4: Even a tiger won't bite its own cubs, and he made a bet with Fan Wufeng

On the way back, Chen Cuo immersed his thoughts in the panel, having crippled Fan Ming and killed his three other subordinates.

He had completely rewritten the destinies of Fan Ming and the others, but he noticed that the golden grid below only increased by two squares, meaning he only gained 2 Destiny Points.

He originally had 27 Destiny Points, which he used to enlighten the Basic Knife Technique and Iron Sand Palm talents, leaving 23 points. Yet, after crippling and killing Fan Ming and the others, he only gained 2 Destiny Points, bringing his current total to 25 Destiny Points.

This proved that Chen Cuo's actual changes to their destinies were not significant. Even if Chen Cuo had killed those three, it only meant that if they hadn't died by his hand, they would have been killed by others soon after. As for Fan Ming, crippled or not, his destiny would not undergo major changes.

This was also a pattern Chen Cuo had summarized from accumulating Destiny Points multiple times: he could only gain more points when his actions significantly altered his own or others' destinies.

Therefore, he had no worries about Old Master Fan's side.

The Old Master likely harbored much dissatisfaction with that scoundrel Fan Ming. When Fan Wufeng chose to join the Vajra Sect, it was precisely because he had been injured while wandering the Jianghu, became disheartened, and chose a Gang for retirement. That fellow Fan Ming, relying on sweet talk, seized the opportunity to gain favor and was adopted as his godson.

However, Fan Wufeng, an experienced Jianghu veteran, would not fail to see through this person's true character. Nevertheless, to be absolutely sure, Chen Cuo decided to go and see the Old Master.

Upon returning to Jingshui Street, he calmly said to Gu Pang, “Fatty, gather all the income from the past two months and come with me to see the Old Master. Ding Xiang, Ma Zi, you two are to pacify the brothers… remember, no chaos.”

The small leaders of each street in the Vajra Sect submitted their monthly payments to the big leader every three months, which was more convenient and avoided monthly trips.

Hearing Chen Cuo speak, although the others were somewhat puzzled, they felt it was reasonable. Since Fan Ming had been injured, the Old Master certainly needed to be informed.

Gu Pang left to prepare the silver notes.

“Ding Xiang, Ma Zi, how is your Cultivation Technique progress?”

“Reporting to Boss, we haven't yet entered the Lian Pi Realm; progress is slow.”

“Hmm, that's not your fault. It's too difficult to enter the Lian Pi Realm relying on Basic Fist Technique. Unfortunately, the Old Master had an agreement regarding Iron Sand Palm, forbidding its casual transmission, so I have no way. When I have the opportunity in the future, I will find some good Cultivation Techniques for you and transmit them to the brothers.”

“Yes! Thank you, Boss.”

“We are all brothers; there’s no need for thanks.”

As a leader, one must constantly show concern for subordinates.

However, he looked at Ding Xiang and noticed she was still wearing a mask. Ding Xiang was born with an exceptionally beautiful and charming face, truly possessing the appearance of a beauty that could make fish sink, geese fall, the moon hide, and flowers blush.

A year ago, she was a small, withered, skinny monkey. Although she was a beauty in the making, it wasn't until three months ago that she fully blossomed, becoming graceful and poised.

But ever since she was teased by a rich Young Master while out buying groceries three months ago, although Chen Cuo avenged her, she subsequently wore a mask and vowed to practice martial arts.

The fatty brought the silver notes, and Chen Cuo took him to Fan Wufeng's residence.

Aside from the Gang Leader Shi Potian, the Vajra Sect also had Inner and Outer Halls. The two Hall Masters were all Shi Potian's trusted confidants. The Inner Hall managed the Gang's resources and wealth, while the Outer Hall oversaw all external affairs, including hunting down criminals, combat, and anti-smuggling.

The rest were six big leaders like Fan Wufeng, managing half of Wei City's territory, each with several small leaders under them to earn money.

The Old Master was already sixty years old this year, with white hair covering his temples.

Chen Cuo entered Fan Wufeng's courtyard as usual, but at this moment, the Old Master's subordinates in the courtyard all showed expressions of disbelief, seemingly unable to believe he dared to come over at this time.

Fan Wufeng's outer courtyard was a huge training ground, filled with wooden stakes of various sizes, and weapons of all kinds were displayed on both sides.

Further inside was where the Old Master usually lived, which was exceptionally spacious. As soon as he entered, he saw the Old Master and immediately bowed to greet him, “Master, you are well!”

The Old Master had once been at the Peak of the Lian Zang Realm. In his early years, he roamed the Jianghu, and had been decisive in killing, making a great name for himself in the Jianghu.

His unique skill, Iron Sand Palm, and the Iron Body Skill, which made him invulnerable to swords, were both precious Cultivation Techniques he used to roam the Jianghu. But ever since he was injured and retired, he had always been like this ordinary old man.

However, from his taut skin, like the hide of an exotic beast, and his dark blue arms, one could vaguely see the Old Master's might.

“Master? Don't call me Master! Do you still see me as your Master? How dare you injure Ming'er!” Someone had already informed him of the conflict between Fan Ming and Chen Cuo.

Fan Wufeng spoke angrily, slamming his palm on the hard wooden table in front of him, leaving a clear palm print on it.

“Old Master, you know me, don't you? I've never been a troublemaker. If Fan Ming hadn't gone too far this time, I wouldn't have been so ruthless. If I hadn't retaliated and my subordinates' shops were damaged, and I couldn't collect the monthly fees, wouldn't that still be a loss to the Gang's interests?”

Chen Cuo knew that although the Old Master appeared angry, he probably had other thoughts, so he kept talking back to Fan Wufeng with a playful smile.

Fan Wufeng still had a dark expression: “Hmph, no matter how unpromising Fan Ming is, he is still my adopted son. Including you and your Senior Brothers, I treat you all like my own sons. But what about you?

For a little bit of power in your hands, you directly crippled your brother. I taught you Iron Sand Palm; is this how you use it? Seeing you brothers fighting among yourselves, do you know how much pain I feel?”

Chen Cuo watched Fan Wufeng thump his chest loudly, his eyes fierce, as if he wanted to strike him down with a single palm.

But Chen Cuo waved his hand, signaling Gu Pang to take out all the silver notes he had prepared, a total of two thousand two hundred taels. He said to Fan Wufeng, “Old Master, even a biological son is sometimes not as useful as these things, let alone that idiot Fan Ming.

When doing business, the most important thing is trust. I promised the shops under me that I would be their protector, and only then would they willingly pay me. If I can't do that, will they still willingly hand over the monthly fees?

Last time, I already spared him for your sake, Master. But this time, he went even further, actually demanding Shopkeeper Zhou pay two hundred taels of silver. If I retreat again, wouldn't I lose all face? How could I manage my Jingshui Street peacefully in the future?”

Fan Wufeng saw Chen Cuo spout a long string of reasoning and looked at the silver notes he produced with an incredulous expression.

“This is?”

Chen Cuo raised his head and calmly said, “These are the monthly fees I collected over the past two months.”

“What? You raised the monthly fees for the shops again? A thousand taels a month?” That desolate Jingshui Street, located in a remote area, used to bring in at most five or six hundred taels a month for the small leader under him, who was Chen Cuo's former boss. Fan Wufeng actually received less than four hundred taels.

After Chen Cuo took over, the monthly revenue was a fixed eight hundred taels, and this time it was even more outrageous. The income Chen Cuo brought in was already comparable to Qingshui Street, which Fan Ming managed.

One must know that although Qingshui Street and Jingshui Street were only separated by one road, their resources were vastly different. Chen Cuo's ability to turn a bad hand into such a huge gain was enough to prove his capability.

“I didn't raise their monthly fees. I just chose to invest in a teahouse and used my methods to increase their income, then shared the profits.

Master, do you believe me? If I wanted to, I could double Jingshui Street's revenue again.”

Unexpectedly, Fan Wufeng did not show much excitement. Instead, he looked at Chen Cuo very cautiously, with a faint hint of apprehension in his heart.

He still remembered a year ago, when he first met Chen Cuo, Chen Cuo deliberately performed a set of Basic Fist Technique with great skill in front of him.

He knew then that this was no ordinary young man. At the time, he even specifically did a background check and learned that Chen Cuo had fallen seriously ill after his mother's death, and was a young man of feeling and loyalty, which was why he chose to take him as a disciple.

For a year, Chen Cuo had been honest and hardworking in his cultivation, but he never expected his schemes to be so deep.

At this moment, his expression changed, and he looked at Chen Cuo coldly, as if trying to see through him completely. The fatty was so scared he immediately knelt on the ground, but Chen Cuo's expression remained unchanged.

“What do you want to do?” Fan Wufeng asked.

“Old Master, I want to make a bet with you. If I can double Jingshui Street's income again, you can give me Qingshui Street as well. I promise that the income I give you in the future will definitely double again. We can't let the uncles who followed you to conquer the world lose to that idiot, can we?” Chen Cuo said calmly, very bluntly.

“This is hitting Fan Ming and trying to uproot him!”

Fan Wufeng thought this, but Chen Cuo's words struck his bottom line. He was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness. When he was injured and retired from the Jianghu, and later re-entered the Jianghu to join the Vajra Sect, he had the support of a group of old brothers.

Now that life was stable, he had taken the position of a big leader in the Vajra Sect, in a semi-retired state, and a group of old brothers were still making a living under him.

This was also the point he was most dissatisfied with Fan Ming. As the saying goes, a son inherits his father's business, but if Fan Ming were to take his position as big leader, his old brothers would certainly face hardship in the future.

So Chen Cuo guessed this point and used it as leverage, highlighting his own value.

“Good, I agree. And haven't you always wanted me to teach you Iron Body Skill? If you can truly double Jingshui Street's business again, Qingshui Street and Iron Body Skill will both be yours. The bet will start next month.”

“Yes, thank you, Old Master!” There was no contract signed, but he still trusted the Old Master's reputation.

“Smooth-talker, you may go back! I know how to handle Fan Ming.”

Only Chen Cuo dared to call Fan Wufeng “Old Master.” This was his specific address, and Fan Wufeng had not refused it.

Chen Cuo took Gu Pang back to Jingshui Street and opened the panel. The Destiny Points had not changed at all, proving that the Old Master had no intention of harming him, so it didn't count as him changing his own destiny through persuasion.

Poor Fan Ming didn't understand that Fan Wufeng had looked down on him for a long time. Only he himself kept putting on airs with his identity as an adopted son.

“Fan Ming, oh Fan Ming, a tiger may not devour its cubs, but a tiger father has no dog sons! If you don't strive, you can't blame the Old Master for being ruthless.”