Just as Tiger Cloud finished speaking, Shawn Young heard footsteps outside the "Happy Tonight" private room. Judging by the sound, there was more than one person. Shawn also noticed his hearing was much sharper than usual—he could sense the rhythm and lightness of those footsteps before even seeing the people outside.
He could tell that the person walking in front had steady, slow steps—fluid like water, breezy like wind, slithering like a snake into its hole, yet not heavy at all. Instead, the steps seemed to stretch on endlessly. As the footsteps drew near, Shawn suddenly felt a wave of pressure wash over him.
At that moment, a tall elderly man in a black Tang suit appeared at the doorway. He looked about sixty, but showed no signs of age—his hair and beard were jet-black, his posture straight, his face rugged. Most striking were his eyes: sharp and piercing, carrying a deadly aura that made Shawn instinctively feel a surge of fear.
The old man slowly entered the room, his gaze shooting toward Shawn like two arrows. Shawn immediately felt as if the man could see right through him, and he nervously swallowed, his heart pounding with unease.
Shawn realized that the black Tang suit elder was just as imposing as Tiger Cloud. Though not as burly, the moment he stepped inside, the temperature seemed to drop. Compared to Tiger Cloud's tiger-like ferocity, this man felt much more dangerous—deadly, even! And between his brows, Shawn caught a glimpse of a strange bluish-purple aura. In a flash, Shawn's heart skipped a beat, because he remembered from the Codex of Ascension: this odd aura was 'demonic energy'!
"Why does he have such intense and domineering demonic energy?" Shawn couldn't help but stare at the old man a few more times, growing more certain that he hadn't seen wrong.
The black Tang suit elder stopped in front of Shawn but didn't look at him. Instead, he glanced at Lilian Grace and Leon Grace beside him. Then he pointed at Lilian Grace and asked Shawn in a slow, calm voice, "Mantis, are you interested in the Liu family's girl again? I heard from Blue Wolf just now that he wants to hand this job over to you!"
Shawn was stunned, instantly realizing that this black-clad elder was none other than the Thirteen Enforcers' Second-in-Command, Chief of Punishment Hall—Iron Monkey, Andrew Qi!
"Mantis? What's going on in your head? I'm talking to you!" Andrew Qi's sharp gaze locked onto Shawn as he spoke.
Under Andrew Qi's stare, Shawn felt his skin crawl. Suddenly, he remembered his current identity—Mantis Hunter Gavin Grant, a high-ranking member of the Thirteen Enforcers whom Andrew Qi couldn't easily boss around. Shawn calmed himself, walked over to Lilian Grace, and boldly wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
"Ah! You pervert, what do you think you’re doing!" Lilian Grace shrieked, twisting her waist in exaggerated protest, playing along with the act.
Shawn Young was more than pleased with Lilian Grace’s reaction. He flashed Andrew Qi a wicked grin. "Second-in-Command, I really do have my eye on this Liu family babe. If Blue Wolf lets me take this job, I’ll owe him big time."
Andrew Qi’s face turned grim. "Mantis, you’re breaking the street rules here! That’s against the Thirteen Enforcers’ code—you know that, right?"
Just then, Tiger Cloud strutted in, looking gleeful. "Grant, I gave you a friendly heads-up earlier, but you wouldn’t listen. Now the Second-in-Command himself is here to teach you—bet that feels different, huh? Heh heh."
Andrew Qi turned toward the door and called out, "Blue Wolf, Chen Leopard, get in here!"
With Andrew Qi’s shout, in walked Blue Wolf Hu Kai and his sworn brother Chen Leopard. They stood beside Andrew Qi, looking nervous and awkward—especially Chen Leopard, who shot Shawn Young a sharp, menacing glare.
Andrew Qi looked at Shawn Young. "Mantis, you took Blue Wolf’s job, so by street rules you’ve got to finish it. I get you like the Liu family girl, but wait until the job’s done!"
Shawn Young glanced at Blue Wolf Hu Kai and snorted, "Blue Wolf, I just want a little fun with the Liu family beauty, but you had to call in the big guns! Are you trying to get yourself kicked out?"
Andrew Qi’s expression hardened. "Mantis, I’m here because Blue Wolf asked me to mediate. If you keep bullying him, you’re disrespecting me, you know."
Blue Wolf Hu Kai stepped forward, bowing to Andrew Qi with a forced smile. "Chief Andrew, I’ve thought it over. Since Brother Grant wants to play with Nelson Liu’s daughter so badly, I’ll let him take this job. I don’t want to spoil his fun, ha ha."
Blue Wolf Hu Kai had been around the block for years, tangled up in all sorts of shady connections. He was a pro at reading faces and weighing his options. After some quick mental math, he realized: sure, Andrew Qi didn’t like Gavin Grant, but Grant had the Thirteen Enforcers’ boss backing him. If Blue Wolf kept pushing, Andrew Qi might give Grant some trouble, but it wouldn’t really hurt him—at worst, Grant would owe him a payout by street code. But if Blue Wolf pissed off Grant, who was famous for being a total psycho, he’d be in deep trouble. The Blue Wolf Syndicate had some juice, but compared to the Thirteen Enforcers, it was nothing. So Blue Wolf decided to hand the job over to Grant—doing him a favor and dodging future headaches.
Andrew Qi was a bit surprised at Blue Wolf’s move, but it made sense. He had his own ambitions: ever since the old Thirteen Enforcers boss, Shawn Shuihan, died and handed the reins to his daughter, Shawn Moon, Andrew Qi—stuck as number two for decades—was itching for the top spot. He always thought he deserved it more. Shawn Moon was young and skilled, but Andrew Qi just couldn’t stand her. He hated being second-in-command, and with his demonic powers growing, his ambitions exploded. Now, he wanted to get rid of Shawn Moon and take over as the real boss!
Andrew Qi knew Gavin Grant only sided with Boss Jade Demoness Shawn Moon because she was drop-dead gorgeous! Qi didn’t like Grant, but he respected his power. He also knew Grant was a notorious womanizer and would only switch sides for the right price. Give him enough perks, and he’d join anyone’s camp.
Thinking fast, Andrew Qi decided to play along. "Well—Mantis, since Blue Wolf is so generous and wants you to have the job, I’ve got nothing else to say. You’d better thank him!"
Shawn Young flashed Blue Wolf Hu Kai a sly grin. "Heh, Blue Wolf, you really know how to play the game! Since you’re so generous, I won’t hold back. I’ll enjoy this Liu family beauty to the fullest. If your syndicate ever hits trouble, just call me—Brother Grant will fix it for you."
Shawn Young started handing out favors in Gavin Grant’s name left and right. If anyone came knocking for payback, he’d just throw Grant under the bus. No stress for Shawn—he was loving it.
"Oh—thanks, Brother Grant! Ha ha, with you backing us, the Blue Wolf Syndicate’s future is golden!" Blue Wolf Hu Kai was thrilled, feeling like he’d just scored a big-time protector.
Andrew Qi suddenly turned to Shawn Young. "Mantis, put the Liu family job on ice for now. Take these two Liu family hostages back to your turf and keep them locked up for the time being."
Shawn Young blinked. "Huh? Why?"
Andrew Qi replied, "The boss said yesterday—tomorrow night at nine, the five heads of our Asia Division are holding the annual meeting."
"The boss is coming personally to the meeting. He wants to see the Liu family hostages with his own eyes. If you mess this up, you’ll answer to him!" Andrew Qi warned.
Shawn Young nodded quickly. "No problem—leave it to me. I’ll keep them safe and sound, Second-in-Command."
Andrew Qi gave him a sharp look. "Remember, don’t touch the Liu family girl until after the meeting—got it?"
Shawn Young grinned slyly. "Don’t worry, Second-in-Command. I’ll keep my hands off—for now."
Andrew Qi glared at him, then turned to Blue Wolf Hu Kai. "Blue Wolf, you go back and keep the Liu family’s old man under wraps. Don’t let him cause any trouble."
Blue Wolf Hu Kai nodded eagerly. "No problem, Chief Andrew! I’ll keep Nelson Liu locked up tight—he won’t dare make a peep!"
Andrew Qi waved his hand. "Alright, everyone—get moving!"