Chapter 148: The Mouse's Petty Thoughts

After two hours of flight, the plane finally arrived in Jianghai City.

As Xiao Ye stepped out of the airport, he immediately received a call from Rat.

“Young Master Xiao, do you have time now? I’d like to meet and discuss some matters with you,” Rat’s voice carried a hint of flattery. Xiao Ye had anticipated that Rat would have such intentions.

However, he was still undecided on how to handle the affairs of the underground world.

Two options lay before him: first, to let Rat take over Dabiao’s position, acting as his eyes and ears within the underworld; or second, to leave the underground world to resolve its own issues—after all, they never lacked people, and it was only a small faction’s leader who had been eliminated.

Despite Dabiao’s high status, the underworld would never allow such a vacancy to remain unfilled for long.

Rat stepping into the role would be ideal, but forcibly intervening risked alienating the underworld figures.

Xiao Ye wasn’t afraid of their retaliation, but if the focus shifted to Qin Xue’er, the cost would be too great.

After much deliberation, Xiao Ye decided to meet Rat and take control of the entire underground world himself.

About half an hour later, Xiao Ye appeared at a warehouse near the harbor.

Rat had been waiting for some time.

As they entered the warehouse, Rat spoke first.

“Young Master Xiao, I suspected from the start that you were behind Dabiao’s incident.”

Xiao Ye did not deny it, instead nodding in acknowledgment.

Rat nodded back, as he had expected as much.

He was about to continue when Xiao Ye interrupted.

“By the way, how is your team coming along?”

Hearing this, Rat’s enthusiasm immediately sparked.

“Regarding that, Young Master Xiao, I have compiled a list of all the members for your review.”

Rat pulled out several sheets of paper and handed them to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye examined the list carefully. These were all long-time underground operatives and Rat’s former associates.

However, by Xiao Ye’s standards, none of them seemed truly qualified.

He lightly rubbed his forehead and said, “Forget it, handle it as you see fit. As long as it helps you complete the mission without errors, that’s good enough.”

“What I want to discuss next is this: The underground world is in chaos now. Although Dabiao wasn’t a key figure, he had amassed considerable connections over the years.”

“So I’m thinking, if I enter the scene now, with your support, I’m confident I can do just as well as Dabiao!”

Rat declared confidently to Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye sighed inwardly.

He knew Rat would say this—men like him were inherently self-interested despite any semblance of loyalty.

Xiao Ye worried that if Rat truly occupied this position, he might be nurturing a future threat.

He hesitated but after a moment’s thought, agreed.

However, he added a condition to their agreement.

“I can offer you support, but you must understand, my help only extends as far as it benefits me.”

“If anything goes wrong, you know what I’ll do.”

Xiao Ye’s gaze was deadly serious as he fixed Rat with a piercing look.

“That’s understood,” Rat replied, trembling slightly but still agreeing.

“Very well. If anything comes up, let me know. I have other matters to attend to,” Xiao Ye said, then left the warehouse.

Just as he stepped outside, he received a call from Red Dragon.

“King Xiao, intelligence indicates that someone will be delivering goods to Jianghai City tonight—likely a group of mercenaries.”

“Mercenaries?” Xiao Ye was puzzled; it had been a long time since he’d heard that term.

“The exact identities are unclear, but the intel is reliable,” Red Dragon assured.

Xiao Ye nodded in acknowledgement.

“I understand. I’m near the harbor now. Prepare to bring the men.”

Red Dragon ended the call immediately.

Xiao Ye chose not to involve Rat in this and casually found a spot to wait.

Within half an hour, Red Dragon arrived with his team near the harbor.

“King Xiao, after reviewing the intel again, I’m certain it’s the Cheng family from Jiangnan District behind this,” Red Dragon declared confidently.

Xiao Ye frowned deeply.

They had already dealt with the Cheng family once—how dare they show up again?

The Cheng family had made their fortune through these dealings. Severing their ties with Jianghai City’s underworld would cut off their wealth and influence entirely.

Driven by enormous greed, Cheng Jiangshan naturally risked everything once more.

Xiao Ye’s thoughts returned to the mercenaries. Why had they come to Jianghai City?

“Red Dragon, have you identified these people yet?”

“Not yet. Their methods are extremely unusual, and we can’t trace their origins,” Red Dragon replied.

Xiao Ye nodded. Such secrecy was typical of mercenaries.

But it wasn’t a major concern; as long as they caught a few, they could interrogate them thoroughly.

Night began to fall. The harbor was chilled by damp winds, but that did not deter Xiao Ye and his men.

A faint ring from his phone signaled that the operation was near.

Xiao Ye gave a hand signal. Instantly, Red Dragon and the others moved silently into the darkness.

...

A shadowy figure stood beside a shipping container, eyes glued to the messages on his phone.

He had been waiting here for several minutes. The appointed time was just moments away.

The man’s name was Jiang Zi, the Cheng family’s contact in Jianghai City’s underworld.

“That old bastard Cheng Jiangshan actually made me come here alone to pick up the goods,” Jiang Zi muttered irritably.

Usually, he would have many people accompanying him at this hour.

But after Xiao Ye’s relentless strikes, no one dared to do such a thing anymore.

“Damn Xiao Ye, you’ve cut off our only livelihood. I don’t ever want to see you again!” Jiang Zi hissed fiercely.

Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Ye was quietly observing from behind.

Only one person?

Xiao Ye was surprised. Normally, transporting goods couldn’t be done alone.

Capturing this fellow might yield valuable information.

For now, however, he decided to watch and wait.