176: The final madness

Li Zhan looked at the other man's awkward state, chuckled, and shook his head, as if he had heard an incredibly childish and ridiculous idea.

"Voting?" He repeated, the teasing tone in his voice growing stronger. "Brother Qiang, everyone... you really have given me a difficult problem."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over Bai Shaqiang. "You are afraid that the blade from above will fall, so you want to find a tall person to take the hit. Yet, you are unwilling to let go of the little possessions you have in your hands, and you want to set up a council to ensure your words still carry weight... In this world, where can you find such a perfect deal?"

He paused, his tone still flat but every word clear. "I, Li Zhan, am not some great philanthropist, nor do I have any interest in being this 'tall person' who gets put on the fire to be roasted."

He leaned back into the sofa, his posture relaxed. "To tell you the truth, Brother Qiang, my future goals are not in Dongguan, nor are they in the country. Over here... there are too many rules, and my hands and feet are tied. Southeast Asia, that is the place where people like us can truly stretch our limbs."

He took out a cigarette and lit it himself. "On this side of the country... I will only keep some staff here in the future to do some clean, compliant, and legal business. If you big bosses think highly of me and are willing to buy some shares, then let's play together; I welcome it. If you are not willing, it doesn't matter, I will never force you. When we meet in the future, we will still be friends."

Having said this, he exhaled a cloud of smoke with a meaningful smile. "However, you know how business is. When there are too many voices and too many people talking, nothing can get done. Wouldn't you agree, Brother Qiang?"

He watched the other man's fluctuating expression and shrugged, appearing very calm. "So you see, the official's guillotine cannot fall on my head. I can walk steadily on my own; there is really no need to set up any council, which would create many unnecessary constraints and tie my own hands and feet."

He took one last look at Bai Shaqiang. "Brother Qiang, go back and tell Brother Hui and the others that the times have changed. If you only think about how to defend, you won't be able to hold on. If you still can't see through it, then... we walk different paths and cannot make plans together. In the future... let everyone make their own fortune and wish each other good luck."

This statement appeared to be a concession but was actually extremely tough. The core meaning was: your self-rescue plan is too low-level, and you want to drag me down with you? I don't need it. I have my own broad road, and you can keep walking your single-plank bridge. The previous cooperation proposal is void.

This not only completely rejected the 'council' and cleared himself of the risk of being implicated, but also withdrew the previously promised profit-sharing, which was equivalent to giving Bai Shaqiang and the others a soft rejection. It stated his position without directly tearing off the mask, throwing the choice and pressure back to the other side.

After hearing Li Zhan's words, which were needles hidden in silk and completely distanced himself, Bai Shaqiang's expression only stiffened slightly before quickly returning to normal, as if the words that had just pierced his heart were merely casual conversation.

He was silent for a moment. Far from being angry, he suddenly let out two dry "haha" laughs, pointed his finger vaguely at Li Zhan, and his tone even carried a hint of imperceptible admiration. "Mr. Li, oh Mr. Li... impressive! Truly, the younger generation is to be feared! In just a few words, you have stripped bare the little thoughts of us old guys."

He shook his head and smiled self-deprecatingly. "Fine, I have completely understood your meaning."

He picked up the cup of tea in front of him, which had already gone slightly cold, and drank it in one gulp, as if to extinguish some emotion, or perhaps as if he had made a certain decision.

Putting down the teacup, he looked at Li Zhan. There was no longer the previous urgency and probing in his eyes, replaced by a calmer and more pragmatic attitude. "The path you have drawn is indeed further than what we thought, and also more... straightforward."

He weighed his words. "This is a major matter and not something I can decide on my own. I will take your words back exactly as they are to Brother Hui, Brother Chang, and the others. As for how they will choose in the end..."

He paused and looked at Li Zhan meaningfully. "We still have to think about it. After all, just as you, Mr. Li, said, no one wants to easily let go of what they have in their hands. But regardless, thank you for today... Mr. Li, you have pointed out another path for us."

His words were tantamount to indirectly admitting that Li Zhan's plan was more attractive, but also indicated that time was needed for internal coordination and weighing the costs. He did not burn his bridges, leaving ample room for future contact.

After finishing, Bai Shaqiang stood up, cupped his hands, and his face returned to that hearty smile of a gang boss. "Then that's it for now. Mr. Li, farewell! Next time you come to Tiger Gate, we'll drink to our heart's content..."

He took his men and left the office, appearing relaxed, but the fleeting solemnity in his eyes when he turned around showed that his heart was far from as calm as his appearance.

Li Zhan watched his back, the corners of his mouth curling into a faint arc. He knew this was just the first round. These old foxes would not easily submit, but they had already begun to seriously consider his proposal. That was enough.

Dongguan City, Ink Wash Orchid Pavilion Club, private box. The lights in the box were dim, and the air was filled with the mixed scent of expensive cigars and strong liquor, yet it could not dispel the atmosphere of oppression and decadence.

Young Master Liu, Liu Shijie, slumped on the central leather sofa, his face so gloomy it could drip water. The wine glass in his hand was almost crushed, but he hadn't taken a single sip of the amber liquid inside. Two trusted lackeys stood by with their hands down, not daring to breathe loudly; the silence in the box was terrifying.

Ever since he was severely reprimanded by his father, Liu Tianhong, and stripped of the power to directly mobilize resources, he had been like a sick tiger with its teeth pulled and claws cut off. He had vicious thoughts but had lost the fangs and claws to execute them. This huge sense of disparity and powerlessness was almost driving him crazy.

What he found even more unbearable was the cold reality of human relationships. Those town spokespersons who used to wag their tails and beg for mercy like pugs, obeying his every order, had become ambiguous in their attitudes ever since he was miserably defeated by Li Zhan in the underground boxing match.

Last time he wanted to gather them for a meal to probe their intentions and impose some pressure, they all either made excuses about being out of town or claimed to be sick... This was a humiliation that was unimaginable in the past!

And the root of all this was that country bumpkin who had popped up from Chang'an—Li Zhan!

"Li Zhan..." Young Master Liu squeezed this name out through his teeth, his eyes full of resentment and jealousy. It was this man who had taken his territory, ruined his plans, crippled his subordinates, made him lose face in front of all of Dongguan, and now even stripped him of his last bit of prestige!

A lackey nearby, who was slightly bolder and had a somewhat fierce look, observed Young Master Liu's expression. He cautiously stepped closer and lowered his voice, "Young... Young Master Liu, no matter how good that Li guy is at fighting, he's just flesh and blood... As the saying goes, no matter how high your kung fu is, you're still afraid of a kitchen knife... let alone... that?"

He made a subtle gesture of firing a gun, his eyes flashing with the light of adventure.

Young Master Liu glared at him, his eyes fierce, but deep down, a hint of hesitation and fear flashed. It wasn't that he hadn't thought about this most direct and violent method. But he hadn't completely lost his mind.

He knew that he was the one wearing shoes. Once this path was opened and such extreme means were used, if it succeeded, it would be over, but what if it failed? That would mean an all-out war with no end, and his family, his parents, could all face the same or even more insane retaliation from the other side. This was a price he might not be able to afford.

Seeing Young Master Liu hesitate, another lackey, who was more meticulous and better informed, rolled his eyes and proposed another more sinister plan. "Young Master Liu, going head-to-head is too risky. But I heard... that Li guy had a woman before, I think her name is A Zhen, who was pregnant with his seed. But recently, she seems to have disappeared, and the people in the club don't know where she went... Do you think she might have been secretly sent back to his hometown to be hidden?"

These words were like a poisonous snake that instantly burrowed into Liu Shijie's heart. He raised his head abruptly, and a terrifying light burst from his eyes. The lackey continued to incite him sinisterly, "If we can find a way to find that woman... then, with the person in our hands... we can do whatever we want, right? We can get our revenge and hold onto that Li guy's Achilles' heel! The most important thing is... if we do it cleanly, who would know it was us?"

"A Zhen... pregnant... hometown..." Liu Shijie muttered to himself, stood up abruptly from the sofa, and paced back and forth in the box with thick carpets like an anxious, trapped beast.

In his mind, the proud and cold face of Lin Xia and the mature and charming style of Miss Yang uncontrollably emerged, and they seemed to be lying under Li Zhan, yielding to his pleasure at this moment... This fantasy corroded his sanity like venom, and the intense jealousy and possessiveness mixed with the humiliation of failure completely ignited the darkest evil fire in his heart.

Why?! Why did the women he fancied end up in that bastard's hands?! Why should he, Liu Shijie, suffer this kind of humiliation?! Evil arose from the side of his gall!

He stopped abruptly, turned around, his face showing a nearly insane viciousness and determination, and said sternly to the lackey who had made the suggestion, "Good! Do as you say! You personally select a few absolutely reliable, clean-handed fresh faces. Go and investigate for me! Go to Guangxi... go to Li Zhan's hometown, even if you have to turn the place upside down, you must find that woman named A Zhen for me!"

"Yes! Young Master Liu... I will definitely do it beautifully!" A flash of bloodthirsty excitement appeared in the lackey's eyes, and he hurriedly bowed in agreement.

Liu Shijie watched his subordinate leave with orders, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently. He knew he was playing with fire and might even burn himself. But extreme jealousy and the desire for revenge had overwhelmed his sanity.

He grabbed the wine glass on the table and drank the strong liquor inside in one gulp. The spicy liquid burned his throat and seemed to ignite his final madness...