Yang Yi felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing her words; this girl seemed utterly fearless, speaking of murder so casually. "Uh, Xiao Jiu..."

"Dragon Lord!" Before Yang Yi could finish speaking, a Black God Guard approached him.

"Speak," Yang Yi said, his expression briefly freezing.

"Seventeen hundred men are ready," the Black God Guard reported.

"Mm!" Yang Yi acknowledged. Feng Jiu gracefully stepped away, realizing this was the serious part now; she couldn't simply follow her impulses. If Long Yi were to become angry, it wouldn't be a joke. Moreover, after Feng Jiu moved away from Yang Yi’s side, his expression noticeably improved.

Yang Yi sighed inwardly. He simply couldn't bring himself to be harsh with this girl, Feng Jiu. Perhaps it was because she seemed so young that he instinctively felt protective of her. After a moment of contemplation, he declared, "Ten Army Generals, heed my command!"

"Yes!" the ten generals replied in unison.

"Long Yi, Long San, Xu Ming, Ye Xiaohou, you four will attack the remaining branches of the Hungry Wolf Gang on the east side. Take three hundred Black God Guards with you."

"Yes!" Long Yi and the others accepted the order.

Glancing at Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou, Yang Yi knew they were prepared, but he couldn't help but tell them, "Third brother, fourth brother, be careful. This is playing with your lives."

"Don't worry, Boss!" Xu Ming grinned. In truth, the man was ecstatic. Raised in a military family, he had seen plenty of battle-hardened soldiers, but he had never witnessed underworld slaughter. Now, being directly involved, excitement was inevitable.

It wasn't just him; Ye Xiaohou was equally thrilled, saying with a broad smile, "Exactly, Boss! I'll show you we can control the east in the shortest time possible, hehe!"

Yang Yi nodded and called out again, "Long Er, Long Si, you take the north with three hundred Black God Guards."

"Yes!"

"Long Wu, Long Liu, Long Qi, you take the south with three hundred Black God Guards."

"Yes!"

"Feng Ba, Feng Shi, Fatty, you take the west with four hundred Black God Guards."

"Yes!" Everyone acknowledged their respective assignments.

"The Hungry Wolf Gang isn't as fragile as the Soaring Eagle Gang. After all, they are the faction with the most branches and the largest numbers among the Big Three. Remember to proceed with caution in everything. Once everything is settled, quickly sort through the Hungry Wolf Gang’s internal records and replace their personnel with ours. Remember: those who submit are spared; those who refuse are executed without mercy. Use those who can serve you, but don't force the unwilling—though you should give them a thorough re-education." Yang Yi narrowed his eyes, an aura of ghostly coldness radiating from him as he spoke.

"Yes!" After receiving the orders, the assembled group departed toward their assigned directions.

Indeed, the Soaring Eagle Gang’s distribution wasn't as scattered. Although numerous, their entire network had been completely enveloped by the Black God Gang in just one afternoon. While the situation wasn't entirely stable yet, the Soaring Eagle Gang was, at least, now history. The Hungry Wolf Gang, however, was more dispersed with far more branches. By neutralizing their outer posts, the reinforcements from distant locations would be too slow to help the closer ones, meaning that even with preparation, consolidating influence across all of City A wouldn't happen in just a few days.

With everyone else dispatched, Yang Yi looked calmly at Feng Jiu and Han Zhong. "We are going to the Hungry Wolf Gang headquarters."

"Yes!" Han Zhong and Feng Jiu confirmed their readiness.

Glancing up at the inky night sky, Yang Yi’s gaze appeared distant, and a devilish smile played on his lips. "The night sky is truly beautiful tonight."

Meanwhile, in a luxurious villa somewhere, a middle-aged man took a sip of red wine before murmuring, "Wine grows more fragrant with age; people grow stronger when tested by trials. Young man, this is the most I can do for you."

"Master, the City Party Secretary of City A is calling. He wishes to know why we ordered everyone to take the day off," an aged servant entered to report.

"Hmph. That petty City Party Secretary dares to question me?" The middle-aged man’s imposing presence was evident even without anger. He narrowed his eyes with amusement. "Send him away. Ask him if he doesn't find tonight's evening remarkably beautiful?"

"Yes!" The servant departed, utterly bewildered.

After the servant was gone, the middle-aged man smiled as he gazed at the heavens, as if the night truly was extraordinarily beautiful. This man was undeniably mysterious; anyone capable of attracting the attention of the City Party Secretary couldn't be ordinary.

On another side, in the principal's office at No. 1 High School, Principal Li stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on a specific spot outside.

"Grandpa!" Li Qian's voice broke the silence.

"Hmm? Qian'er, why aren't you asleep so late?" Principal Li responded, yet he remained rooted to the spot, not turning back, as if something out there commanded his full attention.

"I can’t sleep. It's been a while since your granddaughter kept you company watching the night glow, so I came to see you," Li Qian explained.

"Heh heh, yes. And tonight’s night glow seems particularly beautiful," Principal Li replied with a faint smile.

"Grandpa, may I ask you a few questions?" Li Qian moved to stand beside him, looking out at the darkness.

Principal Li turned his head slightly to look at her. How could he, as her grandfather, not know the thoughts swimming in his granddaughter’s mind? He looked at her with doting affection and chuckled, "Qian'er, you want to know about Yang Yi, don't you?"

"Yes," Li Qian admitted without hesitation.

"Sigh... I know you've truly fallen for him," the principal said, sighing again. "But you must understand, liking and loving are two different definitions. Silly girl, don't end up hurting yourself!"

"No, Grandpa. I am perfectly clear now whether I like him or love him. I believe I only need to fight for my own happiness. Even if it involves pain, I must try to strive for it. If I miss this chance, perhaps I'll regret it forever and never find happiness." Li Qian’s resolve seemed firm. Yes, she thought, I must fight for my own happiness. Even if he doesn't like or love me now, one day I will make him love me.

Principal Li didn't know what else to say; young people had their own ways of thinking. "You already know Yang Yi is the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang, correct?"

"Mhm," Li Qian confirmed.

"But that's not all..." Principal Li paused for emphasis. "He is destined to be the monarch of the underworld, no, the world's underworld."

[I am a rogue element, I demand collection, brothers, rise up, cheer wildly! .]