"Hmph, the two of them? Do they even qualify, Old Man Huang? Don't think I don't know where you fished these two out from; aren't they just the usual petty thieves, Zhang Xiaosan and Wang Xiaosi? Bringing these two weaklings back—isn't it just to make up the numbers?" Scar's words carried a distinct edge of gunpowder, but this was a crucial moment where compromise was absolutely out of the question, for Scar was no weakling or coward.

Old Man Huang shook off his stupor, slamming his liquor cup onto the table, and roared angrily, "Scar, you're crossing a line! Talking about them like that, what do you mean?" Then Old Man Huang turned toward Zhou Huan, his face contorted in rage, and pointed a finger at him, shouting, "And where did you drag this brat from, huh?" The moment Old Man Huang finished speaking, the knife in his hand was pressed against Zhou Huan’s neck again, this time digging a clear indentation into the flesh.

"Smack!" Scar slapped the knife clean out of Old Man Huang’s hand and bellowed, "Old Cripple Huang, you’re that old and you don't even bother to look in a mirror to see what a wreck you are. I only came to you because I truly couldn't find anyone else. Don't think you're something special; my brothers are my dogs, but you still need to look at who the master is around here, right?"

"Ouch!" At that moment, Zhou Huan saw two cold glints flashing before his eyes. The old man held a knife in each hand, one pressed against Zhou Huan’s throat and the other against Scar's. Then, the old man grinned sinisterly and whispered to Scar, "Brother, when I was almost sixty over ten years ago, you called me old. Well, didn't you keep that scar on your forehead? And now you call me old again. If you can't agree to my terms to my satisfaction, I'll take both your lives."

Though Zhou Huan's neck was scratched, he paid it no mind, standing calmly with an expressionless face, gazing at Old Man Huang.

Scar's expression suddenly tightened, his hand making no move to resist. His voice was hoarse, "Fine, old man, you’re tough today. This job can't be done without any one of us, so none of us will get rich."

"That's true, but..." Old Man Huang then turned his face back towards Zhou Huan, "Your brother here is remarkably calm. It's been a long time since I saw someone not flinch when my knife, Cripple Huang’s knife, is out."

The truth was, Cripple Huang’s foot injury stemmed from an old martial arts contest. In order to win, as he leaped off the stage, he simultaneously threw a hidden blade that killed the challenger still standing on the platform. Since both landed off the stage, Old Man Huang naturally became the victor. From then on, he often killed for a few silver coins, his ruthlessness in striking well-known. Today was no different; despite his advanced age, his knife had already pierced two centimeters into Zhou Huan’s neck skin.

Old Man Huang continued, "Still so composed, young brother. To be honest with you, never mind that my blade is already in your neck; even if I were ten meters away, taking your life would take but a single move. Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am, but it depends on how I die!" Zhou Huan’s reply genuinely angered Old Man Huang further.

"How you die? Then let me tell you properly—die!" Old Man Huang got energized, paying no heed to anything else. Just as he was about to channel force to the tip of the blade, the old man froze. There was a smear of blood on the tip of his knife, seepage from the skin on Zhou Huan’s neck, but only an empty blade hung suspended in mid-air. Old Man Huang spun around violently and saw Zhou Huan sitting in his own seat, sipping wine from a flask and picking at the food, staring at him.

Scar and the two petty thieves beside him were stunned. The two thieves had witnessed Zhou Huan's skill before, and seeing him now dealing with their Old Man Huang made their hearts tremble a little. As for interfering, that was out of the question.

Just as Old Man Huang was about to move, he suddenly dropped the knife in his hand. His face cleared instantly, breaking into a wide, beaming smile: "Heh heh, my brother, I was just testing your skills. No need to play for keeps, let's sit down and talk. The share for those two brats, Xiaosan and Xiaosi, Old Cripple Huang will cover myself."

Scar hadn't seen clearly what transpired between Zhou Huan and Old Man Huang before it was over. Old Man Huang hobbled over to sit in Zhou Huan's former seat, while Zhou Huan took Old Man Huang's place, pouring himself a drink and beginning to eat, "Eat up, drink up, what are you all standing around for!" It seemed Zhou Huan was genuinely hungry, chewing the food on the table with gusto.

Old Man Huang gave Xiaosan and Xiaosi a look. One was to attend to Zhou Huan, the other to Scar, filling their respective wine cups. Their bowls were piled high with dishes.

Scar glanced at Zhou Huan, then at Old Man Huang. His expression shifted, becoming rather smug: "Brother Huang, you’re already so old, why are you competing with us young ones for earnings? Giving you half a share is already quite generous; do you need that much money just to buy paper to burn for yourself?"

"Not at all, Brother Scar speaks the truth." As he spoke, Old Man Huang recalled the moment just past: his knife was clearly pressed against Zhou Huan’s neck, yet Zhou Huan had countered by pressing a hand against Old Man Huang's vital pressure point at the waist. This was the old man showing mercy; otherwise, if he had a knife in hand and stabbed in, he would have to admit his skill was inferior.

Zhou Huan devoured his food, saying, "You are both my elder brothers. Indeed, someone crossed paths with me in the Mountain God Temple earlier, but I don't know if it was these two. Because it was dark, my sight wasn't good enough, which is why things went as they did. If I offended you just now, I apologize for my rudeness. But I believe as long as we are dealing with those little Japanese devils, I am satisfied. Never mind helping you rob tombs; I would even help you blow up their arsenal, no problem."

"Brother Zhou speaks rightly, we will certainly do our best. Wait, the division just now was incorrect. Zhou Huan should take three shares, and then we can divide the rest." Old Man Huang was truly defeated. Zhou Huan's speed had convinced him, but more crucially, his humility after victory had thoroughly impressed everyone present.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, but within that tension lay an unconquerable resolve.

Scar spoke in his hoarse voice, "We've been fighting each other for decades. All I want now is to save up a bit more silver to leave some inheritance for my children, to make their lives a bit easier. At least this is a chance to bring honor to our ancestors."

"Right! Even if we fail at grave robbing, we still have to beat those sons of bitches. Otherwise, we let them enter our waters, our territory, for nothing!" Scar’s hoarse voice now carried a hint of patriotism.

Only now did Zhou Huan fully grasp it: these men had long wanted to raid the Japanese den, but they were short on men and lacked firearms. Attempting to rob them outright was simply suicide. That's why they planned this operation—to provoke the devils into a fight while also lining their own pockets.

"Brother Zhou, don't blame this old man for being too talkative, but I must ask, who exactly are you, and where did you learn your skills? You handled me so smoothly; handling others must be child's play for you?" Old Man Huang asked Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan replied solemnly, "My primary goal here is to fight the devils. Afterward, I will help you secretly with the antiques."

The group discussed through the entire night and ultimately decided to proceed with Scar's plan, as Scar had already arranged for men to dig a tunnel, ensuring the exit would be at the previously agreed-upon location. Scar then used his raspy voice to declare, "This matter is settled. Those guys from Fengtian, no matter how fast they are, can't outrun our tunnel. Rest assured. Everyone go home today to pack up your things. We assemble here sharp tomorrow, setting off at dusk!"

Everyone agreed. Old Man Huang, limping, escorted Zhou Huan and Scar out of the village. The two thieves stayed the night at Old Man Huang's place.

Once Zhou Huan and Scar left the village and reached the mountain path, Scar suddenly spun around, drawing his knife. Zhou Huan merely clamped down lightly with his hand, exerted a bit of force, and the blade snapped in two, clattering to the ground.

"What are you doing? You don't trust me either?" Zhou Huan asked quietly.

The raspy voice replied, "We are going there to make money, but there is always the danger of losing our heads. So I advise you to be careful. I'll go borrow lodging at the Mountain God Temple. And you?"

"The Mountain God Temple!"