<h4>Chapter 858: Chapter 860: No Turning Back</h4>


    Huo Tianqian and Lin Dong and Lin Zhao were chatting idly at the front desk when suddenly, a person appeared at the entrance.


    Huo Tianqian was the first to recognize who the person was, and a bit of surprise flickered in his eyes.


    At this moment, Lin Dong also noticed and asked puzzledly, "Isn’t that Long Ang, the leader of the Dragon Group?"


    He had seen him at Fangding Mountain and shouldn’t be mistaken.


    Huo Tianqian nodded, "Yes, it’s him."


    "Why has hee?" Lin Dong asked in confusion.


    Huo Tianqian sneered and shook his head, "I don’t know, probably came with ill intentions."


    "I’ll go ask."


    Lin Dong stood up, walked towards Long Ang, and said, "What a rare guest! Does the Dragon Group leader also like gambling stones?"


    Lin Dong’s tone was not particrly polite, as he didn’t believe Long Ang was here to gamble.


    Long Ang smiled and didn’t bother with Lin Dong’s attitude, saying, "I’m here to find Chu Ge."


    "Mr. Chu isn’t here."


    Lin Dong replied.


    Long Ang was taken aback, "He hasn’t returned yet?"


    Lin Dong crossed his arms and curiously looked at Long Ang, "So, you know where he went?"


    Long Ang nodded, "He went to find the bats’ir and to capture the mastermind. Initially, I wanted to go with him, but given my identity, you know it’s not appropriate for me to go."


    Long Ang isn’t a minor figure; he was once the leader of the Dragon Group, so there are many in Ancient Martial Arts who know him.


    Those who came to the Gambling Stone Field were associated with Ancient Martial Arts. Some recognized Long Ang and remembered how the Dragon Group let them down at Fangding Mountain earlier, fueling their anger.


    One of them stepped forward quickly, "Long Ang, didn’t expect you to be so bold toe to our Ancient Martial Arts’ gambling stone field."


    Long Ang knew these people bore a grudge against him and didn’t expect them to show any kindness. He was mentally prepared, knowing his identity would surely provoke their dissatisfaction.


    Nheless, Long Ang smiled and exined, "Don’t think too much; I’vee purely to find Mr. Chu, with no other intentions."


    "Hmph, even if you had other intentions, do you think you alone can stand against so many of us here?"


    "Long Ang, you’re not wee here. You better leave quickly before things get ugly, should a fight break out."


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    These people genuinely disliked Long Ang.


    Even though Long Ang knew his identity as Dragon Group leader made them detest him deeply, hearing their words still soured his expression.


    "In my impression, people from Ancient Martial Arts aren’t socking in quality. Every Ancient Martial Artist I know is honorable and upright, not engaging in such behavior as bullying the few."


    Someone in the crowd overheard Long Ang’s words and burst intoughter, snorting and saying, "Long Ang, are you scared? The former Dragon Group leader turns out to be a coward."


    Long Ang sneered, saying, "Firstly, let me rify, I am no longer the Dragon Group’s leader, nor am I part of the Dragon Group. So stop judging me with your perceptions of the Dragon Group. Also, I’m not scared of you. Even if all of you here teamed up against me, none would be my match, except Chu Ge, who could spar with me a bit."


    Everyone focused on his first few words. What did he just say? He was no longer the Dragon Group leader? Not even part of the Dragon Group?


    Lin Dong curiously looked at Long Ang, "Is what you’re saying true? You’re really not part of the Dragon Group?"


    "Of course, why would I lie?"


    Long Ang replied.


    Lin Dong rubbed his chin, pondering, when someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Even if you’re no longer the Dragon Group leader, your actions as leader are unforgettable to our Ancient Martial Arts!"


    Long Ang sighed lightly, he knew that what he said was indeed true, all his past actions couldn’t be erased.


    "I know no matter what I say now, you all have strong opinions against me. But I’ve already stated, I’m here not for you, but for Chu Ge. Since he’s not here, I won’t disturb anymore."


    Long Ang worried that staying longer would definitely lead to conflict, so he decided to leave first.


    But just as Long Ang was about to turn around, he saw Chu Ge standing behind him.


    Chu Ge was surprised to see Long Ang here, puzzledly asking, "Why would Leader Long Ange here?"


    Long Ang smiled, "I came to find you."


    Chu Ge was astonished, "Find me? What’s the matter?"


    Long Ang lightly coughed, nced around, and said nothing.


    But Chu Ge understood; this ce wasn’t suitable for discussions.


    Chu Ge said, "Let’s go upstairs to talk."


    With that, he led Long Ang to the third-floor lounge.


    Inside the lounge, Chu Ge poured Long Ang a cup of tea, then sat across from him, "Leader Long Ang, what brings you to me?"


    Long Ang smiled, the corners of his lips carrying a hint of bitterness, "Mr. Chu, please don’t tease me; I’m no longer the leader of the Dragon Group."


    Chu Ge raised his eyebrows, looking at him in astonishment.


    Long Ang continued, "I’m no longer part of the Dragon Group."


    Chu Ge looked at him suspiciously, "What do you mean?"


    Long Ang sighed and exined, "Because I decided on my own to duel with the Ancient Martial Arts, the upper echelons disagreed, iming I vited the rules. So they revoked my leader position and expelled me from the Dragon Group as per requirements."


    Chu Ge widened his eyes in shock, "They expelled you from the Dragon Group?"


    Long Ang gave a bitter smile, "Doesn’t it seem particrly heartless? From the moment I took over as Dragon Group leader until now, it’s been eight years. Over these eight years, I assure myself I’ve never done anything to betray the Dragon Group, except this time..."


    Long Ang took a deep breath, "Yet I don’t regret my actions. Even if given another chance, I’d agree to a fairpetition with you."


    In Long Ang’s heart, he always believed the Dragon Group operated covertly, which wasn’t how a true man should act.


    However, despite holding the leader’s position, he didn’t have the real power. This time, deciding on his own led to the upper echelons punishing him, stripping him of leadership. He had no resentment.


    But being expelled from the Dragon Group truly pained him.


    After all these years, he’d developed emotions towards the Dragon Group, especially as he initially joined Dragon Group.


    Yet now they’ve asked him to go, so he won’t look back anymore.