Chapter 29: Prejudice in the Human Heart Is a Great Mountain

"Hm?"

He hadn't taken it too seriously.

But Ye Tian's answer made Lei Tang freeze for a moment, his gaze sharpening instantly.

"What did you find out?"

He stared fixedly at Ye Tian.

Ye Tian didn't answer directly, but gave Mei Yongning and the others a signal.

They, having been forewarned by Ye Tian, understood at once and shifted positions, deliberately using their bodies to block the view of others.

Lei Tang's Fist Masters didn't approach, but only because they feared provoking Lei Tang's wrath—yet their eyes never left the scene; noticing this, several of them frowned.

"What is Ye Tian planning?"

"What else could it be? Wang Hu is gone—Ye Tian probably wants to take this chance to curry favor with Big Brother Lei."

"Exactly. His territory is in City West—he definitely wants to come back."

Someone was analyzing it all with a look of knowing superiority, clearly unimpressed.

Besides this, there didn't seem to be any other reason.

"What do you mean?"

After a quick glance, Lei Tang's gaze turned thoughtful toward Ye Tian—he wasn't worried Ye Tian would do anything to him at this moment.

"Big Brother Lei, although I didn't find out who killed Wang Hu, I did uncover something else."

"What?"

Leaning close to Lei Tang, Ye Tian lowered his voice deliberately.

"I heard Wang Hu had grievances with some of the other Fist Masters under you."

His tone carried clear implication.

"Infighting within the gang is normal."

Lei Tang waved it off indifferently—he knew well that sometimes he favored Wang Hu, hoarding the best for him; others' resentment was understandable.

But Lei Tang had never worried.

Simply because he was confident—he could control them all.

"Big Brother Lei, but I heard that on the night Wang Hu was assassinated, they were all gathered together."

In truth, it was pure coincidence—but paired with Ye Tian's tone, it stirred new thoughts in Lei Tang's mind.

One man might not have the courage.

But what if all the Fist Masters were involved?

"I also heard something else."

Seeing Lei Tang's expression soften, Ye Tian pressed harder.

"Wang Hu never went anywhere except by your side—why would anyone assassinate him? He never offended anyone else."

"..."

Lei Tang's eyes began to show doubt.

Because what Ye Tian said was true. As for the prostitutes Wang Hu had killed, Lei Tang never connected them—he doubted they'd dare.

"Besides, if a rival gang had struck, they couldn't have left no trace at all—killing your trusted lieutenant would be a major achievement for them."

Anyone in the underworld craves fame; such a feat would be loudly proclaimed, never hidden.

One after another, the words piled up.

Lei Tang's expression changed completely; his gaze swept toward the Fist Masters, suspicion quietly creeping into his eyes.

Seeing this, Ye Tian realized his scheme had succeeded.

But he still needed one final spark.

"Big Brother Lei, actually, I think finding out who did it isn't hard."

"What do you mean?"

Lei Tang turned his gaze back to him.

"It all depends on who benefits most from this." His voice carried a subtle allure.

*Boom! * Lei Tang felt his mind explode.

Of course—after Wang Hu's death, who benefits most? Whoever gains the most is most likely the killer.

Who benefits most?

Too many. Wang Hu's territory was the richest; the other managing Fist Masters had long coveted it—even sharing a portion would leave them gorged.

He was already suspicious.

Now, with this thought, Lei Tang became even more convinced: it must have been a joint effort by the other Fist Masters. No single man would have dared.

"Excellent!"

Though inwardly on guard, Lei Tang outwardly beamed at Ye Tian with admiration.

"Excellent, excellent!"

He raised a hand and patted Ye Tian's shoulder warmly.

"Didn't realize you're not just skilled in combat—you've got brains too. Don't worry, when the chance comes, I'll transfer you over."

Another empty promise—only a fool would believe it.

Internally dismissive, Ye Tian still put on a look of gratitude.

"Thank you, Big Brother Lei. Serving you is my honor."

"Good! You may go now!"

Satisfied with Ye Tian's "good sense," he nodded, signaling Ye Tian to leave first.

Knowing the timing was right—that further words would only backfire—Ye Tian nodded in response and led his men away.

As they passed the several Fist Masters, all of them let out low snorts of displeasure.

After all.

If Ye Tian were truly reassigned to Cheng Nan's territory, wouldn't their own territories shrink?

"..."

But this scene made Lei Tang's eyes narrow slightly.

He hadn't thought much before, but now, combining Ye Tian's earlier words, Lei Tang found every one of these Fist Masters increasingly suspicious.

Fuck, are all my people here turncoats?

If they dare move against Wang Hu today, they'll dare move against me tomorrow.

,,,

"Boss, you've really killed him and shattered his soul!"

On the way back, Mei Yongning could no longer hold back, praising softly.

This tactic was simply too brilliant.

He not only cleared himself completely but made Lei Tang suspicious of everyone else—without Wang Hu, he no longer trusted any of the Fist Masters; what difference was there between Lei Tang now and a man utterly alone?

Hearing Mei Yongning's praise, Ye Tian remembered something else.

"Do you think Lei Tang will groom a new 'favorite son'?"

Prejudice in the human heart is a great mountain—once formed, it's nearly impossible to move.

Lei Tang now sees every Fist Master as a turncoat; training them is out of the question.

But he can't remain without trusted men—under these circumstances, grooming a new 'favorite son' is the most likely outcome.

Mei Yongning paused, his tone growing uncertain.

"This… shouldn't… happen, right?"

"If Big Brother really does this, those Fist Masters will go mad."

Before, there was a bit of luck in their hearts—but if another favorite son appears, doesn't that mean they'll never have a chance to rise? Under such conditions, wouldn't those Fist Masters go mad?

Everyone out here in the underworld wants to climb higher—if there's not even a sliver of hope to rise…

These men who live by the blade will never let it go.

And Mei Yongning didn't believe Lei Tang could fail to see this.

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