351 Caught in the Act!
Qin Huai regarded Song A’san’s earnest expression and the hairpin and jewelry he held. He allowed a moment of silence to pass.
“Third Brother.”
A figure approached from the distance, heading toward Song A’san. Noticing Qin Huai, his expression shifted to seriousness.
“Fifth Master!” His tone held respect, yet his gaze bristled with caution. Then, pulling Song A’san’s arm, they both sidestepped a few paces.
“What instructions does Big Brother have?” Song A’san asked solemnly.
“Big Brother requested that you lead a team to neutralize the remnants of the Lin Gang,” the man stated gravely.
“Understood. Just tell Big Brother to leave it to me!” Song A’san reassured, thumping his chest with an air of reliability.
The man nodded, then glanced at Qin Huai. “Third Brother, you must be wary of Fifth Master…” He broke off, giving Qin Huai a tight smile. “Fifth Master, I’ll take my leave now.”
Upon finishing his sentence, he distanced himself quickly.
“Fifth Master, if we ever have the opportunity, we should share a drink,” Song A’san suggested, gathering up two more hairpins. “I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll leave first.”
“If I’m not mistaken, did Second Brother task you with another duty?” Qin Huai’s expression hardened.
“Yes, although Big Brother has many subordinates, few are trustworthy,” Song A’san acknowledged, his tone infused with pride. “Big Brother and I share a bond forged in life-and-death situations. We’re closer than actual brothers… Rest assured, I’ll manage everything for Big Brother.”
Qin Huai looked at Song A’san with a measure of sympathy. He sighed internally. How could Yin Rongen treat such a loyal brother in this manner?
“Today, you’ve bared your soul to me,” Qin Huai began. “Leave the duty of hunting down the lingering miscreants of the Lin Gang to me… It just so happens I want to test a new poison.”
“Well…” Song A’san began.
“Do you mean to imply that I, as the second leader of the Blood Poison Gang, am less competent than you?” Qin Huai questioned, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve had quite a successful day today. It’s best to reunite with your wife sooner.”
Song A’san hesitated before responding, “Err… Thank you, Fifth Master! You’re truly different from the previous leaders of the Blood Poison Gang.”
“Then you must be mistaken,” retorted Qin Huai, his voice nonchalant.
“I’ve always been a good judge of character!” Song A’san slapped his chest before heading home, laden with his collected accessories.
Qin Huai lingered a moment before heading toward the Blood Poison Gang. Not long after he’d left, Zhou Cunzhong hurried over.
“Fifth Master, I’ve just received some news. Yin Rongen returned early and commanded his men to find Song A’san,” he blurted excitedly. “There’s a high chance that Yin Rongen’s plan is to send his brother to search for that beautiful woman again.”
“And where does Song A’san’s wife reside?”
“Alright,” Qin Huai acknowledged, nodding. “Continue to suppress the remaining members of the Lin Gang. Don’t concern yourself with Yin Rongen for now.”
“Yes, Fifth Master!” Zhou Cunzhong affirmed, quickly taking his leave.
Qin Huai then resumed his journey toward Willow Street.
…
Willow Street, house number sixteen.
Set within the quiet, tastefully designed courtyard, charming scenery of faux rockeries and water features greeted the eye.
A swallow alighted on a branch, chirping cheerfully to its companions. The cobblestone path underfoot was equally exquisite, and an intricate pattern of heart shapes formed from stones of various sizes led from the courtyard entrance to the house. It was clear that whoever laid this path had done so with good intentions.
However, at the end of the heart-shaped path, beneath the eaves adorned with an array of vibrant flowers, were not the courtyard’s original owners.
Yin Rongen lay sprawled on the bed, gasping for breath, his muscular form on full display. Beside him was a woman, her figure elegant and lithe. She rested in his arms, panting softly.
Their complexions were flush with exertion. It was clear they’d just partaken in a fervent tryst.
“You little minx, you’re still quite a handful,” Yin Rongen murmured, a lascivious smile curving his lips as he licked their corners, savoring the lingering taste.
The woman, however, pounded Yin Rongen’s chest with mild annoyance. “When exactly are you going to rid me of that blockhead Song A’san? Every day, the mere thought of having to face him at night makes me nauseous. It’s enough to ruin my appetite.”
Yin Rongen’s hand traced soothing circles on the woman’s back. “Patience, wait a little longer. Right now, Huang Qiguang, Qin Huai, and I are locked in a power struggle. This is a time when every pair of hands counts.
“Song A’san, being at the fifth-level bone pattern realm, is the strongest man within the Blood Poison Gang after us, so we can’t dispose of him yet,” Yin Rongen reasoned, his tone gentle.
“Alright then…” The woman’s finger aimlessly traced circles on Yin Rongen’s chest. “But let’s agree on one thing. After this is all over, you must kill him and marry me!”
“Of course! Don’t you know why I’ve remained unmarried all these years?”
As their banter continued, their camaraderie intensified. He reached for the blanket, ready for another round, when a jovial voice echoed from beyond the courtyard.
“Wifey! I’m back!”
Song A’san’s strides were brisk. In five or six steps he reached the door. As a proficient poison user, his senses were sharp. The moment he arrived at the threshold, a rotten smell greeted him.
Bang!
He pushed the door open.
In an instant, his eyes were filled with rage. The pristine jewelry in his hands fell and clattered to the ground.
