288: Chapter 288 Underground Boss

Han Jingyang gradually reined in his smile, staring at the chubby Xiao Pingtou.

A moment later, he nodded toward Liu Jing: "Kill him!"

Without a word, Liu Jing raised her blade and charged.

She swung the long blade, slashing toward Xiao Pingtou.

Xiao Pingtou was terrified and hurriedly shouted: "You can't kill me! I know Director Zhang Zhiyang—"

Hearing this, Han Jingyang spoke up: "Wait."

Liu Jing stopped at the command, the gleaming combat blade resting against Xiao Pingtou's neck.

Xiao Pingtou let out a long sigh of relief, gently pushed the blade away from his neck, and smiled at Han Jingyang: "I knew it. Hehe, Han Jingyang, you're young after all, but that's okay. People grow up. Later on, you'll understand that this society is no longer one where you can get by just by fighting and killing. Old Master Li Xuejian was absolutely right: the underworld isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and worldly wisdom."

As he spoke, he walked up to Han Jingyang and reached out to tap Han Jingyang's chest: "But you're still salvageable since you didn't actually kill me. Otherwise, if that blade had come down, you wouldn't be able to make it in Quancheng anymore. Do you know who my boss is?"

Han Jingyang shook his head: "I really don't know."

"Zhang Dahai, Boss Zhang Dahai of the Tongyu Group. You know him now, right?"

"So you're Boss Zhang's man. Does that mean Boss Zhang invited Wu Zhiyang and his group to Quancheng?"

"That's right. Wu Zhiyang is a distinguished guest personally invited by Boss Zhang. Even if you had a reason to kill them, you still have to give Boss Zhang an explanation. That's why I said you're in trouble, Han Jingyang. If you don't give Boss Zhang face in Quancheng, how do you expect to get by in the future?"

"Then I'd like to see what Boss Zhang Dahai will do to me."

"Boss Zhang might not necessarily do anything to you himself, but since you've caused Boss Zhang to lose face, there are plenty of people who will cause trouble for you just to curry favor with him. This applies to every industry—food, clothing, housing, and transportation. If Boss Zhang just nods his head, you won't even be able to buy a single fried dough stick in Quancheng. Do you believe me?"

Han Jingyang raised an eyebrow: "Boss Zhang is that powerful?"

Xiao Pingtou chuckled: "Yes, Boss Zhang is just that powerful. That's why I said the underworld isn't just about fighting and killing. If you keep charging around like this, you'll hit a wall sooner or later. Fortunately, you're not too stupid, and there's still a chance to smooth things over. If you apologize, offer some compensation, and find someone to mediate, Boss Zhang might not hold it against you. Otherwise, if I die here too, this matter really won't end well. Boss Zhang is well-known for being protective of his own."

Han Jingyang smiled: "So, you have quite a bit of face with Boss Zhang."

Xiao Pingtou said proudly: "I wouldn't say 'face,' but I am responsible for handling these underworld matters for Boss Zhang."

Han Jingyang smiled again: "May I ask your name?"

"I share the same surname as Boss Zhang. My surname is Zhang, Zhang Pengxiao." Xiao Pingtou patted Han Jingyang's arm again: "Brother Han, isn't this better? Harmony brings wealth, right? What problem can't be solved with money? Don't you agree? Besides, the matter at Xiaowang Village has nothing to do with you, right? There's no need to offend Boss Zhang for the sake of a few people who have nothing to do with you. It's not worth it."

"Not worth it?"

"Definitely not worth it. They're just a few ordinary people; if they die, they die. But who is Boss Zhang? They're not even on the same level. Any normal person would know how to make the trade-off."

Han Jingyang nodded in realization: "At most, Boss Zhang would just step in and pay some money or something, right?"

Zhang Pengxiao chuckled: "Although it doesn't sound nice, that is indeed how it works."

"Sounds like you guys have done this kind of thing quite often."

"Eh, no, no, I won't admit to that. Don't try to probe me either; I'm very tight-lipped. Even if you brought out the ten great tortures of the Qing Dynasty, I wouldn't leak a single bit of information detrimental to Boss Zhang."

"So you're a tough guy after all. I'm impressed."

"You're too kind," Zhang Pengxiao said with a chuckle, cupping his hands: "I know how capable Brother Han is, but this matter really can't be resolved easily today. Wu Zhiyang was a distinguished guest specifically invited by Boss Zhang. Now that he's died right under my nose, how is that any different from slapping Boss Zhang in the face in public? Don't you think so, Brother? I think you should come up with a foolproof plan as soon as possible."

Han Jingyang shook his head: "I've never met Boss Zhang, and I don't know anything about him. I don't have any good ideas. How about you give me some pointers?"

Zhang Pengxiao shook his head and smiled: "Actually, it's simple. As the most famous newcomer in Quancheng, Brother Han, you carry some weight. Moreover, you are known for your Consecration of dharma instruments, so you must have plenty of good things on hand. If you pick out ten or eight dharma instruments and personally apologize to Boss Zhang, there's a high probability you'll gain his forgiveness."

"Just a high probability?"

"What else? Do you expect him to definitely forgive you? That's not certain. Although Boss Zhang has a mild temper, he's not someone to be trifled with. If he's in a bad mood, even kneeling and kowtowing for mercy won't work. Understand? That's how it is in the underworld: if you make a mistake, you must admit it; if you're going to get beaten, you must stand straight."

Han Jingyang suddenly sighed: "But I'm a stubborn person. I never admit mistakes or apologize, especially when I don't think I've done anything wrong. What should I do then?"

Zhang Pengxiao stopped abruptly, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Han Jingyang: "Brother, I advise you not to try challenging Boss Zhang's patience."

Han Jingyang sighed again: "You keep talking about Boss Zhang's temper and patience, but have you ever thought that I also have a temper? My patience is also limited. I've listened to you nag for so long, and my already meager patience has run out. Tell me, what should I do?"

Zhang Pengxiao's expression froze, and he turned and ran.

Liu Jing, who had been expressionless the whole time, raised her leg and kicked hard.

"Crack—"

"Ah—"

Zhang Pengxiao's thigh bone snapped at the sound, and he was kicked right back in front of Han Jingyang by Liu Jing's strike.

Han Jingyang raised his foot and stomped down hard.

"Bang—"

Screaming, Zhang Pengxiao slammed into the floor, his forehead splitting open instantly, and blood silently spread across the floor.

Han Jingyang stepped on Zhang Pengxiao's neck and slowly squatted down: "Brother Zhang, you still haven't answered my question. When your patience runs out, what should be done?"

Zhang Pengxiao gasped for air, shouting with a fierce but cowardly tone: "Han Jingyang, don't do anything stupid. If you kill me, Zhang Dahai won't let you off. Not only will you be in trouble, but your whole family will be in trouble too."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Zhang Dahai may seem unassuming, but in reality, he controls a massive amount of underground forces. His hidden influence in the underworld is extremely powerful; otherwise, he couldn't have become the underground kingpin of Quancheng."

"Underground kingpin?"

"Right."

"Does he dare to kill my whole family?"

"He dares, he definitely dares. Anyone who goes against him ends up poorly. Being wiped out is a light outcome, you know? There was a person before who didn't know when to quit and went against Boss Zhang; even his sixty-something-year-old mother was sold to Southeast Asia. It was miserable."

Han Jingyang took a deep breath: "That's certainly ruthless, but back to the same question: you think I've offended your Boss Zhang, but have you ever thought that you've also offended me? Not only have you offended me, but you've also threatened me with my family time and time again. Do you know what happened to the last person who said such things?"