Lawless, they are all madmen. Unconcerned with the world, they are all heroes. When the ruffians rule the day, the world is theirs for the taking. Being without law is not a sin, because in my eyes, law and order are merely trifling rules. Being without heaven is not a sin, because to be without heaven is to define the world, and my aim is to stand above the world and look down upon the masses. Today's ruffian must first temper his body and strengthen his ambition before he can stand on a higher stage. If there is another life, I will still choose to be a ruffian, pointing a finger at the world and shouting, "I will take you down with my thuggery!" — The Memoirs of Yang Yi

At this moment—nearly noon.

In the central district of Shanghai, a thirty-story skyscraper stood tall. This building, currently named the heart of Shanghai's economy, had been commanded by Yang Yi to serve as the supreme headquarters for the Black God Gang, as well as the headquarters for Black God Enterprises.

Since a few days prior, upon receiving Yang Yi's decree, the Black God Gang forces in Jiangsu and City A had surged towards Shanghai like a tumultuous tide, massively expanding their presence across the city. It was clear that Shanghai had been restless in recent days.

The Shanghai government turned a blind eye, only deploying numerous police forces to maintain order, which, through official channels, managed to reduce many potential complications. Business figures also flocked toward the area. No matter how successful one was navigating Shanghai before, aligning oneself with Black God Enterprises, which now monopolized the city’s economy, was certainly a shrewd move. Consequently, the Black God Gang headquarters was a scene of surging human traffic.

"Uh, Long Yi, hasn't the Boss arrived yet?" Ye Xiaohou asked Long Yi after finishing the work at hand.

Long Yi lowered his documents and shook his head. "I don't know either. I just spoke with Second Sister on the phone; she said he has already set off."

"It’s going to be a busy day. Is the meeting hall ready?" Ye Xiaohou inquired.

"It's mostly ready; it can accommodate over three thousand people." Long Yi held up a diagram and said to Ye Xiaohou, "It's on the open-air pavilion at the top of the building. See if anything else needs preparation."

"En!" Ye Xiaohou took the picture and examined it closely.

After more than a month of collaboration, these two had become a remarkably synchronized pair. The relocation of the Black God Gang headquarters, along with the arrangements for the Black Guards, Dragon Guards, and Black God Enterprises, all fell under their purview. It was evident that Ye Xiaohou and Long Yi had been so busy lately that even meal times had become a problem.

Just then, a sleek, jet-black sedan drove toward the Black God Enterprises headquarters. A young man emerged from the car, accompanied by three beautiful women. He glanced at the towering skyscraper, and for some inexplicable reason, a strange smile suddenly curved the corner of the young man's lips.

"Young Master, shall we go in?" Feng Shi called out to Yang Yi.

"En!" Yang Yi responded, and followed the group inside.

"The Dragon Lord has arrived," Long Yi called out to Ye Xiaohou upon seeing Yang Yi and his entourage in the main hall.

"Boss!" Ye Xiaohou called out to Yang Yi after seeing him, then walked towards him, only to suddenly ask with confusion, "Boss, why don't we see Second Brother?"

"Him? Heh heh!" Yang Yi chuckled and said, "He's probably too frustrated right now to sleep soundly, unable to lie down or stand still."

"Uh! What happened?" Ye Xiaohou asked.

"Nothing. Are all the arrangements ready?" Yang Yi steered away from that topic and asked him instead.

"Everything is prepared. We are just waiting for you to begin," Ye Xiaohou replied without hesitation, despite his lingering curiosity.

"Good. Take me there," Yang Yi nodded.

"Right this way!" Ye Xiaohou gestured, and as he saw Yang Yi follow, he turned to Long Yi and asked, "What's wrong with Fatty?"

"Heh heh, nothing much. He just sustained a minor injury last night and shouldn't be getting out of bed yet," Long Yi admitted, looking slightly embarrassed, feeling that if he hadn't sent Lin Pangzi to deal with that person, he might not have been injured.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Yang Yi turned his head slightly to glance at Long Yi and said, "Learn a lesson from an incident; that's an age-old truth. So, don't dwell on it. Everyone has their own fate and path, which they must face individually. Whatever is meant to be encountered, will be encountered!"

"Yes, Dragon Lord," Long Yi replied.

In a short while, the group arrived at a conference room. Seeing the room filled with people, Yang Yi's expression shifted slightly, though his signature smile remained fixed on his face.

"Greetings, Dragon Lord!" Upon seeing Yang Yi arrive, everyone in the room stood up simultaneously and greeted him with clasped fists.

"Enough, enough. Don't make it seem like we're ancient marshals. This isn't the past; those formalities aren't needed!" Yang Yi waved his hand, surveying the room.

These were the highest-ranking figures of the Black God Gang, the underworld leaders from the East China region who were now consolidated under the gang's banner. Yang Yi had long anticipated this moment—the official establishment of the Black God Gang headquarters, the division of territories, and the conferring of honors. These men were undoubtedly excited, and this gathering simultaneously affirmed the current power of the Black God Gang.

"Today is a very special day, a day for honor, earned through the hard work you have all put in for the Black God Gang for so long. But—!" Yang Yi paused here, casting a glance at everyone. Seeing the solemnity on their faces, he inwardly nodded approval. "After today, it will also be the day the Black God Gang officially advances across the national underworld. The events and changes in the future will surely be far greater than what we face now."

"We pledge our lives to follow you!" the group responded with unwavering resolve.

"Good, very good!" Yang Yi swept his hand forward, a cold glint in his eyes. After a moment, he continued, "The East China region is already the domain of the Black God Gang. Therefore, Shanghai will be our stronghold. I need to assign a portion of our personnel to Shanghai, and the supreme headquarters of the Black God Gang will be established here."

"Yes!"

Feng Shi stepped up to Yang Yi's side and handed him a document. "Young Master!"

"Mm," Yang Yi took the document, placed it on the table, and called out, "Zhou Hu!"

"Here!"

"You will manage the Jiangsu region. You will gather here for a meeting once a month and report your work weekly."

"Yes!" Zhou Hu affirmed.

"This rule applies not only to Zhou Hu but to every single member of the Black God Gang. Furthermore, Uncle Han will be responsible for overseeing this and arranging the scale of the headquarters in Shanghai!"

"Yes!" Han Zhong responded.

"Lin Bai!"

"Here!" Lin Bai answered.

"With your capabilities, I fully trust you can manage the outer forces in the remaining parts of East China. However, you must screen everyone thoroughly. Anyone who can advance to the rank of High-Tier Beginner Member must be treated well, without exception!" Yang Yi stated.

"As you command."

"En!" Hearing Lin Bai's response, Yang Yi scanned the assembly again. "The forces in East China must proceed according to schedule. Those to whom I have not assigned specific roles must take charge across the East China region."

"Understood!" the group responded in unison.

"Slap!" Yang Yi brought his hand down hard on the table. The sharp sound startled everyone present. "Today, I declare the supreme headquarters of the Black God Gang officially established! We must double our current strength within two months. Do you have the confidence?"

"We do!" The group seemed momentarily stunned by Yang Yi’s forceful action, their expressions slowly relaxing. Seeing their reactions, Ye Xiaohou, Xia Shiyun, and Li Qian all suppressed smiles.

"Good. You may now go and attend to your duties," Yang Yi said, waving his hand dismissively before sitting down heavily, his mind clearly occupied with deeper thoughts.

However, after a short while, Han Zhong seemed hesitant, as if holding back words. He spoke, "Dragon Lord, we have finished investigating the Southern region."

"Oh?" Yang Yi raised his head to look at him and asked, "What are the findings?"

"The Green Gang has shown no overt movement, but they have been observing us closely in the shadows. I believe they have already pinpointed the relocation of the Black God Gang headquarters to Shanghai today," Han Zhong reported.

"Mm, I know that." Yang Yi pondered for a moment, then asked, "Are there any anomalies with the Dragon Gang?"

"None. I initially thought that if they knew the Black God Gang was preparing a southern campaign, they might cooperate with us. But instead of cooperating, they are actually..."

"Instead of what?" Yang Yi frowned and inquired.

"Because recently, some individuals who do not belong to them have appeared and begun interacting in the South."

"Individuals who don't belong to them?" Yang Yi’s eyes sharpened. "Could it be the Dragon Gate and the Carefree Sect?"

"Highly possible!" Ye Xiaohou interjected at this point. "The Carefree Sect is the pillar of the Green Gang, and the Dragon Gate is the pillar of the Dragon Gang. They must have sensed some impending shadow, Boss. Shouldn't we investigate this thoroughly before making any decisions?"

"En, here is what we will do. Uncle Han, instruct the intelligence network to send agents deep into the South to investigate this clearly for me. In one week, compile all the findings into a single document for me." Yang Yi paused, something seeming to click in his mind. "Also, prepare some manpower for me!"

"Yes, Dragon Lord!" Han Zhong's eyes flashed with understanding upon hearing this. He acknowledged the order and walked out.

Once Han Zhong had left, Ye Xiaohou couldn't help but ask Yang Yi with a touch of doubt, "Boss, are you planning to start now?"

"There are certain matters, certain people, and certain paths that must be walked," Yang Yi said, taking a deep breath, sounding somewhat resigned.

Li Qian saw his expression and pouted, "Bad boy, now that everything is arranged, shouldn't we go eat? Sister Shiyun and I haven't even had breakfast yet!"

"Uh!" Yang Yi was taken aback by Li Qian's words, then offered a sheepish smile. "En, let's go eat!"