Chapter 374: Too Careless

Translator: Tim Editor: GlobeGlotter

If it were just a few people, or even a dozen, Shi Kaigen wouldn't be afraid. But if tens of people attacked them together, then no matter how strong Ye Mo was, he wouldn't be able to deal with them all. A single, sneaky bullet could end everything.

Furthermore, this was the Hong Martial Gang HQ, a place teeming with masters. Many were probably stronger than Shen Weiju. And who knew what hidden traps lurked within the house?

Shi Kaigen stood nervously beside Ye Mo.

Shen Weiju approached the leader, a rather thin man, and whispered something. After hearing Shen Weiju, the man nodded, frowning. Then, he said plainly, “An honorable guest has arrived. Please be seated. Someone, bring two chairs for these two friends.”

Ye Mo sat calmly, but Shi Kaigen first glanced uneasily at Ye Mo before composing himself. He'd spent years living on the brink of death; how could he still be so worried? At the same time, he admired Ye Mo's courage.

“Friend, you have strong will. I'm Zhu Hongsheng, and by my brothers' honor, the acting gang leader. May I ask your name?” The leader, impressed by Ye Mo's calm demeanor, saw in him a disregard for life and death. Though certain Ye Mo was at least yellow level peak, or even black level, he knew death awaited him here.

He himself was black level middle stage, surpassing Peng Hanwen of the Chinese gang. Furthermore, he had at least three yellow level fighters, including Shen Weiju. Even with black level power, Ye Mo would surely die.

“My surname is Ye. I apologize for the intrusion. I wonder if your esteemed gang has someone named Tong Zhu?” Ye Mo said monotonously.

Zhu Hongsheng was quite polite, so Ye Mo didn't need to be overly aggressive.

Even without revealing his full name, Zhu Hongsheng approved of Ye Mo. Someone who could defeat Shen Weiju was no ordinary person—someone destined for great things. His judgment far surpassed that of his henchmen. Recruiting such a man would greatly benefit the Hong Martial Gang.

He’d founded the Hong Martial Gang and wasn't a simple man. He claimed Zhu Yuanzhang (the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty) as an ancestor, hence the gang's strict rules.

Though Ye Mo didn't seem enthusiastic, Zhu Hongsheng didn't require enthusiasm. He needed capable, loyal men. He believed this young man would serve him after witnessing his power; death would be his only other option.

“Tong Zhu, come out,” Zhu Hongsheng called out without hesitation.

A short man emerged from the group, bowing to Zhu Hongsheng before approaching Shi Kaigen. “A Fei, what’s wrong?”

“Zhu Zi, nothing's wrong. Brother Ye is my elder brother now, and he has some questions for you. Trust me, it's fine; just answer honestly,” Shi Kaigen reassured, admiring Ye Mo greatly.

Tong Zhu nodded, clearly close to Shi Kaigen. He saluted Ye Mo and said, “Brother Ye, what is it? I’ll tell you everything I know.”

Ye Mo nodded, placing a bracelet on the table. “You sold this bracelet recently. Where did you get it?”

The moment he saw the bracelet, Tong Zhu's face changed, but he immediately replied, “A year ago, our gang clashed with the Vietnamese gang. I killed a Vietnamese man and took this from him.”

Ye Mo continued, “Do you know anything about this bracelet’s history?”

Shi Kaigen intervened, “Zhu Zi, tell him everything. Brother Ye won't harm you.” He feared his brother would hide something and anger Ye Mo.

Tong Zhu nodded. “I don’t know much, but we have an elder brother in the Hong Martial Gang. He was formerly with the Chinese gang and showed me a picture of Sister Yan. Sister Yan wore a bracelet identical to this one. I wasn't sure, but when I gave it to A Fei, I mentioned it might be Sister Yan's.”

Ye Mo nodded, looked around, and asked, “Who has the picture? Show it to me.”

Zhu Hongsheng hadn't expected Ye Mo to inquire about Sister Yan. He looked at the bracelet, wanting to speak but ultimately refraining. Ye Mo hadn't asked him directly but his gang instead, making him uncomfortable, but wanting to recruit Ye Mo, he had to hold back.

A man in his fifties, looking ferocious, approached Zhu Hongsheng. “Gang leader, I have the picture.”

Zhu Hongsheng nodded. “Luo Xin, our friend Ye has some questions. Answer him.”

“Yes,” Luo Xin replied, walking before Ye Mo.

“You have Sister Yan’s picture? How did you get it?” Ye Mo asked calmly.

Luo Xin, sensing Ye Mo's power, answered cautiously. “Before Gang Leader Hanwen was harmed, he told me to retrieve this picture of Sister Yan from a photography shop. But by the time I returned, the Chinese gang had clashed with the Gray Alliance, and the gang leader had been harmed. I didn’t know where Sister Yan was, so I kept the photo.”

“May I have the photo?” Ye Mo stood up.

“Of course. Gang Leader Hanwen was always good to me, and since you're connected to Sister Yan, I'll give you the photo,” Luo Xin said.

Ye Mo nodded. “Indeed, I am connected to Sister Yan.”

Luo Xin didn't press for details, simply stating, “Please wait; I'll retrieve the photo.”

He then asked Zhu Hongsheng for permission, which was granted, and left.

Zhu Hongsheng was about to speak when a gang member rushed in. “Gang leader, Three Breaths Flying Dagger Johnson of the Gray Alliance is here with about thirty men.”

Zhu Hongsheng stood abruptly. “Why are they here? What are they doing? How did they find this place?” His tone was urgent, revealing his worry.

Ye Mo shook his head. He saw Zhu Hongsheng's temperament and inability to remain calm facing his opponent, even on his own turf.

Unknown to Ye Mo, Three Breaths Flying Dagger Johnson was Zhu Hongsheng's complete counter. Though lacking ancient martial arts training, his power was strong, rivaling Zhu Hongsheng's. His specialty, the Three Breaths Flying Dagger, could kill anyone within three breaths of impact, earning him his moniker. In Chinatown, he, along with a black man named Jack, were known as the Spear Dagger Duo.

Zhu Hongsheng had no confidence facing Johnson. At their power level, numbers meant little.

Most importantly, this HQ was highly secretive, known only to Hong Martial Gang members.

Zhu Hongsheng’s politeness towards Ye Mo stemmed from Ye Mo's strength and his desire to recruit him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have tolerated Ye Mo's arrogance. Rejection would have resulted in a far less amicable conversation.

“Gang leader, we haven't been out in two days, and we clash with the Mountain Gang the day after tomorrow. How did the Gray Alliance find our HQ?” an average-looking girl beside Zhu Hongsheng asked.

Zhu Hongsheng frowned, pondering before shaking his head. “I don't know. We'll see when they arrive. Though the Gray Alliance is strong, our gang is no pushover.”

Ye Mo heard Zhu Hongsheng's words and used his spirit sense to scan the area. Twenty-six men had arrived, mostly large, black men, with a few white and Asian men among them.

Ye Mo immediately recalled the five black men he'd killed and scanned his own body.

Ye Mo's face darkened. He'd been tricked. The large, bearded man had planted a tiny tracking device, undetected.

No matter how weak the device, he shouldn't have been so careless. He needed to remain vigilant. Though he feared these men not, this served as a warning. He'd become too careless, losing his previous caution.