Chapter 12: Finding the Organization

“Hm?”
The burly man pushed again, but the door didn't budge an inch.
Ji Huo gnawed on a chicken leg with one hand, clutching snacks with the other, blinking innocently at him.
“What are you looking at!”
The burly man’s face flushed red, and he swung a punch straight at Ji Huo’s head.
Smack!
With the chicken leg still in his mouth, Ji Huo freed a hand and caught the punch firmly.
“Impossible!”
The burly man let out a screech, eyes wide, and punched again at Ji Huo with all his strength, his energy swirling around his fist—this was his full power.
Smack!
Ji Huo caught the second punch single-handedly once more.
“This absolutely can't—oh!”
Before the burly man could finish, the world spun around him; he was picked up and slammed onto the ground.
“Lunatic.”
Ji Huo withdrew his hand, took the chicken leg from his mouth, bit off a chunk, and slowly walked out of the alley, muttering under his breath.
“You—stop right there!”
An enraged voice sounded behind him.
Now the burly man was furious—not only had he been beaten, but by a kid who looked barely grown, and even scorned by him! Who could endure such humiliation? Certainly not him!
He scrambled to his feet, legs planted wide, hands at his waist, letting out a roar that echoed through the alley!
Streams of energy erupted from his body, wild and turbulent; in an instant, a giant wolf-shaped apparition formed behind him.
“Take this!”
He launched a punch, the wind around his fist twined with strange black stripes—this was a secret technique unique to Liang Country, boosting his fighting power beyond his rank.
This punch was his ultimate move, his trump card. Not only in the capital, but even in Liang Country, few among the younger generation could withstand it.
As the fist approached, Ji Huo suddenly turned and lifted his foot.

The kick seemed ordinary, but its speed was terrifyingly swift; it shattered both the protective energy and the giant wolf illusion surrounding the burly man, and its force struck his head directly.
With a whistling sound, the burly man was sent flying, his upper body smashing into the wall—breaking through it entirely, leaving only his legs dangling crookedly outside.
“Shrimp-head.”
Ji Huo muttered casually, munching on his chicken leg as he left the alley.
Only the burly man remained, limp and embedded in the wall—judging by his appearance, he’d probably lost consciousness.
…
“Boss, you’re here!”
After much searching, Ji Huo finally found the hideout, where several people were already waiting for him.
At the head was a chubby young man with a round face, his eyes squinting into slits as he grinned.
“Twenty-three, you’ve grown sturdier,” Ji Huo remarked in surprise.
“Heh, it’s just that the food in the capital is decent. No missions lately, just intelligence work—how could I not gain weight?” Twenty-three scratched his head.
“Boss, why don’t you let me take on missions again? All this running the shop and buttering up those bosses—it really doesn’t suit me. I’ve witnessed their disgusting ways of exploiting the common folk so many times, I just want to stab them.”
Ji Huo rolled his eyes lazily, “You’re the only one whose shop never loses money after all these years. You’re talented in business... Tell you what, ask around and see if anyone wants to take over your shop. If someone’s willing, I’ll let you switch.”
“But I really can’t stand those vile bosses,” Twenty-three complained.
“Then bankrupt them all. I permit you to use any means,” Ji Huo replied offhandedly. “But remember, the capital is deep waters; be careful when you act. If you make a mess, call the Earth Fiend Squad to clean it up.”
“Really? Special methods too?” Twenty-three’s eyes lit up.
“Yes,” Ji Huo nodded slowly, “I have only one request—when you make it big, treat your people well. We’re all workers, no need to make life hard for them.”
“Understood!”
Ji Huo continued calmly, “You were all orphans when I took you in. Even though you’re much stronger than ordinary people now, I hope you never forget what it was like as little beggars. If you’re able, help those who are suffering.”
At once, the group stood straight, bowed to Ji Huo, and answered in unison, “Yes, Boss!”

Why does it always feel like being a gang leader... Ji Huo muttered inwardly, waving toward the pile of snacks on the table.
“All right, sit down. Let’s eat and talk.”
So they gathered around the Eight Immortals table, munching snacks and chatting about recent events.
Their appearance was nothing like an assassin organization meeting—it was more like a group gathered around the fire at New Year, cracking seeds and gossiping.
“Boss, the thing you asked—Little Brown Sugar has informed everyone in the gang. Now the Heaven Gang Squad is heading this way, and the Earth Fiend Squad is assembling in the capital. Once everyone’s here, we can move against the Assassin Hall,” Twenty-three reported.
Ji Huo nodded, “Just notify me then. It’s been a while since I had a proper fight—my hands are itching. Assassin Hall will do nicely for a warm-up.”
“Boss, your strength should be shown to the Central Plains. Heh, their jaws will drop in astonishment,” said Thirty, another young man nearby, looking at Ji Huo with admiration. Years ago, he’d seen Ji Huo in action once, but back then he hadn’t understood much. Now, as his own skills grew, he realized more and more how terrifyingly strong his boss was.
Yet the boss loved to keep a low profile, always using aliases in fights—he called it ‘wearing a mask.’
Ji Huo shook his head, “I’m not invincible. There are plenty of old monsters hiding in the mountains; it’s wise to keep your strength concealed.”
He thought of Ji Xiao Xiong—even if he went all out, he wasn’t sure he could defeat his own old man.
“I get it, I get it. Playing dumb to catch the tiger,” Thirty said boisterously.
“Any news in the capital? Share it, let’s have a laugh,” Ji Huo asked.
Twenty-three pondered, then replied, “The hottest topic is the Twin Dragons fighting for the throne—basically, slinging mud at each other, framing one another, the court is in chaos. I hear the two princes’ mothers aren’t quiet in the harem either—rumors fly about secret curses, little grass dolls, hexes on the palace beauties. It’s all quite a spectacle.”
“What’s the old emperor’s attitude?”
“He hasn’t made a statement. Whenever trouble in the harem reaches him, he deals with those involved, but doesn’t pursue it further. As for the court drama, he turns a blind eye, pretending not to see.”
Ji Huo stroked his chin, puzzled, “That’s odd. I remember the old emperor knows martial arts—he fought campaigns across the south and north in his day. He’s only in his early sixties now, doesn’t look close to death. Still, with the current situation, he seems eager to choose a successor.”
“Oh, there’s something else!”
Twenty-three remembered and spoke up, “A few days ago, Liang Country sent a special envoy to the capital. They set up a challenge arena at their embassy, inviting young talents from the city. So far, they’ve defeated eighteen challengers in a row—none of the capital’s young elites have any fight left. The envoy is enjoying unprecedented fame.”