Fang Zhicheng knelt as soon as he entered, clearly understanding Yang Jian's vengeful nature. Having orchestrated such a large trap to lure him, anyone who survived such a near-unsolvable life-or-death ambush would surely seek revenge.
To continue surviving and developing in Dongjiang, Fang Zhicheng had to swallow his pride, hoping Yang Jian would spare his life in consideration of the warning he gave at the last moment.
After all, his wife, children, and elderly parents had all moved to Dongjiang. Leaving Dongjiang would mean abandoning their current affluent lifestyle.
He hadn't even considered going head-to-head with Yang Jian. Although he had Zheng Jingfa's backing, Yang Jian's methods were too terrifying. Even a big shot like Master Fo had been crippled by him. Zheng Jingfa now dared not openly roam outside, fearing Yang Jian's retaliation.
"Little Yang, I was coerced by the Xiang family. They found out my home address, arranged for international assassins to hold my wife and son hostage, and forced me to host the birthday banquet to lure you there."
Before Fang Zhicheng met Yang Jian, Qin Ming and Zheng Jingfa had warned him not to involve them, clearly fearing Yang Jian's retribution.
Yang Jian was somewhat skeptical. "Does this matter have nothing to do with Zheng Jingfa and Qin Ming?"
"It shouldn't. They didn't give me any direct orders. But whether they provided the Xiang family with information about your familiarity with me, I don't know."
"How much money did the Xiang family give you?"
"No money. The Xiang family covered the banquet expenses, and I kept the gift money. I received over two hundred thousand in total. I have two million in this card, please accept it."
Fang Zhicheng took out a bank card and handed it over.
Yang Jian sighed. "Brother Cheng, please get up. I don't want your money, but this matter needs a resolution. Otherwise, I won't be able to maintain my standing in Dongjiang."
"Little Yang, I know no compensation can make up for the harm done to you. Just name your demands, and as long as I can fulfill them, I absolutely won't shirk."
"You withdraw from Phoenix Street, and I won't pursue you relentlessly. If it were up to those few, you wouldn't even be able to stay in Dongjiang."
Fang Zhicheng's expression froze. This request caught him completely off guard. Phoenix Street was his primary source of income now; the combined income from other territories didn't even reach half of Phoenix Street's. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to produce two million for Yang Jian.
More importantly, withdrawing from Phoenix Street required Zheng Jingfa's consent, as many of the operations there were handled directly by him.
"What, you disagree?"
Yang Jian's tone suddenly became stern, his killing intent palpable.
Fang Zhicheng felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, sensing Yang Jian could tear him apart at any moment.
"Little, Little Yang, I agree to withdraw, but I need to discuss this with Boss Zheng. The pharmaceutical business is handled directly by him."
"I'll give you three days. If there are still people from the Xichuan Gang loitering around Phoenix Street, or if they continue to interfere with Phoenix Street's business, don't blame me for taking action myself and leveling your entire Xichuan Gang."
Having been subjected to a series of assassination attempts, Yang Jian's rage had not yet been released. He couldn't reach the Xiang family for now, so he could only vent his anger on the Xichuan Gang. If Fang Zhicheng's attitude remained unclear, he truly wouldn't be able to hold back.
"Alright, I'll go back and discuss it with Boss Zheng immediately and give you a reply as soon as possible. Keep this card."
Fang Zhicheng was terrified. He fully believed Yang Jian had the capability to level the Xichuan Gang; the Yuzhen Gang was a prime example. Moreover, he now had Bai Zheng backing him.
"Take the card back. Brother Cheng, from today onwards, our brotherhood ends here. We are even. I hope the previous incident doesn't happen again, otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences."
"Alright, thank you for your understanding. Please rest assured, I will never be your enemy, nor will there be a next time."
Fang Zhicheng left in a daze. Yang Jian's complete severance of ties with him was more painful than leaving the Xichuan Gang.
However, it was also a relief. He had almost sent Yang Jian to hell, and the fact that Yang Jian didn't kill him was already a stroke of luck. Compared to his own life, what was brotherhood? Besides, Yang Jian had never treated him as a brother; it was merely mutual exploitation.
Leaving Phoenix Street, Fang Zhicheng immediately went to Zheng Jingfa's company and relayed Yang Jian's warning.
"Arrogant! He dares to say he'll level my Xichuan Gang? Let him try."
Zheng Jingfa was so enraged that he smashed the teacup in his hand. Yang Jian's words had provoked him, mainly because he didn't want to give up the profits from Phoenix Street.
After finally establishing a foothold in that money pit, all businesses were streamlined, bringing in a fortune daily. Forcing him to give it up now was worse than killing him.
Fang Zhicheng, however, knew his harsh words lacked conviction. "Brother Fa, Yang Wu is no ordinary person. His words cannot be taken lightly. We set up such a large scheme and still couldn't kill him. This person is too terrifying. To be honest, I don't dare to oppose him. Besides, Phoenix Street was originally conquered by him, and we just picked up a bargain. We've operated it for over half a year, and we should be content. If we resist him head-on, the outcome for both of us might be worse than Master Fo's, especially since he now has Bai Zheng backing him. Flattening our Xichuan Gang is not an empty threat."
"He has Bai Zheng backing him, and we have Qin Ming's support. Qin Ming's strength is even a bit greater than Bai Zheng's."
Zheng Jingfa's words were somewhat hollow. Master Fo's strength, at his peak, was greater than his, yet he was still crippled by Yang Wu, and the entire Yuzhen Gang was nearly wiped out, still not having recovered. If Yang Wu truly intended to deal with him, he truly wouldn't have a better solution than Master Fo, unless he went into hiding. As for Qin Ming, he would never personally get involved in a head-on confrontation with Yang Wu or Bai Zheng. These big shots had already achieved success and were mostly going legitimate; how could they participate in overt territorial disputes?
"Brother Fa, I have no intention of opposing Yang Wu. Even if you let me withdraw from the Xichuan Gang and return to my hometown, I won't go to Phoenix Street again. This meeting, where he didn't make things difficult for me, was already the utmost kindness. If I still don't know what's good for me, I'm just courting death."
Fang Zhicheng didn't want to persuade any further and laid his cards on the table. At worst, he would quit the Xichuan Gang and switch to legitimate business. After all, he had earned his biggest fortune in Phoenix Street over the past half-year. As long as he didn't mess around, his family would have no worries about food and clothing.
"Little Fang, since you've put it this way, I will consider it seriously. This matter still needs to be discussed with Boss Qin."
Zheng Jingfa never expected Fang Zhicheng to be so resolute. The words he had spoken earlier were actually to encourage him, to use him as cannon fodder against Yang Wu. Now it seemed he was determined not to oppose Yang Wu. It was even less likely for him to deal with Yang Wu personally. Master Fo was still in a wheelchair; he didn't want to follow in his footsteps.
"Brother Fa, Yang Wu only gave three days. You decide. Regardless, I will have my men withdraw by tonight to show Yang Wu my stance."
When it came to survival, Fang Zhicheng could not afford to make a second mistake.