22: Ruthless and devastating, taking control of Changshun Street

“What, does Young Miss Huo mean to interfere with my Vajra Sect’s decisions? Ge Feng is gone, Changshun Street is under my control now, Young Miss Huo, don’t be ungrateful!”

Chen Cuo’s eyes were cold as he looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, showing no politeness whatsoever.

But Huo Xiangsi didn’t seem to take Chen Cuo seriously. Instead, she shook her head, sneering internally, but her Face showed no emotion as she said, “This humble one is just running a small business, how would I dare interfere with the Vajra Sect’s decisions?

However, earlier, Boss Ge Feng took ten thousand taels of silver from me as a personal tax, promising to protect my small business. Now that Boss Ge is gone, what about these ten thousand taels of silver?”

Chen Cuo said coldly, “You mean Ge Feng privately took ten thousand taels of silver from you?”

Huo Xiangsi revealed a sweet and peerless smile. Every gesture and smile held a breathtaking beauty that made Chen Cuo’s stern gaze waver for a moment.

Gu Pang next to her stared fixedly at Huo Xiangsi, his Face flushed, and even his saliva unconsciously dripped down.

She chuckled softly, “Yes, Boss Chen, now that Ge Feng has left Changshun Street, isn’t my money wasted?”

“What do you intend?”

“It’s not impossible for Boss Chen to ask me to hand over the contract, but I can’t just waste these ten thousand taels of silver. Boss Ge promised me some collaborations, and Boss Chen should continue those collaborations. Otherwise, please return these ten thousand taels of silver to me, and then I can hand over the contract.”

Huo Xiangsi’s Face showed triumph, and she chuckled inwardly. As an experienced Jianghu veteran, dealing with a greenhorn like Chen Cuo was as easy as pie. Even if this matter reached the Vajra Sect’s high-level members, she would still be in the right.

Chen Cuo’s thoughts spun. The saying goes, ‘one generation plants the trees, the next enjoys the shade,’ but Ge Feng’s actions were more like ‘one generation digs the pit, the next fills it.’

Huo Xiangsi was using these ten thousand taels of silver to negotiate with him. Chen Cuo would not believe for a second that she didn't have the support of other big bosses behind her.

Joyful House had connections within the state government; it wasn't an ordinary low-level shop. Even the Vajra Sect had to give it some Face and couldn't offend it without reason. But this time...

He was here to add fuel to the fire!

“You’re using a sword from the previous dynasty to cut down an official of the current dynasty, making things very difficult for me, Young Miss Huo. How about you personally go to Ge Feng to claim this silver?” Chen Cuo’s pupils slightly contracted as he said in a deep voice.

“Hahaha, Boss Chen, you are now the manager of Changshun Street. Of course, I can only ask you for this money. Ge Feng is also a member of the Vajra Sect. The terms of our cooperation can’t just change overnight, can they?”

Huo Xiangsi’s expression turned cold at this point, her eyes slightly mocking, as if she was ridiculing Chen Cuo a few times, then she looked down at Chen Cuo from above.

“I have a habit. Whenever someone asks me for a debt, I always acknowledge and return it. However, it’s only after he dies, I burn it for him…”

Chen Cuo frowned, looking at the beautiful woman on the second floor, no longer concealing his malice.

Boom!

Instantly, a violent roar sounded in everyone’s ears. The wooden planks beneath Chen Cuo’s feet immediately cracked, leaving only an afterimage in his original spot. A giant palm shot upwards from below, striking towards Huo Xiangsi.

Huo Xiangsi’s hair stood on end, feeling immense pressure bearing down on her. The sensation of death followed her like a shadow.

The strong wind brought by Chen Cuo had already swept across her Face, leaving her unable to move.

“Bang!”

A dull sound rang out. Gu Pang had only blinked twice when he saw Chen Cuo standing on the second floor, with a headless corpse standing in front of him. The corpse had a beautiful figure, identifiable as a beautiful woman.

“Flaunting your pathetic charm. Don’t worry, I’ll burn your silver for you.”

As if hearing Chen Cuo’s words, the corpse then crashed down, hitting the ground.

The corpse was none other than the beautiful Huo Xiangsi. She also had cultivation, seemingly skilled at mesmerizing people with her voice and appearance. Her physique and strength were not formidable, allowing Chen Cuo to easily kill her.

But her charm was potent; even Chen Cuo was affected for a moment earlier.

Gu Pang was even worse off. Seeing Huo Xiangsi’s head shattered by Chen Cuo’s Iron Sand Palm, his heart instantly felt empty.

At this moment, Huo Xiangsi’s subordinates in Joyful House were already in chaos, letting out shrill screams, “What is this? The Vajra Sect is killing people!”

Even the subordinates Chen Cuo brought were too shocked to speak. Most of them looked dazed. These low-level ruffians understood the principle of a new official taking office with three fires, but they had never seen the first fire burn down their own cash cow!

Chen Cuo paid no attention, continuing to speak to the crowd in the building, “Huo Xiangsi colluded with the North Dipper Gang and betrayed Vajra Sect’s secrets.

According to my Vajra Sect’s rules, she can be executed immediately. If anyone has information and reports it, they will be exempt from punishment and will be recommended by me to serve as the next manager of Joyful House. Those who know and do not report will have their crime compounded and be executed by slow slicing.”

“Slandering! When did the manager collude with the North Dipper Gang to betray Vajra Sect’s secrets? Is the Vajra Sect so disregardful of the lives of us merchants?” At this moment, an old servant in green robes immediately spoke loudly, roaring at Chen Cuo.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than a silver-white blade light instantly pierced through the entire Joyful House. The hunched old servant was immediately split in two, blood covering the ground. No one even saw when Chen Cuo swung that blade.

“If I say she did, then she did. Men, seize all the servants of Joyful House. Tomorrow morning, execute them by slow slicing.”

Chen Cuo waved his hand. The dozen or so trusted gang members behind Gu Pang immediately took action. Several of the original ruffians who had remained on Changshun Street immediately decided to follow Chen Cuo and quickly followed behind, attacking the Martial Artists and servants of Joyful House.

A fierce fight broke out between the two sides. To call it a fight or exchange would be overestimating these weaklings. Both sides were Mortals, not a single Skin-Refining Martial Artist among them, fighting only with raw courage.

Chen Cuo had Hong Feng and Gu Pang make a move. In less than five minutes, all other servants were captured.

Once the many servants were subdued, with the sword of death hanging over their necks, someone immediately shouted, “Boss Chen, I surrender! I know the secret of the manager’s collusion with the North Dipper Gang. Please, Boss Chen, give me a way to live!”

“Huo Ada, you! Young Miss treated you well, yet you dare to slander Young Miss, you beast!” Immediately, an old man glared furiously at the person who had just spoken.

Seeing this, Gu Pang unceremoniously slapped the speaking old man, knocking him unconscious.

Chen Cuo nodded, signaling for the young man who had just spoken, Huo Ada, to be brought forward, and instructed his subordinates to take him outside.

This action immediately drew the attention of the bound prisoners. Immediately, two or three more people eagerly repeated similar words.

Chen Cuo did not argue, instructing his subordinates to take all those people out. Then, without looking back, he left the sight of the others and walked towards the top of Joyful House.

Gu Pang and Ding Xiang immediately chased after him. Upon reaching the third floor, they followed him into Huo Xiangsi’s main room. Gu Pang immediately asked softly, “Boss, is this beautiful woman really a spy for the North Dipper Gang? Didn’t they say she has a background with the state government? Isn’t it too rash to just kill her like that?”

“What? Do you feel it’s a pity? Whether she’s a spy or not, if I say she is, then she is.

Hong Feng, those few who surrendered today, keep them well. They will be of great use in a few days. Make sure their stories are consistent. This matter is up to you to handle!”

Chen Cuo’s gaze turned to Gu Pang and the other two. Gu Pang averted his eyes, giving a sheepish smile. Hong Feng, hearing Chen Cuo’s command, immediately went down to take charge of the Joyful House servants who were willing to testify to save their lives.

Then he looked at Ding Xiang again and said, “Take a few people to Qiuyue Tavern and see if that boss knows what’s good for him. If not, kill him, just like that.”

Ding Xiang nodded in agreement and went down to call people to rush to Qiuyue Tavern on the street. Only Gu Pang remained. Then, under Chen Cuo’s gaze, Gu Pang, knowing his place, began to search for various treasures hidden in the room.

Chen Cuo stood high on the rooftop, looking down at Changshun Street. The entire street scene was within his sight. Changshun Street officially fell into his hands.