Chapter 414: Investigating “Hen Fa”

Before Bing Xiao arrived, Lan Zao and Shuang Tu had successfully returned to the clinic ahead of schedule.

Lan Zao had barely lain down on the hospital bed when he heard footsteps approaching.

Soon, the door swung open.

Shuang Tu entered first, followed by Bing Xiao, with the human ringleader trailing behind.

Lan Zao hurriedly sat up, his heart pounding, his face stiff.

“Don't be nervous, young man. Lie back down,” Bing Xiao waved his hand, smiling warmly and gently.

“Gang Leader Bing Xiao,” Lan Zao spoke, his voice dry.

Bing Xiao approached the bedside: "No need to be so formal, young man. I should be thanking you for saving my life."

But Lan Zao shook his head. "I heard about it. You saved me too. Back on the ship, when I was still unconscious."

As he spoke, Lan Zao instinctively glanced at the human ringleader.

He didn't know the human ringleader was actually part of his own faction, but he had indeed learned this information from the latter.

The human ringleader's ward was separated from his by just a single wall.

For the sake of Tranquil Hill's mission, though the human ringleader didn't wish to reveal his true identity to Lan Zao, maintaining contact with him was beneficial.

Thus, the human ringleader often visited, chatting about everything under the sun with Lan Zao while probing into his background.

It was during these visits that Lan Zao shared the story behind his name, “Hen Fa,” and its origins.

Lan Zao exchanged a few words with Bing Xiao.

For the most part, Bing Xiao offered condolences while Lan Zao responded.

Finally, Lan Zao suddenly said, "Lord Bing Xiao, thank you for bringing me here to recover. I will repay you for the medical expenses."

Hearing this, and noticing Lan Zao's stiff expression, Bing Xiao recalled what the human ringleader had previously told him. He instantly understood Lan Zao's intentions.

By insisting on repaying the medical fees, Lan Zao sought to sever ties with him, Bing Xiao, and the Bayonet Gang.

Bing Xiao's expression remained unchanged, maintaining his gentle demeanor as he controlled the pace of the conversation.

He was already quite aged, having stepped down from his position as leader of the Bayonet Gang. Now, he found himself forced back into a position of authority—an extraordinary twist in his life's journey.

The human ringleader standing behind him watched Bing Xiao's back, his gaze flickering slightly.

In some ways, Bing Xiao was even more difficult to deal with than Teng Dong Lang. The vigorous Teng Dong Lang disliked concealing his intentions, whereas Bing Xiao was an old fox, outsiders could never discern his inner thoughts from his words, actions, or expressions.

Lan Zao remained taciturn, his expression rigid throughout.

Bing Xiao, however, seemed to have endless topics to discuss.

Finally, he uttered the question: “So, young man, are you interested in working under me?”

Lan Zao shook his head immediately, inwardly sighing with relief. Finally, the question was asked. This conversation had been agonizing.

He hastily apologized, explaining his intentions: Saving Bing Xiao earlier had been a coincidence, and he'd also hoped to use the Bayonet Gang's influence to escape Snow Bird Harbor. Now that he'd arrived at Flower Skirt Island and his bloodline had awakened, everything could start anew. He wanted to forge his own path!

Hearing this, Bing Xiao remained smiling, but the human ringleader snorted coldly, rebuking Lan Zao for being ungrateful.

Bing Xiao stopped the human ringleader's scolding, offered a few words of reassurance to Lan Zao, and as he left, tossed out a parting remark: Lan Zao needn't repay the medical costs, it was all fate.

After leaving Lan Zao's hospital room, the human ringleader escorted Bing Xiao downstairs.

“Chief, that kid Hen Fa really doesn't know a good thing when he sees it!” the human ringleader was still fuming.

Bing Xiao shook his head and chuckled softly, "It's understandable. He's young, and with his bloodline awakening, he wants to carve out his own path. Having that kind of spirit is a good thing. That's precisely why I see potential in him."

At this, Bing Xiao sighed, “It's a pity we can barely protect ourselves now. Back in the heyday of the Bayonet Gang, I wouldn't have needed to recruit him, Hen Fa would have offered to join on his own.”

The human ringleader hurriedly reassured Bing Xiao, insisting the Bayonet Gang would surely regain its former glory.

As they reached the first-floor lobby, the human ringleader added, "Gang Leader, that Hen Fa fellow truly is promising talent. I heard Doctor Shuang Tu mention the examination results, his bloodline is completely purified, 100% pure concentration."

“He's a guaranteed silver level, and we rescued him. Are we just going to let him go?”

Bayonet Gang shot the human ringleader a glance. "The Bayonet Gang is rebuilding from scratch. Hen Fa is a talent worth recruiting. But now isn't the right time. Let's get to know him first. Over the next few days, keep building rapport with him, maintain the relationship, and find out more about him."

The human ringleader hastily replied, “Understood.”

Yet he casually pressed on, "But our treatment will eventually end. Once I'm fully recovered, I'll have no reason to stay here. And it's not just me, Hen Fa faces the same situation. Though he's only bronze level now, the island's factions will surely covet a future silver level talent."

Bing Xiao nodded, keeping his next plans to himself. He only reminded the human ringleader that his primary focus remained healing, recruiting Hen Fa was merely a secondary task.

The human ringleader immediately voiced his concerns about the Bayonet Gang's future, his inner urgency palpable. He pledged that upon returning, he would thoroughly discuss the gang's foundations and bright prospects with Hen Fa.

“That's enough. No need to see me off.” Bing Xiao stood at the clinic's entrance, waving the human ringleader away.

Spring Boxer, leaning against the wall beside the door, now approached to escort Bing Xiao.

Though Bing Xiao was also silver level, age had taken its toll. His true strength lay in his gold level giant slave. Unfortunately, his sole gold level giant slave had been beheaded by Snow Bird Harbor City Lord.

Flower Skirt Island presented yet another unfamiliar environment.

Thus, when Bing Xiao ventured out, he was typically escorted by either Spring Boxer or Xiong Ju.

Spring Boxer exchanged greetings with the human ringleader before gradually departing the clinic grounds with Bing Xiao.

Along the way, Spring Boxer remarked, "I see the human ringleader's injuries have healed considerably. He should be discharged now. For daily gang affairs, he's the most suitable person to handle them. He's also the most adept at managing these minor matters."

Bing Xiao smiled faintly, “What's this? You've only been handling gang affairs for a few days, and you're already growing impatient?”

“Gang affairs may seem trivial, but they're actually crucial.”

"I know your past ways. Though you were a ringleader, you'd almost always delegate your responsibilities to your deputy. But that won't do now. The gang needs you to handle these matters."

Bing Xiao stopped walking, turning to look at Spring Boxer with solemn earnestness, “I'm getting old.”

“The next leader of the Bayonet Gang will be you.”

“If you can't even handle gang affairs, how can you shoulder such a heavy responsibility?”

Spring Boxer gasped, his face clouding with distress.

He'd never shown interest in this position.

Bing Xiao knew his temperament well and pressed on, "You also know there might be a mole among us now. Do you want the leader's position to fall into the hands of a traitor?"

“Of course not!” Spring Boxer blurted out, “But...”

"In my view, Xiong Ju isn't the mole. He's a formidable fighter, but his character isn't suited to treachery."

“And the human ringleader, he's always been loyal to the gang.”

Bing Xiao shook his head and continued walking forward.

Spring Boxer hurried to catch up, hearing Bing Xiao say, “If we can't confirm the traitor, we must maintain cautious suspicion toward everyone else.”

“Xiong Ju, the human ringleader, either could be it. Even Hen Fa is a possibility.”

“Hen Fa?” Spring Boxer was taken aback. He knew some information about Hen Fa, “He shouldn't be, right?”

“He's not one of us Bayonet Gang members.”

“He's not even from Snow Bird Harbor, he comes from Blood Kin City.”

“If I were the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, I'd definitely plant former Bayonet Gang members among us.”

“Besides, Hen Fa never wanted to join us, did he?”

Leaning against the wall, Spring Boxer overheard the conversation between the human ringleader and Bing Xiao in the hall.

“But we can't rule him out as a suspect,” Bing Xiao shook his head slightly, sighing again, “Fortunately, we can investigate him.”

“Investigate?” Spring Boxer was puzzled.

Bing Xiao explained, "He fled from Blood Kin City to Snow Bird Harbor. We happen to have people inside Blood Kin City."

“Does our Bayonet Gang still have a surviving branch?” Spring Boxer grew more curious.

Bing Xiao shook his head, “To be precise, it's connections, through Teng Dong Lang.”

“You actually know this person.”

“Who?” Spring Boxer pressed urgently.

Bing Xiao uttered a name.

Spring Boxer gasped. "What? The bald uncle? He's now the Axe Gang's leader?"

Blood Kin City and Snow Bird Harbor were close in proximity, and Spring Boxer knew the Axe Gang was the largest syndicate in Blood Kin City.

But he never imagined the Axe Gang leader would be the bald uncle from his memories.

That was Teng Dong Lang's comrade-in-arms. Though the two usually couldn't stand each other, each finding the other unbearable, when it came to combat, they'd risk their lives to save one another, trusting each other implicitly with their backs. Their bond as comrades-in-arms ran deep.

“Didn't the bald uncle go back to farming?”

Bing Xiao sighed. "Veterans like us can't return to ordinary lives. On the battlefield, the roar of explosions lulled us to sleep. Lying in a soft bed, quietly passing a peaceful day, that’s our nightmare. The habits of combat are etched into our very bones. We've grown accustomed to relying on force to survive. Like Teng Dong Lang, he's also gold level. His temper is even more volatile than Teng Dong Lang's—he simply can't endure a life bound by rules. His current situation is actually quite natural."

Spring Boxer blinked, nodding repeatedly in agreement with Bing Xiao's words.

Bing Xiao: “Next, I'll send a message requesting the Axe Gang leader to investigate Hen Fa's background.”

“Flower Skirt Island has numerous communication beasts.”

“If all goes well, we should receive a reply within days.”

Blood Kin City.

Zi Di, bearing a heavy gift, arrived at the Axe Gang's headquarters alongside Zong Ge.

After explaining the purpose of their visit, they were ushered inside.

“Long Fu... He actually came looking for us himself!” The Axe Gang leader's face darkened.

"Father, we failed to eliminate him in Cold Wind Valley. Now we can activate the base's magic formation and try again!" The Axe Gang leader's son, Fu Zhao, seethed with murderous intent.