Chapter 35. I will begin the meeting.

Having switched to the Black Cat Chief, I threw the Yaraedo to Xiaoping and picked up the previous chief's straight sword. The fact that the blade was not damaged despite fighting with the Yaraedo indicated that it was a fairly good sword. Most importantly, it looked better than the weapons of the Dragonhead Iron Gang.

"The previous chief's life in the martial world ended like this, but mine is just beginning. Remember that. For the time being, the Black Cat Gang will act as if nothing happened."

"......"

Everyone was silent, unable to immediately understand my words. I asked my subordinates as if I had been the Black Cat Chief all along.

"What was the name of this straight sword? I can't quite remember."

Xiaoping answered.

"That straight sword is called Heimoya (Black Rabbit Fang)."

It means the fang of a black rabbit.

"What a ridiculous name. Ah, no. Now that it's mine, I'll cancel the comment about it being ridiculous."

Everyone's expressions changed at my sudden change of attitude, but no one dared to argue. The previous Black Cat Chief, who was feared, had been crushed against a wall and died, so it was natural. Moreover, from their perspective, I still seemed like a madman whose mood swung wildly, so they had to be careful with their words and actions.

I examined Heimoya and naturally gave an order.

"First, clean up the body of the previous chief who dared to resist me. Clean the wall and the floor thoroughly. To succeed in the black path, you must start with cleaning. Also, get rid of that useless axe over there. All officers, gather in the main hall. I will start a meeting of the officers to signify a new beginning."

Xiaoping quickly stepped forward.

"I will organize it and then enter. The rest of the officers, please go to the main hall first."

To reiterate, I am the Black Cat Chief from today.

I wasn't yesterday, but I am today.

A person's fate can change so dramatically.

I planned to skip the inauguration ceremony as it would be troublesome, but I had a rough idea of the term.

Until I am discovered by the Great Inspector.

So, I don't know whether my term will be short or long.

I am a person who knows what I know and doesn't know what I don't know.

The officers headed to the main hall, and while Xiaoping gave various orders to the subordinates, I held Heimoya and practiced sword techniques.

The subordinates who started cleaning glanced at me but continued their work without paying attention. I practiced sword techniques, fell into thought, and then practiced again.

Some of the more perceptive ones were probably quite surprised.

My sword movements were similar to those of the dead chief. As they expected, I practiced the dead man's sword technique by swinging around the large area for a while.

Eat, defecate, build up inner strength, and practice the dead man's sword technique.

This is what a wise life on the black path is like.

* * *

"Report the current situation."

I sat in the main seat and bluntly said this to the waiting officers.

Xiaoping asked me.

"Chief, what should I report first?"

"Xiaoping, it's Chief, not Master. When did we become the Black Cat Sect? Don't lose the identity of the black path."

"I apologize. Understood."

Xiaoping offered a reasonable suggestion.

"As far as I know, due to the Chief's generosity, quite a few of the Gold Peak Hall's martial artists are still alive in Yiyang. What will you do with them?"

I applauded Xiaoping's question.

Clap, clap, clap.

"Indeed, our Xiaoping, excellent. Everyone, follow Xiaoping. The affectionate heart that cares for comrades and subordinates, the courage to save the lives of the officers just now. Righteous, smart, and a rare tough guy. Well done."

While I was speaking, Xiaoping scratched his forehead.

"I have fought both the rabbit and Xiaoping, and Xiaoping's skills are not much worse than the rabbit's. You are a talent of the Black Cat Gang, a wise advisor, and a representative officer. Train harder from now on. I will bestow you the Golden Sun today."

It's not my money anyway.

Xiaoping replied in a tone that indicated he would be more courageous.

"I will train hard."

I applauded again and said to the officers.

"Let's all clap. Before his arm breaks."

The other officers also clapped awkwardly at Xiaoping.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

I looked around the corrupt officers of the Black Cat Gang and continued my nagging.

"Stop."

"......"

"Encourage each other, be stimulated, train, fight, and grow together. That is the black path. In the process, even if you start to dislike or like each other, brotherly affection will naturally arise. That is the strong black path. In my time."

At that moment, I read boredom in the expressions of a few of them and stopped speaking.

"Is my talk boring?"

I glared at an officer whose name I still didn't know, and he shook his head.

"No, no."

"If it's boring, get out, you brat. Go play outside. Don't be an officer. Go smear mud on the broken wall outside with the underlings or clean up the bodies."

"It wasn't boring."

"Where did you hear the Chief talking? Tsk......"

Even a superior should know when to be moderate. I am a person who thoroughly reflects on myself.

Anyway, it seems that our Xiaoping not only had decent martial arts skills but also performed well as a mid-level officer in the black path. A general on the front line should always listen to the advice of their advisors and soldiers.

Sure enough, Xiaoping supported the new chief at the right moment.

"Please speak freely, Chief."

"Where did I leave off?"

"You said, 'That is the strong black path...'"

"Right. Sima Bi and Helian Hong are still alive in Yiyang. If Xiaoping wants to recruit and train the talents of the Gold Peak Hall, feel free to do so. I will entrust you with the creation of the Dragon Phoenix Hall, combining the Golden Sun and Golden Dragon."

"I will take on the heavy responsibility if you entrust it to me."

I looked around the officers and asked.

"Who is the Chief Steward?"

As expected, the oldest officer bowed and replied.

"Please call me Chief Steward Bi."

"Chief Steward Bi, pass the Golden Sun to our Dragon Phoenix Chief. We need to understand the financial situation, so report it clearly. From now on, if embezzlement or tricks are discovered, the old Chief Steward will be executed first."

"Understood."

I looked at Chief Steward Bi's sour expression and said in a threatening tone.

"Chief Steward Bi, do you know why the Gold Sun Chief died?"

"I don't know."

"He died from embezzlement."

"I didn't work like that, but I will remember."

"Of course, remembering is a treasure."

At my precious words, a few of their faces turned bright red.

The next agenda item was brought up by me.

"By the way, I forgot the sparring schedule. When was it?"

When I spoke as if I knew the Black Cat Gang's situation, everyone couldn't hide their surprise.

Xiaoping answered.

"There is no set date, but the lower-ranking Red Monkey is expected to challenge soon. To improve your ranking, you will have to settle things with Bai Yu again."

Bai Yu is the one I used a false identity to kill Zhaosil.

"By the way, what is my current rank?"

"Twelfth Rank, fifth position."

I was quite surprised.

"The rank of that ridiculous guy was quite high. To be fifth with that skill is astonishing. Who is stronger than Bai Yu?"

"Bai Yin, Qing Chen, and Chisha. Together with Bai Yu, they are called the Four Divine Generals."

They are the white tiger, blue dragon, red snake, and white rooster, respectively. Of course, more important than them is the Great Inspector.

"Where is our respected Master these days?"

This time, Chief Steward Bi replied.

"It seems that the Red Snake obtained a blue-eyed beauty and presented her to the Great Inspector. He is probably there."

I snorted and replied.

"The old man still has good stamina. Even going after a blue-eyed beauty. Suddenly, I feel a surge of anger."

When I quickly criticized the Great Inspector after calling him Master, the subordinates couldn't control their expressions.

"Why? Did I say something wrong?"

"No."

I clicked my tongue and said.

"You're still bothering innocent women through your disciples. What does the Martial Arts Alliance even do? Not catching such a guy. Oh......"

Everyone looked at the ceiling or slightly bowed their heads.

"I will now inform you of the Black Cat Gang's code of conduct."

"Please speak."

"Although the Great Inspector is my master, since the old man is indulged in debauchery, I plan to gradually start a rebellion. If anyone clings to the Great Inspector or hinders my actions, I will not spare them. Our relationship must be governed by the principles of the martial world. Betrayal in wartime means death. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

"You probably fear the Great Inspector more than me now. I understand. But to survive long in the martial world, you must choose your side wisely. Remember that your predictions might be wrong. Whether the Great Inspector or I will die is not something you can predict. You should have realized how unreliable predictions are when the previous chief died. Like our smart Xiaoping, who realized it earlier."

The officers nodded here and there.

"Understood."

"We have no reason to like the Great Inspector. It was a forced merger."

The meeting continued to be childish, directionless, and rambling, but I constantly observed the officers' expressions and tones from behind the mask. Wearing a mask definitely had this advantage.

"What is the recent situation of the Black Snake Gang?"

Despite the change in topic, Xiaoping calmly replied.

"They are always busy with gambling and auction businesses. It seems that there will be no rival in the area in terms of wealth."

"Still holding human auctions?"

"Yes, it should be called a slave auction."

Slave auction, that's what the Black Snake Gang is.

I nodded and set the medium and short-term goals of the Black Cat Gang.

"I killed a few of the Black Snake Gang's members before. They died watching my residence burn. I was secretly annoyed, but it's good. It's an atrocity that I cannot overlook as the leader of the black path. I will have to dismantle the Black Snake Gang later, so officers, focus on training. I will correct the principles of the black path."

The officers wanted to ask, "Was there ever a principle in the black path?" but couldn't bring themselves to say it.

I declared my resolve in a determined tone.

"Our Black Cat Gang will become the vanguard of the martial world's slave liberation front."

An officer cautiously asked.

"Are you suddenly planning to attack the Black Snake Gang?"

"Is buying and selling people right?"

"It is not right."

I looked around the officers and cursed.

"By the way, why have you been practicing martial arts all this time? You bastards. You don't tolerate injustice. That is the principle of those who walk the night with a sword. From now on, anyone who opposes me will be executed, and anyone who argues will be killed."

"......"

"Answer me properly. It's embarrassing for the speaker. Ah, suddenly getting angry......"

The officers spoke in unison.

"Understood."

"I will remember."

I planned to stabilize the chaotic period of the chief's change by taking the entire Black Cat Gang as hostages and continuing threats, curses, violence, and oppression.

"Whether it's the Great Inspector or the Black Snake Gang, they will be destroyed. For this, I will use the medicinal herbs, funds, and other resources of the Black Cat Gang as I please. If anyone has complaints, let's settle them in a one-on-one duel. Is there anyone who will step forward?"

The officers looked at the ground for a moment.

"......"

"Thankfully, there is no one."

I waved my right hand and said.

"It's fortunate that this hand won't be stained with the blood of our officers."

I didn't forget what I had to do.

"Xiaoping, for the time being, to stabilize the period of the chief's change, guard the Black Cat Gang inside and out with the elites of the Dragon Phoenix Hall. Especially, if anyone leaves without a report, execute them on the spot. If someone suddenly says they want to go home, capture them and bring them to me."

Xiaoping nodded, understanding the meaning of my words.

"I will maintain a thorough guard."

From the officers' perspective, the sudden change of the Black Cat Chief brought no improvement. Thinking about it, the slush fund of the Gold Peak Hall had flowed to Yiyang, and the main assets would be stripped by me. In layman's terms, they were in a state of bankruptcy.

Of course, it's none of my business.

It was the same in the past, and it is the same now.

I am not of the black path.

I am a man who strikes and takes from the black path.

In any case, the first day of my tenure as the Black Cat Chief ended peacefully in this manner.