Chapter 156: 140 Pei Jinye’s counterattack! I’ll support you from behind, go ahead and kill (Thanks to Cang Lei’s voice for the generous tip)_1
Under the cover of the deep night, the cold wind seemed to carry a tinge of blood.

Inside the dormitory.

Pei Jinye drew the curtains before finally taking out his long-unused cell phone.

He turned on the screen, which was filled with missed calls.

He immediately called his parents back.

On the other end, his parents were the first to give him words of comfort.

After learning that Sun San and Cai Weiqian were both there.

Pei Jinye simply let Cai Weiqian take the phone.

Cai Weiqian did not boast about his achievement, his words were full of concern for Pei Jinye’s safety.

To such a slick old hand, Pei Jinye was very straightforward, “Do you have the confidence to take on the Ma Gang’s business?”

Cai Weiqian, so excited that he almost crushed his phone, stood in front of the balcony, bowed his head deferentially, and said in a deep voice, “Thank you, Boss Pei for your trust!”

“Go ahead and kill, go ahead and take over, I’ve got your back if anything goes wrong!”

“Alright! Cai will never let Boss Pei down!”

After hanging up.

Pei Jinye sat still for a moment, then he contacted Zhou Weiren.

“Uncle Zhou, it’s me… Yes, I’m out… I’ve heard about the Jiang family’s situation from my base teammates. I know it’s a bit like kicking someone when they’re down to say this now, but I still have to say, justice may be late, but it will never be absent…”

Pei Jinye sat on the edge of the dormitory bed, phone in hand, toying with a silver-white small sword.

Calmly, he said, “I hope you won’t stop me from what I need to do next, Uncle Zhou…”

He then hung up the phone.

Pei Jinye informed Cai Weiqian that it was time to make a move tonight.

That very night.

Cai Weiqian left with his men.

Father Pei and Mother Pei had no idea what was happening. However, they sensed danger over the phone, so they did not ask Pei Jinye for details, only inquired about his safety. After receiving a firm answer, the two of them were reassured.

Pei Jinye casually told a lie.

He said he was involved in a highly confidential case and had been asked to investigate.

As for the Jiang family, his parents were completely unaware of their existence.

Sun San was also kept in the dark.

The only one in the know, Cai Weiqian, did not share the details with them, and by now he had already left with his men.

“Uncle Pei, Auntie, I’ll be taking my leave then… Brother Pei should be back soon, so I’ll be heading off,” Sun San stood up, ready to leave.

It had been a day full of shocks and scares.

He was nearly scared to death; his usual routine involved dealing with small-time troublemakers in the East Street District, not getting caught up in life-and-death struggles between behemoths.

Now, all he wanted to do was find a place to rest properly.

“Sun, why don’t you stay here for the night? It’s quite late, and there’s a study room here with a bed and blankets…” Father Pei sincerely invited.

Despite previously having a somewhat poor impression of Sun San, today’s tumultuous events had clearly changed his perception of this now-former Captain Sun.

His offer to stay was a clear indication of his changed attitude.

Sun San hesitated, knowing that Father Pei was not merely being polite. He scratched his head in embarrassment, “No, I couldn’t, Uncle Pei. Please, don’t trouble yourself.”

Upon descending the stairs.

Sun San was startled as he came face-to-face with a black-clad bodyguard.

The man was polite, “My boss is Cai Weiqian from the Black Mountain Association. Before he left, he asked me to stay in case you needed a ride; I’ll drive you.”

“Thanks, brother,” Sun San said, yawning. But before getting into the car, he hesitated, “You don’t mind if I make a call to confirm, do you?”

The black-clothed bodyguard expressed understanding.

After confirming it was an ally, Sun San’s attitude became even more courteous, “Don’t take offense, brother. It’s just that I’ve come across too many things today; I’m a bit panicked.”

“No problem, I understand. With Boss Xiong not dead, who knows what the Ma Gang might end up doing…” The black-clothed bodyguard also sighed.

But Sun San was stunned, “Boss Xiong… He’s dead?”

“Yes, otherwise the Ma Gang wouldn’t have pulled out.” The black-clothed bodyguard seemed unsurprised by the gang matters, “The boss is now scrambling for territory.”

Sun San was completely dumbfounded.

He suddenly thought… maybe the call Cai Weiqian made before he left was from Pei Jinye.

Shit!

Just what high-level organization is Brother Pei associated with?

It sounds incredibly badass.

The night in Da Peng City was destined to be sleepless for many people.

The core power of the Jiang family was wiped out, and the fact that the talented Jiang Nanhan and her family were spared was a topic of much discussion.

What was more interesting was that after the fall of Jiang Qingcang’s lineage, the Ma Gang’s territory was split up. The Jiang family’s main branch attempted to take over the Ma Gang’s industry but was met with a joint counterattack from numerous gangs, causing the main branch to lose face severely.

To everyone’s surprise, it turned out that Cai Weiqian of the Black Mountain Association was the biggest winner of this struggle.

There were even rumors that this development had received the tacit approval of a high-ranking official from the city hall. With the widespread rumor that Ma Gang’s boss Xiong Qi had been killed by a Transcendent from the Black Mountain Association, speculation about the Black Mountain Association’s true power sparked heated discussion among Peng City’s underground gangs.

The Jiang family’s main branch.

“Who exactly is the person behind Cai Weiqian!”

“The logistics industry of the Ma Gang is crucial for us. How can Cai Weiqian just take it over?”

“Jiang Suhu has supported the Ma Gang for so many years and spent so much money; in the end, it’s our Jiang family’s money. How dare Cai Weiqian do this!”

Jiang Lingsu’s second uncle shouted angrily.

He was filled with rage and shame at the thought of the face he had lost last night; he wished he could immediately lead people to finish off Cai Weiqian.

But soon someone said, “According to confidential information we’ve got from the city hall, the person behind Cai Weiqian is at least powerful enough to suppress the Night Patrol Department… There are not many people of this caliber, not more than a handful.”

“What do you think, big brother?”

Everyone looked to the boss.

Jiang Lingsu’s father spoke calmly, “First, consolidate the existing industries of the second branch. As for those gang-related industries that can’t be put on the table, we’ll think of something once we’ve stabilized our core business.”

The others looked at each other.

“It seems that’s the only way for now.”

“What about the person behind Cai Weiqian? What if he has his eyes on us too…” Jiang Lingsu’s second uncle looked up and asked.

Jiang Lingsu’s father caressed the rim of his cup, “Find an opportunity to investigate who it really is… we don’t necessarily have to be enemies; we can be partners as well.”

In the early morning, the weather was clear and bright.

Pei Jinye had finished his morning run around the base’s training ground when he met Brother Kui dressed in a black coat, looking travel-worn.

Seeing Pei Jinye, he smiled and approached him.

“I was rushed on a mission last night and just found out you’re back. Everything okay?”

“Nothing serious, it’s a small issue,” Pei Jinye said, glossing over the events of the previous night, “By the way, Brother Kui.”

“You tell me.”

“Where were Brother Fan and the others buried? I’d like to pay them a visit.”

Upon hearing this, Brother Kui looked seriously at Pei Jinye. “Are you… alright?”

“People who were talking and laughing together just yesterday have now…” Pei Jinye shook his head. “I remember hearing from someone in the team that, apart from me, there was another survivor in the second group.”

“You don’t know?” Brother Kui was taken aback.

Pei Jinye looked puzzled.

“This morning his family took him home. The kid was a bit shocked after witnessing his teammates die in front of him. After multiple tests by a psychologist, the guy’s basically…” Brother Kui shook his head, somewhat emotional, “It’s hard to say if he can ever return to being a normal person. It’s also uncertain whether surviving was a blessing or a curse. Even though we, in the Investigation Team, often say we are just investigating, when a big event happens, you never know when Yanwang’s chain might snap.”

Pei Jinye remained silent, head lowered.

It wasn’t long before Brother Kui took Pei Jinye to the graves of Brother Fan and the others.

Pei Jinye brought alcohol from the cafeteria and visited these old teammates whom he had known for just two or three days.

After the case with Jiang Suhu, Pei Jinye could see clearly now.

Without power or influence, you are nothing.

The Jiang family is just a powerful house in a small place like Da Peng City yet they were able to interfere with law enforcement.

What if it were a big city?

And what if the “bad guys” Pei Jinye had to face were even more formidable than Mr. Han?

Then, in the future, who could protect him?

Pei Jinye gave a self-deprecating smile and poured the alcohol onto the ground. “I wasn’t able to drink and chat with you brothers in life, so I’m making it up to you now and will continue to do so in the future.”

He then looked toward Hu Beng’s grave.

The photo of this young man with a pure smile could no longer say he wanted to invite Pei Jinye for drinks and food.

Pei Jinye poured a cup for himself.

“Old Hu, that woman has been killed by me; I’ve avenged you… It’s just a pity that I was still a step too late and couldn’t save you.”

The strong liquor burned down his throat.

Ten minutes later.

Pei Jinye walked out of the cemetery, and Xing Tian’s voice came through the communicator.

Xie Zuxin was looking for him.

“You go ahead and get busy,” said Brother Kui as he left.

Pei Jinye then went to the office to find Xie Zuxin.

“Have you heard about the affair with the Jiang family?” Xie Zuxin brewed a pot of tea for Pei Jinye.

“I’ve heard.” Pei Jinye had no intention of drinking the tea.

“Well, the ways of the world are unpredictable,” Xie Zuxin sighed. “The matter regarding you will end here; I hope you hold no grudges. Also, I’ve heard about the Ma Gang incident. People have even called me about it. Can’t you just stay out of trouble for a bit?”

Pei Jinye looked up. “If someone threatened to kill your whole family, would you let them off the hook?”

“Enough; I get your point,” raised his hand, Xie Zuxin. “Emotionally, I can understand, but reality is reality after all. This world revolves around interests. You can’t make too many enemies out there. They are currently investigating you and want to find out who is behind you… To be honest, I really don’t know who’s backing you.”

After speaking, Xie Zuxin looked at Pei Jinye tentatively, sipping his tea.

Pei Jinye, however, seemed as if he hadn’t heard his last remark and kept his gaze calmly on him before looking away. “If they bother you again, feel free to have them call me directly.”

Xie Zuxin’s action of drinking tea suddenly stopped.

He looked at Pei Jinye seriously. “I mean no harm, I hope you won’t misunderstand.”

“Of course, I mean no harm either,” Pei Jinye smiled, showing his teeth.

But Xie Zuxin didn’t believe him at all.

As far as he knew, last night Black Mountain Association’s Cai Weiqian had single-handedly swallowed up almost a third of Ma Gang’s assets.

They had the backing of not only a Transcendent but also the tacit approval of someone from the city hall.

This was the biggest confidence of the Black Mountain Association!

Xie Zuxin was very curious about who was behind Pei Jinye…

Could it really be Zhou Weiren?

“Any more matters?” Pei Jinye interrupted Xie Zuxin’s conjecture.

He looked up and smiled slightly. “No more. Well…”

He paused.

“I’ll give you a day off to relax and not to think too much.”

Pei Jinye stood up.

This time, he didn’t offer any greetings, nor did he ever call Xie Zuxin captain.

Especially since the other party was still trying to suppress him today.

Pei Jinye didn’t understand.

Do people without backgrounds really deserve to be bullied?

After leaving the base.

Pei Jinye took the initiative to contact the Old Gods Association.

“Silver Art, help me check out Xie Zuxin’s information in detail, all the way down to his background and weaknesses!”

Buzz.

The message came through.

Pei Jinye was somewhat surprised.

Had Silver Art’s speed in finding information become this fast now?

Silver Art: [Wow, you’re finally willing to reach out to me]

Pei Jinye’s face darkened.

As expected.

Buzz.

The phone vibrated again.

Silver Art: [Have you eaten yet?]

Buzz!

Silver Art: [Oh oh just saw the task you sent, just wait a moment for me.]

Pei Jinye helplessly put the phone away.

As he just put it back in his pocket.

Buzz Buzz!

The phone vibrated again.

It was indeed Silver Art who had sent the message again.

[Eek eek eek you haven’t replied to my message yet? Have you eaten?]

Pei Jinye’s eyes were deep.

That bothersome person was back.

[Shut up…] (Deleted.)

[I have eaten]  (Sent successfully!)