Chapter 104: A Thorn in the Side (Part Two)

Though Ghostface Zhang had just beaten them, he looked as if nothing had happened, his face dark and grim as he stared coldly at the two men sprawled on the ground before him.

“Cough, cough…” Dragon Lord coughed twice, struggling to rise unsteadily from the floor. “Third Brother... what are you doing?”

“You’re asking me what I’m doing?” Ghostface Zhang replied coldly, snorting disdainfully. Nearby, Fat Xu lay motionless, seemingly unconscious, sprawled on the ground like a butchered hog.

“Second Brother, please consider this matter!” Dragon Lord forced himself upright, his voice trembling with a hint of tears as he pointed at Ghostface Zhang. “I didn’t provoke him, didn’t offend him. I’m nearly seventy years old, and he’s just in his twenties. I respect him as the leader of the Third Gate, a senior among us. Though I’m the head of the Seventh Gate, I show him great deference. Yet he abuses his remarkable strength to bully our junior disciples. Even as the Seventh Gate’s leader, he didn’t hesitate to give me a ‘door-kicking’ without a word. How is that just? Our Jingjiu Sect has rules—Article Four expressly forbids brothers from turning on each other. If you don’t uphold justice today, I will resign from the Jingjiu Sect and sever ties with you all.”

The burden of this accusation fell squarely on Hou Qiankun, the most senior present. I had expected him to face a difficult decision. Unexpectedly, the old man chuckled twice, his eyes narrowing with cold light. “Well, well, Old Seven, Old Three kicking you out does indeed violate Article Four of our Jingjiu rules. By law, this calls for punishment.” He produced an object resembling a nail clipper from his pocket. “According to Article Four, if one breaks the rules, the penalty is to sever a finger.” Casting a sidelong glance at Ghostface Zhang, he smiled again. “Third Brother, are you willing to accept this?”

Without hesitation, Ghostface Zhang nodded and extended his left pinky finger. “Go ahead, Second Brother. Do it.”

Dragon Lord and Fat Xu exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

Hou Qiankun nodded and unfolded the nail clipper-like device, revealing a small guillotine forged from steel, poised to sever the pinky.

“Wait!” Just as the guillotine blade was about to fall, Kaleidoscope rushed forward to block Hou Qiankun.

“Sixth Brother, mind your own business. I’m enforcing the law impartially.”

Dragon Lord and Fat Xu frowned, their expressions stern. “Kaleidoscope, don’t interfere. Second Brother is upholding the rules of the Sect. Who dares to block our First and Second Brothers in Beijing’s underworld? You’d better step aside.”

Those words left no room for rebuttal. I thought Kaleidoscope would be silenced, but he remained unfazed, sneering mockingly and applauding sarcastically. “Oh my, Old Seven, it’s impressive to hear such words from an illiterate like you. You’ve made progress.”

Dragon Lord snorted coldly. “Kaleidoscope, spare me your antics. Right or wrong, reason prevails everywhere. Without reason, one can’t take a single step.”

Kaleidoscope laughed heartily. “Alright, if you want to talk reason, I’ll talk reason with you.” He looked back at Hou Qiankun. “Second Brother Hou, may I reason with him?”

Hou Qiankun nodded and folded away the guillotine. “I see no problem with that.”

“Wise as always!” Kaleidoscope bowed slightly before Hou Qiankun, tugging at his glasses with his bulky hand and smiling. “Old Seven, let’s have a little chat, shall we?”

Dragon Lord knew well that Kaleidoscope’s famed eloquence and scholarly wit were no exaggeration—his skill was all in words, whereas Dragon Lord himself was an uneducated man who barely recognized characters. Even if he was right, Kaleidoscope’s sly arguments could easily twist the truth. Yet, sensing the current mood, he doubted Kaleidoscope could turn the tide. Forcing himself calm, he said, “You think I’m afraid of you? Speak your mind!”

“Oh dear, I truly find it hard to reason with a stubborn fool,” Kaleidoscope said, waving his hand helplessly. “But please, Dragon Lord, don’t be discouraged.” He smiled wryly. “To be fair, Third Brother did hit hard, and Second Brother enforcing the law is certainly justified.”

At this, Dragon Lord felt a surge of confidence.

“Hmph!” Just as Dragon Lord was basking in triumph, Kaleidoscope interrupted with a mocking laugh. “I haven’t finished yet. Article Four forbids brothers from killing each other, so Third Brother deserves to lose a finger. But, Old Seven, tell me, do you know what Article Two says?”

“Ar- Ar- Article Two…” Dragon Lord stammered, his face pale with dread as cold sweat trickled down his temple. “Ar- Article Two…”

“Old Seven, Xu Yang, kneel!” At that moment, Hou Qiankun’s face hardened with stern authority. His shout rang out, and Dragon Lord and Xu Yang both dropped to their knees on the ground.