Chapter 32: They

How many people do you have under you now?

Mei Yongning, who knew what Ye Tian intended to do, did not hesitate and immediately said.

Including the new recruits today, we already have nearly six hundred men.

Although we had Yù Gōngzǐ's name, only at the very beginning did many come to pay respects; after time passed, the numbers dwindled.

But during this period, we've still managed to double the size of Ye Tian's following.

Six hundred men.

Enough for Ye Tian to swallow another territory.

How's the information I asked you to look into?

I've already checked everything.

Since we've decided to act, we must first choose our target; these past days, Ye Tian has had Mei Yongning investigate these details. This book is originally published and best read on TianTianKanXiaoShuo, ttkx. tw, offering you error-free, non-disordered chapters.

In City West, besides Earth Dragon Gang, the largest territories belong to Black Shā Gang and Flying Cloud Gang.

Linshui City is called a city of martial sects because there are simply too many gangs here.

Black Water Gang, Earth Dragon Gang, and ThreeSeaGang are merely the strongest among them; besides them, dozens of smaller gangs add up to no fewer than ten.

Having just seized Earth Dragon Gang's territory, Ye Tian isn't foolish—he wouldn't keep targeting Earth Dragon Gang now.

Taking on weaker gangs is still no problem.

Boss, if we're really going to move, I think Flying Cloud Gang is the best choice.

Seeing Ye Tian say nothing, Mei Yongning voiced his opinion.

He also pulled out a map of City West, marking the territorial ranges of several gangs.

Why?

Ye Tian withdrew his gaze from the map and looked at Mei Yongning.

If he said that, he must have a reason.

First, Flying Cloud Gang's territory is closest to us. Second, they control a small dock—Boss, you want to get into the weapons trade, right? With this dock, it's perfect.

Mei Yongning knew about Ye Tian's forge construction.

He also knew Ye Tian's hammer-wielders were skilled blacksmiths, but without a sales channel, the forge hadn't officially opened.

As he spoke, Mei Yongning pointed to the dock marked on the map.

In Linshui City, all major docks are controlled by ThreeSeaGang, but some small docks are ignored by them and held by other factions.

Flying Cloud Gang possesses one of these.

Ye Tian said nothing, his gaze thoughtful.

Next moment.

【Detected: Host triggered choice】

【Choice One: Attack Black Shā Gang! Reward: Primary Loyalty +50】

【Choice Two: Attack Flying Cloud Gang! Reward: Primary Loyalty +50】

After so long, a new choice finally appeared—and right now, it could bring Ye Tian exactly fifty Primary Loyalty members.

Flying Cloud Gang it is!

The reward is the same either way.

That dock of Flying Cloud Gang, Ye Tian was determined to take.

Looking at the marked location of Flying Cloud Gang on the map, Ye Tian's gaze sharpened.

But before acting, Boss should have a pretext.

As always, when gangs clash, having a reason to strike is the rule.

How's the quality of this new batch of recruits?

After a moment's thought, Ye Tian suddenly asked.

Having followed Ye Tian this long, Mei Yongning already knew he didn't play by convention—he instantly understood the implication.

Overall, they're decent enough, but recently there's a gambling addict who, after losing money, gave away his wife to settle his debts.

Such a man deserves to die.

Hearing it was a gambling addict, Ye Tian's eyes flickered with revulsion.

Small bets are harmless; though not officially banned, Ye Tian had made clear that everything must be measured, and one must weigh whether they can bear the consequences.

Someone who sells his own wife for gambling? He's better off dead.

Since he deserves to die, let him die with some value.

Go arrange it.

If there's no pretext, then make one.

Framing someone? Ye Tian was old hands at it.

Understood!

Having followed Ye Tian so long, Mei Yongning didn't need explicit instructions—he nodded knowingly.

He knew exactly what to do.

,,,

"Sigh!"

Time arrived at the second night.

By now, Ye Tian's Golden Wind Tower was fully completed and already open for business.

Compared to the previous tavern, Golden Wind Tower was larger and more imposing; Ye Tian had always intended to make it the landmark of his territory.

Since it was a tavern, it was naturally left under the watch of Thunderfire and Double Blades.

"What's wrong?"

After practicing for a while, Thunderfire returned from the back courtyard of the tavern, drenched in sweat, his meteor hammer slung over his back. Seeing the Double Blade General sighing, he sat down with a commanding posture.

He picked up the wine flask in front of the Double Blade General and drank from it.

The days before could not be compared to this one at all; Thunderfire felt he had never been this content.

He was glad he had accepted the Double Blade General's invitation back then; otherwise, he never would have imagined living such a good life.

"I just feel regret."

He didn't mind Thunderfire drinking his wine.

He only sighed and said:

"Boss has been immensely kind to us, yet we've had no chance to serve him. How miserable."

After speaking, he let out another long sigh, dodged the wine flask in Thunderfire's hand, poured himself a cup, and tossed it back.

He had thought that after joining Ye Tian, his skills would finally find use, and he could live up to Ye Tian's high regard for him.

But what happened?

Not a single person came to cause trouble. The other day, he heard sounds of clashing and smashing inside the tavern and thought someone had come to challenge them—immediately, the Double Blade General excitedly grabbed his blades and rushed out.

But it turned out to be just a group of drunkards who had smashed their bowls.

The Double Blade General's spirits sank instantly; he merely made them pay for one bowl.

It was just too boring.

The tavern's accounts were managed by a dedicated scholar; Thunderfire and the others only needed to ensure the tavern ran smoothly and no one caused trouble. If they were asked to manage the accounts, they wouldn't understand them anyway.

"Sigh!"

The Double Blade General hadn't mentioned it, and Thunderfire hadn't thought of it at all.

But now that he said it—

Thunderfire couldn't help but sigh as well.

"Who says otherwise? Boss holds us in such high regard, yet we've had not even one chance to prove ourselves."

Doesn't Thunderfire want the chance to prove himself as much as the Double Blade General does?

When others recruited them, did they ever let them manage territory outright?

Now, though they look impressive, they've done nothing, earned no glory, yet still oversee so many taverns—Thunderfire felt uneasy everywhere.

The money felt unearned.

"Damn it, are all the other gangs cowards? Our taverns make so much money—why don't they come and take them?"

If no one comes to fight us, how can we ever get a chance to act? How can we ever show what we're worth?

"Who says otherwise!"

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