Chapter Twenty-Nine: Young Master Tang Is Truly Gifted

The reason the Xiao family reigns supreme in Shanghai is inseparable from their connection to Crimson Security. Groups like Crimson Security, violent syndicates by nature, are dreaded by all powers; they aren’t like certain organizations that bother with rules and regulations. They answer only to the Xiao family, serving as its blade, striking wherever ordered.

On the surface, Crimson Security appears to be a typical security company, open to outside contracts.

Today, Li Zirui accepted an assignment—good pay for a simple task: apprehend two individuals, no danger involved. It was the kind of easy job he wouldn’t refuse. But to his surprise, the targets turned out to be his own young master. The situation had taken a turn for the absurd: family capturing family.

Yet, it wasn’t his fault. Xiao Cheng’s car hadn’t been registered with Crimson Security, so they had no way of knowing that the imposing license plate belonged to the Xiao family’s heir.

Li Zirui explained the situation to Xiao Cheng as best he could, mentioning only that the client was someone called Tiger, who would soon arrive to collect the captives.

“This is interesting!” Xiao Cheng nodded after understanding the circumstances. He knew the client would soon arrive, and was in no hurry. He was curious to see who possessed such audacity—to hire Crimson Security to capture him, the young master.

“We’ll wait for him to come. I’m eager to see who it is!” Xiao Cheng smiled, betraying no blame.

Li Zirui relaxed upon seeing Xiao Cheng remain calm. Despite the young master’s notorious reputation, he was still a legitimate heir of the Xiao family, and might well be its future head. With Xiao Cheng’s instructions, Li Zirui sprang into action, signaling his team. Thirteen men immediately formed a defensive arc.

Zhu Qinglian sat in her car, gazing at the scene outside, her thoughts in turmoil. The members of her Qinglian Gang were worlds apart from these well-trained mercenaries.

She had heard tales of Crimson Security’s prowess, but only now, seeing them in person, did she realize the truth: not only their discipline, but their palpable aura of blood and steel—all veterans of true battlefields.

Soon, Xiao Cheng caught the distant roar of engines, guessing the clever client had arrived.

A car appeared in Xiao Cheng’s view, and he immediately recognized it—it belonged to his racing rival, Tang Qianfan.

During their race, Tang Qianfan had brazenly eyed Zhu Qinglian and covertly schemed against Xiao Cheng. Given his temperament, he would never let such things slide, but at the time he was preoccupied with the matter of the Venus steel and didn’t wish to waste energy.

He hadn’t expected Tang Qianfan to go so far as to hire killers against him. If it hadn’t been Crimson Security today, he might have paid dearly. Now that fate had delivered them to him, Xiao Cheng wouldn’t let them off.

Tang Qianfan wasn’t alone; two other cars followed. Tang parked behind the Lamborghini, stepped out with an arrogant air, and the other two—Tiger and Qiao Yifeng—joined him.

Qiao Yifeng had no desire to meet Xiao Cheng under these circumstances. He preferred to plot from the shadows.

He hadn’t expected Tang Qianfan to bring Crimson Security, a name known only to a select few in Shanghai. Those who knew Crimson Security knew its power, yet almost nobody realized it belonged to the Xiao family.

With Crimson Security in play, today should spell disaster for Xiao Cheng. Emboldened by this, Qiao Yifeng’s courage grew.

Tang Qianfan sauntered to Zhu Qinglian’s car, grinning. “Well? Interested in sharing a drink with me now? Ha! Don’t be scared, I’ll take good care of you!”

---

Zhu Qinglian rolled her eyes. Clearly, Tang Qianfan hadn’t grasped the situation. She turned to Tiger and said, “Let me formally announce: Tang Qianfan, aged twenty-eight.”

“Hmph, you stubborn fool, still mouthing off at death’s door!” Tang Qianfan sneered, licking his lips, then strode over to Xiao Cheng, taunting, “So you won a race. Think that’s impressive? I’ll show you true power—you’re nothing but a speck before me.”

He finished speaking but sensed something off in the atmosphere. Still, he paid no mind and waved at the Crimson mercenaries. “Grab those two.”

No one moved; the mercenaries looked at him with a hint of pity in their eyes.

Tang’s face soured. Did they think his payment was insufficient? He added, “Tie them up. I’ll pay double.”

Still, the mercenaries remained motionless, as if watching a fool’s performance.

“Are you finished?” Xiao Cheng smiled, stepping in front of Tang Qianfan and making a standard Crimson Security targeting gesture.

At his signal, the crisp sound of M16 safeties disengaging echoed, as thirteen rifles trained on Tang Qianfan, Qiao Yifeng, and Tiger’s heads. One word from Xiao Cheng, and they would fire without hesitation.

The air froze. Tang Qianfan stared, stupefied, at the array of guns. Weren’t these men hired by him? How could they turn so suddenly? Crimson Security was reputed for its integrity—never betraying a client. Why were the guns aimed at him?

He concluded Xiao Cheng must have arrived first and bribed the mercenaries with cash. Clinging to this hope, Tang shouted, “The Tang family has plenty of money! Whatever he offered, I’ll double it!”

“Such a generous offer, Young Master Tang, but we must decline,” Li Zirui replied with pity. To be so blind to the situation at hand—how tragic.

“Why? Aren’t you all in it for the money?” Tang Qianfan was incredulous. He was offering double, yet they remained unmoved—were these mercenaries at all?

He was baffled: they were his hires, yet now stood against him. Who could explain why?

“Why? Why is this?” Tang Qianfan yelled, oblivious to the danger, convinced these men would never harm him—he was the Tang family’s heir.

“Why? Because Crimson Security belongs to my family,” Xiao Cheng said quietly.

...

His words, light as air, carried no emotion—merely stating a fact. Yet they reverberated in Tang Qianfan’s heart. His first reaction was disbelief, but reality stared him in the face.

He had hired the Xiao family’s mercenaries to target the Xiao family’s heir—a naked irony, nothing could be more laughable. He’d thought Xiao Cheng was from a minor clan, never having heard of the Xiao family, but now he saw that the family possessed such terrifying power. No minor clan could command such a force.

Even the Tang Group couldn’t build such an organization—the required official procedures alone would be insurmountable, not to mention recruiting personnel. He also knew a violent group like this was a double-edged sword; only those with true strength could control it, otherwise it would turn on its masters.

The Xiao family was far stronger than the Tang Group—a realization that plunged his heart into despair.

Compared to Xiao Cheng, Tang Qianfan’s supposed assets were nothing, not even on the same level.

---

Tang Qianfan’s face turned pale as he looked at Xiao Cheng, unable to speak. It was clear now that his knowledge had been shallow; he had always believed the Tang Group was among the top powers in the country, but now he saw there existed forces far stronger.

Despite this, Tang Qianfan didn’t fear Xiao Cheng would harm him—he was the Tang family’s heir. Even if the Xiao family was more powerful, they would not easily offend the Tang Group.

“Young Master Xiao, I apologize. It was all Qiao Yifeng’s misdirection. Please forgive me!” Tang Qianfan had shed all pretense, groveling and pushing all blame onto Qiao Yifeng.

He thought Xiao Cheng simply needed a scapegoat, so he offered one, hoping to give Xiao Cheng an out.

“Young Master Xiao, it wasn’t me! He made all the decisions!” Qiao Yifeng’s face was ashen. Only now did he realize the Xiao family’s true power—had he known, he would never have acted against them, nor plotted against Fang Yujia earlier.

Xiao Cheng ignored Qiao Yifeng, shaking his head at Tang Qianfan, his disdain deepening. Had Tang Qianfan shown spine, perhaps—just perhaps—he would have granted him a dignified death.

“Do you know why so few people know about Crimson Security? Why so few know it belongs to my family?” Xiao Cheng smiled, continuing, “Because most who know are already dead.”

“No, no, you’re just trying to scare me,” Tang Qianfan stared wide-eyed at Xiao Cheng. He knew it was true, but couldn’t believe it—he feared death.

“I have no time to scare you,” Xiao Cheng said, taking an M16 from Li Zirui and aiming it at Tang Qianfan. He was not bloodthirsty, but when others pushed him to this point, he saw no reason to show mercy.

“No! No!” Tang Qianfan screamed.

Midnight on the deserted Waiqingsong Highway was empty, wild and disordered. The low, rapid sound of gunfire rang out, sending distant night creatures fleeing.

Xiao Cheng looked at Tang Qianfan’s mangled body on the ground, curled his lip, then turned to the other two. Qiao Yifeng trembled, collapsing to his knees and begging for his life. Xiao Cheng glanced at him coldly. He had already spared Qiao Yifeng once, yet the man had continued to plot behind his back. Xiao Cheng had no patience to let him off again.

Li Zirui watched Xiao Cheng empty a magazine, nearly reducing Tang Qianfan to pulp, and felt a shiver—this was something even he would struggle to do. Xiao Cheng had pulled it off, and without so much as blinking.

Xiao Cheng handed the M16 back to Li Zirui. “Kill the other two, burn the cars, handle the rest as you see fit.”

Li Zirui nodded, but hesitated. “How will we explain this to the higher-ups?”

“I’ll speak with Sister Jingzhe. Don’t worry, she won’t blame you.” Xiao Cheng understood Li Zirui’s concern: Crimson Security had explicit rules against shooting in public. But as long as he explained, it would be settled.

After all, Crimson Security’s director, Ning Jingzhe, was his sister-in-law.