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"Old He is well-prepared this time; he's about to show his true colors."

The sky had already darkened, and the city of Jiangning was dotted with lights, near and far. In a tea house with warm yellow lights, a few figures met seemingly casually, brewed tea casually, and started talking about ordinary topics.

The grand meeting on the first of September had only recently passed. Talking about current affairs was not particularly special. However, considering the actual identities of the people in the tea house, every topic they discussed carried a deeper meaning.

"Measuring Scale" Meng Zhuotao, "Martial Overlord" Gao Huiyun, "Carrion Crow" Chen Juefang, plus a companion with considerable martial skills and status, "Tuo River Hermit" Xu Longbiao, the four people present were essentially half of the top echelons under "King Yama" in Jiangning. After dinner, the four were simply resting at this tea house.

It was "Measuring Scale" Meng Zhuotao, tall and still with bandages on his shoulder, who spoke first in a casual tone. As he spoke, he poured tea for everyone: "What do you all think?"

"I think showing his true colors is not necessarily the case," Chen Juefang said, picking up his teacup and shaking his head with a smile. "The things Old He is bringing up aren't exactly unfounded. Everyone knows what problems the Fairness Party has. The five kings giving conflicting orders have never lasted long. If things are to be resolved, I think the time is almost here. He brought up the problem today but didn't offer an answer. This is not yet his true colors, the knife hasn't come out yet."

"Old He definitely has an answer in mind already," Gao Huiyun, as burly as Meng Zhuotao, laughed. "It's just a matter of testing the waters before choosing the right time to reveal it... What do you think, Mr. Xu?"

"Tuo River Hermit" Xu Longbiao was in his early fifties, with half-white hair and a long beard. Seeing that everyone had spoken, he smiled and said, "The most important issue raised by King Fairness boils down to who has the final say. To be more specific, it's about how we'll play the game next... These things were expected all along. Since he's raised the issue, he wants to resolve it. The heroes' conference in Jiangning will last a month, with everyone discussing privately for a month, figuring out the next steps. Those who disagree will get a beating. Everyone understands, it's simple."

"Old Xu is insightful, hitting the nail on the head." After Xu Longbiao finished speaking, the others picked up their cups and clinked them together, laughing.

"However..." After a moment, Chen Juefang picked at his ear with his little finger: "...Since the issue was raised by Old He, it means he wants to consolidate power... It's not right for him to take the lead on this."

"It's not surprising that he's acting like this, considering he holds the title of King Fairness."

"The title is one thing, but the Fairness Party's five factions have always been independent, and no one has ever relied on King Fairness for anything. He's already taken the nominal advantage, and now he wants more at a practical level. I don't think everyone will be willing."

"Didn't you see it at the meeting? To be honest, like Old Chen just said, it's time for us in the Fairness Party to think about who has the final say and how it's decided. Old He's questions aren't unreasonable. But he shouldn't have raised these questions, or at least he should have discussed them with all five families first before making them public... Now he wants to hog the spotlight, so the other factions are just going to be perfunctory and muddy the waters. To put it bluntly, he hasn't even tested the waters and he wants to be in charge. Who would accept that?"

The group sipped tea and chatted slowly. Xu Longbiao frowned: "King Fairness's actions are indeed a bit strange this time. Such a big matter should have been discussed privately by the five kings before being brought up at the meeting. Why this time... was it handled so poorly? In the past, King Fairness was said to have a strong sense of the big picture. At the first gathering, everyone praised him endlessly..."

"The five did meet a few days ago, but it seems the discussion wasn't very pleasant..."

"A year ago was a year ago. Back then, everyone was struggling, so of course, they were respectful. Now that the Fairness Party is rich, He, comparing himself to Mr. Ning of the Southwest, acts like a scholar, which is how it is originally..."

Chen Juefang and Gao Huiyun laughed and said a few words. Meng Zhuotao, playing with his tea, also smiled:

"How could they come to an agreement? Who has the final say is a big question. Beneath that, there's also the question of how to do things. Is that small? Our Fairness Party's five factions have different ways of dividing land after capturing territory. King Gao likes to fight and attacks the landlords and gentry the least. As long as these people are willing to help and join, there are fewer cases of families being completely destroyed. King Fairness has strict rules. Some people say that, compared to the other families, it's not as satisfying to attack the landlords there..."

He paused: "Then there's King Equality, us, and Zhou Shang, each with their own set of methods... Putting aside everything else, take Zhou Yama. He kills all the rich people, and then kills them again. Who can stand that? He's crazy... But he won't listen to anyone's advice. He's very reasonable, saying that you can't get things done without a firm attitude, and you can't overcorrect without going too far. I heard that Zhou Shang has been reading all sorts of pamphlets from the Southwest. He's even more ruthless than Mr. Ning of the Southwest. He usually says that Ning Yi is hypocritical and can't accomplish anything, and that He Wen is wishy-washy and can't accomplish anything either. In today's world, only he can accomplish great things..."

Meng Zhuotao shook his head and smiled: "You see, the problem of who has the final say isn't necessarily unsolvable. In the end, it's just a matter of each of the five factions sending people to discuss things. But how to do things, how to resolve that? Zhou Shang won't agree. To take a step back, will we follow He Wen's method or ours in the future? We certainly can't become crazy like Zhou Shang, but are you willing to follow He Wen's method?"

Gao Huiyun chuckled and shook her head: "There's a lot to talk about."

"How to talk is a big problem," Xu Longbiao said, taking a sip of tea. "To speak frankly, everyone should have received an invitation, right?"

The other three looked at each other. Gao Huiyun didn't care and laughed: "Putting aside the other unreliable people, Gao Chang and Lin Jiao Jiu were the first to invite me to dinner. I've already reported it. Xu Gong said it's okay to eat, since he's invited many people anyway."

"He Wen has strict rules. Lin Jiao Jiu commands the troops and is not particular about small details. I heard he often complains about King Fairness's rules... Old Gao also commands troops. Do you think there's an opportunity here?" Meng Zhuotao asked.

"Hard to say." Gao Huiyun shook her head and smiled. "It's still early, let's just explore first. What about you, Old Meng?"

Meng Zhuotao spread out his hand and counted on his fingers: "He Wen, Gao Chang, Fu Pingbo, Shi Baofeng, Jin Yongsheng, Chen Yanda... What I find strange is why Zhou Shang wants to talk to me too. Wei Xuwu also sent me an invitation..."

"Old Meng is still popular." Everyone laughed. "A man of the hour."

"It's still early. This time, the open meeting is just a formality. The private scheming is the main event. Before Old He shows his true colors, no one can escape it," Meng Zhuotao smiled faintly. "I just hope you all can keep your resolve."

"I am loyal to Xu Gong," Chen Juefang declared.

Xu Longbiao laughed: "Xu Gong is my family."

"Let's wait and see," Gao Huiyun said.

"Just kidding," Meng Zhuotao said. "Just kidding."

After that, the group drank a few more cups of tea.

Gao Huiyun changed the subject.

"Old Meng, how are things going with your junior brothers and sisters?"

"Why are you asking about that?" Meng Zhuotao raised an eyebrow.

"The Jinlou case hasn't been closed yet, and someone is watching you in private... Or is it about you protecting the murderer? After all, Gu Anhe is dead, and the only clearly identified suspects are your junior brothers and sisters. Plus, you're in charge of the Resentment Society, so there are some rumors going around that seem to be aimed at you..."

"Who? Is it that monkey again?" Meng Zhuotao smiled knowingly.

"Not likely." Gao Huiyun waved his hand. "Although Monkey King is a rising star with some ambition, he has his limits. It was wrong of him to make a fuss about your matter that day, but after Xu Gong made up for his losses, he wouldn't keep going on and on... Didn't he apologize to you afterward?"

Chen Juefang chimed in: "The problem this time is that you made it too obvious, Old Meng. To put it bluntly, the upcoming Jiangning meeting is just about choosing a method to decide who has the final say. Each of our five factions is involved, and it's impossible for He Wen to dominate. So, it will probably be... establishing something new at the top, to discuss things together. Whoever can enter that circle will be the real power holders. Old Meng, you're in a high position with great power. Now that you've left a handle, it's not surprising that some people will take shots at you."

Xu Longbiao smiled: "In the end, it's still Monkey King's fault. If he hadn't started the trouble, probably no one would dare to follow suit."

On the night of the Jinlou incident, Li Yanfeng, having lost face, lashed out at Meng Zhuotao, and Xu Zhaonan came forward to appease him and resolve the situation. But the reason he used to lash out has now become a new problem. Meng Zhuotao was silent for a moment, then smiled slightly with his hand pressed to his mouth: "Li Yanfeng is close to Tan Tiandao. I'm giving Tan Zheng some face."

"I wouldn't mind if you wanted to make trouble for him," Chen Juefang, who had a good relationship with him, laughed. "But I have to say, Meng, some people say that brothers are like limbs and wives are like clothes. That's not right, but if you're going to help someone, at least it should be your own woman, right? Look at your useless junior brothers and sisters. Your junior sister, who was engaged, had an affair with your junior brother, and your junior brother wants to kill you. You were even whipped by them. Why are you doing this?"

Everyone nodded slightly. Meng Zhuotao's gaze swept over them, then he smiled knowingly:

"...I just like it that way."

There was a moment of silence.

"..."

"...Alright."

"...Insightful, knows how to have fun."

"...Brother Meng is indeed... capable of anything."

The group chuckled and expressed their admiration for Meng Zhuotao. After drinking a few more cups of tea, everyone prepared to leave. Chen Juefang said a few heartfelt words to Meng Zhuotao at the end.

"The rumors circulating about you, no matter who released them, first catch a batch and kill a batch to set an example. Do it quickly. Power can't be delayed. If you don't want to do it, I can do it for you."

"Got it," Meng Zhuotao nodded. "I know what I'm doing. I'll handle it myself."

"Alright," Chen Juefang patted his arm.

This simple tea gathering was Meng Zhuotao's suggestion. Now that it was over, Chen Juefang, Gao Huiyun, and Xu Longbiao left. Only Meng Zhuotao remained in the tea house, watching their departing figures, sitting quietly for a moment longer as the lights flickered.

The night flowed deeper, and some time passed. Meng Zhuotao left the tea house and took a carriage to a courtyard in the city, guarded by the power of the "Resentment Society." In a room deep within the courtyard, he visited his severely injured and unconscious second junior brother, Yu Bin. An old medical officer was standing nearby.

On the night of the Jinlou incident, Yu Bin took advantage of Meng Zhuotao's distraction and secretly attacked him with a pair of whips, injuring Meng Zhuotao's shoulder, which has not yet healed. But Yu Bin, who launched the sneak attack, was countered by Meng Zhuotao with a whip, nearly killing him. Although Meng Zhuotao arranged for people to do their best to save him, the situation was still not optimistic.

"...Putting aside whether his lower body can recover and walk," Meng Zhuotao sighed after questioning the medical officer for a moment. "Can he even be brought back to life?"

Meng Zhuotao's tone lowered. The old medical officer also felt uneasy and hesitated for a moment: "Actually, as doctors, we have a duty to care for our patients. We've done everything we can. Whether he can wake up... now it depends on himself... or on luck..."

This answer wasn't much different from the answers of the past few days. Asking further would only lead to more detailed medical explanations. Meng Zhuotao was silent for a moment, then nodded.

As he exited the room, three people were standing under the eaves in the courtyard, watching him. They were his junior sister, Ling Chu, and his other two junior brothers—the fourth junior brother, who was Ling Chu's husband.

All three of them had unhealed injuries.

"Meng, when are you going to let us go?"

The three of them looked at Meng Zhuotao with no goodwill, but only the youngest junior sister, Ling Chu, still dared to ask such a question. Perhaps it was because he had indulged her too much when she was young. Meng Zhuotao's gaze swept over them coldly.

"I'll send you away when you're healed."

"We don't need your kindness, let us go now!"

"The outside world is chaotic and war is coming. With your skills and temperament, how long will you survive if you leave injured?"

"That's none of your business!"

"Can you beat me?"

"Your martial arts don't mean you're right—"

"If you can't beat me, kneel down and listen to me!" In the night, Meng Zhuotao's gaze suddenly turned fierce. "Otherwise, I'll call twenty people and have them play with you all night in front of your man, so you'll know what the world is like!"

These words tore through the night. Ling Chu's eyes widened, and her lips parted. At a certain moment, her face suddenly turned pale. She was already a married woman and understood the specific meaning of his words.

While she was speechless, Meng Zhuotao waved his hand and turned to leave.

Leaving the courtyard and walking through the long corridor, a series of deputies followed, reporting matters to him.

As the leader of the Resentment Society under "King Yama," he had to handle a large number of matters every day, especially as the September conference unfolded. There was even more work to do, and from time to time, people would secretly come to meet him. He dealt with these matters for the better part of an hour. When he saw one of his deputies in the study, he casually asked about something he had been reminded of not long ago.

"...Have you found out who's spreading the rumors outside?"

"We haven't found the mastermind yet, but we've identified some of the people involved. We haven't... alerted them yet." The deputy handed over a list.

Meng Zhuotao looked at it and put it aside: "Continue to investigate who the mastermind is. I'll find an opportunity to spar with Monkey King Li Yanfeng these next two days. After I beat him, no matter who's on that list, arrest them all and drag them to a public place. Do it cleanly."

"Yes," the deputy agreed, hesitated, and then whispered, "But according to the results of our investigation, it really has nothing to do with Monkey King."

Meng Zhuotao nodded: "Mm." He stopped looking at him.

The deputy left.

The night was as black as ink.

Under the night, the lights of Jiangning, flickering, occasionally lit up and occasionally went out. The scattered lights are unknown how much bleakness comparing to the prosperous period of the city, but in the darkness under this light, countless intrigues and secret collusions are quietly happening, and the level involved and the possible consequences are getting bigger and bigger...

At midnight, the night wind howled.

Outside Jiangning City, near a dilapidated old house requisitioned as a military supply warehouse, two shadowy figures appeared under cover of darkness. They moved their bodies on the grass, taking advantage of the night. Although the moonlight on the first of the month was dim, we can still see that the figures appearing on the grass are the now famous Five-Foot Demonic Dragon and Four-Foot Demonic Dragon heroes of Jiangning City.

Except that at this moment, both of them have hair.

After doing a set of exercises on the grass and venting some physical energy, our little Son-in-Law Aotian put his hands on his waist and looked towards the distant Jiangning city.

"Hmph, everyone thinks I like to join in the fun, but I've run out to the city, let's see if you can still catch me. Wukong, wait a few days... no, tomorrow, when our injuries are healed, we'll go into the city and cause a stir!"

"A... Amitabha, Brother... this hair, it's so uncomfortable..."

"A... A Mi Tofu. You know the principle that only by enduring hardship can you become a superior person... Besides, there are already posters of us in the city. Your bald head is so conspicuous. If we don't disguise ourselves, how can we get in? Let me tell you, this disguise method is very advanced, no one will recognize us!"

Son-in-Law Aotian, with very fierce eyebrows, said with his hands on his waist in the night.

"Hmph, when I regroup and enter the city this time, that Monkey Li, Shitty Bao, none of them will be able to escape—they'll all die! And you! Wukong, I'm not talking about you, who is your boss? Who feeds you? Next time you see Blackie, don't call her 'Sister' again! You've completely made me lose face, you know that... Also, when dealing with that kind of scum of the martial world, there's no need to talk about martial ethics with her. Two people should attack together. What were you hesitating about? That day she looked like she was fighting one-on-one, but actually, three of them ambushed us two. Those two are black-hearted, one is a cripple, and the fat Lin couldn't stop them if they really wanted to kill someone. They're very fierce—"

"And also..." Son-in-Law Aotian's words were rambling. In fact, these words had been repeated countless times in the previous few days. The little monk cried and ran away, holding his head.

"I'm sorry... Help..."

"Don't run, I haven't finished yet—"

Both figures used the best light-body skills they had ever learned, one chasing and one fleeing, making rapid progress...