Chapter 134: Two Faces

I hesitated for a moment.

My mind was filled with troubling thoughts, and in that instant, I actually doubted Rong Ye.

Tong Ye took the knife from my hand and examined it closely. "And how could you have a knife on you right after getting out?" he said. "This blade has been carefully sharpened, razor-sharp and more than capable of killing. But that fool Fen Chang never expected you to be so foolish as to try to use it on yourself."

I didn't understand what Tong Ye meant, but I knew it wasn't anything good.

He was framing Rong Ye.

"A Jin, I have a way to settle the score with that fool Fen Chang, Gambling Ghost Rong," he said, waving his hand to dismiss the people holding me down.

I straightened up, stretched my muscles, and asked, "What way?"

"Come work for me, and I'll make sure you have food on the table."

Seeing that I didn't respond, he added,

"I'll even let you train in boxing. You have a criminal record, so you can't become a professional fighter, but I can recommend you to an underground ring. Whatever Gambling Ghost Rong can offer you, I can offer too. From now on, follow me."

I was slightly stunned.

"Tong Ye, I'm just a worthless guy. Am I really worth two million?"

"You're not just worthless," Tong Ye shook his head. "Where else could I find a henchman who's both tough and loyal?"

I think I understood.

So, the plane ticket earlier was really from Tong Ye.

Not only did he not want to kill me, but he actually wanted to take me in?

"You spent four years in prison, and I took care of everything inside and out," Tong Ye continued, drawing on his cigarette with his deep voice. "All those years, no one bothered you, right?"

That was true; for four years, no one had given me trouble.

"Tong Ye..." I bowed deeply to him. "I appreciate your kindness, but my boss is Rong Ye. As long as he's around, I can't acknowledge anyone else as my boss."

Tong Ye fell silent for a long time after hearing that.

He slowly stood up; he was only as tall as my shoulder, but he exuded an overwhelming presence.

"A Jin, I feel like I've given you plenty of face."

"Yes," I nodded. "Your great kindness is something I'll never forget, but I've always seen Rong Ye as a father figure. With him in such big trouble, I can't just ignore it."

"Good kid, you've got guts." Tong Ye reached out and slapped my face hard twice, making it sting.

How could I acknowledge him as my boss when Rong Ye stood between us?

Tong Ye lingered by my side for a moment, then turned and walked to the window to look at the scenery.

I could never quite figure out what this man was thinking.

"Tong Ye... what exactly is going on with that two million?"

Hearing my question, Tong Ye let out a harsh laugh.

"Heh... People in the underworld these days are really something. They promise everything when borrowing money, but when it's time to pay back, they start playing the victim."

Tong Ye took a drag of his cigarette, glanced at the bustling traffic outside the window, and continued in his low voice, "Gambling Ghost Rong calls me a devil, cold-blooded. But that fool Fen Chang should think from another angle. When he was at his most helpless and needed money the most, I was the one who lent a hand. When no one else would loan him a cent, I did. To him, I'm not a devil—I'm his savior."

I still didn't quite get it. Rong Ye actually borrowed money from Tong Ye? Didn't A Jiu stop him?

"But how did he treat me, his savior? He went around complaining about how hard his life is, saying the two million he borrowed got swindled away. And he blasted me, A Tong, for being so cold-blooded, trying to use the sympathy of the old gang members to get out of his mess."

"We signed a contract when he borrowed the money; all the interest was clearly explained to him. Is it my fault he can't pay it back now?"

Tong Ye grew more agitated as he spoke, his whole body trembling.

"Does he think I'm a pushover? Whether that two million was really swindled or not—I know the truth."

Hearing that, I lowered my head. I didn't know the full story and didn't dare to judge.

"Tong Ye... I heard that A Jiu left with Rong Ye. Is that true?"

"Yes," Tong Ye nodded. "I heard Gambling Ghost Rong wants to groom A Jiu as the next Bai Zhi Shan. He's got some ambition, keeping a Hong Gun and a Bai Zhi Shan under him, acting like he's the big boss."

"A Jiu is my brother," I said to Tong Ye. "I want to go see them. If possible, I'll make sure Rong Ye pays you back."

Tong Ye clearly got angry at that.

"Very well, if you want to leave, go ahead and try."

He nodded and waved his hand.

The two people behind him slowly stepped forward and stood in front of me.

"A Jin, you call yourself a 426 Hong Gun, but I think you're being modest."

Tong Ye stepped back two paces and sat on the sofa.

"So, what do you mean, Tong Ye?"

"These two are my Shuang Hua Hong Gun henchmen." Tong Ye pulled out another cigarette and lit it. "I wonder which of you is tougher?"

I smiled slightly, instantly lifting my left foot to kick one of them in the knee. He howled in pain and dropped to his knees. I followed up with my right knee smashing into his chin.

In a flash, I swung my right hand to strike the other's abdomen.

While he was doubled over, I grabbed his hair and slammed his head into the wall.

There was a dull thud, and blood splattered on the wall.

As the first one tried to get up, I let go and mounted him, unleashing a flurry of punches to his face.

He finally reacted, curling his arms to protect his face, but that didn't help me.

Arms have limited reach, but my attacks have no bounds.

If he blocked his chin, I'd hit his temple. If he blocked the sides, I'd go for his nose.

He kept blocking, I kept punching, each blow landing solidly.

I was putting in more effort than usual, as if venting all the suppressed emotions from the past four years.

The one I'd slammed into the wall regained his senses and quickly wrapped his arms around me from behind.

But he didn't adjust his stance right away. If he'd locked my throat first, he might have had a chance to win.

I gripped his elbow and twisted it the wrong way, leaving him with two choices: let go or dislocate it.

A Hong Gun is still a Hong Gun; he wouldn't yield to force—that would disgrace the title.

I dislocated his joint, but he gritted his teeth and used his other hand to choke my neck.

I knew I couldn't keep forcing it, or his hand would be ruined.

So, I released the one on the ground and drove my elbow into the ribs of the one behind me. While he was distracted, I headbutted his nose with the back of my skull.

His nose had already been bashed against the wall, and now my head strike made it worse. He was in agony and finally let go.

I spun around with a sweeping kick, taking him down. Now both were on the ground.

While they were still immobilized, I dragged them together like a stack and positioned their faces on either side, then pounced on them.

I threw punches wildly.

Left fist to the left face, right fist to the right face.

People in this world are all fine and dandy, but they insist on having two faces.

One for show, one hidden away.

Can you tell me... which one is your real face?!

Rong Ye, did you deceive me?

A Jiu, did you deceive me too?

"Enough." Tong Ye said coldly.

But I didn't stop; I had too much pent-up frustration inside.

"I said, enough."

I don't know how long I kept going until I was finally pulled away.

Turning around, I saw it was Chong Ge; I didn't know when he'd entered the room, and now he was holding me back with a group of his guys.

I looked down and saw that the two Hong Gun henchmen were beaten to a pulp, like pig heads.

Luckily, I hadn't gone for the kill, or they wouldn't have a tooth left.

"Good kid, you're really ruthless—taking down two Shuang Hua Hong Gun by yourself and still calling yourself a 426?" Tong Ye stood up, his face stern as he approached me.

"Sorry about that, Tong Ye." I bowed my head to him, feeling guilty.

Tong Ye looked at me, his eyes deep and unreadable; I had no idea what he was thinking.

In the end, he waved his hand and turned away.

"A Chong, let him go."

"Yes, Tong Ye."