The enchanting lights, the gentle evening breeze, and the intoxicating, colourful night scenery could not prevent the banquet from coming to an end. A group of gang leaders thanked the host for his hospitality and politely took their leave, though the looks they cast upon Yu Qing and his martial brother were somewhat strange.
After the banquet, Yu Qing wanted to deepen his ties with everyone and took the initiative to chat with them along the way. However, the major gang leaders who had left the banquet venue simply had no desire to pay him any mind. They would not even give him a proper look, giving off the distinct impression that they wanted to keep their distance from him.
Although everyone could see that Lian Yu was interested in Mu Aotie, no one gave the two martial brothers any face on account of this connection.
Being favoured by a noble person is not always a blessing; it can also be a disaster. Could a man favoured by the mistress of Nie Rifu, especially in Tianji Mountain and Kuailei City, possibly have a good end? Moreover, he had also offended a young master of the Liang family from the Sea Market. Everyone felt these two fellows were not far from death and were afraid of being implicated if they got too close. Being able to raise a cup and exchange pleasantries with them in front of Lian Yu was purely to give Lian Yu face.
Lian Yu, however, did not leave after seeing off the guests. Instead, she sat back in her original seat, pouring herself drinks, her gaze hazy, seemingly already somewhat intoxicated. For those whose cultivation had reached their level, whether or not to experience this feeling of intoxication was entirely a matter of their own will.
Hu Niu waved her hand to dismiss the waiter who wanted to come and clear the tables, walked over to Lian Yu, and helped pour the wine, saying with some concern, “Madam, your words and actions regarding that Zhang Sui have gone a bit too far. I am afraid it will easily cause misunderstandings.” Lian Yu chuckled, “A misunderstanding is good. I am just afraid people will not misunderstand.”
“This…” Hu Niu was slightly startled and had to remind her, “If this reaches the City Lord’s ears, the consequences would be unimaginable.” “Does he really care about me?” Lian Yu murmured to herself with hazy eyes, her expression seemingly filled with hidden resentment. After a long while, it turned into a soft sigh. “That Liang Ban’s background is far too powerful. The Liang family of the Sea Market is an existence that even the several cave masters of Qianliu Mountain would not dare to provoke lightly. Although Liang Ban is a branch member of the Liang family, he is not someone the City Lord can easily offend. If he truly insists on pestering me, I am afraid I will be powerless to stop it, and how would the City Lord feel about that? But whether or not to get close to that Zhang Sui is something I can control.”
Hu Niu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realised, finally understanding her master’s intentions. Liking that Zhang Sui was a display meant for Liang Ban, to let him know that the master liked this kind of big, muscular man, and not a skinny pretty boy like Liang Ban. She was using that Zhang Sui to make Liang Ban know his place and retreat. After pondering and nodding slowly for a while, she said, “In that case, Zhang Sui has offended Liang Ban. It is obvious that Liang Ban seems to have already held a grudge against Zhang Sui.”
A sneer appeared at the corner of Lian Yu’s mouth. “Does it matter? He brought it upon himself.” Hu Niu thought about it and agreed. As long as it could make Liang Ban give up, whether Zhang Sui lived or died was indeed unimportant, and it was indeed his own fault. Without that kind of strength, he actually dared to have designs on the madam. She really did not know what he was thinking.
After finishing a cup of wine, Lian Yu said, “I observe that fellow Zhu Qing seems to have the intention to retreat. Keep a close eye on them. Do not let them run away.” Hu Niu was astonished. “Run? Can they run without achieving their goal?” Lian Yu said, “I do not understand either. It is just a feeling from reading their expressions. The ways of these two fellows are a bit unfathomable. Look at the way they fell out with Liang Ban. Does it look like they are trying to get close to me? If you had not eavesdropped on the content of their conversation, I would really have thought I was overthinking it. The way they are strong at times and weak at other times, it does not feel like they are people with long-term plans. They seem to lack a fixed nature, and could do anything. I have to be more prepared. In my domain, I will not let them play however they want, nor will I let them come when they want and leave when they want.” Hu Niu nodded, indicating she understood.
Wei Yue, the leader of the Zhenshan Gang, had just returned to his guest room. Not long after closing the door, there was a knock. He opened the door and found Liang Ban with a gloomy face. He immediately let the man in. After closing the door again, he turned around, grabbed Liang Ban’s arm, and pulled him into the hall, saying in a deep voice, “Are you crazy? Taking the initiative to come to my door, are you afraid people will not know we have a relationship?”
Liang Ban shook off his arm. “We already met at the banquet. Just saying a few words when we meet is not that serious. Besides, that woman has obviously fallen for that big guy. Do we still need to hide our interactions? If you ask me, let us just be straightforward. Do not use any pretty boy tricks. I will directly use my identity as a member of the Liang family to force that woman to do it.”
Where was the smile on Wei Yue’s face now? He widened his eyes and said, “Are you crazy? If I cannot make her willing, can I use the exam questions obtained by force? As long as Nie Rifu notices something, even if I take control of Tongque Lake in the future, he will be able to guess that I colluded with you to get it. How could he tolerate me? Do not end up losing your life without making any money.”
Liang Ban frowned and said, “Then let us just use the Liang family’s identity to force Nie Rifu to hand over Tongque Lake directly to you, saving us from going around in circles.” Wei Yue put his hands on his hips and said, “I say, are you talking in anger, or do you really not know your own weight? You, a member of the Liang family, can fool those who do not know the truth. But if it really involves such a huge interest as Tongque Lake and attracts the attention of the Liang family, letting the Liang family know you are using the Liang family’s reputation for profit, who knows what the Liang family’s reaction will be. Once it attracts those who are interested in the Liang family, can you handle it, or can I?”
He reached out a finger and poked Liang Ban’s chest. “I have told you repeatedly. To outsiders, there must be absolutely no relationship between us. Only then, after I take down Tongque Lake, can I safely enjoy the profits, and you can smoothly get your share of the benefits. Do you not understand?” The reason he dared to compete with other gangs for Tongque Lake this time was precisely because he had the card of Liang Ban in his hand. Or rather, the reason he dared to break away from the Shanhai Gang and establish his own was also because he had the card of Liang Ban to use.
The two had met by chance in a restaurant in the outside world. At that time, Liang Ban was just unhappy in the Liang family and came out to drink alone, full of complaints and drunken nonsense, which let Wei Yue know his identity. After taking the initiative to make friends, he found he was just a branch family member who was not valued in the Liang family. Liang Ban claimed that he was marginalised in the Liang family because he was envied by others. Wei Yue therefore had an idea. For the sake of safety, after inquiring deeply, he learned that Liang Ban had whitewashed himself. The reason he was marginalised, although slightly related to his branch family origin, was most importantly because he was good for nothing. If he could easily make a living by relying on his looks, who would be willing to do hard and tiring work? Coupled with his poor talent for cultivation and his unwillingness to cultivate diligently. With the status of the Liang family, having a man who lives off a woman is not a glorious thing. How could they employ such a person? Naturally, he was kicked to the sidelines. If he lacked confidence, how could he have held his ground when he fell out with Yu Qing and his martial brother before?
But for Wei Yue, this was perfectly useful. No one would ever think that a member of the Liang family would use a beauty trap to get close to Lian Yu for the exam questions of the ‘Tongque Martial Event’. Hearing there was profit to be made and that it was something he was good at, Liang Ban naturally hit it off with him. However, after coming here and meeting Lian Yu, the result was beyond the expectations of both. Relying on his looks and status, his soft and hard pleading actually had no effect for a long time, and he actually could not win Lian Yu over for a long time. Especially now, a competitor had appeared. He was not as handsome as him, but he captured Lian Yu’s heart as soon as he appeared. This truly angered him and damaged his dignity as a man who lives off a woman, thus bringing his dissatisfied temper to come here now.
Liang Ban spread his hands and said, “My great gang leader Wei, it is useless for me to understand. The key is that the woman has fallen for that big guy!” Speaking of this, he was so angry that he could not contain himself. He opened his folding fan and fanned himself continuously. “That slut was also pretending to be a chaste and righteous woman in front of me. It turns out she is a slut who likes muscular men!” Wei Yue persuaded him, “Why are you in such a hurry? Do you really think anyone can touch Nie Rifu’s woman? If you did not have the background of the Liang family, try pestering Lian Yu.” He raised his hand and patted his chest. “Do not worry. Nie Rifu will naturally deal with it.”
Liang Ban thought about it and it seemed true, but he frowned and said, “The day of the ‘Tongque Martial Event’ is not far away. When can Nie Rifu help us remove that stumbling block? Lian Yu is already hard to deal with. If there is no more time, it will be even more impossible.” He was also anxious. Tongque Lake also concerned his interests. He had agreed with Wei Yue that after taking down Tongque Lake, the profits would be split equally.
Wei Yue blinked and looked at him, thinking no wonder he was not favoured by the Liang family. His brain was all grown on his face, causing him to even doubt if his decision to cooperate with this guy was too hasty. Although he despised him in his heart, he still comforted him verbally. “Why are you in such a hurry? Are we going to wait for Nie Rifu to slowly discover it?” Liang Ban finally reacted and understood. Naturally, they could leak it to Nie Rifu to let him know. He could not help but snicker a few times. It was not suitable to let him stay here for too long, otherwise it would arouse suspicion. After comforting him, Wei Yue hurriedly let him leave.
After the annoying person left, Wei Yue closed the door, turned around, and sneered again. He was not just going to use Liang Ban to deal with Lian Yu. Liang Ban’s identity could also make other competing gangs wary, and it could play a big role at critical moments. Once they could not get the exam questions from Lian Yu, they would naturally have to move to the second step. It was just that he would not tell Liang Ban about this for the time being…
Yu Qing, who had returned to his guest room, was very busy, quickly packing up his things. Mu Aotie, however, stood silently in the hall. The reactions of the two martial brothers formed a sharp contrast. Waking up from his daze and seeing the fifteenth junior brother packing his bags, he asked in surprise, “What are you doing?” Yu Qing turned his head, saw him still standing there, and asked, “What do you think I am doing? This thing cannot be played anymore. Naturally, we are running away. Are you not going to hurry up and pack?”
Mu Aotie was silent for a moment, then pondered and said, “It will not be unplayable. Your judgment is not wrong. She might really have developed some feelings for me.” It was just that Lian Yu had made it too obvious, and even he could see it. He now felt that the fifteenth junior brother’s plan was indeed feasible. Yu Qing threw the package in his hand onto the bed, strode out, and snapped at him, “Who is she? She is Nie Rifu’s mistress. She is Nie Rifu’s woman. What happens between you and her can only be done in secret. It cannot be seen by others. You can see it? Can others not see it? That woman is crazy. I never dreamed in my dreams that she would make this kind of thing so obvious. Does she think Nie Rifu is blind? Hurry up and run away while Nie Rifu has not reacted. If it is too late, we will not be able to run even if we want to. He will definitely castrate you!”
It had to be admitted that his ability to perceive crises at critical moments was still quite strong. Mu Aotie subconsciously felt a chill in his crotch. He was shocked and only then realised he had made things too big. He hurriedly started packing in a flurry. The two quickly packed their bags, put them on their backs, hurried out the door, and fled in panic.