Gao Xiangjun pulled a dagger from his pocket and, seizing the moment when Gao Qiqiang let his guard down, slashed it hard across his throat!
Gao Qiqiang didn't even have time to react—just a sudden chill at his neck, followed by searing pain!
But Gao Xiangjun wasn't finished. He raised the blade and plunged it into Gao Qiqiang's chest several more times!
Only then did Gao Qiqiang register what was happening.
Relying on sheer survival instinct, he kicked Gao Xiangjun away and staggered backward.
Blood gushed madly from his throat, spraying everywhere in a crimson arc!
It all happened far too fast.
His subordinates—Old Xu and the others—were stunned, staring blankly at the blood-covered floor.
But Gao Xiangjun's men were clearly prepared.
They surged forward, hacking down everyone except Gao Qiqiang and Old Xu in a frenzy of blades!
Gao Xiangjun brushed some footprints off his jacket and strolled over to the dying Gao Qiqiang with a cheerful smile.
"Boss Gao, how are you feeling now?"
Gone was Gao Qiqiang's arrogance and swagger.
He crawled weakly across the ground like a dying dog.
By now, it was painfully clear—he'd walked straight into Gao Xiangjun's trap.
He wanted to curse him out, but with his throat slashed, all he could do was let out hoarse, ragged growls.
"You've only got yourself to blame. Got careless... and crossed Su Chen."
Gao Xiangjun sighed dramatically, as if genuinely regretful.
At the mention of Su Chen, Gao Qiqiang's eyes widened in disbelief.
But before he could do anything, Gao Xiangjun drove the dagger straight into his heart.
Gao Qiqiang's eyes rolled back. Darkness took him. He was gone.
With him finally dealt with, Gao Xiangjun relaxed. His gaze shifted to Old Xu.
Old Xu flinched in fear and stammered out,"Chief Gao—no, Boss Gao! I'll pledge loyalty to you! Just don't kill me!"
"Relax. I won't kill you."
Gao Xiangjun smiled, casually wiping the blood from his blade onto Old Xu's clothes.
Old Xu breathed a sigh of relief—until Gao Xiangjun added, almost offhandedly,"I'm handing you over to Su Chen. He'll decide what to do with you."
Old Xu's knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.
…
Meanwhile, A-Biao and Zhao Xiong waited… and waited. But Gao Qiqiang never returned.
"Could something have happened to Boss Gao?" A-Biao's heart sank.
"Not necessarily," Zhao Xiong said with a grin. "Maybe he's just having a good time drinking with Gao Xiangjun."
"Are you brain-dead?" A-Biao snapped. "With everything going on, there's no way Boss Gao would sit around and drink!"
He looked like he wanted to crack open Zhao Xiong's skull to check if it was full of crap.
Zhao Xiong's smile faded. He realized something wasn't right.
"So… what should we do?"
A-Biao's face darkened. He waved over a lackey and ordered,"Take some men to Gao Xiangjun's place. Tell them you're here to bring Boss Gao back. I want to see how they react."
"Got it!"
The lackey dashed off.
Standing nearby, Xiao Mei leaned in and whispered,"Biao-ge, if something really happened to Gao Qiqiang, this could be your chance."
Xiao Mei might've had a bit of a flirtatious vibe, but she wasn't the type to sleep around. Ever since she and A-Biao defected to Gao Qiqiang's crew, she kept a low profile, avoiding unwanted attention from other men.
A-Biao didn't respond, but a spark of ambition lit in his eyes.
It wasn't long before the lackey came back—bloodied and panicked.
"Biao-ge! Gao Xiangjun's men wouldn't even let us near the place!"
"They nearly killed me the moment I got close!"
Zhao Xiong's face turned grim. He barked,"What about Boss Gao?!"
"They said he's… he's already been killed!"
Gasps of shock erupted among the crowd!
"That backstabbing bastard Gao Xiangjun! I'll kill him and avenge Boss Gao!"
Zhao Xiong, ever loyal, exploded with rage. He grabbed his blade, ready to charge out for revenge.
"Hold it!" A-Biao barked.
He stepped in front of Zhao Xiong, his voice heavy with authority.
"This is serious. We need to talk it through."
"Talk it through my ass! Boss Gao treated you well, Biao! What are you, still human?!"
Zhao Xiong cursed loudly.
"Watch your mouth, Zhao Xiong."
A-Biao's voice dropped cold.
"I'll curse you all I want! What are you gonna do about it?!"
Zhao Xiong raised his long blade, looking ready to fight.
"Fine. You want to avenge Gao Qiqiang? I won't stop you."
A-Biao crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.
Zhao Xiong hesitated, suspicious. Then he turned to the others and shouted,"Come on! Let's go avenge Boss Gao!"
But to his surprise, aside from the dozen or so loyal followers he brought in, not a single one of Gao Qiqiang's original men moved.
The room fell deathly quiet.
"You might want revenge," A-Biao said with a smirk, "but that doesn't mean everyone else does."
After his brother Gao Qisheng died, Gao Qiqiang had all but stopped managing the group.
Meanwhile, A-Biao—smart and capable—handled more and more of the day-to-day.
Before long, he'd become the second-in-command. He even promoted his old crew into leadership roles.
Now that Gao Qiqiang was dead, the rest naturally saw A-Biao as the new boss.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhao Xiong growled.
"It's not about what I want. It's about what you want."
A-Biao grinned.
"From now on, if you're willing to follow my lead, you stay. I'll make sure you're taken care of."
"If not… you're free to go. I won't stop you."
Zhao Xiong might have been all brawn and little brain, but he and his men were formidable fighters.
A direct clash would cost A-Biao dearly.
So his plan was simple—recruit if he could. If not, let them freeze and starve outside.
Zhao Xiong's nostrils flared as he breathed heavily.
After a long pause, he finally grunted,"Fine. Biao-ge… I'll follow you."
"Excellent. From now on, we're brothers."
A-Biao nodded, pleased.He'd been Gao Qiqiang's lackey for long enough.
Now, it was finally his turn to rule.
…
At the Youldon Hotel.
"As per your orders, Boss Su, our leader has killed Gao Qiqiang. We've also brought you his lackey, Old Xu."
Song Shuai, one of Gao Xiangjun's men, spoke respectfully.
Staring at Gao Qiqiang's lifeless body, Su Chen sneered.
You wanted me dead so badly—and in the end, you were the one outplayed.
His gaze shifted to Old Xu, who trembled violently.
"S-Sir Su, I…"
"Kill him."
Su Chen didn't hesitate.
Though Old Xu had only driven for him a few days, Su Chen had treated him decently.
But in return, Old Xu sold him out, turning him into a target for every survivor out there.
For a traitor like that, Su Chen had no mercy.