It turned out that the so-called nobles, royalty, and knightly orders in Britain and Rome were completely beholden to those individuals hiding in the Chinatown bars. Although the method they used to secure such subservience was unknown, their strength was undeniably extraordinary. The only lingering question was why, possessing such power, they hadn't simply handled everything themselves, making Yang Yi’s intervention seem utterly superfluous.

“Young Master, I still don’t understand what those people are thinking. Why would Princess Merian trust us? And clearly, we didn't need to get involved, yet here we are…” Feng Shi finally voiced her deepest confusion.

Yang Yi smiled and replied, “It’s actually not hard to understand. Without me carelessly sticking my oar in, I doubt they would have persuaded those people so easily.”

“Is it because of the information we spread online?”

“Yes. Arranging for the Mafia to stage a performance with us—having our people attempt to assassinate John at the Roman Imperial Palace—was a bit of an unnecessary flourish. However, it just happened to give me an answer.”

From the moment Yang Yi learned about the Ye Family heir, he always suspected that the heir’s current strength was beyond what he could match. This current arrangement, though perhaps excessive, offered Yang Yi a satisfying conclusion: no matter how vast the Ye heir’s influence and power were, they had not yet fully permeated the Chinatown area. This was precisely what Yang Yi needed, as the people within Chinatown were his final trump card, never to be revealed lightly.

Feng Shi, unaware of the considerations required of a leader, felt, upon learning the reasoning, that John Osli’s doom was sealed. “Young Master, given the current situation, I believe John Osli will step down before long.”

“Heh, not quite yet,” Yang Yi chuckled faintly, his contemplative expression revealing everything. Sitting aside, he pondered, “Select a few highly skilled individuals to accompany me somewhere. Before arranging those matters, however, I need you to handle one more task.”

“Yes!” Feng Shi acknowledged.

And just like that, an entire night passed, during which an immense amount of change occurred. For example, the open partnership between the Mafia and Yang Yi immediately panicked the British royal family.

“Father, does the Dragon Lord of the Black God Gang really possess this level of capability?” Ace Karen simply could not grasp why everything had shifted overnight.

In truth, he and Ace Lind were both laboring under a misunderstanding, believing that Yang Yi was behind not only the leak about the ‘Six Carat’ virus but also the defection of the royal nobles and the knightly orders.

Ace Lind mused, “It seems our decision not to clash with him initially was correct. Looking at everything now, the situation is extremely disadvantageous for that old dog John. If that old man Johnna manages to topple him, what does that imply?”

“Father, it looks like we must approach him again, this time as a partner. Otherwise, by the time…”

“Yes, leave this matter to you,” Ace Lind nodded, then added, “I truly underestimated this Black God Gang Dragon Lord. To think such ability resides in a youth. Alas, after living more than half my life, I am merely a minor player in his grand orchestration.”

This misunderstanding proved to be a mixed blessing for the Mafia. Because of it, they avoided becoming enemies of the Black God Gang and instead became allies. Yet, had this misunderstanding not occurred, Ace Lind would likely have escalated his antagonism toward the Lese family and the Weeping Blood Assassin Guild. In that scenario, not only the British royalty but the entire British underworld would have faced disaster. This outcome, however, brought considerable benefits to Yang Yi, as it reduced his worries in Britain.

As the saying goes, some people and some matters do not require complete submission to one's banner for them to comply with one's wishes. Furthermore, even if Yang Yi were to subdue the British underworld by sheer force, dominating all organized crime, what then? Sooner or later, the slightest movement from the Black God Gang could result in ‘defection.’ Thus, while strength is absolutely necessary, benevolence is an equally crucial element.

But before any of these events could materialize, Yang Yi and his group had to endure a grueling trial—one that would shatter everyone’s preconceived notions. This was because ‘Vatican’ was a place in Britain shrouded in profound mystery, where one saying persisted: ‘The living must not enter, the dead must not return.’ Eastern cultivators, Western knights, and even the American Cardinal Leaders, all required absolute vigilance when approaching the Vatican; any lapse could lead to eternal damnation.

“Second Brother, has the Shangguan family sent people again?” Ye Xiaohou asked as he walked in from outside, looking at Fatty Lin, who was gazing out the floor-to-ceiling window at the falling rain.

Fatty Lin turned at the sound of his voice. “Those few families have sent people several times. Brother Yi isn’t here, so we can’t make the call.”

“Actually, Second Brother, you can make the call,” Ye Xiaohou said to Fatty Lin very seriously.

“What? Are you joking? Damn it, I’m just a general. I really can’t make decisions on these things,” Fatty Lin grumbled, sounding annoyed.

Indeed, due to the issues involving the Nangong, Ximen, and Tang families, the Eight Great Families were hesitant to support the Black God Gang’s bid for underworld supremacy. They were smart enough to know right from wrong. Moreover, since it was clear the Dongfang and Xuanyuan families would almost certainly back the Black God Gang, the Shangguan and Gongsun families weren't fools; they understood the fate awaiting any enemy of the Black God Gang, citing the Nangong families as the precedent.

“Second Brother, stop lacking confidence in yourself. Remember that time the Boss was really angry with you?” Ye Xiaohou, intentionally or not, brought up the sensitive subject.

Recalling the period when Yang Yi had given Fatty Lin the cold shoulder, Fatty Lin, who admittedly only somewhat grasped the situation, felt a fresh wave of irritation at Ye Xiaohou’s reminder. He asked, “Fourth Brother, what do the Shangguan family’s visits now have to do with any of that?”

“Second Brother, do you really not understand the Boss’s intentions?” Ye Xiaohou finally understood why Yang Yi was often frustrated with Fatty Lin and suddenly felt a touch of pity for him.

Fatty Lin looked suspiciously at Ye Xiaohou’s rapidly changing expression. “Fourth Brother, can you just say what you mean?”

“Second Brother, remember the day I told you I truly envied you? At least you can make the Boss worry. While I envied that, it’s also the source of my greatest frustration with you. Haven’t you noticed how much the four of us have changed since we started out in City A three years ago?”

“This…” Fatty Lin had no rebuttal, as he had long sensed the chasm between the four of them three years ago and now—it was the difference between heaven and earth.

Three years ago, if the four of them had declared themselves gangsters on the street, they would have been dismissed as idiots. But now, if the four of them stomped their feet in the underworld, the balance would shift noticeably. They had become people of consequence. Yang Yi’s capabilities and strength were beyond question. Ye Xiaohou now served as the top general manager for two companies; while not yet globally renowned, they were household names across Huaxia and giants in the commercial sector.

As for the remaining Xu Ming, there was no need to elaborate: he was the youngest general in the history of the Huaxia military. While his achievements and capabilities had yet to reach Yang Yi’s level, his accomplishments were unparalleled by anyone else to date. But when it came to Fatty Lin, although everyone in the underworld knew him as the Black God Gang’s Second-in-Command, the ‘Dragon General’ serving directly under the Dragon Lord, what they didn't know was that Fatty Lin had always remained solely loyal to Yang Yi, never seeking to carve out excessive personal glory.

“Second Brother, remember that day I told you I envied you because you make the Boss worry? That worry, though something I envy, is also the reason I feel most helpless regarding you.” Ye Xiaohou continued his barrage, watching Fatty Lin’s face contort. “You should know clearly that in the Boss’s heart, the Black God Gang is not his alone; it belongs to us, to everyone in the entire Black God Gang. The reason he has gotten angry with you repeatedly, and sometimes ignores you, is precisely to make you…”

“Stop,” Fatty Lin suddenly cut off Ye Xiaohou’s flow. He raised his head and sighed deeply, “I know. I understand everything.”

“I don't take what you said as mere words spoken in anger. Alright. I’ll go do my work now; you should think it over. Among the four of us, you are the one who understands the Boss best.” Ye Xiaohou smiled faintly, a radiant expression, for he realized that all four of them had truly transformed.

“Heh, yes. Brother Yi really is a rascal, but even if he’s a rascal, he’s still Fatty Lin’s big brother,” Fatty Lin muttered to himself, eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Brother Yi, I’m sorry for making you worry for so long.”