Underworld Chronicles: Qiao Si's Strategist, Xiao Ke, and Wang Weifan

Brother, watch out, watch out! The red marks on Yuan Lao Er's face from Xiao Ke's blows haven't healed yet; they're still twisted on his face like earthworms after the rain.

Yuan Laoda and Yuan Laosan quickly led their underlings over. They hadn't expected Xiao Ke to have firearms; it seemed they had underestimated him.

"Put the gun down, put it down, let's talk this out, let's talk this out," said Boss Yuan.

"Fine, what are you talking about? You've come here with knives, guns, and clubs to cause trouble. Don't you even know whose territory this is? Fuck your mothers, put down your weapons, are you deaf?" Little Ke shouted.

The eldest and the third Yuan looked at each other, at a loss for what to do. Putting down their weapons would be too humiliating, but if they didn't, the second brother was still in their hands.

Just as Yuan Laoda and Yuan Laosan were considering their options, Xiao Ke pointed the gun down and pressed it against Yuan Laoer's calf, firing a shot with a bang.

Everyone was startled. Yuan Lao Er let out a scream, clutched his calf, and squatted down. Crimson blood seeped from his fingertips like a spring.

Little Ke pressed the gun to his head again, "Are you fucking going to let it go or not?"

Xiao Ke's shot completely stunned the Yuan brothers. The eldest brother and the others dropped their weapons in a flurry.

"Young man, we give up, we give up. Can we leave now? Let's keep to ourselves from now on. Let's not cause any more trouble, it's not good for anyone." Old Yuan pleaded, yielding.

Hearing that Boss Yuan and his men had backed down, Xiao Ke decided to let them go. After all, this was his cousin's house, and if things really got out of hand, not only would he be ruined, but he would also implicate his cousin's entire family.

Xiao Ke pulled out a wad of ten-yuan notes from his pocket, didn't even count them, and stuffed them directly into Yuan Lao Er's pocket. "This is for your medical expenses. If you dare come back again, it won't be as simple as getting shot in the leg. I, Xiao Ke, mean what I say. If you don't believe me, just try me. Get lost!"

As Xiao Ke spoke, he took a step back, moving the gun away from Yuan Lao Er's head. Yuan Lao Da and Yuan Lao San quickly helped their second brother up, and led their underlings out like wilted dogs, slinking away, getting on their cool motorcycles, and speeding off.

"Uncles and elders, keep playing, keep playing, it's alright, it's alright," Xiao Ke said to everyone after the Yuan brothers had left.

Uncle Xiao Ke, including Lao Guan, the former owner of Xiao Ke's bathhouse, were all stunned. "Holy crap! How come we never noticed before? Xiao Ke, who always joked around with them, could actually be so ruthless. He chased away so many people in no time. He's a real gangster!"

"You guys keep playing, they won't dare come back. Hey, Guangyue, go get a mop and wipe the blood clean, bury it properly," Xiao Ke instructed.

Zhang Guangyue put away the dagger in his hand, grabbed a mop and cleaned the floor. Xiao Ke's uncle straightened the table and started playing mahjong again.

The next day, Xiao Ke's reputation spread throughout Nangang. Everyone knew that Old Wang's family had a nephew who was short in stature but extremely ruthless, a man who dared to shoot people.

That's how people are; they often exaggerate the amazing things they see, as if they were the ones involved, using their exaggerated descriptions to satisfy their vanity and gain a moment of satisfaction.

The story of Xiao Ke became increasingly exaggerated and outrageous as it was told. The final version was that Xiao Ke shot off the leg of the most powerful gangster in Daoli District with a shotgun, and the severed leg, splattered with blood, flew directly onto his uncle's mahjong table. He was truly a god-like figure.

After hearing about Xiao Ke's exploits, Wei Qinggang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Damn, the hunting rifle Xiao Ke is carrying is mine! I have to find a way to follow in his footsteps."

So Wei Qinggang found Zhang Guangyue. "Guangyue, everyone's talking about how awesome Xiao Keduo is. Are you following him? Help me out, I want to follow him too."

"I'll have to go back and ask my older brother," Zhang Guangyue said.

"Aren't we friends? You'll help me out, and we'll share the good times, right? Go ask for me now," Wei Qinggang said impatiently.

What's the rush? I'll talk to my brother about it tomorrow.

"Damn it, get on with this tomorrow, you better hurry up. If this works out, I'll treat you to a hair wash at that little brothel. Hurry up!" Wei Qinggang said, pushing Zhang Guangyue.

You're absolutely right, aren't you? If it works out, will you take me to get my hair washed?

It's guaranteed to work, you'd better hurry up and get it done.

After being tempted by Wei Qinggang, Zhang Guangyue came back and discussed it with Xiao Ke. "Brother, there's something I want to discuss with you."

"Guangyue, just tell me what's wrong. There's no point in discussing this," Xiao Ke said.

"That friend who sold us the guns last time, after hearing about your reputation, he wants to work for you and asked me to act as a go-between." Zhang Guangyue said, looking at Xiao Ke.

"Damn, I thought it was something serious. How is he?" Little Ke asked.

"We often hang out together. We're pretty much the same as each other, a bit of a goofball, not very cunning, but we're really capable when it comes to trouble," Zhang Guangyue said.

When Xiao Ke heard that Zhang Guangyue had the same personality, he became interested. After the last time the three Yuan brothers cheated him out of his money, Xiao Ke thought that he would definitely encounter the same situation in the future. He needed a few tough guys to join him so that he wouldn't be ripped off after winning money.

"Since you introduced him, he must be a good person. Bring him over," Xiao Ke agreed.

"Alright!" Zhang Guangyue was overjoyed when he heard that Xiao Ke had agreed. He couldn't wait to run out and pull his good friend Wei Qinggang over.

"Brother, this is my friend Wei Qinggang, this is my older brother Xiao Ke, and my cousin needs no introduction, everyone knows him," Zhang Guangyue introduced.

"Brother Ke, cousin~" Wei Qinggang smiled and nodded to Xiao Ke and Wang Zhi.

"We're all brothers, no need to be so polite. From now on, the four of us will share meat, drink, and girls. Come on, I heard you guys love getting your hair washed, so it's on me today. You can get as many as you want." Xiao Ke grabbed a stack of ten-yuan bills and led his three henchmen toward the hair salon.

Because Xiao Ke paid enough money, the hairdressers used all their skills to wash the four men's hair thoroughly, making it shiny and smooth.

After they finished, Xiao Ke asked them, "Hey guys, how was it? Had enough fun?"

"Holy crap, this is absolutely awesome, bro!" Wei Qinggang, who had just joined, exclaimed. He felt that following Xiao Ke was the right decision. It was already this great right after joining; the good days were just around the corner.

"Following my elder brother, there will be plenty of enjoyable things to do in the future," Zhang Guangyue said obsequiously.

"Hey guys, that's how this society is. Money talks. With money, everything becomes easier. Starting today, let's go to all the big casinos. I'll be in charge of winning, and the three of you will keep an eye out for people trying to cheat us. We'll split the winnings equally, how about that?" Xiao Ke said.

Okay, okay, okay~

Wang Zhi, Zhang Guangyue, and Wei Qinggang said in unison.

And so, Xiao Ke established himself in the Nangang area, and his small gang began to take shape.

What kind of trouble will Xiao Ke and his friends stir up in the casino next? Stay tuned for the next episode.