Chaotic World Book
Chapter 237 - 232: The Second Ring

Chapter 237: Chapter 232: The Second Ring

The next morning, Zhao Changhe stretched and left the guesthouse’s small courtyard, returning to his disguised appearance as a sallow-faced man, carrying his broadsword and heading to the Ji Family.

The Ji Family’s steward was already anxiously waiting at the entrance of the alley, and when he saw him, he let out a long sigh of relief and approached, "Mr. Situ, you finally came."

Zhao Changhe replied casually, "What’s the matter?"

"I heard that last night someone claimed to be our young master returning home and went to Kangle Gambling House to use our property as gambling stakes!"

"So, has your young master really come back or not?"

"He hasn’t! Who would go to the gambling house before coming home? It must be an imposter!"

"Then what are you panicking about? Does the imposter have the deed to the property? What did he use as collateral?"

"Uh... I’m just afraid that Kangle Gambling House will make an issue of this... "

"In the end, it all comes down to fists. If your fists are big enough, there won’t be an issue. Have you mentioned to Yan Lianping that I, Situ Xiao, am representing the Ji Family in negotiations?"

"I have," the steward nodded and bowed, "Yan Lianping said he would meet with Mr. Situ this morning at the Qiuyu Pavilion. What do you think..."

"Let’s go." Zhao Changhe took a large swig from his flask and strode forward, "I hope Sword Lake City’s liquor can give me a bit of a surprise."

It was autumn.

Ironically enough, as they mentioned heading to the Qiuyu Pavilion, it really started drizzling from the sky, bringing a touch of coolness to the hot weather.

Although the rain wasn’t heavy, it stilled the usual hustle and bustle of the streets. Many vendors didn’t come out, and there were far fewer pedestrians. The typically bustling Sword Lake City suddenly took on a hint of a cold, desolate little town, with light rain falling on the long street as he walked forward, broadsword in tow.

Zhao Changhe enjoyed this atmosphere. It felt very much like a scene from a wuxia story, true to the Worldly Society, and even the current situation in Sword Lake City seemed fitting for the mood.

Next time he changed his appearance, he could consider sticking a pair of eyebrows over his mouth.

Qiuyu Pavilion appeared faintly in the mist in the distance. It was a low-rise building, no more than two and a half stories high. But it was well situated; its top floor had a windowless terrace with an unobstructed view that allowed one to see the gentle waves of Ancient Sword Lake in the distance, with cool breezes carrying the autumn rain swiftly inside, providing a comfortable ambiance.

Currently, a large crowd had gathered outside the building, a dense mass of people, half from the Pinghu Association and the other half consisted of former Xingyi Gang members who had been incorporated into the group.

About "Mr. Ji’s son entrusting Situ Xiao to discuss matters," although the former Xingyi Gang members had been incorporated, some loyal old-timers were still willing to come to strengthen the Ji Family’s presence.

That was also the reason why Taiping Street’s private property had remained until now.

When Zhao Changhe entered the building with the steward, many old Xingyi Gang members shouted, "Please do your best, Mr. Situ."

Zhao Changhe saluted the crowd with folded hands and then ascended the stairs.

He immediately spotted Yan Lianping, who occupied the host’s seat, and the Winged Fire Snake beside him, propping his cheek and enjoying the view. A group of Pinghu Association members encircled the floor, their intense gazes fixed on Zhao Changhe and the steward as they approached from the staircase.

Sweat began to appear on the steward’s forehead, and his legs trembled slightly.

All he wanted was to use the name of "Situ Xiao" to fight for a portion of "the private property rightfully belonging to Mr. Ji." Now that the Xingyi Gang had collapsed, and the fate of young master Ji was uncertain, acquiring the private property seemed a feasible option.

Before coming, he felt no pressure with Situ Xiao as his front, but only upon arrival did he realize that attending this meeting alone was much more stressful than he imagined... The tension could indeed make one’s legs shake.

What use was the private property if he lost his life?

"Mr. Situ?" Yan Lianping was a capable man in his thirties. Seeing Zhao Changhe enter, he spoke with a stern expression, "Excuse my bluntness, but I dislike beating around the bush. I have met Situ Xiao, and you are not him."

Zhao Changhe said indifferently, "What does it matter whether or not I’m Situ Xiao? The property belongs to Ji Bochang. Does that mean no one else is entitled to seek justice?"

Yan Lianping responded, "Of course, there is a difference."

"Oh?"

"Situ Xiao is a direct disciple of the Divine Brilliance Sect; we dare not kill him lightly. As for just replacing him with someone else... The Worldly Society and its factions are not places where you can settle scores with the Government Office."

"Clang!" The sound of a drawn blade echoed through the attic, the dazzling array of swords pointing straight to the center.

The butler’s legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the floor.

Zhao Changhe, however, did not move an inch and spoke indifferently, "Is this why you let the Winged Fire Snake appear here without concealing your origins from the Four Symbols Sect? Because I’m about to be a dead man, and dead men tell no tales."

"Firstly, because dead men tell no tales, and secondly..." Yan Lianping laughed, "Because those who need to be aware of my background already are, hiding it makes no difference. Besides, Yan is about to Unify Sword Lake City, so there’s nothing left to hide."

Zhao Changhe also laughed, "If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter if others see, right?"

With that remark, a cheery voice came through the misty rain from outside, "Wow, really the Four Symbols Sect. Is the Winged Fire Snake a lady? Let me have a look?"

Several figures floated up to the floor from outside; it was Sha Qi.

Yan Lianping’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze resting on the two old men flanking Sha Qi. After a long pause, he asked, "What does Mister Sha Qi mean by this?"

Sha Qi insouciantly sat down opposite him, "Ji Bochang has staked his properties on my Kangle Gambling House, so I’ve come to talk to you about this matter."

Yan Lianping glanced at Zhao Changhe and said indifferently, "Is this Ji Bochang? The Ji family butler and the old gang members don’t recognize him?"

"Whether he’s Ji Bochang or not is irrelevant, what’s important is that the Worldly Society is not a place to play at settling scores with the Government Office," Sha Qi returned the sentiment with a grin speaking his own words, "You don’t dare offend Li Shentong, but do you dare offend my boss Ying Wu? I say he’s Ji Bochang, so he is Ji Bochang."

Yan Lianping fell silent for a moment then suddenly smiled, "Alright. Then there’s no need to discuss this further. The Ji family properties on Taiping Street belong to Brother Ji."

"Fair enough," Zhao Changhe leisurely sat down and poured himself a drink, "But what I want to talk about isn’t just the properties on Taiping Street... Now that I, Ji Bochang, have returned, shouldn’t the Xingyi Gang be mine to inherit?"

Yan Lianping laughed helplessly, "If Young Master Ji wishes for the gang’s properties, Yan has, of course, no objections. However, birds choose trees to nest in, and the brothers below will follow whom they wish, Ji Young Master can’t just direct them."

Zhao Changhe said, "Then may I ask?"

Yan Lianping replied, "Please do."

Zhao Changhe leaned out to look at the Xingyi Gang members below, "Gentlemen, our old gang leader was murdered. We all are part of the Worldly Society; we must have some sense of justice, right?"

The people exchanged looks; of course there had to be a sense of justice. Yan Lianping had managed to win over most of the members by playing on the pretext of "avenging Ji Yinan and capturing Han Wubing." Although in truth it was simply birds choosing the best tree; that pretext had to exist.

Someone said, "This... Mister Situ, the gang leader was killed by Han Wubing, and only Chairman Yan can lead us all to avenge him."

Zhao Changhe replied, "However, the old gang leader wasn’t killed by Han Wubing at all."

Silence fell among the crowd.

This pretext was just an excuse; whether it was actually Han Wubing was not too important to most, although some cared more. But what use was it to just say it out loud without any proof?

Yan Lianping laughed heartily, "This... is it Ji Young Master or Situ Young Master, who are you again? The sword wound on Ji Yinan, if not from Han Wubing, then who? Surely you’re not suggesting it was me? As everyone knows, Yan uses a Yan Step Double Blade, which has nothing to do with swords."

Zhao Changhe slowly said, "I wield a broadsword, but I could also switch to using a sword; especially when there’s a significant gap between the opponents, it is even easier."

Yan Lianping chuckled, "Ji Yinan was not much weaker than I am."

Zhao Changhe gave him a peculiar look, "I never said it was you, Chairman Yan. Why do you keep putting yourself in the picture?"

Yan Lianping’s expression unchanged, he shook his head, "You mean to frame me, right? Sadly, your baseless words are meaningless."

Zhao Changhe replied, "Wrong, what I’ve been talking about from the beginning isn’t you. Because it was a Hu who killed Ji Yinan."

Before he could finish his sentence, suddenly someone rushed to report: "Bad news, bad news! Han Wubing, sword in hand, has stormed into the Ji house, taken Madam Ji hostage, and is demanding that the Mad Lion, He Lei, come out to die!"