Chapter 29: The Conspiracy

Upstairs, Tie Canghai and the middle-aged man in green robes sat in a private room. The layout of the Victory Terrace main building was somewhat strange. Each floor had a large area, but there were only four rooms, located in the east, south, west, and north directions, leaving a large open space in the middle. Many female entertainers lined up in front of the central stairs, waiting for guests to call them. However, this was the reason why the big figures of Changshan County liked to discuss matters at Victory Terrace. Outsiders had almost no way to overhear anything. There were always some people who could not be invited to one’s home because it was unclear if they were friends or enemies; even if invited, they would not dare to come, fearing what schemes were being plotted. Therefore, Victory Terrace became the best choice. Fighting never happened here, so at least one’s personal safety was fully guaranteed.

“Brother Tie, I am not trying to criticize you, but you acted out of character. It was very unwise to offend Long Qi for no apparent reason…” the middle-aged man in green robes said slowly.

In this enclosed space, Tie Canghai did not need to worry about saving face. He remained silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: “I don’t know why… the moment I saw that kid, fire erupted from the bottom of my heart. I even wanted to kill him on the spot!”

“Oh?” The middle-aged man in green robes was surprised. “Brother Tie, have you met him before?”

“I don’t think so…” Tie Canghai was not quite sure. He frowned and thought for a moment, then said: “No.”

“That is strange.” The middle-aged man in green robes touched his chin and fell into deep thought.

“Forget it, forget it, let’s not talk about this.” Tie Canghai picked up the wine pot and filled his empty cup.

“Brother Tie, I know you have been very upset these days because of your second brother’s matter, but… I still have to nag a bit,” the middle-aged man in green robes said. “Tomorrow, I will arrange a table and invite Long Qi and that kid. It is better to clear up any grievances face-to-face. Didn’t you hear what Long Qi said just now? That kid is the new Pavilion Master of Miaodao Pavilion. If he holds a grudge and targets your Tie Family in the future… there will be trouble.”

“Don’t mention him!” Tie Canghai frowned. “Whenever I think of that kid, my heart… feels very uncomfortable!”

“The temper of you two brothers…” The middle-aged man in green robes shook his head with a bitter smile. “Because you don’t listen to others, haven’t you suffered enough losses?”

“Based on Long Qi’s strength?” Tie Canghai snorted coldly.

“Haha… many people hate Long Qi, but as the years passed, who dared to move against him?” The middle-aged man in green robes suddenly lowered his voice. “Brother Tie, do you know why? Because…” The man in green robes pointed upward.

“You know?” Tie Canghai seemed surprised and also lowered his voice.

“It is Xue Yi!”

“Xue… the madman Xue Yi?!” Tie Canghai was terrified. “Is it true?!”

“I saw it with my own eyes!” the middle-aged man in green robes said. “It happened five or six years ago. Xue Yi and Long Qi were dead drunk in a small tavern by the city. Looking at their relationship… tsk tsk, they were very close!”

Tie Canghai could not speak. He suddenly felt that his previous arrogant words were ridiculous. With Xue Yi there, let alone him, even the head of the Tie Family would absolutely not dare to offend Long Qi.

“However…” the middle-aged man in green robes changed his tone. “Brother Tie, if you really want to teach that kid a lesson, it is not impossible.”

“What way?” Tie Canghai’s spirits rose. He did not know why, but that strange boy made him restless and filled with rage, making his chest feel like it would explode. Now that he knew his friend had a way, he naturally wanted to know the details.

“You know Zhao Bocheng of the Zhao Family, right?”

“That old stupid donkey?”

“Exactly, him.” The middle-aged man in green robes smiled. “Long Qi leaked word last year that he wanted to retire. Zhao Bocheng wanted to find a path for his useless son, so he spent every day trying to flatter Great Master Wen. It is said that he almost gave away half of his family fortune. Moreover, Great Master Wen promised him that once Long Qi left Miaodao Pavilion, he could let his son become the Pavilion Master. In the end, the position went to someone else… haha, I suspect Great Master Wen suddenly fell ill this time because of this matter.”

“Truly stupid to the core,” Tie Canghai said with disdain. “Long Qi could keep the position of Pavilion Master because he had the Fierce Hammer, the Bone Thief, the Demon Maggot, and the Shadow. Especially that Demon Maggot… a little brat wants to boss people around at Miaodao Pavilion? Haha, he is not afraid of being torn apart by the Demon Maggot…” At the end, Tie Canghai suddenly froze.

“You thought of it?” the middle-aged man in green robes smiled.

“You mean we take this opportunity to win over the Fierce Hammer, the Bone Thief, and the Demon Maggot? And let them deal with that kid?”

“Do you know who the Fierce Hammer is? Or do you recognize the Bone Thief? Can you find the Demon Maggot?” The middle-aged man in green robes asked three questions in a row, leaving Tie Canghai speechless. Years ago, other families had sent people to secretly follow Long Qi, but all the followers died violent deaths because Long Qi had a guardian who never left his side, nicknamed Shadow, and Long Qi would seek revenge afterward. Over time, everyone gave up. Unless they were determined to fight a life-and-death battle with Miaodao Pavilion, there was no need to do such meaningless things.

“Then what you mean is…”

“Even Great Master Wen was so angry that he fell ill. I expect Zhao Bocheng is already close to madness. He must have thought of all sorts of terrible things in his mind, but just lacked the courage to carry them out,” the middle-aged man in green robes said. “At this time, one only needs someone to give him a gentle push from behind. Very gently, hehe…”

Tie Canghai’s eyes lit up.

“It must be moderate. We cannot leave any evidence. It would be best if Zhao Bocheng did not suspect us even after the event,” the middle-aged man in green robes smiled. “Then, we just quietly watch the drama. Whether he succeeds or not, it has nothing to do with us anyway.”

“Brilliant! A brilliant plan!” Tie Canghai laughed loudly. “Everyone says Long Qi is a genius, but I see that you, my friend, are not inferior to Long Qi!”

The middle-aged man in green robes smiled with satisfaction and raised his wine cup.

Downstairs, Su Tang had no way of knowing what was happening upstairs. Long Qi introduced the guests at the table to him one by one. He could clearly feel that their attitudes were very friendly, especially Bai Zhenyu.

According to Long Qi’s introduction, although Bai Zhenyu was not old, his seniority was very high. He was brothers with the current head of the Bai Family, Bai Zhenshi, though the two brothers were more than forty years apart in age…

Under Long Qi’s deliberate push, the news slowly spread. First, the female entertainers serving them learned of Su Tang’s identity. Bai Zhenyu and his group added to the excitement nearby. Some of the smarter entertainers reported the news to the accountant. Soon, the three managers of Victory Terrace, who usually kept a low profile, appeared one after another to congratulate Su Tang. The guests entering the building saw the excitement and naturally asked a few questions. After learning the reason, they also crowded around to offer their congratulations.

The patrons of Victory Terrace were limited. Regardless of whether their relationships were good or bad, or whether there were grudges, they were all considered acquaintances. With Long Qi helping out on the side, the atmosphere was quite good.

Fortunately, the place was too picky about the identity of its guests. If it were like other restaurants crowded with customers, Su Tang would not have dreamed of being able to leave today.