Chapter 300: Flag不要乱立

Zu'an, chest puffed out, declared, "Why don't you go ask around? I've always been known as an honest young man; I never lie."

"Alright, I'll trust you this once," Plum Blossom Four muttered to himself, wondering why the other party's image felt so different from what he claimed.

Unfortunately, he was now at their mercy, like a fish on a chopping board, so he had no choice but to comply.

Zu'an walked over, put an arm around Xie Xiu's shoulder, and subtly slipped him a banknote. "Brother Xie, please take everyone to get a good meal first. I'll join you later."

Shang Liuyu's noble temperament made him feel that offering her money would be an insult, so he could only approach Xie Xiu.

Xie Xiu frowned. "Why would you need to give money? Take it back."

Zu'an chuckled, "I know you're a rich young master, Xie, but this treat is on me today. It's only right that I pay."

"Alright," Xie Xiu finally conceded. "But A'Zu, what exactly are you going to do?"

"Just some important matters to attend to," Zu'an replied vaguely, then went to inform Shang Liuyu.

Shang Liuyu was surprised to hear he had to leave for something, but she didn't press for details and let him go.

Xie Xiu, on the other hand, eagerly scurried over to Shang Liuyu to ingratiate himself. "Teacher Shang, I know a newly opened restaurant with very unique dishes. Please, this way."

Shang Liuyu merely offered a polite smile and slowly walked forward.

Following behind, Xie Xiu felt a bit self-contemptuous. He was usually so composed and smooth with young ladies from wealthy families, yet in front of Teacher Shang, he was acting like a fawning dog.

However, Teacher Shang's temperament was truly exceptional, completely unlike any other woman he had known, which made his demeanor unconsciously humble.

Meanwhile, Zu'an led Plum Blossom Four away, then changed into a common Plum Blossom Gang member's attire himself. During this time, he thoroughly questioned Plum Blossom Four about various precautions before following him to the agreed meeting place with the Giant Whale Gang.

Initially, he considered asking people from the academy for help, but Shang Liuyu wasn't known for her cultivation level. He worried that if he called her there and anything went wrong, he would deeply regret it.

Furthermore, he learned from Plum Blossom Four that the Giant Whale Gang's leader was always mysterious and cautious; too many people could easily make him suspicious.

Moreover, the agreed meeting time was fast approaching, and it was too late to inform the Chu family to dispatch troops. So, he decided to go alone.

That way, it would be convenient whether he needed to fight or flee. With his current cultivation and several life-or-death experiences, he was confident he could protect himself.

Besides, he wasn't going to fight; he was just gathering information. How could they possibly recognize him, a mere "subordinate"?

To be extra cautious, he specifically went to the First-Grade Restaurant in the city, heading towards the private room they had reserved.

Downstairs, several burly men with fierce expressions stopped the two. After checking that they had no weapons, they signaled upstairs.

Meanwhile, their companions went outside to scout, only allowing the two to proceed after confirming there were no followers.

Zu'an thought to himself how cautious they were, making it seem like a gang meeting from a TV show.

But then he reconsidered: wasn't the current Giant Whale Gang essentially a criminal organization?

They arrived at a private room on the second floor, where someone opened the door for them.

Plum Blossom Four swallowed, clearly quite nervous. Zu'an placed a hand on his lower back, both to encourage him and to offer a silent threat.

With no other choice, Plum Blossom Four braced himself and entered. Zu'an followed, discreetly observing his surroundings.

Unlike the strict security outside, the room itself was rather empty, with few people inside.

Only a single figure sat at a table. Zu'an's heart skipped a beat at a glance: "The Giant Whale Gang leader is a woman?"

Not just a woman, but a very beautiful one.

Although her face was veiled, her well-proportioned figure and the delicate features around her eyes all hinted at her charm.

For some reason, her eyes felt strangely familiar, yet he couldn't recall where he had seen them before.

After a fleeting glance, he quickly lowered his head. He didn't dare to stare, as his current identity was Plum Blossom Four's subordinate, and by rights, he shouldn't be looking around freely.

"G-greetings, Leader..." Plum Blossom Four hadn't expected the Giant Whale Gang leader to be such a stunning beauty. Despite his apprehension, he couldn't help but swallow, his gaze repeatedly darting to her long legs casually crossed beneath the table.

The woman chuckled, her voice captivating and enchanting. "Plum Blossom Four, you're too formal. We'll be on the same side from now on. By the way, did you bring the items?"

"The items... the items are here," Plum Blossom Four stammered, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. Most of the land deeds and banknotes had just been confiscated, so he only had a few genuine ones with him; the rest were fakes meant to pass off as real.

"Then bring them over for me to see~" The woman extended a hand towards him, revealing a delicate, fair, and soft palm.

Plum Blossom Four swallowed, cursing Zu'an to no end in his mind. He was rehearsing the lines Zu'an had just taught him and was about to speak when he suddenly heard the woman across from him let out a soft "Oh?"

"Is something wrong, Leader?" Plum Blossom Four's heart leaped as he noticed her looking up at the several subordinates behind him.

"And who are these people?" The Giant Whale Gang leader's fingers lightly tapped the table, her expression a little playful as she looked at them.

"To answer the Leader, they are all my subordinates. They haven't seen much of the world, so please forgive them if they've offended you in any way," Plum Blossom Four quickly explained.

"You worry too much; I was just asking," the young woman said with a soft laugh, then stood up and slowly walked among the men. "I was just marveling that despite the Plum Blossom Gang being so fractured now, these men are still willing to follow you. They must be truly loyal and brave individuals."

Plum Blossom Four pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "Yes, yes, yes. These few have always been quite loyal to me, so I thought of bringing them along to pledge allegiance to the Leader."

The young woman giggled. "I've always had a fondness for talent, especially handsome young men like these."

Zu'an's brow furrowed slightly. He felt that something was amiss.

Logically, given the Giant Whale Gang leader's status, why would she be concerned with Plum Blossom Four's subordinates while discussing important business?

Had he revealed a flaw somewhere?

But it shouldn't be. He believed his acting was flawless, Plum Blossom Four hadn't shown any tells, and no one from the Giant Whale Gang could possibly recognize him.

With this thought, he gradually calmed down, so as not to betray any unusual reactions that might tip her off.

"As long as the Leader likes them, that's good," Plum Blossom Four said with an obsequious smile.

"It seems this one is the most handsome," the young woman remarked, her footsteps now bringing her beside Zu'an.

Zu'an suddenly caught a peculiar, faint fragrance, and his expression immediately changed. He finally understood everything, but it was too late. The young woman struck like lightning, instantly sealing several vital points on his body.