It was Hall Master Yang's arm. Li Junjie and the others recognized immediately. It was too distinctive. No one else in the Cloudy Sky Gang had such fat fingers. Li Xiaofei also recognized it.
He glanced at it and said, "Put it away."
"President, let's fight those bastards from the Dragon Claw Gang."
"Yes, President, we can't take it anymore."
"Avenge Hall Master Yang."
Li Junjie and the others were all filled with righteous indignation. As the chief steward of the Cloudy Sky Gang, Yang Cheng was approachable and always smiling like Maitreya Buddha. He was kind to everyone, which made him very popular.
At that moment, the Dragon Claw Gang's call came through again. They answered it.
"Hehe, President Li, did you receive the gift?" Long Xiaotian was grinning viciously as he appeared on the screen again.
"Send your people to take over the four streets of the West District." Li Xiaofei took a deep breath and said.
Long Xiaotian laughed heartily and then said, "I've changed my mind. Add Jixiang Street, Mantou Street, and Dog Chase Alley. I want the seven streets of the West District. Otherwise, you'll receive a second package."
"Fine," Li Xiaofei gritted his teeth and replied.
"Look at you, so weak," Long Xiaotian mocked him in front of Li Junjie and the others. "Just one arm, and you cede territory and offer compensation. Not good, Li Xiaofei. If you want to be a big boss, you must be ruthless and weigh the pros and cons. You lost territory and morale for a useless subordinate. Tsk tsk, you're not fit to be a boss."
After speaking, the light core communication was disconnected.
"Boss, let me take a few hundred brothers and fight him," Li Junjie’s eyes were bloodshot and his chest was heaving with anger. "It's my incompetence as a subordinate that made you suffer humiliation. Even if it means death, I'm willing."
Other mid-to-high-level Hall Masters and Incense Masters of the Cloudy Sky Gang couldn't hold back any longer.
The most important thing in gang life was pride. Especially the boss' pride. When the boss was humiliated, it was a disgrace to the subordinates. Even if it meant losing their lives, they had to win back the boss' pride.
The mid-to-high-level members of the Cloudy Sky Gang had all fought life and death battles in the slum. Many had become accustomed to the idea of life and death in the slum, where bloodshed and death were commonplace. Dying for the boss was considered an honor.
Moreover, if they died for the gang, their families would receive generous compensation.
"Jun Jie, pass my order to have our brothers in the seven streets of the West District withdraw," Li Xiaofei said calmly.
"What? Boss, are we really going to give up our territory to those bastards?" Li Junjie was anxious.
Li Xiaofei gave him a glance, "What? You don't follow my orders anymore?"
"No, no, boss, I just..." Li Junjie's neck muscles bulged, "The brothers all know that you are willing to sacrifice your own pride to protect Hall Master Yang. You care for us so much, but we can't make you proud. I... I feel awful."
Li Xiaofei patted him on the shoulder and said, "Go, do as I say."
Li Junjie turned and left. The others also dispersed.
At the Dragon Claw Gang Headquarters, in the VIP Lounge.
"Mr. Bai, you truly have foresight. Li Xiaofei immediately agreed to such harsh conditions," Long Xiaotian was somewhat surprised after hanging up the phone.
Bai Yi, the strategist, fanned himself leisurely and said confidently, "He had no choice but to agree because there was no other way."
Ye Xiang, who was a guest, asked curiously, "Why is Mr. Bai so certain?"
Bai Yi smiled slightly and said, "According to my intelligence, Li Xiaofei has been reclusive for the past few days. Despite the many conflicts we deliberately created, he never showed up. It’s said he was in seclusion, but that’s just a cover. If I'm not mistaken, Li Xiaofei must be frantically seeking support like an ant on a hot pan."
Long Xiaotian also laughed, "Haha, the poor guy doesn't know that the city leader is preoccupied with the upcoming performance review and the reception of the Ministry of Inspection. They’re overwhelmed, and the reappearance of the Yinji Moon Fox in the wilderness has kept the military busy. They can't spare any attention for him. Haha, the only one we need to be wary of is Inspector Li."
Bai Yi fanned himself and smiled, "But judging from our extreme pressure over the past few days, Inspector Li doesn't seem willing to help him."
Long Xiaotian nodded, "Our esteemed Inspector has always been the same. He’s unwilling to meddle in the city's affairs, especially those involving the gangs he detests."
Ye Xiang said excitedly, "Li Xiaofei is like a lamb ready for the slaughter without his three main backers."
He harbored a deep hatred for Li Xiaofei. He had been severely injured because of Li Xiaofei, ending up in the ICU, losing two limbs, and losing his position as General Manager of Yongxing Hotel. His only son, Ye Chenglong, had also fallen victim to Li Xiaofei's schemes. Since he hadn’t been to exact revenge, his hatred had festered.
He wished he could tear Li Xiaofei apart. So, this time, Ye Xiang volunteered to be the Ye family representative when dealing with the Cloudy Sky Gang. Now, he was the General Manager of Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company. He had been the mastermind behind the entire plan to deal with the Cloudy Sky Gang. Now, finally, his plan was about to bear fruit.
"Mr. Ye, don't worry. Li Xiaofei is already a trapped beast. Once the gang negotiation ends, you can deal with him any way you like," Long Xiaotian assured, patting his chest.
The Cloudy Sky Gang continued to repeatedly suffer setbacks in gang disputes over the next few days as Paradise Island Real Estate Development Company finally returned to the slum with force.
They set up their headquarters on the main street of the West District, and after some renovations, they openly commenced operations. Many slum natives were forced to sell their properties.
The demolition team, consisting of the Dragon Claw Gang, Daxing Gang, Iron Palm Ltd, and Flying Cloud Sword Gang, operated with ruthless tactics. Those who refused to relocate were threatened or severely beaten.
In just three days, Paradise Island Company ‘legally’ acquired 80 percent of the land in the West District of the slum through violent means, progressing at a breakneck speed. The displaced slum residents were left homeless. Although they received some compensation, it was insufficient to buy equivalent housing in the rule-of-law district.
That money would be exhausted in less than six months even if they tried renting a place. In the end, they could only take their families and seek refuge in the East District. The East District was under the direct control of the Cloudy Sky Gang. It was the only place that could accommodate them.
But Li Xiaofei did nothing during these days. He was focused on cultivation. Nurtured by fifth-generation starforce reagents and enhanced by the Secret Time Pavilion, he had reached an unprecedented eightieth stage of the Qi Refining Realm by the seventh day.
Then, it was the weekend. A new league match was about to start. Li Xiaofei returned to school to face Riverside High School with his team in a home round.
Riverside High School had ranked twenty-fourth in last season's league and was a relatively weak team. However, this match still attracted major media, big streamers, TV stations, and websites. The reason? It was the comeback match of the super genius, Yan Chiyu.