"How is it? Have you found out?" Chen Dong asked his subordinate while seated in the mess hall.

"We found out, that kid seems to have killed Old Liang, and what’s more, he just walked out of the police station like it was nothing!" the shadowy youth, known as Shenzi, said.

"Like it was nothing?" Chen Dong couldn't help but frown. He knew perfectly well that even for those in the underworld, walking out of a police station so brazenly wasn't easy. If someone could commit murder there and still leave like that, it could only mean that person had powerful connections, and very powerful ones at that.

"Brother Dong, I heard the Chief himself escorted that kid out!" Shenzi said, his own brow tightly furrowed.

"It seems things aren't simple. Hmph—even if he were the Jade Emperor, in A-City, we are the local rulers!" Chen Dong said with a sinister shade in his eyes.

"Brother Dong, what should we do?"

"Shenzi, tonight, you’ll accompany me to see Snake Ghost!" Chen Dong seemed to have thought of something.

"Snake Ghost?" Shenzi exclaimed in shock. The image of that grim man who perpetually hid in the shadows flashed through his mind. He had heard tales of this man being a ruthless killer, skilled in martial arts, and a formidable enforcer under Master Hu. He was deeply shaken, realizing Chen Dong was serious about taking Yang Yi’s life this time.

"Hmph, let's see how long that kid can celebrate!" As Chen Dong finished speaking, his gaze landed upon the sight he least wanted to see—it was Yang Yi and his group.

The moment Yang Yi stepped into the mess hall, he felt the sharp, piercing gazes. He casually looked toward Chen Dong, utterly unconcerned by the dark look thrown his way. Directing such gloom at someone lacking real power was just posturing! As the saying goes: Don't posture, or you'll be struck by lightning! Relying on the fact that his uncle was one of the Four Hall Masters of the Hungry Wolf Gang, he swaggered around school and actually dared to challenge him—heh!

"Boss, what’s wrong?" Xu Ming seemed to sense something amiss with Yang Yi and asked doubtfully.

"Heh heh, nothing," Yang Yi smiled faintly and found a seat.

Ye Xiaohou, standing nearby, seemed to pick up on something. Though he said nothing at the moment, his eyes couldn't help but flick toward Chen Dong in the distance.

Fatty Lin and Xu Ming had already gone to get their food. Taking advantage of this, Ye Xiaohou asked, "Boss, Chen Dong...?"

"Hmm?" Yang Yi glanced at Ye Xiaohou and asked, "What about him?"

"Boss, tell me honestly, what happened at the Space Bar last time, I suspect that was Chen Dong’s doing, right?" Ye Xiaohou inquired.

"Yeah, somewhat," Yang Yi replied indifferently.

"Boss, I know you don't want us involved in this, but we are brothers! Besides, Chen Dong used such despicable means and even hurt Third Brother..."

"Fourth Brother!" Yang Yi cut Ye Xiaohou off before he could finish. "Fourth Brother, while I understand your intentions, this truly isn't something you should interfere with. This matter started because of me, and if you get involved, it will only put you at a disadvantage."

"Are you worried about Third Brother's family background?" Ye Xiaohou asked.

Yang Yi remained silent, which served as tacit agreement. Yang Yi's goal lay in the underworld; if someone from the legitimate world could lend a hand, that would certainly be welcomed. But if his friends or brothers were from the legitimate side, why drag them into the path he had chosen?

Since ancient times, the worlds of black and white have been incompatible. Where there is black, there must be white; if they mix, what would be the outcome? Yang Yi didn't know for sure, but he only knew there was one inevitable end: the white would eventually turn black.

"Boss, in my heart, we are brothers. Even if you walk the path of the underworld, perhaps even committing heinous acts, I, Ye Xiaohou, am still your brother. I won't say much more now, I just hope you reconsider. If you hold back because you are in the underworld and worry about me and Third Brother, then are we still brothers?" Although Ye Xiaohou understood Yang Yi's concern, he also held firm to his own convictions.

Yang Yi didn't reply, merely casting a faint glance at Ye Xiaohou, seeing the determination in his eyes and the resoluteness of his expression. Just as he was about to speak, Xu Ming and Fatty Lin returned with the food.

Xu Ming looked somewhat odd, his expression firm as he said, "Boss, my thoughts are the same as Fourth Brother's. Don't treat us like fools; we actually know everything. After that incident, I had my father's people investigate."

Yang Yi and Fatty Lin were both stunned. Yang Yi was somewhat prepared, having just had a small talk with Ye Xiaohou, but Fatty Lin was completely caught off guard, looking dazed.

"Haha, I never took my brothers for fools, don't wrongly accuse me!" Yang Yi suddenly burst into laughter. In his heart, perhaps the last shred of hesitation had finally been swept away. Maybe the reason Yang Yi had stalled and avoided mentioning the recent incident was precisely because he worried about them, and now, perhaps because of them, that worry had vanished.

"Damn it, are you guys ever going to stop? I’m starving to death," Fatty Lin suddenly shouted.

"Hmph!" Yang Yi, Ye Xiaohou, and Xu Ming all gave Fatty Lin a scornful look, then the four exchanged knowing smiles, saying, "Eat. Fill our stomachs first. This is the daily battle required in life!"

"Haha, haha!" The four seemed to have broken through the small barrier in their hearts, laughing heartily with genuine joy.

"Are they idiots?" Shenzi looked toward Yang Yi’s table with contempt.

"Hmph, let's see how long they can laugh," Chen Dong grinned, his words laced with mockery.

Night fell.

In a derelict warehouse, two youths stood. One of them held a package wrapped in documents, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at the man standing not far away—a figure clad entirely in black, emanating an aura of grimness, leaning against something behind him. He remained silent.

"Why have you two come to find me?" the man asked, his voice distinctly deep and sinister.

"Two hundred thousand, for one life!" the youth—or rather, Chen Dong—said abruptly and directly.

"Two hundred thousand?" The man’s lips curled into a slight smile, as if the sum was highly enticing. He then asked, "Who am I killing?"

"A student from the First High School, named Yang Yi. He knows a bit of combat technique. Are you confident?" Chen Dong asked coolly.

"Haha!" The man laughed, saying, "If you don't trust me, then why seek me out?"

"Heh heh, if you can't kill him, and I give you this two hundred thousand, wouldn't that be throwing money into the ocean?" Chen Dong shot back with a chilling smirk.

Hearing this, the man abruptly turned, his eyes fixed on Chen Dong, radiating an intense coldness. He sneered, "Worthy of being Master Hu's nephew, interesting. However, I take cash first, then I kill!"

"Heh heh, all I need is your word. If you believe you can kill him, then I will certainly give you the money," Chen Dong said, harboring some unknown scheme.

"Hmph, a fine piece of goading. Although it seems a bit flimsy, you wield it quite skillfully. I accept your challenge. Today, I’ll make an exception: kill first, then receive payment. But I warn you beforehand, even if you are Master Hu's nephew, if you go back on your word, you will surely die by my hand!" the man scoffed.

"Good, worthy of the name Snake Ghost. Here," Chen Dong tossed the package over and turned to leave. Just as he reached the edge of the abandoned warehouse, he left behind one last sentence: "I await your good news!"

The man paused for a moment, then gave a sinister smile; "It seems Master Hu was right to cultivate him; he already knows how to win people over?"

A shadow-laden assassination plot had slowly begun to unfold, and perhaps, with it, the ripples in the very fabric of the underworld were about to surface.