Chapter 103: Trouble Comes Knocking for Tiger Lantern

After uncovering the secret in the warehouse, Pan Ximi insisted on visiting the headquarters of the Ancient Jade Gang. I couldn’t refuse, so I went out with Chen Laobao and Pan Ximi.

As we stepped out of the inner room, Chen Laobao pointed at the AK rifles carried by Pan Ximi’s men and said, “You’re really something. With the outside world so tight-lipped, you still dare to deal in arms?”

Upon hearing Pan Ximi’s command, San’er immediately took an AK-47 from behind, expertly pulled back the bolt, and aimed at a nearby empty spot. He pulled the trigger, and a stream of water droplets sprayed out, quickly hitting the ground and wetting a patch.

I almost burst out laughing right then.

Chen Laobao glared at Pan Ximi and cursed, “You son of a—, you’re fooling me?”

Pan Ximi looked helpless. “I never said these guns were real; that’s all your own assumption.”

With that, Pan Ximi strode out, casually patting Chen Laobao on the chest. “Old Leopard, I’m not saying this to offend, but when you’re out in the world, sometimes it’s all about the aura. You fart, and others might think it’s thunder! Come on, lead the way!”

Chen Laobao’s face turned ashen, but he had no choice and reluctantly led the way.

Half an hour later, we arrived at the Luyi’er Market, the temporary headquarters of the Ancient Jade Gang.

Luyi’er Market was an old market. Outside the perimeter, some people were busy buying jade stones. The stalls displayed a dazzling array of jade, glimmering softly under the sunlight, but the overall environment was shabby—the ground was uneven, and the narrow aisles between stalls were crowded.

An air of mustiness lingered, making the atmosphere somewhat uncomfortable.

Some stalls, in an attempt to attract tourists, even hung plastic toys and seashells like conchs, which caught Pan Ximi’s eye and left him stunned.

Looking around with a scornful expression, Pan Ximi frowned and said, “This is the Ancient Jade Gang’s headquarters? It’s way too shabby!”

Chen Laobao’s face darkened, but he forced a smile and said, “It’s temporary, just temporary. We’re preparing a new headquarters. Once everything’s ready, this place will look brand new.”

Pan Ximi sneered, “I hope so. Otherwise, if our ancestors knew the Ancient Jade Gang had sunk to this, they’d probably crawl out of their graves to slap our gang leader.”

We pressed deeper into the market, passing through a narrow alley into an old two-story building.

The hallway was dimly lit, and the peeling paint on the walls was glaringly unsightly.

Chen Laobao led us to an office door and pushed it open. Inside, the furnishings were simple but tidy.

“This is our temporary headquarters,” Chen Laobao said, pointing to a few desks and several computers.

Pan Ximi entered, casually flipping through the documents on the desk, his disdain growing. “This? Your intelligence work is way too sloppy.”

Chen Laobao’s face turned dark with anger but he forced himself to stay calm.

Taking a deep breath, he said, “Pan Ximi, what exactly are you here for? If it’s just to mock us, you can leave now.”

Pan Ximi’s face broke into a teasing smile. “Don’t rush. I came on business.” He pulled out a map and spread it on the table. “I heard that a batch of rare ancient jade is about to be transported to this market. Once we handle this shipment, I believe we can find a better place for our headquarters.”

Suddenly, the office door was pushed open, and a young man rushed in, panting heavily. “Brother Leopard, bad news! There’s a group outside asking about Tiger Lantern. They’re demanding Tiger Lantern repay a debt. They don’t look friendly!”

Chen Laobao frowned and stood up immediately. “Who are they? How many?”

The young man shook his head. “Not sure, but they seem trouble.”

Pan Ximi sneered, “Looks like you’ve got quite some problems.”

His eyes flickered. “Tiger Lantern?”

I nodded. “That’s me.”

Only then did Pan Ximi realize I was still hiding my identity here, acting as a mere lantern bearer.

Chen Laobao ignored Pan Ximi’s mockery and turned to us. “You all, come with me and have a look.”

He motioned for me to stay behind.

I thought it over and stayed put.

Pan Ximi and I moved to the next room, where a window overlooked the group down below, not far from the building.

Chen Laobao stepped outside the office and into the market. Sure enough, several figures were anxiously looking around.

The leader, a burly man, saw Chen Laobao and immediately approached with a hostile tone. “Chen Laobao, hand over Wang Hu! He owes Gao Youde money from last night and needs to pay up!”

Chen Laobao frowned deeply. “Who are you? Did Gao Youde send you?”

The man sneered, “That’s right. Boss Gao sent us to collect the debt. Wang Hu owes our leader money, and it must be paid today. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being ruthless!”

Chen Laobao looked at the dozen or so men who had gathered, and outside the market, more figures moved about stealthily. It seemed Gao Youde had mobilized a considerable force.

He was determined to forcefully reclaim tens of millions owed.

Chen Laobao knew this wouldn’t be easy to resolve today.

Pan Ximi and I watched everything from the adjacent room through the window.

Pan Ximi’s eyes gleamed as he whispered to me, “Gao Youde? That name sounds familiar. Boss, you owe him money?”

I nodded. “I borrowed from him to start the water business.”

“How much?”

“Over twenty million.”

“Well done, Boss. To owe that much in this dump, you’re really something!”

His words felt off to me, so I looked at Pan Ximi. “Are you joking or actually impressed?”

“Seriously impressed... Someone your age without connections borrowing twenty million is real talent. Want me to pay it off for you?”

I sneered. “I have no intention of repaying this guy.”

Pan Ximi was stunned. “Not paying? A deadbeat?”

I shook my head. “He’s a usurer. I figure the principal he lent is only about ten million. This person is merciless.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

Pan Ximi pondered, then said, “Still, it’s not right. It’s your debt after all. Let me settle it for you.”

I shook my head. “I initially planned to kill him as a sacrifice to the heavens before taking the lantern role. But he backed out midway, and I ended up killing the wrong person!”