Chapter 12: Power struggles

With the rampant criminal activities and the continuous expansion of power, the criminal gangs led by Xiao Xue and Zhao Hu are gradually emerging in the dark world, and their ambitions are also expanding. At this time, the power pattern of the city's underground world is quietly changing, and a fierce power struggle is about to begin.

Zhao Hu began to be unsatisfied with the existing territory and resources, and he set his sights on the areas controlled by other criminal organizations, intending to seize more benefits through force and stratagem. He knows that in this world of the weak and the strong, only with absolute power and wealth can he truly gain a foothold and better protect himself and his gang members. Although the flame of revenge was still burning in Xiao Xue's heart, under Zhao Hu's influence, she was also gradually involved in this power struggle.

They first target a long-established criminal organization that has long controlled the underground casinos and smuggling corridors in the eastern part of the city - the Hung Gang. The Hung Gang has been rooted in the city for a long time and has a huge power, with many fighters and a complex network of relationships. But Zhao Hu is not afraid, he thinks that although the Hong Gang seems to be powerful, but its internal management is loose, members of the contradictions between the many, it is their opportunity to take advantage of.

Zhao Hu began to carefully plan the attack on the Hong Gang. On the one hand, he sent people to secretly collect information about the Hung Garment, including the distribution of their strongholds, the pattern of activities of their personnel, the flow of funds and their relationship with the police. Xiao Xue, on the other hand, utilized her connections in the underground boxing world to gather some fighters to join their camp. These fighters not only possessed strong physique and fighting skills, but were also familiar with various hidden corners in the city, which provided strong support for their actions.

On the other hand, Zhao Hu actively contacted some other small criminal gangs and tried to unite them to fight against the Hong Gang. He promised these gangs that he would share the benefits with them once he succeeded in seizing the territory of the Hong Gang. Lured by the benefits, many gangs expressed their willingness to cooperate with Zhao Hu. However, this improvised alliance was not solid, and the gangs were suspicious of each other and had ulterior motives, all calculating how to maximize their benefits in this fight without being counted by the other gangs.

Xiao Xue sensed this instability, but she was too deep in it to pull herself out at this point. She could only hope that Zhao Hu could take control of the situation and lead them to victory. During the preparation process, Xiao Xue's heart was also full of contradictions and struggles. She knew that such a power struggle would only bring more bloodshed and violence, and would cause more innocent people to be hurt. But hatred and her obsession with revenge made her choose to move on, telling herself that only by becoming stronger could she completely destroy Xiong Yufang.

Finally, the moment of action came. On a dark and windy night, Zhao Hu led the joint gang, like a pack of hungry wolves, to launch a simultaneous attack on a number of strongholds of the Hong Gang. Although the Hong Gang was aware of it beforehand, they did not expect the attack to be so sudden and fierce. The battle instantly erupted, the sound of gunshots and shouts resounded through the night sky, and the entire eastern part of the city was thrown into chaos.

Xiao Xue, holding a dagger, was the first to charge into an important stronghold of the Hong Gang - an underground casino located in an abandoned factory. The casino was brightly lit, but at this moment, it was filled with the smell of blood and smoke. The members of the Hung Gang panicked and grabbed their weapons to resist, and both sides engaged in a fierce close combat. Xiao Xue, with her agile hands and practical combat experience honed in the boxing ring, shuttled between the enemies like a ghost, her dagger drew a cold light in the air, and every strike was accompanied by the splash of blood. Her eyes were filled with determination and madness, as if she had returned to the ring of the underground boxing world, and regarded all the enemies in front of her as obstacles that blocked her path to revenge and had to be removed.

However, after all, the Hong Gang was an old criminal organization, and their members were by no means idle. After a brief moment of panic, they quickly organized an effective resistance, and with their familiarity of the stronghold's terrain, they fought Zhao Hu's gang to the death. The battle entered a white-hot stage, with both sides suffering casualties from each other, and corpses falling on the ground in a heap, blood staining the ground red.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the city, the other teams led by Zhao Hu were also locked in a stalemate with the forces of the Hong Gang. The streets and alleys turned into battlefields, and innocent citizens hid inside their houses in fear, listening to the gunshots and shouts outside, their hearts filled with fear. Some citizens were unfortunate enough to be hit by stray bullets and fell in a pool of blood, their screams and cries for help were drowned out in the clamor of the battle.

As the battle continued, Zhao Hu's joint gangs gradually exposed their internal problems. Some of the smaller gangs began to retreat in the battle in order to preserve their strength, and even appeared to be on the verge of turning back. This caused Zhao Hu's group to fall into a passive position, and the original advantage was gradually lost. The Hong Gang, on the other hand, seized the opportunity and launched a fierce counterattack.

Xiao Xue also felt the increased pressure in the casino stronghold. Her physical strength was depleting and she had multiple injuries on her body. Although she fought hard, the enemies seemed to keep coming. At the critical moment, Zhao Hu arrived at the casino with a group of his close associates, and they brought stronger firepower support, and the situation was temporarily reversed.

Zhao Hu waved the gun in his hand and shouted, "Brothers, we must take down the Hong Gang today, this is a crucial step for us to become the underground king of this city!" His voice was filled with fervor and determination, inspiring the men around him to continue fighting.

Xiao Xue looked at Zhao Hu, a complex emotion welling up in her heart. She knew that there was no turning back in this battle, they could only continue forward and either win or die on this battlefield. She gritted her teeth, gripped the dagger in her hand, and charged into the enemy line once again.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Xiao Xue accidentally discovered an important leader of the Hong Gang - Master Hong. Master Hong was hiding in a corner, commanding his men to resist. Xiao Xue realized that as long as she captured Master Hong, she might be able to end the battle. With a flash of determination in her eyes, she quietly approached Master Hong.

However, the bodyguards around Master Hong sensed Xiao Xue's intention, they quickly blocked in front of Master Hong, and started a thrilling fight with Xiao Xue. Xiao Xue gradually breaks through the bodyguards' defense line with her tenacity and excellent skills, but she herself pays a heavy price, adding a few deep wounds to her body.

Just when Xiao Xue was about to grab Master Hong, a bullet whistled and grazed her ear. She was shocked and subconsciously searched for the source of the bullet, only to see one of Hong Gang's gunmen aiming at her. Xiao Xue could not dodge in time and could only watch the bullet fly towards her.

Just in the nick of time, Zhao Hu lunged over and pushed Xiao Xue away. The bullet hit Zhao Hu's shoulder, and he fell to the ground with a muffled grunt. When Xiao Xue saw this, a complex emotion surged in her heart, both gratitude towards Zhao Hu and disgust for this battle.

"Zhao Hu, how are you?" Xiao Xue hurriedly ran to Zhao Hu's side and asked with concern.

"Don't mind me, grab Master Hong!" Zhao Hu endured the severe pain and shouted.

Xiao Xue nodded and stood up, once again rushing towards Master Hong. At this moment, Master Hong was already scared pale by the change in front of him, he tried to run away, but was grabbed by Xiao Xue.

"Want to run? Not that easy!" Xiao Xue said coldly, the dagger in her hand against Master Hong's neck.

The members of the Hong Gang were in disarray when they saw Master Hong being captured. Zhao Hu took the opportunity to command his men to launch a final charge, and the Hong Gang's resistance gradually disintegrated. In the end, this fierce power struggle ended with Xiao Xue and Zhao Hu's victory.

They managed to seize most of the territory and resources of the Hung Clan, including the underground casinos, smuggling corridors and a large amount of wealth. However, the price of this victory was heavy, both sides had numerous casualties, the eastern part of the city was in shambles, and the lives of innocent citizens were greatly affected.

Xiao Xue looked at the bloody scene in front of her, her heart filled with guilt and remorse. She realized that she had fallen into an uncontrollable abyss for the sake of revenge, not only hurting her own family, but also causing countless innocent people to suffer disaster. Zhao Hu, on the other hand, although injured, had a smug smile on his face. He thought that this victory was an important step towards their domination of the city's underground world.

However, they didn't realize that this power struggle was just the beginning. Their victory had aroused the vigilance and jealousy of other criminal organizations, and a larger storm was quietly brewing. And the police are closely watching the outcome of this fight, ready to crack down on them at the right time. Xiao Xue and Zhao Hu's future is full of uncertainty, and they will continue on their dark path, facing more challenges