Chapter 6: Take Over the Territory

"If you can't hold it, then don't hold it—it's just a Fist Master anyway."

Ye Tian's skills were truly admired by Lei Tang.

But in the end, he's only someone who just joined me, nothing like those brothers who've risked life and death with me.

"Does Boss suspect he's a spy?"

Wang Hu immediately realized something.

In the underworld, gangs planting spies in each other's ranks is common enough.

"If he's a spy, we can use this chance to get rid of him. If he's not, losing territory within the gang is no minor offense—then you go take care of him, and won't you win over a useful talent?"

Lei Tang also didn't believe Ye Tian could hold onto City West's territory.

But this perfectly matched Lei Tang's expectations.

"You're the one who's recruiting him, aren't you, Boss?"

Wang Hu had no objections to Lei Tang's arrangement, but upon hearing the latter half, he clearly froze for a moment.

"You've been with me this long—you should grow a little sense."

"With Boss here, I just need to follow your orders."

Wang Hu spoke sincerely, and this remark made Lei Tang laugh.

Though he had many Fist Masters under him, Wang Hu—someone who'd been by his side since the day he joined the Black Water Gang—was the one Lei Tang trusted most; moreover, Wang Hu had no hidden agendas, only ever carrying out Lei Tang's commands with single-minded loyalty.

"Hah! Now that you're becoming a Head Boss, how can you get by without a few useful talents under you?"

"Head Boss!"

Even Wang Hu, upon hearing he'd be promoted to Head Boss, grew visibly excited.

"But Boss, you're still young—you..."

"What are you thinking?"

Lei Tang's face darkened, as if he were about to step down.

He raised his hand and slapped Wang Hu squarely on the back of the head.

"Heh." Wang Hu grinned sheepishly. "I just got too excited hearing the news."

Lei Tang didn't hide anything—he simply waved his hand.

Wang Hu, understanding, picked up a pipe, lit it for Lei Tang, and as smoke curled between them, Lei Tang spoke with a deep gaze.

"The Old Hall Master is old—he's received word that in no more than half a year, he'll have to step down whether he wants to or not. Then a Hall Master position will open up. Do you understand what I mean?"

The Old Hall Master had four Head Bosses under him—meaning, for Lei Tang to rise, he must eliminate the other three.

"Understood!"

Upon grasping Lei Tang's meaning, Wang Hu's eyes turned ruthless at once.

"Whoever stands in Boss's way, I'll kill them."

Who says gang internals must be harmonious? The gang rules forbid killing fellow members—but as long as no one finds out, who would ever know?

,,,

Meanwhile, Ye Tian had already left.

His previously unsteady steps gradually grew firm as he walked farther away, and the drunkenness on his face slowly faded.

Who in their right mind gets drunk when going out alone to drink?

"City West."

Could Ye Tian not see that Lei Tang's assignment of City West's territory to him had problems? But so what if it did?

First, he was new here and needed his own territory. Moreover, if they could scheme, couldn't he scheme too?

Before his transmigration, Ye Tian had risen to squad leader overseas—he'd seen far more scheming than this.

At that moment, a rapid clatter of footsteps reached his ears. Ye Tian snapped out of his thoughts and turned his head.

Ten figures were rushing toward him—all burly men like Wei Wu.

"Boss!"

Upon seeing Ye Tian, their faces lit up with excitement.

"We finally found you."

"Boss!"

Ye Tian knew this was the reward for his choice—exactly ten Primary Loyalty followers.

He didn't panic; instead, he asked.

"What's your situation now?"

"Boss, when we fled here as refugees, it was only because you gave us a meal that we got a chance to live. From now on, our lives belong to you."

They'd never even been to Linshui City before—and yet you gave them a meal? Makes sense.

"Don't worry. Since you've chosen to follow me, as long as I have a bite to eat, I'll never let you go hungry."

Though they were Primary Loyalty followers granted by the system, Ye Tian wouldn't treat them as mindless machines to be worked to death or abused at will.

"Thank you, Boss!"

All ten were filled with excitement, their expressions saying they'd finally found someone to serve.

"Come on, get Wei Wu and the others—Boss is taking you out for a good meal."

The group marched in force.

Even though the street was full of gang disciples, they all instinctively sidestepped at the sight of these burly figures.

Sure, some gang disciples acted tough on ordinary people—but when faced with someone bigger and stronger, they cowered faster than anyone else. Classic bullies.

Along the way, Ye Tian casually asked for their names.

"I don't have a name—Boss can call me A-Da!"

A-Da? As expected, such a sloppy name.

He casually glanced at the one beside A-Da.

"You wouldn't be called A-Er, would you?"

"No, my name is Wen Jiu. If Boss wants to call me A-Er, then I'll go by A-Er from now on."

"No need, just stick with Wen Jiu."

At least it's not that sloppy.

Ye Tian brought this whole group and first had a proper meal at a restaurant.

After resting for a night, they waited until the next day before setting out for City West.

City West was no small area, but the Black Water Gang's territory here was only a single street.

Ye Tian brought only Wei Wu with him and arrived at the largest restaurant on this street. Perhaps because it wasn't mealtime, there weren't many people inside.

"You must be Ye Tian, Fist Master Ye."

No sooner had they walked in than a scholarly-looking man came over.

"I am Mei Yongning, the Scholar here."

As he spoke, the scholar took out a green waist badge from his person.

"So it's Mister Mei."

Seeing this green waist badge, Ye Tian wasn't surprised either. Different statuses came with different waist badges—just like him, after becoming a Fist Master, his waist badge had been switched to red.

Further up, the Head Boss and Hall Master each had their own distinct waist badges as well.

This Scholar was certainly not the kind from the imperial examinations. Besides, in these times there weren't any imperial examinations at all; for a poor family to rise in status was nearly impossible.

Scholar was a rank within the gang, on par with Fist Master, mainly responsible for managing business. Some capable Scholars could also play a role in strategy and planning.

"Fist Master Ye is too polite, I can't bear the title of 'Mister.' Fist Master Ye may simply call me Scholar."

After speaking, he made an inviting gesture toward Ye Tian.

He took the lead and went up to the second floor.

"Big Brother Lei's people have already told me—from now on this street belongs to Fist Master Ye. As long as the dues are paid on time, Big Brother Lei generally doesn't care how we manage the territory."

Mei Yongning spoke with a thoroughly scholarly air; you couldn't tell at all that he was mixed up in a gang.

"How does our Black Water Gang handle the dues?"

It was normal for gangs to collect dues—you had to hand over a portion of the money earned on this street to the gang. It wasn't as if they gave you this street to manage and let you keep all the earnings; a gang isn't a charity.

It's just that the share each gang took might differ.