It was nearly five in the afternoon, and at Fudan University in Shanghai, the students were beginning to leave. The sound of the dismissal bell was immediately followed by a chorus of ringing cell phones.
“Fei’er, what is it?” Shangguan Yunmeng asked, noticing Shangguan Tengfei’s stern expression with curiosity.
“Hmph!” A cold sneer twisted Shangguan Tengfei’s lips. “Our family just took a hit. Haha, the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang is truly something; he actually pulled this off.”
“Are you saying the Black God Gang is about to debut in Shanghai?” Shangguan Yunmeng asked, her delicate brows furrowed.
“You could say that. But once the Black God Gang establishes itself in Shanghai, I believe their Dragon Lord must understand what that implies.” Shangguan Tengfei’s previous melancholy seemed to have vanished entirely, replaced by a grave countenance.
Hearing this, Shangguan Yunmeng appeared to grasp Shangguan Tengfei’s meaning completely. She stated, “The Nangong family, the Ximen family, the Tang family at Fudan University—including us and the Gongsun family—all stand a good chance of becoming his enemies.”
“Heh, I’m quite looking forward to the next surprise he brings me. I really want to see how he manages these delicate relationships,” Shangguan Tengfei said with a faint smile.
“En!” Shangguan Yunmeng responded thoughtfully.
Meanwhile, on the other side, just as Shangguan Tengfei and the others had predicted, smoke was rapidly rising everywhere.
“It seems the game is about to begin in earnest,” Nangong San remarked, a slight smile playing on his lips.
“Brother Nangong, this time, do you think he will be our enemy? Or a friend?” Tang Shen suddenly approached and asked.
“It’s hard to say. After all, he only seeks a foothold in Shanghai right now. Moreover, we are families, not the underworld; we cannot meddle in their affairs, nor should we interfere, lest we draw the attention of certain powerful figures, and then we’ll be in serious trouble!” As Nangong San spoke, a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
Tang Shen noticed the sudden shift in his expression and followed his gaze. He saw a red sedan pulling out of Fudan University. “Alas, at least for now, we might become enemies with the Shangguan family.”
“Indeed! The Shangguan family is already negotiating a marriage alliance with the Xuanyuan family! Brother Nangong, beauty has always been the root of conflict; can you truly let go?” A younger voice suddenly interjected. Ximen Ling spoke with an air of regret.
Both men knew very well that Nangong San’s detached attitude toward power was entirely due to that one confidante, the cold Xuanyuan Bing. Had it not been for Xuanyuan Bing, Nangong San would likely have been a rare and exceptionally dangerous figure.
“If it were so easy to let go, I wouldn’t have been devoted only to her for so many years.” Nangong San understood that his brothers were worried about him, afraid that one misstep could lead to utter ruin.
“Of the Eight Great Families, only the heir of the Ye family has yet to appear. The situation at Fudan University is getting increasingly intense. Ambition, ambition—it truly is a powerful thing,” a youth muttered to himself as he passed by the three youths gathered there.
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Meanwhile, inside Yang Yi’s villa.
“Young Master, all assets of the Nakagawa Group have now been transferred to us. Should we use the name of the Black God Gang, or…?” Feng Shi asked Yang Yi.
“En!” Yang Yi pondered for a moment. “The Black Guard and Dragon Guard both established their own companies… Hmm? Let’s create a new banner!”
“What name shall we use?”
“Black God Enterprises!” Yang Yi mused. “Absolutely ensure no one knows the connection between the Black Guard, Dragon Guard, and Black God Enterprises. However, we can subtly leak that Black God Enterprises belongs to the Black God Gang!”
“Understood!” Feng Shi replied with a flicker of uncertainty in his expression before exiting to make arrangements.
Fatty Lin, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh. “Brother Yi, is the Black God Gang making a grand entrance in Shanghai now?”
“Sigh!” Yang Yi let out a long breath. “The emergence of the Black God Gang in Shanghai will likely stir up a lot of trouble.”
“Are you referring to the situation at Fudan University?” Fatty Lin asked.
“This time, we’ve monopolized ninety percent of the Nakagawa Group’s shares. The remaining ten percent held by Nakagawa Tengjun was also fully acquired by Long Yi. As of now, the entire Shanghai business community is facing an unprecedented crisis. The Shangguan family defended themselves, but they also suffered the backlash of our actions. As the name implies, the Shangguan family will certainly hold this against us,” Yang Yi said with a cold smile, leaning back on the sofa.
“That’s true,” Fatty Lin nodded in agreement.
“That’s why our appearance under the name Black God Enterprises perfectly severs all commercial bridges connected to the Shangguan family, formally replacing the Nakagawa Group. And precisely because of this, we will face ever-increasing complications!”
“Uh, Brother Yi, all you’re emphasizing is that the Shangguan family might clash with us?”
“No, it’s not that simple.” Yang Yi paused. “The Shangguan family is related to the Gongsun family by kinship, and they are preparing a marriage alliance with the Xuanyuan family. As for the Nangong, Tang, and Ximen families, they aren't weaklings either. The shocking appearance of Black God Enterprises means our enemies are multiplying.”
“But that isn't certain yet. I can’t believe those major families are fools enough to provoke us at this critical juncture?” Fatty Lin scoffed dismissively.
“Heh, you can’t paint everyone with the same brush,” Yang Yi chuckled. “Although we are figures of the underworld, we must still show them some deference; after all, they are ancient, inheritable families. The reason I had Feng Shi set up a new banner and privately spread word that Black God Enterprises is the Black God Gang’s property is to give them a warning!”
“I see! If they dare to make a move then, we can legitimately give them hell!” Fatty Lin grinned maliciously.
“Heh heh!” Yang Yi smiled noncommittally. That was precisely his objective. He wasn't yet strong enough to compete through purely legitimate means, and the Black God Gang's hierarchy wasn't robust enough, which is why he resorted to such unscrupulous tactics—after all, he was a rogue.
“Boss!” Xu Ming, Ye Xiaohou, and Feng Shi walked in from the doorway.
Hearing the loud voices, Yang Yi turned, frowned, and asked, “You all look rushed; has something happened?”
“Uh, nothing else. It’s just that my old man is here,” Xu Ming said, wiping his brow.
“Oh?” Yang Yi’s mouth curved slightly.
“Young Master, I’ve arranged for him to stay at the Dragon Guard compound. Is that acceptable?” Feng Shi inquired.
“En, let’s go!” Yang Yi stood up, thinking that what had to come would come. This meeting with the Southern Military Region Commander was crucial to Yang Yi’s future plans for a southern campaign.
The group followed Yang Yi out of the villa and boarded the extended Lincoln. Yang Yi maintained an air of composure, but Xu Ming felt a definite unease, for he knew his father well.
The Commander of the Southern Military Region was a figure of immense prestige in the South, wielding distinct power in the central government. He was known for never revealing his full hand, preferring to adapt as circumstances dictated, and no one had ever fully fathomed him.
Take, for instance, his recent departure from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau Chief’s residence. Although the burly man had outwardly aided Yang Yi’s faction, and the Military Region Commander denied his involvement regarding Shanghai matters, a deeper look revealed inconsistencies. Why would the Military Region Commander create such ambiguities? Only he knew what he was truly thinking.
Currently, in a high-end office at Dragon Guard Entertainment Co., Ltd., a middle-aged man in a suit held a cigarette between his fingers, a faint smile gracing his face. The smile on his square jaw made him look oddly imposing, almost fierce.
He was flanked by five burly men in black suits, all wearing dark sunglasses. These men should not be underestimated; in the South, they were at least Major General level officers, all veterans of special forces, whose strength was certainly comparable to that of ordinary martial artists.
“Tap!” The office door opened.
Yang Yi and the others walked in. The first thing they registered was the imposing atmosphere. Yang Yi grinned, glancing at Xu Ming beside him, and then flashed his signature smile.
“Old man, you’re here already?” Xu Ming called out casually.
“Young Master!” The imposing men in suits greeted Xu Ming with great deference.
Xu Ming ignored them, focusing his disdainful gaze on the older man sitting on the sofa, smiling faintly at him. “Hey, I’m talking to you. Stop always putting on that indifferent act.”
“Smelly brat, you’ve put on quite a bit of weight these past few months. You’re looking sturdy,” the middle-aged man—Xu Ming’s father, the Commander of the Southern Military Region, whose name was ‘Xu Guang’—said. He seemed completely unconcerned by his son’s disrespectful tone, instead teasing him with great interest.
“Damn!” Fatty Lin couldn't help but blurt out the exclamation upon hearing how Xu Ming addressed his father.
Ye Xiaohou shook his head with a wry smile. He truly admired Xu Guang; that expression hadn't changed in hundreds of years. He stepped forward and bowed. “Ye Xiaohou pays his respects to Uncle!”
“Oh? Xiaohou, you’re here too?” Xu Guang’s eyes flashed with surprise. In truth, he had known Ye Xiaohou was involved all along, but he deliberately feigned astonishment. It seemed the apple didn't fall far from the tree; no wonder Xu Ming was so shameless.
“It’s been ten years since we last met. How old were you when I last saw you?”
“Yes, sir.” Ye Xiaohou also began to secretly despise his uncle. He had lived at Xu Guang’s house for three years back then, a period when Xu Guang was home often, allowing them to meet daily. Perhaps it was because of those days that Ye Xiaohou harbored those deeply unwanted memories.