Chapter 38: The Grand Army

A gentle breeze swept through the garden of the old Xue family estate, causing the bamboo grove to rustle with a dry, rhythmic sound.

Xiong Yaohui had already departed, leaving only Xiao Ziguang and Xue Ao in the pavilion. A small clay stove brought the tea to a boil, and Xiao Ziguang poured a cup for Xue Ao, who sat as still as a statue.

After a long silence, Xue Ao finally spoke. "Ziguang, Old Xiong's proposal is very tempting, but I wonder what you think? I have this nagging feeling that this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss."

Xiao Ziguang drew a deep breath, suppressing the emotions roiling within. In this lifetime, just as in the last, Xue Ao remained a man obsessed with grand achievements. Whenever an opportunity arose, he would reach for too much too soon, never fearing that overextending himself would lead to his own undoing.

"Father, I don't have a strong opinion on this matter; it really depends on what you want. If your goal is to consolidate the underground forces of Tianhai City as quickly as possible, I can go all out and wipe them all out for you."

"However, if you want your grandson to become the head of the Xue family, then it would be better for me to remain within the system, directing the violence from a distance."

"After all, if one can be a soldier, no one wants to be a thief. Director Xiong can wear gloves to keep his hands clean, and the Xue family can do the same."

Though Xiao Ziguang’s words were tactful, they clearly laid out his stance. Being an undercover agent once could be seen as a trial, but long-term infiltration was nothing more than being used as a pawn. Having finally been granted a second life, Xiao Ziguang had a very clear plan for his future; most of his time would be spent navigating the complexities of human relationships.

Of course, if some people refused to understand the nuances of the world, Xiao Ziguang would not mind resorting to violence.

Xue Ao naturally grasped the implication. He began to weigh the choice: a son-in-law who was a dark, underground godfather, or a grandson who was a legitimate, high-standing heir to the Xue family.

In the end, greed won out. "Ziguang, the fact that we won this bet is largely due to your efforts. I will transfer all of Old Ghost’s subordinates to you. From now on, as long as it doesn't interfere with your work, go ahead and try your hand at it."

"I will have Dajun assist you. Young people need to endure some hardship; it will be the wealth of your later years."

From the edge of the bamboo grove emerged a man in his thirties with a grim, shadowed face.

He was Xue Ao’s right-hand man, Dajun. He had once served in a special forces unit, conducting secret operations in tropical rainforests where he single-handedly eliminated an entire enemy squad. Later, due to family reasons, he retired and became Xue Ao’s driver.

In the previous life, the reason Xue Ao was able to secure the leadership of the Xue family's main branch—to the point where even the prominent Xue Bin had to show him respect—was entirely because of the loyal and capable Dajun at his side.

Xiao Ziguang had dealt with Dajun in his past life and knew him to be a man of few words but ruthless methods. Such a person was best kept as a friend. If that was impossible, he must never become an enemy, for once Dajun set his sights on someone, life would truly become worse than death.

Xiao Ziguang nodded at Dajun, who spoke with rare bluntness, "The job was sloppy. If it had been me, I would have filled the third gas canister with solidified gasoline. Once you've killed someone, you might as well start a fire to save yourself the trouble of cleaning up the aftermath."

Look at that—that is what you call professional!

Xiao Ziguang gave a shy smile. "Brother Jun is right. Next time, I will definitely add some solidified gasoline..."

"Both of you, enough with your 'professional' talk!" Xue Ao knocked on the table. "Ziguang’s actions this time were impulsive. He only escaped consequences because the stars aligned. A bit less luck, and he would have been beyond redemption."

"In the future, avoid such things if you can. I have no desire to see the old bury the young!" Xue Ao said, then gestured. "Dajun, take Ziguang to look over Old Ghost’s territory. Since Old Xiong has given the word, it is time for those people to know that since they’ve been transferred to the Xue family, they are now under Ziguang’s command."

"Understood!" Xiao Ziguang quickly agreed and left with Dajun. Xue Ao remained in the bamboo grove, sipping tea, a trace of melancholy in his expression.

"Young people act without restraint. Is this a blessing, or a curse?"

Unfortunately, no one could answer that question. It would have to be left to time, waiting slowly for the answer.

The car moved steadily. Xiao Ziguang sat in the passenger seat and suddenly asked, "Brother Jun, do you think I should continue as an undercover agent, or just be a policeman?"

The topic was a bit forced, seemingly asking for advice but actually intended to break the silence and open up the conversation.

Dajun’s voice was cold and hard. "We’ve both been soldiers. You surely know in your heart how to choose your future path."

"We are about to meet Old Ghost’s men, as well as his younger brother, Little Ghost. They may follow you on the surface, but they won't necessarily be submissive. Better think of how to tame them first."

Xiao Ziguang shook his head. "Brother Jun, I have a different perspective. It’s not about how I tame them, but how they try to please us."

"In Tianhai City, the underground forces are deeply intertwined. But if you look closely, you’ll find they fall into two categories: those with backing, and those without."

"Take Kong Ersheng as an example. Xiling Trading had a significant scale, and as the flag-bearer for the Xiling Gang in Tianhai, their momentum seemed unstoppable. Yet, weren't they wiped out by three gas canisters?"

"If Kong Ersheng had found a backer—even a minor police station chief—someone would have mediated before things escalated, rather than just hitting them with a fatal blow."

"So, whether it’s Old Ghost’s remnants or his brother Little Ghost, as long as they are smart, now that they’ve lost Xiong Yaohui as their patron, they will be desperate to cling to the Xue family."

Dajun glanced at Xiao Ziguang. "I didn't expect you to be so clever. It seems you have more than just muscle in that head of yours. Tell me then, how do you plan to win them over?"

"With intellectuals, you talk about poetry; with the lecherous, you talk about women; with fitness enthusiasts, you talk about bodybuilding. With these hoodlums—especially Little Ghost—you talk about revenge."

"The Xiling Gang may be shattered, but Qian Hao escaped, and Kong Dasheng is still alive. Even their upstream operation, the Xiling Sugar Factory, is still in production. I will shift the conflict outward and give these people something to do."

As he spoke, Xiao Ziguang looked at Dajun. "Brother Jun, in fact, we share a common goal: to ensure the Xue family’s main branch seizes power and destroys the second branch."

The car slowly pulled over to the side of the road. The air in the cabin grew thick with murderous intent.

Dajun looked at Xiao Ziguang in silence. "How much do you know?"

"I know everything. You suspect Xue Bin harmed your sister and hid your nephew. That is why you want to strip away everything Xue Bin possesses, forcing him to reveal your nephew’s whereabouts!"

"But you are alone, and Xue Ao is incapable of grand schemes. That is why our alliance is the best possible combination."

Dajun suddenly reached out, grabbing for Xiao Ziguang’s throat. Xiao Ziguang moved to parry, simultaneously reaching for his sidearm, but he was a beat too slow. A gleaming dagger was pressed firmly against his neck.

Xiao Ziguang’s life now hung entirely on Dajun’s whim.