Chapter 411 - 250: Shui Long Bang
Chapter 411: Chapter 250: Shui Long Bang
"We’re complete strangers. Don’t you think that’s a bit out of line?" Fang Yue was blunt, rejecting him outright.
After their recent conflict, it made no sense for the man to suddenly back down.
In this world, an unprompted show of goodwill usually came with a hidden agenda.
Excessive courtesy always implies a hidden request. Who knew what this man was really after? Besides, Fang Yue wouldn’t stoop to cooperating with someone like him.
Chen Dayong seemed to have anticipated this reaction from Fang Yue.
He wasn’t annoyed. Instead, he let out a hearty laugh, trying to ease the tension.
"You’re right, Fang. I was being presumptuous. However, I trust you’re a smart man. Once you hear what I have to say, you might just change your mind."
Before Fang Yue could say another word, Chen Dayong continued, "My gang recently took on a big job. One of the Shui Long Bang’s islands in the eastern sea has been occupied by pirates. If you lend us a hand, upon completion, you’ll be rewarded with patterned silver 10,000 taels."
Fang Yue’s eyes flashed at the mention of "patterned silver 10,000 taels," but he didn’t immediately give an answer.
He knew all too well that in this world, nothing good came easy.
A sudden offer of such a large sum, in particular, often concealed immense risks and conspiracies.
He glanced at Chen Dayong and said coolly, "Chen, you and I both know there’s no such thing as a free lunch.
"Patterned silver 10,000 taels is no small sum. The Shui Long Bang is a major power with experts as numerous as the clouds. Why would you come looking for a nobody like me?"
Chen Dayong seemed to have expected this question. He just smiled and explained:
"There’s something you don’t know, Fang. Those pirates are no ordinary bunch. The island they’ve occupied has treacherous terrain—it’s easy to defend but hard to attack. Plus, rumor has it they have their own master holding down the fort."
"Though the Shui Long Bang has many members, we don’t have many masters capable of shouldering such a heavy burden. But you, Fang..."
At this, Chen Dayong paused, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
"You’re young, but your skills are extraordinary—a Qi Sensing Martial Master at such a tender age. Of course, besides you, my gang has also hired seven other Qi Sensing Martial Masters."
"Oh? Seven other Qi Sensing Martial Masters besides me?" Fang Yue asked, feigning surprise as he tried to read Chen Dayong’s expression for any clues.
Chen Dayong nodded, his expression turning grave. "That’s right. This is a serious matter, and the Shui Long Bang has spared no expense. To ensure it’s foolproof, the more Qi Sensing Martial Masters, the better."
Fang Yue gave a faint smile, but his mind was already racing.
’From Chen Dayong’s words, this mission is clearly very dangerous, and the Shui Long Bang has invested heavily in it.’
’And for Chen Dayong to value me this much, even revealing such crucial information... he seems certain I’ll agree.’
’But how could I possibly agree to this?!’
"Gang Leader Chen, let’s drop the subject."
Fang Yue’s tone shifted as he looked at Chen Dayong with a broad smile. "Are you waiting for the Secret Medicine in here to take effect? Putting it in the candle flame... colorless and odorless. Truly impossible to defend against!"
Chen Dayong’s face fell the moment he heard Fang Yue’s words.
He hadn’t expected Fang Yue to see through his scheme, and a jolt of shock went through him.
But he was an old fox of the Jianghu, after all, and quickly composed himself. At the same time, he secretly signaled his men lying in ambush to get ready.
He forced a laugh, trying to cover his awkwardness. "Fang, you must be joking. Why would I poison this place? This is all a complete misunderstanding."
Fang Yue sneered, not buying it for a second. He knew Chen Dayong was an old fox; most of what he said was a lie.
"It seems Gang Leader Chen has no intention of telling the truth. In that case..." Before the words were even out of his mouth, Fang Yue shot forward.
Fang Yue moved like a bolt of lightning, reaching Chen Dayong in an instant.
Chen Dayong never expected Fang Yue to strike with such ferocity. Before he could even react, he was subdued.
Only then did the gang members lying in ambush finally charge out from their hiding places.
But when they saw the scene in the main hall—Fang Yue holding Chen Dayong captive—the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The gang members exchanged glances, at a complete loss.
Their orders were to wait until Fang Yue had been incapacitated by the Secret Medicine before coming out to clean up the mess.
But now, the tables had turned completely. Their leader, Chen Dayong, was the one being held captive by Fang Yue, and they had no idea what to do.
Fang Yue’s cold gaze swept over the gang members before landing back on Chen Dayong. "Gang Leader Chen, it seems your men aren’t the brightest. I’m standing right here, and they’re still clueless about what to do."
Chen Dayong was both furious and terrified. He never imagined Fang Yue would be so powerful that he’d be utterly helpless against him.
"Let our gang leader go, or we’ll have your head!" one of the bolder members roared, trying to salvage some face for the gang.
At this, Fang Yue let out a derisive laugh, his gaze as sharp as a blade as it landed on the man. "What? You think you can use your numbers to bully me? Don’t even talk about you small fry. Even if Chen Dayong himself were to fight me, he’d be no match."
A dead silence fell. Though the gang members were numerous, they were all cowed by Fang Yue’s imposing aura and dared not make a move.
Chen Dayong had also regained some of his composure by now. He knew he had fallen into Fang Yue’s clutches; if he wanted to live, he had to find a way out of this.