After leaving the headquarters of the Qinghong Gang, Xiaozihan immediately said to Xingao, "Why were you sitting there without saying a word? Wuhai hinted at me, and you didn't remind me. Are you deliberately waiting to see me embarrassed?"

Xingao raised both hands innocently and said, "Boss, it's a misunderstanding. At that moment, I thought I should follow the principle of 'deaf to outside matters, single-mindedly studying the teachings of sages.' Let you handle everything; I just sat there and listened. This way, it highlights the boss's strategic brilliance. It makes you appear towering and formidable in their eyes, unparalleled, like floating clouds and flowing water, comparable to towering mountains and steep peaks, just like the scorching sun and the moon..."

Before he could finish, laughter erupted behind him. Turning around, he saw Feiyu and Jinsheng. As Xingao looked at them, they tried to suppress their laughter but seemed to be struggling, with stiff expressions and stifled sounds.

Walking in front of them, Leidong maintained a calm demeanor, but a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth suggested he, too, was fighting back laughter. As for Yang Yuande, he was covering his mouth and looking around in all directions, avoiding eye contact.

The four of them had been around Xingao for some time, but they never knew Xingao had this side to him. Xingao glared awkwardly at the four, accustomed to joking with Xiaozihan. It was unexpected that this time he became the subject of amusement for the others, leaving him feeling uncomfortable. Pretending to be angry, he said, "What are you all laughing at? Are you itching for trouble, or do you find tonight's fight unsatisfying? Do you want me to show you a thing or two?"

Feiyu, fearlessly, replied, "Sure, Ao ge. The four of us against you. What do you think?"

Surprised by Feiyu's challenge, Xingao's temper flared, "Am I supposed to be afraid of you guys? You are all my trained men. I know each of your moves and techniques like the back of my hand. If I don't discipline you, you won't understand how vast the sky is, how thick the earth is, how mighty the boss is, and how formidable I am."

Though he boasted on the surface, Xingao was secretly anxious. The progress of these four youngsters was too rapid, as if they had divine assistance. If all four of them attacked him simultaneously, he estimated he would only have a thirty percent chance of winning. If he were to be knocked down by these youngsters, the scene would be unimaginable.

With a wry smile, Xingao said, "Forget it, I won't argue with you guys. It's not glorious to win against four of you, and it's even more embarrassing to lose. It's like taking advantage of myself. We're all good brothers; I won't take advantage of you."

This obvious attempt to save face for himself didn't escape the notice of the others. Feiyu teased, "Ao ge, if you're afraid, just say so. We won't make fun of you."

Seeing that Feiyu wouldn't let it go, Xingao cursed, "You little brat with nothing better to do." With that, he delivered a swift kick to Feiyu's buttocks.

Feiyu didn't expect Xingao to act on his words and immediately felt the impact on his buttocks. He jumped up, holding his sore spot, looking at Xingao with aggrieved eyes.

The others burst into laughter at their playful scuffle. After a hearty laugh, Xiaozihan suddenly turned serious and said to Leidong and the others, "Your performance today was excellent. From now on, you four will lead the Ghost Team."

All five, including Xingao, showed surprise on their faces. Jinsheng asked, "Boss Han, where did the Ghost Team come from?"

Before Xiaozihan could answer, Xingao interjected, "Having it now doesn't mean having it in the future. That's why it's called the 'future Ghost Team.' Right, Boss? How many more people are you planning to train?"

Xiaozihan thought for a moment and replied, "Let's see how the situation unfolds. I was amazed by the combat power displayed by Leidong and the others today. It made me think that we should have a group of equally strong players to handle unexpected situations. Our path is not always clear, and sometimes we can't deploy a large number of people, especially in ambushes and assassinations. We need a small but elite team for such tasks. Leidong and his team are perfect for this, but they seem a bit too few. We might need around ten or more."

Xingao looked at Leidong and the others, shook his head, and sighed, "It's not easy to find people who are both talented and absolutely loyal, like them."

Xingao was not wrong. When Xiaozihan was selecting people, he had sifted through hundreds of brothers in the Howling Feathers Hall. Only four stood out due to their outstanding abilities and unwavering loyalty. Some individuals might not be reliable in terms of loyalty. Once they betrayed the gang, it would be a significant loss. If they were to recruit again, they would likely have to lower their standards and train people who wouldn't match up to Leidong and the others.

This passage of dialogue, when translated into English, could be expressed as follows:

After leaving the Qinghong Gang headquarters, Xiaozihan immediately turned to Xingao and said, "Why were you just sitting there without saying a word? Wuhai was giving me signals, and you didn't even bother to alert me. Were you intentionally waiting to see me embarrassed?"

Xingao raised his hands in innocence and replied, "Boss, it's a misunderstanding. I believed in the principle of 'deaf to outside matters, single-mindedly studying the teachings of sages.' I thought everything should be handled by you, and I simply sat there listening. This way, it highlights your strategic brilliance, making you appear towering and formidable in their eyes, unparalleled, like floating clouds and flowing water, comparable to towering mountains and steep peaks, just like the scorching sun and the moon..."

Before he could finish, laughter erupted from behind them. Turning around, he saw Feiyu and Jinsheng. Xingao's gaze at them made them try to suppress their laughter, but it was evident they were struggling, with stiff expressions and stifled sounds.

As they walked in front of them, Leidong maintained a calm demeanor, but a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth suggested he, too, was fighting back laughter. As for Yang Yuande, he was covering his mouth and looking around in all directions, avoiding eye contact.

The four of them had been around Xingao for some time, but they never knew Xingao had this side to him. Xingao glared awkwardly at the four, accustomed to joking with Xiaozihan. It was unexpected that this time he became the subject of amusement for the others, leaving him feeling uncomfortable. Pretending to be angry, he said, "What are you all laughing at? Are you itching for trouble, or do you find tonight's fight unsatisfying? Do you want me to show you a thing or two?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Feiyu, fearlessly, replied, "Sure, Ao ge. The four of us against you. What do you think?"

Surprised by Feiyu's challenge, Xingao's temper flared, "Am I supposed to be afraid of you guys? You are all my trained men. I know each of your moves and techniques like the back of my hand. If I don't discipline you, you won't understand how vast the sky is, how thick the earth is, how mighty the boss is, and how formidable I am."

Though he boasted on the surface, Xingao was secretly anxious. The progress of these four youngsters was too rapid, as if they had divine assistance. If all four of them attacked him simultaneously, he estimated he would only have a thirty percent chance of winning. If he were to be knocked down by these youngsters, the scene would be unimaginable.

With a wry smile, Xingao said, "Forget it, I won't argue with you guys. It's not glorious to win against four of you, and it's even more embarrassing to lose. It's like taking advantage of myself. We're all good brothers; I won't take advantage of you."

This obvious attempt to save face for himself didn't escape the notice of the others. Feiyu teased, "Ao ge, if you're afraid, just say so. We won't make fun of you."

Seeing that Feiyu wouldn't let it go, Xingao cursed, "You little brat with nothing better to do." With that, he delivered a swift kick to Feiyu's buttocks.

Feiyu didn't expect Xingao to act on his words and immediately felt the impact on his buttocks. He jumped up, holding his sore spot, looking at Xingao with aggrieved eyes.

The others burst into laughter at their playful scuffle. After a hearty laugh, Xiaozihan suddenly turned serious and said to Leidong and the others, "Your performance today was excellent. From now on, you four will lead the Ghost Team."

All five, including Xingao, showed surprise on their faces. Jinsheng asked, "Boss Han, where did the Ghost Team come from?"

Before Xiaozihan could answer, Xingao interjected, "Having it now doesn't mean having it in the future. That's why it's called the 'future Ghost Team.' Right, Boss? How many more people are you planning to train?"

Xiaozihan thought for a moment and replied, "Let's see how the situation unfolds. I was amazed by the combat power displayed by Leidong and the others today. It made me think that we should have a group of equally strong players to handle unexpected situations. Our path is not always clear, and sometimes we can't deploy a large number of people, especially in ambushes and assassinations. We need a small but elite team for such tasks. Leidong and his team are perfect for this, but they seem a bit too few. We might need around ten or more."

Xingao looked at Leidong and the others, shook his head, and sighed, "It's not easy to find people who are both talented and absolutely loyal, like them."

Xingao was not wrong. When Xiaozihan was selecting people, he had sifted through hundreds of brothers in the Howling Feathers Hall. Only four stood out due to their outstanding abilities and unwavering loyalty. Some individuals might not be reliable in terms of loyalty. Once they betrayed the gang, it would be a significant loss. If they were to recruit again, they would likely have to lower their standards and train people who wouldn't match up to Leidong and the others.

Xiaozihan chuckled and said, "We may not find people exactly like them, but those slightly less skilled should be fine. If we can train a hundred or even a couple of hundred people like them, we'll be invincible, sweeping through the entire Xin Hua underworld. Look at them, training for just a few days, and they can already confront Steel Spike's top ten fighters. I bet in another year or so, even you and I might not be their match."

Leidong and the others felt a bit embarrassed hearing Xiaozihan and Xingao constantly praising them. Leidong, as the leader of the group, was generally reserved and didn't speak much. On the contrary, Feiyu, the second in command, loved to talk and joke around with others.

Feiyu, now standing between Xiaozihan and Xingao, grinned and said, "Boss Han, Ao ge, you two don't need to keep praising us. We've been praised so much that we're starting to feel like we're floating away like immortals."

Xingao snorted and joked, "If that's the case, can I turn myself into a god with this mouth of mine?"

Feiyu chuckled, "Ao ge, I didn't mean that. What I meant is, if you keep praising us, we might become complacent and stop progressing. While we've achieved some success, compared to Boss Han and Ao ge, we still have a long way to go. 'The road to the strong is like iron, now we stride forward and start anew.' People like us need to view our achievements as new starting points at all times to keep progressing towards the goals set by you and Ao ge." After speaking, he adopted a modest and receptive expression.

Xiaozihan, observing Feiyu confidently addressing Xingao, recognized him as a versatile character. Such people were often bold yet meticulous, capable of holding their own.

He shifted his gaze from Feiyu to Jinsheng and Yang Yuande. Although he wasn't as familiar with these two, he didn't think they would be lacking in any significant way.

"Ao, be careful on your way back. It's better to go separately. Be vigilant when you get back, too, to avoid being spotted by Steel Spike's informants and arousing suspicion."

"Hehe, Boss, don't worry. If Steel Spike wants to trace this back to us, they'll need to put in some effort."

"Be a bit more cautious, Ao. Don't be too overconfident."

"Boss, you can rest assured. My investigative skills, as you well know, if Steel Spike's small fry manages to trace us back, I'll hand myself over to them."

As they spoke, they unknowingly arrived at the parking spot where Xingao had stopped. Xingao's intention was to drop Xiaozihan off first, or perhaps spend the night at the casino, but Xiaozihan refused. After changing into a fresh set of clothes in the car, Xiaozihan asked Xingao to drive.

After seeing off Xingao and the others, Xiaozihan didn't return to the dormitory at Dianheng University. Wearing the new clothes he had changed into in Xingao's car, Xiaozihan felt much more comfortable. He wasn't used to the bloody smell from earlier.

Looking up at the sky, the round moon hung high above, casting a gentle glow with silver radiance everywhere. The scattered stars decorated the vast sky. This moonlit night should be the most beautiful of the month.

The moon's beauty entranced him, and his thoughts wandered. Xiaozihan couldn't help but think of Yan Mei and Xiaohu. It had been a while since he last saw them, and he felt a bit uneasy. When thoughts deepened, it turned into yearning. Yearning was an endless and boundless line, capable of pulling those far away in a foreign land into the dream of one's soul, providing solace in spirit. However, Xiaozihan didn't need that at the moment. A simple phone call would erase any longing.

Holding the phone in his hand, Xiaozihan didn't think much and dialed Yan Mei's number. Regardless of the late hour, Yan Mei was delighted to receive his call. Hearing the familiar "beep" sound on the other end, Xiaozihan smiled knowingly. Only he, Xingao, Xiaohu, Yue Feiyang, and a few others knew this number. Yan Mei always kept her phone on, evidently waiting for his call.

After a few rings, Yan Mei's sweet voice came through, and her first words were, "I miss you so much."

Feeling a twinge of emotion, Xiaozihan laughed, "Did you think I wouldn't call? Silly."

Yan Mei whimpered in a pitiful tone, "I've wanted to call for a long time, but I heard you've been busy with important matters. I didn't dare to disturb you. I even said that you ignored me. It's so frustrating; I won't talk to you anymore."

Warmth filled Xiaozihan's heart. Since being with him, Mei Er had always prioritized him, considering his needs at all times and being the one most cherished by him. He immediately surrendered, "I was wrong, Big Sister Mei Er. How could I say that about you? I cherish you more than anything."

Yan Mei pouted, "Then why did you call me silly? Am I silly?"

"Not at all, not at all. Our Mei Er is the smartest. There's no one in the world who can compare. She's simply unparalleled," Xiaozihan flattered.

"Hehe, this humble woman wouldn't dare to claim intelligence that rivals the world. At least Professor Xiao is smarter than this humble woman," Yan Mei said softly, chuckling.

"Nonsense. Every time I compete with Mei Er, I end up being her defeated underling. Men should yield to women. It doesn't count," Xiaozihan retorted with a playful tone.

"Hehe, Mei Er, you... Oh, what's that sound on your end?" Xiaozihan suddenly asked with a strange expression. Because at Yan Mei's end of the phone, he distinctly heard a lascivious sound, as if Yan Mei was playing some adult content. He thought, "Could it be? Mei Er wouldn't be so bold, would she?"

Unexpectedly, Yan Mei immediately moaned, breathlessly saying, "Mei Er can't stand being alone for so many days, so she's indulging herself a bit. Watching some videos to add excitement."

Xiaozihan suddenly felt a cold sweat on his head, thinking about Mei Er at this moment, completely naked, her flawless body writhing in front of the explicit scenes on the television. She would be fondling her perky, snow-white breasts, red lips slightly parted, uttering seductive sounds. Even though Xiaozihan couldn't see Yan Mei on the other end of the phone, he could vividly imagine the scene.

Not expecting this, his desire surged, and he couldn't help but wish he could fly to Yan Mei's side and have a wild time with her.

Yan Mei, with a soft and alluring laugh, said, "Professor, are you thinking about something now? Mei Er is completely undressed at the moment."

Xiaozihan, not in a good mood, said without much enthusiasm, "Mei Er, you...you little minx. Enjoy yourself now. When I get back, hehehehe..." His laughter sounded eerie, and the implied meaning was self-evident.

"Professor, do you want to know who the male lead in the film is?" Yan Mei ignored Xiaozihan's creepy laughter and said cunningly.

Xiaozihan snorted, "Who the hell wants to know who that bastard is? But it's best not to let me coincidentally meet him. Otherwise, I'll hit him every time I see him."

Yan Mei burst into laughter, "I guarantee you'll get to meet him, and it won't be a coincidence. You can hit him every time you see him, and make sure not to go easy on him. Hahaha."

Feeling that something was not right, Xiaozihan suddenly sensed trouble.

Before Xiaozihan could react, Yan Mei dropped a bombshell, "The hunk in the film is called Xiaozihan. Hahaha..."