The dishes were all set, and the waiter smartly slipped out.

Flying Dragon took the initiative to pick up the wine jar and refill both of their cups.

Shen Hao took a bite of food and popped it in his mouth, then asked Flying Dragon, "Things have been going pretty well lately, huh?"

"Yeah, pretty good."

Flying Dragon had not just been doing well these days, he’d been riding high. Ever since he’d helped Shen Hao out, the Li City Black Banner Battalion had been quietly looking after him: helped him take down several Black Market brokers just like himself.

Once his usual competitors ended up behind bars, and the rest were a bunch of no-hopers, both buying and selling channels naturally flowed into Flying Dragon’s hands, letting him take over a huge chunk of business he could only dream of before.

Is there anyone mixed up in the Black Market around Li City who doesn’t know Brother Feilong’s name these days?

He used to barely make any silver in a whole year, but now, in just two months, Flying Dragon had pocketed several thousand taels—enough to match what he’d make in two or three years back then.

He’d heard Shen Hao had been promoted, but hadn’t expected he’d come calling again so soon.

"Take these." Shen Hao pulled out a stack of silver notes, placed them on the table, and gestured for Flying Dragon to keep them.

Flying Dragon’s eyelids twitched—he had sharp eyes, and that stack was at least ten notes, with the top one stamped for one thousand taels. So minimum, that was over ten thousand taels?

Money is a good thing, but it’s hot as hell in the hand. For a moment, he didn’t dare take it at all, pulling his hand back.

"What, not enough for you?"

"No, sir! What’s the meaning here? I haven’t earned it, I don’t dare accept the reward!" Flying Dragon wanted to bolt—it felt like he was being targeted again by this man in front of him.

"Just take it. There’s something I need you to do, consider this an advance."

Flying Dragon still didn’t dare take it, and nervously said, "Sir, just give the order. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do my best."

"I need you to infiltrate the Black Markets in over forty cities around Fengri City—people, money, goods, I want you to figure out how these three move. This is your startup fund. If you need more later, just come to me. I’ll gradually give you manpower support, but you’ll need to set up the operation yourself first."

Shen Hao explained the business while eating, not stopping for a second despite Flying Dragon’s increasingly terrified expression—his words brooked no refusal.

"This... Sir, I’m just pig-brained, how could I handle something this big? Please, don’t joke with me, you’re scaring me out of my wits."

"Remember, move fast—but keep hidden. Don’t let anyone trace it back to me."

"No, I..." Flying Dragon tried to refuse, but the icy glint in Shen Hao’s eyes when he turned made him swallow his words whole.

Seeing Flying Dragon’s misery, Shen Hao found it funny and teased, "Last time I asked you for help, you looked like your mother had died, but you saw how things turned out. What you got was way more than what you gave up. There are risks, sure, but if you’re careful, it won’t be a problem."

You know the new Black Banner Camp Commander at Li City Guard Station, Chen Tianwen, right? Go find him—he’ll give you some help, including getting rid of a few rivals.

And get in touch with Liu Kuan, the Black Banner Camp Commander at Tu Kui City, as soon as you can. He’s got some messages that need to come to me through you. Same deal: keep it hidden, and handle this ASAP, got it?"

What could Flying Dragon say? Didn’t matter anyway! He wanted to wipe his tears, but couldn’t even cry. All he could do was nod silently, affirming he heard it all—and the only thing warming his heart was that stack of silver notes in his hand: seventeen notes, seventeen thousand taels!

Shen Hao enjoyed his meal, while Flying Dragon chewed like he was eating wax.

As they parted, Shen Hao handed Flying Dragon two Little Peiyuan pills—he still cared that Flying Dragon only had trash Cultivation, Qi Refining Third Layer.

Leaving the restaurant, Flying Dragon donned his Black Gauze Conical Hat, hiding his gloomy face. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Truthfully, Flying Dragon wanted nothing more than to stop dealing with Shen Hao—but had no choice. He felt like he’d been forced onto Shen Hao’s boat: either drown, or row along, no other options.

He sighed, pushed his worries aside, and started planning. He wasn’t stupid—he could see Shen Hao having him infiltrate the Black Markets in forty cities around Fengri City meant he was about to make a move, but whether it was to grasp control or wipe them out, he couldn’t tell.

The real puzzle for Flying Dragon was why Shen Hao wanted him to secretly liaise with Tu Kui City’s Black Banner Camp Commander. Why use him as the message relay? With so many in Black Banner Battalion to pick from—why him?

Back home, Flying Dragon locked himself in his room for a whole day, scribbling on paper, then burning all he’d written.

"I’ll be out for a few days. You stay home and be careful. If anything feels off, take the kid and go back to your mother’s. Also, I put some silver notes in the cabinet—take them if you need."

After leaving orders with his wife, Flying Dragon set out for Hao City.

Flying Dragon had made plenty of trustworthy contacts over the years; those five who’d watched the Population Department for him were among them, and they were still on his mind for this job.

He contacted two people to pass around the news—just said he’d be hosting drinks tonight at the best Flower House in Hao City, inviting old friends over for a cup.

By the afternoon, everyone had arrived—a total of seven. Four of them were native to Hao City, which is why Flying Dragon chose to host there.

Out of these seven, five had helped stake out Fengri City’s Population Department before; the other two were also rare, reliable allies Flying Dragon had accumulated over years in the game.

"Still a while till dinner—let’s have some casual drinks and play a bit of money games."

Inside the private room at the Flower House, eight men sat in a circle, drinking and gambling with bamboo tiles while chatting lightly.

Flying Dragon kept losing, over a dozen rounds in a row, then put down the tiles and raised his glass to suggest a break.

"Things in Li City are pretty much sorted; over half the Black Market business comes through me now. The money’s way more than before, and easier too—just too much to handle alone."

"Brother Feilong, just say it straight—are you hoping us brothers come over and help?"

"Haha, that’s right. Brother Feilong’s loyal—always thinks of us when there’s something good."

Flying Dragon laughed, "You got it. I’m doing well now, but I won’t forget you all. So yeah, I called you here because I got work for you. Let’s set this straight: if you want to make money, you gotta take risks. Even the breakfast sellers outside got to watch for vagrants snatching things—if any of you are scared, you can walk away now."

No one left. To be blunt, who here isn’t a desperado? No one faint of heart would get invited by Flying Dragon.

"All right, since you’re ready to stick with me, here’s the plan. First, I’ve maxed out the Black Market business around Li City. Any more expansion and there’ll be trouble, so I need two to help hold the fort—might see blood before it’s done."

Other than Li City, I’m thinking about checking out Pingshun City. That place is dangerous, as you know. I need three to take the lead there. I’ve got a backup plan, of course, just can’t tell you right now."

Seven men—Flying Dragon said he needed five.

He pulled out five thousand taels in silver notes and tossed them on the table.

"That’s a signing bonus. Whoever takes it is in. You dare take the money and not do the work, per our rules you’ll get buried alive. Keep that in mind."

...