Chapter Ninety-One: Could it be Sister Hong?

Pinned to the wall was an employment notice.

In a low voice, I said, "Hu San, do you see this hiring notice?"

Hu San nodded, his face dark. "Brother Hu, I know what this is. It is not a simple advertisement for lumbermen at all, but a cover for certain powers recruiting hired muscle."

I smiled faintly, a trace of coldness in my eyes. "That's right. These factions are actually the ones who control the source of our jade. If you truly want to revive the Ancient Jade Brotherhood and claim a share of this jade market, entering them will speed your growth."

Looking at Hu San, I said gravely, "Hu San, behind this hiring notice lies not only an opportunity, but also a challenge. If we can get inside and understand how they work, perhaps we can find their weak points and pave the way for our future counterattack."

A glimmer of light flashed in Hu San's eyes. "Brother Hu, do you mean... we are going to infiltrate their ranks?"

I nodded, my tone resolute. "Yes. Are you willing to take this risk?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hu San answered, "Brother Hu, I am! For our Ancient Jade Brotherhood, I am willing to do anything!"

Satisfied, I nodded. "Good. In that case, apply for the lumberjack position and try to work your way into their inner circle. Remember, you must be careful and never reveal your identity."

"From this day on, don't call yourself Hu San anymore... Call yourself Hu Lang instead."

Hu San nodded solemnly. "Brother Hu, I understand. I will be careful."

I looked at Hu San, and a complicated feeling rose in my heart.

This brother's trust and loyalty toward me filled me with warmth and gratitude beyond words.

Silently, I resolved that I must protect him well, and also ensure that our Ancient Jade Brotherhood would rise again and take root in this city.

"Hu San, remember: our goal is to get inside, learn how they operate, and do nothing rash. Above all else, safety comes first."

Hu San nodded. "Brother Hu, I understand. I will proceed cautiously."

I patted his shoulder. "Good. Go on. We will support you from the shadows and wait for you to bring back useful information."

Hu San drew a deep breath and turned toward the notice.

I watched his back, my heart full of both anticipation and concern.

This city was like a great beast lurking in the dark, while we were nothing but two tiny ants.

And yet I believed that so long as we held firm to our conviction and pressed forward bravely, one day we would find a light of our own.

...

An hour later.

I returned to the jade market in Lu Er Er's territory.

As soon as I reached the office, I heard the sounds of Chen Laobao slapping the table and overturning chairs.

The moment I stepped through the door, Chen Laobao reined in his temper and came up to me. "Boss, I have good reason to suspect that my jade market was set on fire by Gao Youde!"

I looked at him and said slowly, "Do you have any evidence?"

Chen Laobao gritted his teeth, anger and helplessness flickering in his eyes. "Boss, I don't have solid proof, but I know it was him. Lately, he is the only one who has had a grudge with me."

"And the arsonist was caught by my men, but after a beating, he still refused to confess..."

"Besides his vicious ruthlessness, I can't see any reason why he would suddenly decide to start a fire on his own!"

I frowned and fell into thought for a moment before saying slowly, "Do you think it could have been Sister Hong?"

Chen Laobao froze, then shook his head. "Sister Hong? I don't think I've ever heard of her doing anything like that. Her target has always been the entertainment business; she has no reason to burn my jade market."

I gave a cold laugh. "Don't forget, she lost quite a lot this time in the stone gambling."

At my words, Chen Laobao's expression grew even more solemn. "Boss, are you saying Sister Hong may be trying to provoke a conflict between me and Gao Youde?"

I nodded. "Exactly. She lost a great deal of money in stone gambling and feels unwilling to accept it, so she may be trying to strike at us this way."

After a moment's thought, Chen Laobao gave a heavy nod. "Boss, that makes sense. Then what should we do next?"

My gaze hardened. "First, we strengthen the market's fire prevention measures to avoid any repeat of this incident. Second, we send people to keep a close watch on Sister Hong and see what she does next."

Chen Laobao responded at once, "Understood. I will arrange for more men to strengthen security, and I will also send people to watch Sister Hong."

As he spoke, Chen Laobao suddenly remembered something and looked at me. "Oh, right, I heard from Old Lu that Gao Youde is forcing you to pay him back in full within three days. Is that true?"

I nodded, a chill flashing through my eyes. "Yes. He has issued me an ultimatum. It seems he is determined to force me into a dead end."

Chen Laobao said angrily, "Boss, I still say the same thing: if you need money, there is enough in the startup funds! Take it. I'll be blind to it and pretend I saw nothing!"

I shook my head and smiled. "It's only Gao Youde. There's no need to touch the gang's money yet."

"Then, Boss, where will the money come from?"

I smiled and handed Chen Laobao a business card.

One look at it, and he immediately understood.

"You mean that jade fox material is going to auction?"

I smiled faintly and nodded. "That's right. That jade fox material is our trump card. If we can sell it for a good price at auction, not only can we repay Gao Youde, but we can also raise more funds to deal with the challenges ahead."

Chen Laobao slapped his forehead, delight flashing in his eyes. "Boss, look at my memory—I almost forgot about that! What a brilliant move! But we still have to be careful with the auction. After all, both Gao Youde and Sister Hong may stir up trouble in secret."

I nodded, my tone firm. "So we must make full preparations. Go arrange the men to ensure the auction's security, and also find out what moves Gao Youde and Sister Hong are making."

Chen Laobao answered immediately, "Understood. I'll take care of it right away."

At that moment, my phone rang. It was a call from Hu Lang. I answered, and heard his low voice on the other end: "Brother Hu, I have successfully been hired for the lumberjack position. Tomorrow I will be leaving..."

I was delighted and said softly, "Good. Remember, safety comes first. Take your time infiltrating their ranks and find useful information."

Hu Lang replied firmly, "Understood, Brother Hu. I'll be careful. However..."

I spoke into the phone in a low voice. "Rest assured, if anything happens to your mother, I will take responsibility. Whoever dares lay a hand on her, I will make him pay with his life. As I said before, your mother is my mother."