Republic of China: From Street Performer to War God in a Chaotic Era

Under the overpass in Nanshi, people from all walks of life continue to endure the hardships on the frozen ground, just like always, for a few bites of food.

Lu Guan, wrapped in his old cotton-padded coat, squatted in a corner of a sheltered tea stall, holding a bowl of steaming coarse tea in his hand.

Since entering the Mingjin Pass, his qi and blood had become as strong as a furnace, and he no longer cared about the severe cold. But he understood one thing: in this place, those who stood out too much died quickly.

He is waiting for news.

"Young Master."

A layabout who frequented several underground casinos in the southern part of the city hunched over and approached.

Lu Guan calmly pushed the two copper coins to the corner of the table. The idler's eyes lit up, and he quickly tucked the money into his sleeve, lowering his voice.

"There's been some progress on what you asked me to inquire about."

"That greyhound is a gambling addict. He's especially fond of cricket fighting."

"He goes to those few hidden gambling dens in the no-man's-land of Nanshi every three to five days to satisfy his craving. Moreover, he always only brings one or two close confidants with him when he goes to those places because he thinks that too many people will spoil his luck."

Lu Guan took a sip of coarse tea, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

Greedy and addicted to gambling.

This is Greyhound's Achilles' heel!

Greyhound keeps that evil "Grey Fairy," and the monthly expense of offering live chickens and sheep as blood food is a huge one.

In addition, he was extravagant and couldn't save any cash.

This is why he was so determined to get the land deed for Fujuban. If it could be converted into an opium den, it would bring in several hundred silver dollars every month.

A few days ago, the gray fairy was severely injured by Lu Guan's tiger-skin shadow puppet's evil energy, and the gray dog ​​became increasingly timid and hesitant in its actions.

In this state of extreme insecurity and urgent need for money to fill the hole, a huge gamble is the best bait.

"Go, spread the word for me." Lu Guan took out a silver dollar from his pocket and slammed it on the table.

The idler stared wide-eyed at the gleaming silver dollar. In those days, one silver dollar could buy thirty catties of good flour, enough to feed a whole family for half a month.

"What are your orders?"

"It's said that a new 'Insect King' from Baoding Prefecture has arrived in Nanshi. He's holding a top-quality cricket called 'Iron-Headed Green,' which has killed countless fierce insects. This Insect King doesn't know the customs of Tianjin, nor has he ever paid his respects to anyone. He's just here with money to try and get some business."

"The stakes are extremely high, starting at one hundred dollars. It's a dead end, one round decides the winner. You leave after you've finished betting."

Lu Guan stared at the idler, "The news needs to be spread naturally, especially so that those gambling addicts under Greyhound's command can hear it."

"Alright, you can hold it."

The idler took the money and happily disappeared into the snowstorm.

One hundred silver dollars!

For Greyhound, this was an irresistible temptation.

If you win, it's a gift from heaven. If you lose? In this territory of the Nanshi Canal Gang, a wandering ghost from out of town can simply turn on you and rob you if he loses—a sure-fire way to make money.

Next, the killing trap will be set.

Lu Guan did not return to the dilapidated courtyard of Fuju Class.

He walked along the Haihe River, the cold wind carrying moisture stinging his face.

He stopped in front of an abandoned dock warehouse on the Haihe River.

This place has been abandoned for many years, with rotten wooden boxes and broken fishing nets everywhere, emitting a fishy smell of river mud.

Most importantly, this place is extremely remote, surrounded on three sides by abandoned factories, with the only exit facing the frozen Haihe River.

"It's right here."

Lu Guan walked around the warehouse, memorizing the escape routes, blind spots, and even the angle of moonlight streaming in through the windows.

Afterwards, he went to Juyinglou.

When Manager Zhao saw him arrive, his face immediately lit up with a smile. Without saying a word, Lu Guan took out a silver dollar and slammed it on the counter.

"Manager Zhao, could you lend me a sheltered woodshed in your backyard to settle Blind Man in? For the next couple of days, no matter what happens outside, don't let him go out."

Manager Zhao was a shrewd man. As soon as he saw the murderous aura emanating from Lu Guan, he knew that this young master was about to do something that could kill him.

Without saying a word, he accepted the silver dollars and immediately arranged for his trusted assistant to bring the blind man over.

The worries about the future have been resolved.

Lu Guan turned and walked into a narrow alleyway in Nanshi, stopping in front of an old man's stall selling lime.

"Sir, give me two packets of the finest quicklime powder."

The old man deftly wrapped two large bags of lime in mulberry bark paper and handed them over. The lime was cheap, worth only two copper coins.

But in this chaotic world where we fight demons and monsters, this thing is sometimes more effective than bullets.

What is Grey Fairy's specialty? Bewitching magic and illusion magic.

The most brutal and effective way to deal with this kind of psychological attack is to forcibly interrupt it with physical stimulation!

If lime gets into your eyes, it can instantly bring out tears. Under such intense pain, any illusions will be shattered.

Back in the warehouse, Lu Guan dipped his knife in ice water on a whetstone and slowly honed the poisoned iron dagger he had seized from the gangsters, removing the rust until the blade gleamed coldly.

The iron dagger was hidden in the cuff of the sleeve and the leggings.

He tucked the quicklime powder close to his body into his pocket.

Then tear off a piece of coarse cloth, soak it in ice water, and tie it around your neck.

Everything is ready; all that's left is for the dog to fall into the trap.

……

The news spread faster than Lu Guan had imagined.

By the evening of the second day, the entire underground gambling dens in Nanshi were talking about the arrogant "Insect King" from Baoding.

As Lu Guan had predicted, Greyhound couldn't sit still any longer.

It was midnight.

Outside the abandoned dock warehouse, the cold wind howled like ghosts.

The heavy wooden door creaked open as it was kicked open from the outside.

Three figures walked in amidst the wind and snow.

Leading the pack was a greyhound wearing a grey squirrel fur coat.

He was followed by only two burly henchmen, their waists bulging, clearly carrying weapons.

Greyhound looked terrible, his eyes were sunken, he had been tormented by the injured Grey Fairy these past few days.

He had one hand tucked into his sleeve, clutching a yellow paper talisman drawn with rat blood.

That was a "bewitching talisman" that Grey Fairy had given him before he left. Once torn apart, it could instantly unleash a bewitching spell. Although Grey Fairy was injured, this life-saving contraption was more than enough to deal with a stranger.

In the very center of the warehouse stood a dilapidated eight-immortal table.

A tiny kerosene lamp was lit on the table, and behind the table sat a man with an imposing air.

The man was wearing a large black cotton robe, a tattered felt hat on his head, and a thick scarf around his neck. Most of his face was hidden in shadow, with only his large hands visible on the table.

Between those hands, a delicate clay cricket jar was being protected.

"Oh, what a fearless newcomer."

The greyhound swaggered forward, pulled out a bench, and plopped down on it.

Two henchmen stood on his left and right, like two guardian deities, behind him, their hands already on their waists.

"I heard you're the Insect King from Baoding? Don't you know the rules, friend? Starting a business in the Weinan area of ​​Tianjin, you don't even need to first pay your respects to the Canal Gang before strutting around with such a large sum of money?"

Greyhound stared intently at the cricket jar on the table, then glanced at the money bag the man had placed on the corner of the table.

They were heavy, and judging by their shape, they were definitely rolls of silver dollars.

The man in the felt hat didn't speak, and kept his head down.

"Are you mute? A hundred dollars' bet, I've set the rules, we'll settle the score in one go."

The greyhound tapped the table impatiently. "Lift the lid! Let me see just how many teeth your 'Iron-Headed Green' from Baoding has!"

The man in the felt hat finally moved, reaching out a hand and grasping the lid of the cricket jar.

The greyhound gave a disdainful sneer, leaned forward, and peered into the jar.

The lid is lifted.

The light from the kerosene lamp shone into the bottom of the jar.

empty!

There wasn't even a single blade of grass inside, so where would any top-quality crickets come from?!

"You fucking messed with me?!"

Greyhound's pupils suddenly contracted, and the hairs on his body stood on end in that instant. Years of experience licking blood from the edge of a knife made him instinctively sense the danger.

Just as he was about to draw his gun, the man in the felt hat opposite him slowly raised his head and ripped off his felt hat and scarf.

Under the dim yellow light, a handsome young face was revealed.

"you……"

"Grey, it's been a long time."

Lu Guan's gaze was deep and mysterious as he grinned.

"It's that brat from the Fuju Class, cripple him!"

The greyhound was terrified and screamed in terror.