Chapter 397: Serpent’s Nest

**Jakarta, Indonesia.**

Jakarta is a port city, the largest city in Indonesia, and its economic center.

With a relatively high standard of living, Jakarta also has many entertainment venues.

In a corner of northern Jakarta, a street is lined with various entertainment establishments: bars, red-light districts, gambling dens, and more.

A man dressed in a black trench coat and wearing a wide-brimmed hat walked down this street, aimlessly strolling along.

Since it was night, the man kept his hat on, and passersby could barely see his exposed chin.

However, anyone not foolish could sense that this person was somewhat unusual, so they didn't approach him, at most casting a few curious glances before ignoring him.

After an unknown amount of time, the man stopped in front of a bar. He slightly tilted his head, revealing the sharp features of Ma Qianjun.

"Dance of the Dark Night, hehe…"

Ma Qianjun's gaze lingered on the red neon sign for a few seconds, a faint smile curling at his lips. He then retracted his gaze and walked inside.

Upon entering, he saw the familiar scenes of a bar: a dance floor with people dancing wildly, a stage with singers performing loudly, dimly lit corners, and the bar counter at the back.

Ma Qianjun quickly scanned the area, his eyes flickering, then he lowered his head slightly and walked toward the bar counter.

He sat down, tossed a bill onto the counter, and before the voluptuous barmaid could inquire, Ma Qianjun lowered his voice and said, "A Bloody Mary."

"Please wait a moment!"

The voluptuous barmaid, her face partially obscured by her hat, looked at the man with a hint of confusion in her eyes. She tossed the money into the cash box and then said in a charming voice.

Sitting at the bar, Ma Qianjun observed the entire scene of the bar. 

"Your Bloody Mary is ready. Enjoy!"

"Thank you!"

Ma Qianjun picked up the glass, looked at the crimson liquid, gently swirled it, and took a small sip, as if reminiscing about something.

Noticing Ma Qianjun's actions, the barmaid felt a sense of familiarity and could not help but pay a little more attention.

"Next up is the long-awaited Black Night Band, who will perform for you…"

"Black Night! Black Night!"

"Yay~"

In the midst of cheers and applause, a four-member band took to the stage. A young man about 20 years old walked to the drum set, a middle-aged man with an ordinary appearance sat at the keyboard, another person with a guitar stood on the left, and in the center was a middle-aged man with curly hair and a scar at the corner of his eye, standing at the microphone with an electric guitar.

The four members of the Black Night Band did not speak, focusing on preparing their performance. The crowd below held their breath in anticipation.

"Boom boom boom…"

With the drums starting, an impassioned melody erupted, accelerating the listeners' heartbeats.

Ma Qianjun smiled, lost in the familiar performance of the four on stage. His body swayed slightly with the familiar rhythm, and as he listened to the unique smoky voice of the curly-haired middle-aged singer, he felt deeply moved.

He remembered that after completing each mission, everyone would gather in this small bar, which had been purchased as a base, to relax and vent.

"Crotalus, Agkistrodon, Bothrops, Trimeresurus, it's nice to see you again…"

As the powerful and exhilarating heavy metal rock ended, the Black Night Band exited the stage amid enthusiastic cheers and calls to stay. Ma Qianjun, coming back to his senses and wanting to take another sip of his drink, realized that his Bloody Mary had already been finished without him noticing.

Ma Qianjun shook his head and smiled, putting the glass back on the counter. He unconsciously looked at the voluptuous barmaid.

Coincidentally, the barmaid also looked at Ma Qianjun. Since Ma Qianjun had not intentionally lowered his head, his entire face was fully visible to the barmaid.

Seeing the familiar face that had haunted her dreams, the barmaid was stunned for a moment, then her eyes turned red as she silently smiled.

The genuine expression of surprise made Ma Qianjun smile as well, looking at her with a grin.

"Hey, what's going on with our big beauty? It's rare to see you so moved, haha!"

At that moment, the Black Night Band, having finished their performance, came to the bar counter. The curly-haired middle-aged man, walking and joking, said.

Seeing the barmaid, who used to banter with him, completely unresponsive, the middle-aged man was puzzled and looked at Ma Qianjun, feeling a sense of familiarity.

"Master…?"

It was actually the young man behind the curly-haired middle-aged man who called out uncertainly.

Upon hearing the call from the younger brother Wu Ying, the other three members were instantly stunned and turned their attention to Ma Qianjun, scrutinizing him.

"I knew you'd come back!" The barmaid finally spoke, her voice trembling with tears and smiles.

"I'm back!"

Ma Qianjun smiled at the barmaid, removed his hat, stood up, and looked at the four members of the Black Night Band, saying with a faint smile.

"Master! It really is you!" The young and handsome Wu Ying exclaimed joyfully, running up to Ma Qianjun and gripping his arm tightly, his eyes full of excitement.

"Good to be back!"

The curly-haired middle-aged man laughed, punched Ma Qianjun, and Ma Qianjun did not dodge, allowing the punch to land on his chest.

"Let's go upstairs. I'll call the other brothers over."

The curly-haired man said with a smile, and Ma Qianjun nodded in response without speaking.

"Tonight, the entire place is free, drinks are on the house. Let's all enjoy!"

The curly-haired man shouted to the entire venue. The place fell silent for a moment, then erupted like a volcanic explosion with cheers and thanks.

"Woo! So awesome, everyone drink up!"

"Thank you, boss!"

...

Subsequently, Ma Qianjun and the others went upstairs. Shortly after, many people emerged from the crowd or corners and headed upstairs. When they saw Ma Qianjun, everyone was thrilled.

Finally, after everyone had gathered, the person at the door closed it, and everyone turned to look at Ma Qianjun, who sat at the head of the table.

Ma Qianjun slowly scanned the crowd with a nostalgic and smiling gaze.

The curly-haired middle-aged man Ling Fei, code-named "Crotalus."

The voluptuous barmaid Sun Qing, code-named "Green Snake."

The young and handsome Wu Ying, code-named "Agkistrodon."

The ordinary-looking middle-aged Li Kui, code-named "Bothrops."

...

Each of them was a good brother who had fought alongside him. He had thought he would never find them again, but unexpectedly, just over a month later, they had reunited.

Now, seeing their familiar faces, it felt as though that short month had been incredibly long.

Fortunately, everyone was here, not a single one missing!

"Big Brother, I knew you wouldn't abandon us. Welcome back!"

Ling Fei, the curly-haired middle-aged man, said with his unique smoky voice and a smile.

"How has everyone been during this time?"

Ma Qianjun asked, a hint of sentiment in his voice.

"Not bad. Since you left, we haven't taken any jobs. We've just been living here, our bones have become soft, just waiting for you to come back and lead us."

"You should know, a snake without a head is a dead snake."

"Yeah, boss, we've been waiting for you to return."

Ling Fei shrugged, and the others nodded in agreement, happily affirming.

Ma Qianjun smiled, feeling deeply touched by this strong brotherhood. He could fully sense their feelings.

But in his heart, he felt a pang of guilt.

His brothers had been waiting for him to return, but he had come back only because he needed them. This contrast made him uncomfortable, and the words he had prepared to say suddenly failed him.

Seeing Ma Qianjun's smile fade into silence, everyone sensed that the atmosphere had changed, and their smiles involuntarily faded.