Prey beneath the blade

When He Jiuqu saw the people from the Long family arrive, his heart gave a jolt, for he spotted Miss Long Lengyue and Long Hanxing among them. If they were simply here to offer condolences, there was no need for the Long family to dispatch so many experts. Did they have some other motive?

The lecher, catching sight of the Long family's women, thought to himself how beautiful each one was, wondering if he might ever have a chance with any of them. Still lost in such fantasies, he was abruptly brought back to reality when Long Feifeng stepped before He Jiuqu and demanded, "Who is in charge of this Wild Wolf Gang?"

"It is I," He Jiuqu replied. Long Feifeng barked, "What kind of leader are you? The White-Clad Witch comes and goes as she pleases in your territory, and you never even report it to the Long family. I warn you: do not think you can live off the Long family's business without doing your duty!"

He Jiuqu was already displeased by this little girl’s rudeness, and now, hearing her harsh words, he grew even more infuriated. "Did the White-Clad Witch come here or not? How would I know? And even if I did, the Wild Wolf Gang is powerless against her."

Long Feifeng sneered, "If you are powerless, then what use is there in the Long family supporting such useless fools?"

This remark caused the Seven Wolves of Hedong to flush with rage. Yet, with Miss Lengyue present, none dared step forward; they had all suffered at her hands before and knew well how easily she could kill them if she wished.

He Jiuqu fumed with indignation. Even Long Wei had never treated him with such disrespect—who would have thought the younger generation of the Long family could be so arrogant? It seemed that being a subordinate of the Long family would not be easy. Still, he did not wish to argue with Long Feifeng; he preferred to address the true leader. Naturally, his thoughts turned to Miss Lengyue. He asked, "Miss Long, I do not know what I have done wrong to warrant such harsh words from you all?"

Miss Lengyue was lightly stroking Xiaoyun's shoulder and, in an offhand manner, replied, "Chief He, you are directing your question at the wrong person." With that, she laughed and joked with Xiaoyun, paying him no further attention.

He Jiuqu’s face turned pale. Only now did he realize that this group was not led by Miss Lengyue. The only other possible leader was Long Hanxing. So he turned to her. "Miss Hanxing…”

Long Hanxing replied coldly, "Chief He, you should know the rules. There can be no order without rules. Luckily for you, I am in a good mood today and have come to instruct you personally."

He Jiuqu replied, startled and angry, "I have heard the rules from Hero Long Wei himself. I know the Long family’s regulations."

Long Feifeng interjected, "If you know the rules but refuse to follow them, that is even more unforgivable!"

He Jiuqu gritted his teeth and muttered, "How have we, the Wild Wolf Gang, broken the rules?"

Long Feifeng snapped, "You let the White-Clad Witch go, defying the Long family’s orders—that is breaking the rules!"

Unable to hold back any longer, He Dalang, one of He Jiuqu’s men, shouted angrily, "The White-Clad Witch is so formidable that even your Long family can’t capture her. How can you blame us?"

Long Feifeng fumed, "Still arguing! Supporting you useless fools is a waste of the Long family’s resources!"

He Jiuqu fought to contain his fury and said in a low, steady voice, "The Wild Wolf Gang may be small, but that does not give a mere slip of a girl license to lecture us!"

Long Feifeng shouted, "How dare you speak to me that way! It seems that unless I sacrifice a few wild wolves to my sword, you will never learn the Long family's rules!"

The mention of "sacrificing to the sword" made He Jiuqu and the Seven Wolves of Hedong draw sharp breaths. They knew well what it meant. He glanced at Feiyu, Feihong, and Feifeng, realizing now why so many of the Long family’s younger generation had come: they intended to make examples of the Wild Wolf Gang. What to do? Quickly, He Jiuqu decided that seizing a hostage was his best option.

But whom to seize? Among Feiyu, Feihong, and Feifeng, he saw that Feiyu, with her experience and martial skills, could not be subdued within three moves. Feihong was too far away. That left Feifeng—arrogant, coarse in words and deeds, and likely easier to handle.

But if He Jiuqu could think of this, so could Lengyue and Hanxing. Hanxing immediately called out, "Feifeng, be careful!" Though He Jiuqu’s skills were high, subduing Long Feifeng within three moves would not be easy. As he lunged at Long Feifeng with all his might, Long Hanxing also rushed to intercept him.

Seeing He Jiuqu’s fierce onslaught, Long Feifeng was already afraid. In her panic, she had no time to draw her sword and had to use her sheathed blade to block He Jiuqu’s palm strike.

He Jiuqu’s palm landed on her sword’s scabbard, sending a numbness up her arm and nearly knocking the treasured sword from her grip. Yet, she had trained in martial arts since childhood, with a solid foundation, and though He Jiuqu’s blow forced her back, it did not subdue her.

With his attack thwarted, He Jiuqu was now entangled by Long Hanxing.

This was a contest between a woman from the "Registry of Famous Beauties" and a man from the "Register of Experts."

Though He Jiuqu was ranked lower among the experts, his skills were considerable, and the fight was evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand for the moment.

Seeing their leader engage, the Seven Wolves of Hedong prepared to join in as well. He Dalang shouted, "Brothers, let’s go!" The melee erupted.

In any chaotic fight, the key is to capture the leader first. But in such confusion, neither side truly benefits, not even the stronger one. Thus, from the very start, Miss Lengyue was preparing to find a way to control He Jiuqu.

With He Jiuqu fully occupied by Long Hanxing, he had no energy to guard against Miss Lengyue, whose true strength was far superior to Long Hanxing’s. As soon as he exposed a weakness in his duel with Long Hanxing, Miss Lengyue slipped in like a phantom, seizing his wrist and swiftly sealing his acupoint.

With He Jiuqu subdued, the Seven Wolves of Hedong were no match for Feiyu and her companions. With Long Hanxing freed up to join the fray, the seven wolves were quickly overpowered.

With the heads of the Wild Wolf Gang captured, even though their followers numbered in the hundreds, none dared make a move. The battle ended swiftly; aside from a few Silver-Clad Guards of the Long family suffering minor injuries, there were no fatalities. The Wild Wolf Gang had a dozen or so wounded, but none were killed.

The fight was easy, with little bloodshed. The once notorious Wild Wolf Gang had, on this day, become lambs to the slaughter.

Feifeng pointed her sword at He Jiuqu and cursed, "You old scoundrel, you tried to ambush me just now. Let me chop off your filthy paw first!"

He Dalang, ever loyal to He Jiuqu, shouted, "Wicked woman, if you dare harm my master, I will never forgive you!"

At this, Feifeng flew into a rage. "You wretched old man, you dare insult me? You must have a death wish!" With that, she swung her sword at He Dalang’s arm. Truly, there are no weak women in the Long family; Long Feifeng was as ruthless as her father, showing no hesitation as her blade came down. He Dalang let out a terrible scream as his arm was severed in a single stroke.