Chapter 113: The Army Has Arrived

Zhang Damaizi received Ling Tian’s orders and felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He returned confidently to Xu Shaobai’s side, wearing an arrogant expression as he declared, “Xu Shaobai, since you’re ready, I’ll wait for your men to arrive. Let’s see whether the Ziyue Gang or the Jin Gang is stronger, and whether the police from H Province or those from Jin Province have the upper hand!”

“Hmph! You’ve got guts! When my men arrive, you and those women will be buried alongside my big brother! No, the entire Ziyue Gang will be wiped out!” Xu Shaobai snapped furiously.

“Do you think I’m just a decoration? Damn it! Wei County is my turf. Call your men then! Let’s see who has the numbers!” Zhang Xin, the police chief, was enraged at Xu Shaobai’s arrogance. Immediately, he called on his subordinates from the township police stations to rush over.

Meanwhile, Ling Tian ended the call and briefly informed Song Ziyue of the situation. A faint smile appeared on her lips. She knew that while it was dangerous to offend anyone, offending Ling Tian was simply unthinkable; otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how she’d end up.

“Ling Tian, since the other side is mobilizing so extensively, I might as well add fuel to the fire. Originally, I thought not to involve them,” Song Ziyue mused thoughtfully.

“Hmm, my dear, you can do whatever you want—I fully support you!” Ling Tian said, wrapping an arm around Song Ziyue’s slender waist.

“Alright then, I’ll make a call.” Song Ziyue dialed a number.

“Brother Xiao, I’m in Wei County. Take your men to the entrance of Night Wanderer. Someone’s causing trouble, and I can’t get involved directly. Thanks for the help,” she said before hanging up, a pleased smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“Who’s this Brother Xiao? The way you talk to him seems unusual,” Ling Tian said, feeling a twinge of discomfort seeing Song Ziyue so happy.

“Are you jealous? He’s my father’s sworn son, my sworn brother. He’s always treated me well since childhood, and his troops are nearby,” Song Ziyue replied, amused by Ling Tian’s jealousy, which only made her happier—it showed he truly cared.

“Do you think he likes you?” Ling Tian pressed, unwilling to allow any other man to covet his wife. Eliminating all rivals and potential rivals was his unshakable principle.

“I’m like a sister to him. Of course, he likes me, but his wife and son like me, too,” Song Ziyue said lightly, a smile playing at the corner of her eyes.

“So he’s an old man, huh? Then I’m relieved—he definitely can’t compete with my charm,” Ling Tian teased himself.

They bantered back and forth for some time until Ling Tian received a call from Lao Hu, reporting that all parties had arrived. Reluctantly, he released Song Ziyue’s waist and stepped into the Night Wanderer, where few recognized him.

Inside the Night Wanderer hotel, tensions had reached a boiling point. The Jin Gang had brought over a thousand men, while the Ziyue Gang nearly two thousand. After all, this was H Province’s territory, and they outnumbered their rivals.

Several hundred police officers from Wei County had also arrived, with township units present as well. Jin Province sent over a hundred fully armed officers. Although they were fewer in number, their weaponry gave them an advantage. If a fight broke out, the Ziyue Gang’s unarmed members would be at a disadvantage.

Yet, as police officers, both sides sought to avoid large-scale bloodshed. Both Jin Province’s police and Wei County’s chief Zhang Xin tried to assert control, each aiming to maximize benefits for their own side while maintaining order.

The Jin Province officers had even brought forensic experts. Their autopsy results frustrated them—it confirmed that Qiao Dong’s death was unrelated to anyone else. It was due to excessive indulgence and a sudden heart attack, a common occurrence in entertainment venues. Typically, such incidents were settled with compensation, followed by temporary closure for rectification before reopening.

However, the deceased’s identity was too sensitive. The Jin Province police leaders, closely tied to the Jin Gang, sought to avenge their boss. Their demands were excessively harsh.

Xu Shaobai insisted on taking Zhang Damaizi and the four women to Jin Province for interrogation. The Jin Province police agreed, but everyone knew that if they were taken there, they’d be killed under some pretext.

Zhang Damaizi and Zhang Xin naturally refused. Even if Zhang Damaizi was sworn brothers with some of them, no one could allow their men to be taken away. For Zhang Xin, the police chief of Wei County, this was a matter of pride.

“Hand over Zhang Damaizi and those four women, or none of you will leave!” Xu Shaobai said darkly, locking eyes with Zhang Xin.

“Our people have done nothing wrong; it’s all Qiao Dong’s own fault. Hand them over? Impossible!” Zhang Xin refused to yield.

At that moment, a short, stocky Jin Province police leader approached Zhang Xin and said, “Let’s be straightforward. You know the Jin Gang’s strength. This won’t end unless you hand over a few people. Brother, you’re an official who understands the game; it’s wise to recognize the situation.”

“I am a people’s police officer and must serve the people. I won’t watch innocent civilians be taken away by you,” Zhang Xin said grandly. In truth, their side had no fault, and the Jin Province officers’ demands were excessive.

Seeing this, Xu Shaobai realized only force could settle the matter. The Jin Gang was deeply rooted; how could they be defeated by the Ziyue Gang, which had only been around a few years? It seemed he had forgotten how he had been castrated.

“Damn it! Jin Gang, move out! Attack anyone from the Ziyue Gang!” Xu Shaobai ordered. The Jin Gang members surged forward, and the Night Wanderer descended into chaos.

The Ziyue Gang refused to back down—it was their turf, after all. They fought back fiercely. The two sides clashed violently, both suffering casualties.

During the fight, Zhang Xin’s police wanted to intervene, but the Jin Province officers were also armed and watchful. If Zhang Xin’s men joined, it could spark a firefight among police forces. Zhang Xin restrained himself, waiting for Zhang Damaizi’s signal. If Zhang Damaizi ordered action, he would act without hesitation—this was his territory.

Just as the battle reached its peak and Zhang Xin and Jin Province officers were about to join in, gunshots rang out from afar. The fighting ceased abruptly as everyone wondered what had happened—had one side received large-scale reinforcements?

Soon, military trucks arrived, unloading over five hundred fully armed soldiers. They quickly encircled the area, specifically surrounding the Jin Gang and Jin Province police.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Three heavy gunshots sounded. A large, imposing middle-aged officer appeared, his shoulders adorned with two triple-star insignias, his expression grim and commanding.

“Everyone stop! Disperse all civilians! Get back to your tasks!” the officer ordered with authority.

All sides were immediately subdued by his presence. Someone recognized him, and Zhang Xin approached with a broad smile, knowing his reinforcements had come.

“Commander Song, you’re here! Wonderful! Truly the people’s army, coming to help us police maintain order. The Jin Province police and Jin Gang have been too arrogant, bullying us little guys,” Zhang Xin complained as if his role as police chief was an unbearable burden.

This middle-aged man was Song Xiao, Song Ziyue’s sworn brother. Upon receiving her call, he had immediately brought five hundred men. As a regiment commander with over two thousand under his command, he brought what he could, ready to call for more if needed. Given the circumstances, this force was likely sufficient since all Wei County police were present.

“Don’t worry. As the people’s army, we protect local peace. Anyone causing trouble will be handed over to your police. Our army will fully support you,” Song Xiao declared nobly. In truth, he was an upright soldier, but Song Ziyue was his soft spot. If she gave orders, he had no stance of his own—their positions were one and the same.

Xu Shaobai and the Jin Province officers were stunned to see the army’s arrival—five hundred troops with more advanced weapons and ample ammunition. This was beyond anything they had anticipated.

Xu Shaobai and the short, stocky Jin Province officer approached Song Xiao. Xu Shaobai said, “Honorable officer, I hope you won’t interfere today. Our Jin Gang leader died in a Ziyue Gang establishment. There must be accountability. My demand is simple: take Zhang Damaizi and the four women responsible.”

“The forensic reports from both sides confirm that the hotel had no involvement. You’re being outrageous. Not a single one of them will be handed over,” Zhang Xin said confidently. With the military’s strong presence, he doubted anyone would dare escalate the conflict.

“So, the H Province side refuses to make any concessions?” The Jin Province officer spoke harshly, his confidence baffling.

“Hahaha! I’ve never seen such arrogance. This is H Province, Wei County. Xu Shaobai, and you short, stocky cop, you’d better leave right now! Here comes Tian Ye!” Suddenly, a figure appeared swiftly—Ling Tian, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

“Ling Tian! It’s you!” Xu Shaobai trembled with rage upon seeing him. Ling Tian was his sworn enemy, a grudge that ran deep and bitter.