Chapter 291: Hidden Agendas

After seeing off Tian Ma and Tian Hu, the prison fell into silence, and Qian Wu sank back into deep thought.

"Wu Ge..." Song Qi approached Qian Wu, leaned over with a hesitant expression, and said, "Is it necessary to make this deal with them? With one order from you, we can go to war. No matter if she is 'Tian Ma' or not, the brothers will..."

"There's no need," Qian Wu replied. "I also want to find out what that massive 'Hui Xiang' is all about. Ever since 'Mao' was established, we've never heard a sound like that. It's crucial to figure out where the other side stands."

"I understand, Wu Ge," Song Qi nodded.

"By the way..." Qian Wu narrowed his eyes and continued, "It seems like Tian Ma and his group don't know anything about 'Tian Tang Kou'..."

"'Tian Tang Kou'...?" Song Qi furrowed his brow. "Wu Ge, are you saying that the massive 'Hui Xiang' is connected to our last business deal?"

"It's highly possible," Qian Wu nodded. "Our large-scale attack could easily trigger others' 'Hui Xiang', and given that this one appeared in the middle of the night, it's hard to think it's unrelated to that incident."

"I see," Song Qi nodded. "Wu Ge, I'll go burn number twenty-one now. Let the brothers rest tonight, and we'll head to 'Tian Tang Kou' first thing tomorrow morning."

"Alright," Qian Wu nodded. "Lao Qi, pass the word along—if we really find that person, keep it confidential."

...

Di Hu noticed the light door beside him glowing and slowly stood up.

At that moment, a few participants were approaching him, seemingly wanting to join his game before the sky fully darkened.

"Get lost," Di Hu snarled. "Take one more step, and I'll kill you all."

The participants hesitated, then slowly backed away.

It was another day without overtime.

Di Hu slung a massive sack over his shoulder and stepped through the light door. Several lower-level "Sheng Xiao" members bowed to him before disappearing down the corridor without a second glance.

But Di Hu took his time, casually making his way to a wooden door, as if waiting for something.

Before long, a young man wearing a horse head mask walked up and quietly said, "Teacher, today..."

"Get lost first," Di Hu said. "I'll come find you later."

"Oh..." The horse head mask wearer nodded respectfully, clearly aware of Di Hu's temperament, and left silently down the corridor.

Di Hu waited quietly, growing impatient as time passed. Just as he was about to leave reluctantly, the wooden door finally opened.

On the other side was a bar, and Di Yang slowly emerged. He had deliberately arrived late, but seeing Di Hu standing right there, he turned to leave.

"Hey..." Di Hu's face broke into a smile, watching Di Yang with anticipation.

Di Yang acted as if he hadn't seen him at all and tried to walk around.

Di Hu grew annoyed, quickly stepped in front of him, and said again, "Hey!"

Seeing he couldn't escape this pest, Di Yang shook his head helplessly and replied, "Hey what?"

"You're back pretty late today!" Di Hu laughed. "How'd it go? Busy with work? Did you win or lose?"

"What's it to you?"

"We're old classmates, aren't we?!" Di Hu said excitedly. "We share the good times, and if you're in trouble, tell me about it!"

"No need," Di Yang shook his head. "I'll handle my own problems."

"I've got a ready solution right here!" Di Hu threw the sack at Di Yang's feet. "Take a look at these brand-new 'Dao'. What a hassle... Why are there so many? How am I supposed to deal with them?"

"Do whatever you want with them."

"Want them? I can lend them to you!" Di Hu said. "Daily interest rate of 9.5 percent—you won't find a cheaper loan anywhere."

Di Yang glanced at the sack on the ground, then looked up expressionlessly and asked, "Di Hu... Seriously, who exactly was the person you sent today?"

"What do you mean, 'who exactly'?" Di Hu frowned slightly. "What are you getting at?"

"I want to know if you're really that clueless... or if you've seen through it all along."

Di Hu lowered his head slowly and fell silent.

Seeing Di Hu's expression, Di Yang naturally pieced things together.

"His eyes... the way he operates..." Di Yang said, his voice trembling. "Don't you think we've seen him before?!"

"I... I get what you mean, but is that even possible?" Di Hu pointed behind him. "He's just a participant without any 'Hui Xiang'... How could he be..."

"Tiger, 'Tian Yang' is vacant."

"What?!" Di Hu was stunned. "Old Black... what the hell did you just say?"

"I've seen Tian Long—he told me himself," Di Yang said. "Though I probably shouldn't say this... but do you get it now?"

"You're saying Yang Ge never became 'Tian Yang'..." Di Hu blinked. "He left about a month ago... and now he's back as a participant?"

"Isn't that even more terrifying?" Di Yang turned to Di Hu. "You and I both know what kind of person Yang Ge is... He could turn this whole place upside down. How many 'Sheng Xiao' could stop him?!"

Just as the atmosphere grew tense between them, a lazy voice came from behind.

"Impossible."

They turned to see it was Ren She.

"You little brat..." Di Hu moved to slap him but remembered his own promotion to "Di Ji" level, so he just gave Ren She a light push. "Who told you to eavesdrop?"

Ren She staggered back a step, then grinned, "We're all tight, aren't we? What's the harm in me listening?"

Di Hu pondered for a moment before asking Ren She, "Why do you say 'impossible'? With Yang Ge's abilities, he could clear all our games easily."

"Ah, Xiao Hu Zi, you're always so single-minded," Ren She said with a smile, giving Di Hu a push—though Di Hu didn't budge. "Don't you remember... what Yang Ge said about why he joined 'Sheng Xiao'?"

His words made both of them recall something.

"Yang Ge did say something like that..." Di Hu thought aloud. "Because he's one of the 'unfortunate ones'... No matter what, he can't hear 'Hui Xiang', and he's always losing his memories... So joining 'Sheng Xiao' was his only way out."

"In other words... Even if Yang Ge became a participant again, there's no way he could clear the games..." Di Hu lowered his head quietly. "Because each time it's like starting over for him..."