Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei's War Journey

Lu Mingfei continued searching for a place to settle down, but he stopped again after walking a short distance.

He found himself surrounded.

From the dark alleys and abandoned storefronts, thugs silently emerged, blocking all his paths in all directions.

They were mostly dressed in shady clothes, had unfriendly eyes, and there were many more of them than I had seen in the park during the day; there seemed to be at least a hundred of them.

Surrounded by this group of thugs, a middle-aged man in a black suit with a gloomy and serious face stood out.

He stood in the center of the crowd, like a crane among chickens.

Under the dim light of the streetlamp, Lu Mingfei noticed a faint bluish-black tattoo on the man's neck; the design appeared to be a coiled, hissing venomous snake.

The true leader of the Black Snake Gang has appeared.

"Trouble really keeps coming. If you want to fight, fine, but let's go somewhere without surveillance cameras." Lu Mingfei looked warily at the thugs around him, while reaching for his waist.

It was practically impossible to defeat a hundred thugs, but luckily he had just picked up the revolver.

Although there were only six bullets inside, Lu Mingfei had not forgotten the skill displayed on the revolver: unlimited ammo for one minute.

This means he will have one minute to fire indiscriminately, during which he must kill as many thugs as possible and fight his way out.

Similarly, Lu Mingfei was well aware of the consequences of firing the gun, which meant he would have to say goodbye to his previous life and become the most wanted criminal.

However, the murderous intent he had been suppressing was finally starting to break free, and trouble had been lurking around him ever since he returned from the Andes.

All he wanted was to return to a normal life and find that red-haired girl... What did he do wrong?!

Lu Mingfei knew better than anyone that from the moment he survived the Andes Mountains, he had developed serious mental problems. Being irritable, easily angered, and impatient were minor issues.

He tried his best to act like a normal person, carefully locking the beast called madness deep in his heart.

But the people around him kept stimulating his already fragile nerves, determined to force him to completely break down and unleash the bloodthirsty beast within him!

There are always times when one's mental state is out of control, and now is the moment when he is about to lose control. The beast within him is about to break free and tear apart everyone and everything in front of him.

Just as Lu Mingfei was about to make a move, the man in the black suit spoke up.

"Mr. Lu Mingfei, hello. My name is Yang Boxuan, and I am the leader of the Black Snake Gang. I am not here to fight, but to apologize to you. My men have disturbed you, and I am truly sorry."

After saying that, under the incredulous gazes of Lu Mingfei and all the thugs around him, Yang Boxuan actually bowed deeply to Lu Mingfei at a perfect 90-degree angle, adopting an extremely humble posture.

He then straightened up and shouted sternly at the sea of ​​men surrounding him, "Everyone! Apologize to Mr. Lu!"

Lu Mingfei was completely stunned. He had imagined countless bloody beginnings, but he never expected things to develop like this.

An apology? The leader of the Black Snake Gang, with hundreds of men, bowed and apologized to him on the streets late at night?

Not only was Lu Mingfei stunned, but the thugs around him were also completely stunned, their faces filled with astonishment and confusion, and even a strong sense of resentment and indignation.

Why should they apologize to the guy who crippled more than twenty of their brothers?

But due to Yang Boxuan's usual prestige, no one dared to voice their opposition, and a few scattered, uneven apologies immediately arose from the surroundings.

The bloodlust and madness in Lu Mingfei's eyes faded slightly, but his vigilance was raised to the highest level.

He stared intently at Yang Boxuan, trying to find any trace of pretense on the other's gloomy and serious face. Was it a delaying tactic? Or was there some bigger scheme at play?

"Apologize? Apologize in a place like this with so many people? Boss Yang's way of apologizing is quite unique." Lu Mingfei looked at Yang Boxuan in front of him with an unfriendly expression and mocked him.

Yang Boxuan straightened up, his face still expressionless.

"My men were ignorant and offended Mr. Lu. As the boss, I naturally have to show sincerity. I have already understood what happened in the park during the day. Scarface and his men had only themselves to blame."

Yang Boxuan said, then waved to his back. Soon, a henchman brought forward a briefcase and opened it in front of Lu Mingfei. Inside was a large stack of red banknotes.

"Here is 100,000 yuan in cash, as our apology to Mr. Lu. I came here today for two reasons: first, to apologize, and second, to make friends with Mr. Lu and turn hostility into friendship. Although our Black Snake Gang is not a respectable force, we still have some influence in this small area," Yang Boxuan said, pointing to the box.

The intention behind his words was very clear: he wasn't there for revenge, he was there to be recruited.

Lu Mingfei sneered inwardly. Make friends? With a bunch of thugs? He just wanted to get as far away from this trouble as possible, but he also understood that if he refused outright now, he would likely be surrounded and attacked by hundreds of thugs around him.

"If I don't join you, not only will I lose this 100,000 yuan, but you'll also hack me to death together," Lu Mingfei said with a sneer.

However, his gaze involuntarily swept over the box of tempting banknotes once again.

If he could get his hands on this money, he could immediately pay off his debt to Su Daqiang and unload a heavy burden.

"Of course not, Mr. Lu, whether you join us or not, this money is yours," Yang Boxuan said.

He waved his hand again, and the henchman next to him immediately closed the box, then respectfully walked up to Lu Mingfei and presented the heavy box with both hands.

Lu Mingfei did not refuse, but throughout the process of taking the box, his muscles were on high alert, and his peripheral vision was constantly watching the slightest movements of the thugs around him, guarding against any possible sudden attack.

But even after he steadily lifted the box containing 100,000 yuan in cash into his hands, the thugs around him remained standing still, without making any move.

"Since Boss Yang says today's events were a misunderstanding, then let it be a misunderstanding."

Lu Mingfei loosened his hand from the gun handle, letting his hands hang naturally at his sides, his posture slightly relaxed, but the vigilance in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"As long as your people don't bother me anymore, this matter will end here. I'm just an ordinary student who wants to study quietly and live a peaceful life. I have no interest in gangs or fighting."

Although he had watched the Young and Dangerous movies and even felt excited about some of the plots, he had no desire to become a gangster.

"We've come here with the utmost sincerity," Yang Boxuan said, seemingly oblivious to his refusal.

"We know that Mr. Lu is still a student and should prioritize his studies. You may have heard of the Golden Banquet, which is one of my businesses. So we would like to hire Mr. Lu to look after the venue for us in his spare time."

"Mr. Lu doesn't have to do anything normally. There are professional security guards and managers in the venue, and they can handle most minor troubles themselves."

"Mr. Lu only needs to stay inside for a few hours each night and show his face. All the food and drinks inside are free for him to enjoy. In addition, I will pay Mr. Lu a salary of 10,000 yuan per month. I wonder what Mr. Lu thinks of this offer?"

The Gilded Night Banquet... Lu Mingfei had indeed heard of this name. It was the most prestigious and expensive high-end private club in the city, and it was said that only the rich and powerful frequented it.

Hearing this offer, Lu Mingfei was somewhat tempted. The offer from Yang Boxuan was indeed incredibly generous: a monthly salary of 10,000 yuan, working at a top-tier club where he would eat and drink for free and hardly have to do any work.

But deep down, alarm bells were ringing in his mind: there's no such thing as a free lunch, and the Black Snake Gang is no charity.

"Mr. Lu, you don't need to give me an answer now. You can think about it carefully. Let me know when you've made up your mind."

Yang Boxuan walked up to Lu Mingfei, took out a gilded business card, and handed it to him.

"Why me?" Lu Mingfei didn't take the business card, but looked directly into Yang Boxuan's eyes and asked.

"Just because I can fight? With Boss Yang's resources, he shouldn't lack people who can fight, right?"

Even if he were the best fighter, he couldn't possibly defeat over a hundred people standing next to him without using a gun.

Yang Boxuan's hand hovered in mid-air, but a smile appeared on his face. He could tell that Lu Mingfei was somewhat wavering.

"There's no shortage of skilled fighters, but we lack someone like Mr. Lu who is both handsome and young and a great fighter."

"The Gilded Banquet is a high-end venue, frequented by prominent figures. I need someone who can keep the scene in check, but not one of those menacing people with criminal records. Mr. Lu has a clean record and is highly skilled, making him the most suitable candidate," Yang Boxuan explained, which sounded reasonable.

However, Lu Mingfei knew that all of this was nonsense, and the real reason was definitely not that.

"I need time to think about it." Lu Mingfei neither agreed immediately nor refused outright. He reached out and took the business card from Yang Boxuan's hand.

If what Yang Boxuan said is true, then he could earn tens of thousands of yuan at the Golden Banquet and then go to Chicago to find Nuonuo during the winter break.

This way, he wouldn't have to wait a year; he could see the red-haired girl who illuminated him like a flame again in just six months.

"Of course, my personal phone number is on the business card, and it's available 24/7." Yang Boxuan's smile widened, as if victory was already assured.

"Mr. Lu, if you've thought it through, feel free to contact me anytime. Whether you ultimately agree or not, from today onwards, we're friends. If you encounter any trouble in this area in the future, you can call me. Within my capabilities, I will definitely lend a hand."

"As for Scarface, Mr. Lu, you don't need to worry about him at all. I will have them coordinate their statements and revise their testimonies to ensure that it will not cause Mr. Lu any legal trouble."

"Everyone, disperse! Don't block Mr. Lu's way." After saying that, Yang Boxuan waved to the dark mass of people around him.

The encirclement broke apart instantly, creating a passage.

Lu Mingfei, carrying the heavy suitcase, took one last look at Yang Boxuan before walking into the passage without looking back, his figure quickly disappearing at the end of the dim alley.

Looking in the direction where Lu Mingfei disappeared, Yang Boxuan's smile vanished instantly, replaced by his previous gloomy expression.

One of his trusted henchmen, who had followed him for many years, finally couldn't hold back any longer and leaned forward to ask in a low voice, his tone full of confusion and frustration.

"Boss, is it really necessary? Why are you being so polite to a kid who hasn't even grown up yet? Didn't we agree when we came that the brothers would set up a show of force to intimidate him, teach him a lesson, and then give him some money to settle things with Scarface?"

"Why change your mind at the last minute and offer such good terms to recruit him? A monthly salary of ten thousand, plus free food and drinks—that's better treatment than what we old guys get!"

Yang Boxuan gave him a cold glance: "What do you know? This kid is incredibly strange! He took down over twenty of Scarface's men all by himself, and he's not even seriously injured! Is this some ordinary student?"

"He was arrested this afternoon and released tonight. The CEO of the Su Group personally intervened, and Director Ma also put in a good word... This kid is a very deep person, definitely not as simple as he seems on the surface."

Yang Boxuan then took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a few deep drags before continuing to speak.

"And didn't you guys feel it just now? If I had spoken a little slower, or been a little tougher... this ground would probably be a river of blood by now, and at least half of the brothers who came with us today wouldn't have made it back safely."

"What?! That kid?!" The trusted henchman exclaimed in disbelief.

"Even if he's a great fighter, he could take down twenty guys by himself at most! We have over a hundred brothers here! We could drown him with just a spit from each of us!"

"You can tell from that guy's eyes that he's not bluffing. That's the look only someone who's killed has. Scarface was lucky; he only lost an arm," Yang Boxuan said, puffing on his cigarette.

"That kid has killed someone?" his trusted henchman exclaimed again. They had been in the underworld for so long and had never killed anyone; at most, they had crippled someone. How could a student possibly kill someone?

"There's definitely more than one." Yang Boxuan exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes appearing even more profound and sinister in the smoke.

"I've seen that look before... It's the same numb and cold look in the eyes of those desperate criminals returning from the border, looking at people no differently than looking at livestock. But he's more terrifying... Because most of the time he looks too normal, like an ordinary student, until he's pushed to the limit, then that layer of human skin will crack open, revealing the beast inside that will devour people."

He recalled the fleeting pale gold and almost tangible killing intent in Lu Mingfei's pupils when Lu Mingfei placed his hand on his waist, and his back still felt a chill.

That was not a bluff; it was a predator's final warning before locking onto its prey.

"And didn't you guys notice?" Yang Boxuan glanced around at his still somewhat unconvinced subordinates.

"Did he show even a hint of fear from beginning to end? Surrounded by over a hundred of us, his thought wasn't how to escape, but rather how to find a place without surveillance cameras to fight. What does that mean? It means he was confident, or at least confident he could take enough people down with him!"

The subordinates looked at each other, thinking back carefully, and it seemed to be true. The boy was too calm from beginning to end, too calm for a student.

Yang Boxuan paused, his tone tinged with relief and lingering fear: "If we had really fought today, even if we could have overwhelmed him with sheer numbers, we would be lucky if half of our hundred or so men could have returned unscathed. It's not worth it for that idiot Scarface."

"Even if only a dozen or so of us die, it will still be a major case. Every single one of our businesses will be under close surveillance and thoroughly investigated. Other gangs will definitely take advantage of the situation."

"So, boss, that's why you changed your mind at the last minute, not only apologizing and giving him money, but also offering such good conditions to recruit him?" The trusted underling suddenly realized.

"That's right." Yang Boxuan threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out.

"The best approach with this kind of person is either to avoid them altogether, or to kill them outright. If you can't kill them, you have to find a way to make them one of your own, or at the very least, not to turn them into an enemy."

"We're trying to clean up our mess and get our business back on track. There's no need to make enemies with this kind of desperado. Spend some money and give him a nominal position. That will not only ease tensions, but we might even be able to leverage his influence."

"This kid humiliated us today. If we recruit him, we can regain our lost face, and other gangs will be wary of us having another super fighter."

"Boss, you're brilliant! This move of turning enemies into friends is killing three birds with one stone! No, it's killing four birds with one stone!" The henchman next to him immediately understood and praised him with admiration.

"Otherwise, I'd be the boss, and you'd all be his underlings!" Yang Boxuan sneered, his gaze sweeping over all his subordinates once more, his tone becoming extremely stern.

"Listen up, everyone! If—and I mean if—that kid actually agrees to come to the Golden Banquet, from now on, you all better show him the utmost respect and treat him like the second-in-command!"

"Anyone who dares to mess with him and gets their arms and legs broken, or even killed, don't blame me for not warning you beforehand! I will not stand up for you, nor can I handle it!"

"clear!"