Chapter 25: The Impact of Reputation

That night.

The Double Blade General pulled the Thunderfire over, and when Thunderfire heard that following Ye Tian meant immediate control over territory, his face filled with disbelief.

"You're not pulling a fast one on me, are you?"

Outside the tavern, Thunderfire couldn't hold back and said to the Double Blade General.

Thunderfire and the Double Blade General had been rivals turned allies—they'd fought several times before, and their relationship gradually improved; sometimes, male friendship is forged through battle.

"Do you think I'd joke about something like this?"

The Double Blade General gave Thunderfire an irritated side-eye.

"I'll take you to meet Boss right away."

As he spoke, the Double Blade General suddenly remembered something and added a warning.

"But remember—I've already recognized him as Boss. If you dare show him disrespect, don't blame your brother for my twin blades being uncivil."

"Who's afraid of whom!"

His meteor hammer wasn't just for show either.

Still, Thunderfire grumbled out a remark.

"Besides, if you're not lying to me, what's wrong with me recognizing this Boss?"

He'd been recruited by other gangs before, but never had one handed him territory right from the start—could he really be this trusting?

"Let's go!"

Saying that, the Double Blade General no longer paid attention to Thunderfire and led the way into the tavern.

,,,

Ye Tian had already set up a banquet inside the tavern to celebrate the Double Blade General's and others' joining.

Seeing the Double Blade General approach,

Ye Tian waved him over, signaling him to come beside him; the Double Blade General immediately abandoned Thunderfire and hurried over to Ye Tian's side.

This scene made Thunderfire mutter to himself.

How had his own brother been so easily tamed in such a short time?

"Let everyone get acquainted."

Ye Tian clapped the Double Blade General on the shoulder and spoke to Gui Tou, Wei Wu, and the others who had been called over.

"This is the Double Blade General—he's family now. Let's all raise a cup."

Gui Tou and the others had heard of the Double Blade General's reputation; though surprised their Boss had recruited such a figure, more people meant benefits, and since their own territories wouldn't change, they politely raised their cups.

But Wei Wu and the others' eyes lit up instantly.

After all,

With more people managing territory, wouldn't they be able to return to Ye Tian's side sooner?

"Come on, come on—Double Blade General, right? Let's drink a round alone."

"Me too! Me too!"

"Stop shoving each other, you bastards."

A group of loyalists crowded around the Double Blade General, raising their cups with looks of warm familiarity; seeing those "sincere, burning" eyes, the Double Blade General felt he'd chosen the right man—he'd expected a fierce power struggle, but the atmosphere under Ye Tian was so good.

Who in the underworld wants to spend every day in backstabbing and scheming?

The Double Blade General felt dizzy from the wine and raised his cup to drink.

Thunderfire, who had entered behind them, had originally been skeptical—but now all doubt vanished.

"You must be the Thunderfire the Double Blade General mentioned!"

Ye Tian no longer called him directly "Double Blade General"—that would've been too formal.

Seeing Thunderfire standing frozen, awkward and unsure, Ye Tian waved him over casually.

Just moments ago he'd thought the Double Blade General had been tamed—but now, seeing Ye Tian's gesture, Thunderfire hurried over just as eagerly.

"Yù... Yù Gōngzǐ."

He seemed extremely uncomfortable; Thunderfire was muscular and bearded, giving off a fierce impression.

But according to the Double Blade General's description, Thunderfire was the same age as him—just barely over twenty—so his appearance was oddly premature.

"Don't be so stiff. Since you came with the Double Blade General, you're family now."

Seeing Thunderfire's unease, Ye Tian smiled to reassure him.

Then he said directly.

"From now on, you and the Double Blade General will manage the tavern businesses in the territory. Once you've earned merit, I'll let you manage your own territory alone—how's that? If you're not satisfied, I can..."

"Satisfied! Satisfied!"

Thunderfire quickly nodded, interrupting.

He wasn't new to the underworld—new recruits being distrusted was normal; who else would hand him territory right away like Ye Tian? No wonder the Double Blade General acted that way.

The gang needed talent, but not ordinary thugs.

Thunderfire had seen others try to recruit him—offering him entry as a lowly member, looking down their noses at him.

Ye Tian's treatment was extremely rare.

After adjusting his breath, Thunderfire spoke seriously.

"From this day forward, I, Thunderfire, am at your command, Boss."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Ye Tian smiled with satisfaction.

With the Double Blade General and Thunderfire joining, Ye Tian's manpower shortage was clearly eased.

At least for now, he didn't need to worry about lacking people.

In the following days, many others came to pay respects to Boss, but those of the caliber of Double Blade General and Thunderfire were still far too few; as for ordinary members, Ye Tian would never look down on them.

But he wouldn't let them take control of territory right away—better to take possession first and sort it out later.

Any problems could be resolved gradually afterward.

,,,

Meanwhile, on the side of Little Grass, who had been silent for several days.

After this period of effort, Mei Yongning finally confirmed the location where Wang Hu would appear tonight.

At night, outside a bustling brothel, Little Grass's thin, frail figure stood there, studying the brothel for a long while, repeatedly verifying he hadn't mistaken the place, before stepping inside.

The patrons coming and going, upon seeing Little Grass's small, weak appearance, also harbored no suspicion.

Someone even shouted out directly.

"What are you standing there for? Go get me a jug of wine!"

"?"

Was he talking to me?

Little Grass was bewildered for a while, then confirmed the man was addressing him—so he nodded obediently and prepared to fetch the wine.

He had once worked as a menial in the brothel, so this kind of task was very simple for Little Grass.

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

Finally, after waiting about half an hour, Little Grass spotted his target: Wang Hu was now striding in from outside, and those around him immediately began addressing him with respect.

The brothel's madam rushed forward at once.

"I wondered why the magpies kept chirping today—it must be Big Brother Wang's arrival!"

"Shut the hell up!"

In front of Lei Tang, Wang Hu was simple and earnest; but with everyone else, he wore a completely different face.

As always, few who made it in the Jianghu were fools—Wang Hu knew exactly what behavior would please Lei Tang, so there was no need to keep up the act with others.

He disdainfully shoved away the madam who came too close and said directly:

"Didn't you say a new batch of girls arrived today? Pick two pretty ones and send them to my room."

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