"Not at all. I actually enjoy tinkering with these sorts of things."
As he spoke, Zou Feng placed the casually brewed tea on the table next to Xiang Kang.
Xiang Kang had no intention of drinking the tea. He continued, "I’ve already discussed it with the Gang Leader. From now on, you will be the General Leader of our Black Flood Dragon Gang."
’General Leader?’
’Right now, no one actually holds that position in the Black Flood Dragon Gang. If you had to say who was performing the duties of the General Leader, it would definitely be Bian Yixia.’
’The position is on the same level as a Vice Gang Leader in the Black Flood Dragon Gang.’
’Still, the title of General Leader always made Zou Feng think of a certain Chen Jinnan from the movies and TV shows of his past life. That General Leader had made a very grand entrance.’
’Too bad he only got to act cool for a moment before he croaked in the very next scene...’
’So the title of General Leader always felt like a bad omen.’
’Besides, being the General Leader of the Black Flood Dragon Gang right now held no appeal for Zou Feng whatsoever.’
’Making him Gang Leader directly so everyone could overthrow Deng Guangxin together, now that would be a different story.’
Xiang Kang also seemed to know that promising the position of General Leader to a Seventh Grade Expert didn’t show much sincerity. He then added, "I’ve heard about what’s going on between you and Xiaoxia..."
"It’s rare to see a couple so well-matched. Why not have the Gang Leader act as a matchmaker and make it official?"
Hearing this, Zou Feng glanced at Xiang Kang, then feigned a flustered tone. "Boss Xiang, you misunderstand. The Miss and I are simply kindred spirits. There are no romantic feelings between us!"
Xiang Kang’s brow furrowed. "Is that so?"
"It’s true, Boss Xiang. If you ask the Miss, you’ll find out that those are all just baseless rumors..."
"I see... What a shame!"
With that, Xiang Kang shook his head regretfully and stood up.
"That’s fine too. With your talent, you have a good chance of breaking through to the Gang Qi Realm. For now, it’s a good thing to focus solely on the Martial Dao!"
"Remember to keep up this momentum. I have high hopes for you becoming a High Grade Martial Artist in the future!"
Xiang Kang’s tone was clearly heavier when he said, "it’s a good thing to focus solely on the Martial Dao."
Seeing that Xiang Kang was about to leave, Zou Feng quickly rose to see him out.
After Xiang Kang left, Zou Feng glanced back at the tea on the table.
From start to finish, Xiang Kang hadn’t even touched his cup.
Zou Feng gave a wry smile. ’Now that everyone knows about my formidable Poison Skill, who will ever dare to drink the tea I brew or eat the food I make?’
’But that wasn’t the main point.’
’Xiang Kang had clearly come here to test him.’
’It was also a warning: focus on the Martial Dao and stay out of other people’s business.’
’It seemed he could basically confirm that Xiang Kang had chosen to side with Deng Guangxin.’
’He’d originally thought that with Xiang Kang’s righteous appearance—thick brows and all—he would show some loyalty to his "niece," Bian Yixia. But as it turned out...’
’Whatever. Even with Xiang Kang helping Deng Guangxin, it would just be two against two. Not a huge problem.’
’But he had to get in touch with Bian Yixia and tell her everything, lest she be caught unprepared and act out of misplaced compassion.’
With this in mind, Zou Feng immediately left and hurried to the Practice Room.
As soon as he entered the Practice Room, he saw Bian Yixia was already there, her back turned to him.
"Miss, I have something important to report. Boss Xiang..."
Before he could finish, Bian Yixia turned around. Her eyes were red, and she stared at him with a profound look.
"Miss?"
Zou Feng was a bit stunned. In his memory, Bian Yixia had shown deep fear of her adoptive father, and even a bitter, despairing smile when Deng Guangxin first returned.
But he’d never seen her cry her eyes out like this.
Bian Yixia composed herself before speaking. "Zou Feng, you need to leave! Now!"
"Huh?"
Zou Feng couldn’t understand why Bian Yixia was being so pessimistic. Just a short while ago, her confidence in the success of their rebellion had been steadily growing.
After a moment’s thought, Zou Feng said solemnly, "Miss, do you already know that Xiang Kang isn’t on our side?"
"Okay, I can understand why that would be upsetting. Your adoptive father has his own schemes, and now even the man you saw as a dear uncle is acting suspiciously. But you have to trust me..."
"We will win!"
Unexpectedly, his words did nothing to alleviate her low spirits.
She just shook her head and said, "Just go. Please, listen to me this time. If you don’t leave now... it’ll be too late!"
"Our initial assessment was mostly wrong. My adoptive father... he’s just too strong. And Uncle Xiang and... they’re all on his side."
Hearing this, it seemed that besides Xiang Kang, other experts were also siding with Deng Guangxin. But the Black Flood Dragon Gang didn’t have any other Seventh Grade Martial Artists.
’Could it be...?’
Zou Feng didn’t have time to dwell on it. He quickly said, "It’s not a big problem. Xiang Kang, or even another Seventh Grade expert—just leave them to me."
"I’ll take care of them as quickly as possible, and then I’ll help you deal with—"
Bian Yixia cut him off before he could finish.
"Enough! Stop talking such nonsense!" Bian Yixia practically shrieked.
It was no wonder she lost control like that.
After all, Bian Yixia had just witnessed the true power of Deng Guangxin’s Half-Step Gang Qi Realm.
It made her realize instantly that their estimate had been absurdly wrong. It wasn’t just a matter of her and Zou Feng joining forces; even if they added another Seventh Grade Martial Artist, they’d still be crushed.
Furthermore, what Zou Feng was saying now sounded more and more unreliable. What did he mean, he’d "quickly take care of" Xiang Kang and another Seventh Grade Martial Artist and then come help?
Was he treating Seventh Grade Martial Artists like common thugs he could dispose of at will?
Even though Zou Feng had an impressive track record of killing both Gu Yufan and Chu Hang, those were one-on-one fights.
And there was another, most crucial point.
Right now, on the entire Dragon Gate Boat, she and Zou Feng were completely isolated and helpless.
Her subordinates, the ones who were supposed to be loyal to her, had secretly been placed under a Restriction by Xiang Kang long ago. If they dared to join the rebellion, they would die instantly.