Chapter 54: Lei Yushan

"So fast?"

Lei Yushan was stunned.

Head Boss? That's the same rank as Lei Tang! How much time has even passed?

And his men number over a thousand—what kind of concept is that? Even if Lei Yushan never mixed with gangs, he couldn't possibly be unaware.

He's stronger than many mid- and small-sized gangs.

Most crucially, because of Lei Tang, Lei Yushan had always known that Old Hall Master Sēn Lǎo would soon step down, and Lei Tang had long been eyeing that position.

But if Lei Tang has the qualifications to compete, so does this Ye Tian now.

And judging from the current situation, Ye Tian seems to have the upper hand—no wonder Lei Tang has been coming to me for money lately; he's probably trying to pave his way with real gold and silver to climb to the Hall Master's seat.

"Perhaps…"

Lei Yushan felt a flicker of interest.

But he still hesitated—after all, they weren't family, and he couldn't fully trust them.

As for the so-called "brotherhood" between Ye Tian and Lei Lu, Lei Yushan wasn't some greenhorn fresh off the streets—no matter how strong the brotherhood, could it outweigh real interests?

Besides, his conflict with Lei Tang hadn't yet reached the point of open confrontation.

"Perhaps I should first try to win him over."

Like an investment—bet on both sides.

Lei Yushan was a merchant himself, so he understood better than most that you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

Previously, he'd trusted Lei Tang too much, and the cost was losing his only son—he had no power to do anything, at most cursing Lei Tang under his breath, but nothing changed.

If only he'd had another escape route back then.

Would he still have needed to be so cautious? Would Lei Tang have dared to ignore his affairs?

Thinking this way,

Lei Yushan's eyes suddenly grew much sharper.

"How has Yan'er been lately?"

The servant, originally puzzled by Lei Yushan's sudden silence, now heard this question.

He answered instinctively.

"Miss? Since joining the Yue Mountain Sect, she's only returned once, half a year ago; otherwise, she's never come back—but she's always sent letters, still deeply concerned about your health, Master!"

"Hmph!"

Hearing this, Lei Yushan grew even more displeased.

"A girl, and she insists on learning swords and spears—do I starve her? Do I deprive her of food? Won't she eventually need me to find her a good husband?"

"She didn't even come back after her younger brother died—I think she has no father in her eyes."

That's precisely why the Miss won't come back.

The servant quietly lowered his head.

After all, she was Lei Yushan's eldest daughter—some things Lei Yushan could say, but this servant had no right to judge.

Though Lei Lu was his only son, Lei Yushan had daughters—several of them—and because of that, he doted even more on Lei Lu, his sole son.

In this era, Lei Yushan had always viewed his son as the heir to carry on the family line.

As for daughters,

His other daughters had long been married off by Lei Yushan; only this eldest daughter, with her stubborn and proud nature, refused outright to be wed like that.

Years ago, she left Linshui City and joined the Yue Mountain Sect, and except for occasional visits and letters, she had never returned.

"I'm sure Miss has her reasons—after all, she still cares deeply for you, Master."

"What could she possibly be busy with?"

After muttering this in dissatisfaction, he said no more.

After all, she was his own daughter.

"Go send a letter, tell her to come back—say…"

If he said he'd found her a good match, knowing his eldest daughter's temperament, she'd likely run off again, just like years ago.

Thinking this, Lei Yushan changed his tone and said:

"Say I'm nearly dead—let's see if she still has me as her father in her eyes."

"This…"

"Hurry up and go!"

The servant hesitated, but Lei Yushan shot him a piercing glare.

"Yes, sir, I'll go right away."

No longer daring to hesitate, he quickly bowed and left.

,,,

Ye Tian had no idea Lei Yushan had already set his sights on him.

Marriage alliances were widely used—old-fashioned, but simple and effective for many.

In Lei Yushan's view, once Ye Tian became his son-in-law, future cooperation would become far easier.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian

had arrived at Old Yao's territory.

This area bordered the mountains, surrounded mostly by brick-and-tile houses; gambling dens and brothels were rare—understandable, since Old Yao's main business was selling various minerals, not other luxuries.

Ye Tian thought this was actually Old Yao's clever move.

Because of his ties with Pig Sister, Old Yao held a special status within the gang, occupying the best territory and running thriving businesses—making him an easy target for other Hall Masters to gang up on.

"You're Yù Gōngzǐ Ye Tian?"

Having just arrived at Old Yao's territory, before he had walked in very far, someone was already blocking the road.

Presumably Old Yao had given instructions about Ye Tian beforehand.

"I am indeed Ye Tian."

"Quite the nerve."

He sized up Ye Tian, then glanced at Iron Fist and Ghost Leg behind him, and nodded in satisfaction.

Bringing only two people and daring to come — no wonder he has such a big reputation at such a young age.

"The Hall Master has been waiting for quite a while. Come with me."

Old Yao had a decent reputation within the gang; his territory was on the relatively stable side, and the people under him were very loyal to Old Yao, with far less scheming and infighting.

By that comparison—

Someone like Lei Tang, and he still dares to dream of taking the Hall Master's seat?

Along the way—

Quite a few people looked over this way, their eyes holding curiosity, indifference, or perhaps killing intent.

From start to finish, not the slightest change came over Ye Tian's expression; he simply walked along quietly.

As for Iron Fist and Ghost Leg behind him, there was even less to say — unless Ye Tian gave the order, they simply did not care what the people around them thought of them.

The guide, upon seeing how Ye Tian and his companions conducted themselves, secretly nodded to himself.

Just this state of mind alone was something those greenhorn rookies who had just entered the jianghu could not compare to. A person like this, if he did not die, would surely achieve extraordinary things in the future.

"The Hall Master is right here."

Finally.

Ye Tian and his companions stopped outside a plainly decorated wine house. The building was only three stories tall; from the outside, it looked like an ordinary wine house, seemingly nothing special.

But along the entire way here, not a single wine house better than this had been seen.

Having money but no way to enjoy it — really don't know what the point is.

"Let me give you one word of warning."

Seeing Ye Tian about to walk in, the guide suddenly smiled.

"Getting in here is easy, but if you want to get out again, it won't be that simple."