American Comics: BOSS Invasion

Leaving the house and following the directions given by the woman, I walked all the way to the teahouse, where the sign indeed read "Yong He."

The rainy weather kept customers away, leaving only the owner and two shop assistants in a daze.

I glanced at the owner, Mr. Liu, several times, memorizing his appearance, and then walked past like an ordinary passerby, unhurried and unconcerned.

The two young assistants noticed someone passing by and looked up, but the owner remained lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he stared at the raindrops falling from the eaves.

He seemed worried about his business.

If business didn't pick up in the next few days, he might have to sell soy milk again.

On this rainy day, there were few pedestrians on the road, and even rickshaws were nowhere to be seen. Occasionally, one could spot a few people hurrying along, wearing rain hats or carrying umbrellas.

After navigating through several twists and turns, I reached the main road, and after briefly getting my bearings, I headed straight towards the pier.

Regardless of wind or rain, the loading and unloading business at the pier couldn't stop.

The closer I got to the pier, the denser the crowd became.

Finding a grocery store that was open, Qi Shan led Ye Zimei to stand under the eaves, folded the umbrella, and patted it, pretending to be sheltering from the rain.

Their four eyes were constantly searching left and right.

If the weather were good, they would have been discovered by someone with ulterior motives long ago.

The pier had its own rules, and with their current attire, they looked like spies scouting the area. If discovered, they would inevitably be in trouble.

However, today it was raining, and visibility was affected. Everything beyond ten meters was obscured by mist, and even if they were seen, most people wouldn't bother, as it was too much trouble.

No one wanted to get soaked in the rain.

After observing for a while, Qi Shan realized that Half-Mask's information was quite accurate. The pier had indeed been seized by the Axe Gang.

From time to time, one or two men in straw raincoats could be seen wandering around the pier, watching the coolies work.

Under the cover of the heavy rain, even the coolies nearby didn't hear a sound. One after another, Axe Gang members fell to the ground, lifeless.

The sudden deaths of the Axe Gang members startled the nearby coolies.

A foreman hurried forward to investigate, but when he touched them, his hand was covered in blood. He jumped up in fright and frantically ordered people to carry the bodies away to the nearest warehouse.

Seeing the commotion on the pier from afar, Qi Shan's lips curled into a slight smile. He bent down, picked up a paving stone from the doorway, and touched it. The stone transformed into a smooth, mirror-like stainless steel plaque.

About the size of a palm, both sides were engraved with a snarling crocodile using a frosted technique.

Qi Shan took the plaque and wrote the character "Qi" in a bold, flowing style, then turned and walked directly into the grocery store.

The store, located at the pier, was obviously a wholesale business catering to large merchants.

Despite the small storefront, the interior was quite spacious, with a counter at the entrance and rows of large vats inside.

The owner was originally calculating accounts.

Grocery stores had many bottles and jars, so one had to be careful. Rainy days were slippery, and while others could work in the wind and rain, they couldn't.

So, since this morning, he had been idle.

He had seen Qi Shan standing at the door sheltering from the rain earlier, but he hadn't paid attention.

Now, seeing Qi Shan actually walk in, he was somewhat surprised and said, "Welcome, sir! I have oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, ginger, garlic, pickles, and preserved vegetables. What do you need?"

As he spoke, the owner was noticeably more cautious.

The pier had been uneasy these past few days. A major incident had occurred a few nights ago, and many people had died.

The people working at the pier had all been replaced these past few days.

So, when the owner saw someone dressed like Qi Shan, his eyes inevitably showed a hint of suspicion.

Qi Shan waved his hand: "Owner, I'd like to ask you for a favor!"

"Please speak!"

"Keep this for me. If the Axe Gang comes to investigate, give them this and tell them one thing!"

The owner took the token and glanced at it, taking a deep breath of cold air. He asked with some suspicion, "What thing?"

Qi Shan smiled and turned to leave: "Tell them not to think they're a big deal just because they killed a few people and seized a few territories. They'll suffer if they mess with our Crocodile Gang!"

With those words, Qi Shan and his companion walked into the rain, leaving the owner dumbfounded.

As they returned along the same path and entered the alley, they saw several black cars rushing into the pier area.

Qi Shan merely glanced at them and ignored them, walking leisurely back to the teahouse.

Perhaps the rain had lessened slightly, as there were now more people in the teahouse.

However, most of them were drowsy, yawning, or gulping down tea while clutching their teacups.

A storyteller had taken the stage and was reciting a Shandong Allegro with two pieces of jade clapper, the most famous passage being "Wu Song Fighting the Tiger."

Qi Shan and Ye Zimei took a seat and called a waiter over to order a pot of good tea.

Qi Shan slapped a silver coin on the table, and the waiter immediately said with a bitter face: "Sir, I'm sorry, but our small shop can't make change for silver coins."

Qi Shan smiled: "I heard that the waiters at Yong He Teahouse are practically know-it-alls, with very well-informed sources. I wonder if that's true?"

The waiter was stunned for a moment, then delighted: "Oh, so you're here for that! Then this silver coin..."

"If you satisfy me, it's yours!"

"Alright, sir, what would you like to know?" The waiter was overjoyed.

Teahouses have always been gathering places for information. There are countless big mouths in this world who will say anything to show off.

The waiter came and went, occasionally overhearing snippets of information and collecting a lot of news.

Modern Shanghai wasn't very big, and any slight disturbance would quickly spread.

Qi Shan tapped the table, and the waiter poured tea diligently.

"I heard that the Crocodile Gang and the Axe Gang had a fight a few days ago. How is it now?"

The waiter paused, carefully sized up Qi Shan, and when he saw his distinctive outfit, his eyes narrowed, and he understood.

"So, you're...? Hey, I don't know much about gang affairs, but the Axe Gang and the Crocodile Gang have been making quite a fuss lately.

A few days ago, I don't know why, the two gangs suddenly started fighting. The Axe Gang came prepared and launched a surprise attack, catching the Crocodile Gang off guard. I heard they lost a lot of men.

Even the pier and the two major transportation companies in the north and south were seized."

"I know that!" Qi Shan's expression remained unchanged as he continued to look at him.

The waiter looked at the silver coin, gritted his teeth, and whispered: "Last night, right in the next alley, I heard that the last group of Crocodile Gang members was ambushed by the Axe Gang. A large number of them died, and the ground was stained red with blood. The police used a truck just to haul away the bodies.

I heard that even the Axe Gang's leader, Mr. Feng, was killed near the Paramount, right in front of the cinema.

"Brother Chen of the Axe Gang personally took action…"

The waiter lowered his body as he said this, quickly took the silver coin in his hand, and shouted loudly: "A pot of Dragon Well tea for this customer!"

Then he turned around and left, with no trace of anything unusual on his face besides joy, as if he wasn't the one who had just spoken.

Qi Shan narrowed his eyes: "Interesting, even Brother Chen has come out! The Axe Gang, Boss Feng of the Crocodile Gang, seems to be at the police station entrance. It seems there's also a Pig Cage Alley somewhere in the suburbs!"

It's actually the 'Kung Fu' world, this is quite rare.

There really is kung fu in this place.

The rain stopped around noon, but Qi Shan wasn't in a hurry to leave, he stayed there until sunset before getting up and walking back.

As expected of the Axe Gang, the designated villains, they have a large number of people.

Qi Shan launched a sneak attack from the front, instantly killing twenty or so lackeys. The Axe Gang immediately mobilized a large force, braving the wind and rain in more than a dozen cars, with nearly 200 thugs arriving, each holding an axe, wearing suits, standing motionless in the heavy rain, exuding a fierce aura.

The Axe Gang was at its peak, having wiped out its last old rival last night. The Crocodile Gang had no survivors from top to bottom. Brother Chen was still celebrating in his nightclub until late at night.

He thought it would be a happy ending, and tomorrow the Axe Gang could expand wildly throughout the entire magic city, taking the gang's power to another level.

Unexpectedly, as soon as dawn broke, their old rival slapped them in the face.

Of course, the Axe Gang wouldn't let it go, and sent out a large number of people to investigate, mainly to cooperate well, at most smashing some things, but anyone who dared to utter a word of disagreement would be directly hacked to death.

No matter how big a businessman or whose trusted steward, it doesn't work here in the Axe Gang.

The owner of the oil and salt shop was a clever person.

Before the Axe Gang came to inquire, he took the token left by Qi Shan and went directly to the leader.

In a few words, he relayed what Qi Shan had said.

However, in his elaboration, Qi Shan didn't say this to him, but he overheard it, and even the token was picked up, and the whole thing had nothing to do with the oil and salt shop.

Of course, it had nothing to do with him.

The leader's face changed slightly when he saw the crocodile frosted pattern on the token. He didn't dare to delay any longer and got into the car and returned to the lair.

The Crocodile Gang still has hidden manpower, this is simply the worst news.

Qi Shan watched this slightly flustered performance from beginning to end. Although it was a God's-eye view, both the sound and clarity could be guaranteed.

The Axe Gang would never have imagined that a pair of eyes would always be floating above their heads.

Killing a few people from the Axe Gang was originally just a task. Qi Shan had no grudges against them, and there was no need to fight and kill.

Besides, given the chaotic state of the magic city in the early twentieth century, gangs cannot disappear, the only difference is who stands on the stage and leads the way.

Having confirmed that it was the world of 'Kung Fu', Qi Shan was not in a hurry.

The magical kung fu in this world is indeed very distinctive, whether it is sonic power or the Tai Chi that is like floating leaves, it feels very magical.

But it's just magical.

Qi Shan has already passed the time of being enthusiastic about power. With his current ability, if he is not suppressed by the will of the world, he can become a world-destroying demon king in minutes.

He really doesn't think much of kung fu.

However, he still likes the general environment of this era. He has heard people talk about how prosperous and decadent the Great Magic City era was since he was a child.

Now that he can see it with his own eyes, it's not a wasted trip.

Ye Zimei's task has been completed.

The task of requesting 500 small gold bars was also easily completed by Qi Shan, who casually found two large green bricks and rubbed them in his hands like kneading dough.

Only the two things of joining the Crocodile Gang and helping Shopkeeper Liu with his task remain.

Of course, there is also an antagonistic badge holder, Qi Shan has not forgotten, but he can't find him for the time being.

Judging from the plot, if the antagonistic badge holder is also a person familiar with the plot, he will definitely look for opportunities to contact the people in Pig Cage Alley.

After all, not everyone is Qi Shan. For ordinary people, magical kung fu is still quite attractive.

However, according to the rules, he should also be a member of the Axe Gang.

Then he will inevitably be with the protagonist Ah Xing.

With these conditions, plus the drone surveillance network covering the entire city, it doesn't seem difficult to find the opponent.

On the way back, Qi Shan realized that there were almost food vendors everywhere, with a stall selling things every few steps.

The things sold were also various.

Qi Shan thought it was fresh, and bought some whenever he saw something interesting.

Now Ye Zimei's little belly is too blessed. Walking from one end of the street to the other, her little mouth hasn't been idle.

Qi Shan found a roast goose seller and broke a whole silver coin into a large pile of paper money.

He handed out a banknote almost every two steps, and by the time the money was spent, both of them were greasy and carrying large and small bags.

Turning the corner and walking into the alley, he happened to see the woman open the door and walk out, carrying a lantern, preparing to open the door for business.

Qi Shan glanced at her: "I'm back, I brought you some food, boil some hot water, I'm going to take a bath!"

He spoke very naturally, as if he was ordering his wife, not at all polite.

The woman was very happy to hear this, and quickly took the lantern back, closing and locking the door.

"During the day, I followed your instructions and went to the market to get a fish, as well as Deshengxian's seafood and crabs, all cooked. They are now steaming on the red clay stove, and should be just right.

There are also ribs sold on the front street. I saw that the little sister liked the sauce-braised pork knuckle yesterday, so I went and got one back. Plus the newly brewed Shaoxing wine and the food you brought back, tonight is a rare feast.

Sir, please sit down for a while, I'll take care of it!"

The woman gently took the things over, carrying large and small bags to the kitchen.

Qi Shan nodded, didn't say anything, and went straight into the inner room.

The room had been cleaned up, and there was a fragrance permeating the air, which was quite pleasant.

Ye Zimei had filled her stomach and was already full to the throat. She couldn't eat anything good, so she simply let her go back to her room.

The woman was quick and efficient. When the fragrance wafted out, she first brought over a foot-washing basin, added hot water, and helped Qi Shan take off his shoes and socks.

Qi Shan soaked his feet while watching the woman busy turning around.

Don't mention it, it really has a special flavor.