As Yang Yi and the others returned to their guest room, Long Yi inexplicably produced a file, handing it to Yang Yi and stating, “Young Master, this contains all the information regarding A City and the First High School!”

“Mm, very good.” Yang Yi nodded, taking the file and beginning to peruse it.

Long Yi, Yan Ran, and Fatty Lin remained silent, simply standing by quietly. They understood that the moment Yang Yi finished reviewing this information, the real business would likely commence, leaving them nothing left to do but await Yang Yi’s arrangements.

The situation in A City was indeed as described—the waters were deep enough to drown many. Of course, if one possessed the strength to stand firmly on the shore, they wouldn't be swallowed by the current, but the number of people who could achieve that was minuscule. This world was brutal, governed by the law of the jungle, and steeped in deceit. In this environment of incessant plotting, one had to choose to dance with the devil to survive a little longer; this was the stark reality facing Yang Yi now.

In A City, there were three major factions that formed a tripartite balance of power: the Hungry Wolves Gang, the Ice Mirror Society, and the Soaring Eagles Gang. These three groups held significant sway, capable of summoning wind and rain within A City’s boundaries. Not only were they powerful and numerous, but crucially, they were deeply entrenched local powers whose strength could not be underestimated. Looking at the current landscape of A City, a strange excitement surfaced within Yang Yi, a cold glint flickering in his eyes, much to the surprise of Long Yi and the others standing nearby.

While the gangs in A City appeared balanced, they were, in reality, little more than scattered sand, constantly fighting bloody battles behind the scenes to secure territory. However, the South contained more than just A City; other cities also harbored powerful triads. It was only due to a superficial alliance and a semblance of friendly cooperation that these groups hadn't already consumed one another, something any shrewd and capitalized individual would have recognized long ago.

In the South, or more accurately, across the entire underworld landscape of Huaxia, there were the Dragon Gang and the Green Gang in the South, the Crown Princes in the North, the Black Society in the East, and the lone foreign entity, Japan’s Black Dragon Society. Upon seeing the mention of Japan, the chilling aura around Yang Yi intensified significantly, a devilish smile curling the corner of his lips, radiating a terrifying aura—a smile so unnatural it seemed impossible for a human face to produce.

After absorbing the general data, Yang Yi inwardly sighed at the efficiency of the Black God Gang’s intelligence work; this wasn't just A City’s situation but a near-complete overview of the national scene. The information was exceptionally thorough. However, upon reaching the section detailing the First High School, Yang Yi suddenly burst into laughter, a laugh that was grim and chillingly sharp: “Hahaha, excellent, excellent! I never imagined, I never imagined!”

Long Yi and the others were baffled by his laughter, yet they maintained their silence, simply waiting. Perhaps their choice was correct, for as Yang Yi’s laughter subsided, his brow furrowed deeply, and a palpable, bone-chilling killing intent radiated from him: “So that’s how it is!”

“Brother Yi!” Fatty Lin, seeing Yang Yi’s rapid mood swings, felt an unbearable itch of curiosity, clearly wanting to know what could cause such a perplexing expression.

“Heh heh, nothing!” Yang Yi took a deep breath, chuckled lightly, and handed the file to Fatty Lin, saying, “If you’re interested, take a look. You’ll find some very interesting things.”

Fatty Lin took the file and began reading. In a short while, his expression mirrored Yang Yi’s, though tinged with a greater degree of confusion. He asked, “Brother Yi, I don’t quite grasp what you find so interesting.”

“Don’t you think A City and the First High School are almost inextricably linked?” Yang Yi muttered cryptically, lost in thought, leaving everyone else exchanging confused glances.

A pitch-black night slowly passed. The residents of A City, the major and minor figures of the underworld, were completely unaware that at this very moment, a cloud as dark as a crow’s wing was silently descending upon them, poised to slowly erode and reform A City.

Yang Yi had originally planned to stay on campus, but things had been rushed the day before, leaving no time. Logically, as the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang, who had been hidden for over twenty years, he should be residing in a high-rise mansion, driving a BMW or perhaps a Mercedes, or some other luxury vehicle.

While everyone might assume this, Yang Yi chose to live in the school dormitories. Though a property suitable for him had already been prepared outside, he remained resolute about staying in the school. This confused not only Long Yi and Yan Ran but even Fatty Lin found it strange.

What is meant by: The truly great hide in plain sight among the masses, while the lesser recluse in privacy?

Isn't it about confusing visual perception? Isn't it about making others unable to grasp his true nature? Isn't it so he can control everything from the shadows? Yes, Yang Yi intended to be a monarch operating in the dark, which is why he chose to live at school while simultaneously purchasing a separate residence. His true objective was known only to Yang Yi himself.

Early morning...

The air was crisp. Students rushed toward the entrance of the First High School. Upon arriving, Yang Yi and Fatty Lin bypassed the classrooms and headed straight for the Principal’s office.

“Ah, I understand. I’ll have someone make the arrangements shortly. You two go back to class now,” Principal Li said, looking at Yang Yi with a knowing, almost suggestive gaze.

Seeing that look gave Yang Yi goosebumps. He frowned and said, “Old Queer [a rough, joking term for an older man], why are you looking at me like that?”

“Heh heh, you little rascal, you’re quite something, surviving the machinations of my granddaughter—that’s no easy feat...” Principal Li chuckled slyly.

“Uh, you think your granddaughter is so capable? Hmph, let me tell you, if I didn't want to bother playing with that girl, I would have had her running to you to complain long ago,” Yang Yi boasted with a conceited tone. However, as he said this, a sense of unease settled in. The fact that Principal Li hadn't changed his expression at all upon hearing this, maintaining that same ambiguous smile, gave him pause.

Principal Li’s eyebrow twitched, and he laughed, “You brat, what would you do if that girl truly pushed you to the brink?”

“Sigh—by then, I’m afraid she’d be crying out for Daddy and Mommy, accusing me, a grown man, of bullying a little girl, so...” Yang Yi hadn’t finished his sentence when he sensed something was amiss. He noticed that the smile on Principal Li’s face was growing increasingly brilliant. Feeling slightly unsettled, he asked, “Wait a minute... Old Man, what does that kind of smile mean?”

At Yang Yi’s question, Fatty Lin, standing beside him, seemed to catch on. He felt a sudden, chilling gust of cold wind blow down his spine. He instinctively turned his head, and his expression immediately froze in shock. He quickly tugged at Yang Yi’s sleeve.

[Brothers, stand firm! Recommendations and collections must not be missed.]

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