Chapter Six: Striking a Deal

Huang Dabao was not as sturdy or burly as the bald man; in fact, he was a bit lean. However, he was quite tall, and with his arrogant air, his first impression was that he was not someone to be trifled with.

Xu Yi had not expected Huang Dabao to drop to his knees with such fluidity; suddenly, he felt a bit awkward about laying a hand on him. Xu Yi realized that for this guy to have climbed to the position of a minor leader in the Donghai Gang, he clearly had some substance.

Standing tall, looking down at him, Xu Yi said coldly, "Tell me, how did you know I was hitting those scratch-offs?"

His expression was indifferent, but Xu Yi was genuinely puzzled. He had been careful to choose lottery shops in different areas, and he hadn't won any massive jackpots. With so many people in Donghai City, even if someone had noticed him, there was no way they could have linked his winnings across various shops. So, how had this blond-haired guy managed it?

Huang Dabao gulped and said, "Heh! Brother! It's just how I make a living. I don't have any other skills, but I have a lot of brothers. With many friends, information flows in quite quickly."

Xu Yi’s eyes lit up, and he took a proper look at Huang Dabao. He hadn't expected this punk to be an intelligence gatherer! If that was the case, and if he used him well, it would save him a lot of trouble in tracking down those two mysterious people. As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Xu Yi formulated his next move.

"From now on, I ask, you answer," Xu Yi continued. "If you satisfy me, I might consider letting you go."

Huang Dabao nodded vigorously. "Brother! Ask away! As long as it’s something within Donghai City, there’s nothing I, Huang Dabao, can’t find out."

"Don't bite off more than you can chew," Xu Yi said coldly. "First question: what is your actual rank in the Donghai Gang?"

Huang Dabao’s face turned awkward. Xu Yi’s gaze sharpened. "Don't tell me you aren't even part of the Donghai Gang."

Huang Dabao shuddered and hurriedly said, "Brother! Brother! It’s a misunderstanding. I am part of the Donghai Gang, it’s just... a little different from what I said earlier. Heh! I’m in the Donghai Gang, but I guess you could call me an outside member. Brother Hao is indeed my boss, but he’s not my cousin."

Xu Yi frowned, about to question him further, but Huang Dabao rushed to answer, "Brother, you might have a tiny bit of a misunderstanding about the Donghai Gang."

"Oh?" Xu Yi looked at him.

"Brother!" Huang Dabao said quickly. "You probably think the Donghai Gang is a typical street gang, right? But it’s not."

"Not a gang?" Xu Yi was taken aback.

"Right. The Donghai Gang is actually a chamber of commerce formed by several wealthy families in the South Province. Anyone who is a member of this chamber is technically part of the 'Donghai Gang.' But these wealthy families are always high and mighty, and they need people to do their dirty work. So, there are several outside organizations operating under the Donghai Gang’s name. Brother Hao is the boss of one of those outside organizations."

"And I’m just a lackey under Brother Hao. In terms of rank, there are three of us lackeys at my level under him."

Xu Yi suddenly understood. He had always wondered why he had lived in Donghai City for so many years without ever hearing of a gang. But if they were the "black gloves" for the wealthy elite, it made perfect sense. Gangs are base and filthy, growing from the streets, whereas the wealthy and their "black gloves" are the opposite—hidden, obscured, and untouchable by the average person.

Xu Yi continued, "Second question: have you, as an outside member, ever taken jobs for kidnapping or physical assault?"

"Yes!" Huang Dabao said immediately. "Those jobs are usually handled by Scarface."

"Scarface is another one of Brother Hao’s lackeys at my level. He runs the action team; he has the most men, so Brother Hao usually gives those jobs to him."

Xu Yi narrowed his eyes. "If I wanted you to find out about the cases Scarface has handled, would you be able to get information?"

"This..." Huang Dabao hesitated.

"Hmph!" Xu Yi let out a cold snort and suddenly punched the pavement right next to Huang Dabao.

*Boom!*

A loud crack echoed. Huang Dabao looked over and his heart nearly stopped. Damn it! Xu Yi had punched a hole the size of a fist directly into the road!

What the hell? Is he even human? A madman! Punching a hole in the ground? Is this guy out of a comic book? A one-punch man? More importantly, why did this kid have such a thick, intense murderous aura? Huang Dabao swore that even the most vicious enforcers in the Donghai Gang didn't have such a powerful aura. This kid had definitely killed people.

Huang Dabao was trembling all over. Xu Yi stood up and said calmly, "Think carefully before you answer me."

Huang Dabao gulped. "Brother! It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. Scarface is extremely violent and stops at nothing. Even though we’re in the same organization, when he goes crazy, he doesn't even recognize his own kin... I need some time."

"I can give you time. I can even give you other things you want, like money," Xu Yi said.

Huang Dabao looked up at him.

"Consider this a transaction," Xu Yi said. "I need your intelligence-gathering skills. Help me get the information, and I will pay you."

Huang Dabao’s mind raced. From the moment Xu Yi displayed his superhuman strength, he knew this man was no ordinary person and certainly had a background. If he could attach himself to someone like this, it might be the perfect opportunity for him to rise up. Could he afford to let this chance slip by?

A glint appeared in Huang Dabao’s eyes. "One day! Give me one day. Any case Scarface has worked on, I can get the details for you."

Xu Yi stared at him intently. After a moment, he asked slowly, "Do you know the Huo family?"

"The Huo family? You mean the Huo Group?" Huang Dabao tested cautiously.

"What do you think?" Xu Yi replied coldly.

Huang Dabao shuddered. "Yes, yes! Brother! If it’s the Huo Group, I know them. They are part of the Donghai Gang too, and they are an extremely powerful force within the chamber of commerce. Their businesses span the entire South Province. They are one of the top elite families in Donghai City."

Xu Yi said, "I want two pieces of information from you."

"First, the recent assault and kidnapping cases Scarface has taken on."

"Second, I want the dossier on the Huo family—the more detailed, the better."

"Tomorrow night, right here. You bring the information, and I give you the money."

With that, Xu Yi walked away. Huang Dabao exhaled a long breath, feeling as if he had just survived a brush with death. But then, Xu Yi’s voice drifted back to him.

"By the way, my name is Xu Yi. You can try to look me up. You can also break our deal. But now that I know who you are, if you do that, I promise you, you will die a much uglier death than I could ever imagine."

Huang Dabao shook, finally collapsing onto the ground.