Chapter 10: The Furious Big Brother Lei

After speaking, Lei Tang leaned back in his chair.

He picked up the teacup beside him, blew on the steam, and took a small sip.

"You should understand that only when I sit as the hall chief can your money shop grow larger and thrive even better."

「... 」

Lei Yushan fell even more silent.

Lei Tang didn't rush him—he clearly didn't think this matter would be a problem.

Lei Yushan is smart; since he's intelligent, he certainly knows how to choose.

"I..."

In the end, Lei Yushan was swayed: though he'd have to spend tens of thousands of taels now, once Lei Tang became the Black Water Gang's hall chief, his Lei Money Shop would benefit too, and the money lost now could easily be recovered later.

Just as he was about to nod, suddenly—

A servant walked in from outside.

"Master!"

Interrupted, both Lei Yushan and Lei Tang turned to look.

"Someone outside delivered some items and insisted they be seen by you personally."

As he spoke, the servant pulled out a small cloth bundle and a letter; had it not been for the blood still seeping from the bundle, the servant likely wouldn't have paid it any mind.

"Hmm?"

From afar, Lei Yushan couldn't make out anything.

But Lei Tang, seasoned in gang affairs, caught the faint scent of blood; his brow furrowed, a dark premonition stirring within him.

"What is it? Bring it over so I can see."

Lei Yushan directly ordered the servant to hand the items over.

After reading the letter's contents, his previously indifferent expression instantly turned panicked.

"Lu'er, my Lu'er."

Frantically untying the cloth bundle, he found inside—Lei Lu's severed ear.

"Ah!"

Though Lei Tang was a gang veteran, Lei Yushan had little exposure to such horrors; seeing this for the first time, he was utterly terrified.

"My son!"

"What happened to Lei Lu?"

At that moment, Lei Tang realized the truth and strode over, snatching the letter from Lei Yushan's hand, his face grim.

"Lei Tang!"

At that moment, Lei Yushan shouted directly at Lei Tang.

"Is this how you protect my Lu'er? His ear has been cut off!"

"Calm down—it could be someone else's ear, just used to scare you. I'm the Black Water Gang's chief; who would dare harm Lei Lu with me around?"

He said this,

but the dark premonition in Lei Tang's heart didn't waver one bit.

"Boss Lei! Boss Lei!"

At that moment,

Lei Lu's men finally arrived—they'd first gone to Lei Tang's residence, found no one, and after asking around, tracked Lei Yushan down.

Upon seeing Lei Tang, they immediately knelt down.

"It's bad, Boss Lei! Brother Lei Lu has been taken! Dozens of men suddenly stormed in and kidnapped him. We fought desperately, but they were too many—we couldn't stop them, and could only watch helplessly as they dragged him away."

As they spoke, their faces were filled with grief and fury.

They wailed loudly right there in the courtyard.

After all, Lei Lu was their boss; if he was captured while they remained unharmed, Lei Tang would surely punish them—so they exaggerated the situation.

"Enough! Shut up!"

Annoyed by the noise, Lei Tang snapped at them—but he didn't even mention punishing them.

Seeing this, the men's faces remained sorrowful, but inside, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyone who survives in this world isn't a fool—those who rise aren't stupid; not everyone has a powerful background like Lei Lu.

"My Lu'er."

He was my only child.

His hand trembled as he held the ear; suddenly, he turned and glared at Lei Tang.

"No matter what, you must find my Lu'er—otherwise, I won't give you a single copper."

「... 」

Threatened by Lei Yushan, Lei Tang's face darkened further.

But Lei Lu was his own nephew, and more importantly, Lei Lu's kidnapping felt like a direct challenge to Lei Tang's authority—if word got out,

how could he possibly command respect as a chief if he couldn't even protect his own nephew?

"Hmph. Lei Lu is my own nephew. Even if I turn Linshui City upside down, I'll find him."

With that,

he immediately left with his attendant, Wang Hu.

Meanwhile, Lei Yushan examined the letter again and again, then summoned his accountant to prepare the money in advance—he couldn't rely entirely on Lei Tang.

If Lei Tang failed, he'd have to pay to ransom Lei Lu back.

If his only bloodline was severed, what was the point of all the money he'd amassed?

,,,

"Get me people!"

Meanwhile, Lei Tang, who had already left, had just spoken with great determination, vowing to turn Linshui City upside down.

But even if Lei Tang were merely a Head Boss, let alone if he had become a Hall Master of the Black Water Gang, he still lacked such power; right now, he could only first summon all the men under his command.

"Understood!"

Wang Hu immediately nodded.

Knowing his Big Brother was in a rage, he dared not contradict him.

"Wait!"

Yet, just as Wang Hu had taken a few steps out, Lei Tang called out to stop him, suddenly realizing this matter couldn't be handled openly—if it became common knowledge.

Then, even if Lei Lu were rescued, the reputation of being unable to protect his own nephew would still cling to Lei Tang.

"Boss?"

Wang Hu stopped and looked over, puzzled.

"Get a few trustworthy men, and quietly investigate where Lei Lu went tonight—see if you can find him."

"Yes, Boss."

Wang Hu said nothing; since Lei Tang had given this order, he would carry it out.

This was also why Lei Tang treated Wang Hu so well—who wouldn't want a subordinate so loyal, diligent, and never wasteful with words?

,,,

As expected.

After a full night passed, Lei Tang found nothing.

Early the next morning, he arrived at Ye Tian's territory with his men, furious—after all, Lei Lu had vanished here, so any investigation must begin here.

At this moment, Ye Tian was learning characters from Mei Yongning.

Fortunately, though the characters differed slightly from those in his memory, the core structure was nearly identical, so he learned with great ease.

"Bang."

Just then.

As yesterday, the door to the room was kicked open in one blow.

Yesterday, it had been Lei Lu who kicked the door; today, it was Lei Tang.

"Lei Boss?"

Upon seeing it was Lei Tang, Mei Yongning froze—he clearly hadn't expected someone of Lei Tang's stature to come to their small territory.

"Lei Boss, why are you here?"

Though Ye Tian understood perfectly, he still feigned confusion on the surface.

"Where's Lei Lu!"

Lei Tang had no patience for words; he asked bluntly.

"Lei Lu? Master Lei only showed up yesterday, then vanished afterward. What's wrong? Has Master Lei run into trouble?"

His clear eyes held deep bewilderment.

Anyone unaware would never suspect Ye Tian had taken Lei Lu.

,,,,,,