Chapter 299: Fake Identity

Zu An gave a wry smile, scratching his head. "That's different. I only know one tune on that instrument."

Xie Xiu couldn't help but exclaim, "So modest! That's not quite like you, Ah Zu."

Zu An realized he was right. Anyway, no one in this world would know. Being a plagiarist... *Pah, pah, pah!* No, being a 'porter' who brings the crystallization of human art from his world to flourish in this one should be a very glorious thing. Why should he feel guilty?

At this moment, Shang Liuyu hummed a few notes, the melody of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer." "Ah Zu, I truly think this tune is excellent. It has a sense of unrestrained freedom, yet it's also inspiring, almost like the war anthems of the Beast Race. It's very similar to that B... B-something you used for your entrance last time?"

As she taught a course on the languages and cultures of various races, she was well-informed, so others didn't doubt that she might have heard Beast Race war anthems.

"BGM, it stands for background music," Zu An clarified.

"BGM..." Shang Liuyu murmured to herself. She was proficient in the languages of all races, yet she didn't know which race this one belonged to.

After pondering for a moment and finding no clue, she gave up. "I heard that you captured the heart of Qiu Honglei, the most popular courtesan at Immortal's Abode, with this very song?"

Zu An waved his hand. "Those are just rumors spreading among the common folk; don't take them seriously."

"It's not?" Shang Liuyu was a little surprised, casting a questioning glance at Xie Xiu.

Xie Xiu couldn't help but add, "But on that day, you really did make Miss Qiu fall for you with that song."

"Nonsense!" Zu An replied with a straight face. "I didn't win her heart with that song; I won it with my good looks and talent."

Xie Xiu: "..."

Shang Liuyu: "..."

The small team behind them: "..."

How could there be such a brazen and shameless person in the world!

In the end, it was Shang Liuyu who recovered first. "Ah Zu, why don't you compose a piece for me sometime? Your compositions are all very interesting."

His previous works, "The Original Landscape of My Hometown," "God of Gamblers," and "The Melody of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," had all given her a refreshing feeling. They were completely different from the popular music of this world, yet they perfectly adhered to musical theory, sounding both novel and emotionally evocative.

"Alright!" Zu An readily agreed.

Following behind, Xie Xiu felt a pang of envy. He thought to himself, *If only I had known this, I should have learned more about music from my sister.*

Next, the group arrived at the Silver Hook Casino. Zu An directly presented the Plum Blossom Gang IOU that Shang Liuyu had given him in advance, and they began the takeover process.

The Plum Blossom Gang was already in disarray after Mei Chaofeng's death, and Plum Blossom Seven, the manager of the Silver Hook Casino, had been killed by a furious Shi Kun, making the situation even more chaotic.

Zu An, in a sense, now represented the Chu family. Accompanied by staff from Brightmoon Academy and the City Lord's son, he effectively represented three of Brightmoon City's top powers. How could anyone at the Silver Hook Casino dare to resist?

Even the few who voiced objections were handled directly by the academy's small team, without Zu An or Shang Liuyu needing to lift a finger.

Unaware of the transaction between the two parties, Xie Xiu was secretly astonished and curious why the academy was helping Zu An so much. This guy was truly unique, hated by one group of people yet so adored by another.

The people sent by Jiang Luofu were indeed professional. They quickly inventoried and sealed the Silver Hook Casino's assets and documents, expelled all the original Plum Blossom Gang members, and then affixed seals to the doors.

Afterward, the academy would send logistics personnel to recruit new staff, renovate, and reopen the establishment.

Seeing the academy's extensive assistance, and realizing that Zu An's takeover of the Plum Blossom Gang's assets was a foregone conclusion, Xie Xiu thought he might as well take the opportunity to curry favor with both sides. So, he sent word to dispatch some yamen officials to help.

This made the process much more efficient. The group sealed the Plum Blossom Gang's properties one after another. What was originally expected to take several days was almost completed in just one day.

"Ah Zu, after we finish today, you really must treat us to a good meal. My back aches, and my legs are cramping from exhaustion," Xie Xiu complained. He had actually grown impatient midway through; after all, a playboy like him couldn't even be bothered with his own family's affairs, let alone have the patience for this kind of work.

Fortunately, Shang Liuyu was truly beautiful, and he rarely had the chance to interact with her normally. Appreciating her at such close proximity was quite enjoyable, which was why he managed to persevere for so long.

Zu An said with a chuckle, "Xiu'er, for someone so young to have backaches and leg cramps, it sounds like a sign of kidney deficiency. You might need to visit Divine Physician Ji for some invigorating medicine."

Xie Xiu: "..."

The others nearby chuckled softly, and even Shang Liuyu covered her mouth and smiled.

Xie Xiu was speechless. *Which eye of yours saw that I have kidney deficiency? My performance in that area is excellent, thank you very much! Otherwise, why would those young ladies always make such a fuss when we break up?*

*If you don't believe me, let's have a competition!*

No sooner had this thought crossed his mind than the scene he witnessed in the secret realm flashed before his eyes, and he instantly felt unwell.

*Damn it, let's not compete after all.*

Rage points from Xie Xiu +66 +66 +66...

Sensing his persistent resentment, Zu An burst out laughing. "Just kidding! Of course, I'll treat everyone to a big meal later."

Everyone cheered in unison, instantly revitalized. Only then did Xie Xiu feel a bit better.

There was one last property left. A moment later, someone grabbed a middle-aged man and threw him over. "Teacher Shang, Teacher Zu, this fellow tried to escape and was carrying a large number of land deeds and banknotes."

"Isn't this Plum Blossom Four of the Plum Blossom Gang?" someone recognized him.

Zu An snatched the land deeds and banknotes, snorting, "No wonder I felt like a lot of things were missing when we were inventorying the Plum Blossom Gang's assets earlier. Turns out they were all with you."

A malevolent glint appeared in Plum Blossom Four's eyes. "You won't be swaggering for much longer, Zu!"

The Plum Blossom Gang was a huge organization that had enjoyed immense power in Brightmoon City for years. As the fourth-ranked among the brothers, he had lived a very comfortable life. But with Zu An's arrival, everything had changed.

The gang leader was dead, the flourishing Plum Blossom Gang had collapsed, and he had become a stray dog. How could he not resent this instigator?

Rage points from Plum Blossom Four +999!

Zu An sighed. "Your gang leader is already dead. What's the point of spouting threats here?"

Shang Liuyu, disliking such a scene, frowned slightly and moved to the other side. Xie Xiu naturally trailed after her eagerly. Dealing with these Plum Blossom Gang members simply lowered his standing; he preferred to be happy with the beautiful teacher.

Plum Blossom Four said fiercely, "As far as I know, Chen Xuan of Black Wind Stockade wants your life."

Zu An smiled. "Looks like you're well-informed. But after all this time, am I not still alive and well?"

At the same time, he secretly thought, *It seems that most of the Plum Blossom Gang's high-ranking members don't even know that Chen Xuan and Mei Chaofeng are biological brothers.*

Plum Blossom Four sneered, "With the Chu family's protection, killing you isn't easy, of course. But you'll soon offend the Giant Whale Gang. In Brightmoon City, no one who has offended both Black Wind Stockade and the Giant Whale Gang simultaneously has lived for more than three days."

"The Giant Whale Gang?" Zu An was startled. He had been investigating this gang recently. "Why would I offend the Giant Whale Gang?"

"Hmph, because these land deeds and banknotes were originally meant to be given to the Giant Whale Gang leader today. You intercepted his goods, so of course you've offended the Giant Whale Gang," Plum Blossom Four said, a flicker of malicious pleasure in his eyes. Clearly, the thought of the retaliation Zu An might face brought him satisfaction.

"You were going to give these things to the Giant Whale Gang leader today?" Zu An's heart lifted. "Have you met the Giant Whale Gang leader?"

"Naturally, I haven't met him, but I had an appointment to meet him today." Mei Chaofeng was dead, and the Plum Blossom Gang was in decline. Everyone was looking out for their future, and Plum Blossom Four had planned to use the assets he controlled to secure a future with the Giant Whale Gang.

Because he was a high-ranking member of the Plum Blossom Gang and his 'meeting gift' was generous, the Giant Whale Gang leader took it very seriously and decided to meet him in person.

What a pity, he was just one step away from freedom and capture by this guy. Otherwise, he would have been living a carefree life by now.

"Don't even think about getting information about the Giant Whale Gang from me. I will absolutely never— *cough, cough*," Plum Blossom Four hadn't finished speaking when Zu An shoved a pill into his mouth, making him gasp in horror. "Pah, pah, pah! What did you make me eat?!"

Zu An smiled faintly. "It's nothing much, just a pill that contains gu worms. If you don't take an antidote to suppress them within a day, the gu worms will hatch and lay eggs. Their eggs will be carried by your bloodstream to your internal organs, and then the worms themselves will travel to your brain, slowly gnawing on your brain matter... Tsk, tsk, tsk, I wonder what sound they make when they're feasting?"

"Don't... don't say any more..." Seeing that Zu An was even planning to make some onomatopoeic sounds, Plum Blossom Four thought, *I'm practically going to wet myself!*

He wasn't particularly afraid of ordinary poisons; at worst, it would just be death. But this situation now? It sounded like something worse than death.

Zu An's expression turned cold. "Since you're scared, tell me every detail about where you're supposed to meet them. If I'm satisfied, I'll give you the antidote."

*It seems humans are ultimately afraid of these bugs.* He had considered many horror movie scenes to scare the man earlier, but ultimately decided that gu worms would be most effective. And indeed, they started to break him down immediately.

"I'll tell you, I'll tell you..." Plum Blossom Four's voice trembled as he quickly spilled everything he knew, like beans pouring out of a bag.

After listening to him, Zu An fell into deep thought. After a long pause, he said, "Alright then, you'll take me to see the Giant Whale Gang leader. Afterwards, I'll give you the antidote."

Plum Blossom Four jumped in fright and quickly waved his hands. "My lord Zu, if they find out, I'm a dead man!"

The Giant Whale Gang itself was involved in bloody, ruthless business, so they were always cruel and merciless in their actions. Sometimes, they wouldn't just kill one person, but wipe out an entire family. That's why Plum Blossom Four was so terrified.

"You don't need to be afraid. I'll disguise myself as one of your subordinates and blend in. How could anyone from the Giant Whale Gang recognize me? As long as this is done, I'll not only give you the antidote but also let you go and provide you with a settlement fund to live out your later years comfortably. The choice is yours." Zu An thought that he absolutely had to uncover all information about the mysterious Giant Whale Gang this time, so he could surprise his wife.

Plum Blossom Four's face flickered with indecision. After a long moment, he nodded. "Alright. I hope you keep your word!"