A sense of responsibility? Do I not have enough of that already?

I followed the trail of the two thugs who’d just fled down Snack Street. If it was them, they’d know where the mastermind was.

Hmph. I already had a good idea who it was. But I might as well pay a visit. I’ve always believed in an eye for an eye.

Though, most of the time, I prefer to act harmless.

Beyond a half-built construction site lay an abandoned factory nearby. It was a common hangout for thugs.

People from the underworld called this place a paradise. No one watched. No one governed. Fights broke out freely. Even the police had given up on this area. After all, in any era, there are those who can’t be controlled. The best solution was to give them a place to vent. So a small puddle of trouble wouldn’t spoil the whole basin.

And these people silently followed the rules. Break them, and you’d be seen as a traitor by all. The consequences were obvious.

2

Inside the abandoned factory, dozens of thugs gathered. Among them were the ten or so who’d blocked the road earlier, plus the two who’d fled.

Lulu sat on a steel pipe, his face clouded with worry. His fingers tapped restlessly against it.

“Brother Lu, Brother Lu,” one thug pleaded, “let’s just call this off. We’ll repay the money when the boss returns. We’re dropping this job—that guy’s terrifying!”

“Yeah, yeah! He’s not even human.”

“I couldn’t fight him. My heart raced just standing at the roadblock. Thank goodness I got away in time.”

The thugs made excuses. Truth was, they weren’t true underworld folks. Just small-time brawlers.

“Shut up! You’re annoying,” Lulu snapped, rubbing his forehead hard. His handsome face twisted in frustration. “I shouldn’t have trusted you idiots. I should’ve hired the real pros from the start.”

If he botched this small task, he’d lose the Fang family heir’s favor. He might even face his wrath.

Seriously, what was I thinking hiring these losers? Thirty men couldn’t handle one guy.

“Kid, watch your tone,” a thug growled. “We’re only tolerating you ‘cause you’re paying. Don’t think we won’t beat you. I’ve got a lot of anger to vent.”

It was just a business deal. Push too far, and they wouldn’t hold back.

A burly man jumped down the iron stairs from the second floor. His presence silenced the chattering thugs instantly.

As the thugs grabbed weapons, Lulu shrank back. He had no choice.

“S-sorry,” he stammered.

“Good. Know your place,” the burly man said. “Explain the situation. If needed, I’ll ask Brother Hei for help.” He stood apart from the others—solid, imposing.

“Second Brother, it’s like this…”

After hearing the story, Second Brother’s face darkened.

“Tie him up.”

“W-what? I’m the employer!”

Before Lulu could run, thugs swarmed him. They pinned him down, bound his limbs with rope, and stuffed a rag in his mouth.

“You’re in deep trouble. Real deep trouble.”

Bang—

A thug flew through the factory entrance, skidding seven meters before collapsing. His limbs twitched on the ground.

“Who dares cause trouble on our turf?” a brave voice shouted toward the door.

“All gathered here? Perfect. Saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one.”

I dragged an unconscious thug by the collar, stepping inside.

“S-second Brother! It’s him!” a thug whispered.

Slap.

Second Brother backhanded the informant. “I can see for myself.”

Lulu, bound on the floor, let out muffled whimpers. Fear blazed in his eyes.

“So welcoming? You even tied him up for me.”

I tossed the thug I carried like a rag onto the ground. Stopping, I pulled a cigarette from my pocket.

“B-brother Long! W-why are you here?” Second Brother’s tough act vanished. He scurried over like a puppy to light my smoke.

“You know me?”

Smoke curled in the air as I exhaled.

“Of course! Brother Long’s name is known everywhere!”

“Get lost. I like you slightly better. I’ll spare you.”

I gave him a cold stare, then swept my gaze over the thugs. They all stepped back in unison.

“T-they’re my juniors. Please, show mercy. They’re young and foolish. Bow to Brother Long now!”

“B-brother Long!”

A chorus of shaky greetings rose instantly.

“Where are those two who ran from me earlier?”

“Did you hear that? Brother Long wants you out here! Move!”

“H-here, Brother Long! I didn’t recognize a great man like you!”

The two thugs shuffled forward, legs trembling.

I exhaled smoke into their faces.

“Do you know what I hate most?”

“W-what you hate most?”

Slap. Second Brother understood. He slapped the left thug hard. The man’s face swelled, and he crumpled, too scared to rise.

“Brother Long hates traitors.”

As Second Brother moved to hit the other, I gripped his shoulder.

“They’ve repented. Don’t be too harsh. We’re all brothers.”

“Exactly! Thank Brother Long!”

He was cut off.

“But I’ve never liked traitors. On a battlefield, your desertion would get comrades killed.”

I lunged forward, grabbed the thug by the throat, and hurled him dozens of meters away.

Crash.

He slammed into the wall, unconscious before he hit the floor.

“Brother Long’s right!”

“So right!”

“These two can’t be forgiven!”

“But this isn’t a battlefield. I’ll let them slide. Now, it’s your turn.”

I strode toward Lulu. He was frozen in terror, his pants soaked.

“Mmm! Mmm!” Tears streamed down his face. As a rich kid, he’d never seen anything like this.

“Brat. At the restaurant, you were awfully cheeky. Wanted to ‘introduce’ me to live streaming, huh? Said my clothes were tacky?”

I hold grudges. His words didn’t bother me—I wouldn’t waste time on them. But if I let it slide once, it’d happen again. I hate trouble. Better to settle it cleanly once and for all.

An enemy ruled by fear makes the best friend.

“Mmm—!”

“What do you want to say?”

I kicked him. Lulu flew five meters, curling up like a shrimp on the ground.