Zhang Xiuling, Head of the Hundred Flowers Gate, has arrived.
Bai Wuchuan, Head of the White Crane Gang, has arrived.
Li Haoyun, Head of the Lotus Study, has arrived.
Xie Juncong, Head of the Ghost Hand Sect, has also arrived.
When these gang leaders saw Dong Kaibin, some called him Elder Dong while others simply ignored him. Not one person acknowledged him as the Gold Seal.
Dong Kaibin looked a little awkward, but he remained calm inside. Since he hadn’t officially secured his position yet, this was all within his expectations.
Just as Shen Jinzhong was getting anxious, the guests arrived.
The first to come was Lu Chunying, followed by Tan Fucheng and Lu Yuanxin.
The Lu Family was also being targeted by the Border Defense Envoy, but its status in Puluo State was still intact. That the Lu Family could be invited to a mutton hotpot meal surprised many.
The second to arrive was Shen Rongqing, representing the Ling Family Film Industry.
The Ling Family had encountered many troubles, and its status in Puluo State was not what it once was.
But Shen Rongqing’s reputation still held. She was the talent of Puluo State.
She happened to sit next to Zhang Xiuling. With two such talented women gathered together, it added to Shen Jinzhong’s prestige.
The third to enter was He Yuxiu.
Seeing He Yuxiu arrive, everyone grew tense.
He Yuxiu had killed Yang Xingbo, the Third-in-Command of the Three Heroes Gang!
Of course, this was only an unconfirmed rumor. He Yuxiu daring to show up today might suggest there was another explanation.
But even if there was an explanation, they shouldn’t have been so brazen as to invite her.
He Yuxiu was now a thorn in the side of the Border Defense Envoy, her life hanging by a thread at any moment. By inviting her to the banquet, wasn’t Shen Jinzhong afraid of being implicated?
Surprised as they were, when He Yuxiu walked into the main hall, everyone stood up.
This was Eldest Sister He, one of the most prominent figures in Puluo State, and also its most unyielding individual.
In the earlier days of the Ma Family, during the prime of the Lu Family, and now facing the Border Defense Envoy—no matter what kind of opponent or situation He Yuxiu faced, she never cowered or backed down.
Everyone in the room, regardless of age, status, or stance, had to respectfully call her Sister Xiu when they saw He Yuxiu!
He Yuxiu pulled up a chair and sat next to Lu Chunying, smiling at Shen Jinzhong. "Old Shen, my coming here to eat won’t cause you any trouble, will it?"
"Sister Xiu, what are you saying? Your presence honors me! I’m radiant with pride!" Shen Jinzhong called for a jug of wine and personally poured it for He Yuxiu.
Dong Kaibin, scowling from the side, said, "Sister Xiu, about our Third-in-Command..."
"And who are you?" He Yuxiu glanced at Dong Kaibin. "Do I know you?"
Dong Kaibin looked towards Shen Jinzhong, waiting for him to say a word on his behalf.
Shen Jinzhong acted as if he had heard nothing, finishing pouring the wine for He Yuxiu and even personally prepared her dipping sauce. "Sister Xiu, please try it! I learned this recipe from a renowned chef."
"Has everyone arrived?" He Yuxiu asked. "If so, I’m starting!"
Shen Jinzhong laughed. "Please, don’t be polite! Now that Sister Xiu is here, everyone who matters has arrived. No need to wait for anyone else."
He Yuxiu picked up a piece of mutton and smiled. "Old Shen, why is the main seat still empty? Aren’t you the Head of the Three Heroes Gang?"
Shen Jinzhong waved his hand. "The main seat is for our Great Gold Seal. No one else can touch it!"
Everyone began to eat. Dong Kaibin, however, sensed something amiss and was looking for a chance to leave when he suddenly heard someone outside say, "So, everyone’s here. Quite lively, aren’t we."
They looked towards the voice and saw Bao Yingchen, Head of the Three Heroes Gang, walking slowly into the main hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
Everyone put down their chopsticks. All members of the Three Heroes Gang immediately rose to pay their respects to the Great Gold Seal, and the other guests also stood up one by one.
He Yuxiu gritted her teeth. "Bao Yingchen, I’ve been looking all over for you! Where is our Old Qi?"
Tensions flared, and many Disciples of the Three Heroes Gang drew their Weapons.
"Not so fast," Bao Yingchen said, seating himself in the main seat. He looked at everyone and spoke slowly, "I’ve been away from home for a few days and only just returned. You’re all eating and drinking here. It seems you’ve been doing quite well in my absence."
He spoke with reserve, holding much back, and this sentence certainly exemplified that.
Shen Jinzhong quickly explained, "Big Brother, I gathered them to help find you. We’ve been worried sick these past few days with no word from you..."
"Enough," Bao Yingchen said with a wave of his hand. "I’m glad you’re all doing well. I’ve returned to discuss three things. First, bring me my Gold Seal."
Shen Jinzhong hurried into the inner room and brought out Bao Yingchen’s Gold Seal.
The preamble was over; it was time for the main agenda. Though it consisted of only three sentences, they were of critical importance.
The soup in the pot was roiling, and Shen Jinzhong was drenched in sweat.
Bao Yingchen said, "First, friendships must be honored. Li Qi is my friend, and a friend of our Three Heroes Gang. This must never be forgotten."
The crowd was initially startled, then their gaze fixed upon Zhang Xiuling.
Everyone had thought Zhang Xiuling was lying, but it seemed the Great Gold Seal and Li Qi had indeed become friends.
Zhang Xiuling shot a triumphant glance at Shen Rongqing, who kept her eyes fixed on Bao Yingchen’s face.
Bao Yingchen’s face, pale with a greenish tint, did indeed look like he had been poisoned.
Bao Yingchen continued, "Second, blood feuds must be avenged. The Chu Family bribed a traitor within our Gang to ambush me. I was poisoned. I’ve clung to my last breath to return to this hall, precisely to tell you that this debt must be repaid for me!"
The crowd’s gaze shifted away from Zhang Xiuling.
All eyes converged on Elder Dong Kaibin.
Dong Kaibin, backed by the Chu Family, was on the verge of becoming Third-in-Command and might even have contended for the position of Head of the family.
Now that the true Head of the family had returned, wasn’t the traitor he mentioned none other than Dong Kaibin?
Bao Yingchen’s gaze also fell upon Dong Kaibin. Dong Kaibin turned pale with fright, utterly bewildered.
Dong Kaibin rose, wanting to explain, but Shen Jinzhong pushed him back into his chair. "Don’t move! Wait for Big Brother to finish!"
Without giving Dong Kaibin a chance to defend himself, Bao Yingchen picked up the Gold Seal and placed it in Shen Jinzhong’s hands. "Third, the Gang must be managed. I am... no longer capable. According to Gang rules, the Great Gold Seal shall pass to the second-in-command, Shen Jinzhong."
"Big Brother!" Shen Jinzhong cried, his voice trembling and eyes welling with tears. "Don’t say such ill-omened things! I’ll get someone to find an antidote for you right now!"
"No need!" Bao Yingchen stopped Shen Jinzhong, a smile on his face. "I’ve said all I needed to. Thank you all for gracing our Three Heroes Gang with your presence. Please, eat and drink your fill."
With that, Bao Yingchen picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of mutton. But before it reached his lips, he went still.
He Yuxiu looked at Bao Yingchen and nodded. "Old Bao, you were a man of courage!"
Han Yaomen, Head of the Qingyun Society, wept. "Big Brother Bao, rest in peace."
Lu Chunying raised her wine cup. "To an old hero. This junior pays her respects."
But the Disciples of the Three Heroes Gang were all weeping, and the others’ eyes were also brimming with tears. It seemed inappropriate to voice any doubts at such a moment.
Shen Jinzhong hugged Bao Yingchen’s body. "Big Brother! Big Brother, answer me! Big Brother, you can’t leave..."
He wept, tears streaming down his face.
But he hadn’t forgotten Li Banfeng’s warning: he absolutely could not overdo this act.
PS: Whether the performance was convincing is debatable. But if he overdid it and damaged the Cabbage People, that would be a real problem.