Chapter 79: What do you think you are, that you deserve an explanation from me?

The amount of money sent out during this period was really too much.

Now it was merely ten thousand taels, and Lei Tang's face was full of unconcealable heartache.

"The position of Hall Master."

Sēn Lǎo glanced at the banknotes Lei Tang handed over, and a flash of disdain crossed his eyes.

Just ten thousand taels, and he could barely be bothered to look at it.

Still, although that was what he thought inside, on the surface Sēn Lǎo swiftly pocketed the banknotes — better than nothing, right?

"I told you long ago, the position of Hall Master isn't something that can be settled so easily. Go back and wait for news."

Sēn Lǎo skillfully began playing the push-and-pull game.

Of course he couldn't say it too directly — otherwise how would he get the other strong contenders for the Hall Master position to send money?

"But—"

Lei Tang could hardly hold back any longer.

Normally, he'd let the push-and-pull slide, but Lei Tang's current situation was simply too dire. If he couldn't take the Hall Master seat, even his present position as Head Boss might not be safe.

Lei Tang considered himself still young, with plenty of time left to enjoy life.

If he lost his current standing, would the positions that came after still be any good?

Simply put.

Lei Tang was anxious to climb the ladder.

"Enough!"

But before Lei Tang could finish speaking, Sēn Lǎo waved his hand and cut him off.

"What needed to be said, I've already said. Go back and wait."

Saying so, Sēn Lǎo rose and prepared to leave. A mere Lei Tang — Sēn Lǎo hadn't taken him seriously at all.

His expression was especially perfunctory.

"Hall Master! Hall Master!"

Lei Tang, seeing that perfunctoriness, grew even more anxious. Thinking of how his reputation had shifted lately, he realized the Hall Master seat he'd once considered a sure thing was really about to go sideways.

In his panic, Lei Tang spoke up directly.

"No matter what, I sent you several hundred thousand taels before, Hall Master. You owe me an explanation at least."

He needed something to look forward to — just being told to go back and wait, but at least give him a deadline. He couldn't just keep waiting forever.

"What did you say!"

Lei Tang's words successfully made Sēn Lǎo stop his departing footsteps.

When he turned to look at Lei Tang, his gaze had already grown sharp and menacing.

The incident not long ago when Ye Tian had offended him surfaced in his mind again. Damn it — earlier Ye Tian dared to offend me, and now you, a mere Lei Tang, dare to offend me too?

"No, I didn't—"

Sēn Lǎo's eyes made Lei Tang a little frightened; his gaze darted as he tried to explain.

However.

"Explanation? What damn explanation do you want!"

Taking three steps as two, Sēn Lǎo strode right up to Lei Tang.

Not caring at all how Lei Tang might react, he jabbed a finger straight at Lei Tang's forehead.

"What the hell do you think you are, that you deserve an explanation from me?"

"Get lost!"

That last word, Sēn Lǎo shouted outright, not caring whether it would cost Lei Tang face.

"..."

Lei Tang didn't raise his head, but he felt his face burning with pain.

This was Sēn Lǎo's residence, and there were quite a few servants around.

Right now Lei Tang could only feel that those people were all looking at him with peculiar gazes — as if mocking, or perhaps ridiculing his overreach.

The fists hidden beneath his sleeves clenched tight.

"Hmph! What thing!"

"Pah!"

After spitting at Lei Tang's retreating back, Sēn Lǎo left directly.

Originally, because of the matter with Ye Tian, Sēn Lǎo had been stewing with a bellyful of anger. Lei Tang had just run right into it. After that big tirade, Sēn Lǎo felt his mood had improved quite a bit.

As for whether his words might enrage Lei Tang—

Sēn Lǎo hadn't given it a second thought.

Someone who only knows how to buy his way up — what's there to fear?

,,,

He'd been fleeced!

After returning to his own residence.

Lei Tang sat wordlessly in a chair in the front courtyard, his expression dark and twisted, realizing at the same time that the several hundred thousand taels he'd sent out earlier had all gone down the drain.

Sēn Lǎo had never intended to back his rise in the first place.

Everything said before had simply been to swindle him, to squeeze more benefits out of his hands.

If Lei Tang still couldn't figure it out at this point, he'd truly be a fool.

"Sēn Lǎo! Sēn Lǎo!"

Almost through gritted teeth, he kept muttering Sēn Lǎo's name.

It's over.

Not only were several hundred thousand taels of silver gone, the Hall Master seat was gone too. Lei Tang could imagine that once the new Hall Master took over, all the good days he'd had before would be gone for good.

"Boss, Red Tiger again he—"

Could only say, Red Tiger's news had come far too timely.

It really was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

"Get lost!"

Lei Tang didn't want to hear any more bad news at all, and roared it out directly.

At worst it was just Red Tiger setting his sights on his territory again—what was the use? Even if he knew, did he have any way to stop it?

"..."

He instinctively gave a start, clearly startled.

Not daring to say more, he hurriedly bowed and left, afraid of being dragged in by a Lei Tang in this kind of mood.

For a moment.

The front courtyard was dead silent, not a single sound to be heard.

"M-Master!"

It was still the same servant from before, the one who'd given Lei Tang the idea to go find Sēn Lǎo.

After waiting a while, he finally said with a trembling smile.

"I have another idea."

"Hmm?"

Frowning, he looked over. Seeing it was the servant who'd just given him the idea, Lei Tang's expression eased considerably.

Although that previous idea hadn't been much use, it was mainly because Sēn Lǎo was too much of a scoundrel—taking the money but not doing the job—he hadn't therefore taken out his anger on this servant.

"Speak."

On the contrary.

Lei Tang was even a little expectant, hoping he might come up with another good idea.

"Master, I feel that hesitation in the face of a decision only brings greater disorder. Given Master current reputation, dragging this out too long will likely only become more unfavorable to Master."

The sinister glint in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful gleam.

He raised his eyes, signaling the servant to continue.

"Master, why not just cut clean?"

As he spoke, the servant even made a slitting-the-throat gesture.

"Anyway, Sēn Lǎo over at the Hall Master side is old now—stepping down early or late is all the same. As long as it's done cleanly, presumably no one will suspect Master. But if we wait and the days stretch on, the hope of Master taking the Hall Master seat will only grow smaller and smaller."

Although Lei Tang's current reputation wasn't exactly great either.

But this sort of thing all needed time to accumulate; the further it went, the more bad reputation would only pile up.

On the contrary.

Once he himself took the Hall Master seat, all the bad reputation would instantly die down.

"..."

He said nothing.

But one could tell from Lei Tang's eyes—he was tempted.

No choice about it: on one hand, the craving for the Hall Master seat; on the other, the grudge against Sēn Lǎo for taking the money and not doing the job, for screwing him over.

If it wasn't going to work, say so earlier! Several hundred thousand taels had already been handed over—wasn't that money just splashed away for nothing?

"Everyone leave, let me be alone for a while!"

After a silence, Lei Tang suddenly waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave, including the servant who had just spoken.

After leaving in tacit understanding.

That servant didn't go straight back to rest. Instead, after twisting and turning through several paths, with no one noticing, he passed through the back courtyard gate and left Lei Tang's residence.

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