Chapter 2295: Fish and Meat

The Angchang Business Alliance has developed very well in recent years. While there's still a gap compared to some old-established business associations, it can be considered an outstanding one among the emerging business associations in the Eastern Territory. In terms of development speed alone, within the entire Qi Kingdom, it's only second to the Desheng Business Firm under the Marquis of Bowang.

As the Qi Kingdom annihilated Yang, annexed Xia, and stabilized the Lost Realm, this hegemon of the Eastern Territory entered a period of rapid development. In fact, from the day the current Qi Emperor ascended the throne, the Qi Kingdom began its spirited forward advancement. This Son of Heaven, who achieved hegemony in the current era, presides over a vast empire with a population of billions. Amidst the torrent of the human path, it sets sail and races forward like an arrow.

The current Qi Kingdom is developing even faster, with a more stable environment.

Riding the east wind of the empire's development, various business associations within the Qi Kingdom have also successively ventured outside the country, with merchant teams spreading across various parts of the contemporary world.

Especially the Desheng Business Firm, which even does business in the Demon Realm!

The contemporary Marquis of Bowang is skilled at navigating official circles, thriving like a fish in water. He has repeatedly accumulated merits in governance, and in the business world, wealth flows in from all directions, filling his coffers.

With the standard set by the Desheng Business Firm, the merchant ships of the Angchang Business Alliance, speeding along the river, are not considered unusual.

This merchant team, composed of three "Orcas", six "Black Sharks", and twelve "Arrow Fins", carries the Angchang Business Alliance's largest business deal of the year, and thus receives the highest level of attention from the business association. Not only does the business alliance leader personally lead the team, but nine of the twelve strongest envoys within the alliance also accompany the team.

What people don't know is that the true boss of the business alliance is also on the main ship at this moment.

Many people speculate about the forces behind the Angchang Business Alliance, but that person has always remained hidden in the fog.

Who would have thought he was actually the Fifth Hall Yanluo of Hell's Gate?

Of course, this identity has already been unilaterally stripped away by Su She.

When he first joined Hell's Gate, he also lived a dangerous life, risking his life at every turn. He wanted to infiltrate Yin Guan's side, to see for himself what kind of people Qin Guangwang and Wu Guanwang were. If there was an opportunity, he would naturally seek revenge for his slain family. If there was no opportunity, he would simply do a job, broaden his horizons, and hone his cultivation.

But Qin Guangwang was truly too insane.

He even dared to kill the imperial family of the Great Jing!

As a result, the massive assassin organization was uprooted overnight.

While Qin Guangwang was attracting the attention of the Jing Kingdom, he took off and ran. To avoid being betrayed by the Wheel King, he decisively betrayed the Wheel King first, successfully avoiding capture by the Central Heavenly Prison.

Then, he circled back, slipped into the Eastern Territory, and continued to manage his business association.

With Hell's Gate gone, he was free as a bird.

For a long time, he had been accustomed to remotely controlling the business association. Coupled with his apprehension towards the contemporary Marquis of Bowang, he still hid behind the scenes and avoided staying in the Qi Kingdom as much as possible.

The former Jubao Business Association took the path of meritorious ministers and new nobles, widely connecting with emerging nobles and developing in great strides.

The current Angchang Business Alliance, on the other hand, closely follows the warships of the Qi Kingdom's external expansion, seizing its share of profit amidst the east wind of expanding the empire's influence.

Putting aside everything else, just this accuracy in grasping the era's trends is enough to prove Su someone's business talent.

His current achievement of God Arrival naturally involved tempering within Hell's Gate, but it was also feedback from the path of commerce.

In the current world, the path of commerce is clearly unprecedentedly prosperous, yet there are only a few true leaders who stand out. The best businessman in the Qi Kingdom is the Marquis of Bowang, and the most famous businessman in the entire contemporary world is the former Mohist Giant, Qian Jinhua.

The Business Saint Land was sunk in the last great era and has not been rebuilt to this day – fundamentally, there is no unified organization, it is even more loosely organized than the path of military.

He, Su She, has some ambition. For now, he can only keep it hidden in his heart.

He, this Lord Yanluo, naturally knows about the rebuilding of Hell's Gate. He also saw the dark mark left through secret channels by the leader who survived the great disaster.

But he would definitely not go back.

Firstly, Yin Guan is too crazy and often drags the entire Hell's Gate to their deaths; he may not be able to escape with his life again. Secondly, Yin Guan is already in the Cave True realm, and there is the danger of his identity being exposed.

Just pretend the Yanluo King is already dead!

Yin Guan can take whoever he wants down with him.

At this time, a subordinate delivered a message, saying that the special cargo in the bottom cabin of the main ship had shown an abnormality.

Su She smiled as if contemplating something, casually put on a goat mask, pushed the door open, and slowly walked towards the bottom cabin.

Because he never showed his face, various people within the business alliance inevitably had various ideas, which made it unstable. Even when the business alliance was first established, he had created a strict monitoring system, but over time, there were "countermeasures from below".

It was time to make some adjustments and improvements.

He had been working on these adjustments and improvements during this period.

The special cargo hidden in the bottom cabin was also one of the things that needed to be "adjusted and improved".

This cargo was not on the merchant team's transport list, nor did it pass his review. It was moved through the connections of Zhang Chenghui, a first-class steward within the business alliance, and hidden within the activities of this crucial merchant team. A box of precious goods was even emptied to make space for it, transporting it all the way back to the Eastern Territory from the Central Territory.

Su She was just going to see how much Zhang Chenghui risked for this, and what he was hiding.

Having been in Hell's Gate for a long time, he had encountered people who were either crazy or evil, each more ruthless than the last. He didn't think that any accident he couldn't control could happen within this merchant team.

The "abnormality" reported by his subordinate was indeed very clear.

Dark red fresh blood had seeped out from the square wooden box, and a small puddle of blood had already accumulated on the ground.

Was Zhang Chenghui not careful enough in his actions?

He ate and took from the organization, at least he should wipe his mouth clean, that would be a bit of respect. What was this now? Not even avoiding people!

Relevant information flowed through his mind – this fellow was born in the year three eight eight one of the Dao Calendar, and was not particularly outstanding in the original Jubao Business Association. He was brought in to the newly established Angchang Business Alliance and became a core backbone of the business alliance.

Su She always allowed his subordinates freedom to act, only occasionally trimming branches.

Zhang Chenghui connected with the Inner Official Fei Huachun last year, and his actions became even more unrestrained.

This Fei Huachun, it is said, is the adopted son of Qiu Ji, the pen-holding eunuch among the Sixteen Eunuchs of the Inner Court. His name was even given by Qiu Ji, showing how much he was valued.

Although Su She was not often in the Qi land, he constantly paid attention to the political environment of the Qi Kingdom and had a clear understanding of various forces. He knew that even among the Sixteen Eunuchs of the Inner Court, Qiu Ji was one of the most influential, not inferior to the pen-holding eunuch Zhong Liwen, both having the qualifications to compete for the position of Grand Inner Chief. Of course, they both lost to the current head of the Inner Officials, Huo Yanshan.

Therefore, he would also be somewhat cautious regarding the attitude of the business alliance steward, Zhang Chenghui.

Lost in such thoughts, he no longer moved forward. He lightly flicked his fingers upwards, opening the wooden box.

The wooden box opened like petals, and inside was a jar filled with water and runes. Soaking in the bloody water was a "person" that Su She had absolutely never imagined before—

If that could even be called a "person".

This person appeared externally as a dripping lump of blood, only flesh. The skin had already been peeled off.

All four limbs had also been chopped off, leaving only a torso, with a head on top of the torso.

And on the head... he was still wearing a mask.

A mask that was completely black, only exposing the eyes and mouth. On the forehead, a white door was drawn, and inside the door were two blood-colored characters.

Yanluo mask!

He had fled for a long time, detached for a long time. Unexpectedly, at this time, in this place.

Yanluo sees Yanluo!

Looking at the blood-colored words "Pingdeng" (Equality), Su She instinctively felt a shock. But immediately he thought again, he was no longer the Yanluo King. No one knew he was the Yanluo King.

Did the Equality King become this appearance to avoid the pursuit of the Central Heavenly Prison?

Who found Zhang Chenghui's way, and transported the Equality King out of the Central Territory through the Angchang Business Alliance?

If the Jing Kingdom discovered this matter, the Angchang Business Alliance would not be able to float on the river anymore!

Su She's thoughts raced. A knife coin was already clipped between his two fingers. Just as he was about to jump, the head soaking in the water jar suddenly opened its eyes!

What kind of eyes were these?

Protruding, dripping with blood, yet full of thirst for "life", as if shining gold!

You could completely feel this person's stubborn vitality, his fierce desire to live. Even though he had fallen to such a state, enduring boundless pain moment by moment, he still resolutely wanted to live on!

Su She appreciated this spirit very much. He put away the knife coin, prepared to ask a few questions, pass on some secret methods to his "colleague", and so on, so that his colleague could at least explain things clearly before and after, and then help him end his pain – "Can you tell me, why did you appear here?"

The Equality King stared at him, his mouth opening: "Hello... Yanluo King!"

Su She was suddenly shocked!

A die flew up from his fingertip. His figure suddenly flickered, uncertain and real, as if the result that had not yet appeared in the dice cup was violently shaking, preparing to move towards another possibility – at this moment, he had no other thoughts, only to escape. This scene was too much like a trap from the Central Heavenly Prison!

But that rapidly spinning die just stopped in mid-air, and suddenly gave birth to an aura of self-destruction, shattering into bone powder that drifted down wisp by wisp.

Su She's mood instantly dropped to freezing point. He stiffly turned around and indeed saw a familiar figure behind him.

Good news, it's not the Central Heavenly Prison.

Bad news, it's the Qin Guangwang.

Qin Guangwang's long hair was disheveled, his body slender, wearing a black robe and a mask hanging from his waist. He was leaning on a chair, looking at this side with a half-smile.

Poof.

Su She knelt down, tears flying out from his mask: "Boss, you're still alive!!!"

"Are you very disappointed?" Yin Guan asked with a smile.

"I'm very surprised!" Su She cried.

Yin Guan still smiled: "Then I contacted you, and you pretended not to see it?"

"Boss, I was afraid it was the Central Heavenly Prison pretending, I didn't dare to respond. I thought you were no longer here, I was so worried about you!" Su She cried: "During this time, I haven't eaten well, I haven't slept well, I've been in fear morning and night. That group of beasts from Sang Xianshou, their methods are really cruel... The Wheel King was right in front of me, and they, they—"

A green light suddenly flashed. Su She was whipped and sent flying, then fell heavily to the ground again.

The whip mark was painful, itchy, sore, numb, all sorts of painful sensations mixed together, invading his divine soul. Su She gritted his teeth fiercely, just not letting out a howl. But his body involuntarily twitched, writhing in pain like a snake.

Yin Guan said lightly: "False words are a sin."

Su She bit down, shattering his teeth. He flipped over, knelt firmly, raised his hands to the sky, and said indignantly: "I have absolutely no false words to you! I can swear to the heavens, I can swear by my ancestors of Qingxi!"

Yin Guan looked at him without emotion: "The Equality King mutilated himself continuously to avoid pursuit. He became this appearance not because someone tortured him, but because it was his own choice. To what extent can a person go to survive... The last time I found him, I brought him to escape from the Central Territory. I don't want any accidents to happen—"

The leader of Hell's Gate, at this moment, said: "Do you know why I chose this merchant team? Su She?"

With this real name revealed, Su She's last shred of hope also shattered.

He slumped to the ground, dispiritedly saying: "You knew who I was all along?"

Yin Guan stirred his hand: "Knowing is not too late."

Su She had an expression of giving up, and said painfully: "Then why...?"

"Why didn't I expose you? Why did I still use you?" Yin Guan stood up from the chair and took a step forward.

This step was so light and casual, but somehow, Su She's hand, which was forming a seal, was actually led out, fixed on the floor, and stepped on by Yin Guan's boot.

"Do you enjoy this feeling of playing tricks?" Su She's resistance was easily crushed. He no longer wanted to pretend, gritting his teeth and asking with hatred.

"You're thinking wrong, I'm not that boring." Yin Guan said with a smile: "As long as you can be used by me, as long as you can provide strength to the organization, as long as you can help me make money, I don't care whether you hate me or not."

He moved his boot away and looked down from above: "If you can, just kill me."

At this moment, he was almost completely defenseless.

Su She's hand slowly retracted, but he only took off his own mask, put it aside, then pressed both hands on the ground, kneeling down and then prostrating himself: "I will forever submit to you."

Yin Guan did not move.

He believed that Su She's submission at this moment was from the heart.

He did not believe in forever.

"Since you can't kill me. Then if you do something wrong, you have to pay the price. Is that reasonable?" Yin Guan asked.

Su She lay prostrate and said: "I am willing to follow the leader's instructions."

"The rebuilding of the organization needs money, and the repair of the Equality King's injuries also needs money, a lot of money." Yin Guan's tone was casual: "Since you have returned to the organization, can't this business alliance contribute?"

Su She never lifted his head: "I, your humble subordinate, am willing to contribute everything."

Yin Guan waved his hand: "Go and handle it."

Su She got up and left.

The Equality King, soaking in the bloody jar, whom people dared not look at directly, only spoke at this time: "Are you not afraid he will leave and not return?"

Yin Guan did not answer this boring question, only saying: "I thought you wouldn't survive this time, you also exceeded my expectations."

The Equality King slowly said: "If I can survive, I won't just make you unexpected."

The bottom cabin was silent after that.

Until Su She brought a person and walked down.

The person he brought was Ma Zongru, the nominal leader of the Angchang Business Association, also his representative in the Angchang Business Alliance, and his absolute confidant.

As soon as Su She entered the bottom cabin, he bowed again: "Leader, this person is named Ma Zongru. He is my confidant and usually controls the business alliance on my behalf. I have already instructed him. Any command from you, he will firmly execute."

Yin Guan waved his hand: "No need to introduce him to me, just do things directly. Let him exchange all the assets of the Angchang Business Alliance into Yuan Stones, exchange as much as possible, and give it all to the organization."

Su She turned his head and looked at Ma Zongru: "Did you hear? Go and handle it quickly!"

Ma Zongru's expression was slightly strange, seemingly still immersed in the shock of his boss suddenly becoming an assassin.

Su She suddenly stood up, a fierce light in his eyes: "Did our leader not make himself clear?"

"Very clear." Ma Zongru raised both hands high, indicating that he would absolutely not resist, but sighed: "You are my boss, you cultivated me, taught me, gave me opportunities, of course I will unconditionally obey your commands. This... Leader of Hell's Gate, since he is your leader. Of course I will also unconditionally obey his commands - but there is a problem now."

Yin Guan was a little interested: "What problem?"

"You want me to transfer all the assets of the Angchang Business Alliance and contribute them to Hell's Gate, did I understand correctly?" Ma Zongru asked.

Yin Guan nodded slightly.

Ma Zongru said: "A part of the Angchang Business Alliance belongs to the Qi Kingdom, can you understand this point?"

Yin Guan smiled: "Of course, what belongs to the Qi Kingdom belongs to the Qi Kingdom. I only want the part that belongs to Su She."

Ma Zongru's expression became even stranger: "But, Su She doesn't truly own the Angchang Business Alliance."

"What?!" Su She's eyes nearly cracked at the side, fearing Yin Guan would think this was a trick he had instructed: "Ma Zongru! Do you know what you're saying! My own business alliance, I don't own it?"

"Boss." Ma Zongru sighed: "The Angchang Business Alliance was already pre-ordered by someone long ago. All asset channels, various key links, are all held in someone's hand. If that person doesn't agree, we can't move even one Dao Yuan Stone. All along, you have only controlled a shell. I only represent a facade. Do you really have no awareness of this?"

Su She instantly lost his spirit.

If Qin Guangwang's terror was something he witnessed and felt personally, and when he saw Qin Guangwang, he just admitted his defeat and was convinced. But regarding the invasion of the Angchang Business Association, he was completely unaware. He didn't know how he lost!

The Equality King in the bloody jar also looked over for a moment, becoming interested in this scene.

Yin Guan, however, laughed aloud: "Tell me, who is so arrogant as to dare to rob Hell's Gate? Who is so capable as to rob Hell's Gate?"

Ma Zongru looked at him calmly, looked at this notorious leader of an assassin organization, and said word by word—

"Great Qi, Marquis of Bowang."