Every time, when my million-strong army crossed the great river, attacked the massive cities, plundered the powerful syndicates, and annihilated the great sects, I would ask myself: Have my hands already been steeped in enough blood? Does this world truly require someone so drenched in gore? While these questions swirled around me in doubt, I realized that standing atop the pinnacle demanded nothing less. Whether advancing over mountains of piled-up white bones or manipulating this world with blood-stained hands, for those who achieve supreme wisdom and hegemonic might, such methods are merely mere embellishments. — The Memoirs of Yang Yi

After Yang Yi and his group departed Macau, everything there was settled. The major casinos were now managed by Qin Hou, and the Macau underworld was also entirely under his control. Given the current situation, it was clear Qin Hou had earned Yang Yi’s deep trust, handing the entire Macau underworld over to him—one could call this the art of commanding troops.

Qin Hou, having navigated the underworld for years, possessed immense desire and ambition, and his conduct deeply resonated with Yang Yi. Furthermore, he was more intimately familiar with Macau’s situation than anyone else, making him the most suitable choice to handle Macau’s affairs.

This was also a test for Qin Hou—a trial to see if he could become a core member of the Black God Gang. In fact, every local force affiliated with the Black God Gang’s influence held the potential to rise as a regional sovereign.

Yang Yi was not establishing a mere gang; he was forging a dynasty of darkness. All forces outside the Black God Gang’s highest headquarters were akin to regional officials in ancient times, while those at the headquarters were the high ministers, making Yang Yi the monarch of this rogue dynasty—the Rogue Monarch!

All subordinate forces under the Black God Gang were collectively referred to as subjects. While the Black God Gang’s operational style and control over its influence were far superior to any ancient imperial court, this structure was in place.

As long as one possessed sufficient ambition, unwavering loyalty, ample capability, and robust strength, one could absolutely become a regional sovereign within the Black God Gang’s sphere of influence. This was the management system Yang Yi instituted: 'The capable shall inherit the position!'

“Attention, passengers, please ensure you have all your personal belongings. Flight AW0089 to Hainan Airport is now boarding. We ask all passengers to board promptly. Thank you!”

Hearing the announcement echo through the airport, a smile blossomed on Yang Yi’s lips. Everything in the South had reached its conclusion the moment he stepped out of Macau. Regardless of the variables ahead, Yang Yi remained confident that under his absolute capability, he could unify the Southern underworld.

“Yi, shall we go?” Xuanyuan Bing, glancing at the mischievous curve of Yang Yi’s smile, pursed her lips slightly.

“Right, darlings, let’s move!”

The trio stepped into the boarding gate. ‘Waving goodbye without taking a single sorrow, walking away without leaving behind any grievance’—these two lines seemed perfectly suited to describe Yang Yi and his companions at this moment.

The grudges with the Macau government had been settled, and the matters of the underworld had officially concluded. What relieved Yang Yi the most was that the debts of favor were now completely cleared on both sides.

Although the matter involving the Macau government seemed insignificant on the surface, a deeper contemplation revealed it involved numerous facets, enough to offset the aid certain individuals had previously rendered Yang Yi.

However, as one wave subsided, another was already gathering force.

The thirty-two cities of Guangxi were already under widespread assault by the Black God Gang. Whether large factions or minor groups, any entity not belonging to the Black God Gang’s influence, after a certain period of ‘cultivation’ (indoctrination/pressure), was transforming into Black God Gang territory.

“This is too much! They have gone too far!”

At this moment, Qing Long was livid. Upon learning that all his Green Gang territories, save for Hainan, were under attack, he erupted in fury. Not a single action Yang Yi had taken had failed to ignite an immeasurable rage within Qing Long.

“Gang Leader, what do we do now?” Liu Xinbei also looked furious. “The Black God Gang is truly unbearable. Reports from our forces in the thirty-two Guangxi cities say if we don’t devise a countermeasure soon, they won’t be able to hold on.”

“What choice do we have? You and I both know we were the ones who trapped and attacked him before. But now? Now, it’s they who have trapped us and are attacking!” Qing Long was utterly helpless. Facing the Black God Gang, which had absorbed the vanquished Dragon Gang, their power was soaring to the heavens; their strength was simply no longer on the same level.

Forget one Green Gang; even two Green Gangs, with their meager remaining strength, stood no chance against the Black God Gang. The original Black God Gang already possessed the might to contend with the two major underworld powers of Huaxia; now, having absorbed the Dragon Gang, their strength was unimaginable, not even accounting for their forces in Hong Kong!

“But, Gang Leader, we can’t just sit here and wait for the Black God Gang to take over, can we?” Liu Xinbei furrowed his brow, an expression of profound darkness settling on his face.

Having held a high position for many years, he was unwilling to relinquish anything now, especially the Green Gang’s influence. As the second-in-command, he certainly could not abandon the status he currently possessed.

“Old Liu,” Qing Long said with a crestfallen expression, speaking calmly, “considering our remaining strength, can we truly fight the Black God Gang?”

“I fear the only option left is mutual destruction!” Liu Xinbei stated.

That single sentence made the gravity of the situation perfectly clear to both of them. Unless driven to the absolute limit, no one would readily embrace such a desperate outcome.

“Alas, perhaps that is the only way,” Qing Long sighed deeply.

But Liu Xinbei did not seem resigned. He appeared to have hit upon something else, turning to Qing Long and asking, “Gang Leader, your subordinate has a question for you!”

“Hmm?” Qing Long looked up, gazing at him quizzically. “Ask away.”

“Why did the Carefree Sect…”

“Do not mention that matter!” Before Liu Xinbei could finish, Qing Long stood up and waved his hand dismissively. “To this day, I still cannot fathom that issue, so it’s best not to bring it up. If those people discover what we suspect, we might end up worse off!”

“Gang Leader, at this stage, we must mention it. Moreover, why would the Carefree Sect issue such an order when the Black God Gang was attacking the South?” Liu Xinbei felt he could leverage this matter to his advantage.

Seeing the hesitation flicker across Qing Long’s face, he pressed on: “Gang Leader, think about it. The Dragon Gang was originally supported by the Dragon Gate. Since they too were abandoned by the Dragon Gate, the Dragon Gate has remained completely silent about the Dragon Gang’s collapse. Doesn’t this strike you as strange? Must we remain ignorant of the very reason our backers abandoned us?”

“Old Liu, just say what you mean directly. Don’t beat around the bush with me anymore,” Qing Long was no fool and clearly detected the implied meaning in Liu Xinbei’s words.

“Gang Leader, given the current situation, it is only a matter of time before our Green Gang is conquered by the Black God Gang. But can we truly be so magnanimous as to hand over the Green Gang we struggled so hard to build to the Black God Gang?”

Liu Xinbei saw Qing Long’s expression grow heavier and felt a surge of hope, so he quickly followed up: “Even if you are generous enough to give the Green Gang to outsiders, do we not deserve to know the reason the Carefree Sect abandoned us?”

“Nonsense!” Qing Long exhaled heavily. “Just say what you intend to say. Stop circling the point.”

“Gang Leader, what I said earlier can be considered nonsense. However, what I am about to say now is crucial to our future destiny!” Liu Xinbei was undeniably a shrewd strategist, skilled at utilizing every remaining asset, whether psychological or situational, prioritizing the absolute reality of the present moment.

“Then speak quickly!” Qing Long was completely hooked now.

“Very well, I shall be direct,” Liu Xinbei collected his thoughts and continued: “Once the Black God Gang takes over our Green Gang, they presumably will not let us go. Why don’t we utilize the Carefree Sect?”

“Utilize them?” Qing Long’s body jolted, staring at Liu Xinbei with utter disbelief. Qing Long understood the Carefree Sect all too well; it was a miracle if they didn't exploit you. Now Liu Xinbei spoke of exploiting them—wasn’t this akin to a moth flying into a flame, inviting self-destruction?

“Yes. Although my understanding of the Carefree Sect is not as profound as yours, Gang Leader, I surprisingly know that the Carefree Sect has a secular young master currently attending a university here in Hainan.”

“Are you—are you suggesting we use that young master to threaten the Carefree Sect?” Qing Long’s eyes widened, his face contorting as if what he heard wasn't merely unbelievable, but utterly impossible.

“Precisely!” Liu Xinbei affirmed.

“No, that is absolutely impossible,” Qing Long immediately denied it.

“Gang Leader! We have reached a point where choice is no longer ours to make. Only by doing this can we have a sliver of a chance of survival. Otherwise, once the Black God Gang attacks, our end will be far more brutal than Long Tianbai’s demise!” Liu Xinbei applied another dose of pressure, making Qing Long feel slightly dizzy from the intensity of the situation.