As Xiao Yunlong stepped out of the old house, his third uncle Tang Tianbao, accompanied by over a dozen followers and thugs, hurried over.
"Yunlong, I heard your sixth uncle had an incident last night? What's going on?" Tang Tianbao asked.
Xiao Yunlong chuckled, "It seems the Jiangdong Pavilion came looking for trouble. I'm not entirely sure of the details, but I was planning to go check it out."
"That's perfect, I was also planning to bring some people over to see. Let's go together!"
It was evident that Tang Tianbao had brought these men to offer assistance.
Although Xiao Yunlong knew that Tang Tianbao's men were no match for the Jiangdong Pavilion, he didn't say much.
Thus, a convoy of several cars set off in a grand procession, roaring towards the Century Entertainment City.
Half an hour later, they arrived. Most of the entertainment city's venues only operated at night, making them appear rather deserted during the day.
Upon entering the lobby on the first floor, Xiao Yunlong discovered a scene of utter chaos. Debris was scattered everywhere, many wall tiles had fallen off, and scratches marred the surfaces. Two marble pillars had even been broken.
Despite having been cleaned, Xiao Yunlong could still see faint bloodstains on the walls, and a subtle scent of blood lingered in the air.
All signs indicated that a fierce battle had taken place here the previous night!
Upon learning of Xiao Yunlong's sudden arrival, Master Fo and Hong Shisan, Pan Wuzong, and others rushed out from within.
Master Fo's bald head was usually dark and shiny, but now it was mostly wrapped in bandages, and his left cheek was severely swollen, giving him a somewhat comical appearance.
"Mr. Xiao, why have you come so suddenly? You should have informed us in advance so we could pick you up!" Master Fo said.
"No need for such formalities. I was caught up in an urgent matter last night and couldn't make it in time. Are you all right?" Xiao Yunlong waved his hand.
Besides the stout Master Fo, Hong Shisan, Pan Wuzong, and the others also bore injuries to varying degrees.
Master Fo grinned, "We're fine. These are just head injuries. Thirty years ago, I wouldn't have even blinked at them!"
"It's good that you're all okay. By the way, where is my sixth uncle? He's not here?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"He is here, in the office inside. He might not be able to come out for a while. Mr. Xiao, I'll lead you in!"
Master Fo led the way, with Xiao Yunlong and Tang Tianbao following closely behind.
In the top-floor office, Sixth Uncle Tang Shanbao was lying on the sofa, his left leg and right hand heavily bandaged. It turned out his left leg and right hand had been broken.
"Yunzi, why are you here? Last night, Liang Bendao mentioned you were targeted by assassins? Are you alright?"
Upon seeing Xiao Yunlong enter, Tang Shanbao immediately asked with concern, instinctively trying to sit up. However, the movement pulled at his broken leg, causing him to grimace in pain.
Xiao Yunlong quickly waved his hands, "Sixth Uncle, don't move. I'm fine. But how did you end up like this, and what exactly happened last night?"
Tang Shanbao gritted his teeth and said, "It was those people from the Jiangdong Pavilion. Dozens of them came last night. Fortunately, you sent Jun Bufan and Liang Bendao to arrive in time, otherwise, our lives would have been forfeit."
Xiao Yunlong frowned and asked, "The Jiangdong Pavilion has a complex internal structure, with seven Protectors and three Pavilion Masters. Do you know which ones came last night?"
"I don't know about that."
Sixth Uncle Tang Shanbao shook his head and sighed, "Originally, I just wanted to open a few bars and maybe a couple of entertainment venues. I never intended to provoke that rat. After all, our Tang family is not what it used to be."
Speaking of this, Tang Shanbao suddenly added, "The Jiangdong Pavilion is a colossal entity. It's said that only a small contingent came last night. How can we possibly contend with such a powerful force? Yunlong, perhaps we should just give up. We don't need this entertainment city anymore. After all, our lives are more important."
Tang Tianbao also chimed in, "Shanbao is right. The Jiangdong Pavilion is immensely powerful. Besides those seven Protectors, their three Pavilion Masters are supreme experts. It's even rumored that the forces behind the Jiangdong Pavilion are more powerful than the Martial Alliance!"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly, "When I took over this entertainment city some time ago, Boss An, one of the seven Protectors of the Jiangdong Pavilion, died at my hands. The situation between us is now irreconcilable. Even if you return this Century Entertainment City to that rat, do you think the Jiangdong Pavilion will let it go?"
Tang Shanbao and Tang Tianbao fell silent, clearly realizing that Xiao Yunlong was right. Unless they fled Jiangdong, the other party would not back down.
Xiao Yunlong turned to Master Fo and asked, "What about you? Do you know who specifically led the attack last night?"
If even Master Fo didn't know, then Xiao Yunlong might have to go directly to the Jiangdong Pavilion headquarters.
Master Fo replied, "Mr. Xiao, the other party didn't say, so I'm not entirely sure. I've only been in Jiangdong Province for a short while. However, I've invited Master Mo from the Jiangdong Pavilion here. He should know."
As he finished speaking, a subordinate reported from outside that Master Mo had arrived.
Master Mo had a good relationship with Master Fo. It was he who Master Fo had invited for assistance when he faced threats from enemies in Sucheng.
However, Master Fo's enemy, having returned from studying martial arts in Fusang, had severed Master Mo's arm with a single strike. It was Xiao Yunlong who had saved his life.
"So Mr. Xiao is here as well. Greetings, Mr. Xiao!" Master Mo, an elderly man with a severed arm wearing a loose-fitting gown, entered and immediately bowed to Xiao Yunlong.
"No need for pleasantries, Master Mo. You've arrived at the perfect time. Regarding last night's events, you must already know. Who was the leader of the Jiangdong Pavilion contingent?"
Xiao Yunlong waved his hand and got straight to the point.
Master Mo didn't waste any words and immediately said, "It was Tu Sandao!"
He paused, and before Xiao Yunlong could speak, he added, "This Tu Sandao is also one of the seven Protectors of the Jiangdong Pavilion and the sworn brother of Boss An. Last night, he brought people here precisely to avenge his sworn brother!"
"I see!" Xiao Yunlong nodded slightly and smiled, "Tu Sandao. The name sounds quite imposing and intimidating. How is his strength?"
"I'm not too sure about his strength, as I haven't seen him in action for many years. However, he is definitely stronger than Boss An. It is said that in his youth, he was a butcher. Later, he was fortunate enough to be guided by a master from the Southern Shaolin, learned some martial arts, and thus rose to prominence!"
"So, this person is a disciple of the Southern Shaolin?" Master Fo asked with a frown.
"I'm not sure about that. I only know he carries a swift blade, said to be faster than a whirlwind. In the years he rose to prominence, countless martial arts experts have fallen to his swift blade!"
Master Mo took a breath and continued, "Tu Sandao is indeed Boss An's sworn brother. After Boss An's death, he immediately sent people to seize and annex all the industries that previously belonged to Boss An. This is also why the Jiangdong Pavilion has been quiet these past few days; they've all been busy vying for Boss An's territory and assets!"
Master Fo snorted, "They are indeed birds of a feather. By the way, Master Mo, Tu Sandao should not have come last night, right?"
"He did not. This Tu Sandao is arrogant and cautious. In fact, he was merely testing the waters last night."
Master Mo looked at Xiao Yunlong and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Xiao, when I was coming, Tu Sandao knew I was coming here, so he asked me to bring you a message!"
"What message did he ask you to convey?" Xiao Yunlong asked.
"Let me make it clear first, Mr. Xiao. I'm just delivering a message, and I have no malicious intent to provoke you. After I say it, you must not attack me!" Master Mo said.
"Naturally. Speak," Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly.
"Tu Sandao said that you are to break your own legs and crawl to see him by the end of today, otherwise, he will annihilate your entire family!"
After speaking, Master Mo instinctively stepped back, perhaps fearing that Mr. Xiao would fly into a rage.
Xiao Yunlong, however, chuckled and shook his head playfully, "This Tu Sandao probably tested me and found me to be only this capable, so he's become arrogant."
Master Mo remained silent. He dared not respond to this, as he was also from the Jiangdong Pavilion and still had to make a living there. He dared not offend Tu Sandao.
"Where is that Tu Sandao now?" Xiao Yunlong suddenly asked sharply.
"At the Kaitai Casino. That is his stronghold!" Master Mo replied.
"In that case, let's go and meet this Tu Sandao!" Xiao Yunlong turned to leave.
Master Mo's lips twitched, looking as if he had something to say but hesitated.
Master Fo said, "Mr. Xiao, are we going to find Tu Sandao now? We only have so many people, and many were injured last night. I was thinking, we should summon all our forces from Sucheng and then engage the enemy!"
"No need. You are injured, so rest here," Xiao Yunlong said and walked out directly.
"Since Mr. Xiao has made up his mind, how can we shrink back at such a crucial juncture? Count me in!" Master Fo immediately declared.
"Count me in too!" Hong Shisan and Pan Wuzong said in unison.
"Damn it, at worst we'll die! Hurry and get me a wheelchair. Even if I have to crawl, I'll crawl there!" Tang Shanbao shouted.
Under Xiao Yunlong's leadership, the group swiftly headed towards the Kaitai Casino.
In fact, including the dozen or so followers and thugs brought by Tang Tianbao, the entire team numbered no more than thirty people.
The Kaitai Casino was located in the west of Jiangdong City, a massive serpentine building. It was said that Tu Sandao was very superstitious about Feng Shui. When he rose to power and built this Kaitai building, he specifically hired a Feng Shui master to survey it.
The vast serpentine building, while possessing aesthetic architectural design, had a giant snake's mouth as its main entrance, symbolizing a snake swallowing an elephant, and also signifying prosperity.
The Kaitai building had six floors. The lower three floors housed various entertainment venues, while the upper three floors were the casino. Behind it, half of the area was Tu Boss's private domain.
Xiao Yunlong led the group directly to the third floor.
Before they even entered, a boisterous clamor could be heard from within, even louder than a marketplace. Gamblers of all sorts were betting heavily, and the entire hall was filled with a smoky haze.
As Xiao Yunlong and his large entourage stormed in, the entire hall was alerted. The timid ones immediately chose to leave, as they could tell these people were clearly not here for a friendly visit. Such incidents were not uncommon.
"Who are you people?" several security guards immediately stepped forward to question them.
Xiao Yunlong did not speak. With a single kick, he sent the one who had shouted flying. "Tell Tu Sandao to get out here!"
The entire hall erupted into chaos as if a hornet's nest had been disturbed. All the gamblers scrambled to escape, though some of the bolder ones remained to watch the spectacle.
"Damn it, how dare you cause trouble here? Who are you people, are you looking to die?" The leader of the security guards, along with over a dozen guards, rushed forward.
However, before the leader could make a move, Xiao Yunlong kicked him flying over ten meters away!
The remaining dozen guards were petrified by this sight and stood frozen, not daring to advance further.
The surrounding guests, witnessing this, couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
"Who is this young man with the buzz cut? He's too arrogant and overbearing, daring to cause trouble at Boss Tu's establishment!"
"I don't know. I haven't seen such a figure in Jiangdong before. Looking at him, he might be a rising star in the martial world, preparing to contend for territory with Boss Tu?"
"With just the handful of people behind him, and these kinds of guys, they think they can challenge Boss Tu? As the saying goes, lighting a lamp in a latrine – that's looking for death!"
As the surrounding gamblers were discussing, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the staircase in the hall, as if the ground were shaking.
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw a man as robust and imposing as the Pagoda-Bearing King descending the stairs step by step.
This man was exceptionally tall, likely exceeding two meters, and incredibly stout. He looked like a small mountain on the move, yet he was wearing only red shorts, which added a touch of the comical.
Upon seeing this man, even without an introduction, everyone knew this must be the legendary Tu Sandao!
Behind Tu Sandao, a dense crowd of subordinates followed. At this moment, his thugs surged out from all directions like a tide, instantly surrounding Xiao Yunlong and his group.
Indeed, as one of the seven Protectors of the Jiangdong Pavilion, Tu Sandao, who originated from a butcher's background, possessed considerable influence, far stronger than Boss An.
"You're that kid called Xiao Yunlong, aren't you?"
Tu Sandao's cold snort boomed like thunder. He walked directly to Xiao Yunlong and looked down at him, roaring, "Didn't I tell that old ghost Mo to pass a message to you, to break your own legs and crawl to my casino? I didn't expect you to come, but you walked in standing up. You have immense audacity!"
Xiao Yunlong's expression remained calm as he clasped his hands behind his back and said faintly, "You sent people to break my sixth uncle's limbs and trash his establishment. Tell me, how do we settle this score?"
Tu Sandao burst into laughter, "Good kid, I can't remember how many years it's been since someone dared to speak to me like this face-to-face. You have guts, you're a man!"
Speaking of this, Tu Sandao suddenly snorted, "You, surnamed Xiao, since you've come to my casino, are you interested in gambling a few rounds with me first?"
It was evident that Tu Sandao was a gambler; his large, bell-like eyes gleamed when the word "gambling" was mentioned.
Xiao Yunlong stood tall and straight in the center of the hall, his hands behind his back, and asked, "What do you want to gamble on?"
Tu Sandao grinned widely and sneered, "You, kid, are quite a character. If we gamble for money, the stakes would be too low. Let's play something more exciting – gamble with our lives!"
"Gamble with our lives? That does sound quite exciting. I agree, let's gamble with our lives!" Xiao Yunlong said firmly.
"Good, you have guts. Let's begin then!" Tu Sandao said, pulling out a chair and sitting down at the gambling table.