"I said before that we at Dark do not wish to be enemies with you, and that's the truth." Ye Liqing mimicked Xiao Lin's posture, sitting cross-legged opposite him, the ribbon tied below her chest accentuating her full figure.

Bare naked allure is called vulgar, hidden allure is called seductive, but this modest allure is called generous. "Now that he's the leader, naturally he will follow the commands you issue. I have no other requests; I hope Dark can receive lifelong protection from the Xiao Family."

"Miss Ye Li is indeed a negotiation expert, and this deal is hereby promised." Xiao Lin did not expect Ye Liqing to take on Hong Lian's business in this way, perhaps out of protection for her child; Dark is not as peaceful as it seems.

"Young Master Xiao, I must consider him; if he can have the support of the Xiao Family, he can certainly go further." Ye Liqing sighed.

"Young Master Xiao!" Just as Xiao Lin was about to say something, Shou pulled back the curtain, slightly out of breath. "I heard from the people above that someone quite rude has barged in, and I was wondering if it was you."

"I was very courteous." Xiao Lin tilted his head, seriously contemplating his earlier actions, which he hadn't done anything.

"Let's talk outside." Shou nodded at Ye Liqing, still maintaining a certain distance with this mother, which was already quite impressive to remain polite.

"I'll have the driver take you there."

"Thank you, Miss Ye Li, we'd prefer to walk." Bidding farewell to Ye Liqing, Xiao Lin followed Shou. Since the last surgery, he hadn't seen Shou. "Have your wounds healed?"

"Yes, Young Master Xiao's skills are indeed impeccable, it's perfect." Shou sat down at an open-air corridor, handing Xiao Lin a cigarette. "Zimu and Zilin are really worried about you, complaining about wanting to storm the prison."

Shou seemed happy, a forced relaxed tone making Xiao Lin instinctively draw him into his embrace. "No need to pretend in front of me; managing such a large group alone is tough."

"Haha!" In the past, if Xiao Lin strangled his neck like this, Shou would definitely resist. But now he just slumped into Xiao Lin's lap, truly exhausted. "I just handled a case everyone was willing to do; they speak highly of me as the leader of Dark, but those old folks only superficially comply; when it comes to actual help, they refuse, only picking the easy tasks."

"Is this you complaining to me?" Xiao Lin combed through Shou's hair, where a piece of dried blood lingered. "Does Dark also have to do combat work? Are you snatching business from Yi?"

"Yi?!" Shou chuckled. The first thing he investigated upon taking over Dark was Yi; he couldn't believe Yi would betray Xiao Lin, but the information he obtained was far more shocking than expected. "I haven't had the chance to tell you."

"I know." Xiao Lin comfortingly patted Shou's shoulder. He returned to Ye Liqing mainly because of himself. "I feel deeply guilty towards you; if it weren't for obtaining Zhang Teng's recording tape, you wouldn't have entered Dark, nor lived such a hard life."

"Young Master Xiao, since when did you become so sentimental? I joined Dark after careful consideration; what's bad about having such a channel? When you take over the Xiao Family, won't we provide you the greatest support in the shadows? That's why I joined Dark, and that woman has it even harder all alone."

"I'm just sorry the disc you risked your life for didn't come in handy."

"You can't say it like that. Without almost losing my life this time, they wouldn't know to fear me." Shou's desperate efforts earned the respect and following of some people, but also made others feel threatened.

"Do you need my help? You should've eliminated dissent at the very beginning." Xiao Lin's approach differed; he believed the weeds should be removed early to prevent trouble.

"Dark is different from the Xiao Family; even if I could remove those weeds now, new ones would still grow, keeping them under watch is safer. You exist on a higher plane, naturally, people will clear weeds for you batch by batch, but I must rely on myself."

Shou meant no offense nor sarcasm, having learned this as his first lesson after joining Dark. Under Xiao Lin's protection, completing tasks without worrying about the aftermath was the norm; now he had to consider both present and future implications, basic knowledge for someone in power.

"I mean it you've grown." Xiao Lin's words were met with Shou's retort.

"You're not much older than me; we are peers." Shou puffed out smoke, resting his cigarette-clad fingers on his forehead. "Why are you here to see me? It's not about Hong Lian, is it?"

"Yes, it's about him." Xiao Lin took Shou's cigarette for a puff, his glasses falling to the ground during their playfight. "I've already reached an agreement with Ye Liqing before you came in; I hope you don't object."

"You're babbling today." Shou turned his gaze to watch the wind carry the cigarette butt away. "What conditions did she offer?"

"She wants me to integrate Dark under the Xiao Family."

"Well, that's not difficult for you." Shou didn't object; it had been the plan all along. If the old woman disagreed, he decided to thoroughly dismantle Dark.

"Hong Lian is someone I absolutely must have." After taking a puff, Xiao Lin returned the cigarette to Shou's mouth.

"I know. Right now, there are quite a few of his men outside, and many have come knocking." Shou took a drag, holding it between his fingers. "I was wondering when you'd come looking for me."

"I've just taken over all the Xiao Family's operations in Yanjing, Yi is the 'Black Crow's' protector, which I'm sure you know, right?"

"Yes, haven't had time to greet him yet. Now both major forces in the country are in your hands; what do you plan to do?" Shou chuckled, a small ego stirring within him.

"The enemy we face might not be human." Xiao Lin searched long to find the right words; even now, he wasn't sure what that entity was, but according to the Dragon Soul elders, how could someone exposed to concentrated sulfuric acid still be alive?

"Very interesting, if it's not human, is it a ghost?" Shou jumped excitedly from Xiao Lin's lap. "Is such a thing really out there?"

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