Chapter 43: Chasing Teeth Comes to Submit

At the same time.

Ye Tian had already set up a banquet inside the Gold Wind Pavilion with his brothers.

Because there were so many people, the tables had been spilled outside the banquet hall, but since they were all rough men, as long as there was wine and meat, they didn't care about the environment at all.

"What are you thinking about, Boss?"

Seeing Ye Tian's gaze distant, Mei Yongning looked over curiously.

"Nothing." He waved his hand dismissively.

"I was just thinking—should we set up a whole street of taverns? When we have more men under us, no single tavern will hold them all. So why not open several?"

"Hmm, actually… that might not be a bad idea."

Mei Yongning was first startled by Ye Tian's idea of a tavern street.

But upon closer thought, it didn't seem problematic at all.

"Mm!"

Hearing Mei Yongning say that, Ye Tian nodded.

"But if we really do this, we might as well think of adding some small performances inside the taverns—just drinking is too dull."

"????"

Performances? What kind of performances? What kind of performances could there be in a tavern?

One could only say that, as people of this era, their way of thinking differed greatly from Ye Tian's.

Just then.

"Who are you people?"

A sudden voice from outside the pavilion caught Ye Tian's attention.

After giving a glance to Mei Yongning and the others nearby—Iron Fist and Ghost Leg—he led his men outside.

,,,

"We're here to find Yù Gōngzǐ."

The people outside were Zui Ya and his group; it was the sheer number—over a hundred—that had drawn the attention of the pavilion's guards, who had assumed they were here to cause trouble.

After all,

since the destruction of the Flying Cloud Gang, the Earth Dragon Gang, the Black Demon Gang, and other factions had not launched full-scale attacks, but they had constantly probed in secret.

All of them wanted to test Ye Tian's strength to decide whether to move against him.

"Find me?"

At that moment, Ye Tian's voice came from inside the pavilion.

Soon after, Ye Tian emerged with his group.

"Boss!"

"Boss!"

The men outside immediately put down their cups and rose respectfully to look over.

This level of loyalty caused a flicker of unusual emotion in Zui Ya's eyes.

One or two might be putting on a show, but if all of them acted this way, it was far more than mere surface loyalty.

"You're Yù Gōngzǐ?"

Zui Ya looked at Ye Tian curiously, wondering what kind of man could have earned the reputation of being utterly benevolent and righteous.

"Insolent!"

Ye Tian hadn't spoken yet.

But his men were already displeased.

Double Blade General drew his blades and pointed them straight at Zui Ya.

"How dare you speak to my Boss? If you've come to cause trouble, first ask my double blades if they'll allow it."

Instantly, others' gazes toward Zui Ya grew stern, the atmosphere growing heavy.

"Brother Zui Ya..."

Didn't we come to bow to Boss? Don't let this turn into a real fight.

But before he could say more, Zui Ya raised his hand to cut him off—he was a former tyrant who had crushed entire regions, and this atmosphere wouldn't frighten him.

At the same time.

Mei Yongning had already relayed all the information about Zui Ya to Ye Tian; after hearing it, Ye Tian's eyes held an unusual expression.

He seemed to have already guessed the purpose of their visit today.

Zui Ya didn't waste words.

Ignoring the furious glares from Double Blade General and the others, he stepped forward and knelt down.

"I've long heard of Yù Gōngzǐ's great name. If you do not reject us, we beg to bow to you as Boss and follow at your side!"

Behind him, the hundred-plus men followed Zui Ya's action and knelt down as well.

They had left because they resented the Wang Family Gang's exclusion; returning was impossible, so bowing to Ye Tian as Boss was their best choice.

"Uh!"

Double Blade General felt awkward.

He'd thought they'd come to cause trouble—turns out they'd come to join.

"Good, good, you've got good judgment."

He'd seen people come to bow before him before, but never a hundred-plus at once.

"Alright, from now on, we're all family—no need for caution."

Ye Tian smiled and waved his hand; the atmosphere around them instantly relaxed.

"Boss is willing to take me in?"

Zhui Ya lifted his head in surprise.

"I won't hide it from Boss—I was once under the Wang Family Gang. Before I came, I'd already offended them. If Boss takes me in, it might draw their retaliation."

Zhui Ya felt it was better to clarify these things upfront, to avoid resentment later.

"Hahaha!"

Ye Tian laughed unconcernedly.

I already heard it from Mei Yongning—a family-run operation, what's that worth?

"If my brothers come to join me, it's because they trust Ye Tian. I said I'd protect every single one under me. Now that you're with me, you're my brothers. What do I fear from the Wang Family Gang?"

Saying this,

Ye Tian stepped forward several paces to stand before Zhui Ya, raised his hand, and helped him up.

"Perfect—I've recently acquired a new dock, but I've had no capable man to guard it. If Zhui Ya brother doesn't mind, from now on, you'll oversee the dock and the nearby streets. What do you say?"

"This… really possible?"

Even though he'd heard rumors, after receiving a definite answer,

Zhui Ya still froze for a moment, his voice trembling with excitement.

After years in the Wang Family Gang he never rose above the bottom—yet now, right after coming to Ye Tian, he was given territory to manage?

"I, Ye Tian, never speak falsely. If you earn merit later, I'll promise you control over territory too."

This wasn't just for Zhui Ya—it was for the hundred-plus men behind him.

The vacancies left by the defeat of the Flying Cloud Gang were now fully filled.

Ye Tian's gaze toward Zhui Ya glowed with genuine interest.

"Boss!"

Zhui Ya moved to kneel again, but Ye Tian raised his hand to stop him.

"Between brothers, no need for such formalities."

Just those few words stirred in Zhui Ya a desire to die for him—he'd never experienced such treatment in the Wang Family Gang; here, everything he'd longed for was now his.

"I, Zhui Ya, swear: if I ever betray Boss, may I never be reborn, condemned to eternal damnation."

This wasn't an age where oaths meant nothing.

At this moment, oaths carried immense weight—not words spoken lightly.

"Hahaha!"

Ye Tian laughed and clapped Zhui Ya on the shoulder.

Then he turned to look at Mei Yongning.

"Set up more tables at Jin Feng Tower. Bring out the best wine and meat—I'll drink with Zhui Ya brother until we're both drunk."

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand for the men behind Zhui Ya to rise.

These men had been anxious—rumors were just rumors; who knew what Ye Tian was truly like? What if the rumors were wrong, or if Ye Tian feared provoking the Wang Family Gang?

These men had truly run out of options to survive in Linshui City.

While drinking,

Zhui Ya approached Ye Tian alone.

"I won't hide it from Boss—in fact, before I came, I brought over the entire year's tribute owed to the Wang Family Gang."

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