Chapter 37: Necessary Sacrifices

Before such a massive number of opponents, individual bravery is utterly powerless.

Even though their skills were impressive, the twin-blade warriors still bore some wounds from the fight.

But right now, they felt no pain—instead, they were all excited, having finally earned their merit after serving Ye Tian for so long.

"Well done!"

Ye Tian patted the twin-blade warriors on the shoulder, unconcerned about the blood staining their clothes.

"You're all excellent."

Such praise made everyone's hearts surge with emotion.

"It's our honor to serve Boss."

"Can you keep fighting?"

Hua Gui is gone, but what about the Bāngzhǔ and Fù Bāngzhǔ of the Flying Cloud Gang?

"Of course!"

Injured? What's that? Even if your leg is broken, you can still crawl up and fight again.

"Good. I said that after tonight, the Flying Cloud Gang will cease to exist."

"We won't let Boss down!"

The Flying Cloud Gang's territory isn't huge, but it's not small either—if we truly take over their entire territory, Ye Tian, though only a Fist Master in charge, will control more land than any Head Boss in the Black Water Gang.

Even a few Hall Masters control less territory than Ye Tian does.

This time.

Ye Tian did not follow them further; he merely watched as the twin-blade warriors departed to completely clear out all Flying Cloud Gang territory.

Not long after.

Tie Quan returned, while Gui Jiao remained at the dock to guard the territory—though the land had been seized, abandoning it outright risked other factions spotting the opportunity and striking in.

"Boss, it's taken."

Tie Quan didn't waste words; upon seeing Ye Tian, he said seriously at once.

Blood still dripped from his fists—he had clearly fought a hard battle—but Tie Quan said nothing; to him, serving Ye Tian was his honor, and even succeeding was not worth praise.

Only if he failed would he truly owe his life in atonement.

"Good!"

Seeing Tie Quan say this, Ye Tian smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

"After we take the Flying Cloud Gang's territory, I'll throw a victory feast for you."

"Boss, no need for that—it's our duty, we..."

"Enough. I know you're loyal, but rewards must follow merit, punishment must follow failure—that's my principle."

"Yes, Boss!"

Already devoted, they no longer insisted after hearing Ye Tian say this.

,,,

This battle ended faster than Ye Tian had imagined.

Or rather, the Flying Cloud Gang was even more useless than he'd thought.

"Rumors really can't be trusted—they always say the Flying Cloud Gang is fierce, killing without blinking, but I see nothing extraordinary."

I expected to lose at least half our forces fighting the Flying Cloud Gang, yet we lost less than a quarter—and they fell so quickly.

Mei Yongning beside him felt nothing unusual, and instead smiled and said:

"It's not surprising. The Flying Cloud Gang was indeed fierce at first—only their passion and fearlessness let them establish themselves in Linshui City—but so many years have passed."

"Over these years, those who made money learned to enjoy life; once a person learns to enjoy, they grow afraid of death, hesitant and timid—then they're no longer frightening."

In its early days, the Flying Cloud Gang had nothing, so they were fearless, willing to fight and push forward.

Now they have everything—bright futures await them—how could they still fight like they did back then?

Ye Tian did not argue.

People are like this.

"By the way, Boss."

At that moment, Mei Yongning suddenly remembered something.

"This matter is big—Bāngzhǔ may hear the news. What's your plan?"

Last time we dealt with the Earth Dragon Gang, it was only one of Chi Lian She's underlings; but this time, Ye Tian wiped out the entire Flying Cloud Gang—word will surely reach the whole Black Water Gang.

With such a large territory seized, not just other factions—

Even within our own Black Water Gang, many will fixate on Ye Tian.

"..."

Ye Tian said nothing.

Instead, he squinted slightly, thinking.

"Prepare things quietly—contact each Hall Master privately and send each ten thousand taels, the Fù Bāngzhǔ twenty thousand, and the Bāngzhǔ fifty thousand."

This is a necessary sacrifice.

Everyone out here in the underworld won't turn down money.

Moreover, what Ye Tian offers isn't a small sum—anyone who thinks they can survive in the martial world through sheer passion alone is brain-dead; otherwise, why do so many violent newcomers emerge every year, yet almost none live long?

Isn't it because they're inflexible, believing personal strength alone can solve everything?

That only invites more hatred—like a meteor, briefly brilliant, then swiftly fallen.

"Understood." Mei Yongning knew this money had to be paid—otherwise, those Hall Masters would immediately covet Ye Tian's territory, even in City West.

But who wouldn't want a share if there's money to be made?

Just that.

"Boss, our accounts don't seem to have that much money right now."

All added together, it's almost twenty thousand taels—how could we have that much money?"

"We don't, but doesn't the Flying Cloud Gang have it?"

Since he could say that, Ye Tian had already thought of a solution.

The Flying Cloud Gang has held Linshui City for so many years—how could they not have saved up money? Twenty thousand taels is nothing—they must be able to produce it, as long as we find where they've hidden it."

"Boss, we've captured the Flying Cloud Gang's Bāngzhǔ!"

As he spoke, someone had already brought back the Flying Cloud Gang's Bāngzhǔ.

He may have been brave in his youth, but the Flying Cloud Gang's Bāngzhǔ is now seventy or eighty—he couldn't possibly fight back; capturing him was simple."

Ye Tian didn't even bother to see him.

He merely summoned Wei Wu and whispered.

"Treat him well—I want every single copper the Flying Cloud Gang has earned over the years."

"Understood!"

When they dealt with Lei Lu before, it was Wei Wu who accompanied Ye Tian—he was already extremely familiar with such matters.

After nodding,

he exchanged a glance with Hang Liu, Qian Qi, and other loyal followers, then left directly.

"Everyone, come with me to Jin Feng Tower—tonight, I'll properly reward you for your merits."

To the others, Ye Tian raised his arm and shouted loudly.

Everyone knew that Ye Tian's "rewarding merits" meant handing out money—especially those who had eliminated many Flying Cloud Gang members, their faces beamed with joy.

They even felt their wounds no longer hurt.

As for the Flying Cloud Gang members who had surrendered, Ye Tian temporarily imprisoned them, to be dealt with later.

"Thank you, Boss!"

"Long live the Boss!"

"Hahahaha! I've made at least three hundred taels this time!"

"I've got over a hundred taels too!"

"Hahahaha!"

"..."

Thinking of the money about to be theirs, everyone grew excited, their spirits higher than ever before.

,,,,