Chapter 100

Chen Jiudeng said, "Leader, this is our negligence; we didn't notice any experts entering the city!"

"Now talking about this is useless," Ma Tong snorted. "Mobilize everyone immediately, find that guy, and kill him!"

Chen Jiudeng sighed, "I think he has already escaped!"

"Hmph, not necessarily!" Ma Tong said coldly. "Send out all the brothers in the gang, dig up the earth to find him!"

"Leader..." Chen Jiudeng pondered for a moment, glancing at the other two hall masters.

Ma Tong snorted, "If you have something to say, just say it. At this point, what can't be said?"

Chen Jiudeng nodded, "I'm worried that if all our people go out, the gang will be weak. If that guy comes back, we... even if he doesn't come back, can the Ironclad Gang not take advantage of our weakness?"

The Luo Huai Gang had only four hall masters, no guardians or guest scholars. In Baiyun City, they were considered a local power, but they didn't dominate the city. The city also had the Ironclad Gang as a rival.

Ma Tong's eyebrows furrowed, and he slowly nodded.

Chen Jiudeng said, "After much thought, it's very likely that the Ironclad Gang hired the expert!"

"Hmm, that makes sense," Ma Tong mused. "But there's one thing: why did they specifically target Wu Tang?"

"Wu Tang has the strongest martial arts," Chen Jiudeng said. "He is the greatest threat to the Ironclad Gang!"

"Ironclad Gang..." Ma Tong's phoenix eyes narrowed, scanning the three hall masters.

"Leader, why don't we attack the Ironclad Gang?" Wu Ziniu, the hall master of Shangzhi Hall, suggested. "A grieving army is sure to win. While everyone is still angry, we can give the Ironclad Gang a hard blow!"

"How is the morale in Shangwu Hall?" Ma Tong snorted.

Wu Ziniu said, "It's the perfect time for everyone to unite and fight together!"

Ma Tong's expression was uncertain, and he thought for a long time.

He finally waved his hand, "Forget it!"

Better safe than sorry. He hadn't figured out the situation, and it was chaotic. It wasn't the right time to act, for fear that someone was deliberately stirring things up to take advantage of him.

Chen Jiudeng sighed and shook his head helplessly.

"Leader—!" Wu Ziniu called out excitedly. "What a great opportunity! If we miss it, it's gone!"

Wu Ziniu was thin, with a long face and a sickly yellow complexion, but he was at the innate realm. He was quick-tempered but full of schemes, and Ma Tong was the most suspicious of him.

Wu Ziniu thought Ma Tong was cowardly and foolish, and he was very不服气 (unwilling to accept it), but he was helpless.

Bai Jingren, the hall master of Shangren Hall, was dignified and imposing, but he remained silent throughout. He usually acted like a clay statue, following the leader's orders without question, and he was the most trusted and valued by the leader.

Ma Tong finally waved his hand to dismiss everyone, ordering them to strengthen their defenses to prevent another assassination attempt.

When Chen Jiudeng returned to his residence, it was almost dawn. Not wanting to disturb his wife, he went to the study. As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw Chu Li sitting at the desk, holding a book.

Chu Li put down the book and smiled, "Hall Master Chen, how about it?"

"Was it you?"

"Of course."

Chen Jiudeng said coldly, "You have a lot of nerve! ... Aren't you afraid I'll shout?"

Chu Li laughed.

Chen Jiudeng was very annoyed by his indifferent attitude, but he suppressed it, frowning and snorting, "You have great martial arts!"

Chu Li waved his hand dismissively, "What do you think, Hall Master Chen?"

Chen Jiudeng remained silent.

Chu Li's actions were both a threat and a show of determination. If he really refused, he would end up like Wu Tang. The situation was stronger than the person, and he had to bow to it!

Thinking about this, he sighed inwardly.

"I have one condition!" Chen Jiudeng said.

"Let's hear it."

"Let Ah Feng come back!"

"Don't you think Chen Xuefeng is better off there?"

"Thirty percent tax is too high! ... Ten percent!"

Chu Li shook his head, "The minimum is twenty percent! ... Otherwise, it's not worth the effort."

Chen Jiudeng frowned at him.

"Didn't you think just removing Ma Tong would be enough?" Chu Li smiled and shook his head. "Once Ma Tong is dead, you won't become the leader."

"Oh—?" Chen Jiudeng glared at him,不服气 (unwilling to accept it).

Chu Li stood up and straightened his blue robe, "Once Ma Tong is dead, the most likely to become leader is Bai Jingren."

"It seems you know us very well!" Chen Jiudeng snorted.

He wondered if he could control the situation if Ma Tong died. After much thought, he had no absolute confidence.

The four hall masters were not easy to deal with. The hotheaded Wu Tang was gone, but there was still the cunning Wu Ziniu and the deep-thinking Bai Jingren, both formidable opponents, especially when they worked together.

But he couldn't eliminate them all; that would destroy the Luo Huai Gang.

Chu Li said, "Hall Master Chen, your prestige is insufficient; you need time to build it up."

Chen Jiudeng remained silent.

Chu Li said, "I plan for three years. In three years, you will become the leader, unify Baiyun City, and then ally with the Jingyun Gang to take another city, reaching the peak of the gang."

Chen Jiudeng looked at him and snorted, "Three years!"

Chu Li looked at him, "Do you think it's too long, Hall Master Chen?"

"Taking two cities is no problem, right?"

"Do you really think so?"

"Of course, one city is fine," Chen Jiudeng snorted, somewhat uncertain.

If they really swept through two cities, they would be close to destruction.

The Duke's Mansion wouldn't sit idly by and watch them grow. They might tolerate them controlling one city, but more would be dangerous.

"What do you think of this plan?"

"How will you help me?"

"We'll discuss the specifics later. We can provide support, pass information, and we have an informant in the Ironclad Gang!"

"… Alright." Chen Jiudeng nodded slowly.

He knew he had no choice; this was the best option.

Chu Li smiled, "From now on, we are one family. If your wife really misses Chen Xuefeng, she can go to Yunzhou City to see him."

Chen Jiudeng's face darkened.

Chu Li hadn't left; he was right there, and he hadn't noticed!

His wife was his weak point, and Chu Li had definitely seen through it!

Chu Li waved his hand, and his figure disappeared.

Chen Jiudeng looked around.

Who knew if he had really left, or if he was still nearby? Being targeted by such a person was truly nerve-wracking!

He could only cooperate with him!

Chu Li paused at Chen's residence, using the Great Mirror Wisdom to see his thoughts, and finally felt at ease.

Once he became the leader of the Luo Huai Gang and the two cities were connected, his usefulness would far exceed that of a single gang.

Truly controlling the underground forces of a city would have many uses, and once he took power, it would be a great help.

He first returned to Yunzhou City, briefing Chen Jiudeng on the matter. Chen Siyu praised Luo Feng highly; having such a top expert around made him sleep soundly.

Chu Li didn't meet Luo Feng, only observing him from a distance. Using the Great Mirror Wisdom, he saw that Luo Feng was quite satisfied with his current life.

Chu Li felt at ease and returned to the Yi Duke's Mansion that night.

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