Time raced by, and barely a week had passed since the official establishment of the Black God Gang headquarters. Within that same week, the entire economy of Shanghai had plunged into a state of frantic transformation, and powered by the might of Black God Enterprises, the Dragon Guard and Black Guard companies had already solidified their brands. Though numerous partners had been integrated along the way, they were not far from the objective Yang Yi had originally set. It had to be admitted: the whole of Shanghai was reshaping itself entirely due to the arrival of Black God Enterprises.
At the Green Gang headquarters down south, the atmosphere seemed decidedly troubled.
The Green Gang leader, Qing Long, sat stiffly on his sofa, his expression grave. He tapped his forehead occasionally, then let out a heavy sigh. “Black God Gang, Black God Gang. You truly are growing more insane by the day.”
“Leader!” Liu Xinbei entered from the doorway, his brow furrowed.
“What is it?” Qing Long asked, noticing the solemnity etched onto Liu Xinbei’s face. “Has something else happened?”
“No, sir. A few people downstairs wish to see you. It seems to be…”
“Speak plainly!” Qing Long said, his face darkening.
“By their attire, they appear to be from the Carefree Sect.”
“The Care... Carefree Sect?” Qing Long’s massive frame shuddered. He instantly stood up, urgently demanding, “Where are they? Where are they now?”
“In the private room downstairs!”
“Let’s go and see for ourselves!” Qing Long strode out with purpose.
Meanwhile, on the other side, a seemingly similar event was unfolding. A professional beauty, sporting slim glasses with golden rims, walked toward a large black door with a serious expression. Pushing the door open, she announced to Long Tian inside, “Young Master Long, people from the Dragon Gate are here!”
“Hm?” Long Tian, who had been reviewing documents with a cigar clenched between his fingers, looked up in confusion. “People from the Dragon Gate?”
“Yes, sir. They appear to have urgent business with you,” the professional beauty stated, her delicate eyebrows drawn tight with concern.
“Where are they?” Long Tian extinguished his cigar, asking with a grave look.
Indeed, according to the rules of the Dragon Gate, they rarely involved themselves in the mortal world unless a matter was of extraordinary importance. The Dragon Gate was a Sect, distinct from the Eight Great Families of China; the Four Great Sects devoted themselves entirely to the martial path, shunning worldly affairs. The only link Long Tian had to the Dragon Gate was that the Dragon Gang operated as an external branch faction under a particularly influential figure within that Sect.
However, given the current circumstances—both the Green Gang and the Dragon Gang having visitors from their respective Sects simultaneously—this could only signify something significant, and assuredly, nothing good.
Just then, in a passing vehicle, a middle-aged man spoke to a young master seated beside him. “Young Master, everything has been carried out according to your instructions.”
“Good. As for what follows, I trust that person will know what to do,” the youth replied, a smile playing on his lips, though his eyes were utterly cold. “Drive on!”
“Yes, Young Master!” the driver affirmed, turning the ignition and pulling away.
After the car departed, a figure materialized suddenly at the exact spot they had just occupied. This newcomer was none other than the elderly man who had claimed lineage from the Heavenly Dragon branch. He stared with stern focus at the departing vehicle, murmuring to himself, “I didn’t expect him to be a successor of the Heavenly Ghost branch. It seems that boy might be in for a tough time.”
“Young Master, why didn't you let me confront him just now?” the middle-aged man asked the youth after the car had been driving for a while.
“He is not someone you can handle. Even I wouldn't claim I could fare well against him! Besides, now is not the time to cross paths with them,” the youth stated, a chilling curve on his mouth. He added, “But it is interesting. I believe that man just now must be connected to the Patriarch of the Heavenly Dragon lineage!”
“Yes, without a doubt,” the middle-aged man agreed, frowning.
“The Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang, perhaps? Heh heh, I am truly looking forward to seeing what he is capable of!”
The youth gazed at the scenery flashing past the window with a smile, appearing not just outwardly eager, but far more so inwardly.
############################################################## “Second brother, you are truly shameless. To resort to brute force when you couldn’t win—I really wonder if your brain isn’t scrambled,” Ye Xiaohou said, looking at Fatty Lin, who was currently unwrapping his bandages, with undisguised mockery.
“Damn it, kid, don't mock me!” Fatty Lin moved his body, which hadn't moved for nearly a week, and retorted, “I just didn't see clearly! Do you have to be so harsh?”
Indeed, Fatty Lin, who had been confined to the bed for a full week, was now completely healed and recovered. It was rather astonishing; his body seemed to be made of iron. Suffering such severe injuries, he had regained full health in under a week, and judging by his appearance, he looked even better than before.
“How am I mocking you? I’m concerned about you! Look, I took time out of my busy schedule to visit you today, and you’re ungrateful?” Ye Xiaohou shot him an annoyed glance, though inwardly he was astonished, as Fatty Lin gave off an entirely different feeling now.
“Alright, enough chatter,” Fatty Lin said, straightening his clothes. “Brother Yi sent you to fetch me, right?”
“Oh! Pretty smart of you!” Ye Xiaohou exclaimed, surprised.
“Need I say more? Who am I? Tall, mighty, handsome, and capable of charming legions of beauties—I am Fatty Lin!”
“Ugh!” Ye Xiaohou covered his mouth, caught between wanting to laugh and feeling nauseous. After a pause, he let go and said, “I realize your shamelessness skill has improved. You almost made me throw up.”
“Tch, you’re just jealous,” Fatty Lin shot back irritably, though he seemed to be in excellent spirits.
“Fatty, level with me. Did something good happen to you? You seem odd today.”
“Hahaha!” Fatty Lin laughed heartily. “You only just noticed?”
“Damn it, kid, spit it out!” Ye Xiaohou grew curious. “Did you finally hook up with a beauty? Wait, no, you’ve been bedridden for a week. Have you fallen in love with the bed? Do you have klinomania?”
“Go to hell! You have klinomania!” Fatty Lin glared at him, annoyed. “I finally broke through to the Grandmaster level.”
“Oh, so you broke through…” Ye Xiaohou’s heart, which had been hanging in suspense, relaxed when he heard it wasn't about an obsession with beds. But a moment later, the realization hit him, and he asked in astonishment, “What did you say... Grandmaster level?”
“Geez, is there something wrong with your ears?” Fatty Lin shook his head, smiling serenely. “I said, I’ve already broken through to the Grandmaster level.”
“Holy hell!” Ye Xiaohou suddenly yelped, scrutinizing Fatty Lin with disbelief. “You actually broke through to the Grandmaster level?”
“Is that a lie? If you don’t believe me, you can fight me one-on-one to find out!”
“Pah, you’re despicable. You know full well that Grandmaster-level experts are fundamentally different from regular martial artists, and you still have the nerve to challenge me?”
“Hahaha!” Fatty Lin chuckled, about to walk out, but Ye Xiaohou stopped him, asking, “Second brother, tell me honestly, what does it feel like to break through to the Grandmaster level?”
“Uh, well... it’s hard to say. It differs based on each person’s training habits and comprehension. So, if you want to know what it feels like to reach the Grandmaster level, I suggest you step up your training and break through soon yourself!” Fatty Lin sounded remarkably insightful.
“Alas, there’s no point. I’m still a long way from the Grandmaster level,” Ye Xiaohou’s face fell upon hearing this.
“These things can’t be forced. The biggest taboo in martial arts practice is impatience. As long as you build a solid foundation, I believe breaking through to the Grandmaster level won’t be difficult,” A voice suddenly emerged as Yang Yi walked in through the doorway.
“Brother Yi, Boss!”
“Fourth brother, this time Fatty was purely lucky. Plus, whatever he practiced in that Dead Man’s Cave has made his physique and attainment a bit luckier than the average martial artist,” Yang Yi said, giving the grinning Fatty Lin a slight side-eye.
“Dead Man’s Cave?” Ye Xiaohou repeated the term, which sounded unfamiliar yet vaguely resonant.
“Alright, let’s not talk about that. Some things can’t be rushed. Fourth brother, focus on your foundation. I’m sure you will successfully break through the Grandmaster realm, and become much stronger than this blasted Fatty,” Yang Yi assured him.
“Yes, I will work hard.” Ye Xiaohou understood the implication behind Yang Yi’s words, knowing that impatience was the deadliest flaw for martial artists today; rushing things could lead to complete failure, or even deviation into madness.
“Fatty, didn’t you just say you wanted to spar with me? Well, I’m not good enough for you, so let the Boss keep you company for a couple of rounds. How about it?”
“Damn it!” Fatty Lin shot Ye Xiaohou a look of disdain upon hearing this.
“Fatty, you want to exchange blows with me?” Yang Yi asked with a smile.
“N-n-no!” Fatty Lin rapidly shook his head, looking utterly opposed to the idea.
“Heh heh,” Yang Yi chuckled lightly. “Let’s go, time is pressing.”
“Right,” Fatty Lin and Ye Xiaohou nodded, knowing they were heading south today—the serious business was about to begin.
Just as Fatty Lin was about to leave the doorway, Ye Xiaohou, with a wicked grin, asked, “Fatty, why didn’t you agree to spar with the Boss? Hee hee, is it because...”
“Scram, you brat! You know very well that fighting Brother Yi will turn me into a pig’s head, so I’m not going to!” Fatty Lin said, looking fearfully at Yang Yi’s retreating back. Since childhood, Fatty Lin had sparred with Yang Yi thousands of times. Not only had he never won once, but every time, Yang Yi had beaten him until he resembled a swollen pig’s head. The mere memory of that agony made Fatty Lin tremble; he had no desire to experience that treatment again.
“Hahahaha!” Ye Xiaohou burst into loud laughter at Fatty Lin’s miserable expression.