The afternoon sky darkened, with grey clouds drifting in the wind.

Within Jiangning City, the afternoon session of the martial arts tournament was in full swing. The inns and tea houses near the venue were packed with people, and figures of all sorts moved along the streets. After each highly anticipated match, messengers sprinted through the streets, bringing either fortunes or losses to the nearby gambling dens. Some, having won their bets, were elated, while others, crestfallen, were thrown into the streets, chased, kicked, and beaten. Amidst this lively atmosphere, various large and small factions and businessmen met and mingled, creating a scene of apparent harmony.

In the eastern part of the city, not long after the group left "Gathering of Talents House" in Zhong'an Ward, they dispersed. Shi Weiyang paid some attention to the bustling tournament in the city center, but soon refocused, heading towards the Five Lakes Inn with Wu Chennan, maintaining a low profile.

The first time he came to the Five Lakes Inn to arrest people, he didn't expect that the inn was not to be trifled with, and would stubbornly resist. The grand display of force backfired, ruining his plans. This time, reminded by Wu Chennan, he learned his lesson, first instructing his subordinates to make the necessary preparations, and then sending scouts to quietly surround the inn.

Despite the preparations, he still felt a sense of unease.

"My father... he really won't be angry about this..."

Seeing his hesitation, Wu Chennan was not surprised, and smiled, "If Master Shi truly disapproved, Young Master, you would never have been able to bring these people out."

"...That's true." Although Shi Weiyang didn't directly report the mobilization of Baofeng Trading Company's personnel to his father, he had obtained the consent of several managers at Gathering of Talents House. Thinking this over, he felt somewhat relieved. But then he said, "But what if... there really is something fishy going on at that inn, and it becomes uncontrollable again... I mean, what kind of outcome would my father want..."

"I believe, Young Master, you don't need to worry too much," Wu Chennan said. "You are Master Shi's son. Your future achievements won't depend on one or two small incidents. You're coming out to show everyone that you still have power and the ability to wield it. What Master Shi wants to see is your ambition, not necessarily the minute details of these individual matters..."

The rise of the Equality Party was only two years old, Baofeng Trading Company rose with the trend, and even shorter was the time Shi Weiyang came out to take charge. Initially, he held great power, and was flattered by everyone, which naturally led to arrogance. After encountering a series of setbacks due to Yan Yunzhi's affair, he became anxious again.

Wu Chennan was a scholar who had read extensively, comparing himself to Zhuge Liang. He had been neglected for a long time during the Shi family's initial rise, and now, finally, he had gained Shi Weiyang's trust. He both pondered and comforted his childhood companion, who was not known for his magnanimity.

"Of course, Master Shi will naturally have his own ideas about how to handle the Five Lakes Inn in detail, but these ideas are beyond Chennan's comprehension. Weiyang, we men are born in chaotic times, and it's all about adapting to the situation. When problems arise, we should be aggressive and deal with them. Although Master Shi may criticize your previous actions, I think what he least wants to see is you confined at home, dejected and sighing all day long. Think about it, isn't that right?"

Shi Weiyang was shaken: "Chennan, you are truly insightful."

The two rode forward, and after talking for a while, Shi Weiyang's determination gradually strengthened, and he became clearer about the purpose of this trip. After passing through several long streets, they chatted about the martial arts tournament in the city center. Wu Chennan waved his hand dismissively: "Those arenas are just gimmicks to attract outsiders' attention. For our Equality Party, the truly important things are not there. Whether this meeting is successful is crucial to the future of this world."

He then detailed the progress of the meeting in recent days, discussed the most acute conflict between Zhou Shang and the others, and mentioned several small forces such as the Grand Dragon Head. Later, he inevitably mentioned the "Reading Society" related to the Five Lakes Inn.

Shi Weiyang said, "I've heard privately that this Reading Society might be involved with the Black Flag Army of the Southwest."

Wu Chennan shook his head and laughed: "They are just some people with ulterior motives, using the name of the Southwest to stir up trouble in the dark. Nowadays, if you were to summarise the Yama King's faction of the Equality Party in three words, it would be 'extremism'. The Reading Society can be summarised as 'establishing rules'. They are using the name of the Southwest to say that the internal rules of the Equality Party are too lax. The pamphlets they've been issuing recently say that even the Equality King He Wen and the five major factions cannot last long. But the contents of those pamphlets are said not to be the original version from the Southwest, but have been altered by those with ulterior motives."

"But who could be behind this..."

"Young Master, you don't need to worry about it," Wu Chennan smiled. "Does Young Master know, whose banner did our Equality Party raise when we started?"

The answer was too simple. Shi Weiyang raised an eyebrow: "Naturally, it was the Southwest."

"That's right. When we started, we raised the banner of the Huaxia Army of the Southwest. But today, everyone within our party knows that the Equality Party and the Huaxia Army are completely different. We used their banner as our own, which allowed the five Kings to come to power. But now, if someone else wants to use the Southwest's banner, what are they trying to do? And whose taboo are they violating the most?"

Wu Chennan shook his head and laughed: "Since ancient times, the emperor is the Son of Heaven. If he calls himself the Son of Heaven, will he allow others to call themselves the Son of Heaven? He Wen usurped the name of the Huaxia Army and gained power. If anyone dares to call themselves the Huaxia Army, then their ambition is nothing more than to seize power... Young Master, in the power struggles since ancient times, there is room for discussion when it comes to sharing power, but seizing power is a matter of life and death."

"That's why, after the five Kings of the Equality Party, forces such as the Grand Dragon Head can slowly rise, and even sit down together to discuss matters. But only the Reading Society has been targeted for elimination by all five factions in the past six months... The person behind this has too great an ambition, daring to claim to be the true heir of Huaxia before his wings have fully developed. It's laughable that there are still ignorant people in the world who say that the Equality King himself is behind the Reading Society. What a joke... Haha, how can His Majesty rebel..."

Wu Chennan spoke eloquently, Shi Weiyang's doubts were dispelled, and he was once again impressed by his childhood companion. The two arrived at a teahouse in an alley near the Five Lakes Inn, and while waiting for the time for the arrangements to be completed, Shi Weiyang inquired deeply about Wu Chennan's ambitions. Only then did he realize that this companion, who used to like to stay at home and read, was full of knowledge and was eager to make a career in this chaotic world.

Shi Weiyang felt ashamed. Only now did he feel that his success in the past year or two, and the flattery he had received, was more like a game. He then confided his thoughts to Wu Chennan, saying, "...I used to be frivolous and rash. In the future, if I encounter many more things, I hope Brother Wu will be by my side to advise me. Even if I become absurd again, Brother Wu should scold me awake. We men should do great things in this world to be truly happy..."

Wu Chennan also took his hand and bowed: "You and I are brothers, there's no need to be like this, it's all my duty..." adopting the posture of Zhuge Liang meeting a wise ruler. Both were still young. One met a wise ruler, and the other found a backer. At that moment, the entire teahouse seemed to be filled with the light of ambition.

After such a "host and guest mutually benefiting" charade, when they talked about things again, their perspective became broader and more practical. At this time, preparations for dealing with the Five Lakes Inn were gradually completed, and the advance men also returned one after another to report information about the inn. In the midst of such planning, Wu Chennan offered Shi Weiyang a plan as a *tou ming zhuang*, a sign of loyalty.

"...Actually, not to mention the Five Lakes Inn, the matters around Young Master these days all stem from that Miss Yan's departure. But in Chennan's view, although Miss Yan left resolutely, it may not be that difficult to find her back."

"Oh?" Shi Weiyang widened his eyes. "Actually... a few days ago at Golden Building, Manager Jin and the others almost caught Yan Yunzhi, but she still managed to escape. Manager Jin's skills are not enough to bring her back... If Chennan has any brilliant strategies, don't keep me in suspense, please?"

As Shi Weiyang spoke, he smiled and cupped his fist in salute. Wu Chennan also smiled: "Young Master's nature is too kind. Manager Jin and the others, perhaps it should be said that they are blind to the obvious. Weiyang, you have overlooked one thing. Although Miss Yan left Zhong'an Ward regardless, she is not alone. She still has relatives in Jiangning City. I'm willing to bet with Young Master that although Yan Yunzhi has left, she is secretly concerned about the movements of Yan Erxia, and she is also concerned about... whether the Yan family's business with your Shi family will be truly affected."

"Chennan is saying..." Shi Weiyang blinked. "...But the Yan family is still considered a guest of my Shi family..."

"Young Master has taken good care of the Yan family. Initially, your recklessness scared away Miss Yan, and afterwards, you apologized publicly and worked hard to promote the alliance between the Shi and Yan families... In this situation, if Yan Erxia encountered some small accidents in this mixed Jiangning City, who could find fault with Young Master?"

Wu Chennan slowly said these words, and then took a step back: "Of course, these strategies may be too unconventional. Alas, Young Master is kind-hearted..."

Before he could finish, Shi Weiyang grabbed his hands and said in a deep voice: "No! A great man doesn't dwell on small details. It was Brother Wu who enlightened me. I never thought that such a difficult thing could be solved with just a few words from Brother Wu. If Brother Wu has any ideas in the future, please speak frankly. If I am soft-hearted, how can I accomplish great things?"

He made a generous self-criticism. After saying these words, someone came to report that the preparations for the siege of the Five Lakes Inn were completely done. Although it seemed that the troublemakers from the inn had run away last time, this was originally an expected thing. To put on a show here and restore his, Shi Second Young Master's, prestige, was no problem.

Shi Weiyang waved his hand: "Let's deal with the Five Lakes Inn today first, and then slowly catch the guys from last time and deal with them one by one. Brother Wu, now that we've decided to do great things, we don't need to care too much about small details! Let's do it!"

Just a moment later, Shi Weiyang and Wu Chennan walked out of the teahouse and walked along the street towards the stone bridge in front of the Five Lakes Inn. The sky had darkened, and groups of people converged on the inn from all directions. In a short time, the leading experts had broken down the doors and windows and entered.

The situation in Jiangning was already unstable. Seeing the crowd coming menacingly, the first reaction of the people in the inn was not to surrender, but to draw their swords and fight. The first batch of people were immediately cut down in pools of blood. Then, the shouts of "Arrest the villains of the 'Reading Society'!" rang out.

Batch after batch of people were arrested. People searched some "Reading Society" pamphlets from the corpses lying in the pools of blood, and then found a large amount of evidence inside the walls of the inn. Shi Weiyang and Wu Chennan strode into the inn, set the first fire, and then came out to directly interrogate some of the people loudly on the street at the head of the bridge, asking them where the "Reading Society" villains who had been guarding here last time had run off to.

Someone shouted loudly: "We are people of 'Agrarian Sage' Zhao Jingci, how can you do this!"

Wu Chennan said: "The people from last time were also people of 'Agrarian Sage' Zhao Jingci. They were still here a few days ago, but they left after something happened, clearly they have a guilty conscience! You are also in league with them--" As he and Shi Weiyang shouted, they threw the "Reading Society" pamphlets they had found in the other person's face.

The flames rose gradually, and the momentum grew.

Shi Weiyang said: "The people watching the fun in the surrounding homes last time were clearly accomplices of the people in this inn. Drag them out for me too, and interrogate them one by one to find out if they are involved with the Reading Society!"

Baofeng Trading Company's actions this time were well-prepared, catching the inn off guard. At Shi Weiyang's order, the thugs surrounding them rushed towards all directions and began to arrest people. Shi Weiyang remembered clearly that the reason he was blocked on the road in front of the inn last time was that these people had helped the other side a lot. Many people who had been watching the fun around them and didn't have time to escape were arrested on the spot, questioned, and beaten to the ground.

The fire in the inn grew stronger. Shi Weiyang shouted loudly at the surroundings:

"All of you, whether you are involved with the villains of the Reading Society or not, after today, tell those bandits who used to be in this Five Lakes Inn that even if they managed to escape today, this young master will hunt them down one by one, leaving no one behind--"

The wind helped the fire, and strange pamphlets danced in the street in the firelight. The people of Baofeng Trading Company searched around for a while and found some more "evidence." Shi Weiyang ordered his subordinates to arrest all the innkeepers, waiters, and the like and throw them in jail. The rest were interrogated, beaten, and then gradually left. Several small leaders from the "Equality King" faction came over, but were all forcibly driven away by Shi Weiyang. He pointed to the "evidence" on the ground and said that if it was just a normal quarrel last time, why did those innkeepers leave? There was clearly a big problem. The other party couldn't argue back for a moment.

Shi Second Young Master's face was picked up from the floor.

…

The sky was a little gloomy.

Inside Gathering of Talents House, Shi Baofeng sat on the balcony of the pavilion with the cool breeze blowing, his hands clasped together, meditating with his eyes closed.

Footsteps sounded, and the head manager Jin Yongsheng came up from downstairs to report.

"Old Jin, please sit," Shi Baofeng gestured to the side. "How is it going?"

"The situation at the meeting is still the same," Jin Yongsheng said. "In my opinion, Master, the meeting won't produce any results if you don't go."

Today, the seventh day of the lunar month, was the fourth day of the Equality Party's conference. Shi Baofeng participated in the morning session, but who knew that after returning at noon, he was too lazy to attend in the afternoon. At this time, the various parties at the meeting were still discussing their respective thoughts and conditions regarding the issues raised by He Wen. Shi Baofeng's sudden absence made it impossible for the "Equality King" faction to make a final decision, and the progress on this side stopped.

"If it can't produce results, then it can't," Shi Baofeng smiled, and then his smile faded. "Meetings and negotiations should always be a give and take. Mr. He raised the issues at the first meeting, and we talked about our thoughts at the second and third meetings. But our Mr. He is sitting steadily on the fishing platform, as if he's just waiting for others to play all their cards before he states his position... I feel that something is not right."

He paused here: "And... I faintly feel something strange."

"What did Master sense?"

"...Too normal," Shi Baofeng said. "He Wen raised the issues, Zhou Shang argued with He Wen, everyone stated their positions, and finally a result was discussed. I always feel that it's too normal. He Wen... he doesn't seem like such a normal person..."

A cool autumn breeze blew from the distance, and the balcony was silent for a while. Jin Yongsheng did not answer. Shi Baofeng thought for a moment, turned his head and smiled: "Old Jin, please sit down quickly... If it was just about the progress of the conference, it wouldn't be necessary for Old Jin to come and report. Has that prodigal son not caused any problems?"

Jin Yongsheng then took a step forward and sat down next to him: "Second Young Master can still take responsibility. The arrangements are all proper."

"Bullshit, if you, Old Jin, hadn't given instructions and watched him step by step, would he know how to arrange anything?"

"The action over there has started, and there should be no major problems."

"If there are any more major problems, I'll skin him alive!" Shi Baofeng said, "Then, what about... Chennan?"

"Young man, energetic and ambitious, I think he's not bad."

"Let him be energetic for a while first. As Old Jin said, young people are energetic and ambitious, so in the future... I'll trouble Old Jin to teach him some discretion at the appropriate time."

"This..." Jin Yongsheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Okay."

The balcony was silent for a while. Seeing that Shi Baofeng didn't know what he was thinking about, Jin Yongsheng got up to take his leave, but saw the other party turn his head again, his face gloomy and serious.

"Old Jin," he said, "what do you think about this Reading Society matter?"

"Still those old views... In the end, they haven't really caught anyone, it's too difficult to say which side it is..."

"What if the outside says it was done by He Wen?"

"...That would be a sky-shattering event," Jin Yongsheng considered. "But that possibility is ultimately small. Why would Mr. He do that? It would be more believable to say that it was done by Ning Yi of the Southwest himself. And the biggest possibility is nothing more than some opportunist, or an ambitious person like the Grand Dragon Head who wants to move up... In fact, even someone like the Grand Dragon Head who has the potential to rise to the top wouldn't resort to such extreme measures. Isn't this making enemies everywhere and digging his own grave?"

"Zhou Shang is at the forefront, and he's the most likely to fight with He Wen, which has made many people forget about the Reading Society... And He Wen's slow pace also makes me feel that something is wrong. If he doesn't state his position soon, I won't go to the meeting."

"Mm," Jin Yongsheng nodded.

"In addition, when that Second Son made such a ruckus at the Five Lakes Inn, he was openly slapping 'Agrarian Sage' Zhao Jingci in the face. Although he framed and blamed others, and had an excuse, it's not so easy to argue with both sides. Old Jin, please help keep an eye on it. Of course, on the one hand, train him and Chennan, and on the other hand, don't really mess things up. This matter can be big or small... But compared to the overall situation, it's nothing."

"Yes."

"I'll use the excuse of the 'Reading Society' to test He Wen... There probably won't be any results... It's best if there are no results... Then next..."

Shi Baofeng sat in his chair, rotating his thumbs against each other. By the end, he was already talking to himself. Jin Yongsheng nodded and silently withdrew. He left the pavilion, the sky was cloudy, and it seemed like it was about to rain. The distance in the city seemed to continue the bustle, those bustle are not big deal, the real big things, often quietly happen under the water...

Shi Weiyang made a full show at the Five Lakes Inn. After arresting and beating people, he directed his subordinates to withdraw in an orderly manner. He even arranged for a water dragon cart to come and ensure that the fire at the Five Lakes Inn only burned down the inn itself and did not affect other places, so as to avoid further criticism.

Having experienced these things, and with Wu Chennan's assistance, he was determined to become a well-rounded person. As the crowd withdrew, he was already starting to care about the information of those who had escaped from the inn earlier – these people must be caught back. Then, he already had a preliminary plan for the arrangements that Wu Chennan had set up for him regarding the capture of Yan Yunzhi.

When he catches Yan Yunzhi back, he will no longer be confined to some petty romantic feelings. On the surface, he will definitely make a full show of consideration and be well-rounded, but of course, some of the methods in between are just the common practice of someone who is ruthless.

The dark clouds churned, and those who were doing great things were paying attention to the greater distance. At the Five Lakes Inn, the fire was still burning, and some small people who had been beaten until their heads were bleeding got up from the ground and went home crying. After a while, doctors were invited over to look at the injuries of some people and bandage them with cheap wound medicine.

As the doctor was about to leave, a figure came running along the road, staggering. This person's leg was a little lame, his body was weak, and his posture was a bit strange. He ran to the doctor and knelt down and kowtowed. The doctor listened to him stuttering and then followed him to the archway of the stone bridge next to him.

In the archway, a weak woman with a bloody head was lying there, her breathing intermittent and very faint. The doctor looked at the woman for a moment and shook his head helplessly. The injuries the woman had received this time were actually not too serious, but combined with the exhaustion of her body in the past and this injury, his skills as a barefoot doctor were of no use.

The lame and stuttering man hugged him and kowtowed, not allowing him to leave. His dark face was stained with blood, and snot and saliva were almost mixed together. The doctor, unable to get rid of him, finally gave him a packet of cheap wound medicine and left.

Without knowing when, it started to drizzle.

The man named Xue Jin hugged his wife and hid in the archway. He couldn't light a fire, and everything around him became very wet. His wife's head was wrapped in bandages, but she didn't respond to any of his calls. He didn't know if he should let her rest or do something. He hugged his unresponsive wife and cried loudly in the rain, like a wild dog whose legs had been broken, waiting to die by the roadside, licking the wound that could no longer heal.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

The rain fell lightly, and those who were doing great things wouldn't pay attention to these small things that were about to be extinguished.

Late at night, someone came...