Chapter 44

"Seventeen thousand taels in total; I hope Boss won't reject them."

Holding his wine cup, he looked at Ye Tian with solemn reverence.

These seventeen thousand taels could have been kept entirely for himself if Zhui Ya had stayed silent—but Zhui Ya spoke up.

Yet now, it seemed he intended to hand over all seventeen thousand taels to Ye Tian.

"Boss, you've got plenty of territory under your command now—you need money more than ever, I—"

Before he could finish.

Ye Tian smiled and raised his hand, pushing Zhui Ya's wine cup back toward him.

Seventeen thousand taels is indeed a large sum, but with the money taken from the Feiyun Gang, Ye Tian was no longer short.

Besides, money matters, but trust matters more.

"I said it before: those who follow me are my brothers. This money came from your own efforts—it belongs to you."

"Boss!"

Zhui Ya wanted to speak again.

But Ye Tian raised his hand to stop him.

"I know what you mean. Right now, beyond territory, I can't give you anything else. Keep this money for yourself—I trust you!"

When he said those last three words, Ye Tian looked at him with sincere eyes.

Just three simple words.

Yet they made Zhui Ya, who had roamed the underworld for so many years, feel tears welling up.

Fuck.

What kind of life had he lived back in the Wang Family Gang?

"No, Boss must take this money—or else he's looking down on me, Zhui Ya!"

Ye Tian didn't want it, but Zhui Ya insisted on giving it.

"Here's an idea!"

Seeing Zhui Ya's stubborn expression—that he wouldn't leave unless Ye Tian accepted the money—Ye Tian thought of a middle ground.

"When we took over the Feiyun Gang's territory, many of their businesses were smashed up. Use this money to repair them. What do you think?"

Repairing those places would cost a lot, but over ten thousand taels would surely be enough.

"This... then alright!"

At this point, Zhui Ya had no choice.

Even though it was for repairs, Ye Tian had said those places were now his territory—and Zhui Ya would get a share of the profits. Wasn't this still helping him?

The more Ye Tian showed trust, the more Zhui Ya wanted to prove his worth.

He at least needed the other man to know.

He wasn't useless—he deserved Ye Tian's trust.

,,,

The next day, the Feiyun Gang's dock—no, now it was Ye Tian's territory's dock—and the nearby streets were all taken over by Zhui Ya and his men.

During the takeover, many things had been smashed.

But due to Ye Tian's prior orders, the buildings around the dock remained largely intact.

Zhui Ya led his men back and forth, circling the area several times, before finally stopping with reluctant admiration.

They finally had their own territory.

Back in the Wang Family Gang, Zhui Ya had nominally been a Fist Master in charge of territory—but in truth, the Wang family held every inch tightly; he was merely pushed out as a shield.

He got no share of the profits, yet was always the first sent into danger.

Was this even human?

"Fuck, what kind of life did we live before?!"

"Who says otherwise?"

The most excited were Zhui Ya's men.

Many had followed him out of desperation—having endured unbearable days in the Wang Family Gang, they'd gambled on a future.

Now it seemed they'd won the bet.

They should've come sooner.

"Hah! We brothers finally don't have to kowtow to anyone—we've truly stood up!"

Seeing everyone so fired up,

Zhui Ya said nothing to dampen their spirits. Instead, he waited until their excitement had slightly cooled.

Then he spoke seriously.

"Boss said: no bullying women or forcing men on this territory. I don't care what you did before—but if any of you dare do such things now, don't blame me for breaking brotherhood!"

Zhui Ya loved talking about brotherhood.

But some things are better said early.

If a man treats me as a national hero, I'll repay him as one. Ye Tian trusted him so deeply—giving him control of territory right away—that Zhui Ya was determined to protect this land well, or he'd betray that trust.

Zhui Ya's words

made the air around them grow quiet.

But soon someone laughed.

"Brother Zhui Ya, don't worry—we've been together this long; you know us best. When have we ever bullied women or forced men? If we fight, it's always against rival gangs!"

The speaker's nickname was Rat.

He had a sly, rat-like face, but was among the first to follow Zhui Ya—shrewd and fiercely loyal; back then, Rat had never believed in the Wang Family Gang, but had followed Zhui Ya because Zhui Ya had been misled.

Haozi ultimately chose to join Wang Family Gang along with Zhuiya.

Hearing Haozi say that, Zhuiya nodded.

They were all brothers he had brought along; Zhuiya naturally trusted them, but some things were better said outright, so that if trouble arose later, none would blame him for forgetting brotherly bonds.

"Alright! Now that we have territory, our lives will improve right away."

"Let's go, have another drink—I'm treating!"

Hearing there was wine to be had, the previously quiet atmosphere shattered instantly; everyone cheered and followed Zhuiya.

,,,

"Big Brother Zhuiya, I toast you!"

There was a tavern right at the dock.

Though not large, it could easily hold over a hundred people; the tavern's original owner, seeing Zhuiya's gang arrive, trembled with fear.

After being exploited for so long by Feiyun Gang, he was truly terrified.

But when he saw Zhuiya pay before drinking, he immediately sprang into action.

This was the first time he'd ever made money from gang members—how could he not move quickly?

After all, from these conversations alone, it was clear that these people would now control this territory.

Haozi, cup in hand, sidled up to Zhuiya.

His face already showed signs of drunkenness; he couldn't help it—he was too happy and wanted just one more drink, then another.

"Now that we have territory, why does Big Brother Zhuiya seem unhappy?"

As he drank.

Haozi noticed Zhuiya's face was heavy with thought, as if burdened by something.

"Nothing," Zhuiya first waved it off, but then remembered Haozi had been one of his earliest followers.

Zhuiya spoke his mind anyway.

"I just feel uneasy inside."

They had territory, but still felt uneasy.

In short, they had done no deeds—just like Shuangdao Jiang and Pili Huo had thought before: rising to power without earning any merit left him feeling off everywhere.

Haozi was sharp by nature and instantly understood what his Boss was thinking.

His eyes darted, then he whispered softly.

"Perhaps I have a way to ease Big Brother Zhuiya's urgent concern."

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