Era of Mist

The block of consciousness trembled, and Shi Tiexin recognized the man.

The man’s real name was unknown, but in the underworld, he was called Ah Hui, an Incense Master for the Daxing. Following the hierarchy of Big Dragon Head, Squad Leader, Hall Master, Incense Master, and grunt, this Ah Hui was a minor boss.

Besides Ah Hui, Brother Fa had another Incense Master under him known as Sanfan. Ah Hui, Sanfan, and Shi Tiexin, the leader of the Biker Gang, made up the forces under Hall Master Ah Fa. However, Shi Tiexin had rarely interacted with the two Incense Masters. Now, seeing him today, it was clear the man was hostile.

His tone and expression made it obvious he was looking for trouble.

Ah D was instantly displeased. "Hey, watch your mouth!"

"Just a joke. Can’t you take a joke? It seems the famous ’Black Venerable’ I’ve been hearing about isn’t much of a big shot after all." Ah Hui smirked, then shot Ah D a sideways glance. "Besides, who the hell are you? What right do you have to speak to me?"

"You!" Ah D’s face flushed with anger, and he looked ready to explode.

Shi Tiexin stuck out an arm, blocking Ah D. If Ah D were to beat this guy up here, it would be insubordination—a terrible move.

But not fighting didn’t mean he would let him run his mouth.

Shi Tiexin looked at Ah Hui and suddenly grinned, baring a set of stark white teeth. "Brother Hui, long time no see. I’ve missed you. Come, give me a hug."

Before Ah Hui could react, Shi Tiexin strode forward with heavy, thudding steps. The stout Ah Hui felt like it wasn’t a man approaching, but a wall—a wall with a terrifying human face. He had just started to back away when Shi Tiexin wrapped his arms around him, pulling him in close and smothering his face against his solid abs. Then, Shi Tiexin’s massive arms came down on his back like he was beating a drum.

BAM!

A dull, heavy impact, combined with a crushing squeeze. Ah Hui struggled in Shi Tiexin’s arms, trying to scream, but his voice was completely smothered by rock-hard abs. His hands flailed uselessly, slapping against Shi Tiexin’s back. It was clear Ah Hui was giving it his all, but his efforts were like an ant trying to shake a tree. To any observer, it looked like he was just returning Shi Tiexin’s enthusiastic embrace.

"You’re so enthusiastic, Brother Hui."

Since the man was being so passionate, Shi Tiexin felt he couldn’t be cold in return. He put more force into his arms and patted him again.

BAM! BAM!

Ah Hui’s arms instantly lost their "enthusiasm" and fell limp at his sides. He looked small, pitiful, and helpless.

Judging he’d been smothered enough, Shi Tiexin released his arms. The stout Ah Hui went tumbling a good distance away.

Ah Hui’s face was flushed crimson and he was gasping for air. He spun around, glared at Shi Tiexin, and screamed through clenched teeth, "You little bastard!"

"What’s wrong, Brother Hui?" Shi Tiexin took a step forward, a cold smile on his face. The shadows on his features made him look terrifying. "I was just saying hello. Don’t tell me you can’t take a joke, Brother Hui?"

"You... you—Hmph! Let me tell you, if you think you can be on my level, you’re dreaming!" After spitting out those words, Ah Hui scurried away in disgrace.

"What a fucking moron," Ah Fei scoffed. He turned to Shi Tiexin. "Boss, don’t pay him any mind. That loser is just an idiot."

Shi Tiexin agreed. ’The guy really is a simpleton, coming to block my path all alone. Does he really think I have a problem hitting ’kids’?’

’But... was he acting foolishly on his own, was someone in the background using him as a pawn to stir up trouble, or was he just playing dumb? There was no way to know for sure.’

One thing was for certain, though: someone didn’t want to see him rise through the ranks.

Shi Tiexin suddenly recalled the warning Old Jia had given him before he left.

"Let’s head in."

Shi Tiexin led the way inside.

His main goal today was to get a good look at his "colleagues" in the gang.

The mansion was packed with people.

The place was a dizzying swirl of colorful lights and flowing wine, buzzing with excitement. Busty women in miniskirts were everywhere, their presence overwhelming. Ah Fei was the first to succumb, staggering over to lose himself in a crowd of them. Mai Ba was the next to disappear, finding a corner to join a card game.

"Ah D, Guobing, you two go have some fun as well."

"Oh." "Okay, Boss."

After dismissing the rest of his men, Shi Tiexin moved slowly through the crowd. His towering height made him stand out wherever he went. Many people recognized him. Some greeted him, others struck up conversations, and Shi Tiexin handled them all. He observed everyone, mentally noting their features and assessing their capabilities.

"Well, look who’s here." The voice was somewhat cold. Shi Tiexin turned to see a man with an icy expression. The man looked to be in his thirties, with long, narrow eyes that were perpetually narrowed. He was trying to force a friendly look, but it couldn’t conceal his frigid aura.

"Brother Sanfan." Shi Tiexin recognized him: it was the other Incense Master, Sanfan.

"I hear things have been going well for you, that you’ve been making quite a name for yourself. Congratulations." Sanfan’s tone was neutral. "Brother Fa really has a sharp eye for talent. Daxing’s reputation on the streets will be even greater now, all thanks to you."

"You’re too kind, Brother Sanfan. I still have much to learn from you."

A smile squeezed its way onto Sanfan’s cold face. He turned to the underlings behind him and said, "See this? This is what it means to be humble in victory. You should all learn from him instead of being so hot-headed all day."

"Yes, sir!"

"All of you, come over and greet Brother Zun. We’re all Daxing men, so we should keep in touch more often."

Sanfan’s underlings swarmed forward, calling out "Brother Zun! Brother Zun!" without pause.

Shi Tiexin nodded in acknowledgment.

"Greetings, Brother Zun," said another underling, coming to pay his respects.

"Mm." Shi Tiexin nodded, then paused. That voice sounded very familiar—even more familiar than Old Jia’s.

He frowned and followed the voice with his eyes. He saw a scrawny young man standing timidly in the crowd, looking like a greenhorn who was afraid to speak up.

’This... isn’t this Zhou Nan?!’

Shi Tiexin was stunned. ’Is that really Zhou Nan, or just a look-alike?’ He glanced to the side and immediately saw a man standing next to him—smoking, drinking, with permed hair, radiating the aura of a degenerate wannabe gangster. ’Who else could it be but Zhou Xiong?’

’No doubt about it. The two brothers are together. It’s definitely them!’

’These two are mixed up with Daxing, too? To meet them again after crossing world lines... what a coincidence!’

’It really is like meeting old friends in a new place.’ Shi Tiexin wanted to talk with Zhou Nan and Zhou Xiong, but then he remembered that in this world, they didn’t know him. Besides, they were Brother Sanfan’s men now. It would be inappropriate for him, a soon-to-be Incense Master, to get too chummy with the underlings of another Incense Master he barely knew.

So, Shi Tiexin suppressed the urge and focused on interacting with Brother Sanfan.

Before long, a chorus of greetings erupted nearby.

"Brother Fa!" "Greetings, Brother Fa!"

Shi Tiexin turned to look. Thanks to his significant height advantage, he immediately spotted the man they called Brother Fa.

He was a tall, middle-aged man with slicked-back, jet-black hair. His face was beaming, yet he possessed an extraordinary presence. A single glance from afar was enough to know this was not a man to be underestimated.