Chapter 125: Loyalty Is Not Absolute

Fine.

Hong Cha laughed and said, "Since you've already made up your mind, I won't keep persuading you. As for the chairman, I'll put in a few more words for you—just a part—but I'm sure he'll agree."

Thanks, Brother Hong Cha.

Jiang Cheng quickly replied.

You're welcome.

Hong Cha waved his hand, "There's something I want to remind the little brother: if I obtain the Spiritual Power Secret Martial Art you want, you'll have to join my Dawn Society. If at that time, little brother, you stall and hesitate, we might have to give you a lesson. Moreover, once you join, you can't quit at will; every so often you'll also have to complete the tasks assigned by the Society."

Ye Ying's gaze grew a few degrees colder, as if warning Jiang Cheng.

It won't happen.

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

He had already prepared himself mentally.

There's no principle in the world that you can get without giving.

The more you do, the more you receive; the reverse is also true.

Moreover, his brief contact with Hong Cha made him think the other was a decent person; this Dawn Society should also be a decent organization. Of course, the specifics will depend on further interactions—distance tests a horse's strength, time reveals a person's heart.

Hearing that from you, little brother, I feel reassured.

Hong Cha laughed, "Alright, I've said everything I need to. After we return, I'll communicate with the higher-ups. This back-and-forth will take some time. Little brother, stay safe. The Iron Fist Gang says they give you three days to consider, but whether it's really three days, that's not certain."

Thanks for the reminder, Brother Hong Cha.

Alright, then let's leave first. By the way, if anyone asks, be sure not to reveal our identities.

After giving that warning, Hong Cha looked at Ye Ying, who nodded, and the two walked out.

Jiang Cheng watched their silhouettes disappear before turning to look at the room's furnishings.

Though he'd only been transmigrated for about half a month, perhaps the original body's memories were at work, giving him an attachment to the items in the room.

About to leave, he certainly couldn't take many things with him.

He shook his head, dispelling those thoughts.

In these times, nothing is more important than one's own and one's family's safety.

Other things are external; lose them and they're gone, just buy them later.

He just didn't know whether that Brother Hong Cha could bring what he wanted.

With countless thoughts swirling, Jiang Cheng simply began practicing the Fist Technique.

Meanwhile, Hong Cha and Ye Ying, while walking through the alley, whispered to each other.

Do you have such confidence in him?

Ye Ying's voice was somewhat cold.

I do have some confidence.

Hong Cha smiled, "Given his strength, there's no need to clash with gangs. If he joins the Martial Arts Hall, even if life isn't carefree, he'll be at least more comfortable than 90% of the Poor District's residents. Yet he hasn't done that; that alone puts him above the vast majority. Recruiting him into the Society is definitely the right choice."

Ye Ying hummed in agreement, acknowledging his point.

By the way, Ye Ying.

Hong Cha turned to look at her, "If the higher-ups truly agree to his terms and grant him the Spiritual Power Secret Martial Art, could you also find time to give him some guidance?"

Let him first be able to lift objects with Spiritual Power; if he can't even do that, he's just wasting my time.

Hong Cha, hearing that, could only laugh helplessly.

Night.

The street was lit by a few streetlamps; many shops on both sides had closed their doors, only a handful remained open. One restaurant was packed with people, bustling, but up close you could see each patron sported a tattooed sleeve, and even the servers delivering dishes looked nervous.

The reason was simple: the dozens of people in front of him were members of the Iron Fist Gang, who had come here tonight specifically to hold a celebration banquet, just getting started.

Though this restaurant had backers, it didn't mean these people had any protection; a slip or spilled soup could easily cost a life.

Inside a private room on the inner side of the hall, a table was set with a dozen or so people seated.

The two leaders of the Iron Fist Gang, Cao Kun and Lin Feng, were there, seated at the head table; besides them were five or six men who seemed to hold some rank.

The rest were women, dressed flamboyantly, sitting aside, carefully pouring wine and serving dishes to the men.

The few men clinked cups, laughter and chatter continued nonstop.

When the wine was half full, Cao Kun lit a cigarette and asked Lin Feng, "By the way, Ah Feng, what's the situation with that kid?"

As the words fell, the private room fell silent.

I've already warned him.

Lin Feng, while exhaling smoke, said, "After three days, if he doesn't join us, he'll have to get out of here; if he doesn't want to go, that's fine too—I'll personally deal with him then. A stinky kid thinks he's impressive just because he can swing a stick? He doesn't even know the gap between us."

Exactly, exactly, Feng Ge, dealing with that kid, even a single hand could kill him! a subordinate echoed.

Exactly, do you really think our Iron Fist Gang can be compared to some stray dog gang? If not for someone shielding them these past years, we'd have taken this territory long ago.

That's right, that's right.

The few started to raise a ruckus.

Three days.

Cao Kun exhaled a smoke ring, "Isn't that a bit too long?"

Lin Feng was startled and asked, "Ah Kun, what do you mean?"

If he wants to join us, why would he need three whole days? He should have come to the street today to find us, but he hasn't.

People like him, once they join us, will become variables later.

Hmm.

Lin Feng nodded.

Loyalty is not absolute; it is absolutely disloyal.

"So tomorrow we just go and drive him away? Or what?"

Lin Feng made a gesture of wiping his neck.

The women in the private room, seeing this, each shivered with fear.

"Since he can't be used by us, we should eliminate him."

Cao Kun said without a moment's thought.

"Although that kid's strength is inferior to ours, he is still far stronger than ordinary people. If we drive him away, he will inevitably bear a grudge. As the saying goes, we're not afraid of thieves stealing; we're afraid of thieves holding a grudge. If he were to assassinate our people from the shadows, it would give us at least some headaches."

"Indeed."

Lin Feng nodded, "You have already made contact with the Martial Arts Hall, right?"

"Of course, the other two martial arts halls won't accept him; even the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Hall, that Tang Hall Master, has explicitly said that whatever we do, he won't meddle."

"That's good."

Lin Feng smiled.

The reason he didn't act this morning was exactly because of that.

Since everything is ready, tomorrow after the meal we'll go over, and with two First-level Force Warriors watching over him, that kid will meet a fitting end.

(End of chapter)