"The man's gone?"
Chen Xiaokuan, the leader, furrowed his brow as he scanned the area.
Hearing this, the others tensed up instantly.
They'd all heard about Liu Tiezhu's fighting prowess. Now that he'd vanished, fear crept in.
"Everyone, stay sharp. The fire just went out, so they can't have gotten far."
Another burly man, Chen Mingliang, checked the surroundings and spoke.
"Brother Liang, maybe we should head back. Liu Tiezhu's no pushover."
"Several dozen of Zhang's men have died by his hand. We're no match for him."
Chen Xiaoming's face paled as he spoke nervously.
He'd heard more than once about the clashes between Zhang's army and Liu Tiezhu.
Liu Tiezhu's brutal methods were nothing their ragtag group could handle.
Chen Xiaokuan cursed, "Bullshit! We all got one head on two shoulders. Seven of us can't take down two little punks?"
"Besides, we took Brother Hailiang's deposit. How do we explain going back empty-handed?"
At those words, a murderous gleam flashed in Liu Tiezhu's eyes.
He'd thought Liu Cuihua was just blinded by greed, selling out his hiding spot to Zhang Jingyang.
But now it was clear—Chen Hailiang wanted him dead.
He'd even had Yang Hua split the supplies with Chen Hailiang, only to raise a snake in his bosom.
"Chen Hailiang, you want my life? Don't blame me for what comes next."
Liu Tiezhu muttered under his breath and signaled Er Gouzi to attack.
Swish, swish, swish...
A hail of bamboo arrows shot out.
From seven meters away, they reached Chen Xiaokuan's group in an instant.
Before they could react, the arrows pierced their flesh.
Thud, thud, thud...
Four of the seven dropped on the spot.
The remaining three, terrified out of their wits, threw down their guns and knelt, begging for mercy.
Chen Xiaoming slapped himself and kowtowed.
"Brother Tiezhu, don't kill me! I was just here to fill the numbers."
The other two, Chen Tianyu and Chen Geng, followed suit, kowtowing and slapping themselves.
The sight amused Liu Tiezhu and Er Gouzi.
What a joke—this little courage, and they dared come out to kill? Pathetic.
Liu Tiezhu walked over, kicked their guns aside, and had Er Gouzi pat them down.
Once sure they had no other weapons, he began questioning them.
"Chen Hailiang sent you?"
Chen Xiaoming quickly replied, "Yeah. He said you threatened his family's safety. Gave us fifty bucks each to take you out."
"Take me out? That bastard's got ambition." Liu Tiezhu sneered.
Chen Hailiang wanted to silence him, keep the camp supply heist under wraps, and score a fat payout from Zhang Jingyang.
That son of a bitch had quite the scheme.
"You know where Chen Hailiang lives?"
Liu Tiezhu pressed on.
"Yeah, his place is just two alleys from mine," Chen Xiaoming said.
"Good. Take me there now."
As he spoke, Liu Tiezhu shot the two men beside Chen Xiaoming dead.
A show of force to keep Chen Xiaoming from pulling any tricks.
Besides, these men came to kill him—they'd better be ready to die.
Chen Xiaoming froze, sucking in a sharp breath.
Er Gouzi kicked him in the ass. "What are you waiting for? Lead the way!"
Minutes later, the three slipped into Chen Family Village.
The village was now a satellite of the Golden Saber Bandits.
The bandits hadn't touched the villagers yet, but Liu Tiezhu knew it wouldn't be long.
Once inside, they quickly reached Chen Hailiang's house.
"You know what to say?"
Liu Tiezhu aimed his crossbow at Chen Xiaoming's head as a warning.
"Boss, I've got it."
Sweat pouring down his forehead, Chen Xiaoming pounded on the courtyard gate.
The door rattled, but no one answered.
When silence persisted, Chen Xiaoming shouted, "Brother Hailiang, it's me, Xiaoming! We took out Liu Tiezhu. Brother Kuan sent me for the rest of the payment."
Hearing Chen Xiaoming's voice, a light flicked on inside.
Chen Hailiang threw on a coat and came to open the door.
"Scared the hell out of me. Next time, don't bang like that—just yell."
He grumbled and turned to fetch the money.
But as he spun around, a pistol pressed against the back of his head.
"Chen Xiaoming, what the fu—"
Chen Hailiang's words died in his throat as his face twisted.
"Zhu... Brother Tiezhu, when did you get here?"
"Why didn't you tell me? I'd have sent someone to pick you up."
Liu Tiezhu mocked, "Didn't you already send Chen Xiaoming and his crew to pick me up? With guns, no less."
"Looks like you were pretty eager for my arrival."
Chen Hailiang's face stiffened, but he played dumb. "Brother Tiezhu, I don't know what you mean."
Smack!
Liu Tiezhu slapped him across the face.
"Get it now?"
"I..."
Smack!
He backhanded him. "Get it?"
Chen Hailiang dropped to his knees. "Brother Tiezhu, I was blinded by greed. Please, spare me."
"You want to live?" Liu Tiezhu asked.
"Yes!" Chen Hailiang nodded frantically. "I'll do anything if you let me go."
"Fine. Do one thing for me, and I'll let you walk."
Liu Tiezhu didn't hide his purpose.
After hearing it, Chen Hailiang exhaled in relief.
He'd feared something huge, but it was just spreading a rumor.
"Brother Tiezhu, don't worry," he swore, thumping his chest. "I'll head back to camp tomorrow and spread the word."
"Not you—your wife. You stay here with me and wait for news."
Liu Tiezhu had to keep Chen Hailiang as leverage.
Let him loose, and the bastard might bring Zhang Jingyang to surround the place.
Once bitten, twice shy.
Hearing this, Chen Hailiang shouted inside, "Woman! Get your ass out here!"
Liu Cuihua knew she couldn't hide and crept out from behind the door.
"Brother Tiezhu, tell her how to spread the word. If she tries anything, I'll kill her myself."
Liu Tiezhu turned to Liu Cuihua.
"Simple. Tomorrow, go to Zhang Jingyang and say your husband was captured by bandits from Tianggang Stockade, hiding at Liu Yusheng's place."
"If you double-cross me, I'll send Chen Hailiang to meet his ancestors."