After Fenric's decisive rise to power, his reputation soared like wildfire.
Now that he was the leader of the Axe Gang, not even the Samsara Players dared to utter a word against him.
Soon after, Fenric issued a new order:
"Find Sing! Everyone, keep your eyes open and report any leads!"
With that command, he returned to his usual hands-off style.
Fenric only had one month in this world—why would he waste time fighting for control over territory?
He left all administrative matters to the Second Master and the Third Master.
The Second Master handled internal affairs and finances, while the Third Master oversaw territory management.
On the surface, the Third Master was still "Third," but in reality, his influence had grown immensely.
He, too, welcomed the fall of Brother Sum.
That morning.
Fenric was quietly eating breakfast when a subordinate rushed in.
"Leader, there's a powerful old man outside. He says he's an old friend of yours and wants to see you."
"Oh?" Fenric raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Let him in."
He already had a good guess who it was.
A few moments later, a shabby old man wearing flip-flops was escorted in. His appearance was disheveled, but his presence was unmistakable.
Fenric didn't rise from his seat. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"So, the Fire Cloud pays me a visit. That's a long journey, senior."
The surrounding gang members looked confused.
None of them had heard the name "Fire Cloud" before, let alone knew who this bald, frail-looking man was.
"Shura," the old man said the moment he saw Fenric, "I came to ask you: Are you a man… or a god?"
The last time they had crossed paths, Fenric's final strike had left a deep impression on him—so deep that even after days of recovery, the memory still haunted him.
After more than ten days of recuperation, Fire Cloud's wounds had healed. His skin looked fresh, as if he had shed an old layer.
But his hair? Completely gone. He was now entirely bald.
"Senior, have some breakfast with me," Fenric offered.
The old man didn't refuse and sat down, but his sharp gaze never left Fenric.
"You still haven't answered me," he pressed.
"Of course, I'm human," Fenric replied calmly.
The Fire Cloud narrowed his eyes. "Then what was that ability you used? How did you summon lightning from the heavens? No man should be able to control thunder like that."
"Oh, that?" Fenric smiled lightly. "Just one of my magic weapons."
"Magic weapon?" The old man's eyes glimmered. "A weapon of the immortals?"
"Something like that," Fenric said after a short pause.
"Think of God of Thunder's hammer—it can summon lightning. It wouldn't be wrong to call it an immortal's weapon."
The Fire Cloud's pupils contracted. "Then… are there really immortals in this world?"
"I don't know about immortals," Fenric said with a smirk. "But martial arts… martial arts can be limitless. There are techniques in this world that rival the powers of gods and spirits. Senior, if you've got time, why not stay with me for a while? I'll show you something even greater. I'll show you… a miracle."
"A miracle?" The old man's curiosity was piqued. After a moment's thought, he nodded.
"Very well."
He had come today hoping to learn Fenric's secret techniques, and if possible, surpass him. Once he learned, he intended to defeat Fenric and reclaim his invincible status.
But Fenric's words intrigued him. If someone this powerful called it a "miracle," it had to be worth witnessing.
At that moment, a young gang member pointed toward the sky.
"Leader, look! A cloud-piercing arrow!"
Fenric looked up. In the distant sky, a brilliant firework burst apart, forming the shape of an axe. It was the Axe Gang's emergency distress signal.
A cloud-piercing arrow—when one is fired, the entire gang must respond.
No one fired this signal unless they were in extreme danger.
Once launched, every member who saw it had to rush to the scene.
This was the gang's iron rule, set in stone since the day it was founded.
Even as the new leader, Fenric couldn't simply ignore it.
Besides, if he gained a reputation for abandoning his men, no one would respect him.
"Get ready to move!" Fenric ordered.
The subordinates scattered, rushing to prepare.
Fenric stood, glanced at the Fire Cloud, and asked,
"Senior, would you care to join me?"
"Not interested," the old man said with a dismissive wave.
As a martial arts fanatic, he cared only for reaching new heights of skill, not for petty disputes or gang matters.
"Then please, enjoy your meal."
With that, Fenric left.
One hour later.
The convoy of cars rolled into a remote, poverty-stricken area.
From the outside, the place looked like an old apartment complex, but the plaque over the gate read, in bold characters: "Pig Sty."
"So, it's here," Fenric muttered with a smile.
When the car stopped, a subordinate opened the door for him.
Fenric stepped out, followed by a crowd of Axe Gang members.
Inside the compound, nearly 570 gang members were already gathered.
The moment they saw Fenric, they bowed in unison.
"Leader!!"
The roar of voices shook the air.
The local villagers, terrified, peeked from behind doors and windows but didn't dare step outside.
Fenric swept his gaze across the crowd. Among them, he easily spotted several Samsara Players hiding in plain sight.
As long as they don't interfere with me, they can stay.
"Leader!" The Second Master approached, his face filled with feigned sorrow.
"The Third Master… he's dying."
"Take me to him," Fenric said coldly.
The Second Master led him to a large iron tub.
Inside, the once-proud Third Master—now a broken, overweight man—was crumpled like a discarded rag. His spine was clearly snapped, and foam bubbled at his lips. He was down to his final breaths.
Fenric sighed inwardly.
The inertia of fate is truly strong. Even after all the changes I made to the Axe Gang, the Third Master still ended up here… just like the original story.
"Who did this?" Fenric asked quietly.
At his words, the Axe Gang members tensed.
In an instant, hundreds of them moved, surrounding the entire Pig Sty Alley. Not even a fly would escape.