Over an hour later.
Xu Zhi led his men, riding at full speed to the Jingzhou City government office, arriving as quickly as possible to meet Ling Tuisi.
Of medium build, with a beard on his face, he had a gentle appearance that exuded an approachable air.
But Xu Zhi, a bandit at heart, trembled and felt uneasy before this man, daring not show the slightest disrespect.
It was like a weak animal encountering its natural predator.
Ling Tuisi’s face was calm as he quietly watched Xu Zhi, or rather, the letter in his hand.
As if pondering something, a flash of dark ruthlessness passed through that calm demeanor.
After a moment of silence, he looked at Xu Zhi and said in a deep voice, “Lin Sanlong and his wife are dead, and Li Daoqiang has become the new chief of Black Dragon Stronghold. What exactly happened last night? Tell me in detail.”
Xu Zhi, seeing that Ling Tuisi showed no intention of reading the letter, was puzzled but dared not dwell on it. He responded and immediately recounted everything he knew.
“Fool.” After Xu Zhi finished, a cold, harsh expression flickered across Ling Tuisi’s face as he spat out the two words, making Xu Zhi shudder again.
“Killed by their own promoted subordinates—what a pair of useless fools.”
Ling Tuisi spoke softly, the chill in his eyes growing more intense.
Xu Zhi dared not speak, only bowing his head deeply.
Ling Tuisi took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked at the letter again. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face before he said coldly, “Open the letter and read it to me.”
Xu Zhi’s muddled mind didn’t overthink it; he immediately complied, trembling as he opened the envelope and read aloud: “Esteemed Lord Ling, I have long admired your reputation. Li Daoqiang has held you in high regard and longed to meet you in person.
Now, an opportunity has arisen. Only yesterday did I learn that Black Dragon Stronghold’s success today is entirely due to your full support, Lord Ling. I am deeply grateful.
Regardless, I will always remember your kindness, Lord Ling. I wonder if you might deem a humble figure like me worthy of your acquaintance—let us be friends.”
As Xu Zhi’s slightly trembling voice finished reading, Ling Tuisi narrowed his eyes, then let out a few cold laughs. “Good, very good. Xu Zhi, from now on, keep a close watch on this new chief of Black Dragon Stronghold and report to me at once.”
Xu Zhi felt bitter inside but knew he had no right to refuse, so he respectfully replied, “Yes, my lord.”
“Mm, I’ll write a letter too. You’ll deliver it to Li Daoqiang.” Ling Tuisi nodded.
With that, he began to write.
Soon, Xu Zhi left with the letter. Ling Tuisi raised an eyebrow and slammed his hand on the table before him, his face dark and cold: “What a Li Daoqiang. He takes over my Black Dragon Stronghold and still wants to negotiate with me as an equal? Overreaching.”
To Ling Tuisi, the letter’s meaning was clear.
It seemed polite on the surface, but in truth, it conveyed one message: from today onward, I am not your subordinate; let’s talk cooperation.
For Ling Tuisi, who had always treated Black Dragon Stronghold as his plaything, this was infuriating.
“My lord, please calm down.” A middle-aged man standing nearby bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice, “Li Daoqiang is audacious and overreaching. We can find an opportunity to eliminate him.”
Ling Tuisi snorted, suppressing some of his anger, and said coldly, “Lin Sanlong and Liu Si were useless, but Li Daoqiang managed to kill them, so he’s no ordinary man. For now, the priority is to learn his background before discussing anything else.”
“My lord is wise,” the middle-aged man immediately flattered.
“I’ve already written a letter to placate him. Leave this matter to Liu Tong—handle it quickly.
I’m genuinely curious to see what gives Li Daoqiang the nerve to propose cooperation with me.” Ling Tuisi said darkly.
“Understood,” the middle-aged man replied.
“By the way, any movement from Ding Dian?” Ling Tuisi frowned as if remembering something.
“None. He doesn’t even trust that country bumpkin,” the middle-aged man answered.
“Hmph.” Ling Tuisi snorted coldly. “Keep watching him. And what about the Wan family? Putting on this act—what exactly are they trying to do?”
“Understood.”
···
At Floating Cloud Mountain, Black Dragon Stronghold.
Xu Zhi rushed back as fast as he could and presented Ling Tuisi’s reply letter.
Respectfully, he said, “Chief, Lord Ling has sent a reply.”
Li Daoqiang nodded and reached for the letter, but suddenly stopped his hand and said with a warm smile, “Good, Brother Xu, go ahead and read this letter aloud.”
Xu Zhi was puzzled again. He didn’t want to, knowing too much was dangerous, so he hesitated, “Chief, this is a confidential matter between you and Lord Ling. I dare not pry.”
“Nonsense. What confidential matter? Brother Xu, you’re the backbone of Black Dragon Stronghold, a brother I trust. There’s nothing you shouldn’t know. Read it.” Li Daoqiang waved his hand casually, speaking boldly, his final word firm and leaving no room for refusal.
Xu Zhi dared not refuse. With a nervous heart, he opened the envelope and read: “Chief Li, I’ve long heard of your reputation. I congratulate you on becoming the leader of Black Dragon Stronghold.
I have always enjoyed befriending heroes and wish I could meet you immediately. If the opportunity arises, we should share a drink and talk.”
Relieved, Xu Zhi looked up at Li Daoqiang and said cautiously, “Chief, that’s all.”
Li Daoqiang nodded, gave the letter a deep look, and after a moment’s thought said, “Brother Xu, tell me every detail of your meeting with Lord Ling.”
“Yes.” Xu Zhi responded, then thought carefully and said, “Chief, I first told him that you had become the new chief of Black Dragon Stronghold. Lord Ling was silent for a while, then asked me to describe last night’s events. Since I didn’t know, I told the truth—that Lin Sanlong and his wife were ungrateful and tried to harm you, Chief, and you, with your great skill, killed the treacherous pair.
Then Lord Ling seemed a bit angry, but he didn’t say much and just wrote a letter for me to bring back to you.”
Li Daoqiang pondered, then suddenly smiled, “Brother Xu, did Lord Ling really say nothing after reading that letter?”
Xu Zhi looked up and felt that the half-smiling eyes were unusually sharp, as if seeing through his thoughts. He quickly lowered his head again, hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said fearfully, “Chief, after I read the letter to Lord Ling, he told me to keep an eye on Black Dragon Stronghold and report anything to him.
I swear I never intended to deceive you, Chief. At that moment, I had no choice and was forced to agree.
I have no intention of betraying you, Chief. I swear it to heaven.”
“Haha, of course I believe you, Brother Xu. It’s only human—no blame.” Li Daoqiang immediately laughed, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
Xu Zhi felt a little relieved.
Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, “You said you read the letter to Lord Ling? He didn’t read it himself?”
“Yes, Chief,” Xu Zhi nodded repeatedly.
Li Daoqiang’s smile remained unchanged, but inwardly he sneered.
That old fox—truly cautious.