Chapter 68: The Jianghu Isn

What exactly happened?

No one knew his own son better than Wu Luo.

Drinking, chasing women, misusing his name to act recklessly—he'd scold him occasionally, but after all, he was the only heir to the family line, so Wu Luo had never truly stopped him.

Besides, with him around, even if trouble arose, he could suppress it.

But this time, it seemed different.

Bai Weicai, originally a scholar, spoke fluently and quickly recounted everything that had happened in the Golden Wind Pavilion.

He didn't deliberately favor anyone, since such matters could be easily verified with a little investigation.

How bold!

Hearing Bai Weicai's account, Wu Luo's expression grew darker.

When he finished, Wu Luo slammed his fist on the table and rose, face flushed with rage.

"Dad, this time it really isn't my fault."

Thinking his father was scolding him, Xiao Bawang hurried to explain.

"I'm not talking to you."

Seeing his son like this, Wu Luo, still furious, said outright:

"Truly young and impetuous—a lad who's only been in the Jianghu for a few years dares to disregard my Zhong He Bang's face!"

He knew full well it was my son, yet still dared to strike—just for a few dancing girls, and he won't even grant that? What else is this if not a slap in my face?

"You're absolutely right, Dad."

Realizing his father was cursing Ye Tian,

Xiao Bawang quickly responded.

"I say we take men right now and wipe out that so-called Yù Gōngzǐ—see if he still dares be so arrogant."

Xiao Bawang now hated Ye Tian with every fiber of his being—he wanted nothing more than to kill Ye Tian and then torture those dancing girls to death.

But.

Hearing this, Wu Luo gave Xiao Bawang a silent, weary look.

Zhong He Bang has survived this long not because of its own strength; Wu Luo had heard of Yù Gōngzǐ's name—he commands over a thousand men, while Zhong He Bang has only a few hundred. What are we supposed to fight with, our heads?

But.

Zhong He Bang has existed for a long time and holds high seniority; Wu Luo had no shortage of connections.

"Cough, cough!"

Bai Weicai, of course, wasn't as naïve as Xiao Bawang.

Sensing Wu Luo's glance, he quickly spoke up.

"Cough, cough—the Yù Gōngzǐ has only recently emerged, so it's natural he's young and impetuous, but he's still a junior. There's no need for the Bāngzhǔ to handle this personally."

"Then what do you suggest?"

If not personally, then how to seek revenge?

Xiao Bawang couldn't help turning to Bai Weicai.

"Actually, revenge isn't hard."

Clearly, he'd already had a plan in mind.

He smiled confidently and turned back to the Bāngzhǔ Wu Luo.

"Although Ye Tian has many followers, his rank in the Black Water Gang is merely a Head Boss—we can go to his superior, the Hall Master."

Going to the Black Water Gang's Bāngzhǔ would be ridiculous—we might get thrown out.

But approaching just a Hall Master? That's no problem.

"I heard the Hall Master above the Yù Gōngzǐ is called Sēn Lǎo—he's old now, and likely won't be much longer before he retires."

As he spoke, Bai Weicai's gaze carried unmistakable implication.

"Hmm?"

Wu Luo, unlike Xiao Bawang, immediately understood Bai Weicai's meaning.

Someone about to retire would want to make one last profit—such men are easiest to bribe.

Add to that Wu Luo's own status as Bāngzhǔ of Zhong He Bang, and getting Sēn Lǎo to intervene once wouldn't be difficult.

"Hahaha! Of course—you're truly the brains of Zhong He Bang!"

"Your Excellency flatters me."

Bai Weicai smiled humbly, his face brimming with pride.

Only Xiao Bawang, scratching his head in confusion, had no idea what was going on—why had they suddenly started laughing?

"Alright, go arrange it—hurry. Let this Yù Gōngzǐ finally learn what Jianghu rules truly mean."

"I'll handle it right away."

Hearing Wu Luo's order, Bai Weicai naturally didn't refuse—he bowed and left.

After Bai Weicai left.

Seeing Xiao Bawang still looking bewildered, Wu Luo's fleeting good mood vanished instantly—why was this idiot his son? Was his mind empty except for chasing women?

"Hmph! Watch closely, learn well—this Jianghu isn't won by brute force and recklessness."

"Understood, Dad."

Though still confused, Xiao Bawang nodded in agreement.

No matter what.

His own father had still agreed to seek revenge against that Ye Tian; thinking of this, Xiao Bawang's smile gradually turned cruel as he prepared to watch how humiliated Ye Tian would be.

,,,

"Hall Master?"

It was only the next day.

The message sent by Sēn Lǎo reached Ye Tian's hands.

"Why would Sēn Lǎo suddenly reach out to me?"

In his own courtyard, holding the invitation envelope, Ye Tian was somewhat surprised; though this Hall Master was his direct superior, he had never met him since arriving in Linshui City.

"Could it be he's about to step down and wants to squeeze some benefits from Boss?"

Every seasoned rogue about to retire thinks of making a final big haul before leaving, to enjoy a peaceful old age.

Of course, not every seasoned rogue can retire peacefully.

With so many eyes on the Hall Master position, it's not strange that Sēn Lǎo would want to profit from this opportunity.

Mei Yongning calmly analyzed beside him.

"Or perhaps it's related to yesterday's Zhòng Hé Bāng?"

It seemed only these two possibilities remained.

"When soldiers come, meet them with generals; when water comes, block it with earth. Whether this banquet is good or not, since it's been set, there's no reason not to go."

A Hall Master about to retire couldn't scare Ye Tian.

He didn't bring many people—only Mei Yongning, Tiequan, and a few others—and went directly.

,,,

The invitation's location was a restaurant on Sēn Lǎo's territory, said to be a century-old establishment.

When Ye Tian arrived, the area around the restaurant was already crowded.

There were Sēn Lǎo's men, and also Zhòng Hé Bāng members.

As he walked up to the second floor and stepped inside, he saw Xiao Bawang's smug gaze, as if saying, "This time, you're dead."

Beside Xiao Bawang sat Bái Wěicái, whom he had seen that day, and another man with a friendly smile on his face.

"That's the Bāngzhǔ of Zhòng Hé Bāng, Wu Luo!"

Mei Yongning whispered to Ye Tian's ear.

With the Bāngzhǔ of Zhòng Hé Bāng himself present, Ye Tian had already guessed most of the purpose behind summoning him.

Ignoring the stares and mocking glances from these people, Ye Tian walked forward.

"Sēn Lǎo!"

Though he had never met him before, he had heard of him—the oldest man present, walking with a cane, was Sēn Lǎo.

"Hmm."

Sēn Lǎo first nodded.

He scanned Ye Tian up and down, seemingly quite satisfied.

"Good, good. Truly a young hero. I've heard for a long time that one of my subordinates has become a fearsome figure, but I never got to meet him—today, at last, I have."

"Just idle talk among the jianghu folk, nothing to take seriously."

Ye Tian didn't take the praise to heart, only smiling indifferently.

He sat down squarely in the seat opposite Sēn Lǎo.

,,,,,,,