Chapter 23: Am I Not Acting in Heaven

Don't think Wang Hu just follows Lei Tang all day as if he has nothing else to do.

But in reality.

Wang Hu's territory is the wealthiest among all the Fist Masters, simply because Lei Tang assigned him several Literati to manage his business affairs.

In other words.

Wang Hu doesn't need to do anything at all—even if he sleeps all day, he still earns money, and more than any other Fist Master under Lei Tang.

Whenever there's a chance to get rich or rise in power, Lei Tang always thinks of Wang Hu first; everyone else must stand aside.

Listening to Mei Yongning's description,

Ye Tian's smile grew even deeper.

"With Lei Tang showing such favoritism, don't the other Fist Masters have any complaints?"

"Of course they have complaints."

Though he didn't fully grasp Ye Tian's meaning, Mei Yongning still spoke what he knew.

"But he's Lei Tang's 'own son'—what use are complaints from others?"

When saying the words "own son," Mei Yongning deliberately emphasized them.

To be treated this well—isn't that exactly being an own son?

"Ha, what if Wang Hu disappears—will the other Fist Masters still be able to hold back?"

Ye Tian spoke with a smile, but his words carried hidden meaning.

At that moment, Mei Yongning finally understood what Ye Tian planned to do—not target Lei Tang, but Wang Hu instead.

Yet after a moment of shock, Mei Yongning began analyzing all possible outcomes if Wang Hu were gone.

"If Wang Hu disappears, Lei Tang's Fist Masters will surely stir up trouble—after all, Wang Hu's territory is the wealthiest, and none of them won't want a share."

Though everyone appears harmonious and loyal to Lei Tang on the surface,

That's only because nothing has happened yet.

All those words are just for the underlings—anyone who's been in the gang long enough only cares about making money.

If Lei Tang dares to pick another "own son" to cultivate at that time, it'll only spark greater resentment: one "own son" dies, another appears—over and over—doesn't that mean none of us will ever have a chance to rise?

If it provokes discontent among all his subordinates, Lei Tang won't be able to remain Big Brother.

At that point, Lei Tang, overwhelmed managing his underlings, won't have time to bother with Ye Tian here.

"What's Wang Hu's personality like?"

His eyes gleamed with sharp light.

Ye Tian knew little about Wang Hu—only that they'd fought once before. Wang Hu's martial skill was decent, but nothing special. He appeared simple and honest, but anyone who reached this position would've been dead long ago if truly naive.

"I don't know the details, but I've heard rumors."

Having been in the Black Water Gang this long, Mei Yongning couldn't possibly know nothing.

"Wang Hu is infamous for needing women—he almost never goes home. When not with Lei Tang, he stays only in brothels."

Wang Hu's territory has several brothels, and he even visits brothels in other territories just for novelty.

"Worse, Wang Hu is cruel behind closed doors—he loves tormenting women. Just from what I've heard, the number of women he tortured to death already exceeds five."

Visiting brothels is one thing—but murdering them too?

Definitely a scumbag. This kind of man deserves to die—truly, you can't judge a person by appearances.

But no one ever intervenes in such matters; Lei Tang won't care either.

Because of Wang Hu's status, even if anyone finds out, they'll probably just praise him for being "true to himself."

"So am I, in a way, punishing evil and acting in Heaven's name?"

"If Boss says it's true, then it's true."

Mei Yongning was quick to comply—even though his eyebrows twitched, he still echoed the sentiment.

"Hahaha!"

Ye Tian merely waved his hand with indifference and laughed.

Now that they knew where Wang Hu usually went, the rest would be simple.

"Xiao Cao."

Xiao Cao, still dazed from the earlier shock, looked over blankly: "Huh?"

That clueless, vacant expression was something Ye Tian had grown used to.

"Work's here. Take out Wang Hu—the man you just saw."

Ye Tian briefly described Wang Hu's appearance, then raised one finger.

"One hundred taels!"

"!!!"

Hearing there was another chance to earn money, Xiao Cao's eyes instantly lit up—the timid look vanished in an instant.

"I'll do it."

Afraid Ye Tian might change his mind, Xiao Cao quickly raised one hand.

"Wait," Ye Tian hadn't finished speaking.

"When you act, don't let anyone see you. Don't let anyone know it was you—understood?"

"Oh."

Xiao Cao scratched his head—it was different from dealing with Poison Fang last time. This was his first time handling something like this, and he was still confused.

But thinking of the hundred taels, Xiao Cao nodded.

"I understand."

"Afterward, Mei Yongning will tell you Wang Hu's location."

After the incident with Poison Fang, Mei Yongning would no longer underestimate Xiao Cao because of her slender, weak appearance.

That seemingly harmless little girl didn't hesitate at all when she stabbed Poison Fang last time.

Actually, in terms of martial skill, Iron Fist and Ghost Leg were clearly more suitable—but since this mission was an assassination, Ye Tian ultimately decided to entrust it to Xiao Cao.

After arranging this matter,

Ye Tian turned his attention back to the issue of territory.

He planned to tear down an old tavern and rebuild a larger one to serve as the face of his territory, but such a tavern couldn't be built overnight—not even considering the materials.

Even the labor alone was a delicate task.

"Boss, rest assured, I'll handle this."

As a long-established local power in Linshui City, this kind of matter was no challenge for Mei Yongning.

But Mei Yongning then thought of another matter.

"By the way, Boss, what should we name the new tavern?"

"Jinfeng Tower!"

Clearly, this name had been decided by Ye Tian long ago.

,,,

After handing Wang Hu's matter over to Xiao Cao, Ye Tian stopped worrying about it.

Although he often frequented brothels, determining exactly which brothel Wang Hu would appear in couldn't be figured out in just a day or two—it would take some time.

And during this time,

Ye Tian's territory became increasingly orderly.

Yet another problem weighed on Ye Tian's mind.

"We're short on people!"

Ordinary members could be easily recruited, but talent? That wasn't something you could just recruit on demand.

Walking alongside Ye Tian along the territory's streets, Mei Yongning wore a look of helplessness—this was something he truly couldn't solve.

"Hm?"

At that moment, Ye Tian, his face filled with worry, suddenly sensed something and paused, raising an eyebrow.

He glanced toward the mouth of an alley.

There, he heard a rapid pounding of footsteps approaching.

There seemed to be many of them.

Iron Fist and Ghost Leg immediately stepped in front of Ye Tian, their expressions fierce.

"Boss?"

"Don't worry."

Ye Tian had already seen them—a group of men with hostile intent, clearly not here for peace.

But Ye Tian wasn't concerned; he waved his hand, cutting off Mei Yongning before he could speak.

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