Free Web NovelChapter 525: Chapter 453: Dongfang Bai
"This... this is a big matter; the two of us are naturally willing, but we can hardly guarantee that the brothers under our command won’t overthink things. A slight mishap might lead to chaos," Golden Snake pondered for a moment before replying.
Yang Xiao knew their little schemes well. If the gangs did not merge, they could still call themselves gang leaders, holding great power; but once merged, they would merely become executives in a company, working for someone else.
But the next second, Yang Xiao looked at him with a chuckle, "Little Snake, what did you just say? I didn’t catch that; please, say it again."
Golden Snake was startled, sweat streaming down his back as he immediately realized he had misspoken, misjudging the current situation. Fortunately, the Qipao woman intervened on his behalf, "Our lives were given by you, my lord. Naturally, whatever you say, goes. It’s just hard to guarantee that others won’t overthink things, and Golden Snake is also concerned about this." freewebnøvel.coɱ
"I’m very democratic, and I hate autocracy. Let’s do this: you go outside, pick two managers to act as representatives, and we all vote to decide," Yang Xiao said, his arms crossed and resting in front of him.
Soon, Golden Snake and the Qipao woman walked in with the six people they had chosen. Including Yang Xiao, there were nine people—except for Yang Xiao, who sat majestically in the main seat, the other eight stood apart.
"Everyone, I won’t talk nonsense. I intend to establish a new gang and would like to hear your opinions," Yang Xiao said candidly. "Those in favor, please raise your hand."
As soon as the words fell, Yang Xiao was the first to raise his left hand, and both Golden Snake and the Qipao woman immediately followed suit.
But after waiting ten seconds, aside from Golden Snake and the Qipao woman, no one else supported the motion; the remaining six all kept their heads down, saying nothing.
It was six against three, a one-sided situation unfavorable to Yang Xiao.
But Yang Xiao was neither anxious nor flustered; this situation was entirely within his expectations. Golden Snake and the Qipao woman were still putting on a show, trying to persuade the other six. This was a performance for him to watch, indeed, these six objectors were all acting on the instigation of Golden Snake and the Qipao woman.
Seeing that the "persuasion" was fruitless, the Qipao woman turned to Yang Xiao with a gesture of apology, "My lord, it seems everyone still has reservations. A melon forced off its vine is not sweet; please give us some time to think it over."
Yang Xiao smiled, his hand tapping slowly on the table before finally speaking, "Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. Let’s simplify this: anyone opposed, please raise your hand."
This time, the six chosen ones hesitated, no one daring to start. They stealthily glanced at each other. Golden Snake made desperate eye signals towards one of the men with dirty braids, who, having no choice, finally shakily raised his hand:
"I oppose..."
But before he could finish, Yang Xiao’s expression darkened, and he instantly pulled out his Ghost Duster, striking towards the dirty braid. In an instant, the man’s body disintegrated midair, shattering to pieces, with his feet remaining on the ground. His shattered head and neck flew outside the door, forming a trail of gore six or seven meters long on the ground—a ghastly sight to behold.
This scene shocked everyone present, with the more faint-hearted collapsing to the ground, unable to even crawl up.
As if nothing had happened, Yang Xiao sheathed his horsetail whisk and settled back onto the sofa, asking, "Is there anyone else opposed? Please raise your hand to show me."
"We agree! Spare us, my lord!!" A few managers kowtowed vigorously, no longer displaying their previous bravado.
"Little Yun, is a melon forced off its vine sweet?" Yang Xiao turned to the Qipao woman and asked with a smile.
With a thud, the Qipao woman knelt on the ground, her complexion turning deathly pale with fright, "My lord, spare us this once, I beg you, I won’t dare again!"
Yang Xiao did not respond, turning instead to Golden Snake, "Little Snake, need we think it over any longer?"
Golden Snake’s display was even more pitiful than the Qipao woman’s. He only regretted being blinded by his folly, pleading repeatedly, "No need, no need anymore. From now on, whatever you say, we will follow, please overlook this matter just this once!"
Taking a deep breath, Yang Xiao slowly straightened up, his smile fading as he spoke calmly, "Only this time, not to be repeated."
"Thank you for your great generosity, my lord!"
Rising from the sofa, Yang Xiao walked outside alone, "I’m stepping out for a bit. Clean up this place before I return."
"Yes!"
After leaving the Nie Family Teahouse, Yang Xiao used the Soul-Capturing Mirror to travel to the Shatong Inn, where he found Ling Yanyu and recounted what had happened in the simplest terms. Ling Yanyu was dumbfounded; he hadn’t expected that in just a few hours of not seeing him, the man in front had subdued several gangs and was even planning to establish his own sect.
Seeing Ling Yanyu staring straightforwardly at him without speaking, Yang Xiao couldn’t help but frown, "What’s the matter with you?"
"Nothing, I’m just a bit confused, give me a moment to gather my thoughts," Ling Yanyu said candidly. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
"I don’t have time to waste chattering with you. Follow me now, and remember, don’t speak carelessly once we arrive, and don’t let them figure out our true capabilities," Yang Xiao said, clapping Ling Yanyu on the shoulder as if to encourage him. "They are outsiders; you are my true lineage, understand?"
"Understood, thank Jiang!" A sense of honored pride suddenly blossomed in Ling Yanyu’s heart, overwhelming him with emotion.
After several transfers, Yang Xiao arrived with Ling Yanyu at the entrance of Nie Family Teahouse. The others present accorded the young man brought by Yang Xiao the utmost respect, which greatly satisfied Ling Yanyu’s vanity.
Since arriving in this place, he had always been bullied and ordered about, but it was only upon meeting Yang Xiao that he finally felt respected.
He was the only one who treated him as a person.
After shooing the unrelated people away, they came to a private room on the second floor of the Nie Family Teahouse, where Yang Xiao, Golden Snake, Qipao woman, and Ling Yanyu sat around a tea table to discuss the issue of establishing a new gang, the priority being to choose a name.
The Qipao woman stood up to pour tea for Yang Xiao, then Ling Yanyu, and finally for herself and Golden Snake. "My lord, Golden Snake and I have discussed this; the foundation of the gang is already there. Now we just lack a name."
"Yes, a new gang, a new atmosphere. The name is very important; a resonant name is a good omen!" Golden Snake added.
Yang Xiao picked up the teacup and took a sip, "Do the two of you have any ideas?"
"We are shallow in knowledge and learning, everything depends on the lord’s decision!" Having suffered a disadvantage, both of them had learned their lesson.
"Yanyu, what about your opinion?" Yang Xiao asked.
Ling Yanyu knew this was Yang Xiao elevating him, intentionally giving him a chance to show himself, and after a moment of deep thought, he offered his answer: "My lord, you are upright and sincere. Why not call this new gang the Ming Sect? It’s simple and bold, and easy on the tongue!"
"Ming Sect..." Yang Xiao muttered thoughtfully.
"Mr. Ling, although the name is nice, to my knowledge, there are at least two gangs in Xiang Ma Town that already bear this name," Golden Snake kindly reminded.
After a moment’s thought, a gleam flashed in Ling Yanyu’s eyes, and he excitedly said, "Then let’s split the character Ming into two characters, ’Sun’ and ’Moon’. How about ’Sun and Moon Divine Sect’?"
"This name is good, ’Sun and Moon Divine Sect’, mighty and domineering, fitting for the lord’s renown!" Golden Snake immediately followed up with flattery.
"May I know the lord’s honored name..." the Qipao woman asked tentatively, looking toward Yang Xiao.
Yang Xiao stood up suavely, with his hands behind his back, and declared loudly: "Conduct unchanging, no disguise in names, I am Dongfang Bai."
"Eastern Sect Leader!" the Qipao woman exclaimed.
Hearing this, Ling Yanyu saw the opportune moment had arrived and was the first to kneel on the ground, offering a grand kowtow to Yang Xiao: "Sun and Moon Divine Sect, unbeatable in battle; Eastern Sect Leader, a paragon of civil and martial virtues; for thousands of generations, supreme over the world of martial arts!"
Realizing later, the other two were not to be outdone, also quickly knelt down and echoed loudly:
"Sun and Moon Divine Sect, unbeatable in battle; Eastern Sect Leader, a paragon of civil and martial virtues; for thousands of generations, supreme over the world of martial arts!"
"Hahaha—" Yang Xiao laughed heartily, feeling greatly satisfied, "My dear subjects, rise. Little Snake, Guardian Yun, you two have established substantial merits for our sect; from now on, you will be protectors. Yanyu, you will be the chief of our sect."
"Thank you, Sect Hierarch!"
Yang Xiao raised his teacup, toasting with tea instead of wine, "Guardian Yun, Guardian Snake, Chief Ling, my message is the same. You must all strive hard. Those with consistently poor performance who do not struggle and give their all do not deserve to be brothers of Dongfang Bai."
