Apocalypse: I Have One More Keyword Than Others

Chapter 31: 031 A surprise for the Gang Leader_1

Chapter 31: 031 A surprise for the Gang Leader_1

Soon, the doctor hurried over, applied the golden sore medicine to Qiu Yuanlang, and after a simple dressing to stop the bleeding, had him carried back to his quarters for further treatment.

Throughout the ordeal, Duge stayed right by Qiu Yuanlang’s side, holding the longsword close and showing utmost care, frequently inquiring about the patient’s condition from the doctor. If it weren’t for his longsword held at the gang leader’s neck, he would seem like the one closest to the gang leader.

Watching Feng Qi venture into danger, Wang San opened his mouth as if to say something, pondered for a moment, then swallowed his words and silently followed by Duge’s side.

With Qiu Yuanlang grievously injured, taking him away would mean the Iron Palm Gang’s people would continue to follow. If Qiu Yuanlang died from the jostling along the way, they would have no way out. Instead, entering the Iron Palm Gang’s inner circle and allowing Qiu Yuanlang to heal in peace was the safest option…

Feng Qi always managed to make the right decisions in a short time. Compared to him, One’s own way of thinking was indeed not as thorough.

…

The Iron Palm Gang was a martial arts clan, and its disciples getting injured was a common occurrence. The doctor was skilled in his work, but it was his first time seeing someone being treated with a sword pointed at them. Usually, it was the doctor who was coerced at sword-point to treat the injured…

If you were so worried about him dying, why did you stab him so many times?

The doctor ranted internally like mad, but didn’t dare act rashly, for beside Duge stood a fetishist who giggled madly at the sight of a severed hand from time to time. Two such individuals with extreme behavior coming to assassinate surely weren’t normal people.

The doctor was jittery while treating the wound, afraid that a single mistake would not only cause his own hall master to spare him no mercy but also have the two lunatics holding the gang leader hostage turn their blades on him…

“Doctor, keep your hands steady. This is your gang leader. You must save him; otherwise, the Iron Palm Gang is finished,” Duge reminded the doctor then turned to Han Zuo and the others close by and scolded, “You two, spread out a bit. You’re blocking the doctor’s light.”

“Feng Qi, do you have no conscience left? The gang leader has already agreed to your terms. Can’t you just let him go and let the doctor treat him properly?” Han Zuo glared at Duge, furious beyond measure.

“Hall Master Han, our alliance is still very fragile. I worry that villains may harm me or the gang leader, destroying the hard-won situation we’ve managed to forge. Morality must be protected with a longsword. This is a necessary measure, please understand,” Duge fell silent for a moment before saying this with utter seriousness.

Wang San glanced at Duge and silently learned from his rhetoric while reflecting on his own understanding of “sickly cute,” which seemed rough in comparison. He had to admit Duge’s integration was much more natural; his words and actions were so fitting they made it seem as if Feng Qi’s behavior was part of his character all along.

“You…!” Han Zuo, driven to rage by Duge, felt like exploding with furor, his hand gripping the longsword tightened then loosened. He wanted to rush forward and chop Feng Qi into pieces but dared not make a move. He couldn’t bear the responsibility of causing the gang leader’s death. If the gang leader died, the Iron Palm Gang would indeed be finished.

“Senior Brother Han, stay calm for now, let’s save the gang leader first,” the usually reticent hall master glanced at Duge and said indifferently, “Once the gang leader wakes up, he will deal with everything in the gang.”

“What is your honorable surname, Hall Master?” Duge looked at him and asked.

“Liu Cheng,” he replied.

“So it’s Hall Master Liu,” Duge smiled, “I notice Hall Master Liu is calm and composed, a man fit for great things. I wonder if you have informed the other hall masters and Gang Master Qiu’s family about tonight’s events?”

Liu Cheng paused for a second: “I have informed them.”

“When can they arrive?” asked Duge.

“Those nearby can arrive by tomorrow, and those farther away can make it in three to five days,” Liu Cheng was very cooperative, responding to whatever Duge asked.

“Hall Master Liu’s plan is probably to appease me for now and then wait for the others to come before discussing how to deal with me, right?” Duge asked with a smile.

“I dare not.” Liu Cheng pointed to the unconscious Qiu Yuanlang and said succinctly, “The gang leader is in your hands.”

“One can’t live without eating or drinking. As long as there is eating and drinking, there is a chance to poison. But there are few poisons that can seal the throat upon contact with blood and instantly incapacitate someone. Therefore, you probably won’t do that.”

Duge looked at him with a smile, “So the only option left is to take advantage of my moment of laxity, arrange for someone to assassinate me, and seize the opportunity to rescue the gang leader. After all, one’s energy is limited; one cannot go without sleep forever. Maybe you’ve already arranged archers outside the door, just waiting for me to doze off, then with one arrow, it’s over for me.”

Wang San looked up at Liu Cheng, pondering whether it was time for him to make a move.

But Duge did not speak up, so he felt it was not appropriate to make any rash moves.

Ever since Duge had exploded into action, they had been under surveillance, without even a chance to discuss their situation.

The current situation was not part of their plan, and he wanted to cooperate but had no idea where to start.

The side effects of Fear of the Delicate were too significant. Using it might ruin Feng Qi’s good fortune, which would be counterproductive, so all he could do was quietly wait, maintaining his persona with one broken arm while silently enhancing his own abilities.

Liu Cheng’s expression remained unchanged, “I won’t risk the Gang Leader’s life; I cannot bear the consequences if the archer fails.”

“While he’s unconscious, you naturally wouldn’t dare to take risks with him, which is why you said, once the Gang Leader wakes up, he will naturally handle the affairs of the gang,” Duge spoke as if he was a detective who had seen through everything, “With Qiu Yuanlang unconscious, he’s naturally at my mercy, but as soon as he wakes up, with his skills, it shouldn’t be hard for him to temporarily break free from my control. Perhaps you have not only summoned the Hall Masters from various places, but you might also invite experts to ensure a foolproof plan. After all, who doesn’t have a few skilled confidants after so long in the jianghu?”

“Mr. Seven does seem to have a meticulous mind,” Liu Cheng sneered, interrupting Duge, “I am not as roundabout as you. Just keep your mind at ease. Since the Gang Leader has agreed to cooperate with you, no one will touch you before he wakes up.”

“No one will touch me before Old Qiu wakes up?” Duge laughed.

Old Qiu?

A vein on Liu Cheng’s forehead twitched, and he suppressed the anger in his heart, “Of course.”

“And what if he never wakes up?” Duge turned his gaze toward the unconscious Qiu Yuanlang, eager to test the waters, “Just like now, neither waking nor dying, wouldn’t I be able to live in security and peace indefinitely?”

The doctor’s hand trembled imperceptibly.

“Dammit!” Liu Cheng clenched his fists tightly, ready to lunge at Duge, but at the next instant, Duge slightly shifted the edge of his sword, and Liu Cheng’s motion came to an abrupt halt. He took a deep breath, his face turned livid as he glared at Duge, finally understanding why Han Zuo often flew into a rage so easily—this bastard was really irritating when he spoke.

“That’s more like it. Deep down, you care a great deal about Old Qiu, so why pretend to be so composed?” Easily breaking through Liu Cheng’s psychological defenses, Duge looked at him with an encouraging gaze, “Hall Master Liu, one’s mental health is very important and needs continuous care. Learn from us, the Heavenly Demon, to express genuine feelings directly. Life is much less exhausting that way.”

“…” Liu Cheng took a deep breath and didn’t want to say a word to Duge anymore.

Wang San quietly curled his lip. If I could beat you, I’d have slapped you twice already. ‘Support’ is a keyword for auxiliary classes, how can you use it so irritatingly?

“Keep your mind at ease. Old Qiu is now my partner in cooperation. I plan to work hand in hand with him to embark on great ventures. You want him dead, but I must protect him,” Duge shook his head and sighed deeply.

“No one wants the Gang Leader dead,” Liu Cheng said through gritted teeth.

“Hmm,” Duge nodded, then changed the subject, “How about we give Old Qiu a surprise, Hall Masters?”

Liu Cheng and Han Zuo exchanged glances, both sensing a bad premonition. Liu Cheng asked with a trembling voice, “What kind of surprise?”

“To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. The Iron Palm Gang is rotten to the core, from top to bottom,” Duge said, “We must uphold the morals, peace, righteousness, and stability of the jianghu. With the current reputation of the Iron Palm Gang, that is obviously not possible; hence, we must start by sorting ourselves out, transforming the Iron Palm Gang into an admired and upward striving gang. I think we should re-establish the gang rules.

We must thoroughly investigate our members: any gang member found oppressing the common folk should be executed publicly. All practices like usury or not paying workers—abolish them all; things like kidnapping women—none of that should exist. If any has occurred, return them all and offer compensation…

Even our core operation of canal transport—I think we can lower the prices. Make it as affordable for the common people as possible…”

“…” Liu Cheng.

“…” Han Zuo.

“The name Iron Palm Gang is also not very good. It’s too murderous and does not fit with our new image of upholding the righteousness of the jianghu,” Duge thought for a moment and then said, “Why not change the name too? Let’s call it the Peacekeeping Gang—simple and direct…”