Chapter 103: 惊信

Jiayuan City's three main gangs are the Brotherhood Alliance, the Startled Dragon Association, and the Heavenly Overlord Gate. Other, smaller factions include the Iron Spear Society, the Sworn Brotherhood, the Green Robe Gang, the Spring Rain Pavilion, the Golden Sword Sect, the Cang River Boat Gang, the Vajra Gate, and the Sunset Faction.

Sun Ergou reeled off all these gang names in a single breath, then paused briefly to catch his breath before continuing.

"Among the three major gangs, the Heavenly Overlord Gate is the most powerful. They've allied with the Golden Sword Sect and the Green Robe Gang to control the prosperous East District. The slightly less dominant Brotherhood Alliance, in league with the Iron Spear Society, the Cang River Boat Gang, and the Sworn Brotherhood, holds the North District. The weakest, the Startled Dragon Association, has partnered with the Spring Rain Pavilion, the Vajra Gate, and the Sunset Faction to rule the South District. The remaining West District is quite chaotic, carved up by numerous smaller gangs. Although these minor gangs constantly squabble among themselves, they immediately put aside their differences and unite against any larger force that attempts to encroach upon their territory. Thus, Jiayuan City can effectively be described as a four-way standoff." Sun Ergou spoke fluently, outlining the situation of the various factions seemingly without a second thought.

After listening, Han Li pondered for a moment before thoughtfully asking:

"I once heard that the Startled Dragon Association is one of Lanzhou's three great overlords, and Jiayuan City is supposedly its headquarters. How, then, did it become the weakest of the three major gangs here?"

"Young Master, what you're referring to is old news. Indeed, a few years ago, the Startled Dragon Association was incredibly formidable, with its influence stretching across almost all of Lanzhou. As one of the region's dominant powers, it utterly refused to tolerate any other gangs in Jiayuan City, its headquarters. At that time, the Startled Dragon Association controlled the entire city, holding undisputed dominance here. Under its intimidation, other gangs didn't even dare to show their faces. Then, for reasons unknown, the Startled Dragon Association suddenly declined overnight. Not only did it lose its territories elsewhere, but its power, even in its Jiayuan City stronghold, significantly diminished. Other gangs, both large and small, seized this opportune moment and emerged. After several bloody battles, the current configuration of power temporarily took shape." Sun Ergou explained with great eagerness.

"Do you know why the Startled Dragon Association suddenly weakened?" Han Li frowned slightly and slowly asked Sun Ergou.

"Well..., to be honest, my position in the gang isn't high, so I don't know many details about that. I've only heard others say it seemed to be caused by internal divisions and infighting within the Startled Dragon Association, and it also appears that other major forces were suppressing them from behind." Sun Ergou gave a vague answer, looking a bit troubled.

"Oh, I see!" Han Li smiled faintly, as if he already knew.

"Who leads the Startled Dragon Association now? You should know that," Han Li asked.

"I know that. It's led by Madam Yan, the widow of Mo Ju'ren, the original leader of the Startled Dragon Association," Sun Ergou quickly replied.

"Widow?" Han Li was surprised.

"Yes! Master Mo, who founded the Startled Dragon Association, passed away. Isn't his wife a widow?" Sun Ergou blinked, a little hesitant, unsure if he had said something wrong.

"Who said Master Mo is dead?" Han Li sensed something was amiss, and his expression turned cold.

"Everyone in Jiayuan City knows that. A year ago, Ghost Hand Mo Ju'ren's last disciple went to the Mo Manor with Master Mo's will and personal tokens to report his death!" Sun Ergou shivered inwardly, growing a little fearful as he saw Han Li's grim expression.

"Last disciple? What's his name?" Han Li asked calmly, raising an eyebrow.

"His name is Wu Jianming. He's a fair-faced young man in his twenties, rumored to have inherited Mo Ju'ren's true teachings and possessing incredibly high martial arts skills," Sun Ergou said cautiously. By this point, he had gathered enough to know that the man before him surely had a connection to the Startled Dragon Association and seemed particularly interested in Young Master Wu.

"And..." Sun Ergou hesitated, looking as if he wanted to say more but dared not.

"Speak plainly, don't stammer! If the information is accurate, I will reward you handsomely!" Han Li said coolly, giving the other man a piercing look.

"I heard that Young Master Wu is apparently betrothed to Miss Mo Yuzhu from the Mo Manor, and they're rumored to be getting married soon," Sun Ergou said, his face breaking into a wide smile as soon as he heard there was money to be made.

"Getting married!" Han Li chuckled, then abruptly stood up.

He paced a few steps around the room, then stood motionless, gazing up at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.

"Listen closely, your task is simple: beginning today, I want you to discreetly gather intelligence on the Mo Manor, particularly regarding Young Master Wu. The more detailed, the better," Han Li finally instructed.

"Take these silver coins for now. If you handle this well, there will be an even more generous reward! Go on, get to it." Han Li, very generously, tossed another small bag of silver to the man.

"Understood, Young Master. Rest assured, I will handle this matter properly! I'll take my leave now." Sun Ergou, clutching the silver, grinned widely as he backed out, diligently closing the door behind him.

"This Young Master is truly generous, and the task is just a small matter of gathering information. It seems I've made the right choice in following him for a while!" Sun Ergou thought excitedly, momentarily forgetting about the "Corroding Heart Pill."

After watching the other man leave with a joyful expression, Han Li sighed softly. He suddenly felt a pang of regret; having spent so much silver on tips just two days after arriving, he truly felt like a spendthrift.

"No matter," he thought with a wry smile, "all this silver will eventually be charged to Doctor Mo's account, with some interest added."

"However, this Young Master Wu Jianming is truly an interesting character. He actually preemptively used the identity I intended to use to infiltrate the Mo Manor, and from the looks of it, he wants both wealth and beauty. He's truly bold!" Han Li rubbed his nose and sneered.

"It seems I must visit the Mo Manor now," he thought with a hint of resentment, "otherwise, wouldn't that Warm Sun Jade become a dowry item and fall into his hands?"