Chapter 398: The Great Golden Seal

In Lüshuicheng, Shanyuan Road, inside a courtyard, Li Banfeng sat on a sofa wearing a hat, its brim pulled low.

Shen Jinzhong, the Second Master of San Ying Men, was forty-eight, bald, round-faced, with a full beard, and a Level Seven Wu Xiu.

Glancing at Bao Yingchen beside him, Shen Jinzhong felt a creeping dread.

He knew this Bao Yingchen wasn't real, but over the years, his fear of Bao Yingchen had sunk into his bones.

"Seventh Master, this puppet is flawless—only the complexion is a bit off, looks a bit green."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Complexion's easy—we'll fix it with makeup later."

Shen Jinzhong added: "His speech and mannerisms don't match our First Master at all."

"Our First Master speaks only three parts, hides seven. Even those three parts are veiled and evasive."

"When you listen to him, everyone feels he's right—but no one can clearly say where the truth lies."

Shen Jinzhong had described Bao Yingchen's manner perfectly, yet Li Banfeng fell into deep thought—he couldn't turn a cabbage-man into a seasoned veteran overnight.

Since it was impossible to create a near-perfect replica of Bao Yingchen, he'd need another plan.

His habit of speaking in riddles alone was hard to handle—he'd need to script him with layers of oblique phrasing; even half a misstep could expose his identity.

Even if he spoke perfectly, strictly following Bao Yingchen's style—clouding everything in vagueness until no one understood—it still wouldn't work.

The best solution was to make the cabbage-man say as little as possible.

Shen Jinzhong asked: "Seventh Master, how many words do you think suffice?"

"Three sentences are enough."

Shen Jinzhong blinked: "Three sentences can explain everything?"

"Add two prefaces and two conclusions. The core message is just three sentences—eight to ten total. I think that's enough."

Eight to ten sentences? Shen Jinzhong felt uneasy.

Li Banfeng said: "How much you say doesn't matter—what matters is having witnesses. Invite everyone from the major and minor gangs to the Golden Seal Hall. How many come depends on your influence."

"I'll bring some people too. Tonight, you bring the Great Golden Seal home—don't leak a word of this beforehand."

Shen Jinzhong hesitated: "Seventh Master, if I can't leak the news of the Great Golden Seal's return, how do I invite people?"

"That's your problem. I don't think it's worth worrying about—those who should come will come; those who shouldn't won't dare interfere." Li Banfeng pulled out a contract. "Let's sign first. Everything we agreed on is written here."

Shen Jinzhong pricked his finger and pressed a blood seal.

Li Banfeng rewrote the script; the two rehearsed it several times.

…

Shen Jinzhong returned to the Golden Seal Hall.

The Golden Seal Hall was a large courtyard where San Ying Men held its most important meetings.

Shen Jinzhong sat in the second chair, as Li Banfeng had ordered—until the matter was settled, the first chair must remain empty: a sign of respect for Bao Yingchen, and loyalty to the gang.

He summoned several subordinates: "I bought twenty sheep at Baimu Plain. Prepare twenty pots. We're feasting tonight."

The subordinates asked: "Who are we inviting?"

"I've written a list. Go prepare the invitations."

"Master, throwing a grand banquet now? Isn't that inappropriate?"

Shen Jinzhong frowned: "It's just hotpot mutton—what's grand about it? I'm inviting them to help us find our First Master."

The subordinates glanced at the list—it was filled with prominent figures from Lüshuicheng. These people were hard to invite: "Two days ago, you invite; one day ago, you call; today, you summon. Master, if we summon them now, they might not come."

Shen Jinzhong snapped: "Those who should come will honor me. Those who shouldn't won't dare show up. Go!"

At six p. ., guests began arriving.

First came San Ying Men's own—several Elders were summoned. Shen Jinzhong sat in the second seat, the first left empty, as per protocol. He invited Elder Dong Kai-bin to the third seat.

Dong Kai-bin, backed by the Chu family, had already taken over the Third Master's duties—only lacking the official title.

Shen Jinzhong urged him to sit, but Dong Kai-bin hesitated: "Master, I shouldn't sit here—my title isn't confirmed."

"What's there to fear?" Shen Jinzhong laughed. "This banquet is precisely to confirm your title."

"But our First Master is still missing—how can I even think of my own matters?"

"We'll keep looking for the First Master, but your matter must be settled too, brother. Just sit down."

Seeing Shen Jinzhong's tone, Dong Kai-bin understood.

He was yielding—but not to me. He was yielding to the Chu family.

The Chu family was on the rise. Shen Jinzhong yielding to them meant yielding to the Border Inspector. The key was how far he'd yield.

If he stayed content as Second Master, there was room—he could linger for a few more years.

If he still sought the first chair, there was no negotiation: either he'd be expelled from the gang, or he'd die.

Most San Ying Men figures had arrived; other gang leaders trickled in. Han Yaomen, First Master of Qingyun Hui, bowed to Shen Jinzhong: "Shen Jin Yin."

Then he bowed to Dong Kai-bin: "Elder Dong."

Shen Jinzhong smiled: "Brother Han, you can't call him Elder anymore—he's Dong Jin Yin now."

Han Yaomen smiled, swept back his robe, and sat down without speaking.

Dong Jin Yin? A lapdog groveling before the Chu family—how dare he call himself a Golden Seal?

Zhang Xiuling, First Master of Baihua Men, arrived.

Bai Wusong, First Master of Baihe Bang, arrived.

Li Haoyun, First Master of Furong Zhai, arrived.

Xie Juncong, First Master of Guishou Men, arrived.

The gang leaders greeted Dong Kai-bin—some called him "Elder Dong," others ignored him outright. Not one acknowledged him as Jin Yin.

Dong Kai-bin's face flushed, but internally he remained calm—this was exactly what he'd expected before his title was confirmed.

The pots boiled. Where were the guests Li Qi had invited?

Just as Shen Jinzhong grew anxious, the guests arrived.

First came Lu Chunying, followed by Tan Fu and Lu Yuanxin.

The Lu family was also targeted by the Border Inspector, but still held status in Puluozhou. To have them come for hotpot surprised everyone.

Second came Shen Rongqing, representing Ling Family Film.

Ling Family had suffered many setbacks; its status in Puluozhou was no longer what it once was.

But Shen Rongqing's reputation remained—she was Puluozhou's foremost talent.

She sat beside Zhang Xiuling—two great talents together—adding more prestige to Shen Jinzhong's gathering.

Third to enter was He Yuxiu.

Seeing He Yuxiu, everyone tensed.

How did she get invited? Has Shen Jinzhong gone mad?

He Yuxiu killed San Ying Men's Third Master, Yang Xingbo!

Of course, this was rumor—unconfirmed. But her showing up today might mean there was another explanation.

Even if there was an explanation, inviting her openly was reckless.

He Yuxiu was now the Border Inspector's target—any moment she could be killed. Inviting her to dinner—didn't Shen Jinzhong fear being dragged down?

Despite the shock, He Yuxiu walked calmly into the hall—and everyone rose.

She was He Da's eldest sister, one of Puluozhou's top figures, and its hardest bone.

In the past, the Ma family at its peak, the Lu family at its height, now the Border Inspector—no matter the enemy, no matter the circumstance, He Yuxiu had never bowed, never yielded.

Everyone here, regardless of age, status, or allegiance, had to respectfully call her "Xiu Jie!"

He Yuxiu pulled a chair and sat beside Lu Chunying, smiling at Shen Jinzhong: "Old Shen, coming to your dinner won't bring you trouble, will it?"

"Xiu Jie, don't joke! Your presence honors me! I'm radiant!" Shen Jinzhong ordered wine jars brought and poured for He Yuxiu himself.

Beside him, Dong Kai-bin's face darkened: "Xiu Jie, was our Third Master really…?"

"Who are you?" He Yuxiu glanced at Dong Kai-bin. "Do I know you?"

Dong Kai-bin looked to Shen Jinzhong, waiting for him to speak up.

Shen Jinzhong acted as if he heard nothing—he finished pouring He Yuxiu's wine, then carefully prepared her dipping sauce: "Xiu Jie, try this! I learned it from a master chef."

He Yuxiu said: "Are all guests here? If so, I'll start eating."

Shen Jinzhong smiled: "Don't be polite. With Xiu Jie here, everyone's arrived. No need to wait."

He Yuxiu picked up a slice of mutton and smiled: "Old Shen, why's the first chair still empty? Aren't you San Ying Men's master?"

Shen Jinzhong waved his hand: "The first chair belongs to our Great Golden Seal. No one may sit there."

Everyone picked up their chopsticks and began eating. Dong Kai-bin sensed things were off—he sought an escape. Then a voice came from the doorway: "Everyone's here. Quite lively."

All turned. There, walking slowly into the hall with hands behind his back, was Bao Yingchen, San Ying Men's First Master.

Everyone dropped their chopsticks. All San Ying Men members rose instantly to bow to the Great Golden Seal. Others stood as well.

He Yuxiu clenched her teeth: "Bao Yingchen, I've been looking for you—where's our Seventh?"

Tension flared. Several San Ying Men disciples drew weapons.

"Calm down," Bao Yingchen sat in the first chair, gazing at them slowly. "I've been away a few days. Only just returned. You're eating and drinking here—looks like you managed fine without me."

He spoke three parts, hid seven—this sentence alone proved it.

Shen Jinzhong hurried to explain: "Brother, I summoned everyone to help find you. Your silence these past days terrified us…"

Bao Yingchen waved him off: "No need to explain. If you're well, I'm glad. I've returned to speak of three matters. First, bring me my Golden Seal."

Shen Jinzhong rushed inside and retrieved Bao Yingchen's Golden Seal.

The preface was done. The core message began.

Only three sentences—but they were the heart of it all.

The soup in the pot boiled vigorously, and Shen Jinzhong was drenched in sweat.

Bao Yingchen said: "First, you must make friends. Li Qi is my friend, a friend of our San Ying Men—this must never be forgotten."

Everyone was startled, then turned their gazes toward Zhang Xiuling.

They had all assumed this woman was making things up, yet the Great Golden Seal and Li Qi had truly become friends.

Zhang Xiuling glanced at Shen Rongqing with clear pride; Shen Rongqing kept staring at Bao Yingchen's face.

"His complexion is off—he seems poisoned."

Bao Yingchen's face was pale with a greenish tinge, unmistakably poisoned.

Bao Yingchen continued: "Second, blood feuds must be avenged. The Chu family bought one of our gang's moles, who ambushed me. I was poisoned, barely clinging to life as I dragged myself back to the main hall—just so you'd remember: this feud must be avenged!"

The crowd's gazes shifted away from Zhang Xiuling.

Their eyes fixed on Elder Dong Kaiming.

Dong Kaiming, backed by the Chu family, was about to become the Third Chief, and might even vie for the position of Grand Chief.

Now that the true Grand Chief has returned, the mole he spoke of—could it only be Dong Kaiming?

Bao Yingchen's gaze also turned toward Dong Kaiming, who turned pale with shock, utterly bewildered.

Did the Chu family ambush Bao Yingchen?

Could that be possible?

Even if it were, it has nothing to do with me!

Dong Kaiming rose to explain, but Shen Jinzhong shoved him back into his chair: "Don't move! Wait until the Elder finishes speaking!"

Before Dong Kaiming could speak, Bao Yingchen picked up the Great Golden Seal and placed it in Shen Jinzhong's hands: "Third, the gang must be governed. I'm done. According to our gang's rules, the Great Golden Seal now passes to the Second Brother, Shen Jinzhong."

"Elder!" Shen Jinzhong's eyes filled with tears, his voice trembling. "Don't speak such gloomy words—I'll send for someone to cure you right away!"

"No need!" Bao Yingchen stopped him, smiling. "The matter is settled. Thank you all for coming to San Ying Men. Eat well, drink well."

With that, Bao Yingchen picked up his chopsticks, plucked a piece of lamb, but before it reached his lips, he went still.

He Yuxiu looked at Bao Yingchen and nodded. "Old Bao—you've got guts."

Han Yaomen, leader of Qingyun Hui, wept: "Brother Bao, rest in peace."

Lu Chunying raised her cup: "Old hero, this cup is for you."

Shen Rongqing still felt something was wrong—many things were off.

But San Ying Men's disciples were weeping, and others were tearful too; raising doubts now seemed inappropriate.

Shen Jinzhong embraced Bao Yingchen: "Elder, Elder—answer me! Elder, you can't leave us…"

He wept, sobbing uncontrollably.

But he remembered Li Ban's warning: this performance must not be overdone.

PS: Whether it looked convincing is another matter—but if we overacted and broke the cabbage man, that'd be trouble.

(End of Chapter)