Chapter 60: Butler Li, I Dream Of Becoming The Gang Leader
He arranged for Xu Ming to send Liang Gui and his daughter back, requiring only the two of them, driving out his eldest brother and sister-in-law, and making sure to get back those twenty taels from Liang Gui.
Xu Ming handling things, he felt at ease; this guy had methods and didn’t dawdle.
Yang Ming’s temperament was a bit soft, not suitable; afraid he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Back at the Public Security Bureau, in the prison.
When Yuan Jiang appeared, the prominent bosses in the prison all turned to look at Yuan Jiang in unison, clearly not expecting that the one stepping into their footsteps would actually be Yuan Jiang.
No one said anything; they just exchanged a few tacit glances, counting as a greeting.
“Bro, should I give him the full family portrait treatment?” After securing Yuan Jiang, Yang Ming asked.
Lin Fan waved his hand, rolled his neck with a slight click, “No need, I’ll personally host him.”
Hearing this, Yang Ming looked at Yuan Jiang with pity: poor guy, you’re in for it now.
At this time, Yuan Jiang still didn’t realize the severity of the situation. Seeing He Sen, Hu Yu, and the others in such a miserable state, he didn’t roar but instead earnestly advised, “No need to go this far, right? What exactly do you want? Just say it directly. Yong’an isn’t big; we see each other often. If you take things to the extreme, haven’t you thought about the consequences?”
He was one hundred percent certain.
This guy was a madman.
His brain had a hole in it.
Snap!
Lin Fan flicked the whip, the tip cracking a crisp sonic boom in the air. He twisted his wrist, the familiar feel surging back; the pre-hosting process was indispensable.
He glanced at the Whip Technique.
It was still at the Beginner Stage.
This was something he couldn’t tolerate; he had to work hard. His demands weren’t high: Great Accomplishment entering Perfection would do.
As for what Yuan Jiang said, he gave no response—not because he didn’t know how to reply, but because he didn’t want to. There was no need to waste saliva on such things; if he really engaged, wouldn’t all the previous efforts be for nothing?
Thinking of this, his gaze sharpened, and his wrist jerked fiercely.
The whip shot out like a venomous snake, tearing through the air with a shrill whistle, striking precisely on Yuan Jiang’s ribs!
Urgh—!!!
Yuan Jiang’s eyes bulged wide, almost popping from their sockets, letting out a heart-wrenching scream. The power of one whip was terrifying like this, as if his soul was squeezed into his head, ready to burst out at any moment.
Nearby, He Sen, Hu Yu, and the others shuddered in fear, instinctively shrinking their necks. Though the whip hadn’t struck them, that familiar sound and Yuan Jiang’s scream had formed a terrifying conditioned reflex in their minds, like demonic music pouring into their ears, making their livers and gallbladders tremble.
They had truly been whipped into fear.
Snap! Snap!
Lin Fan’s wrist flew, his movements smooth and rhythmic.
For a moment, the whip’s air-tearing whistles, the dull thuds of hitting flesh, and Yuan Jiang’s wails intertwined into a delightful symphony echoing through the prison.
And Lin Fan, wielding the whip, only felt utterly refreshed at this moment, brimming with energy.
Because the Whip Technique’s proficiency was increasing.
……
Fierce Tiger Gang.
News of Yuan Jiang’s capture by Lin Fan spread, but upon learning of it, Sun Xiao didn’t immediately summon the Hall Masters for a meeting; instead, he called for Butler Li.
“Master, I have no ties left with Lin Fan now. Back then, Yuan Jiang already ruined the goodwill between me and Lin Fan. Even if I went to him now, he wouldn’t give me face.”
When Butler Li learned Yuan Jiang had been caught, he felt no surprise or anything like it.
He only felt it was only right.
Back then, Yuan Jiang had been so arrogant, leading a group to blockade him in Shantytown. He had long foreseen that as soon as Lin Fan had time, he would definitely deal with him.
This was inevitable, something that was absolutely bound to happen.
At the same time, he didn’t see any issue with saying this. The master seemed to hope he would pull strings to bail him out, but it was really just a show; after all, with one of their own Hall Masters captured, he as Gang Leader couldn’t do nothing.
Yuan Jiang’s power had grown over the years, making him arrogant and dismissive of others, and he had gotten involved with the Eldest Young Master, eyeing the Gang Leader position covetously. The Gang Leader had long wanted to deal with him.
He was just worried about pushing too hard and causing massive repercussions.
Sun Xiao frowned and said, “What exactly does that Lin guy mean?”
Butler Li bowed slightly, pondered carefully, and analyzed, “Master, I think this was bound to happen. Yuan Jiang was too rampant, acting like Yong’an was his turf, and there are some personal grudges mixed in.”
“Personal grudges?”
“Yes, exactly. Back when Lin Fan wasn’t a Constable yet, Yuan Jiang went picking trouble with him. And from what I know, Wang Changhai’s wife recognized Lin Fan as her sworn brother. Yuan Jiang has been eyeing Jili Wharf covetously. Now that he has power, dealing with Yuan Jiang is to be expected.” Butler Li laid out the analysis clearly.
Sun Xiao felt it made sense.
“You mean he’s not targeting our Fierce Tiger Gang?”
“Right, not targeting us.”
“Then how do you explain He Sen?” Sun Xiao felt something off; from what he knew, He Sen hadn’t provoked Lin Fan.
Butler Li said, “Master, He Sen brought that on himself.”
“Brought it on himself?”
“Exactly. Word on the street is Qin Si invited Lin Fan to a banquet but also brought He Sen along, thinking they were all from Loyalty Hall and it could build relations. But Master, you know what He Sen’s like—arrogant and cocky. He said things he shouldn’t have right there, so getting taken down was only natural.”
To Butler Li, no matter what the master asked, he could always find a reason.
He had a good impression of Lin Fan.
Straightforward and generous.
No flaws in how he handled people.
When meeting him, a hearty “Lord Li” had made his heart bloom.
He even invited him back for a meal. Though he ended up paying the bill, he could tell the guy genuinely wanted to pay, clearly recognizing him as Butler Li.
If not for serving different masters, they might have become good friends.
At this moment, Eldest Young Master Sun Yaozu hurriedly appeared, looking anxious. “Dad, that Lin kid caught Yuan Jiang. He’s openly opposing our Fierce Tiger Gang. If we don’t teach him a lesson, does he really think our Fierce Tiger Gang is easy to bully?”
Sun Yaozu truly couldn’t sit still.
Yuan Jiang was his right-hand man, a key piece in his bid for Gang Leader. With him sidelined, how could he not be anxious?
“What’s with the rush? So impetuous?” Sun Xiao scolded.
“Dad, it’s not me rushing; it’s that Lin guy going too far. If we don’t give him a lesson, does he think he can run wild in Yong’an?” With his right-hand man sidelined, Sun Yaozu couldn’t sit still. “Dad, this guy must be eliminated. Why not send some elites to take him out.”
Sun Yaozu had murder in his heart.
Butler Li said, “Eldest Young Master, we absolutely cannot act on impulse. He’s very skilled in combat; no one can beat him.”
“Skilled?” Sun Yaozu looked at Butler Li, his voice growing cold. “How skilled? I’ll send dozens of knife-wielding men, with traps and poison. I don’t believe we can’t kill him.”
Butler Li fell silent.
Speechless.
Without seeing it firsthand, it was impossible to understand.
Sun Xiao waved him off, and Butler Li bowed and left. Not far from the inner hall, he heard hissing sounds. Looking toward the source, it was Second Young Master Sun Yaowei beckoning him.
Butler Li checked the surroundings, confirmed no one noticed, and went over to the Second Young Master.
Inside the room.
Sun Yaowei grabbed Butler Li’s hand, his emotions masking a kind of eagerness. “Butler Li, help me. Don’t let Dad send people to rescue Yuan Jiang. With my big brother losing his right-hand man, I have a chance.”
His voice trembled, almost incoherent.
“I’ve dreamed of becoming Gang Leader.”
“As long as I become Gang Leader, Butler Li, rest assured, I won’t let you down.”
Eager, pleading.
Upon learning Yuan Jiang was caught, Sun Yaowei was thrilled nearly to madness.
But seeing his father summon Butler Li for discussion, followed closely by his big brother, he was genuinely worried.
Butler Li sighed softly.
“Second Young Master, it’s difficult. What about the other Hall Masters?”
“Butler Li, help me. Now only you can speak up in front of Dad.”
Sun Yaowei pleaded bitterly. In his father’s eyes, he was a waste, weighing far less than his big brother. He wasn’t convinced—just because he was the second son, born to a maid?
Butler Li stayed silent, calculating rapidly in his mind.
If he had to choose who could become Gang Leader, he naturally hoped it would be the Second Young Master.
Though the Second Young Master was a bit arrogant and overbearing, he wasn’t very smart and easy to manipulate. But the Eldest Young Master was different—eager for quick success, ruthless. If he truly became Gang Leader…
He feared he couldn’t stay in the Fierce Tiger Gang.
Thinking of this…
“Second Young Master, if you really want to ensure success… perhaps you could try getting on good terms with one person.”
“Who?”
“Lin Fan.”
“Huh?”
Sun Yaowei was stunned.
The scenes at Cui Jing Tower were still vivid in his mind.
Butler Li nodded meaningfully but said no more, just patted Sun Yaowei’s shoulder and quietly left.
He couldn’t stay long with the Second Young Master.
For some reason, he always felt Lin Fan was an extraordinary figure who would surely turn Yong’an upside down.
He wanted to live better too; in this world, reading the situation was crucial.
He felt he was still young; a second spring wasn’t out of the question.
