Two years of repression, two years of cold shoulders, two years of hunger and sleepless nights—all of this had forged a completely different Yunho.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxT84BqZR
He no longer hunched over, no longer hid, no longer adopted a submissive, submissive demeanor.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yu9DikOdz
Even though he remained slender, he was like an iron branch hardened by wind and snow, standing quietly in the corner, still taciturn, yet commanding respect and preventing anyone from daring to insult him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m5FgiHGyw
That evening, an ordinary evening, several of his usual bullies swarmed into the warehouse.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKtQ3Ldds4
The leader was a blond-haired thug, always arrogant, relying on his fighting skills and the fact that the boy was young and uncared for, he had constantly beaten and verbally abused Yunho for the past two years.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7uB25e9qU
These past few days, seeing Yunho always wiping his knife with his head down, yet with a sharp gaze, he felt resentful and deliberately kicked over the metal bucket beside Yunho, venting his anger.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBotN6dEtA2
"Hey, you're just an unwanted kid, what are you pretending for?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjh4FzEMzN
"You used to be so well-behaved, now you dare to give us attitude?"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcf4W2n5c2
"Looks like you want a beating!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvacCW1coj
Yunho slowly straightened up, brushing the dust off his pants.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqUu2lKcbI
No apology, no backing down, no panic whatsoever, as if he hadn't heard them.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhNu1fYpXi
"Get lost."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4UdN1wK4P
Two words, light, yet chillingly cold.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzNHwNq2An
The group froze for a moment, then flew into a rage.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hkCMx4806
"You've gone too far! A bastard you picked up, how dare you talk like that!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQ9jwPyjgz
"Today we'll teach you a lesson!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWk3c4DZLpe
The fists immediately came flying without mercy.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX3ePRqdmx
In the past, Yunho would have gritted his teeth and endured it, afraid he couldn't win, even more afraid that Jun-ge would think he was causing trouble and send him back to the streets.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DR4WEdKvM
But today, everything was different. He'd had enough.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4UZLBYvTX
The boy's movements were anything but graceful; they lacked any real technique, his moves were scattered, and he didn't possess the strength of the gang's seasoned fighters.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH65FyZ5Vz9
But he was decisive, reckless, and utterly suicidal,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXhBybB7o4
like a maddened beast,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9qIKH3z19
even if he lost,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAfnc69FjN
he would take you down with him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVmi1N0Lus
With decent reflexes, Yunho barely managed to dodge the blond-haired man's powerful hook, even seizing the opportunity to grab his wrist and use the momentum to throw him—forcibly shifting all his weight onto him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7XLFA1zft
The blond-haired man hadn't expected the boy to actually fight back; his reaction was a beat too slow, and he crashed into the metal frame behind him, letting out a muffled groan of pain.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUZ31lowAB
"Damn it!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOYzi6mrmo
The other henchmen were startled, and the three of them swarmed him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHzMbB2Sdf
Yunho couldn't dodge in time and took two heavy punches, but he held tightly to the blond-haired boy's collar, landing punch after punch to the boy's face. Soon, the boy's cheek was bruised. The blond-haired boy, in pain, swiftly elbowed the boy in the chest. Yunho was forced to release his grip, but bit the blond-haired boy hard on the back of the neck.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkSUrX8cR5
Everyone was stunned.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XkhYlPcYA
This child, who had been subjected to all sorts of beatings and abuse for the past two years without daring to utter a sound, had actually fought back, and with such ferocity.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRddOLDzqfZ
"You're insane—!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRzN4oGMVB
Yunho wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes terrifyingly calm.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa13GFqUyEd
"I don't mind being even crazier."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLqcZO3Vgx
At this moment, for the first time, the boy truly felt "alive."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcCvNSIqmS
Not like a rat hiding in a corner, eking out a living, but standing up, forcefully reclaiming his trampled dignity, even covered in blood, determined to fight to the very end.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByJ6NGFoiF
Yunho stared at the blood on his fist, feeling a sense of unreality.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4kLkuVxz1
This scene was witnessed by A-Zheng, who was passing by the warehouse entrance.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OtwMkziay
He didn't go in, but stood outside for a moment, a flicker of disbelief and surprise in his eyes.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z8JlX4LNL
—The child has finally woken up.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuboDkakSrE
The thugs naturally saw A-Zheng as well.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjk00fsU0B
Even though they were furious, they had no choice but to back down.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSbkgkOtGY
After all, A-Zheng was Ling Jun's right-hand man.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzjBNn3H5k
If things escalated to the vice-president's level,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ98Z2e0eH
no one would be happy.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EZsy5X7Sm
The four of them quickly fled the scene.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG25ZsK5Gy
Meanwhile, in the president's office on the top floor of the Xi Yue Gang, the atmosphere was even more somber.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e6swbSOrO
The old president lightly tapped his fingertips on the table, glancing at Jun-ge, who stood behind him, always cold and taciturn.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBil6nk9zBN
That year, the old president's health had deteriorated, and he was gradually losing his ability to manage gang affairs. Internal power struggles were brewing within Xi Yue, with several factions poised to make their move.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuhPnKnJmj
Everyone expected the fight for the position to be fierce and bloody,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsuOQWlHLu
inevitably leading to a bloodbath.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ciFNNldpL
But no one expected that the old chairman already had someone in mind.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb0QoA3KfO
"Jun," the old chairman said, his voice slightly hoarse, "I plan to retire."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D9dYBkAqM
Jun looked up, still devoid of emotion: "Chairman."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZagH9RRvj
"In the entire gang, only you can stabilize the situation and keep everyone in check."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStcKQfoEfh
The old chairman was direct. "I want to hand over Xiyue to you."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVtaFH4ZG6
Several hall leaders beside him had slightly changed expressions, mostly in disbelief. Some wanted to persuade him, others objected, but were silenced by a single glare from the old chairman.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsf2zCPxub
They all knew—Jun was ruthless, decisive, and hard-hearted. In recent years, he had single-handedly handled all the difficult matters within and outside the gang.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LoRAbZ56N
Without him, the Xiyue Gang would have been in chaos long ago.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAT9M4qQEr
However, Jun was young, cold, and uncompromising, always giving off an unapproachable air, and extremely strict about rules. His future days would likely be much more difficult. Ling Jun showed no surprise, no deference, not even a hint of joy, as if this were a trivial matter.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADt4H6NCnn
He spoke calmly, his voice deep and cold:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEkdpdH04R
"I understand."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CtVphi7k0
A simple sentence, yet it sounded as if he had expected it.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNnh0NZiFW
The old chairman looked at him and suddenly sighed softly:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXY3H5QChj
"You never ask why."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrNzbP3NZX
Jun said calmly:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCbCkC3QyY
"No need. I'm only responsible for protecting Xi Yue."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRBetYhZiA
No ambitious declaration, only a weighty promise.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxBnqazfWJ
The old chairman nodded, finally relieved. He had worried that Jun, who disliked power, might disdain taking over the gang. Unexpectedly, Jun agreed so readily, saving him a lot of trouble.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQtVsZEFQM
"The handover ceremony will be held in three days. You will be the youngest president in the history of the Xiyue Gang. Do a good job, remember to be careful, and don't give those old hall masters any opportunity."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWwosnruEb
"Yes, President."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02fUBnHQUV
Three days later, at the Xiyue Gang headquarters building, the atmosphere in the lobby was extremely tense. The entire hall was deathly silent, as if even the air sensed the earth-shattering changes that were about to occur within the Xiyue Gang.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiSEw3TlwF
Everyone stood in neat rows, quietly awaiting the handover ceremony.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8166sLNgQ
The old president slowly walked up to the platform and took out two items from a box—
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZi5JNgGeP
A dragon plaque carved with a black dragon and made of dark jade,
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmH4SzNimN
and a gang seal engraved with "Xiyue," a seal that spoke volumes about the man.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY50IxtYhG
"From this day forward, the position of Xiyue Gang president will be officially handed over to—Ling Jun."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonKN4GTdws
Jun stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXpaeWNKL
This was one of the very few times in Jun's life he had knelt before someone.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj2tucoW7w
"Thank you, President."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUc6fF1ELV
The old president hung the dragon plaque around his neck and placed the seal in his palm. "With the Dragon Token in hand, Xi Yue obeys. The seal is issued, the gang rules precede the execution."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnPlul74a0
"From now on, Xi Yue is yours."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX99hN3BSn
Jun Ge took the token, his fingers steady and strong.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KI9wUrFOK
He stood up, turned, and surveyed the entire hall from his elevated position.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGIEcPyPQj
This man, only 30 years old, who had served two years in the Korean warlord's army, would now hold complete control over the life and death of the Xi Yue Gang.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ2IH19Oi4
"From this day forward," he spoke, his voice piercing the entire hall, "the Xi Yue Gang recognizes only rules, not personal relationships."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA8F2vc6Hs
Everyone knelt in unison, their voices shaking the building:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1sVnXM9XN
"We will obey the leader's orders and will henceforth strictly abide by the gang rules, serving Xi Yue!"
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvzfFkTN8r
In a corner of the crowd, Yunhao clenched his fist slightly, his nails digging into his palm, looking up at the black figure on the platform.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AFcWeG1lF
There was no worship, no resentment, no more of the humble expectations of the past.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZSwXXFdse
Only a clear, piercing pain.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKBqn9G5pi
That person was never his salvation.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGTNNSOqp1
That was the rule, the pinnacle, the goal he had to climb.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBKkO8oF9f
Jun's gaze, unknowingly, swept across a corner of the crowd.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjOgdWUhol
It landed on the 13-year-old boy.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdL76usY8Rr
Yunho was no longer afraid, no longer looking down to avoid Ling Jun's gaze.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQnW83C3b0
He stood ramrod straight, though blood still clung to the corner of his mouth, his eyes like a newly sharpened dagger.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS2Zle8n2L
Jun's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqgkfdszEh
Even with an icy expression, he uttered not a word.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX4yUYaeS2
But perhaps only he himself knew that this glance had already shed the indifference of the past two years.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljxZ3oiw6x
A faint, unacknowledged concern had quietly taken root in his heart.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TEmHSUbhp
Like looking at an iron pillar, finally letting out a fine needle through the silence.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeFgndHDID
After the ceremony, the top floor completely changed hands.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszWcFcnWoe
The highest and most expansive office in the entire building, the chairman's office, was officially taken over by Jun.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1QEGbqRCS
Outside the window, the city lights shone brightly, but inside, it was perpetually cold, devoid of any warmth.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CVFV8h1EK
As Ling Jun's confidant, A-Zheng naturally became the new vice president, moving into Jun's former office.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNCApkR2j7
After settling his affairs in the office, A-Zheng happened to run into Yunho cleaning the corridor.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezPV9Edvvy
The boy was mopping the floor, his eyes calm, revealing no resentment.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY3XM6IwK5
A-Zheng stopped, not walking away as he usually did, nor showing any deliberate concern.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NLl0sDCBW
He simply uttered a few words:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14UCGFU0g5
"In the future, when you take action, don't just rely on brute force and ruthlessness. Blindly rushing in will only lead to a faster and more gruesome death."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgatO0S0aAt
Yunho paused, turning his head to look at him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5haKpNB3a
Ah Zheng's gaze was calm, his tone understated, yet every word was crucial:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp56Pi4J1X
"You dared to resist, that's right. But reckless fighting will only hurt you more."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mSj4ERJuo
"Observe more, learn more. This isn't about temper, it's about brains."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5YoNsIr9X
This was a rare instance of Ah Zheng speaking so much to him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvjkyKhSc1
Yunhao was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded:
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxpGFJjtqT
"Understood, thank you, Vice President."
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxLAZf8M0o
Ah Zheng looked at Yunhao, inwardly sighing.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvv8ndQKpH
It seems Jun-ge wasn't wrong about him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EbEJ40Nfe
This kid is finally starting to grow fangs.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoax6NdQi7D
After finishing his cleaning work, Yunhao leaned against the corner of the wall, standing silently for a long time, lost in thought.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo07u1lHCbD
He knew.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcEs3mHvby
From the day he rebelled, he was no longer a bastard to be trampled on.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtWmb9Rzkn
He was a blade about to be drawn, unstoppable by anyone; he would make those who bullied him pay the price.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI9jCdqKYv
And the man already on the top floor, symbolizing the highest power of the Xiyue Gang, would be the only person he would ever catch up to in his life. Just watch, Jun-ge, one day I will stand by your side.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLe34uQI9x
and then Add to home screen.