The Strongest Dandy in the City-Chapter 313 Who’s Outsmarting Whom?

Wild Dog’s eyes briefly hardened, his body shivering at the memory of the unbearable itching pain and the sight of blood trails scratched over his body. Ferocious as he was, it didn’t mean Wild Dog wasn’t afraid of death. One could infer from his scar-laden face the excruciating torment he must have endured to survive—clearly, he treasured his life dearly.

Lying on the ground, his breath erratic, Wild Dog gazed at Ye Chenfeng with suspicion and alarm. If what Ye Chenfeng said was true, then wouldn’t his life be forever in Ye Chenfeng’s hands? He didn’t want to die; he wanted to live. Tentatively, he asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Ye Chenfeng said with a smile, "Not bad, not bad. It seems you’ve begun to show the qualities of a good dog. I simply want you to betray Zhang Tiankuang—and incidentally, stir up a little conflict between Tiger’s Roar Association and Huang Xiao’s Absolute Kill Association. As Zhang Tiankuang’s trusted lieutenant, this shouldn’t be too difficult for you, should it?"

"What? You want me to betray Zhang Tiankuang?" Wild Dog exclaimed in surprise. He knew all too well that if he chose to betray Zhang Tiankuang, he was unlikely to meet a good end.

Ye Chenfeng seemed to sense Wild Dog’s inner apprehension and spoke in an even tone, "What’s wrong? You don’t want to? I know what you’re worried about! However, the Tiger’s Roar Association and the Absolute Kill Association will soon disappear from Tianhai. In Zhang Tiankuang’s heart, you’re nothing more than a dog. Better to be my dog than his, I promise to provide you with a far more glorious life. Know this—there are many who wish to be my dogs. The question is whether you’ll seize this opportunity."

Tiger’s Roar Association and Absolute Kill Association will vanish from Tianhai? Such an arrogant claim. Surely there was no force in Tianhai capable of confronting these two major gangs? Thoughts raced through Wild Dog’s mind, and after a minute, he ventured, "Are you from Victory Sky Society?"

"It seems you’re quite sharp. Make your decision quickly! I don’t have time to waste here with you."

As Ye Chenfeng’s dark eyes bore into him, Wild Dog felt an oppressive tightness in his chest, a suffocating pressure that left him struggling for breath. He swallowed hard before speaking, "Victory Sky Society’s rise has indeed been swift; perhaps in another year or two, it really could challenge Tiger’s Roar Association and Absolute Kill Association, but definitely not now."

Ye Chenfeng let out a cold laugh and said, "I’m not asking for your assessment of Victory Sky Society. Are you willing to be my dog or not? It’s a gamble for you. If you agree to be my dog, and if Victory Sky Society manages to take down both Tiger’s Roar Association and Absolute Kill Association, then from then on, we’ll be the new underworld overlords in Tianhai. As one of Victory Sky Society’s dogs, you’ll live life far more splendidly than you do now. Of course, you could also choose to stay loyal to Zhang Tiankuang, but then I’ll have no choice but to send you to Yama’s Palace."

Should he stay loyal to Zhang Tiankuang, Wild Dog would be doomed—Ye Chenfeng would kill him if the Extreme Itch Pill didn’t. If Wild Dog chose to be Ye Chenfeng’s dog, he might still have a sliver of a chance to live. Besides, Ye Chenfeng was right; to Zhang Tiankuang, Wild Dog was just a dog that could be killed at any moment. So, whose dog should he be if not Ye Chenfeng’s?

Wild Dog weighed his options internally, "I can agree to your request, but how can I ensure you won’t go back on your word?"

"I, Ye Chenfeng, generally keep my promises," Ye Chenfeng said coolly. "Now that you’ve agreed to be my dog, as long as you remain utterly loyal to me, I assure you, you’ll have plenty of glory. After all, even when beating a dog, one should consider its master."

Now that Wild Dog had accepted his terms, Ye Chenfeng told him what needed to be done. After issuing his instructions, Ye Chenfeng left the lavishly lit room on the second floor that belonged exclusively to Wild Dog.

The room was dimly lit. Staring at the young girl lying unconscious on the bed, Wild Dog’s scarred face wrinkled in thought. Should he become a gloriously pampered dog or a beaten, dead dog? The step he was about to take would determine his fate for the rest of his life.

...

The next day, while the sky was still dimly lit, Wild Dog rushed to the headquarters of Tiger’s Roar Association. Zhang Tiankuang, the leader of the association, was exercising in the courtyard. For a man like Zhang Tiankuang, who revered violence, combat skills were essential.

Upon seeing Wild Dog appear in the courtyard, Zhang Tiankuang ceased his punching and kicking. A good-looking maid handed him a towel. After wiping the sweat from his face, he asked, "Wild Dog, what brings you here so early?"

"Wild Dog said urgently, "Boss, something terrible has happened. This time I might have been played by the folks at Absolute Kill Association. I heard they’re teaming up with Victory Sky Society to take out our Tiger’s Roar Association. Huang Xiao really is a master of scheming."

Zhang Tiankuang looked at Wild Dog and said, "Oh? Absolute Kill Association is going to team up with Victory Sky Society? Is this information reliable?" Zhang Tiankuang wasn’t a complete fool without brains to have become the leader of Tiger’s Roar Association.

Just as Zhang Tiankuang’s words fell, another group of Tiger’s Roar Association executives rushed into the headquarters’ courtyard, and upon seeing Zhang Tiankuang, they began to speak over one another without regard for decorum.

"Boss, this is bad news. Absolute Kill Association is going to join forces with Victory Sky Society. They’ll probably make their move against our Tiger’s Roar Association within the next two days."

"Boss, we have to prepare as soon as possible! Our Tiger’s Roar Association’s power is comparable to Absolute Kill Association’s, but if Victory Sky Society, which is on the rise, were to join them, our situation would become extremely dangerous."

...

This morning, the rumor that Victory Sky Society was joining forces with Absolute Kill Association spread among Tianhai’s underworld, and it appeared that Fang Nanxiang had executed Ye Chenfeng’s instructions quite well. Rumors are not frightening in themselves, but when there are more and more of them, most people will start believing they are true, just like this batch of Tiger’s Roar Association executives.

Wild Dog watched the flustered executives of Tiger’s Roar Association and thought to himself, "Victory Sky Society really has some good tactics! If Tiger’s Roar Association and Absolute Kill Association really start fighting each other, then Victory Sky Society could sit back and reap the benefits. Perhaps they might really be able to unify Tianhai’s underworld."

"What are you all flustered for? What sort of image is this? You are the high-level executives of Tiger’s Roar Association. Haven’t we weathered various storms before? Is the news that Victory Sky Society and Absolute Kill Association are joining forces reliable?" Zhang Tiankuang’s voice was calm, but the anger on his face betrayed his true feelings.

"Boss, I think this matter is true. According to the information, last night there was a conflict between a high-ranking member of Absolute Kill Association and Huang Xiao. Afterwards, this member disclosed the news, which quickly spread like wildfire through Tianhai’s underworld," said a middle-aged man in his forties.

"Boss, after I heard this news, I immediately sent people to find that betrayer from Absolute Kill Association. In the end, I really found him. If you want to see him, Boss, I can bring him here immediately," Wild Dog spoke up.

"Wild Dog, how could you not bring someone so important directly to me? Bring him to see me right away," Zhang Tiankuang’s voice gradually grew colder.

Wild Dog hurriedly made a phone call, and soon a man in his thirties was brought into the headquarters’ courtyard by members of Tiger’s Roar Association. Zhang Tiankuang had some understanding of Absolute Kill Association’s high-ranking members, and he recalled having some impression of the man in his thirties standing before him.

"Tell me everything you know, and from now on, you’ll be one of us at Tiger’s Roar Association. Absolute Kill Association won’t even think about touching a hair on your head," Zhang Tiankuang said with a barely contained rage in his voice.

The man in his thirties hesitated for a moment before saying, "Boss Zhang, I’ve completely turned against Huang Xiao. Since Boss Zhang values me, I will tell everything I know. Huang Xiao indeed has plans to team up with Victory Sky Society. In his view, as long as he works with Victory Sky Society to deal with Tiger’s Roar Association, then Victory Sky Society will pose no threat to Absolute Kill Association, and it would be easy for Absolute Kill to unify the underworld of Tianhai in the future."

"However, Boss Zhang, currently Victory Sky Society and Absolute Kill Association haven’t formally reached an agreement to join forces yet! They are estimated to have another meeting tonight, so if you plan to take action, Boss Zhang, it would be best to seize the opportunity immediately." (To be continued. If you enjoy this novel, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)