Chapter 397: Great Golden Seal

In a mansion on Yuanshan Road, Greenwater City, Li Banfeng sat on the sofa, wearing a fedora with the brim pulled very low.

Shen Jinzhong, the forty-eight-year-old second-in-command of the Three Heroes Gate, had a bald head, a round face, a full beard, and was a seventh-level martial practitioner.

Looking at Bao Yingchen beside him, Shen Jinzhong felt a shiver of dread.

He knew this Bao Yingchen wasn't real, but over the years, his fear of Bao Yingchen had become ingrained.

"Seventh Master," he said, "there's nothing wrong with this puppet's construction, but his complexion is a bit off; he looks a little green."

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "The complexion is easy to fix. We can apply makeup later."

Shen Jinzhong added, "His speech and mannerisms are also quite different from our First Master.

Our First Master only speaks three parts and conceals seven, and even those three parts are spoken evasively.

When people listen to him, they all feel he makes a lot of sense, but few can clearly articulate what that sense is."

Shen Jinzhong had clearly described his impression of Bao Yingchen, but Li Banfeng fell into deep thought. He couldn't train a naive individual to become a seasoned veteran in such a short time.

Since it was impossible to create a highly similar Bao Yingchen, they had to find another solution.

The best approach was to prevent the naive individual from speaking too much.

He liked to speak evasively, and this alone made it difficult to manage. They would have to design elaborate, circuitous lines for him, and if he misspoke even half a sentence, his identity could be exposed.

Even if he spoke flawlessly, strictly adhering to Bao Yingchen's habit of making things sound vague and convoluted, resulting in others not understanding, the matter still wouldn't be accomplished.

Li Banfeng rewrote the script, and the two rehearsed it carefully several times.

"I think three sentences will be enough."

Shen Jinzhong was stunned. "Three sentences? Can that clarify things?"

Li Banfeng said, "It doesn't matter how much he says; the key is to have witnesses. Invite people from all the major and minor gangs to the Golden Seal Hall. How many you can get to come depends on your influence.

I will also invite some people. Tonight, you will welcome the Grand Golden Seal home. Do not, under any circumstances, reveal this news beforehand."

Shen Jinzhong looked troubled. "Seventh Master, if you don't let me reveal the news of the Grand Golden Seal's return, how am I supposed to invite people?"

"That depends on your ability," Li Banfeng said. "I don't think you need to worry about this. Those who should come will come eventually, and those who shouldn't needn't come to cause trouble." He took out a contract paper. "Let's sign a contract first. Everything we agreed upon earlier is written in it."

Shen Jinzhong pricked his finger and pressed a bloody fingerprint.

Shen Jinzhong called a few of his subordinates and told them to prepare invitations. "I've bought twenty sheep from Baimuyuan, so go prepare twenty hot pots. We're having a banquet tonight."

A subordinate asked, "Who should we invite?"

"I've written a list. Go prepare the invitations."

The subordinates looked at the list. All of them were influential figures in Greenwater City, and these people weren't easy to invite. "The first two days you ask politely," one said, "the next day you demand, but on the same day, this is practically dragging them here, Master. If we try to drag them here now, they might not be willing to come."

Shen Jinzhong said impatiently, "Those who should come will surely be willing to grant me this favor. Those who shouldn't, well, that saves them from coming to cause trouble. Now go!"

Shen Jinzhong returned to the Golden Seal Hall.

The Golden Seal Hall was a large mansion where important matters of the Three Heroes Gate were usually discussed.

By six o'clock in the evening, guests began to arrive one after another.

The first to arrive were members of the Three Heroes Gate. Several elders had been invited. Shen Jinzhong sat in the second-highest seat, leaving the chief seat empty. He invited Elder Dong Kaibin to the third-highest seat.

Shen Jinzhong sat in the second-highest seat, as per Li Banfeng's instructions. Before the matter was settled, the chief seat had to remain empty, as a sign of respect for Bao Yingchen and loyalty to the gang.

Dong Kaibin, supported by the Chu family, had already taken over the duties of the third-in-command of the Three Heroes Gate, lacking only formal recognition.

Shen Jinzhong invited him to sit, but he politely demurred, "Master, it's not appropriate for me to sit here yet. My position isn't right."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Shen Jinzhong chuckled. "This banquet tonight is precisely to formalize your position."

Seeing Shen Jinzhong's attitude, Dong Kaibin understood.

He was yielding, certainly not to him, but to the Chu family.

The Chu family was currently at the peak of its influence. Shen Jinzhong yielding to the Chu family was equivalent to yielding to the Commissioner. The crucial point was the extent of his compliance.

Then, he turned to Dong Kaibin and cupped his fist, saying, "Elder Dong."

Han Yaomen smiled, flipped his long robe, and sat down on a chair without a word.

Han Yaomen, the First Master of the Azure Cloud Society, cupped his fist at Shen Jinzhong and said, "Golden Seal Shen!"

Shen Jinzhong smiled. "Brother Han, you can't call him Elder anymore. Now he's Golden Seal Dong."

Golden Seal Dong? Wagging his tail in front of the Chu family, does a lapdog like that deserve to be called Golden Seal?

Zhang Xiuling, the head of the Hundred Flowers Gate, arrived.

Bai Wuchuan, the head of the White Crane Gang, arrived.

Li Haoyun, the head of the Lotus Pavilion, arrived.

Xie Juncong, the head of the Ghost Hand Gate, also arrived.

When these gang heads saw Dong Kaibin, some called him Elder Dong, others simply ignored him, and not a single one acknowledged him as Golden Seal.

Dong Kaibin looked somewhat embarrassed, but remained calm internally. This was to be expected before his position was formalized.

"There's no news from the Master yet," he said, "so my minor affairs are hardly worth mentioning..."

"We still need to keep looking for the First Master," Shen Jinzhong said, "but your matter must also be handled. Brother, just settle down and sit here."

Shen Jinzhong frowned and said, "Eating some hot pot lamb, what kind of grand banquet is that? I invited these people to help us find the First Master."

"Master, at this critical moment," someone asked, "is it really appropriate for us to throw a grand banquet?"

The soup in the pots was boiling. Why hadn't the guests invited by Li Qi arrived yet?

Just as Shen Jinzhong was getting anxious, the guests arrived.

The first to arrive was Lu Chunying, followed by Tan Fucheng and Lu Yuanxin.

The Lu family was also being targeted by the Commissioner, but their status in Puro Province remained. That a hot pot lamb meal could draw the Lu family surprised everyone somewhat.

The second to arrive was Shen Rongqing, who represented Ling Family Films.

With so many incidents involving the Ling family, their status in Puro Province was no longer what it once was.

But Shen Rongqing's reputation remained intact, as she was a talented woman of Puro Province.

She happened to sit next to Zhang Xiuling. With two talented women gathered together, Shen Jinzhong felt even more prestigious.

The third person to enter was He Yuxiu.

Seeing He Yuxiu arrive, everyone tensed up.

How did he manage to invite her? Has Shen Jinzhong lost his mind?

He Yuxiu had killed Yang Xingbo, the third-in-command of the Three Heroes Gate!

Of course, this was also a rumor that hadn't been confirmed. For He Yuxiu to dare to come today, perhaps there was another explanation for the matter.

But even if there was an explanation, she shouldn't have been brazenly invited.

He Yuxiu was now a thorn in the Commissioner's side and could lose her life at any moment. By inviting her to the banquet, was Shen Jinzhong not afraid of being implicated?

Despite their surprise, as He Yuxiu walked into the hall, everyone stood up.

This was Big Sister He of the He family, one of the foremost figures in Puro Province, and also the most unyielding person in Puro Province.

The Ma family in earlier years, the Lu family at its peak, and now the Commissioner—no matter what opponents she faced or what circumstances she encountered, He Yuxiu had never yielded or bowed her head.

Everyone present, regardless of age, status, or stance, upon seeing He Yuxiu, had to respectfully call her "Sister Xiu!"

He Yuxiu pulled up a chair, sat next to Lu Chunying, and smilingly said to Shen Jinzhong, "Old Shen, my coming here to eat won't bring you trouble, will it?"

"Sister Xiu, what are you saying? Your presence honors me! It brings glory to this Shen!" Shen Jinzhong called for a wine jar and personally poured wine for He Yuxiu.

Dong Kaibin, standing by, his face darkened. "Sister Xiu, was our Third Master really—"

"Who are you?" He Yuxiu looked at Dong Kaibin. "Do I know you?"

Dong Kaibin looked at Shen Jinzhong, waiting for Shen Jinzhong to speak up for him.

Shen Jinzhong acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He finished pouring wine for He Yuxiu and even specially prepared dipping sauce for her. "Sister Xiu, please try it! I learned this from a famous chef."

He Yuxiu said, "Is everyone here yet? If everyone's arrived, I'm going to start eating!"

Shen Jinzhong chuckled. "Don't be modest! With Sister Xiu here, everyone who needs to be here is here. No need to wait for anyone else."

He Yuxiu picked up a piece of lamb and chuckled, "Old Shen, why is the chief seat still empty? Aren't you the head of the Three Heroes Gate?"

Shen Jinzhong waved his hand and said, "The chief seat belongs to our Grand Golden Seal. No one can touch this seat!"

Everyone began to pick up their chopsticks and eat. Dong Kaibin felt that the situation wasn't quite right and wanted to find an opportunity to slip away, when suddenly someone outside the door said, "Everyone's here, it's quite lively."

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw Bao Yingchen, the First Master of the Three Heroes Gate, his hands behind his back, walking step by step into the hall.

Everyone immediately put down their chopsticks. All members of the Three Heroes Gate immediately stood up and bowed to the Grand Golden Seal. The others also stood up one after another.

He Yuxiu clenched her teeth. "Bao Yingchen, I was just looking for you, dammit! Where is our Old Seventh?"

The two sides seemed about to come to blows. Many Three Heroes Gate disciples drew their weapons.

"Don't worry," Bao Yingchen said slowly, sitting in the chief seat and looking at everyone. "I've been away from home for a few days and only returned today. You're all here eating and drinking, so it seems you've been doing quite well without me."

Speaking three parts and concealing seven, at least this sentence achieved that.

Shen Jinzhong quickly explained, "Brother, I called them here to ask everyone to help find you. Your silence these past few days really scared us..."

Bao Yingchen waved his hand and said, "No need to say more. I'm happy that you're all doing well. I've returned to speak about three matters. First, bring me my golden seal."

Shen Jinzhong quickly went into the inner room and brought out Bao Yingchen's golden seal.

The preamble was finished. It was time for the main topic.

The main topic consisted of only three sentences, but they were the most crucial.

The soup in the pots boiled rapidly. Shen Jinzhong was covered in sweat.

Bao Yingchen said, "First, friends must be made. Li Qi is my friend, and a friend of our Three Heroes Gate. This must never be forgotten."

Everyone was first surprised, then shifted their gaze to Zhang Xiuling.

They had all thought this woman was fabricating things, but unexpectedly, the Grand Golden Seal and Li Qi truly had become friends.

Zhang Xiuling glanced triumphantly at Shen Rongqing. Shen Rongqing had been continuously staring at Bao Yingchen's face.

"His complexion isn't right," she thought, "he looks like he's been poisoned."

Bao Yingchen's face was pale with a hint of green, indeed looking as if he had been poisoned.

Bao Yingchen continued, "Second, blood feuds must be avenged. The Chu family bought an internal mole in our gang and ambushed me. I was poisoned, and I hung onto my last breath to return to this hall, just to make you remember: this grudge must be avenged!"

Everyone's gaze shifted away from Zhang Xiuling.

Their eyes were now focused on Elder Dong Kaibin.

Dong Kaibin, relying on the Chu family's support, was about to become the third-in-command, and might even contend for the First Master position.

Now the true First Master had returned. Wasn't the internal mole he spoke of Dong Kaibin?

Bao Yingchen's gaze also fell on Dong Kaibin. Dong Kaibin turned pale with shock, unsure of what was happening.

The Chu family ambushed Bao Yingchen?

Is that possible?

Even if it is, it has nothing to do with me!

Dong Kaibin rose, wanting to explain, but Shen Jinzhong pressed him back into his chair. "Don't move! Let Big Brother finish speaking!"

Without giving Dong Kaibin a chance to defend himself, Bao Yingchen picked up the golden seal and placed it in Shen Jinzhong's hand. "Third, the gang must be managed," he said. "I am no longer able. According to gang rules, the Grand Golden Seal will henceforth be passed to Shen Jinzhong, the Second Brother."

"Big Brother!" Shen Jinzhong's eyes filled with tears, and he said in a trembling voice, "Don't speak such disheartening words! I'll have someone detoxify you right away."

"No need!" Bao Yingchen stopped Shen Jinzhong and said with a smile, "The matters have been stated. Thank you all for gracing my Three Heroes Gate with your presence. Please eat and drink well, everyone."

After speaking, Bao Yingchen picked up his chopsticks and picked up a piece of lamb. Before he could bring it to his mouth, he became motionless.

He Yuxiu looked at Bao Yingchen and nodded, saying, "Old Bao, you're a man of courage!"

Han Yaomen, the head of the Azure Cloud Society, said tearfully, "Brother Bao, may you rest in peace."

Lu Chunying raised her wine cup and said, "Elder hero, this junior salutes you."

Shen Rongqing still felt something was off; many things were not right.

But the disciples of the Three Heroes Gate were all weeping, and others also had tears in their eyes. To raise doubts at this moment seemed inappropriate.

Shen Jinzhong embraced Bao Yingchen and cried, "Big Brother, Big Brother, answer me! Oh, Big Brother, you can't leave..."

He wept, his voice thick with sobs and tears streaming down his face.

But he didn't forget Li Banfeng's instructions: this act must not be overdone.