Chapter 93: Scheming and Backstabbing in the Selection—Calculations Everywhere

After giving a slight nod.

Hei Luo said calmly and composedly.

"The Black Water Gang has never been my one-man rule. Since we're electing a new Hall Master, let's all speak up first—who's most suitable?"

Though that's what he said.

Everyone knew this was just polite talk. Hei Luo had always deliberately indulged the antagonism between Old Yao and Blade Ghost, maintaining a tacit balance, which made it easier for him to control the Black Water Gang.

"A matter like the Hall Master position should naturally be decided by the Bāngzhǔ."

Despite their fiery tempers just moments ago, when facing Hei Luo, each of them was exceedingly polite.

The Bāngzhǔ hadn't even spoken yet—how could they possibly decide the Hall Master position ahead of him?

"Actually, I think there's no need for such trouble."

Old Yao spoke up at this moment.

"Hmm?"

Blade Ghost squinted his eyes and looked over.

He rarely spoke normally—why was he suddenly so talkative now?

"After all, it's the Hall Master position, so naturally we must look at ability."

Ignoring the strange gazes from Blade Ghost and his side, Old Yao said in a casual tone.

"The name of this Yù Gōngzǐ—I've been hearing it like thunder in my ears lately. I didn't expect our Black Water Gang to have produced such a capable rising star recently. However—"

At this point.

Old Yao deliberately paused for a moment.

"He's still a bit young after all. His experience certainly can't compare to an old hand."

Originally, when hearing Old Yao praise Ye Tian, Jade Buddha's heart sank.

But upon hearing the latter half, his expression visibly brightened with joy.

"Jade Buddha is an old-timer in our Black Water Gang, with more territory and more subordinates. Taking up the Hall Master position would be more than enough."

"Thank you, Hall Master Old Yao, for your favor. I truly don't deserve such praise."

Jade Buddha hurriedly lowered his head modestly.

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth curled up with irrepressible delight.

This scene, however, caused a flash of harshness to pass through the eyes of Hei Luo, who sat in the Bāngzhǔ's seat.

Old Yao's words were clearly a deliberate attempt to win people over. Judging by Jade Buddha's reaction, if he truly took the Hall Master seat, he would surely remember Old Yao's favor in recommending him this time.

Just as Old Yao said, not opposing is the greatest support.

Pig Lady and Poison Dragon were already deeply bound to Old Yao. If one more were added, wouldn't that mean half the Hall Masters in the Black Water Gang were on Old Yao's side? If anything were to happen—

Then would this Black Water Gang ultimately be decided by himself, or by Old Yao?

"What do you think?"

Hei Luo suddenly spoke, looking toward Ye Tian's position.

"..."

After taking a deep breath first, Ye Tian then cupped his hands toward Hei Luo.

"Since I am a member of the Black Water Gang, I naturally follow the Black Water Gang's arrangements and dare not have any objections."

Though that's what he said.

His gaze, however, deliberately swept toward Old Yao's direction, killing intent surging, but it was quickly hidden away.

Although the shift in emotion was swift, it was still easily caught by Hei Luo, who had been watching Ye Tian all along.

The corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

This was the normal reaction. Did anyone really think a gang was some kind of benevolent place, where everyone gathered together as sworn brothers?

If Ye Tian truly didn't even dare to show a bit of temper, Hei Luo would actually pay him no mind.

"Alright, let's begin the selection directly."

"I support Jade Buddha."

As soon as the words fell, Poison Dragon spoke first, then said nothing more, simply sitting quietly.

Everyone had long grown accustomed to Poison Dragon's situation—he barely spoke normally and only followed Old Yao's opinion.

"Since my little brother has chosen him, I'll support Jade Buddha as well."

Pig Lady on the other side spoke in a casual tone, as if this were merely a trivial matter.

As for Old Yao, he said nothing, wearing a faint smile. The others merely looked and understood Old Yao's thoughts. Just like that, Jade Buddha's side had three supporters.

"Thank you, Hall Master Poison Dragon. Thank you, Hall Master Pig Lady."

Jade Buddha seemed not to have expected today's Hall Master selection to go so smoothly.

He seemed wrapped in immense joy, his entire state becoming excited.

"Thank you, Hall Master Old Yao. I, Jade Buddha, will absolutely not let down Hall Master Old Yao's high regard."

Naturally, Jade Buddha could see the situation—Poison Dragon and Pig Lady had both chosen him because of Old Yao. His gaze toward Old Yao carried a touch of emotion.

Old Yao said nothing, still smiling faintly.

Looking as though he greatly appreciated Jade Buddha.

Jade Buddha, who was caught up in his excitement, clearly hadn't noticed that the dangerous look in Bāngzhǔ Hei Luo's eyes had grown increasingly obvious.

Along with him, the subordinates behind Jade Buddha also became excited.

"Hmph!"

This scene made Blade Ghost on the other side unable to hold back a snort of contempt.

"I'll say the same thing as before—what good is being old? We still have to look at contribution, look at ability. Go out and ask around—who doesn't know our Black Water Gang recently produced a dragon that crossed the river?"

"City West was originally a tiny place no bigger than a fart, and now it's been beaten into this state. What's the damn use of seniority? I'm supporting Yù Gōngzǐ."

To be honest.

Blade Ghost had no goodwill toward Yù Gōngzǐ Ye Tian either. On one hand, he was too young; on the other hand, from the Hall Master selection until now, the bastard hadn't given him a single cent.

In contrast, Jade Buddha was truly willing to spend money.

But there was no helping it — he couldn't stand against Old Monster choosing Jade Buddha.

In this kind of situation, if there were any other choice, Blade Ghost wouldn't have supported Ye Tian either.

"Hall Master Blade Ghost!"

Jade Buddha's originally delighted expression froze. Wait — weren't those hundreds of thousands of taels from before given for nothing? You already accepted them.

"What, you have an objection?"

But before Jade Buddha could finish speaking, Blade Ghost swept a sidelong glance at him.

"N-no... I wouldn't dare!"

The little flicker of dissatisfaction in his heart was instantly suppressed.

Not to mention he wasn't Hall Master yet — even if he really sat in that seat, with his shallow seniority, he wouldn't dare truly tear faces with Blade Ghost.

He could only comfort himself in his heart.

It's fine, it's fine — it's only one person supporting Ye Tian, while his side already had three.

But unfortunately.

Jade Buddha's self-comfort didn't last long before it was directly dismantled.

"I think Blade Ghost has a point. We always have to give young people some chances. It's not like whoever has been in the gang the longest can definitely rise to the top. I support Ye Tian."

"If seniority were useful, then it wouldn't be our turn to sit here. I support Blade Ghost's words and choose this Yù Gōngzǐ."

Blaze and Uncle Qian spoke one after another.

Including another Hall Master, all of them chose Ye Tian. The situation took a sharp turn — what had been three to zero instantly became three to four.

Not only did he not have victory in the bag, he was actually a vote behind.

"?"

Jade Buddha was completely dumbfounded.

Wait — how is this a little different from what he'd imagined?

Fortunately.

"That can't be said entirely either. Someone with more seniority, after all, must have some experience. I support Jade Buddha."

,,,,,,,