This is the hottest new underground bar in the entire eastern part of the city, bar none.
Before even stepping through the gate, the deep bass, as violent as a wild beast's heartbeat, pierced through the thick walls, violently shaking the hearts of every passerby.
Pushing open the door, you enter a world of utter madness.
The flashing laser lights, like chaotic lines, slashed wildly through the smoky air, illuminating the crowd in a bizarre and surreal way.
On stage, ICE, dressed in oversized trendy clothing and holding a microphone, resembled an emperor who controlled the rhythm.
"Yo! Check it out! This is MIGHTY WARRIORS! We rule this night!"
The rap lyrics that poured from his mouth were as fast as machine gun fire, each syllable filled with explosive power. Combined with Bernie's intense rhythm behind him, which seemed capable of shattering the soul, they instantly ignited the entire venue.
Below the stage, there were hundreds of people who had gone into a frenzy.
Regardless of gender, they all seemed bewitched at this moment, unleashing their most primal wildness in this jungle that belongs to the night.
They twisted their bodies wildly to the rhythm, raised their hands, and shouted and screamed like waves.
"ICE! ICE! ICE!"
The deafening roar almost lifted the ceiling.
There are no rules here, only music and revelry.
When the song ended, ICE was covered in sweat, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He raised the microphone and shouted at the enthusiastic fans below the stage, who were still in shock from what had just happened:
"That's all for tonight's show! But the funky jungle party never ends! Now it's your time to drink and play! You are the masters of this land!"
Amidst a deafening roar of cheers, ICE stylishly tossed the microphone to the DJ beside him, and then, along with Pearl, Bernie, 9, Sarah, and others, weaved through the still-boiling crowd and up the spiral staircase to their private box on the second floor.
Everyone sprawled out on the large leather sofa, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Pearl wearily removed the headscarf from her head and casually tossed her somewhat messy long hair.
He looked at ICE, who was drinking heavily while silently staring at the crowd downstairs, and a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
"ICE, is this really our 'utopia'? Are we just going to live in this dark corner from now on, singing, dancing, and counting money every day?"
Since that terrifying battle at the container terminal, the "Warriors of the Century" seemed to have been collectively traumatized. They never took on any shady jobs from any organization again, nor did they blatantly plunder money from other criminal organizations as before.
They simply took all the dirty money they had earned from smuggling and robbery, bought this abandoned warehouse, and opened this bar, seemingly turning over a new leaf and making pure music.
ICE tilted his head back and gulped down the entire bottle of beer. The icy liquid calmed his feverish mind a little.
He put down the empty bottle and looked at the pearl with his deep gaze.
"Isn't this life of having enough to eat and wear and no one to hunt you down the one you've always wanted?"
Pearl sighed, walked to the railing, and looked at the restless crowd below, her eyes somewhat vacant.
"Maybe, but is this... really the utopia we've been dreaming of?"
The answer to this question is known to every warrior of every century present here.
No.
Their true dream is to build an ideal country free from poverty and oppression, completely ruled by music and freedom.
Although this goal may sound somewhat unattainable, or even ridiculous, it is indeed the driving force that has kept them going until now.
Even if that ideal country is out of reach, at least they should have a piece of land that completely belongs to them, just like before.
There, they set the rules, unlike now, where people have a place to live but still have to survive in the cracks of the city.
They were once fearless and fought for it.
But what about now?
All they had was this bar filled with the smell of alcohol and sweat.
ICE could certainly hear the disappointment and resentment in Pearl's words.
He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over his brothers and sisters on the sofa, his tone becoming more serious than ever before.
"I know what you're thinking. But reality is cruel. The leader of the Uezono-kai, Uezono Tatsuomi, is dead, and the Iemura-kai's Iemura Tatsumi herself is also dead. And you all know who's behind all this, right?"
"True Dragon Society, Ryuzaki Shin".
Upon hearing this name, a complex expression appeared on the faces of everyone present.
It was fear, apprehension, and a lingering psychological shadow.
That night in the shipping container still haunts them like a nightmare, lingering in their minds from time to time.
Seeing the fleeting fear on everyone's faces, ICE didn't laugh at them. Instead, he said in a heavy tone:
"The situation in Huya Liu is now completely chaotic. Even behemoths like the Kowloon Group are fighting to the death with the suddenly emerging True Dragon Society. People are dying every day. Although we 'Century Warriors' are all capable fighters, compared to these two giants who have hundreds or thousands of men, we are just a small boat on the sea. In the face of such raging waves, the slightest carelessness or wrong decision will lead to us being smashed to pieces by the waves, leaving no trace of our bodies."
"In this extremely sensitive period, we should do nothing and can do nothing. The only option is to stay quietly in this corner and wait for them to decide the winner. If there is still a chance then, we can consider what to do in the future."
ICE's words were harsh and realistic.
During the battle at the container, it was the first time he felt that death was so close to him.
At that moment, he truly felt he was going to die.
To this day, he still doesn't know why that man suddenly let them go when he had the upper hand.
Ice dared not delve into the deeper meaning behind it, and could only deceive herself into believing that it was just good luck.
"Remember, everyone, as long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn," ICE concluded, looking firmly at everyone. "Only by living can we have a chance, only by living can we have everything..."
However, he hadn't finished speaking.
A slightly mocking male voice suddenly drifted from the stairwell outside the private room.
"You're absolutely right. As long as you're alive, you have everything. ICE, it seems you've grown a lot since I last saw you..."