Da Boyins closed the secret door and said to Xiao Zhenggong, "Gang Leader, the Inner State has a message for you."
"What message?"
"After the matter is settled, if you are willing to spend some time cultivating in the Inner State, the price can be raised a bit more."
Xiao Zhenggong laughed, "How much more?"
Da Boyins said, "Within one year, we will increase your cultivation level by one additional First Layer."
"One year?" Xiao Zhenggong shook his head. "Not fast enough."
Da Boyins reminded him, "But this is an Above the Clouds cultivation level."
Xiao Zhenggong pondered for a moment and said, "We can still negotiate the price. Let’s talk about it after things are settled. You should rest well for now. Think through every step of what needs to happen the day after tomorrow, and don’t make any mistakes."
Da Boyins said no more, bowed deeply, and returned to the secret chamber.
After leaving the basement, Xiao Zhenggong called Yao Zhiyi, who was standing guard at the door, and asked, "Is the corpse ready?"
Yao Zhiyi nodded. "It’s ready. We’ve checked it thoroughly, inside and out. No matter who examines it, they won’t find any flaws. The blood is even identical to yours. Look at it from any angle, this corpse is yours!"
"Tch!" Xiao Zhenggong spat in Yao Zhiyi’s direction.
Yao Zhiyi didn’t know how else to express it. "This corpse and you... it’s very similar. It’s extremely alike in, well, that certain aspect..."
Returning to the main building, Xiao Zhenggong found a quiet room. Yao Zhiyi brewed tea, and Xiao Zhenggong took a sip. "Have all the invitations been sent out?"
Yao Zhiyi nodded. "They’ve all been sent out. The major families showed no respect, returning the invitations immediately. Shen Jinzhong, the Great Gold Seal of the Three Heroes Gang, is the worst; he tore up the invitation right in front of our men. And that He Yuxiu threw our invitation into a spittoon."
Xiao Zhenggong smiled. "As expected. It’s good that no one came. That way, the Jiang Xiang Gang’s downfall will appear perfectly reasonable. In a while, tell someone to inform Xie Mengjiao. Have her contact Shan Zhumei to publish an article. The gist should be: ’The Jiang Xiang Gang is isolated and without aid. Why do all the sects and factions merely watch with cold indifference?’"
Yao Zhiyi mulled over the headline and felt it was somewhat clumsy.
"How about we change the first part to: ’The Jiang Xiang Gang, overflowing with evil, is isolated and without aid.’ What do you think of that?"
"Overflowing with evil, you even know idioms," Xiao Zhenggong nodded, then suddenly kicked Yao Zhiyi. "What the hell do you know about ’overflowing with evil’? Have you even read a book?"
"You don’t need to worry about this. Focus on tomorrow night’s affairs. Keep those who should be kept, and get rid of those who shouldn’t. Don’t let them go around talking nonsense. Also, tell our remaining Brothers that from tonight on, they are to address me as Marshal. All titles within the Gang are to be changed."
While they were speaking, a Disciple requested an audience and whispered a few words to Yao Zhiyi. Yao Zhiyi stepped forward and said, "The Foreigner Cui Tiq wants to attend the banquet tomorrow night."
Xiao Zhenggong frowned. "Did you send him an invitation?"
Yao Zhiyi scratched his head. "He runs a hospital and has cured a few of our Brothers. I also heard that you have a good relationship with him, so I just..."
"Why did you invite him?" Xiao Zhenggong rubbed his forehead and said, "Prepare a table with wine tomorrow night; I’ll have a simple meal with him. The main thing is, eating with him is a bit intimidating."
「A moment later.」
Another Disciple came back with a report.
This time, Yao Zhiyi was very surprised. "Gang Leader, there’s been a change of plans regarding Li Qi."
Xiao Zhenggong furrowed his brow. "What change with him?"
"He replied. He’s also coming to the banquet tomorrow night."
Xiao Zhenggong was taken aback. "What’s he coming for?"
Yao Zhiyi shook his head. "I don’t know his intentions. This person’s thoughts are unfathomable."
"You can’t fathom him, so why did you send him an invitation?"
"Gang Leader, Li Qi is now a major figure in Puluo State. The He Family, Lu Family, and Chu Family all listen to him. It wouldn’t be proper not to invite him."
Xiao Zhenggong fell silent for a long while before asking, "Who exactly is this Li Qi?"
"A ruthless man, known for his cruel and overbearing methods. He started in Blue Poplar Village and, together with Ma Wu, accumulated some capital through New Land business. I thought someone like him would struggle his whole life and, at best, barely manage to establish himself in Blue Poplar Village. Who would have thought that after only a short time in Blue Poplar Village, he would wipe out its leader? After taking over Blue Poplar Village, the man couldn’t hold back. He first expanded his business to Greenwater City and then extended his reach to Black Stone Slope. He developed an entire tract of New Land, forcefully transforming it into Proper Land, which is now Qi Qiu City. Neither the Inner State nor the Outside Provinces could control him. Among the powerful figures of Puluo State, he’s one of the very top."
Xiao Zhenggong had heard of Li Qi’s reputation. Now, piecing these events together, he realized this man was indeed extraordinary. "What’s his cultivation level?"
"His cultivation level isn’t very high, rumored to be a Fifth Layer Traveling Cultivator. In his early years, he braved the Three-Head Fork and even went to the Outside Provinces to study."
"Has he ever been involved in our line of work?"
"I haven’t heard anything about that."
Xiao Zhenggong thought for a long time, feeling even more puzzled. "Then why does he insist on coming to this meal? No one else dares to come. Does he have some connection with us?"
Yao Zhiyi shook his head. "As far as I know, there’s no connection."
Xiao Zhenggong continued, "Or does he hold a grudge against us and, at this critical juncture, want to see us make fools of ourselves?"
"I haven’t heard of any grudges, but this man is incredibly ambitious. The Great Gold Seal of the Three Heroes Gang died at his hands, and it’s said that the Second Gold Seal’s promotion also had a lot to do with him."
Xiao Zhenggong was startled. "Is he taking advantage of my dire situation? Seeing that I’m in a precarious position, he wants to seize the opportunity to bring the Jiang Xiang Gang under his control?"
Yao Zhiyi nodded. "That’s possible."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhenggong laughed. "Fine, I’ll let him. Tomorrow night, I’ll form an alliance with him, and from then on, the Jiang Xiang Gang will obey his orders. If he’s not afraid of ruining his reputation, the Jiang Xiang Gang will be his. After all, after the day after tomorrow, there won’t be a Jiang Xiang Gang anymore."