"Half and half?" Zhou Hu grumbled inwardly, a mask of resignation settling on his face. It was undeniably true.

Although Hei Se Hui had been established in the underworld for quite some time, they had perpetually lived under the shadow of threats from a certain organization in Country R. If not for this constant pressure, how could Hei Se Hui's achievements possibly be as meager as they were today? It wasn't that Hei Se Hui's strength was lacking; rather, the organization from Country R was formidable, boasting countless masters, not to mention holding Zhou Hu’s son captive to exert leverage over him.

"Old Zhao, wouldn't it be wonderful if we just avoided this war altogether!" Zhou Hu sighed, feeling utterly exhausted. Years spent navigating the underworld had worn him down, especially concerning the matter of his son. Those in the path must never betray their sworn brothers, nor should they lightly abandon those who follow them. Zhou Hu was, by all accounts, a significant figure; otherwise, he wouldn't still be standing here now.

Zhao Qing understood exactly what Zhou Hu meant. He also knew the immense sacrifices Zhou Hu had made for Hei Se Hui. After all, when he first heard his son had been kidnapped by the organization from Country R, Zhou Hu hadn't rashly ordered a full-scale rescue attempt using every member of Hei Se Hui. Had he acted on that impulse, how could Hei Se Hui even exist today?

"The ways of the world rarely bend to one's will... Sigh!"

"Old Zhao, if I choose not to comply with their demands this time, what will the consequences be?" Zhou Hu asked suddenly, his tone oddly sharp.

"Whoosh—!" Zhao Qing’s expression flickered, revealing a moment of unease, even as he mentally wondered if Zhou Hu was considering backing out of their arrangement entirely.

"Gang Leader—!"

"En," Zhou Hu acknowledged, seemingly having made a sudden, weighty decision. He turned to Zhao Qing. "Go and make the necessary arrangements. No one is to make a move without my explicit orders."

"Yes—!" Zhao Qing appeared perplexed by Zhou Hu's abrupt change in demeanor and started to speak, but Zhou Hu cut him off first. "Sigh... Go on!"

"Yes!" Zhao Qing spared a glance at Zhou Hu's solitary, dejected figure, a strange, unreadable glimmer flashing in his eyes.

Undercurrents surged, hidden but potent. Hei Se Hui was preparing a surprise attack to eradicate the Hei Shen Bang. Yet, Hei Shen Bang was also ready, only waiting for Yang Yi's definitive word: should they strike in Jiangsu Province now, or hold the line a little longer?

At that moment, Yang Yi was changing his clothes, donning a simple, unassuming set of casual wear that somehow highlighted his natural refinement. He checked the time, a slight curve appearing on his lips. "Just right!" he murmured, then glanced around his dormitory, shaking his head with a wry smile. It truly was a boys' dorm—especially messy with Xu Ming and Ye Xiaohou's corners.

Just as Yang Yi, filled with anticipation, was about to head to the school gates to meet Xia Shiyun, a familiar ringtone pierced the air. Yang Yi pulled out his phone, frowned slightly, and pressed the answer button. "Hello—!"

"Young Master, there's been an unexpected development!" Feng Shi's voice came through the receiver.

"Unexpected development?" Yang Yi's brows furrowed into a tight knot. He whispered the two words: "Go on!"

It turned out that Hei Shen Bang had just received a report from an informant: Hei Se Hui had mobilized a massive force in Jiangsu today, clearly planning a surprise raid sometime late tonight. Moreover, Jiangsu was not far from City A—barely an hour’s drive. Feng Shi was calling to ask if Yang Yi required them to engage now.

"En, I understand." Yang Yi paused in contemplation before speaking into the phone. "Immediately have the Thirty-Six Heavenly Spirits and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends move to secure positions in Jiangsu, awaiting my command. Meanwhile, reinforce security at our main locations. If anything unusual arises, resolve it at the fastest possible speed. I have something I need to attend to; I will return as soon as I can."

"Yes!"

"It looks like dinner at her place is out of the question today. Ah—what a wasted romantic engagement," Yang Yi sighed softly, ending the call and heading towards the exit.

"Black Master—" A middle-aged man dressed entirely in black knelt before another middle-aged figure, addressing him.

"En, what is the situation?" the man known as the Black Master inquired.

"Yes, Zhou Hu just called. He requests to see his son!" It was evident that the kneeling man was Japanese.

"Hmm?" The Black Master frowned slightly and hummed. "Very well, I acknowledge it. You may withdraw for now."

"Yes!" The Japanese man bowed and departed.

However, shortly after he left, a shadow flashed, appearing eerily where the other man had just knelt. "Greetings, Black Master."

"Zhou Hu seems to still harbor some illusions. Go and meet him. But remember, do not expose your hand. After all, he still has utility for us," the Black Master said with a sinister smile.

"Yes!" The newcomer responded, arriving swiftly and vanishing just as quickly, his movement spectral in its stealth.

When everyone else had gone, leaving only the Black Master alone, a cloud of dark intent crossed his face. He called out toward a different doorway, "Lord Yamamoto, since you have arrived, why remain hidden?"

"Heh heh, as expected of Lord Black Master, discovered so quickly," replied a slightly gray-haired elder emerging from another entrance.

"Lord Yamamoto, is there something you require of me?"

"Yes. Zhou Hu spoke with me today. I fear he has reached his breaking point. While he hasn't given us a clear signal to move yet, he is clearly plotting something else."

"Oh?" The Black Master expressed surprise, a cold smile playing in his heart. "Isn't he planning to strike Hei Shen Bang tonight?"

"He is preparing to strike, but as of yet, he remains inactive. I just overheard him requesting to see his son. I imagine, Lord Black Master, you can guess he has ulterior motives."

"He cannot hide these thoughts from me. Don't think we are as foolish and prone to fantasy as those Zhina people!"

"Have you already made arrangements, Black Master?" The elder who had suddenly appeared looked momentarily stunned.

"Hmph. Since he harbors treachery against us, I certainly need not show him any courtesy," the middle-aged man called the Black Master stated.

"Understood. Since Black Master is already prepared, I need not worry myself further."

"On the contrary, Lord Yamamoto, you have been by Zhou Hu's side for so many years—how have you managed to fail to properly absorb Hei Se Hui's forces?"

"Yes, Zhou Hu is excessively cunning and cautious. Although he appears outwardly trusting of me, he keeps a tight rein on his subordinates. Only in the last few days has he allowed me to convene the central figures of Hei Se Hui. Although I organized the meeting, he ultimately retains control. However, Black Master, rest assured. For the sake of our plan's smooth continuation, I will hollow out Hei Se Hui as quickly as possible." The elder’s face broke into a confident smile, as if he already held the entire Hei Se Hui within his grasp.

"En, I trust you, Lord Yamamoto. However, we may need to wait until after his battle concludes. How strong is that Hei Shen Bang?"

"Yes, Hei Shen Bang has become quite a large faction. However, by my estimation, if Hei Se Hui commits its full strength, it can certainly annihilate Hei Shen Bang."

"Lord Yamamoto, if I offered you a direct path, would you be willing to take it?" the Black Master asked, looking at the elder.

"Yes, what high strategy does Black Master propose?"

"I believe I will share this strategy after your battle is over. If it succeeds, it will save us a great deal of time!"

"Yes!" the elder replied.

Meanwhile, in another location, Zhou Hu sat in a room that evoked both deep affection and bitter hatred in him. This was where he often met his son, and it was, ironically, a branch office of the organization from Country R. He knew a key figure from that nation was stationed here. He had once entertained the notion of seizing this place, but the person there seemed to read his mind perfectly, having once warned him that any hostile move against this location would result not only in his son's death but the annihilation of all of Hei Se Hui.

"Crack!" A door opened.

"Xiao Ming!" Zhou Hu’s face instantly filled with raw emotion upon seeing the person enter.

"Dad, why are you here?" A young man appeared surprised but equally excited. He continued, "Dad, I knew it, I just knew you'd come to see me."

"You’ve suffered so much, my child!" Zhou Hu walked forward and embraced Zhou Ming.

"It's not hard, not hard, Dad. Are you doing well recently?" Zhou Ming inquired.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Zhou Hu spoke hollowly, engaging in casual chatter. It was strange to see the usually grim man displaying such warmth. Indeed, within a family, a father interacting with his kin should not wear such a stern expression. Furthermore, Zhou Hu was filled with guilt toward his child; it was because he was in the triads that Zhou Ming had been kidnapped and used to blackmail him. Yet, Zhou Hu's internal reality and his external display were slightly mismatched. Though outwardly joyous and emotional, his eyes held a distinct pain. All true feeling emanated from the gaze; whether it was happiness or agony, the eyes betrayed nothing.

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