…But who knew that every time someone lauded me like that, my face burned with a searing, inescapable shame? I longed, truly longed, to find a rope and hang myself right then and there! Was there any justice for me? I was utterly incapable of doing anything, unable even to protect my brother's family, forced instead to watch them bullied and insulted! Yet I was helpless, resorting only to drinking every night and savagely slapping my own jawbone….””

Tie Huaili sat in his chair, suddenly covering his face with his massive, knotty hands. Tears, however, seeped out between his fingers. Such an iron-willed, hot-blooded man, reduced to tears!

“I understand your sentiment, but your coming to me, asking to become my disciple—does that truly help the situation? Or perhaps you have some other need you wish me to address? Speak freely now!” Tang Yuan clapped his hands, and Hai Chenfeng, who had been standing guard outside, entered. Tang Yuan gave a subtle signal, and Hai Chenfeng understood and withdrew.

“I simply wish to belong to you, nothing more!” Tie Huaili lamented sadly. “Lord Tang, perhaps you do not fully grasp the significance your faction now represents! My request today is not some sudden whim; it is something I have considered deeply for years. Over these years, I have finally grasped a truth! I have understood this principle!

“Even those who genuinely wish to do practical good for the common people, if they lack support behind them, lack a sufficiently formidable backer, they achieve nothing!” Tie Huaili managed a bitter laugh. “I’ve realized that the so-called truly upright officials, those who are genuinely honest, find themselves unable to move an inch in this world! Whatever they try to do, they fail! Because behind them, there isn't that powerful patron willing to smooth the way for them to accomplish those things!”

“I need a backer! And you are precisely that backer! One that no one can shake, or perhaps, no one dares to shake!” Tie Huaili declared. “That is the reason I have sought you out today!”

Tang Yuan rose slowly and began to pace. Judging by Tie Huaili’s demeanor, he knew everything the man said was true. Yet, out of caution, he still needed Hai Chenfeng to investigate.

He considered whether he should grant Tie Huaili’s request.

If he agreed, it meant plunging headfirst into the political struggles of the court! That was undoubtedly a massive vortex!

And this time, the challenge was against a deeply ingrained, unwritten principle. The opposition would be nearly endless.

Though Tang Yuan generally cared little for such troubles—even without Jun Moxie’s influence, the current strength of the God of Wealth of the World was sufficient to handle most variables this world threw at him—Tang Yuan realized another critical point. If he agreed, it signaled his stance. While it was merely his attitude, in the eyes of those watching closely, it would be interpreted as the stance of his sworn brother, Jun Moxie. This action was perhaps… imprudent.

Tie Huaili’s gaze followed Tang Yuan’s pacing steps, unwavering.

The look of fervent hope on his face grew ever stronger.

“Regarding this matter, besides me, who else have you approached?” Tang Yuan inquired.

“In the entire Tianxiang Empire, only two individuals possess the capability to achieve this. One is naturally you, Lord Tang; the other is Prime Minister Li Youran…” Tie Huaili answered frankly. “Before coming to you, I considered that since Lord Tang is not officially part of the court, and your position is highly unique, I first paid my respects to Prime Minister Li…”

“What did Li Youran say?” Tang Yuan asked, his voice deepening.

“The Prime Minister said… that within the entire Tianxiang Empire, perhaps even the entire Xuan Xuan Continent, the only person who possesses such power, capable of executing this, and truly able to offer me support, is you! Only Tang Yuan, the God of Wealth of the World!” Tie Huaili gave a wry smile. When the Prime Minister spoke those words, he continued, “I concur with your assessment. If I were to handle this, I could also manage it. But in any contingency, if things escalate beyond measure, someone must clean up the mess. My status is too awkward; the title of Tianxiang Prime Minister carries too much weight. To elaborate further, if I were to stir up such a storm, Jun Moxie might be reluctant to clean up after me. But if you have Tang Yuan manage this, even if that fat man punches a massive hole in the Celestial Azure, the Sovereign of the Evil Path, Jun Moxie, can mend it for him. In truth, for this specific matter, you don't need to do much, or even say much. Merely acknowledging my status as your protégé is enough for me to act boldly without restraint. Every obstacle dissolves immediately, just like that! Therefore, Prime Minister Li sent me to you.”

“Damn his ancestors! Am I the sort of person who attracts trouble but can’t solve it?!” Tang Yuan erupted in fury, exasperated. “Li Youran, that scoundrel, has been playing sly since he was five or six! Is he planning to be sly his entire life?!”

Although he cursed loudly, Tang Yuan knew Li Youran spoke nothing but the truth.

No matter what Tang Yuan did, he acted without restraint!

While the fat man’s current power was a significant factor, the main reason was the unwavering backing of Jun Moxie. As long as the fat man had the will, even if he truly tore a gaping hole in the Celestial Azure, Jun Moxie would absolutely not stand by idly; he would certainly cover for him.

But Li Youran had a fundamental difference compared to him! The relationship between Li Youran and Jun Moxie was nowhere near the level shared with the fat man! They were simply not comparable!

“That is exactly what Prime Minister Li said; those were his exact words…” Tie Huaili let out a breath, finally having voiced everything he needed to say.

“This is a hornet’s nest, indeed. Though I possess the ability to poke it, it’s still troublesome, seriously troublesome,” Tang Yuan muttered, scratching his head in annoyance. PKVI

Behind a large bookshelf, Mei Xueyan met Jun Moxie’s eyes, her own brimming with unspoken questions. She was clearly asking why he hadn't stepped out yet.

Jun Moxie raised an eyebrow but remained silent. The Young Master Jun currently intended to observe how Fatty Tang would handle this situation.

However, given Fatty’s usual temperament, Jun Moxie could already predict his final course of action with near certainty.

This fellow feared nothing. If Hai Chenfeng’s report confirmed that Tie Huaili’s words were the absolute truth, then Jun Moxie could already envision Tang Yuan supporting this endeavor without hesitation!

Wealth can command spirits and even gods! If the God of Wealth of the World, Tang Yuan, offered his support, even without the assistance of Young Master Jun, this matter could likely be accomplished, perhaps not with great difficulty!

“Since Li Youran was willing to say those things,” Tang Yuan frowned, “it proves he supports this matter in principle.” He continued thoughtfully, “I believe the moment I make a move, Li Youran will secretly add fuel to the fire, and at the opportune moment, conduct a major cleansing in Tianxiang City. By achieving this, he will also fulfill his other objectives…”

“Li Youran is using me as a knife! He’ll get the reputation and the benefits…” This bastard!” As he spoke, Tang Yuan suddenly ground his teeth. “Damn it, the next time he gets drunk, I swear I’ll castrate that son of a bitch! Does he think he’s the only clever one under the heavens?”

When Tang Yuan uttered this, even Jun Moxie, hiding behind the bookshelf, widened his eyes in shock: Heavens, when did this fatty’s brain become this sharp? This level of analysis and deduction doesn't sound like something Tang Yuan is capable of.

Tang Yuan was correct. Since Li Youran had declared his position, it meant devastating follow-up maneuvers were already prepared. The instant Tang Yuan acted, Li Youran would follow suit, leveraging the names of the God of Wealth of the World and the Sovereign of the Evil Path to carry out actions he’d long desired but previously hesitated to undertake.

While to say he was using him might be too strong, borrowing momentum—that was Li Youran’s customary tactic! And this momentum, Li Youran absolutely needed to borrow!

A soft gust of wind rustled, and Hai Chenfeng slipped back in silently, offering Tang Yuan a slight nod.

That nod confirmed that every word Tie Huaili had spoken was the unvarnished truth!

Bang!

Tang Yuan slammed his fist onto the table, his face contorted with rage!

Tie Huaili looked at him questioningly, unsure which nerve in this mighty figure had suddenly snapped, as he had seemed perfectly calm just moments before.

He failed to realize that if Tang Yuan hadn’t become enraged, if he had remained as composed as before, it would have been Tie Huaili who was in grave danger!

Tang Yuan gritted out the words, “Tie Huaili, give me an honest answer: how determined are you regarding this matter?” Tie Huaili’s heart leaped with joy. “As long as Lord Tang is willing to support me, I will carry this through to the very end! No regrets, even unto death!”

“Good!” Tang Yuan roared, bringing his hand down heavily. “I’ve got your back on this! Go for it!”

The fellow still possessed the demeanor of a ruffian. Though he was agreeing to perform a tremendous service for the public good, his delivery sounded like a bandit leader deciding to rob a rich merchant.

Tie Huaili was overcome with joy, nearly choked with emotion.

But his eyes now flashed with a light as sharp as blades! He understood what Tang Yuan’s single sentence represented: it meant countless heads would roll throughout the Tianxiang Empire!

Currently, aside from the Sovereign’s Residence and the great surviving aristocratic families of Dongfang, Duanmu, Yincheng, and Sikong post-war, the strength Tang Yuan commanded was the most formidable on the entire continent.

He had the men when needed, and the money when required!

Furthermore, ever since Jun Moxie left the capital, control over all the underground syndicates of the Tianxiang Empire had fallen into Tang Yuan’s hands.

The esteemed ‘Noble Hall’ now truly spanned both the shadows and the daylight, possessing the overwhelming capability to absolutely sway the fortunes of Tianxiang!

It was fortunate that Fatty Tang harbored no grand ambitions, and both Song Shang and Hai Chenfeng were extremely strict disciplinarians. Thus, the volatile situation where the Jianghu and the Imperial Court might challenge each other was averted. Instead, this strange arrangement became a powerful tool for the Tianxiang Nation to awe other countries! Such an unusual dynamic was almost unprecedented in history…

“Tomorrow, I will formally announce to Li Youran that Tie Huaili is one of my people! You are free to proceed with your mission; you need fear no one!” Tang Yuan declared fiercely. “Even if the investigation leads to Li Youran’s own Li family, you strike them down just as hard! I am behind you, supporting you!”

“From this moment forward, you have no need for hesitation! If trouble arises, I will bear the brunt of it!” Tang Yuan snorted twice. “Chenfeng…” He called out Hai Chenfeng’s name.

Hai Chenfeng instantly appeared.

“Tell Song Shang to select a few meticulous men to assist Lord Tie in his work. That lazy dog has been staring blankly at wine jars all day; it’s high time he got out to stretch his muscles. Otherwise, that scoundrel will get as fat as I used to be…” Tang Yuan instructed. “Also, notify all our assets in the Imperial Capital, both in the underworld and the official spheres, to fully support Lord Tie in his actions! Any obstruction must be swept aside! Have no reservations! Any faction that interferes shall be executed without mercy!”

(Three chapters today, making up for one. Update complete, heading for an IV drip. The fever isn't high, only a little over 37 degrees, but even this slight heat is unbearable…)