"Sigh." Standing in the distance, Boss Dao sighed involuntarily. He brushed the dust and sand from his hair and looked up at the sea of figures preparing to depart.
His gaze slowly scanned the crowd before finally settling back on that young fellow.
Memories of their very first encounters resurfaced in his mind.
"Kid, you're destined for great things, you know that?"
Dao Dali muttered his catchphrase under his breath, chuckling to himself.
Over the past thirty-odd years, he had said those exact words to countless people, countless times. Who would have thought he'd actually hit the mark this time?
This time, as they departed, he—the boss of the Azure Dragon Gang—would not be accompanying them. He was going to stay behind to oversee the City of Iniquity.
Furthermore, when the fleet set sail, Boss Dao would not go to see them off. He was afraid he might break down and bawl in front of his underlings, which would be far too humiliating.
In truth, as early as a year ago, when Han Qingyu broke through to super combat power and confessed his true identity, Dao Dali had already known that they were bound to leave sooner or later.
For that very reason, over the past year, the Azure Dragon Gang had expanded frantically, snatching up people and resources... quietly preparing everything.
Last night, around midnight, Han Qingyu, Wen Jifei, He Tangtang, and the others had made a special trip to say goodbye.
They had told him, "Boss, you really are a good boss."
Dao Dali had replied, "Cut the crap."
And then he had kicked them out.
***
On the field, upon hearing Han Qingyu's answer, the crowd erupted into absolute pandemonium.
Five thousand remaining spots to follow The King.
For this city, and for a world all but certain to face an apocalyptic invasion, such an opportunity hardly required a second thought.
Even as it stood now, it was breathtakingly coveted.
As for the future...
Judging by his current track record and growth, who dared say Major The Qing wouldn't become the next Chen Buer, the next invincible titan of the mortal realm?!
"So, follow him."
"To fight to the death."
"To survive."
"To proudly state where we come from."
"To live—or die—with dignity."
The stirring voices within their hearts made the denizens of this city named "Iniquity" turn bashful for the very first time in their lives; they simply carried far too much self-doubt.
"Major Qing." Amidst the quiet, someone finally spoke up.
Han Qingyu swayed slightly, his bloodstained body turning around with effort. "Hmm?"
"Are foreigners allowed?" the man asked.
Han Qingyu didn't speak. Instead, he turned his head and gestured with his eyes toward the five-thousand-strong formation of the Azure Dragon Gang, which was filled with foreigners.
"But you once said you don't like foreigners."
"No, that's not it at all! That's just wild hearsay." Han Qingyu grew flustered and quickly explained, "I only said I wouldn't marry one."
He had only said he wouldn't marry one.
"Then what about just dating?" Jenna's boldness returned, and she deliberately provoked him with a seductive tone.
"Uh, not that either."
"Well, that's truly unfair," the girl complained wistfully.
Jenna's grievance drew a ripple of quiet laughter from the surrounding crowd.
Amidst the chuckles, someone hiding in the crowd shouted, "Can I join if I used to be in Snow Lotus? I caused some trouble, ran away, and have been in hiding for over a decade."
That question made the scene fall quiet once again.
"No problem," Han Qingyu said, looking in that direction. "As you all know, Mr. Theodore nearly killed me once. So as long as your record isn't worse than his, there's no issue."
A cheer began brewing in the crowd.
"Look, the situation is... well, you can see I'm wounded," Han Qingyu spoke first, gesturing at his body.
"On top of that, there's still prep work to do with the fleet, so we have to leave first. The ships will set sail tomorrow evening, and we'll be waiting by the coast for our comrades."
Having said his piece, he turned around.
Turning alongside him were Rusty Sister and Zhe Qiuhong.
As they stepped forward, the five thousand members of the Azure Dragon Gang, carrying their packs and blades, followed in step.
Lubi Azha walked in the ranks beside Uncle Shiliang, chest puffed out with pride.
"Major Qing said we're not going back to Azure," Lubi Azha said.
Uncle Shiliang nodded.
"Then will we return to Huaxia?" Azha asked again.
"We definitely will," Uncle Shiliang replied with utter certainty.
As the column marched forward, the cheers finally rang out.
Of course, quite a few members of the Azure Dragon Gang remained behind at the scene. Among the top brass, only Corpse Man Weize had gone ahead to the coast... Wen Jifei stood on high ground, raising a hand to signal. Once the crowd quieted down, he said:
"Everyone may now prepare to register.
"However, I want to emphasize two points.
"First, a combat capability assessment is definitely required. After all, once we leave, we might face countless brutal battles.
"Second, if you happen to be a spy or something similar, I suggest you don't even bother trying. Mr. Shu You has agreed to place all his intelligence and operatives at our disposal. Mr. Eric and Lady Mingyue have done the same. In other words, we now possess the intelligence networks of all the super factions."
Wen Jifei finished his announcement.
The registration tables were set up.
After weighing their own abilities, a portion of the crowd stayed put, while the rest surged forward like a tidal wave.
Lynne and Jenna ended up remaining among those who didn't move.
"Are you really not going?" Jenna asked once more, likely for the tenth time.
Lynne hesitated for a moment before firmly shaking her head. "Go there just to keep being looked down on? Or maybe get chewed out for holding everyone back? Neither of us is a qualified warrior yet."
"Fair point." Jenna nodded.
It was an indisputable fact that both of them still lacked sufficient brutal combat experience.
"So I'll just stay here, listen to news about The King, and keep idolizing him from afar. If I get too close, the illusion might completely shatter over time," Lynne said with a pout.
"You mean your image of The King? Hasn't that already shattered?" Jenna teased with a smile.
Lynne glared at her fiercely at first, then suddenly broke into a bright, radiant smile. "Doesn't matter. I can rebuild it myself, bit by bit."
Right then, two figures walked past them.
"Hey, you two!" Lynne peered closely. "Aren't you Qing... their landlords?"
Landlords? Seemed so. Ao Yong and Qian Daofeng stopped, glanced at her, and nodded.
"You guys aren't going with them either?" Lynne asked in surprise.
"Yeah." Qian Daofeng and Ao Yong exchanged helpless glances. "We're too weak."
"Then what about from now on... are you still going to sweep the streets?"
"No, we're joining the Azure Dragon Gang to stay by Boss Dao's side," Qian Daofeng said, puffing out his chest.
Ao Yong added, "Once we've trained properly, we'll go find Brother Qingzi and the others."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful." Jenna took a step forward, looking at them with envy.
When their eyes sought out Boss Dao, they saw the column passing by him in the distance. Every single person was waving goodbye to him.
Dao Dali stood there expressionlessly, waving his hand...
He had once had a little brother, who later died. Later, he gained a few more brothers, cherishing them with his life. And then, he suddenly became the boss with the most underlings in the entire City of Iniquity. Tomorrow, those boys would be leaving.
They would venture out to conquer the outside world, crying out, "Boss Dao has manifested!"
Han Qingyu came to a stop, flanked by Rusty Sister and Zhe Qiuhong.
"So you're really not going to see us off, Boss?" Han Qingyu asked.
"Nope." Dao Dali maintained a stiff face. "I'm heading back to sleep."
"We're only leaving tomorrow."
"Tomorrow has tomorrow's sleep, doesn't it?"
"A boss is truly a boss; that makes complete sense." Han Qingyu nodded, then looked up, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Remember, never get into a fight with anyone... other than Old Crab. The two of you 'supers' can just spar with each other."
"I know!" Dao Dali shot him an annoyed glare.
Han Qingyu smiled, turning toward Pang Jinghe. "Same goes for you, Old Pang. Absolutely do not fight outside. In any case, faction wars shouldn't break out in the City of Iniquity anymore. Besides, in my opinion, it's better if you don't return to Azure. Just stay here and live as a super."
"Yeah." Pang Jinghe nodded, a sorrowful look in his eyes.
Three months ago, he had sparred with Wu Xu, then with Rusty Sister, then with He Tangtang...
"By the way, if a full-scale invasion truly arrives, I'll come back to fetch you both. When that time comes..." Han Qingyu continued.
However, Dao Dali and Pang Jinghe had already heard enough. The two supposed supers turned around without lingering, slinging their arms over each other's shoulders as they walked back toward the city.
"Well then, I'm off."
Han Qingyu waved at their retreating backs and turned away.
Chapter 530