Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 228: Cao Gang 150_2

Chapter 228: Cao Gang 150_2

The wind howled over the lake surface, and the warship sailed against the wind, heading straight into the controlled waters of Cui Zhanfeng upon entering Lianpeng Lake as instructed by Luo Keji.

Fang Zhixing stood at the bow, gazing into the distance at a three-story pavilion rising majestically by the lake.

Surrounding the pavilion was a row of stilt houses that stretched into the water, resembling a small town upon it.

Beneath the stilt houses was an orderly array of ships, ranging from large merchant vessels to small swift boats.

The warship cut through the waters, heading straight for the pavilion.

"Visitors ahoy!"

People on the stilt houses had already spotted the warship and were banging gongs to signal their arrival.

An elderly man with white hair led a group to the floating pier to greet them.

They caught sight of the water monster hanging from the bow of the ship and were all immensely shocked, pointing and chattering in a flurry of discussion.

Luo Keji disembarked from the warship, his feet landing on the floating pier, making it undulate like waves.

Wen Yulin and Fang Zhixing followed to his left and right, while the rest remained on the ship.

The white-haired elder clasped his hands together, examining Luo Keji with a look of puzzled surprise, saying, "May I ask who your honor is?"

Luo Keji took out a Jade Token and flashed it with a faint smile, saying, "I am Luo Keji, the special envoy of the Prefectural Governor, and I’ve seen you before, Elder Cui."

Cui Zhanfeng’s face changed, and he said in shock, "So it’s a distinguished guest from the Luo Family, please forgive the lack of a proper welcome."

He hurriedly gestured for them to come inside and said with a smile plastered on his face, "Luo, please come inside to talk."

Luo Keji sauntered into the pavilion with an air of confidence.

Before long, everyone was seated in a reception room.

Cui Zhanfeng offered tea first and smilingly inquired, "May I know why Luo has graced us with his unexpected visit?"

Luo Keji said indifferently, "The Cao Gang is fragmented and in disarray after such a long time, leaving the eighteen waterways unregulated and in complete chaos—quite a headache for the Prefectural Governor!"

Cui Zhanfeng hurriedly replied, "You’re right, sir. I’ve spent my whole life living off these waters, and it kills me to see the family business my brother built up be destroyed, but there’s a reason for everything..."

Luo Keji interrupted him, "What seems to be the problem?"

Cui Zhanfeng explained, "My brother died suddenly, and his death was extremely suspicious. I suspect that his three children conspired to murder him."

Luo Keji nodded and said, "So, you not only want to clear up the cause of the old Gang Leader’s death but also wish to succeed his position as the Gang Leader, am I right?"

Cui Zhanfeng replied eagerly, "The Cao Gang is a business my brother and I built up together. He had openly stated that in case of his death, I should inherit the position of Gang Leader. I have many witnesses to this."

Understanding, Luo Keji handed over the Jade Token and said, "Take my token and summon those three children. I would like to have a chat with them."

Overjoyed at the sight, Cui Zhanfeng immediately dispatched someone to pass the message.

Lianpeng Lake was vast, and it would take those sent over two hours to make a round trip.

In the end, only two showed up: the eldest brother Cui Renfu and the youngest sister Cui Huanli.

As for the second brother Cui Rengang, he suspected the Jade Token was a fake, a ploy by Cui Zhanfeng to lure him over and kill him, so he did not come.

"Greetings to Luo!"

Cui Renfu and Cui Huanli, kneeling on one knee, immediately paid their respects.

"Dispense with the formalities; please sit and talk." Luo Keji was very calm.

The siblings exchanged glances, loathing each other but forced to sit beside one another.

Luo Keji spoke up, "I am here on the orders of the Prefectural Governor to mediate the dispute within the Cao Gang. Speak freely of any demands you may have."

Cui Renfu responded first, "My lord, my father’s death was very strange. He suddenly passed away, and when I wanted to examine the corpse, my second uncle, Cui Zhanfeng, obstructed me. I strongly suspect that my father was killed by him, as Cui Zhanfeng stands to gain the most from my father’s death."

Luo Keji raised an eyebrow and turned to Cui Huanli.

Cui Huanli, quite the beauty, possessed skin as delicate and white as milk, and a figure that was quite fetching.

She cast a coquettish glance and said with a smile, "As long as we haven’t clarified the truth about my father’s death, I won’t acknowledge anyone as the Gang Leader."

"Also, my father once said that the talk about the succession to my second uncle was merely drunken babble and not to be taken seriously, and I have many witnesses to this as well," she added.

Luo Keji’s expression became even more interesting.

Trembling with rage, Cui Zhanfeng retorted, "You two unfilial descendants, spreading nonsense!"

He pointed at Cui Renfu and said angrily, "When did I ever disagree to an examination of the corpse? I merely did not want to desecrate my brother’s body and wished for him to have a dignified death. If not for destroying the body, you may inspect it as you wish."

Then he turned to Cui Huanli, spitting furiously, "You harlot, you seduce the elders in our gang to vie for leadership, bringing shame upon our father’s name!"

Cui Huanli slammed the table, exclaiming, "You slander me, an old man who spreads rumors for his own selfish interests, besmirching my chastity!"

Cui Renfu also snapped, "Examining a corpse will inevitably damage it, but it would reveal the truth for all to see. You’re obstructing it because you fear the exposure of your deeds."

Silent, Luo Keji just sat and watched the drama unfold, letting the three argue amongst themselves.

A moment later, the three finally restrained themselves and sat down again.

Luo Keji leisurely took a sip of tea before speaking, "I think I understand the situation, and I have a way to bring out the truth."

The three looked up in respect, their eyes bright with anticipation as they gazed at Luo Keji.

Luo Keji said indifferently, "The three of you will fight to the death right now, and the last one standing, no matter what they say, will have reason on their side."

"What!"

Cui Zhanfeng’s face turned pale as he spread his hands and said, "My lord, this, this is hardly appropriate."

Luo Keji smiled, watching Cui Zhanfeng calmly, and asked, "Are you questioning my judgment?"

"I, I..."

Cui Zhanfeng caught his breath, both shocked and angry.

Cui Renfu and Cui Huanli also frowned, their faces filled with disbelief.

They could never have imagined that Luo Keji’s solution would be to have them slaughter each other.

"Why aren’t you acting? What are you waiting for?" Luo Keji put down his teacup and asked indifferently.

Cui Renfu hurriedly said, "My younger brother, Cui Rengang, hasn’t arrived yet..."

Luo Keji chuckled, "That fool can’t even discern the authenticity of the Jade Token; he doesn’t have the qualifications to be the Gang Leader. I have more faith in the three of you."

Upon hearing this, Cui Zhanfeng’s expression darkened slightly as he clenched his teeth and said, "I am old and my combat ability is not what it used to be, and besides, those two are siblings and will surely join forces against me. My lord, this method is unfair and highly unreasonable to me."

Luo Keji slowly stood up, his expression growing colder by the moment, his tone mocking, "If you yourself feel that you are old, why didn’t you step aside earlier?"

As his words fell, Luo Keji thrust a palm forward.

The palm moved at a speed that was neither fast nor slow. Cui Zhanfeng’s face dramatically changed as he raised his palm to meet it.

Their palms collided.

Bang!

Cui Zhanfeng’s body shuddered, stumbling back three steps before collapsing onto a chair.

"Is this the Heavenly Net Divine Palm recorded in the secret texts of the Luo Family?" Cui Zhanfeng asked.

Luo Keji nodded and smiled, "Dying by my palm is an honor for you."

Cui Zhanfeng let out a miserable laugh and suddenly bowed his head.

Fang Zhixing watched closely, his pupils suddenly contracting.

He saw Cui Zhanfeng’s skin start to crack bit by bit, as if it had been slashed by a huge spiderweb.

Flap flap flap~

Cui Zhanfeng’s body collapsed thunderously into countless pieces of flesh, piling up into a heap, with blood flowing everywhere.

This scene was hair-raising!

No one could have imagined that the damage from a hand technique would result in a disintegrated corpse!

Unbelievable!

Everyone’s face turned to shock, their scalps tingling.

Gulp~

Cui Renfu was shivering, his Adam’s apple bobbing nonstop, cold sweat pouring down like rain.

He no longer desired the position of the Gang Leader.

He opened his mouth to announce his withdrawal, but due to overwhelming fear, he couldn’t make a sound.

"I, I withdraw!"

Suddenly, Cui Huanli screamed in terror, collapsing onto her chair, her trembling eyes swallowed by endless dread.

Luo Keji smiled faintly and said, "Withdraw, why? Don’t you want the position of Gang Leader? Just kill your elder brother, and it’s yours!"

Cui Huanli stammered in panic, "I, I don’t want to fight anymore, I don’t want anything."

"Sigh, when people desire something, they can disregard their family," Luo Keji lamented as he placed his hand on Cui Huanli’s head and gently tapped.

"When people no longer desire something, they always think they can walk away unscathed."

Rustle rustle...

Cui Huanli’s body disintegrated, scattering on the ground.