Xu Guang offered a faint smile, his gaze, oddly profound, swept over everyone who entered before finally settling on Yang Yi. Xu Ming felt his father's scrutiny and couldn't help but speak with contempt, "Old man, you're being rude! You're a guest, shouldn't you know better than to..."

Before Xu Ming could finish, Xu Guang waved a hand, stood up, stubbed out his cigarette, and looked at Yang Yi with a grin, "You must be Yang Yi?"

"Swish, swish!" Five pairs of eyes instantly fixed on Yang Yi. When they first saw him, he seemed ordinary, easily overlooked. They had even been thinking that the Black God Gang's Dragon Lord hadn't arrived yet. But now, hearing their superior address a clean-cut youth with a slight smile, their gazes inevitably concentrated on him.

"Indeed, a soldier; those eyes are sharp!" To avoid misunderstanding, Yang Yi wasn't complimenting the five burly men, but the smiling Xu Guang.

Perhaps in others' eyes, Xu Guang merely wore an indifferent expression, but it was different for Yang Yi. After all, he possessed the ability to read minds. Though he hadn't used it yet, he could at least discern the sharp glint flickering beneath Xu Guang's eyelids.

"This humble one greets the Military Region Commander!" Yang Yi clasped his fists and sat down on the sofa with a smile.

"Heh, I've long heard that the Black God Gang's Dragon Lord is a young fellow. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary. It’s no wonder my useless Ming'er ended up following you."

"Damn it, old man, watch your mouth! When have I ever been useless?" Xu Ming seemed genuinely outraged by his father's assessment.

"Uh, you're useless all the time. Don't think I'm unaware of everything you've done over the years."

"Tch, still better than being useless in front of Mom." Xu Ming cast a look of disdain at Xu Guang. The verbal sparring and mannerisms between father and son completely astonished those watching.

A dignified Military Region Commander, yet in front of his own son, he appeared like a middle-aged man constantly subjected to scorn and derision, without even a shred of respect shown. Such a father-son dynamic was truly rare in the world today.

But what happened next nearly made the others' jaws drop further. Upon hearing his son mention his mother, Xu Guang’s expression suddenly became visibly unnatural, tinged with helplessness. More unbelievably, his old face actually flushed red.

Ye Xiaohou noticed Fatty Lin beside him with his mouth agape, looking utterly incredulous. He gave a wry smile, "Third Brother's dad is actually quite afraid of Third Brother's mother!"

"Damn, not only is the foundation crooked, but there's also a tigress at home?" Fatty Lin shuddered, finding it incredible, then shook his head.

"You brat, stop bringing up sore subjects," Xu Guang said, his tone suddenly serious. "This time, you have to obediently come back with me for the selection!"

"Tch, talk to my boss first. If my boss disagrees, don't even dream about it!" Xu Ming continued to look disdainful.

"Damn!" Xu Guang cursed under his breath. Yang Yi couldn't help but find the Military Region Commander rather amusing, at least from his current perspective.

"Heh, Uncle, you don't need to pay attention to him," Yang Yi said mildly, smoothing things over before frowning at Feng Shi nearby. "Yanran, we have guests, why aren't you offering tea?"

"Apologies, subordinate will fetch it immediately!" Feng Shi immediately turned and walked out upon hearing this.

"No need for tea; let's discuss serious matters." As Xu Guang said this, his expression suddenly shifted. Perhaps this was the demeanor a true Military Region Commander should possess.

"Damn, that change was fast!" Fatty Lin cursed internally. He truly couldn't figure out Xu Ming's father now; this man was more adept at changing faces than a master of disguise.

"What serious matter did Uncle wish to discuss?" Seeing that he was getting to the point, Yang Yi feigned confusion.

Xu Guang glanced at Yang Yi again, silently approving in his heart. "This young man is not simple; no wonder he is the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang." Muttering to himself, he subconsciously glanced at Xu Ming before finally speaking, "I believe you are an intelligent person and can guess the reason for my visit. After all, my Ming'er and Xiaohou are both with you; that already explains everything."

"Heh heh!" Yang Yi responded with an uncommittal smile, fully aware of what he intended to say. "Please, Uncle, speak plainly."

"The five of you, step outside for a moment," Xu Guang suddenly instructed the five burly men standing nearby.

"Yes, Commander!" The five responded and filed out.

Yang Yi seemed to understand and waved his hand, "You all go out too."

"Oh!" Fatty Lin and the others acknowledged and glanced briefly at Xu Guang before leaving. Only Xu Ming remained long enough to leave a parting shot: "Old man, don't bully my boss, or else—hmph!"

No one knew what Xu Ming's 'hmph' implied, but Xu Guang certainly did. He pulled at the corner of his mouth. "I didn't expect my boy to go so hard against me, his own father, just for you."

"Uncle overpraises me; Xu Ming is just joking," Yang Yi dismissed it and asked, "Now, can you finally speak directly?"

"When do you plan to mobilize the army south?" Xu Guang narrowed his eyes at Yang Yi, asking a direct question that seemed sharp and interesting rather than merely blunt.

"Hmm?" Yang Yi looked at Xu Guang with surprise, slowly pouring the tea Feng Shi had just brought. "That is only a matter of time. Why does Uncle ask this now?"

"The situation in the South is chaotic right now, at least on the underworld side," Xu Guang took a sip of the tea Yang Yi poured for him without reserve and continued, "I have two main objectives for coming here today: one is for Xu Ming, and the other is to seek cooperation with you!"

"Cooperation?" Yang Yi was inwardly startled. "It really is like that!"

"Why does Uncle want to cooperate with me?"

"Why ask when you already know?" Seeing Yang Yi's knowing smile, Xu Guang displayed a sudden expression of helplessness.

"Heh heh, even if I know, I am a figure in the underworld. Our world and the military sector usually keep to ourselves—water does not interfere with well water. Uncle, if you seek cooperation like this, aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid?" Xu Guang sneered. "If I were afraid, I wouldn't be standing here!"

"It seems Uncle isn't joking, then?" Yang Yi narrowed his eyes, a chill evident in them. Despite being his brother's father, this was no time for casual talk; they were discussing serious matters, so there was no need for excessive courtesy.

"What do you think?" Xu Guang showed no fear of the murderous intent in Yang Yi's gaze, instead watching him with keen interest.

"Speak, what sort of cooperation are you proposing?" Yang Yi withdrew his gaze and asked.

"Although your Black God Gang is an organized entity of the underworld, don't forget, I command the Southern Military Region. If I restrict your movements, it would be as easy as eating..."

"Wait!" Before Xu Guang could finish, Yang Yi cut him off, his face now wearing a cold sneer. "I can easily interpret what you're saying as a threat to me?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Xu Guang did not deny it.

"Uncle, I respect you purely because you are Xu Ming's father. If you think that is enough to threaten me, then you are mistaken."

"Mistaken?"

"Yes, and profoundly so!" Yang Yi stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and drew back the curtain. "Admittedly, if your military restricts our movements, it certainly causes interference. But even so, I have ways to make your entire Southern Military Region restless."

"Are you certain?" Xu Guang had no reason to doubt Yang Yi's words. After all, this was an underworld figure, and such people were often more cunning than foxes.

"You are welcome not to believe me, but don't forget, our gangs operate differently from your military. Our rules of engagement are not what you imagine. Furthermore, I am determined to secure the forces in the South. When I launch my campaign, what can you possibly do to stop me?"

Although Yang Yi hadn't revealed the most crucial aspects, anyone could grasp the implication of his words. Undoubtedly, even if the Southern Military Region tried to restrict Yang Yi when he mobilized south, they wouldn't be able to stop him, given that he operated within the underworld. In the criminal world, all methods served as capital for survival, and if Yang Yi truly clashed with the Southern Military Region, he possessed enough leverage to dominate the South.

"Heh heh, worthy of being the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang." Xu Guang felt a surge of discouragement. He hadn't intended to threaten Yang Yi at all.

He was merely leveraging his high status within the Southern Military Region to assert dominance before discussing real cooperation, but alas—who was Yang Yi? This man enjoyed playing psychological games.

"Tell me, what is the true purpose of seeking cooperation with me?" Yang Yi smiled faintly and returned to the sofa, addressing Xu Guang.