Back at the camp, Liu Tiezhu felt a sharp, knife-like gaze fixed squarely on him.
Jiang Tianliang stood less than five meters to his left, his face dark and grim, looking as if he wanted to devour him alive.
A smirk curled at the corner of Liu Tiezhu’s mouth as he strode directly toward Jiang Tianliang.
“Auditor Jiang, out so late—waiting for me?” Liu Tiezhu said, his tone dripping with mockery.
“You bastard, you’ve got a hard life,” Jiang Tianliang hissed through gritted teeth, his voice sinister. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll kill you sooner or later.”
“Then it depends on whether this old dog of yours has what it takes,” Liu Tiezhu shot back without flinching.
“You... you dare curse me?” Jiang Tianliang’s face twisted in disbelief as he pointed at Liu Tiezhu.
In five years as an auditor for the Ming family, this was the first time a newcomer had insulted him.
“So what if I curse you, you old dog?” Liu Tiezhu retorted. “If you throw a punch, I’ll beat the hell out of you, you son of a bitch. Don’t think I look down on you—an old dog like you, only good for sneaky tricks, would’ve been nothing but a eunuch in ancient times.”
Liu Tiezhu clasped his hands behind his back, wearing an expression that said, *Come at me, I’m itching for a fight.*
Jiang Tianliang was so furious his molars nearly cracked. He clenched his fists, his face contorted, but he didn’t dare make a move. The sentries nearby were watching, and starting a fight wouldn’t do him any favors.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk—look at that face, like you want to bite me?” Liu Tiezhu taunted relentlessly. “Your daddy’s right here. If you’ve got the guts, come on over.”
Veins bulged on Jiang Tianliang’s forehead, his eyes nearly popping with rage. Yet he forced himself to swallow the fury.
There would be plenty of chances to kill Liu Tiezhu; no need to lose his temper now. After glaring fiercely at Liu Tiezhu for a moment, Jiang Tianliang finally turned and stormed off.
“Old dog, remember this—we’re not done,” Liu Tiezhu warned before heading back to the communal barracks.
Inside the barracks, no one else had returned. Liu Tiezhu welcomed the peace, lying down on his cot to plot how to “bleed” Jiang Tianliang dry.
An hour later, Guo Qixing came back.
Seeing him, Liu Tiezhu suddenly had an idea for dealing with Jiang Tianliang. Earlier, Guo Qixing had subtly hinted at the Guo family’s strength. This was the perfect chance to test whether the Guo family was all bark or truly capable.
“Brother Tiezhu, you didn’t go home?” Guo Qixing approached first to greet him.
“Brother Qixing, I need to ask you for a favor,” Liu Tiezhu said. “You know about my feud with Jiang Tianliang. That bastard sent four men after me again today. As payback, I’d like your help to bleed him dry.”
Liu Tiezhu cut straight to the point, laying it all out. First, he wanted to gauge Guo Qixing’s reaction. Second, it would test whether Guo Qixing truly valued his abilities or just wanted to use him.
Guo Qixing frowned at the words. After a few minutes, he pulled out a cigarette, handed one to Liu Tiezhu, and lit one for himself.
Liu Tiezhu didn’t rush. He lit his own cigarette and waited quietly for Guo Qixing’s answer.
When the cigarette was finished, Guo Qixing stubbed it out and said, “Brother Tiezhu, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but you know the camp rules. If we newcomers strike first, even if we pass the tests, we’ll be kicked out of the Ming family. If I’m expelled, how can I carry out my plans?”
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand. “Brother Qixing, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not asking you to move against Jiang Tianliang inside the camp. I mean hitting his assets outside. You know the Mingxuan Pawnshop in the south of the city? The real boss is Jiang Tianliang. So, what do you say—dare to take it on?”
“How do we split the goods?” Guo Qixing asked with a grin.
From that expression, Liu Tiezhu knew it was a done deal.
“How about a 70-30 split?” Liu Tiezhu suggested. That was fair enough, since he only provided the intel while the Guo family handled everything else.
Hearing this, Guo Qixing immediately shook his head. “No, that’s not fair to you. Let’s go 50-50. Once we succeed, I’ll have someone inventory the goods and pay you in cash for your share. But I’ve heard the Mingxuan Pawnshop doesn’t keep its items in the store. Brother Tiezhu, do you know where they’re stored?”
Liu Tiezhu nodded. “Everything from the Mingxuan Pawnshop is kept in a civilian house at No. 32 Guihua Street, behind the shop. It’s only five meters away in a straight line, with an underground tunnel. They always move valuables through that tunnel. But I’m not sure if this info is accurate—you’ll need to send someone to verify it.”
Guo Haishan’s dying words might have been a trap, so Liu Tiezhu didn’t want to sound too certain.
Guo Qixing paused for a moment, then said, “Brother Tiezhu, want to head out now?”
Hearing that, Liu Tiezhu smiled. Guo Qixing’s intent was to cut off Jiang Tianliang’s income stream tonight, which suited him perfectly.
With the plan set, the two didn’t waste time. They slipped out of the camp again and headed north of the city.
Half an hour later, they arrived at a civilian house in the northern district. Guo Qixing knocked three times, paused, then knocked twice more. After that, he stood quietly by the door, waiting.
Soon, a light flickered on inside, and the door creaked open. An old man poked his head out. Seeing Guo Qixing with a stranger, he froze briefly, his expression turning wary.
“Third Uncle, he’s with me,” Guo Qixing called out, then led Liu Tiezhu inside.
“Young master, what’s going on? Next time, give me a heads-up so I can prepare,” Guo Hua said reproachfully. This was a secret Guo family meeting point, and Guo Qixing bringing a stranger without warning had startled him badly. If not for Guo Qixing’s calm demeanor, he’d have thought the young master was being coerced.
“Sorry, Third Uncle, it’s urgent—I didn’t have time to inform you,” Guo Qixing said, turning his gaze to Liu Tiezhu. “Third Uncle, this is Brother Tiezhu, the one I told you about.”
“Indeed, a fine young man,” Guo Hua nodded at Liu Tiezhu, then focused back on Guo Qixing. “You said it’s urgent—what’s the matter?”
“The Mingxuan Pawnshop, remember it, Third Uncle?” Guo Qixing asked.
At the mention of the pawnshop, Guo Hua’s aged face darkened. “Of course I remember. They swindled our Guo family out of over thirty thousand yuan and injured seven of our people. I’ll settle that score sooner or later.”
“Third Uncle, we can take revenge tonight,” Guo Qixing said, then relayed all the intel Liu Tiezhu had provided.
“I’ll gather the men right now,” Guo Hua said, a man of action, rising to prepare.
Liu Tiezhu quickly stopped him. “Wait, this intel might not be accurate. I suggest you, Uncle Guo, send someone to scout first before making a move.”