Chapter 450: Thug vs. Hoodlum (Part Three) Volume Three: Lawlessness officially concludes. The next volume will be Volume Four, where early foreshadowing will be gradually unveiled: the relationship between Murong Lianxue, Murong Liantian, Yang Yi, and Yang Rong, matters concerning Yang Yitian and Yang Xuan, and the Heavenly Ghost and Heavenly Dragon lineages. Furthermore, the anticipated meeting of the Ye family heir will also occur. If nothing unexpected arises, this book will conclude before the beginning of next month. Let us strive together for this final month, allowing us high-level hoodlums to go wild one last time. — Dongcheng expresses gratitude for everyone's support, thank you! “What are you standing around for? Get him!” The large man carrying the baseball bat, though inwardly surprised, never once considered his side would lose. Seeing Yang Yi appear instantly behind them, his instinct screamed that this was untrustworthy, merely some kind of trickery.

To say these thugs were skilled martial artists would be giving them too much credit. The only reason these hoodlums possessed slightly better techniques than ordinary people was purely from constant brawling; their so-called skills were forged in constant street fights. Setting aside their imprecise attacks, their control over force lacked any targeted application. Dealing with them was, therefore, child’s play.

Watching the horde of thugs rush him, Yang Yi shook his head in resignation. Attacking them lethally would make him look like a complete fool, yet refraining from doing so meant they might harass him again soon. With that thought, Yang Yi sighed softly, “It seems I must get to the bottom of this. Once started, I must see it through to the end.”

“Whoosh—Whoosh!” Yang Yi released the iron rods, tossing them toward the thugs. They struck precisely in the chest area. The well-aimed attacks didn't kill them, but they sent them sprawling onto the ground, struggling even to sit up. For Yang Yi, a martial artist—no, a Grandmaster—his control over internal energy had reached the pinnacle of mastery.

“You…” The bewildered expression on the baseball bat brute’s face left him speechless. As the increasingly unbelievable reality set in, he knew that even the strongest illusion couldn't leave men lying incapacitated, struggling just to rise.

No, that was absolutely impossible. At least, the large man with the baseball bat, who now recognized this person was far from simple, immediately dismissed any self-soothing notion. The 'skill' developed through fighting lacked significant offensive power and accuracy. More critically, Yang Yi could tell the baseball bat brute had some foundation, but lacking proper guidance, he had walked down the wrong path.

“Smack!” Yang Yi caught the baseball bat the brute swung back at him, gripping it tightly with one hand before wrenching it away. But he knew the fight wasn't over; the punch the brute had thrown could not be underestimated. That single blow proved the man possessed speed.

Thud—The baseball bat brute’s punch aimed for Yang Yi’s stomach produced a sound like tearing air, and his face twisted a full three-hundred-and-sixty degrees. A distinct, crisp sound echoed from the impact, much like bone shattering.

“Ah!” The baseball bat brute howled in agony. He could feel it; the arm was his own. He thought he had struck Yang Yi’s stomach, but when his fist made contact, it felt like hitting a slab of stone—one that rebounded. All his force returned instantaneously, shattering the bones in his fingers and knuckles, jarring the joint all the way up to his shoulder, dislocating it!

“Your hand is crippled. Go back and tell the person who sent you that I’m in a good mood today, so I won't press the issue. If there’s a next time? Hmph, tell him to prepare coffins for his whole family,” Yang Yi’s words were no casual joke, especially with the peculiar, cold smile lingering at the end, which made the howling brute realize the chilling coldness and murderous intent in the eyes were not those of an ordinary person.

To operate in this underworld, one needed sharp eyes and a ruthless heart. Only with absolute power could one speak such words. The baseball brute didn't look back at Yang Yi, nor did he pay heed to the small-time thugs sprawled on the ground. He walked forward step by painstaking step, gritting his teeth. It wasn't that he was incapable of a final counterattack, but overwhelming fear held him back; in the face of absolute power, even the smart wouldn't attempt to crush an egg against a rock using their anger.

“W-what in the world is going on?” Old Turtle appeared from somewhere, clutching a pack of cigarettes, standing at the alley entrance, trembling as he muttered to himself.

“Yi, are you alright?” Xia Shiyun asked with concern.

“I’m fine. A few minor thugs can’t handle me,” Yang Yi smiled faintly, twisted the engine key, and the car pulled away.

After their car vanished, a scarlet sports car slowly started up and followed Yang Yi’s vehicle. Old Turtle waited until the baseball brute, his hand ruined and covered in a cold sweat, stumbled before him, then eagerly demanded, “How could this happen? What exactly occurred?”

“Old… Old Turtle! You had better find some medical expenses for us this time, otherwise…”

“I know, but first, tell me what happened! Aren’t you usually tough fighters? Why were you beaten so badly this time?” Old Turtle’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm, though perhaps unintentional, it struck the brute that way.

“That person told me to relay a message to you: today’s matter is settled, but if there is a next time, tell your young master to prepare coffins for his whole family. I also advise you: don't provoke that person again. He is not an ordinary man; provoking him isn't worth ten lifetimes.” The baseball brute fought back the pain in his arm, large beads of sweat tracing paths down his forehead. After speaking, he ignored Old Turtle’s expression, walked toward the side of the alley, and sat down, gasping for breath. ############################################ A few days later, at the Jiangnan Hangzhou Airport…

Historically, Jiangnan has always been a constantly evolving and highly flexible geographical concept. Even today, among all academic works concerning Jiangnan, it has never held a unified definition or standard. The meaning of Jiangnan varied widely in ancient texts. It often appeared vaguely alongside concepts like 'Jiangbei' (North of the River) or 'Zhongyuan' (Central Plains).

The significance of Jiangnan has grown steadily with historical development. The Jiangnan of the Six Dynasties was the Jiangnan within China; the Jiangnan of the Ming and Qing dynasties was the China’s Jiangnan; and the Jiangnan since modern times has become the world’s Jiangnan. A saying rings true: “Above there is Paradise, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” Undeniably, Suzhou and Hangzhou, famed as the “land of accumulated gold and jade, a gentle haven of wealth and refinement,” are indeed the epitome of Jiangnan.

“Suzhou and Hangzhou? How many years has it been? Returning to this place again.” A youth’s face was etched with a bitter smile. Undeniably, this place held too many memories for him—memories of childhood and memories of every other kind.

A pitch-black car pulled up before the youth. Several towering men in black suits emerged, standing ramrod straight, and greeted him respectfully, “Welcome back, Young Master.”

“En.” The youth didn't ask how they knew of his return, nor did he speak further, walking straight into the car.

As the car moved away slowly, a figure hidden in the air spoke, “Let’s follow them.”

“Good!” Several silhouettes chased after them as if from thin air.

Events seemed to be growing increasingly interesting; that phrase perfectly described the current situation. Now that the youth had returned to Hangzhou, the trials awaiting him seemed imminent.

Returning to the Black God Gang Headquarters.

Yang Yi learned that John Osli and his subordinates had been abducted by the Blood Clan, and the Dark Council had reached a cooperative consensus with the Holy See. Everything felt as though it were proceeding according to prediction. Looking at the intelligence transmitted from the Tenth Army General, his heart turned cold, yet he was simultaneously exhilarated, for he had finally grasped a tiny bit of the fox’s tail.

“So, his entire force is concentrated in the South African region. No wonder we couldn’t find a trace of his influence across China. I finally have a piece of the fox’s tail.”

Hearing Yang Yi speak, Fatty Lin grew curious and asked, “Brother Yi, whose tail?”

“Heh heh, take a look yourself.” Yang Yi handed the intelligence file to Fatty Lin. “In two days, the invitation reception hosted by the Eight Great Families will also be relocated to Hangzhou. Fatty, pack your things. We leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Understood,” Fatty Lin replied while reading the document. But after only a moment, his brow furrowed deeply, and he asked, “Brother Yi, if his forces are in South Africa, then why is he…”

“I don’t know. This might be Fourth Brother’s personal family matter, which is why he never mentioned it to us. Sigh, that guy insists on handling everything himself; I wonder if he even considers us brothers.” Yang Yi shook his head slightly.

“En, this whole situation is indeed quite strange,” Fatty Lin agreed, finding the information in the file truly bizarre.