Chapter 19: Banquet, Dividing Territory

'Shit!'

Did Poison Fang admit it?

Now it's shit whether it was or not. Read novels every day -> ttks. tw

Being someone who'd climbed to Head Boss, Lei Tang immediately understood what to do.

'Hurry, send someone to tell Ye Tian—just take Poison Fang's territory, absolutely no other territories.'

I really misjudged him back then—is Ye Tian really just a newbie joining the gang? Damn, he's got the guts of a calf unaware of the tiger.

Lei Tang now only feared that Ye Tian, once fired up, might go after other Earth Dragon Gang members' territories—that would be truly disastrous.

'Understood, Boss, rest easy!'

Wang Hu, knowing exactly what to do, immediately nodded.

'As for you, clean up and come with me.'

'Go? Boss, are we going to find Ye Tian?'

'Find Ye Tian? Pfft.'

He used to think Wang Hu's simplicity was fine, but now he found this stupidity genuinely infuriating.

'Of course we're going to find the Hall Master. Tomorrow morning, Earth Dragon Gang will come to negotiate—someone with authority must show up.'

After all, he was only a Head Boss—had no right to negotiate at all.

Fortunately, Ye Tian's actions were at least 'justified' this time; the negotiation shouldn't be too hard—but still, what a headache.

,,,

Unlike Lei Tang's frustration, Ye Tian's place was bustling with noise.

After the fight, Ye Tian rented out an entire restaurant—every floor packed with people laughing, drinking, and feasting on meat; having made money, his mood was excellent, and boasts echoed everywhere.

People bragged about how well they'd performed, how many enemies they'd taken down.

At Ye Tian's main table, only those like Mei Yongning, Gui Tou, and Wei Wu were seated.

Of course, Xiao Cao sat beside him—but unlike the others, she'd never seen these delicacies at a drinking table before.

She bent her head, munching noisily, like a little hamster.

'Boss Ye!'

Gui Tou stood up, raising his wine cup.

He spoke solemnly to Ye Tian.

'Before, I was disrespectful. From now on, no matter what you order—climb a mountain of knives or jump into boiling oil—I, Gui Tou, won't hesitate.'

Though he hadn't killed Poison Fang himself, he'd avenged his brothers—Gui Tou's whole demeanor had improved greatly.

After this incident, Gui Tou genuinely respected Ye Tian.

'We're all brothers—no need for such formality.'

Ye Tian waved his hand with a smile; Gui Tou was a talent, and with so few underlings, he'd naturally take him in.

'Since you manage the gambling dens, you've got experience—those two gambling dens from Poison Fang's territory are now yours.'

With Poison Fang's territory seized, all his businesses now belonged to Ye Tian: besides the two gambling dens, there were several restaurants, teahouses, brothels, even a bathhouse.

'I won't let Big Brother down.'

Seeing Ye Tian entrust the two gambling dens to Gui Tou,

Gui Tou's men all brightened up—more territory meant more money to make.

'Wei Wu, Hang Liu, Qian Qi.'

Ye Tian waved his hand, signaling Gui Tou to sit, then called out three names.

These three were his earliest, most loyal followers.

'Boss.'

All three stood up in unison.

'Wei Wu, you take charge of the brothels. Hang Liu, you manage the restaurants. Qian Qi, you handle the teahouses.'

Hearing Ye Tian's orders, no one objected.

After all, these three had handled the most fights and fought the hardest—no one could resent it; in a gang, strength decides rank.

'Boss, we...'

But unlike everyone else's expectations, Wei Wu and the others didn't look excited—they looked reluctant.

They preferred staying by Ye Tian's side over managing territory.

'Don't worry.'

Ye Tian saw their expressions and knew what they were thinking.

He raised his hand to cut them off.

'When we get more people, I'll call you back.'

'Alright then.'

With no other choice, the three could only respond in low, grumbling voices.

Everyone else looked confused—what? These guys were so loyal they'd rather be Ye Tian's lackeys than manage territory?

While others were baffled, loyalists like A-Da and Wen Jiu fully understood Wei Wu's feelings.

A-Da even draped his arm over Wei Wu's neck, grinning proudly.

'Old Wei, just go with peace of mind—Big Brother's side has me, no problems at all.'

'Yeah yeah! You've always been by Big Brother's side—it's our turn now!'

Wen Jiu beside him also grinned happily.

But.

Such triumph did not last long.

Ye Tian's voice followed, emerging from within.

"You all come along too. If you're taking over territory, you can't do it without men under you."

"..."

A-Da and the others instantly lost their smiles.

And that smile shifted to Wei Wu's group, who now clapped A-Da on the shoulder.

"Boss has spoken—come with me."

"Wait, Big Brother, if we all leave, what about you? What if danger comes? We can take the blades for you!"

The atmosphere at the wine table grew noticeably quieter.

After years in the gang, you could tell real feeling from fake with a single glance.

These men truly seemed willing to die for Ye Tian.

Where the hell had he found such followers?

"I brought you out—I'll make you rich. As for my safety, don't worry. Others will be there. Just follow orders."

"This... Understood, Big Brother!"

With no other choice, after much hesitation, they finally agreed.

Everyone enjoyed this banquet thoroughly.

But there were always those who couldn't read the room.

"Who's Ye Tian!"

The sudden voice silenced the tavern's noise.

All eyes turned toward him—he had just stepped inside, and with so many stares fixed on him, his earlier bravado vanished instantly; his legs began to tremble.

"I... I've come with orders from Lei Tang, the boss. Who here is Ye Tian?"

"..."

No one spoke.

Many quietly set down their wine cups, their expressions turning hostile.

Lei Tang? Don't know him.

They only knew Ye Tian had made them rich—following Ye Tian meant wine and meat. As for this Lei Tang? They'd never heard of the man.

"Y-You...!"

He grew even more frightened.

"What did Lei Boss say?"

At that moment, Ye Tian's voice came from the second floor of the tavern.

He had reached the railing, looking down at the messenger.

,,,,,,