CHAPTER 271: CHAPTER 271 THE MAFIA OF CITY B 1(1)_1

"It’s all because of those gangs—the Feilong Gang, the Feihu Gang, and the Qing Gang. They’ve brought all the factions in B City under their control. As a result, some people aren’t convinced, and others are resentful, so fights are happening everywhere. But they keep their fights to themselves, mostly in the back alleys."

"Exactly. In just one month, B City’s underworld has descended into chaos. Even the police are overwhelmed."

"But, chaotic as it is, at least those leaders have a shred of conscience. They never involve small businesses like ours. If anything gets damaged during their fights, they even compensate us."

"Alright, enough of that. The food’s ready to be served. Go wash your hands and prepare to eat." Zhu Li’s mother shooed them out of the kitchen and stir-fried the last dish.

"Lan Xuan, it seems your dad, the mayor, isn’t very competent, is he?" Gui Mo’s peach-blossom eyes curved slyly. He sat beside Shangguan You, casting a cold look at Lan Xuan. "He might manage things well on the surface, but underneath, it’s a total mess."

Seeing the gentle smile on Lan Xuan’s lips, Gui Mo felt an inexplicable irritation. The way Lan Xuan looked at Shangguan You particularly made him feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

"Gui Mo, my dad may be the mayor, but he can’t possibly handle every single matter personally, can he?" Lan Xuan’s brow furrowed. He didn’t lash out at Gui Mo’s taunt, but his tone turned cold.

"That just shows he’s an incompetent leader. Otherwise, how could B City have become so chaotic in just one month?" Gui Mo scoffed. As his words landed, BANG! The door was kicked open, and a group of men wielding knives surged in.

Shangguan You rolled her eyes dramatically. Are you kidding me? I just got back, and this is what I run into? Looks like I’ll have a lot to take care of during my time here.

"Damn it, Duan Gang! Let me tell you, if you think I’m going to submit to you, you can wait until your next life! When I was making my way in the underworld, those brats Li Qing and Li Lan were still suckling on their mothers’ breasts! Now you act like you’re on equal footing with the Feihu Gang and the Feilong Gang, and you want me to bow down? No way! Hmph."

"That’s right! You wet-behind-the-ears punks think you’re so tough just because you have the Feihu Gang and Feilong Gang backing you with a constant supply of weapons? You think you’re all that?"

"You want us to submit? Dream on!"

Several men wielding machetes barged in. One of them kicked a stool and planted his foot on it, then began to curse angrily. Following their arrival, a steady stream of people began to squeeze into Zhu Li’s family’s small diner.

The people who crowded in split into two factions: one side consisted of members of the Qing Gang, and the other was made up of those who opposed them.

"Old Li, we’re willing to sit down and talk with you out of respect. But even if you gather all these dissenters, do you really think your group can stand a chance against us?"

"Duan Gang, shut your damn mouth! You’re not qualified to speak to me. If you want to talk, then get Li Qing, Long Hua, and Chu Yi out here! Back in the day, even the old heads of the Long Family and the Chu Family wouldn’t have dared to be so arrogant in my presence!"

"Who the hell do you think you are, throwing all of B City into such a chaotic mess in just one month? Don’t think that just because you have weapons, you can control the entirety of B City!" Old Li slammed his foot onto the stool, the scars on his face stretching taut as he roared at Duan Gang and his men.

Duan Gang sneered. "Old Li, since you’ve already retired, matters of the underworld are no longer your concern. Why bother wading into this muddy water? Wouldn’t it be better to enjoy your retirement peacefully?"

On the surface, B City was entirely under the control of these three major gangs. However, there were still some ’fish’ that had slipped through the net. These dissenters had gathered all such ’fish’ and even brought out this Old Li to negotiate with them. They wanted the gangs to return their territory—but how could anyone expect them to spit out what they had already swallowed?

Times are progressing, and the mafia must evolve with them. Otherwise, they’ll be phased out. Such stubborn old relics!

"So what if I’ve retired? Can’t I, Old Li, still speak up for what’s right? Your Qing Gang, Feilong Gang, and Feihu Gang want to unify the underworld? Did you even bother to ask if we agree? You’ll have to get past the knives in our hands first!"

"That’s right! Who do you think you are? Give us back our territory!"

"Once it’s in our grasp, there’s no way we’re letting it go. You gentlemen must be getting senile."

"Exactly!"

The men on both sides continued to shout and curse, but since the leaders hadn’t made a move, everyone remained standing in their respective groups, not yet engaging.

Shangguan You’s brow furrowed deeply. Damn it! Long Hua, Chu Yi, Li Qing... this is the ’pacified’ B City they told me about? This chaotic mess is what they call ’settled’?

"The fight’s come right to our doorstep. So this is B City’s public order, huh? Truly an eye-opener," Gui Mo remarked coolly, observing the groups facing off. Their table had become the unintended center of attention, flanked by men from both sides. The diner was not only packed, but even the area outside the door was swarming with people. It seemed this was B City’s final showdown; the outcome would be crucial.

"Gui Mo, be quiet," Shangguan You ordered in a low voice. Gui Mo obediently shut his mouth, content to watch the drama unfold without further comment.

Meanwhile, Zhu Li and her parents, emerging with dishes, trembled at the sight of such a large-scale confrontation. Their steps became unsteady, the sight of the gleaming machetes flashing menacingly before their eyes.

Previous incidents had been mere scuffles; nothing like today’s massive, armed crowd. They’d never seen so many people, let alone so many weapons.

"Uncle, Auntie, Zhu Li, please sit down and eat with us," Shangguan You said, steadying the three of them and helping them to their seats. She decided to observe the unfolding situation for now, with no intention of intervening immediately.

Lan Xuan and Han Yachu exchanged a glance, both appearing calm. Shangguan Qing and Gui Mo were even more inclined to follow Shangguan You’s lead; as long as she didn’t speak or make a move to leave, they would undoubtedly stay by her side. "Youyou, should we..." Zhu Li stammered, but she fell silent under a sharp glare from her father, not daring to say more.

"Don’t be afraid. Let’s eat," Shangguan You said, a faint smile touching her lips. Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, she picked up her chopsticks, placed some food into Zhu Li’s bowl, then into Shangguan Qing’s, and slowly began to eat herself.

"Brother Qing, try this. Uncle and Auntie’s cooking is really delicious."