankfully the skilled doctors put them in splints. Two or three months of rest and he’d recover, though there would be some after-effects—his touch wouldn’t be quite as smooth when fondling women. Brother Chao cursed under his breath.

Grumbling was all he could do. As for seeking revenge on Zhuo Nan—at this point, he didn’t have the guts. When Pig Biao and Black Bear got the call, they rushed to the hospital. “Brother Chao, did something happen?” Pig Biao asked as soon as he saw him.

Brother Chao glanced at the two and thought, “Brothers, it’s not that I want you dead, but if you don’t die, things won’t go well for me…”

“What happened? Damn it, I slipped in the bath.” Gui Nanchao didn’t bother putting on a friendly face, and the more he acted this way, the less suspicious the two became.

Still, Black Bear, out of concern, said, “Brother Chao, none of the ten guys in the villa know what happened. They all just woke up…”

Gui Nanchao’s face darkened. “Damn it, I said it’s nothing, so it’s nothing. Why so much nonsense? Black Bear, go start the car. I need to go home and get some sleep. I didn’t sleep well all night. You two stay at my place; I’ll have something for you tonight.”

After Gui Nanchao finished, the two didn’t dare say more, and Black Bear obediently went to get the car.

Night fell. A small sedan made in Bugland drove along a remote suburban road, carrying three people. Black Bear gripped the wheel, Pig Biao sat in the passenger seat, and Brother Chao, with four fingers in splints, leaned back in the rear seat with his eyes closed.

Pig Biao and Black Bear were both puzzled. Why had Brother Chao called them out so late, claiming to meet some big shot? How big could this guy be, to require a trip out to the suburbs? At their level, business was usually done in a hotel.

Though they were doubtful, they dared not disobey Brother Chao’s orders. The Four Heavenly Kings were as close as brothers. Over a decade ago, they were just small-time thugs, but from then on, they’d followed Brother Chao as he fought his way up. Now, they were infamous in Deqing’s underworld, with houses, cars, women, and money. If not for Brother Chao, the four of them would have been hacked to death long ago. Now only the two of them remained.

“Brother Chao, we’re almost there…” Pig Biao turned and spoke softly.

Gui Nanchao kept his eyes closed and nodded without a word. Pig Biao and Black Bear exchanged a glance and pursed their lips, thinking, “Brother Chao is really unflappable.” Black Bear focused on driving, while Pig Biao kept an eye on the surroundings.

In Gui Nanchao’s heart, everyone around him was just a dog—no matter how high their status, even the likes of the Four Heavenly Kings. If Zhuo Nan wanted Pig Biao and Black Bear dead, he had to comply. Only by sacrificing them could he ensure his own safety. It was a trade he had to make.

About ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of an abandoned warehouse, with not a single light in the vicinity, let alone any sign of life. Gui Nanchao thought, “Zhuo Nan picked a good spot. Make a move here, and no one would ever know.”

“Brother Chao, we’re here. Let’s get out.” At Black Bear’s words, Gui Nanchao nodded, and Pig Biao hurried out to open his door.

After getting out, Gui Nanchao smoothed his jacket with composure before heading inside, flanked by Pig Biao and Black Bear.

With a loud clang, Pig Biao rushed forward and flung open the warehouse doors. Inside, it was pitch black, with no sign of anyone. Black Bear pulled out his lighter; the faint flame illuminated only a small area.

Sensing something was off, Black Bear said quickly, “Brother Chao, something’s wrong. Let’s go.”

Gui Nanchao shot him a sidelong glance, displeased. “What, are you scared?”

“No, Brother Chao, I’m just worried about your safety…” Black Bear explained hastily.

Just as Gui Nanchao was about to speak, a cold voice echoed from the darkness, “Fatty, your two underlings are quite loyal.”

At the sound, Black Bear was shocked—it sounded familiar. Pig Biao immediately placed himself between Gui Nanchao and the voice, acting as a human shield.

Footsteps echoed from the darkness, growing closer. Black Bear followed the sound, flicked his lighter, and in the faint glow, a figure emerged—it was none other than Zhuo Nan.

“You? What are you doing here?” Black Bear’s first reaction was that they’d fallen into a trap. He turned to Gui Nanchao, “Brother Chao, you go first. This guy is seriously dangerous.”

Pig Biao wasn’t as dense as Black Bear. A sense of foreboding welled up inside him. Zhuo Nan’s presence here—could it have something to do with Brother Chao? Pig Biao’s mind wasn’t quick enough to draw that conclusion immediately; as he was still thinking, Zhuo Nan acted.

In the darkness, the enemy’s movements were impossible to see, but Zhuo Nan was different. With his superhuman mind, it was as clear as day to him. Zhuo Nan’s own strength was exceptional. As the saying goes, no martial art is invincible, but speed prevails. The moment Black Bear finished speaking, his whole body suddenly flew backward without warning. Before Pig Biao could react, he felt a heavy blow to his stomach. His upper body doubled over instinctively, and Zhuo Nan seized the opportunity: a powerful uppercut smashed into Pig Biao’s jaw. Weighing over 140 pounds, Pig Biao was sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground.

Gui Nanchao could only vaguely make out Zhuo Nan’s movements, but even so, he was utterly shocked. What kind of strength was this? Master? That word no longer sufficed…

“Fatty, get out of the way,” Zhuo Nan called out as he continued his assault, ordering Gui Nanchao to keep clear of the fight.

Gui Nanchao hurriedly ran off to the side.

On the ground, Pig Biao’s eyes were wide open, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth. “Brother Chao, why are you doing this to us? We’ve been nothing but loyal to you! Why? Why treat us like this?”

“Why? Let me tell you…” Zhuo Nan walked over to Pig Biao with a smile, lifted his foot, and stomped hard on Pig Biao’s face.

“Your Brother Chao works for me now. I don’t like you two, so I’m here to teach you a lesson.” As he spoke, Zhuo Nan twisted his toe into Pig Biao’s face.

“Ah!” Pig Biao let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

Black Bear climbed to his feet, and by the faint moonlight, located Zhuo Nan’s position and lunged at him. Zhuo Nan leapt into the air, sailed over Black Bear’s head, and drove his right knee into Black Bear’s face. Black Bear’s massive body toppled backward, his skull thudding against the ground with a heavy crack.

Pig Biao and Black Bear lay sprawled on the ground, unable to move. Zhuo Nan turned and walked a short distance away, took out a match, struck it, and tossed it to the floor. With a whoosh, flames erupted, instantly illuminating the entire warehouse. Clearly, Zhuo Nan had made all his preparations in advance.