Chapter 88: The Patron Behind Su Li

I watched as Old Leopard Chen hurriedly left, a vague sense of unease stirring in my heart.

At that moment, Lu Yier sidled up to me and whispered, “Chief Hu, about that last blood-stained stone at the stone-gambling event—what was really going on?”

I pondered for a moment, my gaze deep. “Strictly speaking, that stone was a trap I set long before. Hidden inside was a small vial of red liquid. When the stone was cut open, the liquid flowed out, creating the illusion of ‘bleeding.’ This not only diverted Su Li’s attention, but also led her to misjudge the situation.”

Lu Yier’s eyes flashed with admiration. “Chief Hu, your strategy is truly brilliant! Not only did we give her false hope, but in the end, she lost the competition as well.”

I nodded, though there was no relaxation on my face. “But this is only a temporary victory. The people behind Su Li will not give up so easily. We must be even more cautious.”

Lu Yier nodded solemnly. “Understood, Chief Hu. Su Li is still here with us, and I have an idea of what she’s thinking.”

Hearing Su Li was still here, I guessed she didn’t dare face those outside.

Her defeat had not only cost her all her dignity; more importantly, the force behind her would not let her off easily. The money she lost this time—given her abilities, she might never earn it back in a lifetime.

“Lu Yier, keep a close eye on her. Find out what she’s up to!” I ordered calmly.

“Yes, Chief Hu.” Lu Yier accepted the task and left immediately.

I took a deep breath and turned my gaze to the window.

At that moment, only Hu San remained in the room.

Night deepened, moonlight poured through the window and spilled across the floor, adding a chill to the room.

But my heart was tumultuous. Who was really backing Su Li? What was their true purpose?

Hu San stepped forward and looked at me. “Brother Hu, now you’re the chief of the Ancient Jade Society, even Old Leopard Chen takes your lead. What’s your plan next?”

I looked at Hu San and said slowly, “When Lu Yier agreed to be my lantern-bearer, he promised me a chance to kill a dog. The one I really wanted to kill was Gao Youde. Yet in the end, it was Su Li who was destroyed.”

Hu San nodded. “So do you really believe that Red Sister is behind Su Li?”

I thought for a moment and shook my head. “Red Sister is cunning, but I don’t think she’d expose herself so easily. Su Li’s defeat may just be the beginning; there’s a much larger plot behind this.”

Hu San frowned. “Then how should we respond?”

My gaze was resolute. “It’s chaos out there now. The only thing that matters is who can stay calm the longest. We don’t need to worry about what others do—we must focus on our own moves.”

“Now that I’ve become the lantern-bearer of this market, and Old Leopard Chen has promised me the same position at his venue…”

“In fact, I have a nagging suspicion that the fire at Old Leopard Chen’s market was because of me…”

“Because of you?” Hu San’s expression changed.

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door.

A figure slipped in quietly—it was Lu Yier.

“Chief Hu, Su Li just got a phone call. She looked very tense. She packed some things and seems to be preparing to leave,” Lu Yier reported in a low voice.

My brow furrowed. “She’s trying to escape?”

“Hu San, follow her. Don’t lose sight of her for a moment. Tonight, nothing can go wrong!”

“The person she’s meeting outside is likely her real backer!”

As soon as I spoke, Hu San had already turned and vanished into the night.

I moved to the window, gazing at the city lights beyond, my doubts growing ever deeper. Who was the force behind Su Li? What was their aim? These questions hung over my mind like a dense fog.

Before long, Lu Yier appeared again, his face tense. “Chief Hu, Hu San sent word—Su Li did indeed go to meet a mysterious figure. They’re meeting in a remote warehouse. The man’s identity seems anything but ordinary.”

“A warehouse?” My frown deepened. “They clearly don’t want to attract attention. Lu Yier, gather the brothers at once and prepare for action.”

“Yes, Chief Hu!” Lu Yier rushed off.

I took a deep breath, my mind made up. Whoever was behind Su Li, the truth had to be revealed tonight. Time was short. I quickly gathered myself and prepared to go in person.

The night was as dark as ink. With several trusted men, I crept toward the warehouse. From a distance, I could see a faint light inside. The area was silent, broken only by the occasional whisper of wind.

“Everyone, move carefully. Don’t startle them,” I instructed in a low voice.

We approached cautiously. Through a crack, I saw Su Li and a man in black locked in a heated argument.

The man’s face was hidden in shadow, but I could sense the danger radiating from him.

“Chief Hu, what should we do?” Lu Yier whispered.

My eyes grew cold. “Wait until they finish talking, then we strike.”

Just then, the quarrel inside abruptly ceased. The man in black turned to leave.

I knew the moment had come.

“Now!” I ordered.

We burst into the warehouse, surrounding Su Li and the man in black.

His eyes swept over us coldly, a faint sneer curling his lips. “Wang Hu. So it’s you, after all.”

“Who are you?” I stepped closer, my gaze piercing.

He slowly removed his mask, revealing a face both familiar and strange. My heart jolted—it was him—Old Leopard Chen!

“Gao Youde… you?” I exclaimed.

Gao Youde sneered. “Wang Hu, I was planning to come find you, and here you are, walking straight into my hands. You think beating Su Li means you’ve won the whole game?”

His cold laughter echoed through the warehouse, sending a chill down my spine.

I quickly steeled myself and replied coolly, “Gao Youde, your little drama is laughable. You think you can destroy me through Su Li? You couldn’t be more wrong.”

Gao Youde’s eyes grew even colder. “Wang Hu, you’re too confident. You have no idea—I have far more powerful forces behind me.”

I gave a cold snort. “Whoever’s behind you, tonight none of you will leave so easily.”

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Lu Yier looked warily toward the entrance as several men in black rushed in—clearly Gao Youde’s reinforcements.

“Watch out!” Lu Yier shouted.

But before his warning had finished, a familiar voice rose from the crowd.

“We’re all on the same path—must we really fight to the death?”

This voice was gentle yet carried a weighty warmth, strangely out of place in that tense moment.