Chapter 120

"He never mentioned when, but the tone suggested it was recent. As for the meeting location, he didn't bring that up either." Sun Ergou scratched his head, sounding embarrassed.

Han Li frowned; it seemed Sun Ergou's information was unreliable, riddled with omissions.

He lowered his head, pondering for a moment, then a sudden insight struck him—an excellent idea.

Han Li studied Sun Ergou closely, then smiled and said to him:

"Sun Ergou, I'm very pleased with your work these past few days, especially your latest tip—it was a major contribution. So I intend to reward you handsomely!"

Sun Ergou's heart leapt with joy, his face breaking into a broad grin.

He hadn't expected that merely passing along a few scraps of gossip would earn him the favor of this nobleman, who now planned to reward him lavishly. Clearly, serving this man was incredibly rewarding—but what form would the reward take? Would he be given a fortune in gold, silver, or jewels?

Sun Ergou began to daydream.

"Would you like to become the boss of the Siping Gang?" Han Li's words struck like thunder, leaving Sun Ergou pale and shaken to his core.

"My lord, you're joking—don't mock this humble servant! What merit or virtue do I have to become the boss of such a gang?" Sun Ergou's face fell, muttering helplessly.

"Why not? With me backing you, taking over a small gang like Siping is child's play. Or are you content to remain a lowly dock foreman for the rest of your life?" Han Li smiled, luring him gently.

Sun Ergou's expression flickered between shock, fear, and intense excitement.

Every man, deep down, dreams of one day owning beautiful women, wielding absolute power, and controlling the lives of others.

Han Li's words had ignited the deepest ambition buried within Sun Ergou—but he still had reservations, so he did not immediately accept.

"Our boss and his three bodyguards aren't weak. Can you be certain you can subdue them?" Sun Ergou whispered, testing the waters.

"Subdue them? Hah! Why bother? Just kill them all!" Han Li sneered, treating them as if they were worthless weeds.

Sun Ergou shuddered involuntarily. This nobleman's ruthlessness was terrifying—if he refused, would he be eliminated on the spot?

"Since my lord shows me such favor, this servant will dedicate his life to you—I'll follow every order without question." Under Han Li's mix of persuasion and threat, Sun Ergou finally agreed to take the risk.

"Good. That's the spirit!" Han Li nodded in satisfaction.

"Tell me when your boss usually goes out."

"He does—these past few days, every afternoon he visits Xiao Xiang Courtyard, the most famous brothel in the West City. He's become obsessed with their top courtesan, Xiao Jin Zhi. But the three bodyguards always accompany him—it'll be tricky. Maybe we should wait a few more days for a better opportunity?" Now that Sun Ergou had committed, he threw himself wholeheartedly into securing his own life and future wealth.

"No need. Now that we know the time and place, taking their lives is as easy as plucking a flower." Han Li spoke casually.

"But after they're dead, you probably won't have the strength to take control of the Siping Gang."

"Yes. I'm just an ordinary foreman here. There are many others with higher status and longer seniority." Sun Ergou flushed with shame.

"No problem. I said you'll become boss, and you will. I'll assign Qu Hun to you—he'll eliminate anyone who opposes you, and I'll personally guard you for a while." Han Li spoke with complete confidence.

Then Han Li calmly tapped three times on the wall next door. Moments later, Qu Hun appeared before them.

"Take this. Keep it hidden on your person. As long as you have it, Qu Hun will obey your commands, eliminate your enemies, and help you ascend to the position of boss."

Han Li pulled the "Soul-Guiding Bell" from his robe, stroked it gently, then solemnly handed it to Sun Ergou.

Even if one is not Qu Hun's true master, holding the "Soul-Guiding Bell" allows command over him. This was another method Master Mo had taught Han Li to control Qu Hun. And as long as the original owner of the blood-dripped bell lives, no one else can tamper with the artifact to seize control—so Han Li had no fear that Sun Ergou would betray him or plot otherwise.

Sun Ergou had witnessed Qu Hun's terrifying power firsthand. Upon receiving the small bell, his joy surged, and his courage swelled.

"Thank you, my lord! This servant will serve you with his life and blood!" Yet he was sharp enough to know that even if he became boss of the Siping Gang, he'd merely be this nobleman's puppet—so he kept pouring out his loyalty at every opportunity.

"Go prepare. Once your boss is dead, seize control of the Siping Gang in the chaos. But remember this: bring me the man who saw the divine man and woman—unharmed. I have questions for him. Understood?" Han Li's final words were stern, revealing how critically he valued this.

"Rest assured, my lord! I'll deliver him to you intact—I swear it on my life!" Sun Ergou slapped his chest, swearing fervently, his face radiating unwavering loyalty.

"Good. Take Qu Hun and leave. When you return to me, you'll be the boss of a gang." Han Li gave his order without expression.

"This servant takes his leave!" Sun Ergou, sensing the dismissal, promptly exited the room. Qu Hun followed closely behind.

No sooner had Sun Ergou left than Han Li rose, paced half a circle in the room, then opened his mouth and let out a soft, melodious whistle. Instantly, the Cloud-Winged Bird flew in through the window and landed on Han Li's shoulder.

Han Li took a vial from his robe, poured out a "Yellow Chestnut Pill"—the bird's favorite treat—and gently slipped it into its beak. Then he murmured, "Little one, follow the man who just left. If he tries to flee beyond the city limits, come straight back and tell me."

The Cloud-Winged Bird, highly intelligent, chirped several times in understanding, then flew out the window and vanished into the sky.

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