Chapter 303: Flag不要乱立

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

"Alright, I'll trust you this once," Plum Blossom Four muttered to himself, wondering why Zu An's actual image seemed so different from his claims.

Unfortunately, he was like a fish on a chopping board, completely at Zu An's mercy, with no room to object.

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

Shang Liuyu possessed such a noble and pure aura that Zu An felt offering her money would be an insult, so he gave it to Xie Xiu instead.

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

Zu An chuckled. "I know you, Young Master Xie, are wealthy, but this occasion calls for me to treat everyone. It's only right that I pay."

"Alright," Xie Xiu finally relented. "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 somewhat surprised to hear he had to leave, but she didn't press for details and let him go.

Xie Xiu eagerly scurried over to Shang Liuyu, trying to be attentive. "Teacher Shang," he offered, "I know a newly opened restaurant with very unique dishes. Please, this way."

Shang Liuyu merely offered a polite smile, then slowly walked forward.

Xie Xiu followed behind, feeling a little self-contempt. He was usually so poised and confident in front of other young ladies, yet in front of Teacher Shang, he was acting like a fawning dog.

However, Teacher Shang's aura was truly extraordinary, completely unlike any woman he had known before, causing him to unconsciously adopt a more humble demeanor.

Meanwhile, Zu An took Plum Blossom Four away, changed into a regular Plum Blossom Gang member's attire, and carefully questioned him about various details and precautions. Only then did he follow Plum Blossom Four to the agreed meeting place with the Giant Whale Gang.

He had originally considered asking people from the academy for help, but Shang Liuyu wasn't known for her combat prowess. He worried that if he called her there and she suffered any harm, he would deeply regret it.

Moreover, he learned from Plum Blossom Four that the Giant Whale Gang leader was always mysterious and cautious, and too many people would easily make them wary.

Furthermore, the agreed meeting time was fast approaching, and there wouldn't be enough time to notify the Chu family and arrange for troops. So he decided to go alone.

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

What's more, he wasn't going there to fight, but merely to gather information. How could anyone recognize him as a mere "subordinate"?

To be extra careful, he deliberately came to the First-Class Restaurant in the city and headed towards the designated private room.

Downstairs, several burly men stopped them. After checking that they were unarmed, they signaled upstairs.

Simultaneously, another associate went outside to scout. Only after confirming there were no followers did they allow the two to proceed.

Zu An thought to himself, they're being so cautious, it's like a triad meeting scene from a TV show.

But then he thought, wasn't the Giant Whale Gang essentially a criminal organization now?

Arriving at a private room on the second floor, they found someone at the door who opened it for them.

Plum Blossom Four swallowed hard, clearly very nervous. Zu An put a hand on his lower back, partly to encourage him and partly as a silent threat.

With no other choice, Plum Blossom Four braced himself and entered. Zu An followed behind, quietly observing his surroundings.

Unlike the heavily guarded exterior, there were few people inside, making the place feel empty.

Only a single figure sat at a table. Zu An's heart skipped a beat when he saw them: "The Giant Whale Gang leader is a woman?"

Not only was it a woman, but a very beautiful one at that.

Although her face was covered by a veil, her graceful figure and the delicate elegance in her brows all revealed her captivating charm.

For some reason, he felt the other party's eyes were somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite recall where he had seen them before.

After a quick glance, he quickly lowered his head. He dared not stare, as his current identity was that of Plum Blossom Four's subordinate, and subordinates were not supposed to look around carelessly.

"Greetings... Greetings, Leader..." Plum Blossom Four hadn't expected the Giant Whale Gang leader to be such a stunning beauty. Despite his inner trepidation, he couldn't help but swallow, his peripheral vision repeatedly darting towards her long, slender legs, which were crossed diagonally beneath the table.

The woman chuckled, her voice enchanting. "Plum Blossom Four, you're too polite. From now on, we're all family. Oh, by the way, did you bring the items?"

"The items... the items are here," Plum Blossom Four stammered, cold sweat instantly breaking out on him. Most of the deeds and banknotes had just been confiscated, so he only had a few genuine ones on him; the rest were fakes meant to make up the numbers.

"Then let me see them," the woman said, extending a soft, fair, delicate hand towards him.

Plum Blossom Four swallowed hard, silently cursing Zu An to death. He was just thinking about the excuse Zu An had taught him and was about to speak when he suddenly heard the woman opposite him let out a soft "Oh?"

"What's wrong, Leader?" Plum Blossom Four asked, his heart skipping a beat as he noticed she was looking up at the subordinates behind him.

"Who are these people?" the Giant Whale Gang leader asked, lightly tapping her finger on the table, her expression a little playful as she looked at them.

"To answer the Leader, they are all my subordinates," Plum Blossom Four quickly replied. "They haven't seen much of the world, so if they have offended you in any way, I hope you won't take offense."

"You're overthinking it. I was just asking casually," the young woman said, chuckling softly as she stood up and slowly paced near the men. "I'm simply marveling that the Plum Blossom Gang is now so fractured, yet these people are still willing to follow you. They must be truly loyal and brave individuals."

Plum Blossom Four took out a handkerchief and wiped the fine sweat from his forehead. "Yes, yes, yes," he stammered, "these fellows have always been quite loyal to me, which is why I thought of bringing them along to pledge allegiance to the Leader this time."

The young woman chuckled. "I've always appreciated talent, especially handsome young men like these."

Zu An's brows subtly furrowed; he felt something was off.

Logically, given the Giant Whale Gang leader's status, why would she bother caring about Plum Blossom Four's subordinates when discussing important matters with him?

Could he have revealed a flaw somewhere?

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

Thinking this, he gradually calmed down to avoid showing any unusual reactions that might be noticed.

"As long as the Leader likes them, that's good," Plum Blossom Four chuckled obsequiously.

"And this one seems to be the most handsome," she added. At this moment, the young woman had moved closer to Zu An.

Zu An suddenly caught a strange, subtle fragrance. His expression immediately changed as he finally understood everything, but it was too late. The young woman struck with lightning speed, directly sealing several vital acupuncture points on his body.