Chapter 89: Fighting for Power

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

Seeing Ye Mo's cold gaze, White Shark quickly said, "Huang's still waiting for the results. I'll just report later that the people have been captured, then take you back."

Ye Mo, wanting to hear precisely these words, turned to Wu Xueming. "Brother Wu, give him the helicopter. I'll watch him; I trust he won't dare to play games." He then told White Shark, "Fly the helicopter back and call Huang immediately. Tell him everything is normal."

White Shark dared not disobey Ye Mo. While others might only threaten, he'd witnessed Ye Mo's power and cruelty firsthand. The man had killed four fully armed men without flinching, his expression unchanged. White Shark, terrified of provoking him, hurriedly said, "Huang instructed me to fly directly to Jing City after capturing them."

"Jing City?" Wu Xueming exclaimed. He knew this helicopter couldn't have originated there—it was nearly 2,000 kilometers away. How could it possibly make the journey?

As if anticipating Wu Xueming's doubt, White Shark quickly explained, "I just came from Qi Ping. I initially planned to intercept Brother Wu, but I received your location unexpectedly. This helicopter's modified; its fuel tank allows for approximately two hours and fifty minutes of flight time. It's also much faster than a standard helicopter. Having flown for about twenty minutes already, it should have another two and a half hours of flight time remaining. After that, we can refuel at Wang Chuan and reach Jing City without further stops."

He paused, then continued, "Brother Wu knows Wang Chuan has a gas station controlled by Metal River. Because this helicopter is modified, many parts are advanced, and fuel from ordinary stations is unsuitable. While it could be used, we might encounter problems en route."

Wu Xueming nodded. "Then let's do that. Fly directly to Jing City." He was aware of the Wang Chuan gas station.

Ye Mo, having studied the map, had seen Jing City before. Situated near the Russian border, it was a remote location. Still, they needed several hours to reach it. He looked at the burning car below, figuring that even if someone discovered what happened inside, it would be hours later—by then, he'd be long gone.

As White Shark predicted, after two hours, the helicopter landed at Wang Chuan to refuel. Perhaps they'd received a message, but no one suspected anything. They departed before dawn.

Just after 7:00 AM, the helicopter landed at a large private estate. Its speed was impressive; Ye Mo estimated it at 430–500 km/h.

Previously, when he'd accompanied Wen Dong to his estate, he'd considered it substantial, but this one dwarfed it.

Thinking of Wen Dong, he recalled the model and data Wen Dong had given him, still in his bag. He didn't know its purpose and had no interest in examining it.

Seeing Ye Mo's contemplation, Wu Xueming, seeming to understand, shook his head. "The people here are all Huang's. He'd send my people away, but some are loyal only to Metal River, not Huang."

"Huang's coming out," Wu Xueming announced, spotting a man exiting a mansion.

Ye Mo observed the man: a fiftyish man with triangular eyes, obese, balding, wearing a large leather jacket, and trailed by two bodyguards.

"Let me down," Ye Mo coldly instructed White Shark. During the flight, he'd pondered confronting Huang—anticipating obstacles and even considering a massacre to lure him out. He hadn't expected Huang to emerge willingly.

"Haha, Wu Xueming! You dare challenge my position and steal the woman I desired! I stayed up all night waiting for you. Every day you live is a day of unrest for me" A coarse laugh boomed, the arrogance and confidence palpable. In his mind, a few elite henchmen and a helicopter with AK-47s were sufficient to capture Wu Xueming and the woman.

Huang, seeing White Shark disembark with only one unfamiliar person, stopped, instantly vigilant. "Who's that? Halt!"

As Huang spoke, his bodyguards moved to intercept White Shark and Ye Mo.

Ye Mo, having arrived, showed no mercy. He had nothing left to lose. Hidden nails shot from his fingers with incredible speed. Before the bodyguards could react, blood spurted from their foreheads. White Shark broke into a cold sweat. He'd seen various killings, but never anything so swift and brutal. It was terrifying.

Huang reacted quickly, reaching for his gun. But Ye Mo was faster; another nail flew.

Even in death, Huang couldn't believe his demise. Even a gun-wielding attacker wouldn't have succeeded so easily, yet he'd been killed by a flick of the wrist. Dissatisfaction clouded his fading consciousness.

Dozens of sword-wielding men charged out. Just as Ye Mo prepared for a massacre, Wu Xueming yelled, "Stop! I'll take responsibility! Are you rebelling?"

The scene quieted. Many hesitated, but a few raised their guns. Before their fingers reached the triggers, Ye Mo killed them.

Wu Xueming still held sway. Except for a few of Huang's loyalists, most remained loyal to Metal River. They cared little about Huang's successor. They were accustomed to such power struggles.

The day Wu Xueming killed Huang, Metal Mountain issued a decree confirming Wu Xueming's ascension. Wu Xueming's men returned, solidifying his position.

In a grand Hong Kong mansion, a middle-aged man sat in the master chair. Opposite him was a fiftyish Taoist, both sipping tea. The middle-aged man was Metal Mountain, head of Metal River. Few knew his second-in-command was a Taoist.

The Taoist, Master Xian Daoren,[1] was Metal River's second-in-command. His powers far surpassed Metal Mountain's, but he lacked ambition, dedicating himself to cultivation. He rarely appeared unless crucial gang matters arose.

Notably, Nang Qing's avoidance of Metal River stemmed not from the gang's power, but from Xian Daoren's influence.

"This Wu Xueming's not bad. Your move was correct," the Taoist commented after a sip of tea.

Metal Mountain pondered. "I thought Wu Xueming would barely survive Huang's pursuit. Hearing he'd taken a woman, I doubted his survival. But he actually eliminated Huang. Huang had been declining these years; Metal River needs fresh blood. I hope Wu Xueming won't disappoint me; otherwise, he'll be the next Huang." He spoke without emotion, as if it were inevitable.

He continued, "I hear Qian Baihe's rampaging after his son's death. He'd best not touch Metal River; we won't let it go easily."

"Don't worry. I'm nearing a breakthrough. I came for a stroll to focus on it. Once I reach the Earth Stage, I'll meet this Qian Longtou. He understands reality," Xian Daoren said calmly, yet his tone held an undeniable chill.

[1] Daoren is an honorific for Taoist practitioners.