Chapter 53: If the Son Is Gone, Then Have Another

Ye Tian knew this well.

Right now, City West was his true base.

The Black Demon Gang didn't matter, but the Earth Dragon Gang was watching closely—since the Poison Tooth incident, the Red Snake had sent plenty of people to probe his territory.

If it weren't for the sudden arrival of these men chasing Tooth, filling the gap in his manpower, they might have already moved against him.

Only when City West had only his voice left would Ye Tian act elsewhere.

"Understood!"

Mei Yongning nodded knowingly. Read novels smoothly every day, ttks. tw at your service.

Although it was a pity to lose the Wang Family Gang's territory, they knew it wasn't something they could interfere with yet.

"By the way, Boss, there's another matter I haven't told you yet—I was worried something might go wrong. Not long ago, Hall Master Old Demon replied!"

"Oh? What did he say?"

Hearing the name Old Demon, Ye Tian perked up.

This concerned his upcoming weapons business.

"He didn't explicitly agree to your deal, but Old Demon invited you to come over—seems he wants to talk first."

Not surprising.

Before doing business, you must talk—it's not as simple as you pay, I deliver.

Besides, Old Demon truly wanted to see who this person was that rose to Head Boss in such a short time.

"A meeting."

Ye Tian's gaze grew thoughtful.

"Boss, should we bring more men?"

Even though we're from the same gang, betrayals among allies are common in the Jianghu.

Keeping a cautious eye is normal.

"No need."

Knowing what Mei Yongning was worried about, Ye Tian smiled and waved his hand.

"Bring too many people, and it looks like I'm afraid of him. We're going to do business, not fight."

Ye Tian had carefully researched Old Demon's information during this time—that's why he didn't plan to bring many men.

"Iron Fist, Ghost Foot, you two come with me."

This time,

Ye Tian planned to bring only Iron Fist and Ghost Foot.

"Yes, Boss!"

Iron Fist and Ghost Foot had no objections; their expressions were calm, as if this were an ordinary matter.

"Boss, what if…"

Mei Yongning still felt uneasy.

Even if they didn't bring many, two men might be too few.

"Enough. Don't say more. It's just business—if it falls through, we walk away. Linshui City isn't the only place where Old Demon sells iron ore!"

Right now, striking a deal with Old Demon best served Ye Tian's interests.

But even if it failed, he wouldn't be disappointed—merely that, if an opportunity arose later, he'd eliminate the man.

"Arrange the timing."

"This… I understand, Boss."

Seeing Ye Tian was so firm,

Mei Yongning had no choice but to nod obediently and went to arrange the meeting time with Hall Master Old Demon.

,,,

Meanwhile,

Inside the residence of Lei Ji Money House's owner, Lei Yushan.

Lei Lu's death had left Lei Yushan despondent for a while, but eventually he pulled himself together—his son was gone, but he was still alive; he couldn't just give up living.

So.

Not long ago, Lei Yushan took two new concubines—not for any other reason, but solely to continue his lineage: one son lost, so he'd just have another.

But he was middle-aged now.

Lei Yushan stepped out of the room, one hand gripping the wall as he walked, the other pounding his lower back.

He was truly old—if in his youth, just two concubines would never have made him need to lean on the wall.

"Master! Master!"

At that moment, a servant ran up to him.

"Master, Big Master just withdrew another ten thousand taels of silver from the treasury."

The only person called "Big Master" was Lei Tang.

"..."

His fleeting good mood vanished instantly.

This wasn't the first time Lei Tang had taken money from Lei Yushan; each time, the amount was substantial—at least ten thousand taels.

If this continued, even the largest money house couldn't withstand it.

His expression darkened slightly.

Lei Lu's death had long made Lei Yushan resentful toward Lei Tang; now, this incident deepened his resentment further.

"For now, ignore it."

Now is not the time to break ties with Lei Tang.

My money exchange business still needs Lei Tang's influence; if we quarrel, he loses a steady revenue stream, but I won't fare any better.

Precisely because they are brothers, they understand each other best.

Lei Tang has always held grudges and has a narrow mind; if things truly turn hostile, he will surely target me first.

"Yes, Master."

The servant dared not speak further, only nodded.

If it weren't for the sheer amount of ten thousand taels, I wouldn't have come to report.

Lei Yushan's gaze grew thoughtful; though he could not yet break ties with Lei Tang, strange thoughts inevitably arose in his mind—such as finding another escape route.

He couldn't truly rely on Lei Tang forever, letting Lei Tang take whatever he wanted.

"What about that Ye Tian I mentioned earlier? How is he now?"

For some reason, Lei Yushan unexpectedly thought of Ye Tian, the man he had personally visited that day; having heard the news that Ye Tian had avenged Lei Lu, Lei Yushan had made the trip himself.

He had indeed invited Ye Tian to dine at his mansion when he had the chance.

But that was merely polite formality; neither Lei Yushan nor Ye Tian took it seriously.

"Huh!"

This question made the servant beside him pause, seemingly surprised that Lei Yushan would ask such a thing.

After a moment's thought, he spoke.

"Master, you must mean Yù Gōngzǐ."

"Yù Gōngzǐ?"

He had been preoccupied lately with his two concubines, his mind filled entirely with securing an heir, and had paid no special attention to the latest underworld rumors in Linshui City.

Naturally, he knew nothing of Ye Tian's recent situation.

"That's right—the peerless righteous Yù Gōngzǐ, whose real name is Ye Tian. Master, you don't know how much fame this Yù Gōngzǐ has gained lately in the Jianghu!"

Living in a place like Linshui City,

one inevitably absorbs knowledge of the Jianghu through constant exposure; to claim complete ignorance of its factions would be impossible.

Everyone knows that joining the Jianghu offers faster advancement.

But not everyone dares to fight and risk their life; those afraid of the Jianghu's dangers naturally settle for honest work.

"Fame? Is he really that well-known now?"

Lei Yushan's face showed clear surprise.

He felt as though he had merely neglected Jianghu news for a short while, yet it seemed like ages had passed.

"Of course he's famous! Word has it that this Yù Gōngzǐ recently crushed Feiyun Gang's territory and became one of the Head Bosses of the Black Water Gang—his followers are said to number over a thousand!"

In recent times, too many people have come to pay homage.

Ye Tian's forces have risen another notch.

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