Chapter 109: What He Craves Is Power

In the small pavilion, the Big Boss and Bamboo Leaf Green were already at their wits' end before the food and wine had even arrived.

The Big Boss felt an overwhelming sense of regret. He prided himself on his keen eye for people, and having heard Bamboo Leaf Green's analysis of Zheng Jian, he knew the man had a sharp, unforgiving tongue. Alas, old habits die hard. The Big Boss had simply failed to control his own mouth for a moment, letting himself get drawn into a bickering match with Zheng Jian. He had never expected that once the sparring began, it would spiral out of control like a torrential river, leaving him so frustrated he felt as if he were on the verge of a stroke.

Looking at Zheng Jian, who remained spirited, unsatisfied, and seemingly eager to go another three hundred rounds, the Big Boss’s face turned livid. In a fit of temper, he reached out and slapped Bamboo Leaf Green, who was standing beside him. He couldn’t bring himself to strike his own face, so he took it out on his strategist instead.

Bamboo Leaf Green was stunned by the sudden blow. He stared blankly at the Big Boss, only to see the man’s face twisted in rage. Suddenly, Bamboo Leaf Green sensed a murderous aura behind him; realizing Tie Hu had arrived, a plan formed in his mind. He was a ruthless man, and since the Big Boss had slapped his right cheek, he swung his own left arm with force.

*Smack!*

Bamboo Leaf Green slapped his own left cheek. His face immediately swelled up, the prints of two palms clearly visible. "Boss, look at my face. Is it symmetrical now?"

In truth, the moment the Big Boss had struck, he regretted it. Bamboo Leaf Green was a subordinate he valued highly; to win him over, he had even gifted him his beautiful concubine, Zi Ling. Hearing this, the Big Boss forced a laugh. "Cough, cough. Yes, it’s symmetrical. Ah Yong, take the strategist away and apply some medicine—use the very best!"

A flicker of cold hatred crossed Bamboo Leaf Green's eyes, though he quickly lowered his head to hide it. When he looked up, his expression was filled with gratitude. He bowed to the Big Boss and Zheng Jian before following Ah Yong away.

Zheng Jian watched this theatrical display with an inward chuckle, though he kept a calm, indifferent expression on his face. Seeing the atmosphere chill, the Big Boss laughed and pulled Tie Hu forward. "Master Zheng, this is Tie Hu, my right-hand man. I owe everything I have today to Brother Tie Hu."

Tie Hu was a burly, imposing man radiating a fierce aura. He flashed an ugly smile. "Greetings, Master Zheng. Your swordsmanship is profound; I have admired you for a long time."

Zheng Jian had no desire to burn bridges with the Big Boss just yet, so he returned the courtesy.

Tie Hu was merely an alias. Thanks to his memory-enhancing pill, Zheng Jian recalled many details, including the truth about this man: his real identity was Lei Zhentian, known in the martial arts world as the "Wind, Cloud, Thunder Tiger." He was a master who had pushed his external cultivation to the absolute limit. The "Single-String Whip" was his signature technique; in the entire world, only two people had mastered it—Lei Zhentian and "Jade Overlord" Bai Yuncheng.

...

After a banquet that could hardly be called pleasant, Zheng Jian took his leave. Once he was gone, only the Big Boss and Tie Hu remained in the garden.

The Big Boss stared at the blooming autumn chrysanthemums and suddenly asked, "Ah Hu, how long have you been with me?"

Tie Hu replied in a deep voice, "Five years."

The Big Boss shook his head. "Not five years. Four years, eight months, and twenty-four days."

Tie Hu’s body stiffened. He had not expected the Big Boss to remember so precisely, and the fact that he did proved it was no accident that he had reached his current status.

"Do you know how long Bamboo Leaf Green has been with me?" the Big Boss asked again.

"He has been here longer than I have," Tie Hu answered. Bamboo Leaf Green had already been there when he arrived.

"Six years, two months, and thirteen days. In all the time you’ve been with me, you’ve spent 470,000 taels of my silver and gone through seventy-nine women. And him?" the Big Boss said leisurely, seemingly recovered from his earlier agitation.

Tie Hu remained silent.

"He has only spent three taels of my silver, and the only woman he has is the Zi Ling I just gave him."

Tie Hu remained silent, unsure of the Big Boss’s intent.

The Big Boss smiled slightly. "Both of you work for me. I tell you this not to reproach you for spending my money; on the contrary, I trust you more than him. Do you know why?"

The Big Boss turned to look at Tie Hu. "You spend money and change women—that is a normal need for a man. The fact that you spend a lot and change them often shows me that you aren't hiding your desires from me. But Bamboo Leaf Green... he takes no money, no women. So, tell me, what does he want?"

Tie Hu understood, but he dared not answer.

The Big Boss continued to himself, "I know. He wants power! If he doesn't take my money and doesn't ask for women, the answer is simple: he wants my seat."

"With one word from you, Boss, I can take him out at any time!" Tie Hu’s eyes gleamed.

"Not yet! I know you have the confidence, but as long as he hasn't betrayed me, it isn't necessary. Today I slapped him, and he was clever enough to slap himself in return. If it were you, would you have done that?" The Big Boss laughed heartily. He was not stupid; on the contrary, to keep so many desperate outlaws under his thumb, he was very sharp.

Bamboo Leaf Green was no fool. He had been struck for no reason, yet not only was he not angry, he had struck his other cheek as well! The Big Boss realized that if Bamboo Leaf Green could endure such humiliation, he was a man to be feared. However, the Big Boss could endure just as much. He trusted that Tie Hu would not give Bamboo Leaf Green the chance to betray him. There was a reason he had been so candid with Tie Hu.

"Ah Hu, let me ask you another question. What do you think of that Zheng Jian?" Having secured Tie Hu’s loyalty, the Big Boss changed the subject.

At the mention of Zheng Jian, the Big Boss’s teeth gritted with hatred. No one had ever caused him such frustration—it had even made him cough up blood. Could he let this slide?

Tie Hu replied in a deep voice, "He is strong! And he has great courage."

"And if you were to face him, what are your chances?" the Big Boss asked with interest.

"Fifty-fifty!" Tie Hu said confidently. His confidence was not unfounded; few people survived the sword of Yan Shisan, and he happened to be one of them. Therefore, even knowing Zheng Jian was powerful, he possessed this certainty.

"Good. I understand." The Big Boss said noncommittally.

As the night deepened, the Big Boss lay on his absurdly large bed, surrounded by nine beauties attending to him. Given how many people were there, it wasn't crowded at all—which showed just how massive the bed truly was.

Bamboo Leaf Green stood at the foot of the bed, his face still swollen. The Big Boss did not care in the slightest that Bamboo Leaf Green was witnessing this decadent scene. "Strategist, how is Zi Ling's service? If you aren't satisfied, look at these women here—whichever one you like, you can take her back. I was impulsive tonight, and for that, I apologize!"

Bamboo Leaf Green did not look at the erotic scene on the bed. His face was filled with tearful gratitude. "Boss, you..."